LMNtal as a hierarchical logic programming language

LMNtal (pronounced “elemental”) is a simple language model based on hierarchical graph rewriting that uses logical variables to represent connectivity and membranes to represent hierarchy. LMNtal is an outcome of the attempt to unify constraint-based concurrency and Constraint Handling Rules (CHR), the two notable extensions to concurrent logic programming. LMNtal is intended to be a substrate language of various computational models, especially those addressing concurrency, mobility and multiset rewriting. Although the principal objective of LMNtal was to provide a unifying computational model, it is of interest to equip the formalism with a precise logical interpretation. In this paper, we show that it is possible to give LMNtal a simple logical interpretation based on intuitionistic linear logic and a flattening technique. This enables us to call LMNtal a hierarchical, concurrent linear logic language.     

Biochemical and functional properties of lysine-specific cysteine proteinase (Lys-gingipain) as a virulence factor of Porphyromonas gingivalis in periodontal disease

Intravenous (I.V.) cocaine (0.03-3 mg/kg) produced dose-dependent, rapid, and brief increases in blood pressure (BP) in conscious rats pretreated with the dopamine receptor antagonist, SCH 23390. Monoamine uptake inhibitors structurally analogous to cocaine (cocaethylene, CFT, betaCIT, CPT, (+)-cocaine, norcocaine, and benztropine) also produced this rapid pressor response, whereas structurally unrelated uptake inhibitors with diverse monoamine transporter selectivities (BTCP, indatraline, GBR 12935, mazindol, nomifensine, and zimeldine) either did not produce a rapid pressor response or produced only a small pressor response. At nonconvulsant doses, the sodium channel blockers acetylprocainamide, dibucaine, dyclonine, prilocaine, proparacaine, quinidine, and tetracaine produced a small pressor response or no increase in BP. In rats implanted with telemetric devices, cocaine and its analog, CFT, produced a biphasic pharmacological response that consisted of an initial brief and abrupt behavioral arousal associated with a rapid, large increase in BP followed by prolonged, parallel increases in BP and locomotor activity. Pretreatment with SCH 23390 prevented the prolonged but not the initial rapid and brief pressor and activity responses to both cocaine and CFT administration. The present data suggest that the inhibition of dopamine, norepinephrine, or serotonin transporter functions, either alone or in combination, does not mediate the rapid pressor response to cocaine. The sodium channel-blocking action of cocaine per se does not appear to be involved in the rapid pressor response to cocaine. Finally, the present results confirm previous findings that dopaminergic mechanisms mediate the prolonged increases in BP and locomotor activity produced by cocaine.     

HDR satellite codec with concatenated multilevel codes

The performance of a high data rate (HDR) codec based on a multidimensional modulation code derived from multilevel codes is evaluated for a satellite channel. The codec reliably supports HDR transmission for broadband ISDN over a 72 MHz satellite transponder and is designed to be used with an 8 PSK modem. Results show that significant coding gain with higher spectral efficiency can be achieved compared to uncoded QPSK     

Time‐frequency analysis of a pressure wave caused by impulse tree using wavelet transform

This paper describes results of time‐frequency analysis of a pressure wave caused by impulse tree extension using wavelet transform. Pressure waves were measured by a piezo sensor which was located on the back of the plane electrode when high‐voltage nanosecond pulses were applied to a point electrode in a low‐density polyethylene block. Frequency of the pressure wave from induced charges on the plane electrode was higher than that of the pressure wave from tree. In addition, the frequency of the pressure wave from tree tended to decrease with increasing gap length because of the dispersion of the pressure wave during its propagation. When a large tree extension occurred between a 5‐mm gap, pressure waves of about 10 MHz propagated from the tree tip and a pressure wave of 1 MHz propagated from the tree stem. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 142(1): 1–7, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.10097     

Gas absorption into “string-of-beads” liquid flow with chemical reaction: application to carbon dioxide separation

This study examines the performance of “string-of-beads” liquid flow on vertical wires as a novel gas-liquid contact device for gas absorption using a chemically reacting liquid absorbent. The string-of-beads flow is a distinct on-wire liquid-flow pattern consisting of annular thin liquid films sheathing a wire and teardrop-shaped liquid beads alternately aligned on the wire at regular intervals. We have performed experiments of CO₂ absorption by an aqueous monoethanolamine solution in string-of-beads flow on a single wire and have developed an analytic gas-absorption model relevant to the experiments. The model well simulates the CO₂-absorption characteristics observed in the experiments, thereby suggesting the utility of the model in predicting the chemical gas-absorption performance of multiple-wire gas-liquid contactors.     

