Model Checking with Program Slicing Based on Variable Dependence Graphs

In embedded control systems, the potential risks of software defects have been increasing because of software complexity which leads to, for example, timing related problems. These defects are rarely found by tests or simulations. To detect such defects, we propose a modeling method which can generate software models for model checking with a program slicing technique based on a variable dependence graph. We have applied the proposed method to one case in automotive control software and demonstrated the effectiveness of the method. Furthermore, we developed a software tool to automate model generation and achieved a 35% decrease in total verification time on model checking.Comment: In Proceedings FTSCS 2012, arXiv:1212.657

Determination of Abundances of Fifty-Two Elements in Natural Waters by ICP-MS with Freeze-Drying Pre-concentration

To precisely determine the abundances of fifty-two elements found within natural water samples, with mass fractions down to fg g(-1) level, we have developed a method which combines freeze-drying pre-concentration (FDC) and isotope dilution internal standardisation (ID-IS). By sublimation of H2O, the sample solution was reduced to 0.3 mol l(-1) to avoid hydrolysis. Matrix-affected signal suppression was not significant for the solutions with NaCl concentrations lower than 0.2 and 0.1 cg g(-1) for quadrupole ICP-MS and sector field ICP-MS, respectively. The recovery yields of elements after FDC were 97-105%. The detection limits for the sample solutions prepared by FDC were <= 10 pg g(-1), except for Na, K and Ca. Blanks prepared using FDC were at pg-levels, except for eleven elements (Na, Mg, Al, P, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn). The abundances of fifty-two elements in bottled drinking water were determined from five different geological sources with mass fractions ranging from the fg g(-1) to mu g g(-1) level with high accuracy

Pyoderma gangrenosum after breast cancer resection: A less-invasive and early treatment using the skin around ulcers

Surgical invasion is a risk factor of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG). A total of 25% of postoperative PG cases were reported to occur after breast surgeries, including bilateral breast reduction and breast reconstruction following cancer resection. Immunosuppressive therapy and less-invasive wound therapy are necessary; however, the complete healing of ulcers takes 5.1 months on average. We herein report a case of skin grafting under a surgical concept of less-invasive and short-term treatment. An 82-year-old woman complained of a high fever and severe pain at her breast wounds after bilateral breast cancer resection. Although we performed emergency debridement surgery to remove the necrotic tissue, suspecting surgical site infection and inflammation, her high fever persisted. She was diagnosed with PG because of the physical findings of characteristic painful, sterile ulcerations, bullae and pustules, and the pathological abundance of neutrophils in the absence of infection and vasculitis. Oral administration of prednisolone 30 mg/day improved the symptoms, and we applied negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) from day 16 following debridement surgery. After the gradual reduction of oral steroid intake to 12.5 mg/day, we performed skin grafting surgery. To limit the surgical invasion, we used the surplus skin around the ulcers. Split-thickness mesh skin grafts were fixed by NPWT to avoid the use of tie-over sutures. We achieved short-term treatment of PG with a less-invasive surgical strategy using skin around the ulcers and NPWT

Nickel-based phosphide superconductor with infinite-layer structure, BaNi2P2

Analogous to cuprate high-Tc superconductors, a NiP-based compound system has several crystals in which the Ni-P layers have different stacking structures. Herein, the properties of BaNi2P2 are reported. BaNi2P2 has an infinite-layer structure, and shows a superconducting transition at ~3 K. Moreover, it exhibits metallic conduction and Pauli paramagnetism in the temperature range of 4-300 K. Below 3 K, the resistivity sharply drops to zero, and the magnetic susceptibility becomes negative, while the volume fraction of the superconducting phase estimated from the diamagnetic susceptibility reaches ~100 vol.% at 1.9 K. These observations substantiate that BaNi2P2 is a bulk superconductor.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, Solid State Communications, in press. Received 4 March 2008. Accepted 2 May 2008. Available online 14 May 200

S-1 Plus Cisplatin with Concurrent Radiotherapy for Locally Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Multi-Institutional Phase II Trial (West Japan Thoracic Oncology Group 3706)

Purpose:To evaluate the combination chemotherapy using oral antimetabolite S-1 plus cisplatin (SP) with concurrent thoracic radiotherapy (RT) followed by the consolidation SP for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.Patients and Methods:Patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer, 20 to 74 years of age, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 to 1 were eligible. The concurrent phase consisted of full dose S-1 (orally at 40 mg/m2/dose twice daily, on days 1–14) and cisplatin (60 mg/m2 on day 1) repeated every 4 weeks for two cycles with RT delivered beginning on day 1 (60 Gy/30 fractions over 6 weeks). After SP-RT, patients received an additional two cycles of SP as the consolidation phase.Results:Fifty-five patients were registered between November 2006 and December 2007. Of the 50 patients for efficacy analysis, the median age was 64 years; male/female 40/10; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0/1, 21/29; clinical stage IIIA/IIIB 18/32; and adenocarcinoma/others 20/30. There were 42 clinical responses including one complete response with an objective response rate of 84% (95% confidence interval [CI], 71–93%). The 1- and 2-year overall survival rates were 88% (95% CI, 75–94%) and 70% (95% CI, 55–81%), respectively. The median progression-free survival was 20 months. Of the 54 patients for safety analysis, common toxicities in the concurrent phase included grade 3/4 neutropenia (26%), thrombocytopenia (9%), and grade 3 esophagitis (9%) and febrile neutropenia (9%). In one patient, grade 3 pneumonitis was observed in the consolidation phase. There were two treatment-related deaths caused by infection in the concurrent phase.Conclusions:SP-RT showed a promising efficacy against locally advanced NCSLC with acceptable toxicity