bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rigorous implementation of real-time systems – from theory to application
Authors: ABDELLATIF TESNIM , COMBAZ JACQUES , SIFAKIS JOSEPH 
Published: July 2013

The correct and efficient implementation of general real-time applications remains very much an open problem. A key issue is meeting timing constraints whose satisfaction depends on features of the execution platform, in particular its speed. Existing rigorous implementation techniques are applicable to specific classes of systems, for example, with periodic tasks or time-deterministic systems.We present a general model-based implementation method for real-time systems based on the use of two models:
•An abstract model representing the behaviour of real-time software as a timed automaton, which describes user-defined platform-independent timing constraints. Its transitions are timeless and correspond to the execution of statements of the real-time software.•A physical model representing the behaviour of the real-time software running on a given platform. It is obtained by assigning execution times to the transitions of the abstract model.
A necessary condition for implementability is time-safety, that is, any (timed) execution sequence of the physical model is also an execution sequence of the abstract model. Time-safety simply means that the platform is fast enough to meet the timing requirements. As execution times of actions are not known exactly, time-safety is checked for the worst-case execution times of actions by making an assumption of time-robustness: time-safety is preserved when the speed of the execution platform increases.We show that, as a rule, physical models are not time-robust, and that time-determinism is a sufficient condition for time-robustness. For a given piece of real-time software and an execution platform corresponding to a time-robust model, we define an execution engine that coordinates the execution of the application software so that it meets its timing constraints. Furthermore, in the case of non-robustness, the execution engine can detect violations of time-safety and stop execution.We have implemented the execution engine for BIP programs with real-time constraints and validated the implementation method for two case studies. The experimental results for a module of a robotic application show that the CPU utilisation and the size of the model are reduced compared with existing implementations. The experimental results for an adaptive video encoder also show that a lack of time-robustness may seriously degrade the performance for increasing platform execution speed.
Acute and Subacute Changes in Neural Activation during the Recovery from Sport-Related Concussion
Authors: Hammeke Thomas A. , McCrea Michael , Coats Sarah M. , Verber Matthew D. , Durgerian Sally , Flora Kristin , Olsen Gary S. , Leo Peter D. , Gennarelli Thomas A. , Rao Stephen M. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractTo study the natural recovery from sports concussion, 12 concussed high school football athletes and 12 matched uninjured teammates were evaluated with symptom rating scales, tests of postural balance and cognition, and an event-related fMRI study during performance of a load-dependent working memory task at 13 h and 7 weeks following injury. Injured athletes showed the expected postconcussive symptoms and cognitive decline with decreased reaction time (RT) and increased RT variability on a working memory task during the acute period and an apparent full recovery 7 weeks later. Brain activation patterns showed decreased activation of right hemisphere attentional networks in injured athletes relative to controls during the acute period with a reversed pattern of activation (injured > controls) in the same networks at 7 weeks following injury. These changes coincided with a decrease in self-reported postconcussive symptoms and improved cognitive test performance in the injured athletes. Results from this exploratory study suggest that decreased activation of right hemisphere attentional networks mediate the cognitive changes and postconcussion symptoms observed during the acute period following concussion. Conversely, improvement in cognitive functioning and postconcussive symptoms during the subacute period may be mediated by compensatory increases in activation of this same attentional network. (JINS, 2013,19, 1–10)
A Comparison of Characteristics and Outcomes of Opioid-Dependent Patients Initiating Office-Based Buprenorphine or Methadone Maintenance Treatment
Authors: Fingerhood Michael I. , King Van L. , Brooner Robert K. , Rastegar Darius A. 
Published: July 2013

