Using passive testing based on symbolic execution and slicing techniques: Application to the validation of communication protocols

This paper presents a new approach to perform passive testing based on the analysis of the control and data part of the system under test. Passive testing techniques are based on the observation and verification of properties on the behaviour of a system without interfering with its normal operation. Many passive testing techniques consider only the control part of the system and neglect data, or are confronted with an overwhelming amount of data values to process. In our approach, we consider control and data parts by integrating the concepts of symbolic execution and we improve trace analysis by introducing trace slicing techniques. Properties are described using Input–Output Symbolic Transition Systems (IOSTSs) and we illustrate in the paper how they can be tested on real execution traces optimizing the trace analysis. These properties can be designed to test the functional conformance of a protocol as well as security properties.     

Discovery and Characterization of ACT‐451840: an Antimalarial Drug with a Novel Mechanism of Action

More than 40 % of the world's population is at risk of being infected with malaria. Most malaria cases occur in the countries of sub‐Saharan Africa, Central and South America, and Asia. Resistance to standard therapy, including artemisinin combinations, is increasing. There is an urgent need for novel antimalarials with new mechanisms of action. In a phenotypic screen, we identified a series of phenylalanine‐based compounds that exhibit antimalarial activity via a new and yet unknown mechanism of action. Our optimization efforts culminated in the selection of ACT‐451840 [(S,E)‐N‐(4‐(4‐acetylpiperazin‐1‐yl)benzyl)‐3‐(4‐(tert‐butyl)phenyl)‐N‐(1‐(4‐(4‐cyanobenzyl)piperazin‐1‐yl)‐1‐oxo‐3‐phenylpropan‐2‐yl)acrylamide] for clinical development. Herein we describe our optimization efforts from the screening hit to the potential drug candidate with respect to antiparasitic activity, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) properties, and in vivo pharmacological efficacy.     

Quantification of the relationship between fuser roller temperature and laser printer emissions

Recently published studies not only demonstrated that laser printers are often significant sources of ultrafine particles, but they also shed light on particle formation mechanisms. While the role of fuser roller temperature as a factor affecting particle formation rate has been postulated, its impact has never been quantified. To address this gap in knowledge, this study measured emissions from 30 laser printers in chamber using a standardized printing sequence, as well as monitoring fuser roller temperature. Based on a simplified mass balance equation, the average emission rates of particle number, PM_2.5 and O₃ were calculated. The results showed that: almost all printers were found to be high particle number emitters (i.e. >1.01×10¹⁰ particles/min); colour printing generated more PM_2.5 than monochrome printing; and all printers generated significant amounts of O₃. Particle number emissions varied significantly during printing and followed the cycle of fuser roller temperature variation, which points to temperature being the strongest factor controlling emissions. For two sub-groups of printers using the same technology (heating lamps), systematic positive correlations, in the form of a power law, were found between average particle number emission rate and average roller temperature. Other factors, such as fuser material and structure, are also thought to play a role, since no such correlation was found for the remaining two sub-groups of printers using heating lamps, or for the printers using heating strips. In addition, O₃ and total PM_2.5 were not found to be statistically correlated with fuser temperature.     

Combined FPPE–PTR Calorimetry Involving TWRC Technique II. Experimental: Application to Thermal Effusivity Measurements of Solids

Photopyroelectric calorimetry in the front detection configuration (FPPE) and photothermal radiometry (PTR) were simultaneously used, together with the thermal-wave resonator cavity method (TWRC), in order to investigate the thermal effusivity of solids inserted as backing layers in a detection cell. A new combined FPPE–PTR–TWRC setup was designed. It was demonstrated experimentally that the PTR technique, combined with the TWRC method, is able to provide calorimetric information about the third layer of a detection cell. Applications on solids with different values of the thermal effusivity (starting from metals, down to thermal isolators) are presented. The values of the thermal effusivity obtained with the PTR technique are similar to those obtained with the PPE technique, and in agreement with literature values; the two methods reciprocally support each other. The accuracy of both methods is higher when the values of the thermal effusivity of the backing layer and coupling fluid are close.     

