Time-domain electronic-noise generation for a Monte Carlo study of signal processing

A general technique to generate electronic noise was developed in a time-domain approach with the aid of a deconvolution technique in a discrete-time sampling system. We found that the technique is applicable even for a system in which the electronic-noise charge is not well defined. The generated noise train was reconstructed in terms of a sample-correlated function and the frequency spectrum.     

生物陶瓷材料的疲劳寿命预测

采用断裂力学中的四点弯曲试验法,研究并预测了氧化铝和氧化锆陶瓷材料在大气和水环境中的循环疲劳破坏特性.结果表明,在相同的应力条件下,氧化铝和氧化锆陶瓷材料,尤其是氧化锆陶瓷,在水环境中的疲劳寿命比大气中的低.通过将预测结果与实验结果比较和对人造股关节的应用,验证了这种疲劳寿命预测方法的有效性和适用性.     

Vortex Core Transitions in Superfluid 3He in Uniaxially Anisotropic Aerogel

Vortex core transitions (VCTs) in the superfluid phases of liquid ³He in uniaxially stretched and compressed aerogels are theoretically investigated. Uniaxial deformation imposed on the aerogel alters superfluid pairing symmetries in aerogels and the axial and polar pairing states are favored. In this study, we examine whether the effects of the uniaxial anisotropy on the pairing symmetries are reflected in core states of a single vortex extending along the deformation axis. By numerically solving the Ginzburg-Landau equations, we find that in the compressed aerogel, the first order VCT appears at any pressure in the B-like phase, while in the stretched aerogel, the VCT in the B-like phase is lost. Further, the vortices in the A-like phase in the stretched aerogel, have a polar core state in place of the A-phase core of the nonsingular Mermin-Ho vortex.     

Solubility Screening on a Series of Structurally Related Compounds: Cosolvent-Induced Changes on the Activity Coefficient of Hydrophobic Solutes

A homologous series of solutes was chosen as a model for a group of structurally related compounds with different physicochemical properties, as is commonly the case during the screening of potential drug candidates. Thermal properties of the crystalline solutes and solubility determinations were used to quantify the two independent factors that determine the solubility of organic compounds: crystallinity and hydrophobicity. A solubility screening study was conducted on the series. By expressing the obtained solubility enhancement expressed as changes in the activity coefficient, it is possible to visually compare the effect of different cosolvents. The results show the importance of solute-solvent polarity match. Polarity match between water miscible cosolvents and hydrophobic compounds is not truly attainable, but comparison of the screening results points out the closest matches (optimal effect), facilitating the systematic evaluation of solubilization approaches.     

Recent metallic materials for biomedical applications

Metallic biomaterials are mainly used for replacing failed hard tissue. The main metallic biomaterials are stainless steels, Co-based alloys, and titanium and its alloys. Recently, titanium alloys are getting much attention for biomaterials. The various kinds of new high strength α+β and low-modulus β-type titanium alloys composed of nontoxic elements, such as Nb, Ta, Zr, etc., are developed for biomedical applications because of the toxicity of alloying elements and lack of mechanical biocompatibility of conventional titanium alloys, such as Ti-6Al-4V. Recent research and development in other metallic alloys, such as stainless steels and Co-based alloys, also will be discussed.     

Multi-criteria human resource allocation for solving multistage combinatorial optimization problems using multiobjective hybrid genetic algorithm

Multi-criteria human resource allocation involves deciding how to divide human resource of limited availability among multiple demands in a way that optimizes current objectives. In this paper, we focus on multi-criteria human resource allocation for solving multistage combinatorial optimization problem. Hence we tackle this problem via a multistage decision-making model. A multistage decision-making model is similar to a complex problem solving, in which a suitable sequence of decisions is to be found. The task can be interpreted as a series of interactions between a decision maker and an outside world, at each stage of which some decisions are available and their immediate effect can be easily computed. Eventually, goals would be reached due to the found of optimized variables. In order to obtain a set of Pareto solutions efficiently, we propose a multiobjective hybrid genetic algorithm (mohGA) approach based on the multistage decision-making model for solving combinatorial optimization problems. According to the proposed method, we apply the mohGA to seek feasible solutions for all stages. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm was validated by its application to an illustrative example dealing with multiobjective resource allocation problem.     