Background The purpose of this study was to compare demographic factors and 1-year treatment outcomes of patients treated with buprenorphine or methadone. Methods The study included 252 subjects who received a prescription for buprenorphine in an academic internal medicine practice and 252 subjects who enrolled in a methadone maintenance program located on the same campus over the same time frame. Data were collected retrospectively. Patients were classified as “opioid-positive” or “opioid-negative” each month for a year based on urine drug testing and provider assessment. Successful treatment was defined as remaining in treatment after 1 year and achieving 6 or more opioid-negative months. Results Buprenorphine patients were more likely to be male, have health insurance, be employed, abuse prescription opioids, and be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected; they were less likely to abuse benzodiazepines. At 12 months, 140 (55.6%) of buprenorphine patients and 156 (61.9%) of methadone patients remained in treatment ( P =.148). Patients on methadone had a higher mean number of opioid-negative months (6.96 vs. 5.43; P <.001) and mean number of months in treatment (9.38 vs. 8.59; P <.001). On multivariable analysis, methadone maintenance was significantly associated with successful treatment (adjusted odds ratio: 2.10; 95% confidence interval: 1.43–3.07). Conclusions Office-based buprenorphine and methadone maintenance programs serve very different populations. Both are effective, but patients on methadone had mildly better treatment outcomes.
Potential economic impacts of water-use changes in Southwest Kansas
Authors: Golden Bill , Johnson Jeff 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
This research considers three policy scenarios aimed at reducing groundwater consumption in three high priority subareas of southwest Kansas. The three policy scenarios include: (1) a Status Quo scenario where there is no change in water-use policy, (2) an Immediate Conversion to Dryland scenario where all groundwater pumping is halted, and (3) a Reallocation scenario, which allows only a 40% reduction in saturated thickness in 25 years. Each policy scenario is simulated under normal versus drought weather conditions. Results suggest that, from both a community and producer perspective, groundwater conservation policy can generate positive economic gains.
First Report of a 16SrIX Group (‘Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium’-Related) Phytoplasma Associated with a Chrysanthemum Disease
Authors: Bayat H. , Verhoeven J. Th. J. , Botermans M. , Peters D. , Hassani-Mehraban A. 
Published: July 2013

In November 2010, approximately 2% of the chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) cv. Paniz plants showed numerous small leaves in the top and stunting in a field collection of the National Research Center of Ornamental Plants in Mahallat, Iran. Next to these plants, some plants of the same collection showed leaves with a reddish and/or chlorotic discoloration around the veins. The observed symptoms were believed to represent infection by a phytoplasma and/or a viroid. Two plants with each type of the symptoms were individually analyzed. Using a total RNA extract from diseased leaves, RT-PCR with primer pairs targeting all known pospiviroids, including Chrysanthemum stunt viroid (CSVd) (3), were negative. Purified DNA was examined for the highly conserved phytoplasma 16S rRNA gene by nested-PCR using the universal primer sets P1/P7 and R16F2n/R16R2 (2). Fragments of 1.2 kb, obtained only from the plants with the small leaves and stunting, were sequenced and one of these sequences, which were identical, was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. KC176800). BLAST analysis of the chrysanthemum phytoplasma sequence exhibited 99% identity to Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium (Ca. P. phoenicium) species of the 16SrIX group. Subsequently, in silico RFLP analysis of the nested PCR product with the pDRAW32 program using AluI and TaqI restriction sites used for 16SrIX subgroups A, B, C, D, and E indicated that the 16SrIX chrysanthemum isolate belonged to subgroup D (1). Recently, based on GenBank sequences, several strains of Ca. P. phoenicium have been isolated and identified from diverse host species like Lactuca serriola, L. sativa, Solanum lycopersicon, Sonchus sp. [16SrIX-E], Carthamus tinctorius, and Prunus amygdalus [16SrIX-B] (4) in Iran. The vector species transmitting Ca. P. phoenicium to C. morifolium still needs to be identified. The leafhopper Neoaliturus fenestratus may be a potential vector as it is an often encountered efficient transmitter vector of 16SrIX group phytoplasmas in Iran (2). Next to the susceptibility of chrysanthemum to members of aster yellows, stolbur, and Ca. P. aurantifolia phytoplasma groups, this is, to our knowledge, the first report of a 16SrIX group member infecting chrysanthemum. The detection of this phytoplasma in chrysanthemum can form a new threat to this crop and other ornamentals in the Mahallat flower production region. References: (1) R. E. Davis et al. New Dis. Rep. 20:35, 2010. (2) M. Salehi et al. Plant Pathol. 56:669, 2007. (3) J. Th. J. Verhoeven et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 110:823, 2004. (4) M. G. Zamharir. Afr. J. Microbiol. Res. 5:6013, 2011.
The First Report of Globodera rostochiensis Pathotypes Ro5 Occurrence in Poland
Authors: Przetakiewicz A. 
Published: July 2013

