Protocol-based verification of message-passing parallel programs

© 2015 ACM.We present ParTypes, a type-based methodology for the verification of Message Passing Interface (MPI) programs written in the C programming language. The aim is to statically verify programs against protocol specifications, enforcing properties such as fidelity and absence of deadlocks. We develop a protocol language based on a dependent type system for message-passing parallel programs, which includes various communication operators, such as point-to-point messages, broadcast, reduce, array scatter and gather. For the verification of a program against a given protocol, the protocol is first translated into a representation read by VCC, a software verifier for C. We successfully verified several MPI programs in a running time that is independent of the number of processes or other input parameters. This contrasts with alternative techniques, notably model checking and runtime verification, that suffer from the state-explosion problem or that otherwise depend on parameters to the program itself. We experimentally evaluated our approach against state-of-the-art tools for MPI to conclude that our approach offers a scalable solution

From Clinical Presentation to the Outcome: the Natural History of PML in a Portuguese Population of HIV Infected Patients

Background Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, associated with immunosuppression states. As there are only some non-published documents concerning PML in HIV infected patients in Portugal, we pretend to characterize natural history of PML infection in a population of HIV patients. Methods We retrospectively reviewed, from 1992 to 2009, PML cases in a population of 724 HIV infected patients followed in our institution. Clinical, biological, imagery features and outcomes were characterized. Results Twenty-five (3.45%) patients were identified as having PML. The mean time between HIV and PML diagnosis was 20.4 months. PML was the presentation of HIV infection in 40% of the patients, and 92% had CD4 T cell count lower than 200/mm3. Paresis was the most common clinical presentation. No specific characteristics were found in cerebrospinal fluid and JCV DNA was positive in 3 of 7 patients. MRI revealed characteristic findings. Combined antiretroviral therapy was started or changed in 96% of the patients. Neurological condition got worse in 12 patients. From the 14 deaths, 5 were directly attributed to PML progression. Follow-up was lost in 8 patients. Conclusions PML was the presentation of HIV infection in more than 1/3 of patients, frequently associated with advanced immunocompromise. MRI sensitivity to PML is high, and JCV DNA determination in CSF was not revealed to be sensible. PML diagnosis should be taken into account in HIV patients presenting any neurological symptoms, and HIV infection should be suspected when radiological findings suggest PML lesions even in previously healthy individuals

Ocorrência de cajazeiras anãs no Município de Teresina, Piauí.

O objetivo desse trabalho foi relatar a ocorrência de cajazeiras de porte baixo surgidas em um pomar situado no município de Teresina, Estado do Piauí. Os genótipos de cajazeira anã são componentes de um pomar comercial com aproximadamente 990 plantas de cajazeiras oriundas de propagação via sementes. O pomar foi implantado em janeiro de 2001, em espaçamento de 15 x 15 m. Foram identificados nove genótipos de cajazeira com porte anão. Para a caracterização preliminar desses genótipos, fez-se a avaliação da altura de planta, diâmetro de copa, diâmetro de caule, número de ramos primários e altura do primeiro ramo, aos 10 anos de idade. Os genótipos apresentaram altura de planta variando de 2,80 a 6,10 m; diâmetro de copa entre 4,75 e 10,65 m e diâmetro de caule entre 27,06 e 50,93 cm. Os genótipos de cajazeira anã podem trazer importantes contribuições para a redução do porte da cajazeira

Distribuição do sistema radicular da mangueira sob diferentes níveis de água.

O Nordeste apresenta-se como a principal região produtora de manga no Brasil. Uma significativa parte desta produção encontra-se no Estado do Piauí, onde a microrregião de Teresina detém 30% da área plantada, tornando-se, assim, o maior e o mais importante pólo de cultivo de manga da região Meio-Norte (Nordeste Ocidental) do Brasil, e um dos principais da região Nordeste (Vasconcelos et al. 1998). O manejo da água de irrigação nessa região não tem encontrado critérios ou bases e, portanto, tem, muitas vezes, seguidas informações de outras fruteiras. Por outro lado, um manejo de água eficiente depende do conhecimento da localização da concentração do sistema radicular da planta no perfil do solo. Nos pomares em que as raízes se concentram nas camadas superficiais do solo, a freqüência e a intermitência da irrigação podem ser bastante distintas daqueles pomares, em que as raízes apresentam uma boa uniformidade de distribuição até 1,00 m ou mais de profundidade (Soares et al. 1998). Este trabalho teve por objetivo determinar os padrões de distribuição do sistema radicular da cultura da manga sob diferentes níveis de irrigação, para possibilitar um manejo mais eficiente da água de irrigação e permitir um uso mais eficiente, racional e sustentável da água nesta cultura

A proteômica na seleção de reprodutores ovinos (Ovis aries) da raça Morada Nova.

