Assisting requirements analysts to find latent concerns with <Emphasis Type="Italic">REAssistant</Emphasis>

Textual requirements are very common in software projects. However, this format of requirements often keeps relevant concerns (e.g., performance, synchronization, data access, etc.) from the analyst’s view because their semantics are implicit in the text. Thus, analysts must carefully review requirements documents in order to identify key concerns and their effects. Concern mining tools based on NLP techniques can help in this activity. Nonetheless, existing tools cannot always detect all the crosscutting effects of a given concern on different requirements sections, as this detection requires a semantic analysis of the text. In this work, we describe an automated tool called REAssistant that supports the extraction of semantic information from textual use cases in order to reveal latent crosscutting concerns. To enable the analysis of use cases, we apply a tandem of advanced NLP techniques (e.g, dependency parsing, semantic role labeling, and domain actions) built on the UIMA framework, which generates different annotations for the use cases. Then, REAssistant allows analysts to query these annotations via concern-specific rules in order to identify all the effects of a given concern. The REAssistant tool has been evaluated with several case-studies, showing good results when compared to a manual identification of concerns and a third-party tool. In particular, the tool achieved a remarkable recall regarding the detection of crosscutting concern effects.     

Cryptography Regulations for E-commerce and Digital Rights Management.

Strong encryption is an urgent need for e-commerce development, as it allows the privacy and secure transactions of the financial data. International regulations must allow the spreading of e-commerce and the associated encryption products, in order to establish a secure e-commerce environment that customers can trust and allowing an international deployment of e-commerce solutions without restrictions.     

Nuclear orientation of recoil-implanted52Mn in Au down to 3 mK

Measurements of the -ray anisotropy of recoil-implanted⁵²Mn ions in pure Au down to 3 mK indicate marked deviations from free-ion behavior in low applied fields. The effective hyperfine field that explains the anisotropy is found to decrease below 10 mK. Although this behavior could be a signature of a bound Kondon state with a lower effective hyperfine coupling constant, it is better explained as arising from a combination of Kondo and relaxation effects. The data indicate that the Mn local moment relaxation timeT ₁ is comparable to or larger than the Larmor precession time of the Mn nuclei at 3 mK. Other possible reasons for an attenuated -ray anisotropy, such as nuclear quadrupole and second-order crystal field effects, are also considered.This work was supported by the Bundesministerium für Forschung und Technologie.     

Tool wear monitoring using neuro-fuzzy techniques: a comparative study in a turning process

Tool wear detection is a key issue for tool condition monitoring. The maximization of useful tool life is frequently related with the optimization of machining processes. This paper presents two model-based approaches for tool wear monitoring on the basis of neuro-fuzzy techniques. The use of a neuro-fuzzy hybridization to design a tool wear monitoring system is aiming at exploiting the synergy of neural networks and fuzzy logic, by combining human reasoning with learning and connectionist structure. The turning process that is a well-known machining process is selected for this case study. A four-input (i.e., time, cutting forces, vibrations and acoustic emissions signals) single-output (tool wear rate) model is designed and implemented on the basis of three neuro-fuzzy approaches (inductive, transductive and evolving neuro-fuzzy systems). The tool wear model is then used for monitoring the turning process. The comparative study demonstrates that the transductive neuro-fuzzy model provides better error-based performance indices for detecting tool wear than the inductive neuro-fuzzy model and than the evolving neuro-fuzzy model.     

New Functional Polymers and Materials Based on 2,2′:6′,2″‐Terpyridine Metal Complexes

New inorganic–organic hybrid structures based on metal complexes have become of increasing interest over the last few decades in the search for new materials. Many different polypyridyl metal complexes have been investigated. Recently, a strong increase in interest regarding 2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine has been observed. In particular, octahedral bis‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine metal complexes offer the advantages of increased symmetry and, in the case of ruthenium(III )/ruthenium(II ) complexation, an entrance to a directed complexation technique. Apart from the combination with polymeric systems, ordered inorganic–organic structures on surfaces are becoming better understood concurrently with the development of sophisticated nanotechnology characterization techniques. There are many ongoing efforts that include terpyridine complex structures, especially concerning photophysical processes such as solar light to energy conversion. This review deals with the incorporation of terpyridine complexes into polymeric structures such as poly(ethylene glycol), poly(styrene), dendrimers, biomacromolecules, micelles, and resins, as well as the combination of terpyridine complexes with surfaces for electrocatalytic, photophysical, and self‐assembly purposes.     

Toxic and Phenotypic Effects of AAV_Cre Used to Transduce Mesencephalic Dopaminergic Neurons

A popular approach to spatiotemporally target genes using the loxP/Cre recombination system is stereotaxic microinjection of adeno-associated virus (AAV) expressing Cre recombinase (AAV_Cre) in specific neuronal structures. Here, we report that AAV_Cre microinjection in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of ErbB4 Cyt-1-floxed (ErbB4 Cyt-1^fl/fl) mice at titers commonly used in the literature (~10¹²–10¹³ GC/mL) can have neurotoxic effects on dopaminergic neurons and elicit behavioral abnormalities. However, these effects of AAV_Cre microinjection are independent of ErbB4 Cyt-1 recombination because they are also observed in microinjected wild-type (WT) controls. Mice microinjected with AAV_Cre (10¹²–10¹³ GC/mL) exhibit reductions of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine transporter (DAT) expression, loss of dopaminergic neurons, and they behaviorally become hyperactive, fail to habituate in the open field and exhibit sensorimotor gating deficits compared to controls microinjected with AAV_GFP. Importantly, these AAV_Cre non-specific effects are: (1) independent of serotype, (2) occur with vectors expressing either Cre or Cre-GFP fusion protein and (3) preventable by reducing viral titers by 1000-fold (10¹⁰ GC/mL), which retains sufficient recombination activity to target floxed genes. Our studies emphasize the importance of including AAV_Cre-injected WT controls in experiments because recombination-independent effects on gene expression, neurotoxicity and behaviors could be erroneously attributed to consequences of gene ablation.     