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L. subsp. tuberosum) is one of the most important crops in Poland. During vegetation season, pests and pathogens including a quarantine-significant nematode Globodera rostochiensis (Woll.) Behrens can infect growing plants. Regional surveys have revealed potato cyst nematodes (PCN) to be widely distributed in Poland, with the highest infestation throughout the northwest of the country. Since 1946, only pathotype Ro1 of G. rostochiensis has been recorded. Previous data revealed the occurrence of pathotype Ro5 in three separate provinces. In recent surveys, 22 soil samples from infested fields in northern and western parts of Poland were collected. Each sample comprised 10 kg of soil collected in a grid pattern. Samples of approximately 2 kg were dried for extracting nematodes. The cysts were obtained with an automatic cyst extractor (Mekku Gmbh). A molecular test was performed as a first step to discriminate G. rostochiensis from G. pallida. DNA from 30 cysts per sample was extracted with DNeasy Blood and Tissue KIT (Qiagen). Multiplex PCR analysis with two pairs of primers, GroR-GroF and PaR-PaF (1), was employed. The PCR resulted in a single 315-bp DNA fragment specific for G. rostochiensis. No amplification was shown with primers specific for G. pallida. Bioassays on differential genotypes of potato were carried out to identify the pathotype of G. rostochiensis. Five genotypes of potato: S. vernei hybr. 58.1642/4, S. vernei hybr. 62.33.3, S. vernei hybr. 65.346/19, S. multidissectum hybr. P 55/7, S. kurtzianum hybr. 60.21.19, and two varieties, Desiree and Maris Piper, were inoculated with 22 populations of G. rostochiensis cysts (2). Tests were performed in three replications. Eighteen of the cyst populations were pathotype Ro1 and four were pathotype Ro5. The abundance of cysts in locations where the new pathotype was detected suggests that there is a threat of further spread of G. rostochiensis. Consequently, producers and farmers need to grow resistant potato cultivars to keep nematode population below damaging level. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Globodera rostochiensis Ro5 in Poland. References: (1) A. Fullaondo et al. Nematology 1:157, 1999. (2) J. Kort et. al. Nematologica 23:333, 1977.
New methods of crop production and farmland birds: effects of plastic mulches on species richness and abundance
Authors: Skórka Piotr , Lenda Magdalena , Moroń Dawid , Tryjanowski Piotr 
Published: July 2013

Summary

Modern methods of crop production are regarded as one of the major factors moderating ecosystem processes in agricultural landscapes and may negatively affect farmland biodiversity. One method which is on the increase is mulching: the use of plastic foil to cover crops at sowing in order to promote early growth by reducing the negative effects of variable temperatures and to limit pesticide use. However, almost nothing is known of the role of mulching on farmland biodiversity.

In this study, carried out in southern Poland in 2011, we investigated the impact of mulching with plastic foil on the number of species and abundance of farmland birds at two spatial scales.

At the local scale, bird species number and abundance were lower in areas where foil was used than those in the control areas, both during the period when the foil was used and after it was removed from the crops. At the landscape scale, we found a significant negative relationship between the proportion of crops covered by foil and bird species richness and abundance. Farmland specialists, nonfarmland birds, ground nesters and above‐ground nesting species were all negatively affected by foil mulching. Foil had a negative effect on potential resources for birds including adult butterflies and their larvae and weed species.

