Model-Based Testing and Monitoring for Hybrid Embedded Systems

We propose an integrated framework for testing and monitoring the model-based embedded systems. The framework incorporates three components: 1) model-based test generation for hybrid system, 2) run-time verification, and 3) modular code generation for hybrid systems. To analyze the behavior of a model-based system, the model of the system is augmented with a testing automaton that represents a given test case, and with a monitoring automaton that captures the formally specified properties of the system. The augmented model allows us to perform the model-level validation. In the next step, we use the modular code generator to convert the testing and monitoring automata into code that can be linked with the system code to perform the validation tasks on the implementation level. The paper illustrates our techniques by a case study on the Sony AIBO robot platform

Interaction of Hb South Florida (codon 1; GTG→ATG) and HbE, with β-thalassemia (IVS1-1; G→A): expression of different clinical phenotypes

Introduction: Interactions of different hemoglobin variants with thalassemia alleles can result in various clinical phenotypes. HbE-β-thalassemia generally manifests with severe anemia where individuals exhibit β-thalassemia major with regular blood transfusions or β-thalassemia intermedia with periodic blood transfusions. This study presents a unique Malay family with three β-globin gene defects—HbE, Hb South Florida, and IVS1-1 (G→A). Materials and methods: HbE activates a cryptic splice site that produces non-functional mRNAs. Hb South Florida is a rare β-hemoglobin variant, and its interactions with other β-thalassemia alleles have not been reported. IVS1-1 is a Mediterranean mutation that affects mRNA processing giving rise to βo-thalassemia. Results and discussion: Fifteen mutations along the β-globin gene complex were analyzed using the amplification refractory mutation system. Hb South Florida was identified by direct sequencing using genomic DNA Conclusion: The affected child with HbE/IVS1-1 produced a β-thalassemia major phenotype. Compound heterozygosity for Hb South Florida/IVS1-1 produced a β-thalassemia carrier phenotype in the mother

X-ray powder diffraction study on the MgB2 superconductor reacted with nano-SiC: the effects of sintering temperature

SiC added MgB2 polycrystalline samples were synthesized at low (650°C) and high (850°C) temperatures in order to study the sintering effect on the phase formation and superconducting properties. The MgB2 bulks with additions of 0wt%, 1wt%, 3wt% and 5wt% SiC were studied with powder X-ray diffraction technique. We observed that MgB2 remained as the primary phase for both sintering temperatures in all samples with the presence of MgO and Mg2Si as the main impurities. Some diffraction peaks associated with unreacted SiC is also noticeable. The relative intensity of the Mg2Si peaks was found to decrease in samples sintered at higher temperature. Temperature dependent magnetic moment measurements showed that the superconducting transition temperature, Tc decreases as the SiC addition level increases while lower sintering temperature degrades Tc to a greater extent. The changes in the physical properties is discussed based on the results of phase formation, full width half maximum (FWHM), lattice parameter and crystallite size

Urban Malaysian Adolescents' Online Activities.

Many Malaysian adolescents are immersed in the global contemporary,technological and digital culture. Their everyday literacy practices involve participation in a range of activities on the Internet

Strategies on fall prevention for older people living in the community: A report from a round-table meeting in IAGG 2013

Copyright © 2015, Asia Pacific League of Clinical Gerontology & Geriatrics. Abstract Over the past decade, a number of programs and strategies have been proposed and developed in an effort to reduce risks among the elderly in relation to falling or sustaining fall related injuries. Programs vary in their approach, and also in their target populations. We held a round-table meeting to present each country's research data on fall prevention in older people and summarized them in order to formulate evidence-based suggestions on the prevention of falls in older people. Although the contents and level of progress of each country's studies had some differences with regards to fall prevention, the social issues of fall prevention was of particular interest in large scale cohorts studies and fall prevention guidelines. We recommended some good practice points for the strategies on fall prevention for older people living in the community based on clinical experience or expert consensus

Impact of left atrial appendage closure on cardiac functional and structural remodeling: A difference-in-difference analysis of propensity score matched samples

Background: Although the safety and efficacy of left atrial (LA) appendage (LAA) closure (LAAC) in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients have been well documented in randomized controlled trials and real-world experience, there are limited data in the literature about the impact of LAAC on cardiac remodeling. The aim of the study was to examine the impact of LAAC on cardiac functional and structural remodeling in NVAF patients. Methods: Between March 2014 and November 2016, 47 NVAF patients who underwent LAAC were included in this study (LAAC group). A control group (non-LAAC group) was formed from 141 NVAF patients without LAAC using propensity score matching. The difference-in-difference analysis was used to evaluate the difference in cardiac remodeling between the two groups at baseline and follow-up evaluations. Results: The LAAC group had a larger increase in LA dimension, volume and volume index than the non-LAAC group (+3.9 mm, p = 0.001; +9.7 mL, p = 0.006 and +5.9 mL/m2, p = 0.011, respectively). Besides, a significant increase in E and E/e’ ratio was also observed in the LAAC group (+14.6 cm/s, p = 0.002 and +2.3, p = 0.028, respectively). Compared with the non-LAAC group, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and fractional shortening decreased in LAAC patients, but were statistically insignificant (–3.5%, p = 0.109 and –2.0%, p = 0.167, respectively). Conclusions: There were significant increases in LA size and LV filling pressure among NVAF patients after LAAC. These impacts of LAAC on cardiac functional and structural remodeling may have some clinical implications that need to be addressed in future studies