A Graph Grammar to Transform a Dataflow Graph into a Multithread Graph and its Application in Task Scheduling

The scheduling of tasks in a parallel program is an NP-complete problem, where scheduling tasks over multiple processing units requires an effective strategy to maximize the exploitation of the parallel hardware. Several studies focus on the scheduling of parallel programs described into DAGs (Directed Acyclic Graphs). However, this representation does not describe a multithreaded program suitably. This paper shows the structure and semantics of a DCG, an abstraction which describes a multithreaded program, and proposes standards to map structures found in DAGs into segments of a DCG. A graph grammar has been developed to perform the proposed transformation and case studies using DAGs found in the literature validate the transformation process. Besides the automatic translation and precise definition of the mapping, the use of a formal language also allowed the verification of the existence and uniqueness of the out coming model.

The use of a graphite-silicone rubber composite electrode in the determination of rutin in pharmaceutical formulation

The possibility of using a graphite silicone-rubber composite electrode (GSR) in a differential pulse voltammetric(DPV) procedure for rutin (vitamin P) determination is described. Cyclic voltammograms of rutin presented a reversible pair of oxidation/reduction peaks respectively at 0.411 and 0.390 V (vs. SCE) at the GSR surface in Britton-Robinson(B-R) buffer solution pH 4.0. In DPV after optimization of conditions, an oxidation peak at 0.370 V (vs. SCE) was used to quantitative determination of rutin in B-R buffer solution pH 4.0. In this case a linear dynamic range of 5.0×10-8 to 50.0×10-8 mol L-1 was observed with a detection limit of 1.8×10-8 mol L-1 for the analyte. Recoveries from 94 to 113% were observed. The electrode surface was renewed by polishing after each determination, with a repeatability of 1.09 ± 0.06 µA (n = 10) peak current. Rutin was determined in a pharmaceutical formulation using the proposed electrode and the results agreed with those from an official method within 95% confidence level.O uso de um eletrodo compósito à base de grafite de borracha de silicone (GSR) na determinação de rutina, (vitamina P), por voltametria de pulso diferencial, é descrito. Voltamogramas cíclicos da rutina apresentaram um par de picos de oxidação/redução no GSR em 0,411 e 0,390 V (vs. ECS), respectivamente, em solução tampão Britton-Robinson (B-R) pH 4,0. Em voltametria de pulso diferencial (DPV), após a otimização das condições, o pico de oxidação em 0,370 V (vs. ECS) foi usado na determinação quantitativa de rutina. Neste caso, um intervalo linear entre 5,0-50,0×10-8 mol L-1 foi observado com um limite de detecção de 1,8×10-8 mol L-1. Recuperações de 94 a 113% foram observadas. A superfície do eletrodo foi renovada por polimento, com uma repetibilidade de 1,09 ± 0,06 µA (n = 10) para a corrente de pico. A rutina foi determinada em uma formulação farmacêutica e os resultados concordaram com aqueles obtidos de um método oficial com 95% de confiança

Risk-assessment algorithm and recommendations for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in medical patients

The risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in medical patients is high, but risk assessment is rarely performed because there is not yet a good method to identify candidates for prophylaxis

Contamination of Mesenchymal Stem-Cells with Fibroblasts Accelerates Neurodegeneration in an Experimental Model of Parkinson’s Disease

Pre-clinical studies have supported the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to treat highly prevalent neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) but preliminary trials have reported controversial results. In a rat model of PD induced by MPTP neurotoxin, we first observed a significant bilateral preservation of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and prevention of motor deficits typically observed in PD such as hypokinesia, catalepsy, and bradykinesia, following intracerebral administration of human umbilical cord-derived MSC (UC-MSC) early after MPTP injury. However, surprisingly, administration of fibroblasts, mesenchymal cells without stem cell properties, as a xenotransplantation control was highly detrimental, causing significant neurodegeneration and motor dysfunction independently of MPTP. This observation prompted us to further investigate the consequences of transplanting a MSC preparation contaminated with fibroblasts, a plausible circumstance in cell therapy since both cell types display similar immunophenotype and can be manipulated in vitro under the same conditions. Here we show for the first time, using the same experimental model and protocol, that transplantation of UC-MSC induced potent neuroprotection in the brain resulting in clinical benefit. However, co-transplantation of UC-MSC with fibroblasts reverted therapeutic efficacy and caused opposite damaging effects, significantly exacerbating neurodegeneration and motor deficits in MPTP-exposed rats. Besides providing a rationale for testing UC-MSC transplantation in early phases of PD aiming at delaying disease progression, our pre-clinical study suggests that fibroblasts may be common cell contaminants affecting purity of MSC preparations and clinical outcome in stem cell therapy protocols, which might also explain discrepant clinical results

Energy Consumption in Peer-to-Peer Protocols for Ubiquitous Devices

This paper studies energy consumption in peer-to-peer protocols in the context of file distribution among border devices and wireless sensors, which are limited in processing power and battery duration. Gnutella, Chord, CAN, Pastry, and Tapestry protocols were compared to the client-server approach insimulations using SimGrid and Triva, analyzing the energy cost of message exchanging. The peer-topeerprotocols presented less consumption to distribute a file among 10 devices, and the best results were achieved by the Chord protocol. The client-server architecture presented the worst results, as expected, due to the high concentration of load in a single server. Processing costs of the Gnutella protocol were comparedto the client-server’s, with very similar results.Keywords: peer-to-peer, ubiquitous computing, green computing