Complexity,convexity and combinations of theories

We restrict our attention to decidable quantifier-free theories, such as the quantifier-free theory of integers under addition, the quantifier-free theory of arrays under storing and selecting, or the quantifier-free theory of list structure under cons, car and cdr. We consider combinations of such theories: theories whose sets of symbols are the union of the sets of the symbols of the individual theories and whose set of axioms is the union of the sets of axioms of the individual theories. We give a general technique for determining the complexity of decidable combinations of theories, and show, for example, that the satisfiability problem for the quantifier-free theory of integers, arrays, list structure and uninterpreted function symbols under +, ≤, store, select, cons, car and cdr is NP-complete. We next consider the complexity of the satisfiability problem for formulas already in disjunctive normal form: why some combinations of theories admit deterministic polynomial time decision procedures while for others the problem is NP-hard. Our analysis hinges on the question of whether the theories being combined are convex; that is, whether any conjunction of literals in the theory can entail a proper disjunction of equalities between variables. This leads to a discussion of the role that case analysis plays in deciding combinations of theories.     

Deep dyslexia and the right hemisphere hypothesis: Evidence from the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R.

Discusses the theory that asserts that the residual reading abilities seen in deep dyslexia entirely reflect the operation of an intact right hemisphere reading system rather than a partially disabled left hemisphere reading system. Evidence from an experiment with normal Ss in a report by the present author and colleagues (1983) is presented, which suggests that the right hemisphere contains no lexical entries for abbreviations that can be accessed by visual presentation. Data are presented from studies by K. E. Patterson (1980; see also PA, Vols 63:12203 and 64:10691) on 2 male deep dyslexic's understanding of printed abbreviations, along with observations of a young female deep dyslexic who was tested on understanding of abbreviations and on letter-naming abilities. Considerable sparing of the ability to obtain semantic information from printed abbreviations was evidenced in all 3 Ss. This contrast suggests that the current right hemisphere account of the residual reading abilities seen in deep dyslexia is not a sufficient one and should be modified. (French abstract) (29 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Volatile flavour components of malt extract

The Likens-Nickerson concurrent steam distillation-solvent extraction apparatus was used to obtain an essence from malt extract. The essence was submitted to combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (g.c.-m.s.), to examination by sulphurspecific and nitrogen-specific detectors, and to sensory evaluation of the components eluted from gas chromatographic capillary columns. Some 33 compounds were identified by direct examination by g.c.-m.s., another 14 by trapping and re-injection, which provides an efficient method of concentration, and a further six, which had not been previously identified due to interference from the solvent peak, by the use of charcoal adsorption traps. Results indicate that several compounds need to be combined to simulate malt flavour. The odour contributions of several components are discussed.     

Crossed two-beam coherent anti-stokes Raman spectroscopy in dispersive media

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) is a nonlinear optical wave mixing process that is used in gas-phase systems to determine the energy distribution of the probed species (usually N2) and, through a fitting procedure, the temperature giving rise to it. CARS signal strengths are maximized when the phase matching condition is met. Because gases are generally non-dispersive, this phase matching condition can be found geometrically as a function of the crossing angles between the CARS beams and their wavelengths. In addition, perfect phase matching in non-dispersive media occurs automatically for collinear beams. To improve spatial resolution, however, intersecting the laser beams is desirable. Being a third-order process, phase matching for CARS in gases typically requires three input laser beams. This paper discusses and demonstrates the issues of phase matching for CARS when the medium is dispersive, and the ability for CARS phase matching to occur with only two crossed laser beams (one pump and one probe). This two-beam X-CARS in dispersive media can be used as an alignment tool for gas-phase CARS and may be relevant as a simpler diagnostic in high-pressure environments. The paper also discusses the effects of non-ideal phase matching in dispersive and non-dispersive media.     

DNA molecules and configurations in a solid-state nanopore microscope

A nanometre-scale pore in a solid-state membrane provides a new way of electronically probing the structure of single linear polymers, including those of biological interest in their native environments. Previous work with biological protein pores wide enough to let through and sense single-stranded DNA molecules demonstrates the power of using nanopores, but many future tasks and applications call for a robust solid-state pore whose nanometre-scale dimensions and properties may be selected, as one selects the lenses of a microscope. Here we demonstrate a solid-state nanopore microscope capable of observing individual molecules of double-stranded DNA and their folding behaviour. We discuss extensions of the nanopore microscope concept to alternative probing mechanisms and applications, including the study of molecular structure and sequencing.     

Micro devices assembly using virtual environments

In this paper, the design and development of a physical and virtual environment to support assembly of micron sized devices is discussed. Micro assembly involves handling and assembling of micron sized parts (10⁻⁶ m). As manual assembly of micron-sized parts is difficult and tedious, the design of computer assisted micro-assembly techniques becomes crucial. An Integrated Physical and Virtual Reality (VR) environment has been created to aid in the assembly of such micro devices, which supports the establishment of an interface between a virtual and physical micro assembly work cell. The overall architecture and the various modules implemented in this environment are outlined in this paper.     

