Predicting dependencies using domain-based coupling

Software dependencies play a vital role in programme comprehension, change impact analysis and other software maintenance activities. Traditionally, these activities are supported by source code analysis; however, the source code is sometimes inaccessible or difficult to analyse, as in hybrid systems composed of source code in multiple languages using various paradigms (e.g. object-oriented programming and relational databases). Moreover, not all stakeholders have adequate knowledge to perform such analyses. For example, non-technical domain experts and consultants raise most maintenance requests; however, they cannot predict the cost and impact of the requested changes without the support of the developers. We propose a novel approach to predicting software dependencies by exploiting the coupling present in domain-level information. Our approach is independent of the software implementation; hence, it can be used to approximate architectural dependencies without access to the source code or the database. As such, it can be applied to hybrid systems with heterogeneous source code or legacy systems with missing source code. In addition, this approach is based solely on information visible and understandable to domain users; therefore, it can be efficiently used by domain experts without the support of software developers. We evaluate our approach with a case study on a large-scale enterprise system, in which we demonstrate how up to 65 of the source code dependencies and 77% of the database dependencies are predicted solely based on domain information.

Length of the Mitral Isthmus But Not Anatomical Location of Ablation Line Predicts Bidirectional Mitral Isthmus Block in Patients Undergoing Catheter Ablation of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION Mitral isthmus (MI) ablation is an effective option in patients undergoing ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Achieving bidirectional conduction block across the MI is challenging, and predictors of MI ablation success remain incompletely understood. We sought to determine the impact of anatomical location of the ablation line on the efficacy of MI ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 40 consecutive patients (87% male; 54 ± 10 years) undergoing stepwise AF ablation were included. MI ablation was performed in sinus rhythm. MI ablation was performed from the left inferior PV to either the posterior (group 1) or the anterolateral (group 2) mitral annulus depending on randomization. The length of the MI line (measured with the 3D mapping system) and the amplitude of the EGMs at 3 positions on the MI were measured in each patient. MI block was achieved in 14/19 (74%) patients in group 1 and 15/21 (71%) patients in group 2 (P = NS). Total MI radiofrequency time (18 ± 7 min vs. 17 ± 8 min; P = NS) was similar between groups. Patients with incomplete MI block had a longer MI length (34 ± 6 mm vs. 24 ± 5 mm; P < 0.001), a higher bipolar voltage along the MI (1.75 ± 0.74 mV vs. 1.05 ± 0.69 mV; P < 0.01), and a longer history of continuous AF (19 ± 17 months vs. 10 ± 10 months; P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, decreased length of the MI was an independent predictor of successful MI block (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.1-2.1; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Increased length but not anatomical location of the MI predicts failure to achieve bidirectional MI block during ablation of persistent AF.

Bone-added periodontal plastic surgery: a new approach in esthetic dentistry

This article proposes a combined technique including bone grafting, connective tissue graft, and coronally advanced flap to create some space for simultaneous bone regrowth and root coverage. A 23 year-old female was referred to our private clinic with a severe class II Miller recession and lack of attached gingiva. The suggested treatment plan comprised of root coverage combined with xenograft bone particles. The grafted area healed well and full coverage was achieved at 12-month follow-up visit. Bone-added periodontal plastic surgery can be considered as a practical procedure for management of deep gingival recession without buccal bone plate.

Complex genetic background in a large family with Brugada syndrome.

The Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited arrhythmia characterized by ST-segment elevation in V1-V3 leads and negative T wave on standard ECG. BrS patients are at risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) due to ventricular tachyarrhythmia. At least 17 genes have been proposed to be linked to BrS, although recent findings suggested a polygenic background. Mutations in SCN5A, the gene coding for the cardiac sodium channel Nav1.5, have been found in 15-30% of index cases. Here, we present the results of clinical, genetic, and expression studies of a large Iranian family with BrS carrying a novel genetic variant (p.P1506S) in SCN5A. By performing whole-cell patch-clamp experiments using HEK293 cells expressing wild-type (WT) or p.P1506S Nav1.5 channels, hyperpolarizing shift of the availability curve, depolarizing shift of the activation curve, and hastening of the fast inactivation process were observed. These mutant-induced alterations lead to a loss of function of Nav1.5 and thus suggest that the p.P1506S variant is pathogenic. In addition, cascade familial screening found a family member with BrS who did not carry the p.P1506S mutation. Additional next generation sequencing analyses revealed the p.R25W mutation in KCNH2 gene in SCN5A-negative BrS patients. These findings illustrate the complex genetic background of BrS found in this family and the possible pathogenic role of a new SCN5A genetic variant.

