VoodooFlash: authoring across physical and digital form

Design tools that integrate hardware and software components facilitate product design work across aspects of physical form and user interaction, but at the cost of requiring designers to work with other than their accustomed programming tools. In this paper we introduce VoodooFlash, a tool designed to build on the widespread use of Flash while facilitating design work across physical and digital components. VoodooFlash extends the existing practice of authoring interactive applications in terms of arranging components on a virtual stage, and provides a physical stage on which controls can be arranged, linked to software components, and appropriated with other physical design materials

Leveraging invariant information towards incremental Software Model Checking

Automatic Software Model Checking has become more and more powerful over the recent years. While the tools have improved, the means of exchange of information as well as the kind of information that is exchanged, are lacking behind. This is a limiting factor for progress in the field, as a lot of potential lies in the exchange and careful dissemination of computed information. Currently, information about the proof or counterexample can be extracted in the form of witness automata that refer to the program’s control-flow automaton (CFA). These witnesses can then be checked by a validator, which is an important step that increases the trust in the verification result. However, this format suffers from imprecision in its semantics, since the CFA of a program is usually not defined by the language standard. Furthermore, in its current form, the format is syntactically limited to invariants that can be written as expressions in the program’s language. This is in strong contrast to the deductive verification community, where proofs usually require more elaborate syntactical features. Lastly, the way how this information is (re-)used is very limited. Until recently, the only use case was the validation of verification results. In case the validation fails, it is often unclear how to gain insights from that. We improve upon the state of the art in the following ways: Regarding the exchange format, we identify the areas in which the established format is imprecise and evaluate whether we can improve upon this. As solution, we propose an alternative format whose semantics is well-defined. Using this format, we showcase how extensions can be gradually incorporated by automatic software verifiers. With respect to exchanging information between tools, we first show a way how information from the witnesses can be encoded back into a verification problem. As an extension of this, we demonstrate how this approach can be used to construct a deductive verifier from existing, automatic verifiers, using the witnesses as an established interface. This way, verification results can be reused in an incremental fashion more easily or even complemented via user interaction.Automatisches Software-Model-Checking ist in den letzten Jahren immer leistungsfähiger geworden. Während sich die Tools verbessert haben, haben sich die Austauschformate für Informationen sowie die Art der ausgetauschten Informationen nicht in selbem Maße weiterentwickelt. Dies ist ein limitierender Faktor für Fortschritte in diesem Bereich, da gerade jüngste Ansätze zeigen, dass viel Potenzial im Austausch und der Wiederverwendung der berechneten Informationen liegt. Derzeit können Informationen über den Beweise oder Gegenbeispiele in Form von Automaten extrahiert werden, die sich auf den Kontrollflussautomaten (CFA) des Programms beziehen. Diese Zeugen können dann von einem sogenannten Validator überprüft werden, was ein wichtiger Schritt ist, um das Vertrauen in das Verifizierungsergebnis zu erhöhen. Dieses Format leidet jedoch unter einer unvollständigen Spezifikation seiner Semantik, da der CFA eines Programms in der Regel nicht durch den Sprachstandard definiert ist. Des Weiteren ist das Format in seiner derzeitigen Form syntaktisch auf Invarianten beschränkt, die als Ausdrücke in der Sprache des Programms geschrieben werden können. Das steht im starken Kontrast zur Gemeinschaft rund um die deduktiven Verifikation, wo Beweise normalerweise ausführlichere syntaktische Merkmale erfordern. Schließlich ist die Art und Weise, wie diese Informationen wiederverwendet werden, sehr eingeschränkt. Bis vor kurzem war der einzige Anwendungsfall die Validierung von Verifizierungsergebnissen. Falls die Validierung fehlschlägt, ist es oft unklar, wie man daraus Erkenntnisse gewinnen kann. Wir verbessern den Stand der Technik in folgender Weise: Bezüglich des Austauschformats identifizieren wir die Bereiche, in denen das etablierte Format ungenau ist und untersuchen, in welcher Weise diese Ungenauigkeit behoben werden kann. Als Lösung schlagen wir ein alternatives Format vor, dessen Semantik klar definiert ist. Mit diesem Format zeigen wir, wie Erweiterungen schrittweise von automatischen Programmverifizierern integriert werden können. In Bezug auf den Informationsaustausch zwischen den Verifikations-Tools zeigen wir zuerst, wie Informationen aus den Witnesses in ein Verifizierungsproblem zurück kodiert werden können. Als Erweiterung davon zeigen wir, wie dieser Ansatz verwendet werden kann, um einen deduktiven Verifier aus bestehenden automatischen Verifiern zu erstellen, wobei die Witnesses als etablierte Schnittstelle dienen. Auf diese Weise können Verifizierungsergebnisse leichter schrittweise wiederverwendet werden oder sogar durch Benutzerinteraktion ergänzt werden

