An architecture modeling framework for probabilistic prediction

In the design phase of business and IT system development, it is desirable to predict the properties of the system-to-be. A number of formalisms to assess qualities such as performance, reliability and security have therefore previously been proposed. However, existing prediction systems do not allow the modeler to express uncertainty with respect to the design of the considered system. Yet, in contemporary business, the high rate of change in the environment leads to uncertainties about present and future characteristics of the system, so significant that ignoring them becomes problematic. In this paper, we propose a formalism, the Predictive, Probabilistic Architecture Modeling Framework (P²AMF), capable of advanced and probabilistically sound reasoning about business and IT architecture models, given in the form of Unified Modeling Language class and object diagrams. The proposed formalism is based on the Object Constraint Language (OCL). To OCL, P²AMF adds a probabilistic inference mechanism. The paper introduces P²AMF, describes its use for system property prediction and assessment and proposes an algorithm for probabilistic inference.     

Preparation and characterisation of titanium dioxide films for catalytic applications generated by anodic spark deposition

The advanced plasma electrochemical process of anodic spark deposition (ASD) was used to generate photoactive titanium dioxide films on titanium metal substrates. A shift to easier-to-machine substrates was demonstrated by the deposition of a titanium film with physical vapour deposition onto different materials such as glass, silicon, and stainless steel prior to ASD. Obtained films were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, surface area measurement (Brunnauer-Emmett-Teller method, BET), X-ray diffraction, electron-probe microanalysis, and glow discharge spectroscopy. Additionally, film thickness was determined by eddy current measurements. Standard ASD conditions were defined as 180 V applied voltage over a 180 s hold time, a voltage ramp of 20 V/s, a duty cycle of 0.5 and a frequency of 1500 Hz. Most prominent characteristics of the titanium films produced under these standard conditions are a film thickness of ≤80 μm, a surface area of approximately 51 m²/g (BET) and an anatase content of approximately 30% and rutile content of approximately 70%. Furthermore, the film formation process is elucidated and the dependence of film thickness on deposition time and the dependence of the anatase and rutile content on the deposited mass are shown for varying ASD conditions.     

Stimulation of Bone Healing by Sustained Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP-2) Delivery

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a sustained release of bone morphogenetic protein2 (BMP-2) incorporated in a polymeric implant coating on bone healing. In vitro analysis revealed a sustained, but incomplete BMP-2 release until Day 42. For the in vivo study, the rat tibia osteotomy was stabilized either with control or BMP-2 coated wires, and the healing progress was followed by micro computed tomography (μCT), biomechanical testing and histology at Days 10, 28, 42 and 84. MicroCT showed an accelerated formation of mineralized callus, as well as remodeling and an increase of mineralized/total callus volume (p = 0.021) at Day 42 in the BMP-2 group compared to the control. Histology revealed an increased callus mineralization at Days 42 and 84 (p = 0.006) with reduced cartilage at Day 84 (p = 0.004) in the BMP-2 group. Biomechanical stiffness was significantly higher in the BMP-2 group (p = 0.045) at Day 42. In summary, bone healing was enhanced after sustained BMP-2 application compared to the control. Using the same drug delivery system, but a burst release of BMP-2, a previous published study showed a similar positive effect on bone healing. Distinct differences in the healing outcome might be explained due to the different BMP release kinetics and dosages. However, further studies are necessary to adapt the optimal release profiles to physiological mechanisms.     

Recent advances in cancer therapy

The treatment of cancer has developed substantially from its conception in the first years of the 20th century. Since the introduction of alkylating agents during second World War, the oncology specialty has markedly grown. In the recent years, new drugs have been approved for the treatment of cancer. Such examples include the taxanes (Docetaxel and Paclitaxel), Vinorelbine, Irinotecan, Topotecan, Gemcitabine and Gliadel. We will discuss these new chemotherapuetic agents, their pharmacology, indications, toxicity and appropriate dosing. There is no doubt that further clinical research is needed to determine the optimal use of these agents.     

