High-accuracy product integration methods for the Abel equation,and their application to a problem in scattering theory

In this paper we present orsder three, four and five backward product integration methods for the generalized Abel equation We illustrate their use by silving the small angle deflection problem, and show computationally that these methods are convergent for all ? ?(0,1). The coefficients of order three and four methods are given in Applenidx I.     

A habituating blood glucose control strategy for the critically ill

In the intensive care unit patients benefit from being fed and from having well controlled glucose levels. Insulin and glucose infusion serves as manipulated inputs to regulate blood glucose, while glucose infusion serves as a sole nutritional input. In this paper, a model predictive control strategy, based on simultaneously manipulating glucose and insulin infusion, is developed to improve blood glucose regulation in intensive care unit patients. In the short term, glucose infusion is used for tighter glucose control, particularly for disturbance rejection, while, in the long-term (24 h period), glucose infusion is used to meet nutritional needs. The “habituating control” algorithm is proposed and tested against a model predictive control (MPC) strategy that only manipulates insulin. The simulation results indicate that the Habituating MPC strategy outperforms the single input–single output MPC by providing faster setpoint tracking and tighter glucose control for a patient population, and producing less glucose variability while rejecting disturbances in insulin infusion and insulin sensitivity.     

A Convergent-Divergent Approach to Context Processing, General Intellectual Functioning, and the Genetic Liability to Schizophrenia.

Convergent and divergent validity are critically important in developing psychological measures that reveal interpretable deficits in disordered populations. This article reports on 2 studies that evaluated the validity of context processing measures. In Experiment 1, a confirmatory factor analysis of data from 481 healthy adults established the convergent validity of 2 context processing measures and showed that context processing accounted for significant amounts of variance in standard IQ and working memory measures. In Experiment 2, 20 schizophrenia patients, 16 of their healthy siblings, and 28 controls were evaluated using a novel, short context processing measure, the dot pattern expectancy (DPX) task. The DPX was sensitive to specific deficits in schizophrenia patients and their healthy siblings. These findings support the construct validity of context processing measures, suggest context processing is a component of intellectual functioning, and demonstrate that brief context processing measures remain sensitive to psychopathological deficits. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mexitl: Multimedia in Executable Interval Temporal Logic

This paper explores a formalism for describing a wide class of multimedia document constraints, based on an interval temporal logic. We describe the requirements that arise from the multimedia documents application area, and we illustrate these requirements using several examples. Then we present the temporal logic formalism that we use. This logic extends existing interval temporal logic with a number of new features: actions, framing of actions, past operators, a projection-like operator called filter and a new handling of interval length. The notation is applied to the specification of the examples, and in particular a set of logical manipulations, providing feedback to an author, is presented. A model theory, logic and satisfaction relation are defined for the notation.     

On exploiting task duplication in parallel program scheduling

One of the main obstacles in obtaining high performance from message-passing multicomputer systems is the inevitable communication overhead which is incurred when tasks executing on different processors exchange data. Given a task graph, duplication-based scheduling can mitigate this overhead by allocating some of the tasks redundantly on more than one processor. In this paper, we focus on the problem of using duplication in static scheduling of task graphs on parallel and distributed systems. We discuss five previously proposed algorithms and examine their merits and demerits. We describe some of the essential principles for exploiting duplication in a more useful manner and, based on these principles, propose an algorithm which outperforms the previous algorithms. The proposed algorithm generates optimal solutions for a number of task graphs. The algorithm assumes an unbounded number of processors. For scheduling on a bounded number of processors, we propose a second algorithm which controls the degree of duplication according to the number of available processors. The proposed algorithms are analytically and experimentally evaluated and are also compared with the previous algorithms     

A Novel Mouse Model of TGFβ2-Induced Ocular Hypertension Using Lentiviral Gene Delivery

