Fast Parallel Reordering and Isomorphism Testing of k -Trees

In this paper two problems on the class of k -trees, a subclass of the class of chordal graphs, are considered: the fast reordering problem and the isomorphism problem. An O(log ² n) time parallel algorithm for the fast reordering problem is described that uses O(nk(n-k)/\kern -1ptlog n) processors on a CRCW PRAM proving membership in the class NC for fixed k . An O(nk(k+1)!) time sequential algorithm for the isomorphism problem is obtained representing an improvement over the O(n ² k(k+1)!) algorithm of Sekharan (the second author) [10]. A parallel version of this sequential algorithm is presented that runs in O(log ² n) time using O((nk((k+1)!+n-k))/log n) processors improving on a parallel algorithm of Sekharan for the isomorphism problem [10]. Both the sequential and parallel algorithms use a concept introduced in this paper called the kernel of a k -tree.     

Nanolayered lightweight flexible shields with multidirectional optical transparency

New nanolayered coatings are designed and deposited on flexible plastic substrate having the thickness of 100 /spl mu/m, in order to realize lightweight ultrathin transparent shielding foils. The structure of the coating is optimized considering three figures of merit: the average transmittance in the visible range for normal incidence, the normalized average transmittance for oblique incidence at 550 nm, and the transmittance quality factor. The nanotechnology exploited for the deposition of the transparent metals is the dual ion beam sputtering. Tests of durability, optical transmission, and shielding effectiveness demonstrate that the film has a high adhesion under mechanical solicitation, high resistance against aging, peak transmittance in the visible range higher than 70%, omnidirectional properties in the range 0/spl deg/-60/spl deg/, and shielding effectiveness of 40 dB up to 6 GHz.     

Improving Communication in E-democracy Using Natural Language Processing

E-democracy, the design and development of new techniques for improving communication between public administration and citizens, is a major application field for natural language processing and language engineering. Helping citizens access information in a friendly, intuitive way is the primary objective of a global e-democracy framework. The E-democracy European Network project (EDEN) aimed at discovering whether a particular NLP (natural language processing) approach could further e-democracy by increasing citizens' participation in the decision-making process. The goal was twofold: to test whether e-democracy requirements could be meet using advanced linguistic technology and to test whether augmented phrase structure grammars (APSGs) were robust and well-assessed enough to use in a real-world environment. Also, the aim is to develop two toolsets to improve communication between PAs and citizens in the context of urban planning: a set of NLP-based tools to simplify access to information and knowledge and a set of forum and polling devices     

Cell death, axonal damage, and cell birth in the immature rat brain following induction of hydrocephalus

We hypothesized that hydrocephalus can cause death of brain cells and that generation of new brain cells might compensate for the cell loss. Hydrocephalus was induced in 3-week-old rats by injection of kaolin into the cisterna magna. The brains were studied 1 to 4 weeks later by histochemical, immunochemical, and ultrastructural methods. The ventricles enlarged progressively. Some axons in the corpus callosum were injured as early as 1 week, but axonal damage was not prevalent until 4 weeks when ventriculomegaly became severe. Dying cells detected by DNA end labeling and often identified as oligodendrocytes by electron microscopy were evident in white matter. Late-stage hydrocephalus was associated with a significant increase in the quantity of dying cells. Hydrocephalus was associated with increased Ki67 labeling and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation in the subependymal zone. Reactive changes were identified among astrocytes, oligodendroglia, and microglia. We conclude that hydrocephalus causes, in addition to axonal injury, gradual cell death in the cerebrum, particularly the white matter. The brain response includes production of new glial cells, but whether the new cells play any beneficial role remains unknown.     

Laboratory studies in cross-species lung transplantation

The lack of sufficient suitable human donor lungs for the many patients requiring pulmonary transplantation as life-saving therapy for end-stage lung diseases has generated extensive interest in cross-species lung transplantation. Ethical concerns and those of animal rights advocates have prompted studies of nonprimate species as potential solid organ donors for humans. This paper provides an overview of some of the laboratory studies of cross-species pulmonary transplantation performed over the past 20 years and focuses, in particular, on more recent work (from our laboratory and others) in the area of porcine-to-primate pulmonary xenotransplantation.     

In vitro short-term response of human erythrocytes to implant materials used in maxillo-facial rigid internal fixation

A number of retinal proteins are phosphorylated by a variety of kinases, resulting in well-known regulatory effects. The identity and role of corresponding phosphatases is less clear. We simultaneously measured the activity of serine/ threonine protein phosphatases type 1, 2A and 2C in bovine retinae. The enzymes were classified according to substrate specificity, divalent cation requirement and the effect of phosphatase subtype-specific inhibitors. The total- and specific activity of phosphatase type 2A was prevalent. Type 2C was 10-fold less abundant. 80% of type 1 and 50% of type 2A and type 2C, respectively, were soluble. An economic purification scheme was developed. We demonstrated the presence of phosphatase isozymes 2Calpha and 2Cbeta in bovine rod outer segments by enzymatic analysis as well as immunological techniques. The results suggest a yet unknown role of phosphatase type 2C in phototransduction. On the other hand, the immense amount of protein phosphatases found to be soluble - therefore not associated with rod outer segment membranes - points towards participation of these enzymes in the process of visual transduction not considered thus far.