Small-diameter titanium Grade IV and titanium-zirconium implants in edentulous mandibles: three-year results from a double-blind, randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare crestal bone-level changes, soft tissue parameters and implant success and survival between small-diameter implants made of titanium/zirconium (TiZr) alloy or of Grade IV titanium (Ti) in edentulous mandibles restored with removable overdentures. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a randomized, controlled, double-blind, split-mouth multicenter clinical trial. Patients with edentulous mandibles received two Straumann bone-level implants (diameter 3.3 mm), one of Ti Grade IV (control) and one of TiZr (test), in the interforaminal region. Implants were loaded after 6-8 weeks and removable Locator-retained overdentures were placed within 2 weeks of loading. Modified plaque and sulcus bleeding indices, radiographic bone level, and implant survival and success were evaluated up to 36 months. RESULTS Of 91 treated patients, 75 completed the three-year follow-up. Three implants were lost (two control and one test implant). The survival rates were 98.7% and 97.3%, and the mean marginal bone level change was -0.78 ± 0.75 and -0.60 ± 0.71 mm for TiZr and Ti Grade IV implants. Most patients had a plaque score of 0 or 1 (54% for test and 51.7% for control), and a sulcus bleeding score of 0 (46.1% for test and 44.9% for control). No significant differences were found between the two implant types for bone-level change, soft tissue parameters, survival and success. CONCLUSIONS After 36 months, similar outcomes were found between Ti Grade IV and TiZr implants. The results confirm that the results seen at 12 months continue over time.

Can we constrain the interior structure of rocky exoplanets from mass and radius measurements?

Aims. We present an inversion method based on Bayesian analysis to constrain the interior structure of terrestrial exoplanets, in the form of chemical composition of the mantle and core size. Specifically, we identify what parts of the interior structure of terrestrial exoplanets can be determined from observations of mass, radius, and stellar elemental abundances. Methods. We perform a full probabilistic inverse analysis to formally account for observational and model uncertainties and obtain confidence regions of interior structure models. This enables us to characterize how model variability depends on data and associated uncertainties. Results. We test our method on terrestrial solar system planets and find that our model predictions are consistent with independent estimates. Furthermore, we apply our method to synthetic exoplanets up to 10 Earth masses and up to 1.7 Earth radii, and to exoplanet Kepler-36b. Importantly, the inversion strategy proposed here provides a framework for understanding the level of precision required to characterize the interior of exoplanets. Conclusions. Our main conclusions are (1) observations of mass and radius are sufficient to constrain core size; (2) stellar elemental abundances (Fe, Si, Mg) are principal constraints to reduce degeneracy in interior structure models and to constrain mantle composition; (3) the inherent degeneracy in determining interior structure from mass and radius observations does not only depend on measurement accuracies, but also on the actual size and density of the exoplanet. We argue that precise observations of stellar elemental abundances are central in order to place constraints on planetary bulk composition and to reduce model degeneracy. We provide a general methodology of analyzing interior structures of exoplanets that may help to understand how interior models are distributed among star systems. The methodology we propose is sufficiently general to allow its future extension to more complex internal structures including hydrogen- and water-rich exoplanets.

