The regularization ofNB-scheme in differential games

The optimality principles in non-zero sum differential games and multicriterial control problems taken from the corresponding static (simultaneous) game theory are usually dynamic unstable (time inconsistent), thus their use becomes questionable if special regularization attempts are not made. This important aspect was first considered in [1], but also in the earlier paper of Strotz [7] this was shown for a special control problem with discount payoff. We have shown in [2] that many of the known procedures (excluding those based on scalarization of the payoff vector), of selecting of a special Pareto-optimal solution from the set of all Pareto-optimal solutions are dynamic unstable (time-inconsistent) and therefore the regularization procedures leading to the dynamic stable optimality principles are purposed [3]. It turns out that also in the Nash [4] bargaining process the regularization attempt can be made by constructng a special equation for the conflict point. The idea of the method is closely connected with the paper [5]. The special attention to the time-consistency problem is given also in the recent publications [6,8].This paper is financially supported by Russian Fundamental Research Foundation (project N 93-011-1714).     

Deformation and fracture of glass bead/ CTBN-rubber/epoxy composites

Carboxyl-terminated butadiene-acrylonitrile-rubber decreases modulus and yield stress of the studied epoxy but increases fracture toughness. The addition of glass bead compensates for the loss in modulus but has little effect on yield stress. However, it significantly contributes to the fracture toughness by providing additional mechanisms for toughening of both the unmodified and rubber-modified epoxy. For the toughened epoxies studied, fracture surfaces gave only limited information on fracture mechanisms since significant energy absorption also occurs in the material below the fracture surface. Suggestions for suitable material compositions for fiber composite matrices are given.     

Cold forging and chemical heat treatment of the casing of the internal joint for VAZ cars

The technological process of cold forging applied for the first time in the production of the casing of the internal joint with races is described. The process operations of cold forging and the annealing and carburizing regimes for this part me described.     

The effects of growth hormone in children with a GH deficiency: a report of 5 cases

The authors describe 5 cases, 3 boys and 2 girls, with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency in prepubertal age, treated with human growth hormone. In four of five cases the response to treatment with GH was relevant. Only in one case (F1) the response was negative. The results of this study confirm that rhGH is a safe and effective therapy in children with GHD.     

Nitric oxide reduction and carbon monoxide oxidation over carbon-supported copper-chromium catalysts

Carbon supported copper-chromium catalysts are shown to be very active for both the reduction of nitric oxide with carbon monoxide and the oxidation of carbon monoxide with oxygen. Mixed copper-chromium oxide active phases have good activity in the simultaneous removal of nitric oxide and carbon monoxide from exhaust gases. The influence of several catalyst variables has been investigated. The activity per volume of catalyst increases with increasing loading, while the intrinsic activity shows a maximum around C/M=100−50. An optimum catalyst for nitric oxide reduction and carbon monoxide oxidation has a copper/chromium ratio of 2/1. The apparent activation energy for the carbon monoxide oxidation over carbon supported copper-chromium catalysts is 77 kJ/mol, suggesting that the Cu---O bond rupture is the rate-limiting process. The reduction of nitric oxide takes place at higher temperatures. Since all catalysts have a low selectivity for molecular nitrogen formation at lower temperatures, the dissociation of nitric oxide is probably rate determining, resulting in a slightly reduced catalyst system. In an excess of carbon monoxide the reaction is first-order in nitric oxide and zero-order in carbon monoxide. Moisture inhibits the reaction by reversible competitive adsorption, whereas carbon dioxide does not. Oxygen completely inhibits the reduction of nitric oxide due to the more rapid reoxidation of the catalytic sites compared to nitric oxide. Therefore, the reduction of nitric oxide takes place only when all oxygen has been converted and, hence, is shifted to higher temperatures. As a possible consequence, the production of nitrous oxide is reduced. Nitric oxide and molecular oxygen react preferentially with carbon monoxide, so, in an excess of oxidizing component, gasification of the carbon support occurs at higher temperatures after carbon monoxide has been completely consumed.     

Afterburner [network-independent card for protocols]

Many current implementations of protocols such as the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) are inefficient because data are often accessed more frequently than necessary. Three techniques that reduce the need for memory bandwidth are proposed. The techniques are copy-on-write, page remapping, and single-copy. Afterburner, a network-independent card that provides the services that are necessary for a single-copy protocol stack, is described. The card has 1 MByte of local buffers and provides a simple interface to a variety of network link adapters, including HIPPI and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM). Afterburner can support transfers to and from the link adapter card at rates up to 1 Gbit/s. An implementation of TCP/IP that uses the features provided by Afterburner to reduce the movement of data to a single copy is discussed. Measurements of the end-to-end performance of Afterburner and the single-copy implementation of TCP/IP are presented     

Cervical lymph nodes metastases from a pituitary carcinoma

Ipratropium bromide is a synthetic derivative of atropine with little absorption when used in inhalation, and therefore little secondary effects. The authors review its pharmacological properties and therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of asthma in children. Combined nebulized inhalation of ipratropium bromide and beta 2 sympathomimetic results in a more efficient and more sustained bronchodilatation than beta 2 sympathicomimetic alone in the treatment of acute asthma in children. Ipratropium bromide should be usefully introduced in the therapeutic scheme of acute asthma in children. Further studies will be necessary in order to determine its efficacy and tolerance in infants.     

Resonance assignment of methionine methyl groups and chi 3 angular information from long-range proton-carbon and carbon-carbon J correlation in a calmodulin-peptide complex

Several simple 3D experiments are used to provide J correlations between methionine C epsilon methyl carbons and either the C gamma H2 protons or C beta and C gamma. The intensity of the J correlations provides information on the size of the three-bond J couplings and thereby on the chi 3 torsion angle. In addition, a simple 3D version of the HMBC experiment provides a sensitive link between the C epsilon H3 methyl protons and C gamma. The methods are demonstrated for a 20 kDa complex between calmodulin and a 26-residue peptide fragment of skeletal muscle myosin light chain kinase.     

Aortic valve papillary fibroelastoma. A diagnosis by transthoracic echocardiography

Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas are unusual, frond-like growths typically found on cardiac valves, diagnosed incidentally on autopsy or cardiac surgery, but rarely during life. We report a rare case of an aortic valve papillary fibroelastoma detected by transthoracic echocardiography and confirmed by histologic study.     

Climatic solar roof: an ecological alternative to heat dissipation in buildings

A new system based on the harnessing of solar and wind power is presented for heat dissipation in air conditioning facilities. The innovation offered by the new system is the integration of two well-known subsystems: a cooling tower and a solar chimney which increases the air flow without the use of electric power. The system is described and presented together with a model for its study. The field data acquired from the prototype built in southern Spain establishes the actual potential of the system, which provides a new approach to a sustainable technological development.