Relational properties describe relationships that hold over multiple executions of one or more programs, such as functional equivalence. Conventional approaches for automatically verifying such ...properties typically rely on syntax-based, heuristic strategies for finding synchronization points among the input programs. These synchronization points are then annotated with appropriate relational invariants to complete the proof. However, when suboptimal synchronization points are chosen the required invariants can be complicated or even inexpressible in the target theory. In this work, we propose a novel approach to verifying relational properties. This approach searches for synchronization points and synthesizes relational invariants simultaneously. Specifically, the approach uses synthesized invariants as a guide for finding proper synchronization points that lead to a complete proof. We implemented our approach as a tool named PEQUOD, which targets Java Virtual Machine (JVM) bytecode. We evaluated PEQUOD by using it to solve verification challenges drawn from the from the research literature and by verifying properties of student-submitted solutions to online challenge problems. The results show that PEQUOD solve verification problems that cannot be addressed by current techniques.
To test the hypothesis that higher levels of red blood cell (RBC) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) have a protective association with domain-specific cognitive function in ...women aged 65 years and older.
A total of 2,157 women with normal cognition enrolled in a clinical trial of postmenopausal hormone therapy were followed with annual cognitive testing for a median of 5.9 years. In this retrospective cohort study, we assessed the relationship between prerandomization RBC DHA + EPA levels and a) cognitive measures at baseline, and b) cognitive change over time. Endpoints were composite cognitive function and performance in 7 cognitive domains: fine motor speed, verbal memory, visual memory, spatial ability, verbal knowledge, verbal fluency, and working memory.
After adjustment for demographic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics, no significant (p < 0.01) cross-sectional cognitive differences were found between women in the high and low DHA + EPA tertiles at the time of the first annual cognitive battery. In addition, no significant (p < 0.01) differences were found between the high and low DHA + EPA tertiles in the rate of cognitive change over time.
We did not find an association between RBC DHA + EPA levels and age-associated cognitive decline in a cohort of older, dementia-free women.
For children with medication-resistant epilepsy who undergo multilobar or hemispheric surgery, the goal of achieving seizure freedom is met with a variety of potential functional consequences, both ...favorable and unfavorable. However, there is a paucity of literature that comprehensively addresses the cognitive, medical, behavioral, orthopedic, and sensory outcomes across the lifespan following large epilepsy surgeries in childhood, leaving all stakeholders underinformed with regard to counseling and expectations. Through collaboration between clinicians, researchers, and patient/caregiver stakeholders, the "Functional Impacts of Large Resective or Disconnective Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery: Identifying Gaps and Setting PCOR Priorities" meeting was convened on July 18, 2019, to identify gaps in knowledge and inform various patient-centered research initiatives. Clinicians and researchers with content expertise presented the best available data in each functional domain which is summarized here. As a result of the meeting, the top three consensus priorities included research focused on postoperative: (1) hydrocephalus; (2) mental health issues; and (3) literacy and other educational outcomes. The proceedings of this meeting mark the first time research on functional outcomes after resective and disconnective pediatric epilepsy surgery has been codified and shared among multidisciplinary stakeholders. This joint initiative promotes continued collaboration in the field and ensures that advancements align with actual patient and family needs and experiences. Collaboration around common objectives will lead to better informed counseling around postoperative expectations and management for children undergoing epilepsy surgery.
It has been proposed that growth cones navigating through gradients adapt to baseline concentrations of guidance cues. This adaptation process is poorly understood. Using the collapse assay, we show ...that adaptation in Xenopus laevis retinal growth cones to the guidance cues Sema3A or netrin-1 involves two processes: a fast, ligand-specific desensitization that occurs within 2 min of exposure and is dependent on endocytosis, and a slower, ligand-specific resensitization, which occurs within 5 min and is dependent upon protein synthesis. These two phases of adaptation allow retinal axons to adjust their range of sensitivity to specific guidance cues.