Glaucoma is a multifactorial disease leading to irreversible blindness. Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common form and is associated with the elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP). Reduced aqueous humor (AH) outflow due to trabecular meshwork (TM) dysfunction is responsible for IOP elevation in POAG. Extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation, actin cytoskeletal reorganization, and stiffening of the TM are associated with increased outflow resistance. Transforming growth factor (TGF) β2, a profibrotic cytokine, is known to play an important role in the development of ocular hypertension (OHT) in POAG. An appropriate mouse model is critical in understanding the underlying molecular mechanism of TGFβ2-induced OHT. To achieve this, TM can be targeted with recombinant viral vectors to express a gene of interest. Lentiviruses (LV) are known for their tropism towards TM with stable transgene expression and low immunogenicity. We, therefore, developed a novel mouse model of IOP elevation using LV gene transfer of active human TGFβ2 in the TM. We developed an LV vector-encoding active hTGFβ2^C226,228S under the control of a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. Adult C57BL/6J mice were injected intravitreally with LV expressing null or hTGFβ2^C226,228S. We observed a significant increase in IOP 3 weeks post-injection compared to control eyes with an average delta change of 3.3 mmHg. IOP stayed elevated up to 7 weeks post-injection, which correlated with a significant drop in the AH outflow facility (40.36%). Increased expression of active TGFβ2 was observed in both AH and anterior segment samples of injected mice. The morphological assessment of the mouse TM region via hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and direct ophthalmoscopy examination revealed no visible signs of inflammation or other ocular abnormalities in the injected eyes. Furthermore, transduction of primary human TM cells with LV_hTGFβ2^C226,228S exhibited alterations in actin cytoskeleton structures, including the formation of F-actin stress fibers and crossed-linked actin networks (CLANs), which are signature arrangements of actin cytoskeleton observed in the stiffer fibrotic-like TM. Our study demonstrated a mouse model of sustained IOP elevation via lentiviral gene delivery of active hTGFβ2^C226,228S that induces TM dysfunction and outflow resistance.     

Selective particle and cell clustering at air–liquid interfaces within ultrasonic microfluidic systems

In this study, we demonstrate particle and cell clustering in distinct patterns on the free surface of microfluidic volumes. Employing ultrasonic actuation, submersed microparticles are forced to two principal positions: nodal lines (pressure minima) of a standing wave within the liquid bulk, and distinct locations on the air–liquid interface (free surface); the latter of which has not been previously demonstrated using ultrasonic standing waves. As such, we unravel the fundamental mechanisms behind such patterns, showing that the contribution of fluid particle velocity variations on the free surface (acoustic radiation force) results in patterned particle clustering. In addition, by varying the size and density of the microparticles (3.5–31 μm polystyrene and 1–5 μm silica), acoustic streaming is found to increase the tendency for a smaller and lighter particle to cluster at the air–liquid interface. This selectivity is exploited for the isolation of multiple microparticle and cell types on the free surface from their nodally aligned counterparts. Free surface clustering is demonstrated in both an open microfluidic chamber and a sessile droplet, as well as using a range of biological species Escherichia coli, blood cells, Ragweed pollen and Paper Mulberry pollen). The ability to selectively cluster submersed microparticles and cells in distinct patterns on the free surface showcases the excellent suitability of this method to lab-on-a-chip systems.     

Extension of the simulated drinking game procedure to multiple drinking games.

The present study extended the Simulated Drinking Game Procedure (SDGP) to obtain information about different types of drinking games. Phase I participants (N = 545) completed online screening questionnaires assessing substance use and drinking game participation. Participants who met the selection criteria for Phase II (N = 92) participated in laboratory sessions that consisted of three different periods of drinking game play. Sixty-two percent (N = 57) of the sample was female. Data from these sessions was used to estimate the peak Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) a participant would achieve if they consumed alcohol while participating in the SDGP. Total consumption and estimated BAC varied as a function of game type. The total consumption and estimated BAC obtained while playing Beer Pong and Memory varied significantly as a function of group. Total ounces consumed while playing Three Man varied significantly as a function of group; however, the variation in estimated BAC obtained while playing Three Man was not significant. Results indicated that estimated BACs were higher for female participants across game type. Previous experience playing the three drinking games had no impact on total drink consumption or estimated BAC obtained while participating in the SDGP. The present study demonstrated that the SDGP can be used to generate estimates of how much alcohol is consumed and the associated obtained BAC during multiple types of drinking games. In order to fully examine whether previous experience factors in to overall alcohol consumption and BAC, future research should extend the SDGP to incorporate laboratory administration of alcohol during drinking game participation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)