The specification logic νZ

This paper introduces a wide-spectrum specification logic νZ. The minimal core logic is extended to a more expressive specification logic which includes a schema calculus similar (but not equivalent) to Z, new additional schema operators, and extensions to programming and program development logics.     

Learning to Predict Non-Deterministically Generated Strings

In this article we present an algorithm that learns to predict non-deterministically generated strings. The problem of learning to predict non-deterministically generated strings was raised by Dietterich and Michalski (1986). While their objective was to give heuristic techniques that could be used to rapidly and effectively learn to predict a somewhat limited class of strings, our objective is to give an algorithm which, though impractical, is capable of learning to predict a very general class. Our algorithm is meant to provide a general framework within which heuristic techniques can be effectively employed.     

Semiempirical,squeeze flow,and intermolecular diffusion model. II. Model verification using laser microwelding

This article reviews the application of a coupled squeeze flow and intermolecular diffusion model, which was used to predict the quality and size of microwelds in plastics. Weld widths predictions were compared with previously presented experimental results using moving heat source models and temperature fields. The motivation for this work was to develop and verify a model based on fundamental principles that could accurately predict weld size and strength for conventional plastic welding techniques as well as novel techniques such as laser microwelding. It is envisioned that the resulting model could be used to predict proper welding parameters, including laser power and travel speed, to produce welds of varying size. Although insight into weld quality can be derived from this model, it was not the goal of this work to accurately predict weld strength for laser microwelding because of the difficulty in measuring weld strength on the micron scale. However, as reported in Part 1, weld strength for impulse welds were accurately predicted. In this model it was found that variable temperature histories, rather than a single value of maximum weld temperature, allows more accurate modeling of the welding process. In this work (Part 2), microwelds as small as 11 μm in width were produced with transmission infrared welding. In addition, welds over 150‐μm wide were also generated and the model was able to predict the range of weld widths that were found experimentally. It was found that the predictions were in very good agreement with the experimental results. There was some deviation between the experimental data and the model at the extreme parameters and it is believed that this was due to the temperature‐dependent material properties as well as optical aberrations. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Molecular follow-up of disease progression and interferon therapy in chronic myelocytic leukemia

We previously reported that the abl promoter (Pa) undergoes de novo DNA methylation in the course of chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML). The clinical implications of this finding are the subject of the present study in which samples of CML patients, including a group treated with interferon alpha (IFNalpha) were surveyed. The methylation status of the abl promoter was monitored by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the Pa region after digestion with several site-methylation sensitive restriction enzymes. Some 74% of the DNA samples from blood and marrow drawn in the chronic phase were nonmethylated, similar to control samples from non-CML patients. The remaining 26% were partially methylated in the abl Pa region. The latter samples were derived from patients who were indistinguishable from the others on the basis of clinical presentation. Methylated samples were mostly derived from patients known to have a disease of longer duration (26 months v 7.5 months, P = .01). Samples of 30 IFNalpha-treated patients were sequentially analyzed in the course of treatment. Fifteen patients with no evidence of Pa methylation before treatment remained methylation-free. The remainder, who displayed Pa methylation before treatment, reverted to the methylation-free status. The outcome is attributed to IFNalpha therapy, as the Pa methylation status was not reversed in any of the patients treated with hydroxyurea. Methylation of the abl promoter indicates a disease of long-standing, most likely associated with a higher probability of imminent blastic transformation. It appears to predict the outcome of IFNalpha therapy far better than the cytogenetic response.     

