On-Chip Optical Technology in Future Bus-Based Multicore Designs

This work investigates the integration of CMOS-compatible optical technology to on-chip coherent buses for future CMPs. The analysis results in a hierarchical optoelectrical bus that exploits the advantages of optical technology while abiding by projected limitations. This bus achieves significant performance improvement for high-bandwidth applications relative to a state-of-the-art fully electrical bus     

General relativity and quantum mechanics: towards a generalization of the Lambert W function A Generalization of the Lambert W Function

We present a canonical form for a natural and necessary generalization of the Lambert W function, natural in that it requires minimal mathematical definitions for this generalization, and necessary in that it provides a means of expressing solutions to a number of physical problems of fundamental nature. This generalization expresses the exact solutions for general-relativistic self-gravitating N-body systems in one spatial and one time dimension, and a previously unknown mathematical link between the (1+1) gravity problem and the Schrödinger wave equation.     

Scene Graph and Frame Update Algorithms for Smooth and Scalable 3D Visualization of Simulated Construction Operations

One of the prime reasons inhibiting the widespread use of discrete-event simulation in construction planning is the absence of appropriate visual communication tools. Visualizing modeled operations in 3D is arguably the best form of communicating the logic and the inner working of simulation models and can be of immense help in establishing the credibility of analyses. New software development technologies emerge at incredible rates that allow engineers and scientists to create novel, domain-specific applications. The authors capitalized on a computer graphics technology based on the concept of the scene graph to design and implement a general-purpose 3D visualization system that is simulation and CAD-software independent. This system, the Dynamic Construction Visualizer, enables realistic visualization of modeled construction operations and the resulting products and can be used in conjunction with a wide variety of simulation tools. This paper describes the scene graph architecture and the frame updating algorithms used in designing the Dynamic Construction Visualizer.     

Ridge hypoplasia and ridge dissociation: minor physical anomalies in autistic children

Ten term newborns underwent CT of the brain 12-24 h following vacuum extractor delivery. Haemorrhage in the area of the tentorium was demonstrated in all of them, with similar findings in all cases. CT 1 week later demonstrated reabsorption of the blood without demonstrating any other brain pathology. Clinical and CT examination a year after delivery did not reveal any abnormality. The haemorrhage appears to be a benign condition.     

On Synchronous Robotic Networks—Part II: Time Complexity of Rendezvous and Deployment Algorithms

This paper analyzes a number of basic coordination algorithms running on synchronous robotic networks. We provide upper and lower bounds on the time complexity of the move-toward-average and circumcenter laws, both achieving rendezvous, and of the centroid law, achieving deployment over a region of interest. The results are derived via novel analysis methods, including a set of results on the convergence rates of linear dynamical systems defined by tridiagonal Toeplitz and circulant matrices.     

Drying of persimmons (Diospyros kaki L.) and the following changes in the studied bioactive compounds and the total radical scavenging activities

Fresh persimmons were subjected to two different processes: sun-drying during 1 month and dehydration at 60 °C during 12 h. To assess the effect of this process on nutritional and health-related properties of persimmons dietary fibers, minerals, trace elements, polyphenols and the total radical scavenging activities (TRSAs) were determined before and after processing. It was found that the contents of dietary fibers, minerals and trace elements in fresh and dried persimmons fruits were comparable. Total polyphenols in fresh persimmons was higher than in dried fruits (1.3 vs. 0.9 and 0.8 mg/100 g FW, respectively) and percentage of inhibition was higher than in dried fruits (70% vs. 59% and 55% and 58% vs. 53% and 46% for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) [ABTS] radicals, respectively (P>0.05 in all cases). In conclusion: (1) the differences in the contents of dietary fibers, minerals and trace elements in fresh and dried persimmons are not significant; (2) the contents of polyphenols and the level of the TRSA are higher in fresh persimmons than in dried fruits; however, both variables are also high in dried persimmons; (3) when fresh fruits are not available, proper dried persimmons could be used as a valuable substitute.     

Correlation between esophageal motility and 24-hour pH recording in patients with gastroesophageal reflux

The relationship between manometric and pH-metric data was studied in a group of 50 patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. Using a multiple regression analysis, we found that the total percentage of reflux was significantly correlated to the infradiaphragmatic length and resting pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter and also to the mean amplitude of the contractile waves of the distal esophagus, thus revealing the important role of these factors in the antireflux mechanism. When the patients were divided into groups according to their manometric characteristics and the values of the various pH-metric parameters between these groups compared using a one-way analysis of variance, we found that the amplitude of the contractile waves and the percentage of deglutitions without response were related not only to the total percentage of reflux but also to the number of reflux episodes of greater than 5 min duration and to the duration of the longest episode. This shows that prolonged exposure of the esophageal mucosa to the refluxed material may be due, in part, to an alteration in the capacity for esophageal clearing.