Effect of surface roughness and stainless steel finish on Listeria monocytogenes attachment and biofilm formation

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of surface roughness (Ra) and finish of mechanically polished stainless steel (Ra = 0.26 +/- 0.05, 0.49 +/- 0.10, and 0.69 +/- 0.05 microm) and electropolished stainless steel (Ra = 0.16 +/- 0.06, 0.40 +/- 0.003, and 0.67 +/- 0.02 microm) on Listeria adhesion and biofilm formation. A four-strain cocktail of Listeria monocytogenes was used. Each strain (0.1%) was added to 200 ml of tryptic soy broth (TSB), and coupons were inserted to the mixture for 5 min. For biofilm formation, coupons with adhesive cells were incubated in 1:20 diluted TSB at 32 degrees C for 48 h. The experiment was performed by a randomized block design. Our results show that the level of Listeria present after 48 h of incubation (mean = 7 log CFU/cm2) was significantly higher than after 5 min (mean = 6.0 log CFU/cm2) (P < 0.01). No differences in initial adhesion were seen in mechanically finished (mean = 6.7 log CFU/cm2) when compared with electropolished stainless steel (mean = 6.7 log CFU/cm2) (P > 0.05). Listeria initial adhesion (values ranged from 5.9 to 6.1 log CFU/cm2) or biofilm formation (values ranged from 6.9 to 7.2 log CFU/cm2) was not significantly correlated with Ra values (P > 0.05). Image analysis with an atomic force microscope showed that bacteria did not colonize the complete surface after 48 h but were individual cells or grouped in microcolonies that ranged from 5 to 10 microm in diameter and one to three cell layers in thickness. Exopolymeric substances were observed to be associated with the colonies. According to our results, electropolishing stainless steel does not pose a significant advantage for food sanitation over mechanically finished stainless steel.     

Volatile aldehyde emissions from heated cooking oils

Low molecular weight aldehydes (LMWAs) formed during the heating of frying media (triglycerides) were adsorbed onto tenax and analyzed by GC‐MS after thermal desorption. Six alkanals (C₅ to C₁₀), seven 2‐alkenals (C₅ to C₁₁) and 3 alkadienals (C₇, C₉ and C₁₀) were found in the fumes of canola oil (control), extra virgin olive oil, and refined olive oil, heated at 180 and 240 °C. The emission rates of these aldehydes depended on the heating temperature. Frying in any type of olive oil, independently of its commercial category, will effectively decrease the emission of volatile aldehydes at temperatures below the smoking point. Thus, using the cheaper olive oil for deep‐frying purposes will not affect aldehyde emissions. This is important since olive oil is usually used for deep‐frying operations while extra virgin olive oil is used as salad dressing in Spain. The mixture of refined olive oil with some virgin olive oil is the most acceptable type of olive oil in non‐Mediterranean countries due to its milder flavor. However, if higher temperatures are needed the use of canola oil is more advisable due to its higher smoke point. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

CX3CL1 Action on Microglia Protects from Diet-Induced Obesity by Restoring POMC Neuronal Excitability and Melanocortin System Activity Impaired by High-Fat Diet Feeding

Both hypothalamic microglial inflammation and melanocortin pathway dysfunction contribute to diet-induced obesity (DIO) pathogenesis. Previous studies involving models of altered microglial signaling demonstrate altered DIO susceptibility with corresponding POMC neuron cytological changes, suggesting a link between microglia and the melanocortin system. We addressed this hypothesis using the specific microglial silencing molecule, CX3CL1 (fractalkine), to determine whether reducing hypothalamic microglial activation can restore POMC/melanocortin signaling to protect against DIO. We performed metabolic analyses in high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice with targeted viral overexpression of CX3CL1 in the hypothalamus. Electrophysiologic recording in hypothalamic slices from POMC-MAPT-GFP mice was used to determine the effects of HFD feeding and microglial silencing via minocycline or CX3CL1 on GFP-labeled POMC neurons. Finally, mice with hypothalamic overexpression of CX3CL1 received central treatment with the melanocortin receptor antagonist SHU9119 to determine whether melanocortin signaling is required for the metabolic benefits of CX3CL1. Hypothalamic overexpression of CX3CL1 increased leptin sensitivity and POMC gene expression, while reducing weight gain in animals fed an HFD. In electrophysiological recordings from hypothalamic slice preparations, HFD feeding was associated with reduced POMC neuron excitability and increased amplitude of inhibitory postsynaptic currents. Microglial silencing using minocycline or CX3CL1 treatment reversed these HFD-induced changes in POMC neuron electrophysiologic properties. Correspondingly, blockade of melanocortin receptor signaling in vivo prevented both the acute and chronic reduction in food intake and body weight mediated by CX3CL1. Our results show that suppressing microglial activation during HFD feeding reduces DIO susceptibility via a mechanism involving increased POMC neuron excitability and melanocortin signaling.     

Effect of RF magnetron sputtering parameters on the optimization of the discharge capacity of ternary lithium oxide thin films

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - The increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries has stimulated the investigation of new compounds in order to reduce the costs and the...