Naltrexone alteration of the nicotine-induced EEG and mood activation response in tobacco-deprived cigarette smokers.

The neural mechanisms contributing to the arousal-eliciting actions of smoking and nicotine involve multiple neurotransmitter systems. The current study examined the role of opioid neurotransmission in modulating the neuroelectric- and mood-activating response to acute nicotine administration in overnight tobacco-deprived smokers. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design involving 18 (10 male, 8 female) overnight tobacco-abstinent smokers, spectrally analyzed electroencephalographic (EEG) activity and subjective reports of mood, euphoria, and smoking withdrawal were assessed in response to nicotine gum (4 mg) after pretreatment with placebo or with 50 mg of the opioid antagonist naltrexone. In addition to reducing withdrawal symptoms and increasing euphoria ratings, as well as subjective alertness in male participants, nicotine induced an EEG arousal response consisting of diffuse slow wave (delta, theta) amplitude reductions, frontal fast alpha wave amplitude increments, and elevations in beta wave amplitude, which were greater in female than in male smokers. Naltrexone attenuated the alerting and euphoric actions of nicotine but did not affect nicotine's ameliorating effects on withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine-induced frontal reductions in delta and global reductions in theta were prevented by naltrexone pretreatment, as were increases in anterior recordings of relative fast alpha. These findings suggest that the opioid system is involved in nicotine-induced subjective and neuroelectric arousal and implicate opioid-cholinergic interactions in the elicitation of these arousal responses to nicotine. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Characterization of Hydraulic Fracture with Inflated Dislocation Moving Within a Semi-infinite Medium

Hydraulic fracturing is accompanied by a change in pore fluid pressure. As a result,this may be conveniently represented as inflated dislocation moving within a semi-infinite medium. Theory is developed to describe the pore pressures that build up around an inflated volumetric dislocation migrating within a saturated porous-elastic semi-infinite medium as analog to hydraulic fracturing emplacement. The solution is capable of evaluating the system behavior of both constant fluid pressure and zero flux surface conditions through application of a superposition. Characterization of horizontal moving dislocation processes is conducted as an application of these techniques. Where the mechanical and hydraulic parameters are defined,a priori,type curve matching of responses may be used to evaluate emplacement location uniquely. Pore pressure response elicited at a dilation,subject to pressure control is of interest in representing hydraulic fracturing where leak-off is an important component. The effect of hydraulic fracturing on fracture fluid pressure is evaluated in a poroelastic hydraulic fracture model utilizing dislocation theory. A minimum set of dimensionless parameters are defined that describe the system. Pore fluid pressures recorded during hydraulic fracturing of a well in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California is examined using the proposed model. The estimated geometry of the hydraulic fracture is matched with reasonable fidelity with the measured data.     

Numerical and Experimental Performance Evaluation of the 3-Stage FROSTY Supercooled Cloud Collector

An evaluation of the collection characteristics of a new multistage cascade inertial impactor designed for size-resolved cloud drop collection has been performed. The FROSTY supercooled cloud collector is intended for the collection of supercooled cloud drops in a winter environment in three independent size fractions with stage 50% cut diameters of 15 θ m, 10 θ m, and 4 θ m. Two approaches were selected for the evaluation of the collector. Numerical simulations provided a visualization of the airflow patterns and drop trajectories through the collector while experimental laboratory calibration provided a quantitative analysis of true collection performance. For each of these methods, 50% cut diameters, efficiency curves, and wall losses for each stage of the collector were determined. Collection characteristics were determined experimentally by introducing fluorescein-tagged monodisperse drops into the collector and analyzing collection patterns by fluorescence. The experimental measurements at laboratory conditions indicated 50% cut diameters of 19.0, 11.5, and 5.0 θ m for the three stages. Adjusted for operation at collector design conditions, the 50% cut diameters were 17.0, 10.5, and 4.5 θ m. Numerical modeling of the airflow patterns and drop trajectories through the collector was performed with the commercially available Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software package FLUENT. Trajectory simulations based on the average continuous phase (air) velocity field as well as trajectory simulations which included the effects of statistically derived turbulent velocity fluctuations on drop motion were performed. Comparisons between the numerical and experimental work indicated that the inclusion of turbulent fluctuation effects on drop motion provided much better agreement with experimental observations than trajectories based solely on average flow field velocities. However, the use of continuous phase velocity fluctuations also produced unrealistic losses to wall surfaces for small drop sizes. Despite this shortcoming, numerically derived 50% cut diameters and overall collection efficiency curve shapes for drop trajectories including turbulent velocity fluctuations agreed reasonably well with experimental observations.