Guard-based partial-order reduction

This paper aims at making partial-order reduction independent of the modeling language. To this end, we present a guard-based method which is a general-purpose implementation of the stubborn set method. We approach the implementation through so-called necessary enabling sets and do-not-accord sets, and give an algorithm suitable for an abstract model checking interface. We also introduce necessary disabling sets and heuristics to produce smaller stubborn sets and thus better reduction at low costs. We explore the effect of these methods using an implementation in the model checker LTSmin. We experiment with partial-order reduction on a number of Promela models, on benchmarks from the BEEM database in the DVE language, and with several with LTL properties. The efficiency of the heuristic algorithm is established by a comparison to the subset-minimal Deletion algorithm and the simple closure algorithm. We also compare our results to the Spin model checker. While the reductions take longer, they are consistently better than Spin ’s ample set and often surpass the upper bound for the process-based ample sets, established empirically earlier on BEEM models.     

Reliability of velocity pulsatility in small vessels on 3Tesla MRI in the basal ganglia: a test–retest study

Objective

Recent work showed the feasibility of measuring velocity pulsatility in the perforating arteries at the level of the BG using 3T MRI. However, test–retest measurements have not been performed, yet. This study assessed the test–retest reliability of 3T MRI blood flow velocity measurements in perforating arteries in the BG.

Materials and methods

Two-dimensional phase-contrast cardiac gated (2D-PC) images were acquired for 35 healthy controls and repeated with and without repositioning. 2D-PC images were processed and analyzed, to assess the number of detected perforating arteries (N_detected), mean blood flow velocity (V_mean), and velocity pulsatility index (vPI). Paired t-tests and Bland–Altman plots were used to compare variance in outcome parameters with and without repositioning, and limits of agreement (LoA) were calculated.

Results

The LoA was smallest for V_mean (35%) and highest for vPI (79%). Test–retest reliability was similar with and without repositioning of the subject.

Discussion

We found similar LoA with and without repositioning indicating that the measurement uncertainty is dominated by scanner and physiological noise, rather than by planning. This enables to study hemodynamic parameters in perforating arteries at clinically available scanners, provided sufficiently large sample sizes are used to mitigate the contribution of scanner- and physiological noise.

     

Novel properties of malarial S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase as revealed by structural modelling

In the malaria parasite, the two main regulatory activities of polyamine biosynthesis, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AdoMetDC) occur in a single bifunctional protein. The AdoMetDC domain was modeled using the human and potato X-ray crystal structures as templates. Three parasite-specific inserts and the core active site region was identified using a structure-based alignment approach. The domain was modeled without the two largest inserts, to give a root mean square deviation of 1.85 angstroms from the human template. Contact with the rest of the bifunctional complex is predicted to occur on one face of the Plasmodium falciparum AdoMetDC (PfAdoMetDC) domain. In the active site there are four substitutions compared to the human template. One of these substitutions may be responsible for the lack of inhibition by Tris, compared to mammalian AdoMetDC. The model also provides an explanation for the lack of putrescine stimulation in PfAdoMetDC compared to mammalian AdoMetDC. A network of residues that connects the putrescine-binding site with the active site in human AdoMetDC is conserved in the malarial and plant cognates. Internal basic residues are found to assume the role of putrescine, based on the model and site-directed mutagenesis: Arg11 is absolutely required for normal activity, while disrupting Lys15 and Lys215 each cause 50% inhibition of AdoMetDC activity. These novel features of malarial AdoMetDC suggest possibilities for the discovery of parasite-specific inhibitors.     

消费电子产品寿命终期的生态效益研究(二)

产品信息、预处理、破碎和分选：按照如下步骤进行产品生态效益分析：①按收集产品信息，模拟破碎和分选过程；②确定材料对环境权重再循环的贡献量：③设计各种可能的环境模式(比如再生利用、焚烧、填埋等模式)：④计算寿命终期链每个阶段所需的整体成本：     

Distortion of DNA Origami on Graphene Imaged with Advanced TEM Techniques

While graphene may appear to be the ultimate support membrane for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging of DNA nanostructures, very little is known if it poses an advantage over conventional carbon supports in terms of resolution and contrast. Microscopic investigations are carried out on DNA origami nanoplates that are supported onto freestanding graphene, using advanced TEM techniques, including a new dark‐field technique that is recently developed in our lab. TEM images of stained and unstained DNA origami are presented with high contrast on both graphene and amorphous carbon membranes. On graphene, the images of the origami plates show severe unwanted distortions, where the rectangular shape of the nanoplates is significantly distorted. From a number of comparative control experiments, it is demonstrated that neither staining agents, nor screening ions, nor the level of electron‐beam irradiation cause this distortion. Instead, it is suggested that origami nanoplates are distorted due to hydrophobic interaction of the DNA bases with graphene upon adsorption of the DNA origami nanoplates.     

