Intersections of Hyperconics in Projective Planes of Even Order

AbstractWe show how to lift the even intersection equivalence relation from the hyperovals of PG(2, 4) to an equivalence relation amongst sets of hyperconics in π=PG(2, F). Here, F is any finite or infinite field of characteristic two that contains a subfield of order 4, but does not contain a subfield of order 8. Moreover, we are able to determine the number of points that two hyperconics in π will have in common provided some projective subplane of order 4 intersects both of them in hexads

Some observations on the application of software metrics to UML models

In this position paper we discuss some of the existing work on applying metrics to UML models, present some of our own work in this area, and specify some topics for future research that we regard as important

Towards the re-usability of software metric definitions at the meta level

A large number of metrics for evaluating the quality of software have been proposed in the literature. However, there is no standard terminology or formalism for defining metrics and consequently many of the metrics proposed have some ambiguity in their definitions. This hampers the empirical validation of these metrics. To address this problem, we generalise an existing approach to defining metrics that is based on the Object Constraint Language and the Unified Modelling Language metamodel. We have developed a prototype tool called DMML (Defining Metrics at the Meta Level) that supports this approach and we present details of this tool. To illustrate the approach, we present formal definitions for the Chidamber and Kemerer metrics suite

Towards the re-usability of software metric definitions at the meta level

A large number of metrics for evaluating the quality of software have been proposed in the literature. However, there is no standard terminology or formalism for defining metrics and consequently many of the metrics proposed have some ambiguity in their definitions. This hampers the empirical validation of these metrics. To address this problem, we generalise an existing approach to defining metrics that is based on the Object Constraint Language and the Unified Modelling Language metamodel. We have developed a prototype tool called DMML (Defining Metrics at the Meta Level) that supports this approach and we present details of this tool. To illustrate the approach, we present formal definitions for the Chidamber and Kemerer metrics suite

A Definition of the Chidamber and Kemerer Metrics suite for UML. Technical Report NUIM-CS-TR-2006-03

Since there is no standard formalism for defining software metrics, many of the measures that exist have some ambiguity in their definitions which hinders their comparison and implementation. We address this problem by presenting an approach for defining software metrics. This approach is based on expressing the measures as Object Constraint Language queries over a language metamodel. To illustrate the approach, we specify how the Chidamber and Kemerer metrics suite can be measured from Unified Modelling Language class diagrams by presenting formal definitions for these metrics using the Unified Modelling Language 2.0 metamodel

Proton and cadmium adsorption by the archaeon Thermococcus zilligii: Generalising the contrast between thermophiles and mesophiles as sorbents

Adsorption by microorganisms can play a significant role in the fate and transport of metals in natural systems. Surface complexation models (SCMs) have been applied extensively to describe metal adsorption by mesophilic bacteria, and several recent studies have extended this framework to thermophilic bacteria. We conduct acid-base titrations and batch experiments to characterise proton and Cd adsorption onto the thermophilic archaeon Thermococcus zilligii. The experimental data and the derived SCMs indicate that the archaeon displays significantly lower overall sorption site density compared to previously studied thermophilic bacteria such Anoxybacillus flavithermus, Geobacillus stearothermophilus, G. thermocatenulatus, and Thermus thermophilus. The thermophilic bacteria and archaea display lower sorption site densities than the mesophilic microorganisms that have been studied to date, which points to a general pattern of total concentration of cell wall adsorption sites per unit biomass being inversely correlated to growth temperature

Runs of homozygosity do not influence survival to old age

Runs of homozygosity (ROH) are extended tracts of adjacent homozygous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are more common in unrelated individuals than previously thought. It has been proposed that estimating ROH on a genome-wide level, by making use of the genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data, will enable to indentify recessive variants underlying complex traits. Here, we examined ROH larger than 1.5 Mb individually and in combination for association with survival in 5974 participants of the Rotterdam Study. In addition, we assessed the role of overall homozygosity, expressed as a percentage of the autosomal genome that is in ROH longer than 1.5 Mb, on survival during a mean follow-up period of 12 years. None of these measures of homozygosity was associated with survival to old age

Artemisone effective against murine cerebral malaria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Artemisinins are the newest class of drug approved for malaria treatment. Due to their unique mechanism of action, rapid effect on Plasmodium, and high efficacy in vivo, artemisinins have become essential components of malaria treatment. Administration of artemisinin derivatives in combination with other anti-plasmodials has become the first-line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria. However, their efficiency in cases of cerebral malaria (CM) remains to be determined.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The efficacy of several artemisinin derivatives for treatment of experimental CM was evaluated in ICR or C57BL/6 mice infected by <it>Plasmodium berghei </it>ANKA. Both mouse strains serve as murine models for CM.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Artemisone was the most efficient drug tested, and could prevent death even when administered at relatively late stages of cerebral pathogenesis. No parasite resistance to artemisone was detected in recrudescence. Co-administration of artemisone together with chloroquine was more effective than monotherapy with either drug, and led to complete cure. Artemiside was even more effective than artemisone, but this substance has yet to be submitted to preclinical toxicological evaluation.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Altogether, the results support the use of artemisone for combined therapy of CM.</p