Resumo: Estudos realizados atualmente buscam identificar nos animais domésticos marcadores moleculares proteicos de fertilidade, de modo a contribuir para os programas de melhoramento genético, embora poucos ainda sejam realizados em ovinos deslanados, como os da raça Morada Nova. Portanto, este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar possíveis proteínas seminais relacionadas à fertilidade de ovinos da raça Morada Nova, utilizando-se a técnica de Eletroforese Bidimensional (2DE). Seis reprodutores da raça Morada Nova, na faixa etária de quatro a seis anos e peso médio de 42 kg foram submetidos à coleta de sêmen, antes da estação de monta, para obtenção do plasma seminal e, posterior, análise eletroforética. As estações de monta tiveram duração de 45 dias e o diagnóstico de prenhez realizado 60 dias após o início das coberturas, mediante a ultrassonografia por imagem, onde foram classificados em dois grupos: Fertilidade Alta (FA) e Fertilidade Moderada (FM), com base na taxa de fertilidade média (82,65%). A 2DE foi conduzida de março a agosto/2016. Logo após esta etapa, os géis foram escaneados e comparados através do Software ImageMaster 2D Platinum 7.0, buscando quantificar e identificar os spot?s presentes. Foi realizada Análise de Componentes Principais (ACP) e também da distribuição dos spot?s presentes nos animais estudados, utilizando o programa estatístico SAS 9.3. Com o auxilio dessa análise foram detectados 160 spot?s com maior expressão nos seis animais, os quais foram analisados pelo banco de dados Uniprot. Dentre os spot?s mais expressivos encontrou-se 15% em ambos os grupos e 85% se apresentaram diferencialmente expressos (presentes ou ausentes) entre os grupos. Entre os spot?s identificados, 26,88% foram encontrados nos dois reprodutores do grupo FA, enquanto que os quatro carneiros do grupo FM, apresentaram 58,12%. Entre os spot?s observados no FA, constatou-se uma concentração de massas moleculares de baixo peso (8 kDa a 60 kDa), como também a identificação de proteínas ligadas exclusivamente à reprodução, como: Dynein light chain Tctex-type 3; Interferon tau-1 e Osteopontin. Possivelmente, uma ou mais das proteínas desse grupo possam vir a ser caracterizadas como marcadores de fertilidade, sobressaindo-se a Osteopontina. Abstract: Current studies are aimed at identifying genetic markers of fertility in domestic animals, so contributing to genetic breeding programs, although few are still carried out on sheep such as the Morada Nova breed. Therefore, the objective of this work was to identify possible seminal proteins related to the fertility of Morada Nova sheep, using the technique of Two-dimensional Electrophoresis (2DE). Six breeders of Morada Nova breed, aged 4 to 6 years and mean weight of 42 kg were submitted to semen collection, before the breeding season, to obtain seminal plasma and, later, electrophoretic analysis. Mating seassons lasted 45 days and the diagnosis of pregnancy, at 60 days after the beginning of the mating, was performed by ultrasound imaging, identifying two groups: High Fertility (FA) and Moderate Fertility (FM), based on the mean fertility rate (82.65%). The 2DE was conducted from March to August / 2016. Soon after this step, the gels were scanned and compared through ImageMaster 2D Platinum 7.0 Software, seeking to quantify and identify the present spots. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and also the distribution of the spots present in the animals were performed using the statistical program SAS 9.3. This analysis detected 160 spots with greater expression in the six animals, which were analyzed by the Uniprot database. Among the most expressive spots, 15% were found in both groups and 85% presented differentially expressed (present or absent) between groups. Among the spots identified, 26.88% were found in two animals from FA group, while the four sheep from FM group presented 58.12%. Among the spots observed in FA, a concentration of low molecular masses (8 kDa to 60 kDa) was observed, as well as the identification of proteins exclusively related to reproduction, such as: Dynein light chain Tctex-type 3; Interferon tau-1 and Osteopontin. Possibly, one or more of these proteins of this group can be characterized as markers of fertility, highlighting the protein Osteopontin.Dissertação (Mestrado em Zootecnia) - Universidade Estadual Vale do Acaraú, Sobral. Orientadora: Ângela Maria Xavier Eloy (Embrapa); Coorientador: Diônes Oliveira Santos (Embrapa)

SMART sensor network: with Bluetooth low energy and CAN-BUS

This paper proposes a system to monitor, through the internet, the data of a logistics distribution truck. For this, it was implemented a reliable and flexible wireless sensor network with low energy consumption. The technology used for the radio system was Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Each node in the network contains one type of sensor. The sensors information together with GPS and On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) data collected by the central unit, and later transmitted to the cloud by GSM or Wi-Fi.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

A review of biomass thermal analysis, kinetics and product distribution for combustion modeling: from the micro to macro perspective

Driven by its accessibility, extensive availability, and growing environmental consciousness, solid biomass has emerged as a viable alternative to enhance the diversity of renewable energy sources for electricity generation. To understand the phenomena involved in solid biomass conversion, it is necessary not only to understand the stages of the biomass combustion process but also to understand specifically the kinetics of the reaction and the release of the volatiles. The present work presents an overview of the existing literature on several topics related to the biomass combustion process, its characterization, as well as strategies to develop simple and effective models to describe biomass conversion with a view to the future development of numerical simulation models. Since the focus of most of the investigations is the development of a numerical model, a summary and identification of the different model assumptions and problems involved in thermal analysis experiments are presented. This literature review establishes the significance and credibility of the research, providing the main concepts and assumptions with a critique on their validity. Hence, this work provides specific contributions from a multi-scale perspective which can further be extended to provide insights into the design and optimization of biomass combustion technologies, such as boilers and furnaces.This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) within the R&D Units Project Scope UIDB/00319/2020 (ALGORITMI), and R&D Units Project Scope UIDP/04077/2020 (MEtRICs)