Evolution of Flavylium-Based Color Systems in Plants: What Physical Chemistry Can Tell Us

Anthocyanins are the basis of the color of angiosperms, 3-deoxyanthocyanins and sphagnorubin play the same role in mosses and ferns, and auronidins are responsible for the color in liverworts. In this study, the color system of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (kuromanin) as a representative compound of simpler anthocyanins was fully characterized by stopped flow. This type of anthocyanin cannot confer significant color to plants without intra- or intermolecular interactions, complexation with metals or supramolecular structures as in Commelina communis. The anthocyanin’s color system was compared with those of 3-deoxyanthocyanins and riccionidin A, the aglycone of auronidins. The three systems follow the same sequence of chemical reactions, but the respective thermodynamics and kinetics are dramatically different.     

As oxidation by Thiomonas arsenivorans in up-flow fixed-bed reactors coupled to As sequestration onto zero-valent iron-coated sand

The combined processes of biological As^III oxidation and removal of As^III and As^V by zero-valent iron were investigated with synthetic water containing high As^III concentration (10 mg L⁻¹). Two up-flow fixed-bed reactors (R1 and R2) were filled with 2 L of sieved sand (d = 3 ± 1 mm) while zero-valent iron powder (d = 76 μm; 1% (w/w) of sand) was mixed evenly with sand in R2. Thiomonas arsenivorans was inoculated in the two reactors. The pilot unit was studied for 33 days, with HRT of 4 and 1 h. The maximal As^III oxidation rate was 8.36 mg h⁻¹ L⁻¹ in R1 and about 45% of total As was removed in R2 for an HRT of 1 h. A first order model fitted well with the As^III concentration evolution at the different levels in R1. At the end of the pilot monitoring, batch tests were conducted with support collected at different levels in R1. They showed that bacterial As^III oxidation rate was correlated with the axial length of reactor, which could be explained by biomass distribution in reactor or by bacterial activity. In opposition, As^III oxidation rate was not stable in R2 due to the simultaneous bacterial As^III oxidation and chemical removal by zero-valent iron and its oxidant products. However, a durable removal of total As was realized and zero-valent iron was not saturated by As over 33 days in R2. Furthermore, the influence of zero-valent iron and its oxidant corrosion products on the evolution of As^III-oxidizing bacteria diversity was highlighted by the molecular fingerprinting method of PCR-DGGE using aoxB gene as a functional marker of aerobic As^III oxidizers.     

Ultra-STEM-EELS characterization of MgB<Subscript>2</Subscript> superconductor synthesized by different routes: Comparative study

We report a comparative study on the synthesis of MgB₂ by electrothermal explosion (ETE), self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS), and high-temperature sintering. Advantages of these methods are demonstrated by comparing the structural and electronic properties of final MgB₂ with a superconducting transition temperature of above 39 K. The structural properties of materials were studied by XRD and SEM/EDS (chemical cartography), while imaging and electronic properties were investigated by Ultra-STEM microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), respectively. The results show that the synthesized bulk compounds are highly dense, with strong intergrain connections. The EEL spectra show the peaks of σ- and anti-bonding bonds, which is in good agreement with the theoretically calculated band structure, Fermi surface, and de Haas-van Alphen frequencies.     

Decomposition of ethylene carbonate on electrodeposited metal thin film anode

Metals capable of forming alloys with Li are of great interest as an alternative to present carbon electrodes, hence the importance of knowing their interactions with electrolytes is necessary. Herein we report further on the high-voltage extra irreversibility of Sn electrodeposited thin films vs. Li in EC-DMC 1 M LiPF₆ electrolytes. We show that this high-voltage irreversibility is strongly dependent upon the electrolyte composition as demonstrated by its disappearance in EC-free electrolytes. This finding coupled with IR spectroscopy measurements provides direct evidence for the tin-driven catalytic degradation of EC during the discharge of Sn/Li cells. From an electrochemical survey of various metals, capable of alloying with Li, we found that Bi and Pb behaved like Sn while Si and Sb did not act as catalysts towards EC degradation. A rationale for such behaviour is proposed, a procedure to bypass EC degradation with the addition of VC is presented, and an explanation for the non-observance of catalytic-driven EC degradation for Sn/C composites is provided.