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The time-dependent traveling salesman problem (TDTSP) is a variant of TSP with time-dependent edge costs. We study some restrictions of TDTSP where the number of edge cost changes are limited. We find competitive ratios for online versions of TDTSP. From these we derive polynomial time approximation algorithms for graphs with edge costs one and two. In addition, we present an approximation algorit
Background: Electrocardiogram-derived grades of ischemia at the time of patient presentation with acute myocardial infarction have proved useful in predicting the salvageability by reperfusion therapy, final infarct size, severity of left ventricular dysfunction, and short- and long-term prognosis. Subjects and Methods: The Sclarovsky-Birnbaum Ischemia Grading System based on the relation between
Inflammation caused by the accumulation of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in the arterial wall is a key factor in the development of atherosclerosis. Accumulating evidence suggests that adaptive immune responses to oxLDL are of major importance in regulating the inflammatory response, and that humoral immunity largely has a protective effect in this process. This concept is supported by
Cobalamin/folate deficiency is common in elderly subjects and may lead to psychiatric symptoms, but even more often it increases the severity of other organic and non-organic mental diseases. This paper reviews the literature relevant for markers of cobalamin/folate status and their relation to neuropsychiatric symptoms in the elderly. Plasma homocysteine, a marker of cobalamin/folate status, is f
The Lund Concept is an approach to the treatment of severe brain trauma that is mainly based on hypotheses originating from basic physiological principles regarding brain volume and cerebral perfusion regulation. Its main attributes have found support in experimental and clinical studies. This review explains the principles of the Lund Concept and is intended to serve as the current guide for its
New diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis integrating magnetic resonance image assessment with clinical and other paraclinical methods were introduced in 2001. The "McDonald Criteria" have been extensively assessed and used since 2001. New evidence and consensus now strengthen the role of these criteria in the multiple sclerosis diagnostic workup to demonstrate dissemination of lesions in tim
To evaluate the ability of transvaginal Doppler examination to discriminate between different types of solid pelvic tumors, 55 women scheduled for laparotomy because of a solid pelvic mass underwent transvaginal sonographic examination, including color and spectral Doppler techniques. Arteries in the wall and core of each mass were examined. The histological diagnoses were as follows: uterine myom
Total oxidation of propane with oxygen in the absence and the respective presence of SO2 in the feed gas was studied over 1 wt% Pt on gamma -Al2O3 using transient experiments with TAP (temporal analysis of products) and in situ DRIFT spectroscopy. The TAP experiments confirm the promoting role of SO2 on the conversion of propane and, moreover, show an inhibiting effect from SO2 on the conversion o
A streamlined strategy was developed to obtain a mixture of thapsigargins from the fruits of Thapsia garganica L. The mixture was resolved by RP-silica gel flash chromatography to provide, after trituration with ether, 0.32% thapsigargin (la) as a white powder. A novel, complex phenylpropanoid (neohelmanthicin D, 2a) was also obtained, and its structure confirmed by semisynthesis.
Nonaqueous CE (NACE) methodology was developed for the separation and determination of phosphatidylethanol (Peth), a new biomarker of ethanol intake. Peth is an abnormal phospholipid formed in cell membranes only in the presence of ethanol, via the transphosphatidylation reaction of phospholipase D. The NACE separation medium consisted of 80 mM ammonium acetate in 50% ACN, 33% 2-propanol, 12% hexa
We study the ground state of the Pauli Hamiltonian with a magnetic field in R2d,d>1. We consider the case where a scalar potential W is present and the magnetic field B is given by B=2i ∂̄∂W. The main result is that there are no zero modes if the magnetic field decays faster than quadratically at infinity. If the magnetic field decays quadratically then zero modes may appear, and we give a lower b
Every tripotent e of a generalized Jordan triple system J of order I uniquely defines a decomposition into the direct sum of l(2) + 2l components. This decomposition generalizes the known Peirce decomposition of a Jordan triple system and of a generalized Jordan triple system of second order, and is the first step in determining the structure of a generalized Jordan triple system in terms of the t
A single detailed kinetic mechanism for the oxidation and combustion of n-decane and n-heptane has been written by means of an automatic mechanism generator ( REACTION) developed in our laboratory. It shows a good prediction of the ignition delay time versus temperature for the oxidation of n-decane at 13 and 50 bar and n-heptane at 13 and 40 bar for different equivalence ratios. The n-decane/n-he
We analysed migratory connectivity between different winter quarters and breeding sectors in the circumpolar tundra region for arctic shorebirds, in relation to migratory distances and ecological barriers. Total distances and barriers were calculated and measured for all potential migratory orthodrome links between 10 selected winter regions and 12 breeding sectors. The migratory segment between t
BACKGROUND: The IFCC Reference Measurement System for hemoglobin (Hb)A(1)c (IFCC-RM) has been developed within the framework of metrologic traceability and is embedded in a network of 14 reference laboratories. This paper describes the outcome of 12 intercomparison studies (periodic evaluations to control essential elements of the IFCC-RM). METHODS: Each study included: unknown samples (to test in
OBJECTIVES: Measurement of transglutaminase autoantibodies (TGAA) is considered to be the most efficient single serologic test for celiac disease (CD) by the American Gastroenterological Association Institute. We hypothesized that a large international collaborative effort toward improving and standardizing TGAA measurement is both feasible and necessary. The primary aim of this workshop is to com
Evolutionary change results from selection acting on genetic variation. For migration to be successful, many different aspects of an animal's physiology and behaviour need to function in a co-coordinated way. Changes in one migratory trait are therefore likely to be accompanied by changes in other migratory and life-history traits. At present, we have some knowledge of the pressures that operate a
In this paper, a fully automatic method for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) from V/Q-scans is presented. Image analysis is applied to the ventilation and the perfusion images obtained in the V/Q-scan. The difference of the ventilation and the perfusion is calculated after transformation and hot-spot reduction of the images. From this difference image the integral of the underperfused area
An academic 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) core laboratory aims to provide the highest possible quality ECG recording, measurement, and storage to aid clinicians in research into important cardiovascular outcomes and to maximize the credibility of scientific results based solely, or in part, on ECG data. This position paper presents a guide for the structure and function of an academic ECG core l
The illegal use of pharmacologically active compounds for growth promotion in food-producing species poses risks for consumer health and animal welfare. Surveillance relies on the quantification of drug residues in animal fluids or tissues, but the efficacy can be negatively affected due to undetectable residual concentrations in biological matrices. Consequently, techniques focusing on the indire