Shape-driven segmentation of the arterial wall in intravascular ultrasound images

Segmentation of arterial wall boundaries from intravascular images is an important problem for many applications in the study of plaque characteristics, mechanical properties of the arterial wall, its 3-D reconstruction, and its measurements such as lumen size, lumen radius, and wall radius. We present a shape-driven approach to segmentation of the arterial wall from intravascular ultrasound images in the rectangular domain. In a properly built shape space using training data, we constrain the lumen and media-adventitia contours to a smooth, closed geometry, which increases the segmentation quality without any tradeoff with a regularizer term. In addition to a shape prior, we utilize an intensity prior through a nonparametric probability-density-based image energy, with global image measurements rather than pointwise measurements used in previous methods. Furthermore, a detection step is included to address the challenges introduced to the segmentation process by side branches and calcifications. All these features greatly enhance our segmentation method. The tests of our algorithm on a large dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.     

Consumer acceptance of regular and reduced-sugar yogurt enriched with different types of dietary fiber

Reduction of energy in foods by eliminating sugar, combined with an increase in fiber, frequently results in products with sensory characteristics that cannot be compared with standard counterparts. This study analyzed the response of young educated consumers (n = 704) on standard or reduced-sugar vanilla yogurt enriched with inulin or with inulin combined with a grain mixture, a milled mixture of flakes, or a combination of grains and milled flakes. On a nine-point hedonic scale, mean acceptance was 6.4 and 6.8 for yogurt with 112 g kg^?1 and 160 g kg^?1 sugar, respectively. It was concluded from acceptance data and from results obtained by just-about-right rating that adapting the flavoring concentration might be an appropriate tool to mask sugar reduction. In yogurt with visible fiber, it is mainly the size of incorporated fiber that should be considered in product optimization. In these products, sugar content significantly affects acceptance.     

Formation of crystalline titanium dioxide on barrier layer-forming metals in aqueous electrolytes by anodic spark deposition—first mechanistic conceptions

A spark deposition process for the generation of crystalline titanium dioxide layers on barrier layer-forming metals such as Al, Ti, Mg, Zr, etc. was investigated. The process was carried out at high voltages and currents in an aqueous electrolyte. The electrolyte composition is provided and it could be shown that the electrolyte system used has great influence on the properties of the oxide layers. From the titanium balance, it was proven that most of the layer originates from the deposition of electrolyte compounds rather than from conversion of substrate material. Mechanistic conceptions of the layer formation are presented and supported by analytical determination of some reaction intermediates. The titanium dioxide layers generated were characterised regarding their physical and chemical properties.     

FD MOS SOI circuit to enhance the ratio of illuminated to dark current of a co-integrated a-Si:H photodiode

In this paper we first present the integration of amorphous silicon photodiodes with a fully depleted silicon on isolator (FD SOI) MOSFET circuit. Taking the advantage of the better subthreshold characteristic of FD SOI MOSFETs with respect to bulk devices, a very simple SOI circuit integrated with the amorphous silicon photodiode is presented to significantly improve the ratio of the circuit output current when the diode is illuminated to when it is not. The use of one additional reference source voltage to adjust the operating point of the photodiode, allows to obtain a very significant increase in this current ratio, much higher than what can be obtained using a simple diode. Circuit solutions used to amplify the diode current under illumination are usually more complicated and involve a capacitor or more transistors than the circuit we present. All the other properties of the photodetector, as its spectral characteristic and linear dependence of detection with light intensity are maintained. The circuit can also be used in conjunction with other circuits for further amplification and/or processing.     

Dissociation of arousal and regulatory behaviors following lesions of the lateral hypothalamus.

Investigated the effect of lesions of the lateral hypothalamus on feeding and spontaneous locomotor activity in 3 experiments with a total of 110 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Lateral hypothalamic lesions produced aphagia and adipsia but did not prevent the increase in locomotor activity characteristic of starvation. In addition, both food deprivation and lateral hypothalamic self-starvation potentiated amphetamine-induced behavioral arousal. However, the lesions did abolish incentive-motivated activity to a stimulus signaling food. Results suggest a dissociation between the neural mechanisms mediating arousal and regulatory behaviors. (32 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)