Barriers to Timely Screening Colonoscopy

Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) can be largely prevented or effectively treated in its early stages, yet disparities exist in timely screening. The aim of this study was to explore the disparities in CRC screening on the basis of health insurance status including private, Medicare, Medicaid, and State Administered General Assistance (SAGA). Methods: A retrospective chart review for the period January 2000 to May 2007 (95 records) was conducted at two clinic sites; a private clinic and a university hospital clinic. All individuals at these sites who met study criteria (>50 years old with screening colonoscopy) were included. Age, gender, date of first clinic visit when screening referral was made, and date of completed procedure (screening colonoscopy) were recorded. Groups were dichotomized between individuals with private health insurance and individuals with public health insurance. Individuals with any history of CRC, known pre-cancerous conditions as well as family history of CRC requiring frequent colonoscopy were excluded from the study. Linear model analysis was performed to compare the average waiting time to receiving screening colonoscopy between the groups. T-test was performed to analyze age or gender related differences between the two groups as well as within each group. Results: The average waiting time (33 days) for screening colonoscopy in privately insured individuals was significantly lower than publicly insured individuals (200 days). The time difference between the first clinic visit and the procedure was statistically significant (p < 0.0001) between the two groups. There was no statistical difference (p=0.089) in gender between these groups (public vs. private). There were also no statistically significant gender or age related differences found within each group. Conclusions: Disparities exist in timely screening for CRC and one of the barriers leading to delayed CRC screening includes health insurance status of an individual. Even within the insured group, type of insurance plays major role. There is a negative correlation between public health insurance status and timely screening. Differences in access to medical care and delivery of care experienced by patients who are publicly insured through Medicaid, Medicare, and SAGA, suggests that the State of Connecticut needs to implement changes in health care policies that would provide timely screening colonoscopy. It is evident that health insurance coverage facilitates timely access to healthcare. Therefore, there is a need for increased efforts in advocacy for policy, payment and physician participation in public insurance programs. A state-wide comprehensive program involving multiple components targeting different levels of change such as provider, patients and the community should help reduce some of the observed causes of healthcare disparities based on the insurance status.

The role of adenosine in pulmonary angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is a feature of chronic lung diseases such as asthma and pulmonary fibrosis; however, the pathways controlling pathological angiogenesis during lung disease are not completely understood. Adenosine is a signaling nucleoside that accumulates as a result of tissue hypoxia and damage. Adenosine has been implicated in the exacerbation of chronic lung disease and in the regulation of angiogenesis; however, the relationship between these factors has not been investigated. The work presented in this dissertation utilized adenosine deaminase (ADA)-deficient mice to determine whether chronic elevations of adenosine in vivo result in pulmonary angiogenesis, and to identify factors that could potentially mediate this process. Results demonstrate that there is substantial angiogenesis in the tracheas of ADA-deficient mice in association with adenosine elevations. Replacement enzyme therapy with pegylated ADA resulted in a lowering of adenosine levels and reversal of tracheal angiogenesis, indicating that the increases in vessel number are dependent on adenosine elevations. Levels of the ELR+ angiogenic chemokine CXCL1 were found to be elevated in an adenosine-dependent manner in the lungs of ADA-deficient mice. Neutralization of CXCL1 and its putative receptor, CXCR2, in ADA-deficient lung lysates resulted in the inhibition of angiogenic activity suggesting that CXCL1 signaling through the CXCR2 receptor is responsible for mediating the observed increases in angiogenesis. Taken together, these findings suggest that adenosine plays an important role, via CXCL1, in the induction of pulmonary angiogenesis and may therefore represent an important therapeutic target for the treatment of pathological angiogenesis. ^

La novela histórica de la posdictadura en Uruguay : (1985-1995)

Esta tesis explora los aportes de la novela histórica uruguaya a los debates abiertos en la posdictadura uruguaya considerando las peculiaridades que este subgénero imprime a sus propuestas, el ángulo nuevo que ofrece. En primer lugar quiero destacar el reclamo -que la novela histórica hace visible- de una relectura y reescritura global de la historia uruguaya desde su "origen" en las guerras de Independencia. Este gesto señala un profundo quiebre en los ideales e imaginarios con los cuales los uruguayos se identificaban y pone en evidencia una aguda desconfianza en las narraciones heredadas sobre la nación. En este sentido la experiencia de la dictadura constituyó una fractura que impulsó el cuestionamiento de sus relatos consolidados y su necesaria reescritura bajo diferentes presupuestos. En el prefijo "post" de posdictadura es posible advertir no sólo una dimensión temporal sino un giro epistémico que reorganiza los dispositivos identitarios, los imaginarios comunitarios y los relatos nacionales desde otro locus de enunciación. Este cambio de paradigma lo expone de un modo notable la novela histórica en tanto cuestiona el "origen" de la nación y con ello los andamios que sostenían el entero edificio. En segundo lugar, el conjunto de novelas históricas de estos años lee el pasado desde la nueva agenda del presente. Cuestiones como la memoria, la justicia, la tolerancia, las identidades excluidas, los autoritarismos se discuten desde la peculiar perspectiva de la novela histórica que los desplaza hacia el pasado. La reescritura del pasado, como sabemos, se constituye -y ahora de un modo notable- desde las preocupaciones del presente. Este se convierte en un foco que ilumina zonas en penumbras del pasado, desentierra historias semiolvidadas, escarba en archivos particulares y oficiales, pone en escena problemáticas ausentes. Desde la lente de la experiencia de la última dictadura, la ficción diseña, por un lado, una "cartografía de la barbarie" que -descolocando la teleología del progreso- vincula procesos autoritarios de diversa índole; por el otro trama una red simbólica, un "imaginario de las dictaduras"