Oxidation of pyrrhotite particles falling through a vertical tube

The oxidation of pyrrhotite particles of 51 and 88 Μm size was studied during falling in a downward stream of O₂-N₂ gas mixture. At the temperature of reaction tube lower than 825 K, the oxidation rate of particles of 51 Μm size was higher than that of 88 Μm. At higher temperature, on the other hand, the oxidation rate was virtually unvaried with the particle size, and the fractional reaction of oxidized particles increased in proportion to the oxygen partial pressure. Progress of oxidation and fusion of the particles was calculated based on a mathematical model. According to the calculation, when the particle temperature was attained at about 1100 K, it increased instantaneously and the particles were melted, because the rate of heat loss from the particles was overbalanced by the rate of heat generation due to oxidation.     

Axin, a negative regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway, forms a complex with GSK-3beta and beta-catenin and promotes GSK-3beta-dependent phosphorylation of beta-catenin

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) mediates epidermal growth factor, insulin and Wnt signals to various downstream events such as glycogen metabolism, gene expression, proliferation and differentiation. We have isolated here a GSK-3beta-interacting protein from a rat brain cDNA library using a yeast two-hybrid method. This protein consists of 832 amino acids and possesses Regulators of G protein Signaling (RGS) and dishevelled (Dsh) homologous domains in its N- and C-terminal regions, respectively. The predicted amino acid sequence of this GSK-3beta-interacting protein shows 94% identity with mouse Axin, which recently has been identified as a negative regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway; therefore, we termed this protein rAxin (rat Axin). rAxin interacted directly with, and was phosphorylated by, GSK-3beta. rAxin also interacted directly with the armadillo repeats of beta-catenin. The binding site of rAxin for GSK-3beta was distinct from the beta-catenin-binding site, and these three proteins formed a ternary complex. Furthermore, rAxin promoted GSK-3beta-dependent phosphorylation of beta-catenin. These results suggest that rAxin negatively regulates the Wnt signaling pathway by interacting with GSK-3beta and beta-catenin and mediating the signal from GSK-3beta to beta-catenin.     

Evaluating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder using multiple informants: The incremental utility of combining teacher with parent reports.

In a sample of students referred to a school-based Pupil Assistance Committee, the Inattention and Hyperactivity–Impulsivity factors of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Rating Scale-IV were used to predict diagnostic status, determined by a parent-reported diagnostic interview and teacher rating scale. Results of logistic regression and receiver operating curve analyses indicated that the Inattention and Hyperactivity–Impulsivity factors differentiated students with ADHD from controls and distinguished children with different ADHD subtypes. Symptom utility estimates demonstrated that a single informant approach was best suited for ruling out ADHD, whereas a combined informant method was optimal for positively diagnosing this disorder. Methods for determining the incremental utility of combining teacher with parent reports were demonstrated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluation of antibacterial activities of various antibiotics against glucose non-fermentative gram-negative rods other than Pseudomonas aeruginosa

MICs of piperacillin, sulbactam/cefoperazone, minocycline (MINO), gentamicin, amikacin, flomoxef, ceftazidime, cefozopran, cefsulodin and imipenem were determined, against 189 clinical isolated strains of glucose non-fermentative Gram-negative Rods (NFGNR; Acinetobacter baumannii (44), Alcaligenes faecalis (5), Alcaligenes xylosoxidans (25), Burkholderia cepacia (12), Chryseobacterium indologenes (23), Chryseobacterium meningosepticum (9), Pseudomonas fluorescens (8), Pseudomonas putida (12), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (51). Most species of these NFGNR show resistance to many antibiotics tested. Among the antibiotics used in this study, the only antibiotic effective against all species of NFGNR tested is MINO. The spectrums of antibacterial activities of various antibiotics determined by MICs may be useful in preliminary test for identification of these NFGNR.