Reducing test runtimes by saving and restoring machine state

Most tests of software for consumer electronic devices involve setup operations prior to actual execution of the test. The setup operations can be time-consuming and are often common across test nodes. This disclosure describes techniques that enable the setup operations to be performed once prior to the start of test execution. The results are shared across multiple test nodes. The techniques thereby reduce test runtimes, and increase the scale and volume of testing

Frequency and Severity of Neutropenia Associated with Food and Drug Administration Approved and Compounded Formulations of Lomustine in Dogs with Cancer.

BackgroundCompounded lomustine is used commonly in veterinary patients. However, the potential variability in these formulations is unknown and concern exists that compounded formulations of drugs may differ in potency from Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved products.Hypothesis/objectivesThe initial objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency and severity of neutropenia in dogs treated with compounded or FDA-approved formulations of lomustine. Subsequent analyses aimed to determine the potency of lomustine obtained from several compounding pharmacies.AnimalsThirty-seven dogs treated with FDA-approved or compounded lomustine.MethodsDogs that received compounded or FDA-approved lomustine and had pretreatment and nadir CBCs performed were eligible for inclusion. Variables assessed included lomustine dose, neutrophil counts, and severity of neutropenia. Lomustine 5 mg capsules from 5 compounding sources were tested for potency using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet (UV) detection.ResultsTwenty-one dogs received FDA-approved lomustine and 16 dogs were treated with lomustine prescribed from a single compounding pharmacy. All dogs treated with FDA-approved lomustine were neutropenic after treatment; 15 dogs (71%) developed grade 3 or higher neutropenia. Four dogs (25%) given compounded lomustine became neutropenic, with 2 dogs (12.5%) developing grade 3 neutropenia. The potency of lomustine from 5 compounding pharmacies ranged from 50 to 115% of the labeled concentration, with 1 sample within ±10% of the labeled concentration.Conclusions and clinical importanceThese data support broader investigation into the potency and consistency of compounded chemotherapy drugs and highlight the potential need for greater oversight of these products

Differential expression of skeletal muscle genes following administration of clenbuterol to exercised horses.

BackgroundClenbuterol, a beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist, is used therapeutically to treat respiratory conditions in the horse. However, by virtue of its mechanism of action it has been suggested that clenbuterol may also have repartitioning affects in horses and as such the potential to affect performance. Clenbuterol decreases the percent fat and increases fat-free mass following high dose administration in combination with intense exercise in horses. In the current study, microarray analysis and real-time PCR were used to study the temporal effects of low and high dose chronic clenbuterol administration on differential gene expression of several skeletal muscle myosin heavy chains, genes involved in lipid metabolism and the β2-adrenergic receptor. The effect of clenbuterol administration on differential gene expression has not been previously reported in the horse, therefore the primary objective of the current study was to describe clenbuterol-induced temporal changes in gene expression following chronic oral administration of clenbuterol at both high and low doses.ResultsSteady state clenbuterol concentrations were achieved at approximately 50 h post administration of the first dose for the low dose regimen and at approximately 18-19 days (10 days post administration of 3.2 μg/kg) for the escalating dosing regimen. Following chronic administration of the low dose (0.8 μg/kg BID) of clenbuterol, a total of 114 genes were differentially expressed, however, none of these changes were found to be significant following FDR adjustment of the p-values. A total of 7,093 genes were differentially expressed with 3,623 genes up regulated and 3,470 genes down regulated following chronic high dose administration. Of the genes selected for further study by real-time PCR, down-regulation of genes encoding myosin heavy chains 2 and 7, steroyl CoA desaturase and the β2-adrenergic receptor were noted. For most genes, expression levels returned towards baseline levels following cessation of drug administration.ConclusionThis study showed no evidence of modified gene expression following chronic low dose administration of clenbuterol to horses. However, following chronic administration of high doses of clenbuterol alterations were noted in transcripts encoding various myosin heavy chains, lipid metabolizing enzymes and the β2-adrenergic receptor

Pharmacokinetics of inorganic cobalt and a vitamin B12 supplement in the thoroughbred horse: differentiating cobalt abuse from supplementation

