Preface: Volume 68 Issue 4

This issue contains the Proceedings of the First International Workshop on Parallel and Distributed Model Checking (PDMC 2002) held in Brno, Czech Republic, August 19, 2002 as a satellite event to the 13th International Conference on Concurrency Theory (CONCUR 2002).The aim of the PDMC 2002 workshop was to cover all aspects of parallel and distributed model checking and supporting techniques. The mission was on one side to introduce people to the field of parallel and distributed model checking and on the other side to be a working forum for describing new research building thus the relationship between people working in the area of parallel and distributed approaches to the verification of large-scale systems and to encourage cross-fertilization of ideas.The workshop programme consisted of:

2 invited talks, respectively by Moshe Vardi on Model Checking: A Complexity-Theoretic Perspective and by Orna Grumberg on Different directions in parallel and distributed model checking,

8 regular presentations, and

5 short presentations.

The proceedings contains the regular papersonly. The regular papers and short presentations have been accepted by the following programme committee:

Lubos Brim (MU Brno, Czech Republic) - Co-chair

Gianpiero Cabodi (Torino, Italy)

Hubert Garavel (INRIA, France)

Orna Grumberg (Technion, Israel) - Co-chair

Boudewijn R. Haverkort (Aachen, Germany)

Kim Larsen (BRICS Aalborg, Denmark)

Rajeev Ranjan (Real Intent, USA)

We would like to thank very much to all members of the programme committee for nice cooperation and for detailed reports and comments and to all the authors for their contributions. For online-information see http://www.fi.muni.cz/concur2002/PDMC/.

August 19, 2002	Lubos Brim
	Orna Grumberg

Full-size table

     

Quantum Monte Carlo

Progress has been made in the development and applications of quantum Monte Carlo methods for calculations of many-body systems over the past year. Significant advances in methodology, such as new forms of trial wave functions, improved calculations of periodical systems and algorithm developments, have been commented upon, as have applications which include jellium models, H, He, molecular, cluster and solid systems. These results demonstrate that the influence and usefulness of quantum Monte Carlo methods are increasing rapidly.     

Selected Biomarkers of Depression: What Are the Effects of Cytokines and Inflammation?

Depression is one of the leading mental illnesses worldwide and lowers the quality of life of many. According to WHO, about 5% of the worldwide population suffers from depression. Newer studies report a staggering global prevalence of 27.6%, and it is rising. Professionally, depression belonging to affective disorders is a psychiatric illness, and the category of major depressive disorder (MDD) comprises various diagnoses related to persistent and disruptive mood disorders. Due to this fact, it is imperative to find a way to assess depression quantitatively using a specific biomarker or a panel of biomarkers that would be able to reflect the patients’ state and the effects of therapy. Cytokines, hormones, oxidative stress markers, and neuropeptides are studied in association with depression. The latest research into inflammatory cytokines shows that their relationship with the etiology of depression is causative. There are stronger cytokine reactions to pathogens and stressors in depression. If combined with other predisposing factors, responses lead to prolonged inflammatory processes, prolonged dysregulation of various axes, stress, pain, mood changes, anxiety, and depression. This review focuses on the most recent data on cytokines as markers of depression concerning their roles in its pathogenesis, their possible use in diagnosis and management, their different levels in bodily fluids, and their similarities in animal studies. However, cytokines are not isolated from the pathophysiologic mechanisms of depression or other psychiatric disorders. Their effects are only a part of the whole pathway.     

Carbon nanotubes encapsulating superconducting single-crystalline tin nanowires

Superconducting low dimensional systems are the natural choice for fast and sensitive infrared detection, because of their quantum nature and the low-noise, cryogenic operation environment. On the other hand, monochromatic and coherent electron beams, emitted from superconductors and carbon-based nanostructured materials, respectively, are significant for the development of electron optical systems such as electron microscopes and electron-beam nanofabrication systems. Here we describe for the first time a simple method which yields carbon nanotubes encapsulating single crystalline superconducting tin nanowires by employing the catalytic chemical vapor deposition method over solid tin dioxide. The superconducting tin nanowires, with diameters 15-35 nm, are covered with well-graphitized carbon walls and show, due to their reduced diameters, a critical magnetic field (Hc) more than 30 times higher than the value of bulk metallic tin.     

The future of PATLIB centres in a globalized patent world

The article focuses on the continuing requirement for patent libraries to adapt to the changing global environment in patent information. The drivers of these changes are outlined, including the ever-increasing inputs to, and publications of, the intellectual property offices, especially those in East Asia, allied to the changed priorities of SME users of patent information, from relatively basic information to more sophisticated searches and advice in the business-related environment. The author then reports the current views of the European PATLIB network on their future priorities for services such as database searches, training of IP users, technology transfer advice, and networking with partners who can provide complementary services. Some initiatives within the EPO’s policy for cooperation with member states are outlined, such as raising awareness and use of the patent system, patent information, and the exploitation of IP rights, especially amongst educational organisations and institutes and SMEs. The author accordingly argues that it is only through such adaptation that PATLIB centres will be able to provide higher quality, customer-related, added value services in support of innovation that are needed by users.     

Thermal insulation and thermal contact properties of wool and wool/PES fabrics in wet state

The most important parameters characterizing thermal comfort of special garments are thermal resistance and water vapor permeability. Contrary to common textiles, protective garments are often used in wet state, which affects their comfort properties. However, current measuring instruments mostly do not enable reliable measurement of wet fabrics. In the article, Alambeta instrument was used, which provides reliable measurement of thermal comfort of dry and wet fabrics. Research program included evaluation and discussion of the thermal properties: conductivity, resistance, and absorbtivity of wool and wool/partial use of hydrophobic fibers woven fabrics in dry, standard, and wet states. The effect of composition on the above-mentioned properties of these fabrics has also been investigated.