Synthesis and applications. Our results provide the first evidence that the use of foil for mulching has negative effects on farmland bird populations, probably through the trophic cascade and habitat disturbance. Therefore, foil mulches must be considered as another factor contributing to the decline of farmland biodiversity. We suggest limiting the use of this method of vegetable production at the farm level. Decreasing the field size and converting some arable fields into grassland patches are proposed as mitigation measures in landscapes with high foil cover.
How pre‐service teachers' personality traits, self‐efficacy, and discipline strategies contribute to the teacher–student relationship
Authors: de Jong Romi , Mainhard Tim , van Tartwijk Jan , Veldman Ietje , Verloop Nico , Wubbels Theo 
Published: July 2013

BackgroundAlthough the teacher–student relationship is a well‐documented phenomenon, few attempts have been made to identify its predictors. Research has mainly focused on in‐service teachers, less is known about characteristics of pre‐service teachers in relation to the teacher–student relationship.AimsThe purpose of this study was to identify the predictors of pre‐service secondary teachers' relationships with their students. It was hypothesized that friendliness and extraversion, self‐efficacy in classroom management and in student engagement, and various discipline strategies would contribute to the teacher–student relationship in terms of influence and affiliation.SampleA total of 120 pre‐service teachers in teacher education programmes participated.MethodData on pre‐service teachers' background (e.g., gender and age), personality traits, and self‐efficacy were gathered with teacher questionnaires; data on teachers' discipline strategies and the teacher–student relationship with student questionnaires.ResultsThe two personality traits and self‐efficacy appeared not to be related to the teacher–student relationship in terms of affiliation or influence. However, significant relationships were found between the different discipline strategies and the teacher–student relationship in terms of influence and affiliation. There were differential effects for gender on the relationship between discipline strategies on the one hand and influence and affiliation on the other.ConclusionThis study provides relevant new insights into the research fields of classroom management and interpersonal relationships in education. It contributes to our understanding of discipline strategies by fine tuning an existing instrument and revealing interesting connections with the teacher–student relationship. Specific gender effects on this connection are discussed, as are implications for practice.
Prospective randomized trial of hexylaminolevulinate photodynamic‐assisted transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) plus single‐shot intravesical mitomycin C vs conventional white‐light TURBT plus mitomycin C in newly presenting non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: O'Brien Timothy , Ray Eleanor , Chatterton Kathryn , Khan Muhammad Shamim , Chandra Ashish , Thomas Kay 
Published: July 2013

Objective
To determine if photodynamic ‘blue‐light'‐assisted resection leads to lower recurrence rates in newly presenting non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).
Patients and Methods
We conducted a prospective randomized trial of hexylaminolevulinate (HAL) photodynamic diagnosis (PDD)‐assisted transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) plus single‐shot intravesical mitomycin C vs standard white‐light‐assisted TURBT plus single‐shot intravesical mitomycin C.
A total of 249 patients with newly presenting suspected NMIBC enrolled at Guy's Hospital between March 2005 and April 2010. Patients with a history of bladder cancer were excluded.
The surgery was performed by specialist bladder cancer surgical teams.
Of the eligible patients, 90% agreed to be randomized.
Results
Of the 249 patients, 209 (84%) had cancer and in 185 patients (89%) the cancer was diagnosed as NMIBC. There were no adverse events related to HAL in any of the patients randomized to the intravesical HAL‐PDD arm.
Single‐shot intravesical mitomycin C was administered to 61/97 patients (63%) in the HAL‐PDD arm compared with 68/88 patients (77%) in the white‐light arm (P = 0.04)
Intravesical HAL was an effective diagnostic tool for occult carcinoma in situ (CIS). Secondary CIS was identified in 25/97 patients (26%) in the HAL‐PDD arm compared with 12/88 patients (14%) in the white‐light arm ((P = 0.04)
There was no significant difference in recurrence between the two arms at 3 or 12 months: in the HAL‐PDD and the white‐light arms recurrence was found in 17/86 and 14/82 patients (20 vs 17%), respectively ((P = 0.7) at 3 months, and in 10/63 and 15/67 patients (16 vs 22%), respectively ((P = 0.4) at 12 months.
Conclusions
Despite HAL‐PDD offering a more accurate diagnostic assessment of a bladder tumour, in this trial we did not show that this led to lower recurrence rates of newly presenting NMIBC compared with the best current standard of care.
Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 3,9‐diazatetraasteranes as Novel Matrilysin Inhibitors
Authors: Liu Yanlan , Tan Hongbo , Yan Hong , Song Xiuqing 
Published: July 2013