Background While cobalt is an essential micronutrient for vitamin B12 synthesis in the horse, at supraphysiological concentrations, it has been shown to enhance performance in human subjects and rats, and there is evidence that its administration in high doses to horses poses a welfare threat. Animal sport regulators currently control cobalt abuse via international race day thresholds, but this work was initiated to explore means of potentially adding to application of those thresholds since cobalt may be present in physiological concentrations. Objectives To devise a scientific basis for differentiation between presence of cobalt from bona fide supplementation and cobalt doping through the use of ratios. Study design Six Thoroughbred horses were given 10 mL vitamin B12/cobalt supplement (Hemo‐15®; Vetoquinol, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, UK., 1.5 mg B12, 7 mg cobalt gluconate = 983 μg total Co) as an i.v. bolus then an i.v. infusion (15 min) of 100 mg cobalt chloride (45.39 mg Co) 6 weeks later. Pre‐and post‐administration plasma and urine samples were analysed for cobalt and vitamin B12. Methods Urine and plasma samples were analysed for vitamin B12 using an immunoassay and cobalt concentrations were measured via ICP‐MS. Baseline concentrations of cobalt in urine and plasma for each horse were subtracted from their cobalt concentrations post‐administration for the PK analysis. Compartmental analysis was used for the determination of plasma PK parameters for cobalt using commercially available software. Results On administration of a vitamin B12/cobalt supplement, the ratio of cobalt to vitamin B12 in plasma rapidly increased to approximately 3 and then rapidly declined below a ratio of 1 and then back to near baseline over the next week. On administration of 100 mg cobalt chloride, the ratio initially exceeded 10 in plasma and then declined with the lower 95% confidence interval remaining above a ratio of 1 for 7 days. For two horses with extended sampling, the plasma ratio remained above one for approximately 28 days after cobalt chloride administration. The effect of the administration of the vitamin B12/cobalt supplement on the urine ratio was transient and reached a peak value of 10 which then rapidly declined. However, a urine ratio of 10 was exceeded, with the lower 95% confidence interval remaining above a ratio of 10 for 7 days after cobalt chloride administration. For the two horses with extended sampling, the urine ratio remained above 10 for about 18 days (442 h) after cobalt chloride administration even though the absolute cobalt urine concentration had dropped below the international threshold of 100 ng/mL after 96 h. Main limitations Only one vitamin B12/cobalt product was evaluated, a limited number of horses were included, the horses were not in full race training and the results may be specific to this population of horses. Conclusions The results provide the basis for a potential strategy for allowing supplementation with vitamin B12 products, while controlling the misuse of high doses of cobalt, through a combination of international thresholds and ratios of cobalt to vitamin B12, in plasma and urine

CAUSES OF SCHOOL FAILURES DURING STUDIES IN THE OPINION OF TIE STUDENTS FROM THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF CRACOW

European Union considers school failure as one of the greatest challenges for the education systems in the unifying Europe. What seems to be essential when considering the problem of educational failure is the question of reasons for lack of success in learning performance. This knowledge may help eliminate some factors and find a solution. The research presented in this paper shows the most important factors determining learning failures at collage in the opinion of TIE students of Pedagogical University in Cracow

Ecological Electroplating Baths and Their Application in the Tin-coating of Copper Wires Intended for Photovoltaic Cables

Copper wires are covered with various coatings for many different applications. The most popular are tin based coatings and both their thickness and quality have been standardized by means of appropriate standard specifications. Copper wires intended for photovoltaic cables are subjected to especially high requirements due to their exceptionally long operating time and extremely unfavourable working conditions. Tin coatings are applied using the electroplating method and generally a fluoroborate bath is used during the process, however, it has been proved to be a health hazard in general and harmful to the environment as a whole. The paper presents the research results of a new ecological methane-sulfonate bath which does not form hazardous waste in the process. The examples of tin coatings of various thickness and the way of obtaining them at varying electrodeposition speeds at constant current or constant speed with varying current intensity were analysed. It has been determined that the use of the new electroplating bath is not only beneficial from an ecological point of view, but also in terms of the coating quality and efficiency of the process

Defects analysis of copper wires manufactured in industrial conditions

Many factors are responsible for the formation of surface and internal defects during copper wire drawing process. Generally they may be divided into defects of material or processing origin. Even input material of the highest quality with little to none defects cannot ensure the absence of breakages during the process due to inadequate process parameters. Optimally selected process parameters may reduce the risk of cracks forming during the metal forming process. The paper presents examples of wire defects and cracks occurring throughout the wire drawing process of copper in industrial conditions and a wide analysis of their source

Defects analysis of copper wires manufactured in industrial conditions

Many factors are responsible for the formation of surface and internal defects during copper wire drawing process. Generally they may be divided into defects of material or processing origin. Even input material of the highest quality with little to none defects cannot ensure the absence of breakages during the process due to inadequate process parameters. Optimally selected process parameters may reduce the risk of cracks forming during the metal forming process. The paper presents examples of wire defects and cracks occurring throughout the wire drawing process of copper in industrial conditions and a wide analysis of their source