CEGAR-PT

Abstraction is an important approach for proving the correctness of computer programs. There are many implementations of this approach available, but unfortunately, the various implementations are difficult to reuse and combine, and the successful techniques have to be re-implemented in new tools again and again. We address this problem by contributing the tool cegar-pt, which views abstraction as program transformation and integrates different verification components off-the-shelf. The idea is to use existing components without having to change their implementation, while still adjusting the precision of the abstraction using the successful CEGAR approach. The approach of cegar-pt is largely general: It only restricts the abstraction to transform, given a precision that defines the level of abstraction, one program into another program. The abstraction by program transformation can over-approximate the data flow (e.g., havoc some variables, use more abstract types) or the control flow (e.g., loop abstraction, slicing). To illustrate our tool, we provide a demonstration video, accessible at https://youtu.be/ASZ6hoq8asE

Mechatronics meets biology: Experiences and first results with a multipurpose small mammal monitoring unit used in red squirrel habitats

Monitoring is a fundamental aspect of species conservation and research. Technological advances, especially with respect to camera trap technologies, have allowed glimpses into unknown aspects of species behaviour and have the potential to greatly assist species distribution monitoring. Here we present the findings of a pilot study combining existing biological monitoring techniques with mechatronics to advance monitoring technologies and develop a multi-purpose, species specific, automated monitoring system. We developed a Small Mammal Monitoring Unit (SMMU) that integrates automated video, and sound recording, carries out body weight measurements and takes hairs samples with a bait station in a portable perspex box. The unit has the potential for use with a range of small mammal species, but has been field-tested here on red squirrels, Sciurus vulgaris, in Germany, Scotland and Switzerland. We successfully collected hair-samples, body mass data as well as video and sound recordings. Preliminary data analyses also revealed behavioural information. Heavier individuals first gained access to the feeder in the morning and have longer feeding bouts. Our prototype demonstrated that the collaboration between mechatronic and biology offers novel, integrated monitoring techniques for a range of research application. The development of units for other mammal species is planned. Future developments will explore the possibilities for wireless data transmission, built-in collection of weather data and collection of images from inside the unit for the recognition of individuals

General practitioners' evaluation of community psychiatric services: responsiveness to change of the General Practitioner Experiences Questionnaire (GPEQ)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Instruments have been developed to assess professional views of the quality of care but have rarely been tested for responsiveness to change. The objective of this study was to test the responsiveness of the General Practitioner Experiences Questionnaire (GPEQ) for the measurement of Community Mental Health Centres in Norway.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>National surveys were conducted in Norway in 2006 (n = 2,415) and 2008 (n = 2,209) to measure general practitioners' evaluation of community mental health centres. GPs evaluated the centres by means of a postal questionnaire, consisting of questions focused on centre quality and cooperation with GPs. As part of the national surveys 75 GPs in 2006 and 66 GPs in 2008 evaluated Hamar community mental health centre. Between the surveys, several quality improvement initiatives were implemented which were directed at cooperation with and guidance for GPs in Stange municipality, one of eight municipalities in Hamar centre catchment area. The main outcome measures were changes in GPEQ scores from 2006 to 2008 for GPs evaluating Hamar community mental health centre from Stange municipality, and changes in scores for GPs in the other seven municipalities and nationally which were assessed for statistical significance.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>GPs in Stange municipality rated Hamar community mental health centre significantly better on the guidance scale in 2008 than in 2006; on a 0-100 scale where 100 represents the best possible experiences the score was 26.5 in 2006 and 58.3 in 2008 (p < 0.001). Apart from one item about workforce situation, none of the other scales and items showed significant changes. The control group from the other seven municipalities gave significantly poorer rating for the emergency situation scale, the workforce situation scale and seven items in 2008 than in 2006. The national results showed small differences between 2006 and 2008, even though several scales and items were significantly different. A question about changes in centre performance over the last 2-3 years showed that 82% of GPs from Stange municipality reported that Hamar community mental health centre had improved, compared to only 36% from the other seven municipalities and 40% nationally which was statistically significant.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Following the implementation of an initiative designed to enhance service quality, the GPEQ identified expected changes in the guidance scale for the intervention group, indicating that the instrument is responsive to change. The worsening of services for GPs in the control group evaluating Hamar centre warrants further study.</p

What do patients want from their psychiatrist? A cross- sectional questionnaire based exploratory study from Karachi

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aspects of consultation that are important for psychiatric patients have always remained a less acknowledged area. The aim of this study was to identify these aspects.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A Cross-sectional, questionnaire based study was carried out in a psychiatry outpatient clinic of two tertiary care hospitals in a developing country. The patients were asked to fill out the questionnaire containing a total of 11 close-ended questions plus 1 open-ended question. They graded them as not important, important, very important or do not know. Non-psychotic patients aged 18 and above, visiting the clinic were recruited into the study before they went in for their first consultation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The response rate of patients was 84%. More than 90% wanted the doctor to tell them the cause of their illness, talk to them about their condition, provide symptomatic relief, let them know that how long their illness would last and make the final decision about their treatment plan. Less than 20% wanted to be part of a support network. A significant 82% wanted talking therapy as part of their treatment plan.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The three issues, most important for patients were: the doctor should listen to them, make the final decision about treatment and provide symptomatic relief. Only 20% wanted to be a part of patients' support group.</p

A non-randomised, single-centre comparison of induction chemotherapy followed by radiochemotherapy versus concomitant chemotherapy with hyperfractionated radiotherapy in inoperable head and neck carcinomas

BACKGROUND: The application of induction chemotherapy failed to provide a consistent benefit for local control in primary treatment of advanced head and neck (H&N) cancers. The aim of this study was to compare the results of concomitant application of radiochemotherapy for treating locally advanced head-and-neck carcinoma in comparison with the former standard of sequential radiochemotherapy. METHODS: Between 1987 and 1995 we treated 122 patients with unresectable (stage IV head and neck) cancer by two different protocols. The sequential protocol (SEQ; 1987–1992) started with two courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (cisplatin [CDDP] + 120-h continuous infusions (c.i.) of folinic acid [FA] and 5-fluorouracil [5-FU]), followed by a course of radiochemotherapy using conventional fractionation up to 70 Gy. The concomitant protocol (CON; since 1993) combined two courses of FA/5-FU c.i. plus mitomycin (MMC) concomitantly with a course of radiotherapy up to 30 Gy in conventional fractionation, followed by a hyperfractionated course up to 72 Gy. Results from the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Patient and tumor characteristics were balanced (SEQ = 70, CON = 52 pts.). Mean radiation dose achieved (65.3 Gy vs. 71.6 Gy, p = 0.00), response rates (67 vs. 90 % for primary, p = 0.02), and local control (LC; 17.6% vs. 41%, p = 0.03), were significantly lower in the SEQ group, revealing a trend towards lower disease-specific (DSS; 19.8% vs. 31.4%, p = 0.08) and overall (14.7% vs. 23.7%, p = 0.11) survival rates after 5 years. Mucositis grades III and IV prevailed in the CON group (54% versus 44%). Late toxicity was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Concurrent chemotherapy seemed more effective in treating head and neck tumors than induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation, resulting in better local control and a trend towards improved survival

Crisis discharges and readmission risk in acute psychiatric male inpatients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Severe pressures on beds in psychiatric services have led to the implementation of an early ("crisis") discharge policy in the Western Cape, South Africa. The study examined the effect of this policy and length of hospital stay (LOS) on readmission rates in one psychiatric hospital in South Africa.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Discharge summaries of adult male patients (<it>n </it>= 438) admitted to Stikland Psychiatric Hospital during 2004 were retrospectively examined. Each patient's clinical course was then analysed for the period between January 1^st, 2004, and August 31^st, 2006.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Although shorter LOS was associated with decreased readmission rates, the effect of crisis discharges was far more powerful. Patients discharged as usual had a far lower risk of readmission than those discharged due to bed pressures (i.e. crisis discharge).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Increased risks associated with the early discharge policy necessitate the urgent review of the current management of bed shortages in this inpatient facility. The strengthening of community initiatives, particularly assertive outreach could be a way forward.</p

The lack of correlation between proliferation (Ki-67, PCNA, LI, Tpot), p53 expression and radiosensitivity for head and neck cancers

A study was made of the relationship between measurements of radiosensitivity versus proliferation and p53 status in head and neck cancers. Inherent tumour radiosensitivity was assessed as surviving fraction at 2 Gy (SF2) using a clonogenic soft agar assay (n = 77). The results were compared to data on proliferation obtained by both flow cytometry (labelling index (LI), the potential doubling time (Tpot) n = 55) and immunohistochemistry (Ki-67 and PCNA; n = 68), together with immunohistochemical p53 expression (n = 68). There were no overall significant differences in the median values of the various parameters analysed for the different sites within the head and neck region, disease stages, grades of tumour differentiation or nodal states. A subgroup analysis showed that oropharyngeal (n = 22) versus oral cavity (n = 35) tumours were more radiosensitive (P = 0.056) and had a higher Ki-67 index (P = 0.001). Node-positive tumours had higher LI (P = 0.021) and a trend towards lower Tpot (P = 0.067) values than node-negative ones. No correlations were seen between SF2 and any of the parameters studied. The long-standing dogma of an increased radiosensitivity of rapidly proliferating cells in contrast to slowly proliferating cells was not confirmed. The study shows that parallel measurements of different biological markers can be obtained for a large number of patients with head and neck cancers. The independence of the various parameters studied suggests that there may be potential for their combined use as prognostic factors for the outcome of radiotherapy