A chemical and mineralogical reconstruction of Zn-smelter emissions in the Kempen region (Belgium), based on organic pool sediment cores

The atmospheric pollution history of a former Belgian Zn-smelter complex is preserved in organic sediments of a nearby peat bog pool. The stratigraphy of trace metals, Pb-isotope ratios and mineralogy indicate extreme heavy metal pollution in recent sediments. In the pollutant trend, extremes coincide with maxima in 20th century metal production, minima during major war conflicts and the final shutdown of the smelter. Peak pollution concentrations measure up to 4.7 wt.% Zn, 1.1 wt.% Pb and 0.1 wt.% Cd, which correspond to calculated atmospheric deposition rates of 9.0, 1.6 and 0.16 g m(-2) yr(-1), respectively. 206Pb/207Pb isotope ratios show higher values in the polluted interval (1.135-1.162) relative to local geogenic values deeper down-core (1.194-1.215). Within the polluted interval, three significantly different 208Pb/206Pb plateaus are recognized and suggested to indicate changes in the origins of processed ores. Microprobe analyses on sediment thin sections show extensive in situ FeS2 and ZnS precipitation, which suggests that anoxic processes are responsible for the immobilization of the atmospheric metal inputs. The occurrence of oxidized smelter dusts in an independent surface soil sample indicates a rapid diagenetic transformation of metal oxides into sulfides. Morphology and chemical characteristics allow the distinction between smelter related and diagenetic mineral deposits, and give evidence for dust from open-air ore repositories, as well as smelter operation without dust filters.     

Electrochemical dissolution of metallic platinum in ionic liquids

The electrochemical dissolution of Pt in several ionic liquids (IL’s) was studied. Different IL’s were tested assessing their potential to dissolve Pt. Dissolution rate and current efficiency were evaluated. The main focus was on Cl containing IL’s: first generation, eutectic based IL’s and second generation IL’s with discrete anions. Pt dissolution only occurred in type 1 eutectic-based IL’s with a max. dissolution rate of 192.2 g m^?2 h^?1 and a max. current efficiency of 99 % for the ZnCl₂-1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride IL, and 9.090 g m^?2 h^?1 and 96 % for the 1:1 ZnCl₂–choline chloride ionic liquid. The dissolution occurred via the formation of [PtCl _x ] ^y? complexes. To form these complexes, addition of a metal chloride was necessary. Furthermore, an IL with an electrochemical window of 1.5 V, preferably 2.0 V is required to achieve Pt dissolution. The added metal salt needed to have a higher decomposition potential than 1.5 V or should be a Pt salt.     

Centrifuge model studies on the stability of fibre-reinforced cemented paste backfill stopes

Cemented paste backfill (CPB) is used extensively in Australia for providing ground support during underground mining operations. This paper considered the use of polypropylene fibres to reinforce the partial or whole body of CPB models in laboratory centrifuge tests. Specimens were cast as non-reinforced (tailings, cement and water), quarter-height, half-height and full height fibre-reinforced CPB model stopes. The stability of CPB models with vertically exposed faces was investigated by a series of centrifuge tests. The modelling data showed that the prototype height of fibre reinforced CPB stopes could be much higher than that of unreinforced stopes depending on the extent of reinforcing. The vertical displacement and failure mass ratio of CPB models were also compared and discussed. The distinct failure modes showed that fibre reinforcement was effective in preventing the CPB failing into the strong box. Furthermore, virtually no fragments were spalled from the exposed faces of reinforced sections of the stopes. It indicated that the application of fibre reinforcement would potentially reduce ore dilution and recovery costs, because the risks of failure would be lowered and prototype stope sizes be enlarged.