Tool wear prediction and economics in machining stepped parts

For analysing economics of machining cylindrical stepped parts, tool life must be predicted. In this paper, tool life tests, to obtain tool life changing cutting speed before the tool reaches tool life criterion under a constant speed, are performed and the tool life is calculated. Using the results of the calculations machining economics of various forms of stepped parts for the constant spindle rpm method and the constant cutting speed method, are analysed.     

Effect of the Pro12Ala variant of the human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 gene on adiposity, fat distribution, and insulin sensitivity in Japanese men

OBJECTIVE: In the white population, an association between oculo(dermal) melanocytosis (ODM) and uveal melanoma is well recognized. However, the lifetime prevalence of uveal melanoma in the ODM population is not known. This study was designed to determine the lifetime prevalence of uveal melanoma among patients with ocular melanocytosis. DESIGN: Fifty-six white patients manifesting ODM with uveal melanoma formed the basis of the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Published prevalence rates of ODM and uveal melanoma were used for calculations using Bayes' theorem. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of uveal melanoma in white patients with ODM is estimated to be 2.6 x 10(-3). The median age at diagnosis of uveal melanoma in the ODM population was similar to a randomly selected population (60.5 years and 62.5 years, respectively). In the vast majority of patients (90%) with ODM-associated uveal melanoma, the uveal melanoma was diagnosed between the ages of 31 years and 80 years. CONCLUSIONS: One of about 400 patients with ODM followed for life is estimated to develop uveal melanoma. Excessive melanocytes in the uveal tract in ODM may provide the biologic basis for susceptibility to the development of uveal melanoma. Patients with ODM should be monitored ophthalmoscopically, especially during the susceptible period, for the development of uveal melanoma. The authors suggest that a national registry of ODM patients be created and prospective data collected to better assess the risk of developing uveal melanoma.     

Magnetic-field-induced non-linear effects of Josephson coupled superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ

The dc current-voltage (I-V) relation along the c-axis of single crystalline Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+δ has been measured in magnetic fields parallel and perpendicular to the c-axis. In zero field a clear and sharp jump with large hysteresis in theI-V curve was observed, indicative of the dc-Josephson effect. In magnetic field below a characteristic fieldB ^*≈0.4 T (at T=0 K) parallel to the c-axis the magnetic field suppresses the hysteresis and reduces the critical currentI _c drastically, whereas aboveB ^* theI-V curve becomes broad and featureless behavior. The characteristic field scaleB ^* can be interpreted as an energy scale of the Josephson coupling between superconducting layers in Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+δ and is argued with emphasis on the correlation length of pancake vortices in this system.     

Dissolution and Absorption of Nipedipine from Nifedipine-Polyvinylpyrrolidone Coprecipitate

Attempt was made to develop the solid dosage form of nifedipina which showed good absorption rate and total bioavailability. Nifedipine is a poorly water-saluble drug, whom bioavailability is low when administered orally in the crystalline form. Solutions of nifedipine were well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The dissolution rate of PVP-nifedipine coprecipitates exhibited rapid dissolution rate. X-ray diffraction data suggested the lack of crystallinity in the coprecipitate. The relation between the dissolution rates and average molecular weights of PVP was studied. Nifedipine in the copretipitate was chemically stable to heat and humidity, but the dissolution rate of nifedipine from the coprecipitate stored at 21° and 75% R.H. markedly decreased. X-ray diffraction data revealed that it might be due to the transformation of amorphous form of nifedipine to crystalline form under higher relative humidity. The gastrointestinal absorption of nifedipine in beagle dogs after oral administration of the coprecipitate was increased than that after oral adniniatration of the physical mixture.