On grammar forms with terminal context

Summary A context-free grammar form G defines a family of context-free grammars {ie397-01}(G). In this paper {ie397-02}(G) is extended to give the family of terminal context grammars {ie397-03}(G), which were introduced by Book [4]. It is shown that the families of languages defined by {ie397-04}(G) and {ie397-05}(G) are equal when G is an -free context-free grammar form. This generalizes the result of Book [4] for context-free grammars and underlines the usefulness of the notion of grammar forms in formal language theory.The work of the second author was carried out partially under a National Research Council of Canada Grant. No. A-7700 and partially under the auspices of the University of Karlsruhe     

On a direct algorithm for the generation of log-normal pseudo-random numbers

The random variable \(\left( {\prod {_{i = 1}^n {{X_i } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{X_i } {X_{i + n} }}} \right. \kern-0em} {X_{i + n} }}} } \right)^{{1 \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {1 {\sqrt {2n} }}} \right. \kern-0em} {\sqrt {2n} }}}\) is used to generate standard log-normal variables Λ(0, 1), where theX _i are independent uniform variables on [0, 1].     

Polynomoperatoren in C k [a,b]

Some estimations for the relative projection constantP(∏ _n+k ^k ,Csik[a,b]) are given. By constructing an associated polynomial operatorL _n :C ⁰[a,b]→∏ _n ⁰ to a given polynomial operatorH _n+k :C ^k [a,b]→∏ _n+k ^k we get a lower bound for the projection constant. An upper bound forP(∏ _n+k ^k ,C ^k [a,b]) is obtained by the determination of the norms of appropriate polynomial operatorsP _n+k :C ^k [a,b]→∏ _n+k ^k . Further we give a convergence property for the sequence (P _n+k ) _n∈?.     

Einleitung und Abbruch der künstlichen Ernährung beim einwilligungsunfähigen Patienten

Definition of the problem: In Austria the legal discussion on initiating and withdrawing artificial nutrition in incompetent patients has just begun. Arguments and conclusion: Legal regulations are lacking, but there appears to be agreement on accepting advance directives under specific criteria. This would mean that a presumed will and documented refusal of treatment and nutrition has to be respected by physicians. However, there is no consensus with regard to the “supposed will” of an incompetent patient to refuse treatment and nutrition. At present, surrogate decision making with regard to refusing life-sustaining treatment or nutrition is only accepted according to a declared and documented directive of the patient himself. When the patient’s will has to be “surmised” the protection of life has priority. In Austria this concept is based on the national constitution and its duty to protect life.     

Software specification using graph grammars

The following paper demonstrates that programmed sequential graph grammars can be used in a systematic proceeding to specify the changes of high level intermediate data structures arising in a programming support environment, in which all tools work in an incremental and syntax-driven mode. In this paper we lay stress upon the way to get the specification rather than on the result of this process. Therefore, we give here some approach to “specification engineering” using graph grammars. This approach is influenced by the syntactical definition of the underlying language for Programming in the Small, the module concept etc. to be supported on one side but also by the idea of the user interface.     

Using Drosophila melanogaster to Analyse the Human Paralogs of the ESCRT-III Core Component Shrub/CHMP4/Snf7 and Its Interactions with Members of the LGD/CC2D1 Family

The evolutionary conserved ESCRT-III complex is a device for membrane remodelling in various cellular processes, such as the formation of intraluminal vesicles (ILVs), cytokinesis, and membrane repair. The common theme of all these processes is the abscission of membrane away from the cytosol. At its heart in Drosophila is Shrub, CHMP4 in humans, which dynamically polymerises into filaments through electrostatic interactions among the protomers. For the full activity, Shrub/CHMP4 requires physical interaction with members of the Lgd protein family. This interaction is mediated by the odd-numbered DM14 domains of Lgd, which bind to the negative interaction surface of Shrub. While only one Lgd and one Shrub exist in the genome of Drosophila, mammals have two Lgd orthologs, LGD1/CC2D1B and LGD2/CC2D1A, as well as three CHMP4s in their genomes, CHMP4A, CHMP4B, and CHMP4C. The rationale for the diversification of the ESCRT components is not understood. We here use Drosophila as a model system to analyse the activity of the human orthologs of Shrub and Lgd at an organismal level. This enabled us to use the plethora of available techniques available for Drosophila. We present evidence that CHMP4B is the true ortholog of Shrub, while CHMP4A and CHMP4C have diverging activities. Nevertheless, CHMP4A and CHMP4C can enhance the activity of CHMP4B, raising the possibility that they can form heteropolymers in vivo. Our structure-function analysis of the LGD1 and LGD2 indicates that the C2 domain of the LGD proteins has a specific function beyond protein stability and subcellular localisation. Moreover, our data specify that CHMP4B interacts more efficiently with LGD1 than with LGD2.     

The Pro-Inflammatory Deletion Allele of the NF-κB1 Polymorphism Is Characterized by a Depletion of Subunit p50 in Sepsis

The functionally important NF-κB1 promoter polymorphism (−94ins/delATTG) significantly shapes inflammation and impacts the outcome of sepsis. However, exploratory studies elucidating the molecular link of this genotype-dependent pattern are lacking. Accordingly, we analyzed lipopolysaccharide-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from both healthy volunteers (n = 20) and septic patients (n = 10). All individuals were genotyped for the −94ins/delATTG NF-κB1 promoter polymorphism. We found a diminished nuclear activity of the NF-κB subunit p50 in ID/DD genotypes after 48 h of lipopolysaccharide stimulation compared to II genotypes (p = 0.025). This was associated with higher TNF-α (p = 0.005) and interleukin 6 concentrations (p = 0.014) and an increased production of mitochondrial radical oxygen species in ID/DD genotypes (p = 0.001). Although ID/DD genotypes showed enhanced activation of mitochondrial biogenesis, they still had a significantly diminished cellular ATP content (p = 0.046) and lower mtDNA copy numbers (p = 0.010) compared to II genotypes. Strikingly, these findings were mirrored in peripheral blood mononuclear cells taken from septic patients. Our results emphasize the crucial aspect of considering NF-κB subunits in sepsis. We showed here that the deletion allele of the NF-κB1 (−94ins/delATTG) polymorphism was associated with the lower nuclear activity of subunit p50, which, in turn, was associated with aggravated inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction.