An analog DFE for disk drives using a mixed-signal integrator

An analog adaptive decision-feedback equalizer (DFE) is described. The DFE cancels intersymbol interference using four feedback taps, and a fifth tap cancels dc offset. The coefficient for each tap is adapted using a small mixed-signal integrator. The DFE dissipates 220 mW at a data rate of 150 Mb/s. The active area is 1.8 mm² in a 1-μm CMOS process     

Synthesis,Pharmacological Evaluation,and Docking Studies of Novel Pyridazinone‐Based Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2 Ligands

In recent years, cannabinoid type 2 receptors (CB₂R) have emerged as promising therapeutic targets in a wide variety of diseases. Selective ligands of CB₂R are devoid of the psychoactive effects typically observed for CB₁R ligands. Based on our recent studies on a class of pyridazinone 4‐carboxamides, further structural modifications of the pyridazinone core were made to better investigate the structure–activity relationships for this promising scaffold with the aim to develop potent CB₂R ligands. In binding assays, two of the new synthesized compounds [6‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐2‐(4‐fluorobenzyl)‐cis‐N‐(4‐methylcyclohexyl)‐3‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydropyridazine‐4‐carboxamide ( 2 ) and 6‐(4‐chloro‐3‐methylphenyl)‐cis‐N‐(4‐methylcyclohexyl)‐3‐oxo‐2‐pentyl‐2,3‐dihydropyridazine‐4‐carboxamide ( 22 )] showed high CB₂R affinity, with K_i values of 2.1 and 1.6 nm , respectively. In addition, functional assays of these compounds and other new active related derivatives revealed their pharmacological profiles as CB₂R inverse agonists. Compound 22 displayed the highest CB₂R selectivity and potency, presenting a favorable in silico pharmacokinetic profile. Furthermore, a molecular modeling study revealed how 22 produces inverse agonism through blocking the movement of the toggle‐switch residue, W6.48.     

Sudden incapacitation: USAF experience, 1970-80

During the period 1970-80, there were reported 146 cases of in-flight sudden incapacitation in the USAF. Of these, 62 involved pilots, 14 were navigators, and 70 were student pilots. The etiologies of sudden incapacitation included illness without loss of consciousness, loss of consciousness, spatial disorientation, and improper M-1 maneuver. Each of these categories is analyzed with emphasis upon prevention, for example, not flying with symptomatic preexisting disease, continued emphasis upon spatial disorientation training, and correct performance of the M-1 maneuver. Based upon the data, conclusions and recommendations are suggested to minimize the risk of episodes of in-flight sudden incapacitation.     

A video database of moving faces and people

We describe a database of static images and video clips of human faces and people that is useful for testing algorithms for face and person recognition, head/eye tracking, and computer graphics modeling of natural human motions. For each person there are nine static "facial mug shots" and a series of video streams. The videos include a "moving facial mug shot," a facial speech clip, one or more dynamic facial expression clips, two gait videos, and a conversation video taken at a moderate distance from the camera. Complete data sets are available for 284 subjects and duplicate data sets, taken subsequent to the original set, are available for 229 subjects.     

Impulse Control for Planar Spring-Mass Running

In this paper, we present a novel control strategy for running which is robust to disturbances, and makes excellent use of passive dynamics for energy economy. Our strategy combines two ideas: an existing flight phase policy, and a novel stance phase impulse control policy. The state-of-the-art flight phase policy commands a leg angle trajectory that results in a consistent horizontal center-of-mass velocity from hop to hop when running over uneven terrain, thus maintaining a steady gait and avoiding falls. Our novel stance phase control policy rejects ground disturbances by matching the actuated model’s toe impulse profile to that of a passive spring-mass system hopping on flat rigid ground. This combined strategy is self-stable for changes in ground impedance or ground height, and thus does not require a ground model. Our strategy is promising for robotics applications, because there is a clear distinction between the passive dynamic behavior of the model and the active controller, it does not require sensing of the environment, and it is based on a sound theoretical background that is compatible with existing high-level controllers for ideal spring-mass models.     

Can anyone reward safe driving?

It is widely held that reward is better than punishment for shaping behaviour, yet it seems virtually absent from the learning situation for safe driving. This paper discusses why this is so, and why most attempts to introduce reward have been futile. Inadvertently, however, reward appears to have been introduced into the driving that is done by those who have been suspended or disqualified, in that they are rewarded for driving safely and inconspicuously. The good driving records shown by disqualified drivers after licence restoration suggests that a powerful learning mechanism is at work. Possible means are discussed by which this effect might be harnessed and be made to occur more generally in those who are learning to drive.     

Effects of phentermine on responding maintained under multiple fixed-ratio schedules of food and cocaine presentation in the rhesus monkey

Drugs that decrease drug-maintained responding at doses that do not decrease other behaviors in animals may be suitable candidates for development as medications to treat drug abuse in humans. The present study examined whether this effect could be obtained with phentermine, a drug that has been reported to decrease cocaine intake in humans. Rhesus monkeys were trained under multiple fixed-ratio 30-response schedules of food and i.v. cocaine delivery. Phentermine was always given as a slow, i.v. infusion. Acute treatment with phentermine (0.3-10 mg/kg) decreased cocaine-maintained responding at doses that did not decrease, or decreased less, food-maintained responding for each of three unit doses of cocaine (10-100 microg/kg/injection). Subacute treatment with phentermine (3 or 5.6 mg/kg, daily) also decreased cocaine-maintained responding more than food-maintained responding. After subacute treatment was terminated, rates of cocaine-maintained responding generally recovered to levels comparable to those seen during untreated control sessions. Phentermine (0.3-3 mg/kg) did not generally increase responding associated with a very low (1 microg/kg/injection) unit dose of cocaine, suggesting that the decrease in cocaine-maintained responding at higher unit doses was not the result of a leftward shift in the cocaine unit dose-effect function. Phentermine (0.1-3 mg/kg) decreased responding maintained by 1-[2-[bis(4-fluorophenyl) methoxy]ethyl]-4-[3-phenylpropyl] piperazine (GBR 12909) (30 microg/kg/injection) at doses similar to those that decreased food-maintained responding. These results show that phentermine is effective in decreasing cocaine self-administration and suggest that it may be an effective medication for cocaine abuse.     

Analysis for TNF-alpha using solid-phase affinity capture with radiolabel and MALDI-MS detection.

Screening of mutant mice for subtle phenotypes requires sensitive, high-throughput analyses of sentinel proteins in functional pathways. The cytokine TNF-alpha is upregulated during inflammatory reactions associated with autoimmune diseases. We have developed a method to monitor the concentration of TNF-alpha under physiological conditions. TNF-alpha is captured, purified, and concentrated using monoclonal antibody-coated microbeads. The capture is efficient (> 80%) and can be used in the concentration range < 100 pg/mL to > 50 ng/mL, as determined by detection of 125I-labeled TNF-alpha. The bead capture of TNF-alpha can be combined with direct detection by MALDI-MS for sample concentrations of > 10 ng/mL. TNF-alpha can be captured and detected from diluted mouse serum, with minimal interferences observed in the MALDI spectrum. This method is adaptable to high-throughput sample handling with microfluidic devices and automated mass spectrometric analysis.