Solving satisfiability problems using reconfigurable computing

This paper reports on an innovative approach for solving satisfiability problems for propositional formulas in conjunctive normal form (SAT) by creating a logic circuit that is specialized to solve each problem instance on field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). This approach has become feasible due to recent advances in reconfigurable computing and has opened up an exciting new research field in algorithm design. SAT is an important subclass of constraint satisfaction problems, which can formalize a wide range of application problems. We have developed a series of algorithms that are suitable for a logic circuit implementation, including an algorithm whose performance is equivalent to the Davis-Putnam procedure with powerful dynamic variable ordering. Simulation results show that this method can solve a hard random 3-SAT problem with 400 variables within 1.6 min at a clock rate of 10 MHz. Faster speeds can be obtained by increasing the clock rate. Furthermore, we have actually implemented a 128-variable 256-clause problem instance on FPGAs     

Fabrication of Liquid Helium-Free Superconducting Magnet for Millimeter Wave Gyrotron

A liquid helium free superconducting magnet was designed and fabricated and for an application to a millimeter wave gyrotron and a peniotron. The magnet generates a magnetic field of 5T in a 100mm room temperature bore and has been continuously working for more than 5,400 hours without troubles. The magnet system was applied to the millimeter wave gyrotron experiments to confirm the stability of the magnet. In the experiments, stable operations of the gyrotron were achieved in the frequency range of 30 - 133GHz.     

Algorithms for Distributed Constraint Satisfaction: A Review

When multiple agents are in a shared environment, there usually exist constraints among the possible actions of these agents. A distributed constraint satisfaction problem (distributed CSP) is a problem to find a consistent combination of actions that satisfies these inter-agent constraints. Various application problems in multi-agent systems can be formalized as distributed CSPs. This paper gives an overview of the existing research on distributed CSPs. First, we briefly describe the problem formalization and algorithms of normal, centralized CSPs. Then, we show the problem formalization and several MAS application problems of distributed CSPs. Furthermore, we describe a series of algorithms for solving distributed CSPs, i.e., the asynchronous backtracking, the asynchronous weak-commitment search, the distributed breakout, and distributed consistency algorithms. Finally, we show two extensions of the basic problem formalization of distributed CSPs, i.e., handling multiple local variables, and dealing with over-constrained problems.     

p57Kip2 regulates actin dynamics by binding and translocating LIM-kinase 1 to the nucleus

p57Kip2 is the only cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor shown to be essential for mouse embryogenesis. The fact suggests that p57 has a specific role that cannot be compensated by other Cdk inhibitors. LIM-kinase 1 (LIMK-1) is a downstream effector of the Rho family of GTPases that phosphorylates and inactivates an actin depolymerization factor, cofilin, to induce the formation of actin fiber. Here we demonstrate that p57 regulates actin dynamics by binding and translocating LIMK-1 from the cytoplasm into the nucleus, which in turn results in a reorganization of actin fiber. The central region of p57, a unique feature among the Cdk inhibitors, and the N-terminal region of LIMK-1, which contains the LIM domains were essential for the interaction. Expression of p57, but not p27Kip1 or a p57 mutant, with a deletion in the central region was shown to induce marked reorganization of actin filament and a translocation of LIMK-1. Our findings indicate p57 may act as a key regulator in embryogenesis by bearing two distinct functions, the regulation of cell cycle through binding to Cdks and the regulation of actin dynamics through binding to LIMK-1, both of which should be important in developmental procedure.     

The incremental perturbation method for large displacement analysis of elastic-plastic structures

A procedure of applying the perturbation method is presented for the incremental numerical analysis of materially and combined non-linear problems of discrete and discretized structral systems. Small but finite strain and stress increments are strictly distinguished from the strain rates and stress rates, respectively. It is shown that, by applying the perturbation procedure not only to the non-linear strain-displacement relations and equilibrium equations, but also to the constitutive equations in terms of rate quantities, all the governing equations can be satisfied to any desired accuracy at every instantaneous configuration in between the starting and terminal points of an incremental step. The proposed method provides also means of finding, to a desired accuracy, every point on an equilibrium path of a discrete system at which a new element will start yielding or unloading and possible critical points on the path. The significance of the proposed method is expected to be appreciated particularly in numerical investigations of critical behaviours and post-buckling behaviours.     

Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (1996), III. Secular changes in susceptibility]

Susceptibilities to various antimicrobial agents were examined for Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa that were isolated from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 10 hospitals during June 1996 to May 1997, and the results were compared with those obtained during the same period in earlier years. 1. E. faecalis Among E. faecalis strains, those with high susceptibilities to ampicillin and minocycline appeared to have decreased in the latest study period. 2. S. aureus To almost antimicrobial agents, S. aureus isolated from uncomplicated UTIs showed low susceptibilities. But the MIC50s of those agents for S. aureus from complicated UTIs have changed better state. Particularly, the MIC50s of imipenem and clindamycin were 0.125 microgram/ml or below in the latest period for the first time in our history. 3. E. coli The susceptibilities to piperacillin and quinolones of E. coli isolated from uncomplicated UTIs were better than those isolated from complicated UTIs. 4. Klebsiella spp. The susceptibilities to almost antimicrobial agents of Klebsiella spp. have been better during the latest period, compared to those during period of 1995-1996, but to ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin have appeared to have been lower. 5. P. aeruginosa The susceptibilities to quinolones of P. aeruginosa have been better during the latest period compared those during periods of 1995-1996. But, the susceptibilities to cefozopran, carbapenems and monobactams of P. aeruginosa isolated from complicated UTIs appeared to have been lower. These susceptibility changes should be utilized in determining clinical treatments.     

Phonon Dispersion Measurements of YBa2Cu3O6.15 and YBa2Cu3O6.95 by Time-of-Flight Neutron Spectroscopy

We measured the phonon dispersions of YBa₂Cu₃O_6.15 and YBa₂Cu₃O_6.95 by time-of-flight inelastic neutron scattering. The in-plane bond-stretching modes in the metallic phase showed a distinct a-b plane anisotropy beyond what is expected for structural origin. Such anisotropy in the longitudinal optical modes, which is absent in the TO, suggests strong in-plane anisotropy in the underlying electronic structure. Apical oxygen bond-stretching modes showed a large frequency change between the insulating and the metallic phases. This large softening also is beyond structural origin, and suggests the effect of local electronic environment.     

Auto-resonant eniotron oscillator using a magnetron type cavity

In an ideal auto-resonant eniotron oscillator (ARPO), all the electrons are able to give almost all their kinetic energy to an electromagnetic wave, resulting in a conversion efficiency of nearly 100%. However, the electric field strength required to drive a highly efficient interaction is difficult to achieve in an ordinary rectangular or circular waveguide cavity because of the low interaction coupling between electrons and the electromagnetic wave in the cavity. In this aper, we describe our investigation of an ARPO with a magnetron type cavity in lace of that above. In this cavity, the coupling becomes sufficiently strong to confirm experimentally the romising features of an ARPO. Additionally, the experiments should be useful for developing highly efficient medium-power oscillators in the microwave region. Here we resent our rocedure for designing such an experimental tube and our computer simulation results for its operational characteristics     

Improvement of Li-ion conductivity in A-site disordering lithium-lanthanum-titanate perovskite oxides by adding LiF in synthesis

La_0.56−yLi_0.33TiO_3−3yF_3y (y = 0.017, 0.05) were prepared by a conventional solid-state reaction from a mixture of La₂O₃, LiCO₃, TiO_2, and 10% excess LiF. The variation of the lattice parameter with increase of y value in La_0.56−yLi_0.33TiO_3−3yF_3y was different from that in conventional lithium-lanthanum-titanate series perovskite oxides, La_0.56−yLi_0.33+3yTiO₃. Bulk Li-ion conductivities of the La_0.56−yLi_0.33TiO_3−3yF_3y are higher than those of La_0.56-yLi_0.33+3yTiO₃. Li-ion conductivity of La_0.56−yLi_0.33TiO_3−3yF_3y (y = 0.017) was 2.30 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 30 °C, which is, to our knowledge, one of the highest Li-ion conductivities in the oxide compounds.