The Specification Logic νZ

This paper introduces a wide-spectrum specification logic νZ. The minimal core logic is extended to a more expressive specification logic which includes a schema calculus similar (but not equivalent) to Z, some new additional schema operators and extensions to a programming and program development logic.     

Implementation of high-k and metal gate materials for the 45 nm node and beyond: gate patterning development

We report on gate patterning development for the 45 nm node and beyond. Both poly-Si and different metal gates in combination with medium-k and high-k dielectrics have been defined. Source/drain silicon recess has been characterized for different stacks, yielding optimised processes for all investigated. Using hardmask based etching allowed us to produce sub-20 nm poly-Si and metal gates. Implementation of advanced metal gate patterning in already developed multi-gate field effect transistors (MuGFET) devices has been demonstrated.     

An Analysis of Operation-Refinement in an Abortive Paradigm

This paper begins a new strand of investigation which complements our previous investigation of refinement for specifications whose semantics is given by partial relations (using Z as a linguistic vehicle for this semantics). It revolves around extending our mathematical apparatus so as to continue our quest for examining mathematically the essence of the lifted-totalisation semantics (which underlies the de facto standard notion of refinement in Z) and the role of the semantic elements in model-theoretic refinement, but this time in the abortive paradigm. We conside the simpler framework of operation-refinement and, thus, (at least at this stage) abstract from the complications emerging when data simulations are involved: we examine the (de facto) standard account of operation-refinement in this regime by introducing a simpler, normative theory (SP-refinement) which captures the notion of firing conditions refinement directly in the language and in terms of the natural properties of preconditions and postconditions; we then summarise our observations and link them to the particular role each of the possible extreme specifications in Z plays in the abortive paradigm - this lays the foundations to a more intricate future investigation of data-refinement in this paradigm. We conclude by providing a detailed account of future work which generalises Miarka, Boiten and Derrick's work of combining the abortive and chaotic paradigms for refinement, in our mathematical framework of and .     

Regression of subcutaneous lymphoma following removal of an ovarian granulosatheca cell tumor in a horse

A 9-year-old Arabian mare was admitted for evaluation of multiple subcutaneous nodules and infertility. Fine-needle aspiration of one of the subcutaneous nodules resulted in a cytologic diagnosis of histiolymphocytic lymphoma. Palpation per rectum and transrectal ultrasonography revealed a mass associated with the left ovary. Excision of the ovarian tumor was performed, and a histopathologic diagnosis of granulosa-theca cell tumor was made. After removal of the granulosa-theca cell tumor, subcutaneous nodules regressed. The referring veterinarian reported that the nodules had also disappeared and then recurred after administration of a synthetic progestin. To further characterize the lymphoma and investigate this possible hormonal relationship, immunophenotyping and estrogen and progesterone receptor assays were performed. The subcutaneous lymphoma was classified as a T-cell rich B-cell lymphoma, results of estrogen receptor assays were negative, and results of progesterone receptor assays were positive. Clinical observations of subcutaneous lymphoma in horses indicate that the waxing and waning nature of these tumors may be associated with the estrous cycle, pregnancy, foaling, and lactation. Clinical observations and identification of progesterone receptors suggest that a relationship between serum steroid hormone concentrations, such as estrogen and progesterone, and subcutaneous lymphoma may exists.     

Optimal battery/ultracapacitor storage combination

A simple, global model for the optimal combination of ultracapacitor and battery for electrical energy storage is developed. The goal for this hybrid storage technology is to reduce the system life-cycle cost by making use of an ultracapacitor’s claimed long cycling-life in order to supplement relatively cheap, but cycle-limited battery storage. The model is built up of two independent sub-models that allow flexibility in the relative proportion of system energy storage. An analysis performed in this paper indicates that ultracapacitor/battery storage systems may be cost effective for high-cycle applications.     

Radiation-associated cerebral blindness

PURPOSE: To report a case of blindness caused by a white-matter injury after whole brain irradiation for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. METHODS: Case report. We performed comprehensive serial neuro-ophthalmologic examinations. RESULTS: Four to 5 months after resection of renal cell metastasis in the left occipital cortex, interleukin-2 therapy, and whole brain irradiation with 3,000 cGy plus a 1,500-cGy boost to the posterior third of the brain, the patient developed a progressive decline in visual acuity in both eyes to hand motions. Magnetic resonance imaging disclosed signal abnormalities without mass effect in the white matter of the parietal and occipital lobes bilaterally, including the optic radiations. CONCLUSION: This case is a unique example of cortical blindness secondary to radiation injury in the occipital lobes and optic radiations.     

Automated high-throughput liquid-liquid extraction for initial purification of combinatorial libraries

An automated high-throughput liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) methodology has been developed and utilized for the initial purification of the combinatorial library samples containing unreacted amines and other water-soluble byproducts or impurities. Various extraction solvents were evaluated along with different extraction devices. The LLE method was automated using 96-well-format plates and a robotic liquid-handling workstation. In the optimized LLE method, crude combinatorial library samples were dissolved in a water-immiscible organic solvent, butyl acetate, and added to each well in a 96-well-format plate packed with an inert support material coated with hydrochloric acid. Separation occurs based on the partitioning of the compounds between two liquid phases. Product recovery, purity, and amine removal efficiency were determined by HPLC with and without precolumn derivatization. The automated method was successfully applied to the cleanup of some representative combinatorial library samples with greater than 98% amine removal and an average product purity of 90%. The application of the automated high-throughput LLE method should greatly reduce the labor, time, and cost associated with the purification of combinatorial libraries.     

Designing experiments for precise estimation of all or some of the constants in a mechanistic model

An important experimental problem in chemical engineering is to collect data in order to estimate constants such as rate constants and activation energies which are needed, for example, in equipment and plant design. For a given amount of experimental effort, the engineer wants these constants to be estimated as precisely as possible. In this paper, we discuss statistical design procedures that might be used to accomplish this goal. Available procedures are reviewed for estimating precisely all the constants in a mechanistically based mathematical model. In addition, a new procedure is illustrated for precisely estimating only some of the constants which may be of more interest than the others.     

Pork Quality is Affected by Early Postmortem Phosphate and Bicarbonate Injection

ABSTRACT: The ability of sodium polyphosphate (P) to alter postmortem pH declines and pork quality was investigated. Hams from electrically stimulated carcasses were injected 18 min postmortem with P or sodium bicarbonate (SB). P and SB reduced ( P 0.001) pH decline and improved (P < 0.05) color. P and SB administration improved water-holding capacity as indicated by reductions ( P 0.05) in drip loss, thaw loss, and cooking loss values. P and SB also reduced ( P 0.001) shear values. These data showed delivery of P and SB was effective in altering postmortem pH declines and improving the quality of pork.     

Pro-norm and anti-norm deviance within and between groups.

Participants evaluated other individuals who deviated in either an anti- or pro-normative direction relative to normative members. In Study 1, in-group gender-normative members were rated more positively than deviant members. The pro-norm deviant was viewed as more attractive than the anti-norm deviant. In Study 2 anti-norm in-group deviants were evaluated more negatively than anti-norm out-group deviants even though both held identical attitudes. In both studies, despite objective equivalence, pro-norm deviance was perceived as less "atypical" than anti-norm deviance. Judgments and reactions to deviance depend on group membership and the direction of deviance, not just its magnitude. Evaluations of deviants are also related to perceivers' identification with their own group. These findings are consistent with our model of subjective group dynamics. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)