Testing a system specified using Statecharts and Z

A hybrid specification language SZ, in which the dynamic behaviour of a system is described using Statecharts and the data and the data transformations are described using Z, has been developed for the specification of embedded systems. This paper describes an approach to testing from a deterministic sequential specification written in SZ. By considering the Z specifications of the operations, the extended finite state machine (EFSM) defined by the Statechart can be rewritten to produce an EFSM that has a number of properties that simplify test generation. Test generation algorithms are introduced and applied to an example. While this paper considers SZ specifications, the approaches described might be applied whenever the specification is an EFSM whose states and transitions are specified using a language similar to Z

Concurrent infections of hepatitis C and HIV in hepatitis B patients in the north-east of Iran

Co-infection of HBV, HCV and HIV is common because of shared routes of viral transmission with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Anti-HCV and HIV antibodies of168 HBV patients were assayed. Co-infection of HCV in HBV patients was seen in four cases (2.4%). Simultaneous infection of HIV in HBV patents was seen in three cases (1.8%).There was no simultaneous co-infection of HCV, HIV and HBV. It is recommended that all patients are screened for possible co-infections before initiating treatment

Stop using the flotation technique and start weighing salbutamol pressurised metered-dose inhalers without dose counters.

Salbutamol pressurised metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) are not equipped with dose counters outside the USA. The aim of this study was to describe a simple reproducible method for determining the number of doses remaining in a pMDI based on scale weight. With a laboratory scale, the mean weight of the canisters was 28.61 ± 0.10 g after priming and 14.84 ± 0.23 g after 200 puffs. Similar results were obtained with two common digital scales. We recommend weighing salbutamol canisters on a common digital scale, and replacing an old pMDI with a new one when the weight falls to ≤15 g

IMECE2003-44300 Boundary Layer Solution for the Turbulent Swirling Decay Flow Through a Fixed Pipe: SBR at the Inlet

ABSTRACT In this study the developing turbulent swirling pipe flow is investigated both numerically and analytically. Governing equations are derived accompanying the boundary layer assumptions. Uniform and solid body rotation (SBR) distributions are taken into account for the axial and tangential velocities at the inlet of the pipe, respectively. Beyond the boundary layers, the flow pattern is considered to be the potential flow. Making use of the fourth-order Runge-Kutta scheme, the numerical solution of the differential equations is obtained. Further more, by simplifying the governing equations for large Rossby number, the analytical solution is performed. The results of numerical and analytical swirl intensity have been compared showing reasonable agreement. As an alternative solution, a CFD analysis has been done as well, having applied FLUENT software to support the ability of our methodology

Preparation, escalation, de-escalation, and normal activities

Iran is one of the earliest countries involved with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In the present short report, we have presented our experiences as a cardiovascular tertiary center during the COVID-19 outbreak. At the beginning, we have pursued our activities in four field of administrative, preventative, therapeutic, and research. Then by gaining new experiences, we have tailored our strategies. Finally, we have described our challenges and future strategies on returning to normal activities. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LL

Delayed effects of sulfur mustard on autophagy suppression in chemically-injured lung tissue

Background: Autophagy is an intracellular hemostasis mechanism, responding to extracellular or intracellular stresses. Sulfur mustard (SM) induces cellular stress. Iranian soldiers exposed to SM gas, during the Iraq-Iran war, suffer from delayed complications even 30 years after exposure. In this study, for exploring the SM effect on autophagy pathway, gene and protein expression of autophagy markers are evaluated in the lung of SM-exposed people. Methods: 52 FFPE lung tissues of SM-exposed people and 33 lung paraffin blocks of non-exposed patients to SM were selected. LC3 and Beclin-1 mRNA expressions were evaluated by QRT-PCR. LC3-B protein and LC3II/LC3I proteins ratio were detected by Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting method. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS, and P value � 0.05 was considered significant. Results: LC3 gene expression in SM-exposed subjects (median CT value = 4.97) increased about 4 fold compared with the control group (median CT value = 0.46, P = 0.025). Beclin-1 mRNA expression had not significant difference between two groups. After adjusting the confounding variables such as drug usage, LC3-B protein (P = 0.041) and LC3II/LC3I ratio (P = 0.044) were found significantly lower in the lung cells of SM-exposed group. Conclusion: Upon exposure to SM gas, the lung cells are affected by acute cellular stress such as oxidative stress. The study results show that LC3 mRNA level increases in these patients, but, surprisingly, LC3-B protein via unknown mechanism has been down-regulated. N-acetyl cysteine and salbutamol drugs could induce the autophagy, and help to reduce the SM effects and improve the clinical condition of SM-injured patients. © 2019 Elsevier B.V

Antitumor effect of IP-10 by using two different approaches: Live delivery system and gene therapy

Purpose: Immunotherapy is one of the treatment strategies for breast cancer, the most common cancer in women worldwide. In this approach, the patient�s immune system is stimulated to attack microscopic tumors and control metastasis. Here, we used interferon γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10), which induces and strengthens antitumor immunity, as an immunotherapeutic agent. We employed Leishmania tarentolae, a nonpathogenic lizard parasite that lacks the ability to persist in mammalian macrophages, was used as a live delivery system for carrying the immunotherapeutic agent. It has been already shown that arginase activity, and consequently, polyamine production, are associated with tumor progression. Methods: A live delivery system was constructed by stable transfection of pLEXSY plasmid containing the IP-10-enhanced green fluorescent protein (IP-10- egfp) fusion gene into L. tarentolae. Then, the presence of the IP-10-egfp gene and the accurate integration location into the parasite genome were confirmed. The therapeutic efficacy of IP- 10 delivered via L. tarentolae and recombinant pcDNA-(IP- 10-egfp) plasmid was compared by determining the arginase activity in a mouse 4T1 breast cancer model. Results: The pcDNA- (IP-10-egfp) group showed a significant reduction in tumor weight and growth. Histological evaluation also revealed that only this group demonstrated inhibition of metastasis to the lung tissue. The arginase activity in the tissue of the pcDNA-(IP- 10-egfp) mice significantly decreased in comparison with that in normal mice. No significant difference was observed in arginase activity in the sera of mice receiving other therapeutic strategies. Conclusion: Our data indicates that IP-10 immunotherapy is a promising strategy for breast cancer treatment, as shown in the 4T1-implanted BALB/c mouse model. However, the L. tarentolae- (IP-10-EGFP) live delivery system requires dose modifications to achieve efficacy in the applied regimen (six injections in 3 weeks). Our results indicate that the arginase assay could be a good biomarker to differentiate tumoral tissues from the normal ones. © 2016 Korean Breast Cancer Society. All rights reserved