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We present exact algorithms with exponential running times for variants of n-element set cover problems, based on divide-and-conquer and on inclusion-exclusion characterisations. We show that the Exact Satisfiability problem of size 1 with m clauses can be solved in time 2(m)l(O(1)) and polynomial space. The same bounds hold for counting the number of solutions. As a special case, we can count the
Background: A major part of medical pathology in internal medicine is associated with chronic alcoholism. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether screening for Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) can be improved through determination of direct ethanol metabolites compared to traditional biological state markers, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and additional self-repo
The sulfated regions in heparan sulfate and heparin are known to affect fibroblast growth factor (FGF) function. We have studied the mechanism whereby heparin directs FGF-2-induced FGF receptor-1 (FGFR-1) signal transduction. FGF-2 alone stimulated maximal phosphorylation of Src homology domain 2 tyrosine phosphatase (SHP-2) and the adaptor molecule Crk, in heparan sulfate-deficient Chinese hamste
We consider bosonic atoms that rotate in an anharmonic trapping potential. Using numerical diagonalization of the Hamiltonian, we get evidence for various phases of the gas for different values of the coupling between the atoms and of the rotational frequency of the trap. These include vortex excitation of single and multiple quantization, the phase of center-of-mass excitation, and the unstable p
Quality of life (QoL) assessment in children with coagulation disorders is a relatively unstudied area. While hemophilia-specific questionnaires (such as Haemo-QoL) are available, no instrument for children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) has been validated yet. A disease-specific questionnaire for children with ITP was therefore developed (ITP-QoL) in three phases: (a) a preparator
Motivation: To develop tools for the submission of mutations to databases and maintenance of locus-specific mutation databases. Advanced, integrated computer systems are needed to store and organize the increasing mutation information. Results: The MUTbase program suite provides an easy, interactive and quality-controlled submission of information to mutation databases. For further study of the da
PURPOSE. To elucidate mechanisms behind the morphology of Thygeson's superficial punctate keratitis (TSPK). METHODS. Sixteen patients were examined with the slit lamp and photographed by non-contact photomicrography. The results were compared with morphology of epithelial keratitis in herpes simplex type 1 (HSV1), varicella zoster (VZV), and adenovirus type 8 (Ad8) infections, all previously studi
The effect of three different nitrogen sources on the growth of external ectomycorrhizal mycelium was studied in Perspex micorocosms. Nonsterile peat was used as substrate. Five different fungal isolates growing in symbiosis with pine seedlings were investigated: two isolates of Paxillus involutus, one of Suillus bovinus and two unidentified ectomycorrhizal fungi isolated from ectomycorrhizal root
Pain is a complex subjective experience with sensory-discriminative, emotional-affective and cognitive-evaluative components. Postoperative pain is associated with considerable psychological and physiological distress that may impede postoperative recovery and lead to increased morbidity and development of persistent post-surgical pain. There seems to be a considerable individual variability in po
Because of the extreme ecological and environmental changes along an urban-rural gradient, it has been proposed that urbanised and non-urbanised populations of the same species may be distinctly isolated. There is evidence that urban populations have become significantly different from the original forest populations in several aspects. However, little is known about the extent to which urban and
We present a measurement technique for quantifying coupling between semiconductor quantum dots in an array. This technique employs magnetoconductance fluctuations to probe the decrease in the average spacing of the quantum energy levels as the electron wave functions in the dots undergo hybridization. Focusing on Ga0.25In0.75As dots, we investigate hybridization as the coupling strength is varied
BACKGROUND: Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is constitutively active (phosphorylated) in several forms of cancer, including prostate cancer (PCa). Stat3 signaling may be an interesting target for cancer therapy since inhibition of this pathway mediates growth inhibition and apoptosis of these cells. In this study we investigated the in vitro and in vivo effects of the fu
The hypotheses of this investigation were based on conceiving of facial mimicry reactions in face-to-face interactions as an early automatic component in the process of emotional empathy. Differences between individuals high and low in emotional empathy were investigated. The parameters compared were facial mimicry reactions, as represented by electromyographic (EMG) activity, when individuals wer
Structure and health effects of inulin-type fructans have been extensively studied, while less is known about the properties of the graminan-type fructans in wheat. Arabinoxylan (AX) is another important indigestible component in cereal grains, which may have beneficial health effects. In this study, the fructan content in milling fractions of two wheat cultivars was determined and related to ash,
Mice were subjected to gastrectomy (GX) or sham operation (controls). Four to six weeks later the pancreatic islets were isolated and analysed for cAMP or alternatively incubated in a Krebs-Ringer based medium in an effort to study insulin secretion and cAMP accumulation in response to glucose or the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin. Freshly isolated islets from GX mice had higher cAMP conten
We describe the synthesis and antibacterial properties of a novel antimicrobial peptidyl derivative, (2S)-2-(Nalpha-benzyloxycarbonyl-arginyl-leucylamido-1-[(E)-cinnamoylamido]-3-methylbutane, structurally based upon the inhibitory centre of the human cysteine protease inhibitor, cystatin C. The derivative, here called Cystapep 1, displayed antibacterial activity against several clinically importa