Dynamic stiffness vibration analysis using a high‐order beam model

This work presents the derivation of the exact dynamic stiffness matrix for a high‐order beam element. The terms are found directly from the solutions of the differential equations that describe the deformations of the cross‐section according to the high‐order theory, which include cubic variation of the axial displacements over the cross‐section of the beam. The model has six degrees of freedom at the two ends, one transverse displacement and two rotations, and the end forces are a shear force and two end moments. Using the dynamic stiffness matrix exact vibration frequencies for beams with various combinations of boundary conditions are tabulated and compared with results from the Bernoulli–Euler and Timoshenko beam models. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A branch and cut algorithm for the VRP with satellite facilities

An important aspect of the vehicle routing problem (VRP) that has been largely overlooked is the use of satellite facilities to replenish vehicles during a route. When possible, satellite replenishment allows the drivers to continue making deliveries until the close of their shift without necessarily returning to the central depot. This situation arises primarily in the distribution of fuels and certain retail items. When demand is random, optimizing customer routes a priori may result in significant additional costs for a particular realization of demand. Satellite facilities are one way of safeguarding against unexpected demand. This paper presents a branch and cut methodology for solving the VRP with satellite facilities subject to capacity and route time constraints. We begin with a mixed-integer linear programming formulation and then describe a series of valid inequalities that can be used to cut off solutions to the linear programming relaxation. Several separation heuristics are then outlined that are used to generate the cuts. Embedded in the methodology is a VRP heuristic for finding good feasible solutions at each stage of the computations. Results are presented for a set of problems derived from our experience with a leading propane distributor.     

Energy Trapping in Dications

The energy interaction curves of a number of diatomic and polyatomic dication systems were calculated in order to study their energy-trapping properties. Generally, the ab initio complete active space multiconfiguration self-consistent field method was used in an extended valence + polarization basis set, with compact effective potentials replacing the core electrons. The diatomic dications include all ten possible binary combinations of oxygen, sulphur, selenium, and tellurium. O₂²⁺ shows the largest exothermicity, measured from equilibrium to the monocation combination asymptote, and highest barrier to dissociation. The calculated equilibrium bond length and harmonic vibrational frequency agree very well with experiment. The O₂²⁺, SO²⁺, SeO²⁺, and TeO²⁺ series show progressively decreasing exothermicities but similar barrier heights. The non-oxides, in contrast, show similar exothermicities but decreasing barriers with increasing size of the atom constituents. These trends are interpreted in terms of both valence bond curve-crossing and molecular orbital bonding models. The ozone dication, O₃²⁺, is found to have a number of low-lying singlet and triplet stationary state structures spanning near-linear to D_3h2+ symmetries. Although the calculated exothermicity is even larger than for O₂²⁺, the barrier to O₂⁺ + O⁺ dissociation is predicted to be low in each case. O₂²⁺ surrounded by six argon atoms to model an isolating environment shows increased equilibrium O–O bond length, decreased exothermicity, and increased barrier to dissociation, relative to the bare dication. O₂²⁺ flanked at each end by a perpendicularly oriented H₂ molecule in a staggered conformation is obstructed from direct conversion to the water dimer dication by a high barrier. However, [(H₂O)₂]²⁺ dissociates smoothly from equilibrium to two water monocations with a large exothermicity but a small barrier.     

Estimating frequency of occurrence.

Various models have been proposed that attribute judgments of frequency of occurrence either to the direct coding of frequency information or to the estimation of frequency from characteristics of memory traces that are not direct frequency codes. We present three experiments that replicate and further explore a phenomenon that is significant in the distinction between direct and indirect models of frequency coding. The phenomenon is that deeper processing of stimulus material results in superior judgments of frequency for that material than does shallower processing. This effect is at least partly attributable to the number of associations that are generated by deep analysis. The results of the present experiments thereby implicate an indirect coding mechanism underlying frequency judgments. However, we also show that there is ample reason to suppose a contribution of a direct coding mechanism as well. The most reasonable view, therefore, is that multiple mechanisms are involved in the registration of frequency of occurrence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"I Buy American": The American Image as Reflected in Israeli Advertising

Analysis of advertisements in Israeli newspapers over the past decade has shown that American symbols have been widely used to market an array of consumer goods. Products made in America, Israel, or other countries are marketed with some sort of American angle by invoking America's values, symbols, landscapes, or lifestyle. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, we analyzed how central components of the nation-state/national sphere—language, flag, political leaders, borders, landscapes, and sights—are reflected in advertising. We attempt to show how social values metamorphose, shedding their "Israeliness" and taking on an American veneer. Using Israel as an example may provide a test case for the Americanization process in other societies at the turn of the millennium.