Matrilysin is an ideal biological target to develop novel inhibitors because it is overexpressed in malignant tumour cells. A series of 3,9‐diazatetraasteranes was designed as inhibitors of matrilysin, which was an ideal biological target because it is responsible for aggressive malignant phenotypes and poor prognoses implicated in many cancers. Docking simulation supported the initial pharmacophore hypothesis and suggested a common interaction mechanism of 3,9‐diazatetraasteranes with the catalytic site of matrilysin. The 3,9‐diazatetraasteranes were synthesized by the photocyclization of 4‐aryl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines, and their structures were determined using 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS. The inhibitory activities of these compounds on matrilysin were investigated in vitro using an MTT assay in A549 (small cell lung cancer) cells. The results show that the 3,9‐diazatetraasteranes can inhibit the growth of A549 tumour cells. The best IC50 value is approximately 50 μm. This result indicates that 3,9‐diazatetraasteranes will be useful pharmacological tools for the investigation of matrilysin inhibitors.
The electrophysiological time course of somatosensory spatial remapping: vision of the hands modulates effects of posture on somatosensory evoked potentials
Authors: Rigato Silvia , Bremner Andrew J. , Mason Luke , Pickering Alan , Davis Rob , van Velzen José 
Published: July 2013

AbstractWe investigated the electrophysiological correlates of somatosensory processing under different arm postures by recording event‐related potentials at frontal, central and centroparietal sites during tactile stimulation of the hands. Short series of 200 ms vibrotactile stimuli were presented to the palms of the participants' hands, one hand at a time, in either uncrossed‐ or crossed‐hands postures. The manipulation of posture allowed us to investigate the electrophysiological processes underlying the spatial remapping of somatosensory stimuli from anatomical into external frames of reference. To examine somatosensory spatial remapping independently of its effects on attentional processes, the stimuli were presented unpredictably in terms of location, and in temporal onset. We also examined how vision of the limbs affects the process of remapping. When participants had sight of their hands (Experiment 1) the effect of posture was observed over regions contralateral to the stimulated hand from 128 ms, whereas when their limbs were covered (Experiment 2) effects of posture influenced the ipsilateral regions from 150 ms. These findings add to an increasing body of evidence which indicates that sight of the hand modulates the way in which information in other modalities is processed. We argue that in this case, sight of the hand biases spatial encoding of touch towards an anatomical frame of reference.
Functional properties and short‐term dynamics of unidirectional and reciprocal synaptic connections between layer 2/3 pyramidal cells and fast‐spiking interneurons in juvenile rat prefrontal cortex
Authors: Zaitsev A. V. , Lewis D. A. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe interactions between inhibitory fast‐spiking (FS) interneurons and excitatory pyramidal neurons contribute to the fundamental properties of cortical networks. An important role for FS interneurons in mediating rapid inhibition in local sensory and motor cortex microcircuits and processing thalamic inputs to the cortex has been shown in multiple reports; however, studies in the prefrontal cortex, a key neocortical region supporting working memory, are less numerous. In the present work, connections between layer 2/3 pyramidal cells and FS interneurons were studied with paired whole‐cell recordings in acute neocortical slices of the medial prefrontal cortex from juvenile rats. The connection rate between FS interneurons and pyramidal neurons was about 40% in each direction with 16% of pairs connected reciprocally. Excitatory and inhibitory connections had a high efficacy and a low neurotransmission failure rate. Sustained presynaptic activity decreased the amplitude of responses and increased the failure rate more in excitatory connections than in inhibitory connections. In the reciprocal connections between the FS and pyramidal neurons, inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission was more efficient and had a lower failure rate than in the unidirectional connections; the differences increased during the train stimulation. These results suggest the presence of distinct preferential subnetworks between FS interneurons and pyramidal cells in the rat prefrontal cortex that might be specific for this cortical area.