La novela histórica de la posdictadura en Uruguay : (1985-1995)

Esta tesis explora los aportes de la novela histórica uruguaya a los debates abiertos en la posdictadura uruguaya considerando las peculiaridades que este subgénero imprime a sus propuestas, el ángulo nuevo que ofrece. En primer lugar quiero destacar el reclamo -que la novela histórica hace visible- de una relectura y reescritura global de la historia uruguaya desde su "origen" en las guerras de Independencia. Este gesto señala un profundo quiebre en los ideales e imaginarios con los cuales los uruguayos se identificaban y pone en evidencia una aguda desconfianza en las narraciones heredadas sobre la nación. En este sentido la experiencia de la dictadura constituyó una fractura que impulsó el cuestionamiento de sus relatos consolidados y su necesaria reescritura bajo diferentes presupuestos. En el prefijo "post" de posdictadura es posible advertir no sólo una dimensión temporal sino un giro epistémico que reorganiza los dispositivos identitarios, los imaginarios comunitarios y los relatos nacionales desde otro locus de enunciación. Este cambio de paradigma lo expone de un modo notable la novela histórica en tanto cuestiona el "origen" de la nación y con ello los andamios que sostenían el entero edificio. En segundo lugar, el conjunto de novelas históricas de estos años lee el pasado desde la nueva agenda del presente. Cuestiones como la memoria, la justicia, la tolerancia, las identidades excluidas, los autoritarismos se discuten desde la peculiar perspectiva de la novela histórica que los desplaza hacia el pasado. La reescritura del pasado, como sabemos, se constituye -y ahora de un modo notable- desde las preocupaciones del presente. Este se convierte en un foco que ilumina zonas en penumbras del pasado, desentierra historias semiolvidadas, escarba en archivos particulares y oficiales, pone en escena problemáticas ausentes. Desde la lente de la experiencia de la última dictadura, la ficción diseña, por un lado, una "cartografía de la barbarie" que -descolocando la teleología del progreso- vincula procesos autoritarios de diversa índole; por el otro trama una red simbólica, un "imaginario de las dictaduras"

La novela histórica de la posdictadura en Uruguay : (1985-1995)

Esta tesis explora los aportes de la novela histórica uruguaya a los debates abiertos en la posdictadura uruguaya considerando las peculiaridades que este subgénero imprime a sus propuestas, el ángulo nuevo que ofrece. En primer lugar quiero destacar el reclamo -que la novela histórica hace visible- de una relectura y reescritura global de la historia uruguaya desde su "origen" en las guerras de Independencia. Este gesto señala un profundo quiebre en los ideales e imaginarios con los cuales los uruguayos se identificaban y pone en evidencia una aguda desconfianza en las narraciones heredadas sobre la nación. En este sentido la experiencia de la dictadura constituyó una fractura que impulsó el cuestionamiento de sus relatos consolidados y su necesaria reescritura bajo diferentes presupuestos. En el prefijo "post" de posdictadura es posible advertir no sólo una dimensión temporal sino un giro epistémico que reorganiza los dispositivos identitarios, los imaginarios comunitarios y los relatos nacionales desde otro locus de enunciación. Este cambio de paradigma lo expone de un modo notable la novela histórica en tanto cuestiona el "origen" de la nación y con ello los andamios que sostenían el entero edificio. En segundo lugar, el conjunto de novelas históricas de estos años lee el pasado desde la nueva agenda del presente. Cuestiones como la memoria, la justicia, la tolerancia, las identidades excluidas, los autoritarismos se discuten desde la peculiar perspectiva de la novela histórica que los desplaza hacia el pasado. La reescritura del pasado, como sabemos, se constituye -y ahora de un modo notable- desde las preocupaciones del presente. Este se convierte en un foco que ilumina zonas en penumbras del pasado, desentierra historias semiolvidadas, escarba en archivos particulares y oficiales, pone en escena problemáticas ausentes. Desde la lente de la experiencia de la última dictadura, la ficción diseña, por un lado, una "cartografía de la barbarie" que -descolocando la teleología del progreso- vincula procesos autoritarios de diversa índole; por el otro trama una red simbólica, un "imaginario de las dictaduras"