Abstract Introduction We sought to determine the associations between plasma eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels and various cardiovascular risk factors and with the use ...of fish oil supplements (FOS). Patients and Methods Patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing cardiac catheterization (n=433) were studied. Serum fatty acid (FA) composition, the concentrations of lipids and biomarkers of oxidative stress, and dietary/lifestyle factors were measured. Results FOS use was associated with a higher plasma EPA+DHA levels (3.7±1.5 vs. 2.6±1.1%, p<0.0001). However, there was no relationship between FOS dose (mg/day) and EPA+DHA levels in 76 patients reporting FOS use (r = −0.21, p=0.07). Lower levels were inversely associated with risk factor profiles including lower ApoB100/ApoA1 ratios (p<0.001). Discussion and Conclusions Higher EPA+DHA levels characterized patients with lower CAD risk. The lack of relations between FOS dose and plasma EPA+DHA levels likely reflects uncaptured variability in EPA+DHA content of supplements.
Abstract Background The omega-3 index represents the red blood cell (RBC) content of two major long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid. We ...sought to determine factors associated with a favorable response to fish oil treatment and to characterize changes in RBC PUFAs associated with fish oil supplementation. Methods This study was a secondary analysis of the OMEGA-PAD I trial, a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial investigating short-duration, high-dose n-3 PUFA oral supplementation on endothelial function and inflammation in subjects with peripheral arterial disease. Patients with mild to severe claudication received either 4.4 g of fish oil providing 2.6 g of eicosapentaenoic acid and1.8 g of docosahexaenoic acid daily ( n = 40) or placebo capsules ( n = 40) for 1 mo. The RBC fatty acid content was measured by gas chromatography and expressed as a percent of total fatty acids. The change in omega-3 index was calculated as the difference between pre- and post-supplementation in the fish oil and placebo groups. Univariate analysis identified predictors of change in omega-3 index, with these variables included in our multivariable model. Results In the fish oil group, there was an increase in the omega-3 index (5.1± 1.3% to 9.0± 1.8%; P < 0.0001), whereas there was no change in the control group. Factors associated with a favorable response (i.e., greater than the median change of 4.06%) included a lower body mass index and higher concentrations of low-density lipoproteins. Other demographic and/or lifestyle factors such as age, race, or smoking status were unrelated to the response. Oral n-3 PUFA supplementation also decreased the n-6 PUFA content in RBCs. Conclusions Short-term, high-dose n-3 PUFA supplementation increases the omega-3 index to a greater extent in patients with a lower body mass index and higher total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
If a ray enters and leaves an optical system along the same straight line that line is an optical axis of the system. The number of optical axes that a system can have is none, one, or infinity. The ...purpose of the article is to show how to determine whether a system has an optical axis and to find the optical axis if it is unique and all the optical axes if there are an infinity of them. A simple system may have no optical axis or an infinity of them. A more complicated system is more likely to have a unique optical axis. The optical model is linear optics and the optical system may have refracting elements that are relatively decentered, separated, and astigmatic with non-aligned principal meridians. All the possible types of cases are treated in an appendix. In particular an example examines a simple eye that has an infinity of optical axes and a more realistic eye that has a unique optical axis.
To develop the linear optics of general catadioptric systems with allowance for both astigmatism and heterocentricity.
Reflecting elements partition a catadioptric system into subsystems of four ...distinct types: (unreversed) dioptric subsystems, anterior catoptric subsystems, reversed dioptric subsystems, and posterior catoptric systems. Differential geometry of an arbitrary astigmatic and tilted or decentered surface is used to determine the anterior and posterior catoptric transferences of a surface.
The transference of a catadioptric system is obtained by multiplication of the transferences of unreversed and reversed dioptric subsystems and anterior and posterior catoptric transferences of reflecting elements. Formulae are obtained for the transferences of the visual system of an eye and of six nonvisual systems including the four Purkinje systems.
The transference can be calculated for a catadioptric system, and from it, one can obtain other optical properties of the system including the dioptric power and the locations of the optical axis and cardinal structures.
Docosahexaenoic acid ethyl esters ineffective? Harris, William S; De Caterina, Raffaele; Marik, Paul E
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
06/2013, Letnik:
110, Številka:
25
Journal Article
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