How expressive is stratified aggregation?

We present results on the expressive power of various deductive database languages extended with stratified aggregation. We show that (1) Datalog extended with stratified aggregation cannot express a query to count the number of paths between every pair of nodes in an acyclic graph, (2) Datalog extended with stratified aggregation and arithmetic on integers (the + operator) can express allcomputable queries on ordered domains, and (3) Datalog extended with stratified aggregation and generic function symbols can express allcomputable queries (on ordered or unordered domains). Note that without stratified aggregation, the above extensions of Datalog cannot express all computable queries. We show that replacing stratified aggregation by stratified negation preserves expressiveness. We identify subclasses of the above languages that are complete (can express all, and only the, computable queries).     

Controlling the uncontrollable: Effects of stress on illusory perceptions of controllability.

Individuals' failure to exercise actual control over an event might be compensated for by trying to bolster a generalized, subjective sense of control. Control might then be sought by undertaking acts the effect of which on the environment is illusory. This observation led to the hypothesis that stress, which undermines persons' sense of control, would engender illusory perceptions of controllability. The hypothesis was tested in 3 experiments that required Ss to choose between 2 gambling forms. Although the 2 forms were essentially identical, 1 was designed to instill an illusion of control. The results showed that highly stressed Ss, compared with those who experienced low stress, preferred gambling forms that heightened perceptions of controllability. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Output-SensitiveVisibility Algorithms for Dynamic Scenes with Applications to Virtual Reality

An output-sensitive visibility algorithm is one whose runtime is proportional to the number of visible graphic primitives in a scene model—not to the total number of primitives, which can be much greater. The known practical output-sensitive visibility algorithms are suitable only for static scenes, because they include a heavy preprocessing stage that constructs a spatial data structure which relies on the model objects’ positions. Any changes to the scene geometry might cause significant modifications to this data structure. We show how these algorithms may be adapted to dynamic scenes. Two main ideas are used: first, update the spatial data structure to reflect the dynamic objects’ current positions; make this update efficient by restricting it to a small part of the data structure. Second, use temporal bounding volumes (TBVs) to avoid having to consider every dynamic object in each frame. The combination of these techniques yields efficient, output-sensitive visibility algorithms for scenes with multiple dynamic objects. The performance of our methods is shown to be significantly better than previous output-sensitive algorithms, intended for static scenes. TBVs can be adapted to applications where no prior knowledge of the objects’ trajectories is available, such as virtual reality (VR), simulations etc. Furthermore, they save updates of the scene model itself; notjust of the auxiliary data structure used by the visibility algorithm. They can therefore be used to greatly reduce the communications overhead in client-server VR systems, as well as in general distributed virtual environments.     

Flip-flop of doxorubicin across erythrocyte and lipid membranes

Doxorubicin, an anticancer drug, is extruded from multidrug resistant (MDR) cells and from the brain by P-glycoprotein located in the plasma membrane and the blood-brain barrier, respectively. MDR-type drugs are hydrophobic and, as such, enter cells by diffusion through the membrane without the requirement for a specific transporter. The apparent contradiction between the presumably free influx of MDR-type drugs into MDR cells and the efficient removal of the drugs by P-glycoprotein, an enzyme with a limited ATPase activity, prompted us to examine the mechanism of passive transport within the membrane. The kinetics of doxorubicin transport demonstrated the presence of two similar sized drug pools located in the two leaflets of the membrane. The transbilayer movement of doxorubicin occurred by a flip-flop mechanism of the drug between the two membrane leaflets. At 37 degrees, the flip-flop exhibited a half-life of 0.7 min, in both erythrocyte membranes and cholesterol-containing lipid membranes. The flip-flop was inhibited by cholesterol and accelerated by high temperatures and the fluidizer benzyl alcohol. The rate of doxorubicin flux across membranes is determined by both the massive binding to the membranes and the slow flip-flop across the membrane. The long residence-time of the drug in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane allows P-glycoprotein a better opportunity to remove it from the cell.     

Computing reachable states for nonlinear biological models

In this paper, we describe reachability computation for continuous and hybrid systems and its potential contribution to the process of building and debugging biological models. We summarize the state-of-the-art for linear systems and then develop a novel algorithm for computing reachable states for nonlinear systems. We report experimental results obtained using a prototype implementation applied to several biological models. We believe these results constitute a promising contribution to the analysis of complex models of biological systems.     

Polymeric memory elements and logic circuits that store multiple bit states

The ever-increasing flow of information requires new approaches for high-density data storage (HDDS). Here, we present a novel solution that incorporates the easily accessible polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) with multistate memory. The electrical addressable polymer is able to store up to five different memory states, which are stable up to 20 min. The observed memory states are generated by the optical output signature of the PEDOT deposited on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass, upon applying specific electrical inputs. Moreover, the demonstrated platforms can be represented by a general logic circuit, which allows the construction of multistate memory, such as flip-flops and flip-flap-flop logic circuits.     

Novel gelatin–alginate surgical sealants loaded with hemostatic agents

Surgical sealants are an integral part of the surgical toolbox. They are used mainly to seal tissues or suture lines. In the current research, we examined a novel surgical sealant based on the natural polymers gelatin and alginate, crosslinked with carbodiimide and loaded with hemostatic agents. Incorporation of the hemostatic agent montmorillonite significantly improved the ex vivo burst strength and the other physical properties (swelling ratio, weight loss, curing time, and viscosity) of the basic surgical sealant, due to the formation of nanocomposite structure. This novel system presents a new approach for improving the physical properties of surgical sealants.