Analytic determination of workspace and singularities in a parallel pointing system

This paper studies a parallel pointing system, named U‐2PUS, used in biomechanic and aerospace applications. In the literature, U‐2PUS position analysis has already been solved in closed form, whereas simple and efficient tools to address workspace determination and singularity locations are still lacking. In this paper, the analytic expression of the U‐2PUS workspace is derived, and a bidimensional representation of the workspace is proposed. The U‐2PUS mobility analysis is addressed, and a singularity locus analytic expression, explicitly containing the manipulator geometric parameters and the end‐effector orientation parameters, is derived. Moreover, it is shown that the U‐2PUS singularity locus can be represented by curves (singularity curves) on a Cartesian plane having the U‐2PUS generalized coordinates on the coordinate axes. Finally, the presented singularity conditions are geometrically interpreted. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Analysis of Folate Form Distribution in Spanish Beers Using Combined Affinity and Ion‐Pair Chromatography

Folates and derivatives usually occur as polyglutamates, in different oxidized forms and substitutions in nature. The multiplicity of forms and the generally low content in food makes quantitative analysis of folate a difficult task. A method that uses affinity chromatography followed by ion‐pair high performance liquid chromatography was adapted to the analysis of folate distribution in Spanish beers, with simultaneous information on the pteridine ring structure and the glutamate residues. On average, total folate concentration (as sum of individual vitamers expressed in folic acid) in the analyzed beers was 2.0 μg/100 mL. For all the beers, folates were present as monoglutamates and the analysis showed a total absence of polyglutamyl folates. The distribution of the monoglutamyl folate derivatives analyzed in Spanish beers was: 10‐formyltetrahydrofolate (41.7% of total folate), tetrahydrofolate (26.5%), 5‐methyltetrahydrofolate (17.2%) and folic acid (14.6%). This study provides new information regarding the distribution of naturally occurring folates in beer and contributes to the assessment of folate bioavailability in this beverage.     

A lightweight framework for dynamic GUI data verification based on scripts

Runtime verification (RV) provides essential mechanisms to enhance software robustness and prevent malfunction. However, RV often entails complex and formal processes that could be avoided in scenarios in which only invariants or simple safety properties are verified, for example, when verifying input data in Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs). This paper describes S‐DAVER, a lightweight framework aimed at supporting separate data verification in GUIs. All the verification processes are encapsulated in an independent layer and then transparently integrated into an application. The verification rules are specified in separate files and written in interpreted languages to be changed/reloaded at runtime without recompilation. Superimposed visual feedback is used to assist developers during the testing stage and to improve the experience of users during execution. S‐DAVER provides a lightweight, easy‐to‐integrate and dynamic verification framework for GUI data. It is an integral part of the development, testing and execution stages. An implementation of S‐DAVER was successfully integrated into existing open‐source applications, with promising results. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Variable neighborhood search to solve the generalized orienteering problem

This paper presents a variable neighborhood search (VNS) algorithm to solve the extension of the orienteering problem known as the generalized orienteering problem (GOP). Our algorithm aims to use a reduced number of neighborhoods without compromising the quality of the results. This reduced number of neighborhoods, together with the precalculation of scores associated with points of interest, allows us, in most cases, to outperform all previous metaheuristics proposed for this problem. This is the first time a VNS is being applied to the GOP, and it provides promising computational results. In particular, in the case studies considered in the paper, we were able to find 35 new best solutions, all of which were found using a shorter computational time. Furthermore, the information regarding other best‐known solutions provided in the literature has also been improved, with corrections to some previously published errors regarding scores and distances. In addition, the benchmark has been extended with the incorporation of new case studies based on real data from three of the most popular tourist cities in Spain.     

MalFamAware: automatic family identification and malware classification through online clustering

International Journal of Information Security - The skyrocketing growth rate of new malware brings novel challenges to protect computers and networks. Discerning truly novel malware from variants...     

Modulation by Ozone Therapy of Oxidative Stress in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: The Background for a Randomized Clinical Trial

(1) Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) decreases the quality of life of patients and can lead to a dose reduction and/or the interruption of chemotherapy treatment, limiting its effectiveness. Potential pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of CIPN include chronic oxidative stress and subsequent increase in free radicals and proinflammatory cytokines. Approaches for the treatment of CIPN are highly limited in their number and efficacy, although several antioxidant-based therapies have been tried. On the other hand, ozone therapy can induce an adaptive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory response, which could be potentially useful in the management of CIPN. (2) Methods: The aims of this works are: (a) to summarize the potential mechanisms that could induce CIPN by the most relevant drugs (platinum, taxanes, vinca alkaloids, and bortezomib), with particular focus on the role of oxidative stress; (b) to summarize the current situation of prophylactic and treatment approaches; (c) to describe the action mechanisms of ozone therapy to modify oxidative stress and inflammation with its potential repercussions for CIPN; (d) to describe related experimental and clinical reports with ozone therapy in chemo-induced neurologic symptoms and CIPN; and (e) to show the main details about an ongoing focused clinical trial. (3) Results: A wide background relating to the mechanisms of action and a small number of experimental and clinical reports suggest that ozone therapy could be useful to prevent or improve CIPN. (4) Conclusions: Currently, there are no clinically relevant approaches for the prevention and treatment of stablished CIPN. The potential role of ozone therapy in this syndrome merits further research. Randomized controlled trials are ongoing.     

Solution and quasi‐bulk copolymerizations of styrene and methyl methacrylate in the presence of polybutadiene: Mathematical model

A mathematical model was developed for simulating the batch copolymerization of styrene (St) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of polybutadiene (PB). It was adjusted to the measurements of three reactions carried out at 65°C, with initial comonomers ratio at the azeotropic condition, THF as solvent, and benzoyl peroxide as initiator. The measurements included: (a) conversions and grafting efficiencies by gravimetry; (b) molecular weight distributions (MWDs) by size exclusion chromatography; and (c) global mass fractions of St in the co‐ and terpolymer, by UV‐Vis spectroscopy. The model predicts the MWDs of the three polymeric components of MBS: free St‐MMA copolymer, St‐MMA‐g‐PB graft terpolymer (GT), and residual PB. In addition, it predicts the bivariate chain length distributions of the different GT topologies, with each topology characterized by the number of branches per molecule. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010