Pancultural self-enhancement.

The culture movement challenged the universality of the self-enhancement motive by proposing that the motive is pervasive in individualistic cultures (the West) but absent in collectivistic cultures (the East). The present research posited that Westerners and Easterners use different tactics to achieve the same goal: positive self-regard. Study 1 tested participants from differing cultural backgrounds (the United States vs. Japan), and Study 2 tested participants of differing self-construals (independent vs. interdependent). Americans and independents self-enhanced on individualistic attributes, whereas Japanese and interdependents self-enhanced on collectivistic attributes. Independents regarded individualistic attributes, whereas interdependents regarded collectivistic attributes, as personally important. Attribute importance mediated self-enhancement. Regardless of cultural background or self-construal, people self-enhance on personally important dimensions. Self-enhancement is a universal human motive. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A parallel algorithm for time-slot assignment problems in TDMhierarchical switching systems

The paper presents a parallel algorithm for time-slot assignment problems in TDM hierarchical switching systems, based on the neural network model. The TDM systems are operated in repetitive frames composed of several time-slots. A time-slot represents a switching configuration where one packet is transmitted through an I/O line. The goal of the algorithm is to find conflict-free time-slot assignments for given switching demands. The algorithm runs on a maximum of n²×m processors for m-time-slot problems in n×n TDM systems. In small problems up to a 24×24 TDM system, the algorithm can find the optimum solution in a nearly constant time, when it is performed on n²×m processors     

Cerebral Hyperperfusion after Revascularization Inhibits Development of Cerebral Ischemic Lesions Due to Artery-to-Artery Emboli during Carotid Exposure in Endarterectomy for Patients with Preoperative Cerebral Hemodynamic Insufficiency: Revisiting the “Impaired Clearance of Emboli” Concept

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether cerebral hyperperfusion after revascularization inhibits development of cerebral ischemic lesions due to artery-to-artery emboli during exposure of the carotid arteries in carotid endarterectomy (CEA). In patients undergoing CEA for internal carotid artery stenosis (≥70%), cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) before and immediately after CEA. Microembolic signals (MES) were identified using transcranial Doppler during carotid exposure. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) was performed within 24 h after surgery. Of 32 patients with a combination of reduced cerebrovascular reactivity to acetazolamide on preoperative brain perfusion SPECT and MES during carotid exposure, 14 (44%) showed cerebral hyperperfusion (defined as postoperative CBF increase ≥100% compared with preoperative values), and 16 (50%) developed DWI-characterized postoperative cerebral ischemic lesions. Postoperative cerebral hyperperfusion was significantly associated with the absence of DWI-characterized postoperative cerebral ischemic lesions (95% confidence interval, 0.001–0.179; p = 0.0009). These data suggest that cerebral hyperperfusion after revascularization inhibits development of cerebral ischemic lesions due to artery-to-artery emboli during carotid exposure in CEA, supporting the “impaired clearance of emboli” concept. Blood pressure elevation following carotid declamping would be effective when embolism not accompanied by cerebral hyperperfusion occurs during CEA.     

Guiding and blocking of highly charged ions through a single glass capillary

Highly charged ions produced in an electron beam ion trap, I^q+, q = 10-50, were transmitted through a tapered glass capillary having diameter of at the end. We found that for a particular beam current, there exists an optimum tilting angle of the capillary in which a steady output of ions is observed, while for smaller angles, the ion counts first rise, then gradually decay on a time scale of minutes. In the case of steady transmission, the charge state distribution is found to be slightly towards the lower side.     

Guest Editorial: Multimedia Applications in Government and Medicine

Multimedia Tools and Applications -     

A parallel algorithm for tiling problems

A parallel algorithm for tiling with polyominoes is presented. The tiling problem is to pack polyominoes in a finite checkerboard. The algorithm using lxmxn processing elements requires O(1) time, where l is the number of different kinds of polyominoes on an mxn checkerboard. The algorithm can be used for placement of components or cells in a very large-scale integrated circuit (VLSI) chip, designing and compacting printed circuit boards, and solving a variety of two- or three-dimensional packing problems.     

Databases and cell-selection algorithms for VLSI cell libraries

The issues that must be addressed before commercial database management systems can be used to manage VLSI CAD data are defined. A survey is presented of approaches addressing four of the defined issues: design hierarchies and multilevel representations, design alternatives and version control, common interface between cell libraries and efficient cell selection based on given design constraints. A frame-based model is considered as a case study of the special-purpose design database management system approach. This framework for capturing design data is based on semantic networks. It is well suited for application-specific ICs, yet general enough for other CAD/CAM environments. Benchmark results for the selection algorithms that run on top of the frame-based database system are presented     

A parallel improvement algorithm for the bipartite subgraph problem

The authors propose the first parallel improvement algorithm using the maximum neural network model for the bipartite subgraph problem. The goal of this NP-complete problem is to remove the minimum number of edges in a given graph such that the remaining graph is a bipartite graph. A large number of instances have been simulated to verify the proposed algorithm, with the simulation result showing that the algorithm finds a solution within 200 iteration steps and the solution quality is superior to that of the best existing algorithm. The algorithm is extended for the K-partite subgraph problem where no algorithm has been proposed.     

PCR-RFLP identification of prohibited animal derived DNA in animal feed

A method for confirming identification of prohibited species tissue in animal feed has been developed on the basis of PCR-RFLP analysis. In Japan, to prevent the spread of BSE through animal feed, the use of animal protein in feed has been regulated. Species-specific PCR detection of prohibited species materials in feed has been used as one of a series of laboratory tests to ensure the proper implementation of the feed regulations. However, since the result of this PCR method is determined only by amplicon length, it is sometimes necessary to confirm whether or not the positive result is due to the effect of a non-specific reaction. For this purpose, DNA sequencing is the best way to confirm the test result but it is not suitable for routine analysis because of the required time and cost. In this study, we developed an easy and rapid method to confirm the species identification (mammals, ruminants and cattle) by using 4 restriction enzymes: SmlI, MboI, BlnI and Hpy188III. This PCR-RFLP method, which ensures identification of prohibited animal species in feed, is useful for enhancing the reliability of feed inspection for BSE prevention. This method will be added to the Official Methods of Feed Analysis.