The specification logic νZ

This paper introduces a wide-spectrum specification logic νZ. The minimal core logic is extended to a more expressive specification logic which includes a schema calculus similar (but not equivalent) to Z, new additional schema operators, and extensions to programming and program development logics.     

Evidence for interaction between transmembrane segments in assembly of Kv1.3

Previously, we showed that the N-terminal recognition domain (T1) of Kv1.3 was not required for assembly of functional channels [Tu et al. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 18904-18911]. Moreover, specific Kv1.3 peptide fragments including regions of the central core are able to inhibit expression of current produced from a channel lacking the T1 domain, Kv1.3(T1-). To elucidate the mechanism whereby Kv1.3 peptide fragments suppress Kv1.3(T1-) current, we have studied the ability of peptide fragments containing the transmembrane segments S1, S1-S2, or S1-S2-S3 to physically associate with the Kv1.3(T1-) polypeptide subunit in vitro in microsomal membranes. Using c-myc (9E10) epitope-labeled peptide fragments and anti-myc antibody as well as antisera to the Kv1.3 C-terminus, we now demonstrate specific association of these peptide fragments with Kv1.3(T1-). Association of peptide fragments with Kv1.3(T1-) was correlated with integration of both proteins into the membrane. Furthermore, the relative strength and kinetics of this association directly correlated with the ability of fragments to suppress Kv1.3(T1-) current. The rate-limiting step in the sequential synthesis, integration, and formation of a complex was the association of integrated polypeptides within the plane of the lipid bilayer. These results strongly suggest that the physical association of transmembrane segments provides the basis for suppression of K+ channel function by K+ channel peptide fragments in vivo. Moreover, the S1-S2-S3 peptide fragment potently suppressed full-length Kv1.3, thus implicating a role for the S1-S2-S3 region of Kv1.3 in the assembly of the Kv1.3 channel. We refer to these putative association sites as IMA (intramembrane association) sites.     

Detection of melanoma by monitoring the intracellular fluorescein fluorescence polarization changes in lymphocytes

The effectiveness of detecting melanoma by measuring the intracellular fluorescein fluorescent polarization (IFFP) of patients' SCM (structuredness of the cytoplasmic matrix)-responding lymphocytes was examined. SCM-responding lymphocytes from 46 melanoma patients and 32 healthy volunteers were labeled with fluorescein diacetate and challenged with different stimuli, and the resulting polarization was determined. The polarizations (P) obtained upon stimulation with nothing (P-0), encephalitogenic factor (P-EF), phytohaemagglutinin (P-PHA), or melanoma antigen (P-MEL), and the ratios RR(ef) (P-EF/P-PHA) and RR(mel) (P-MEL/P-PHA) were lower for SCM-responding lymphocytes from the patients as a group than for those of the controls. The specificity and sensitivity of the IFFP tests (using cutoff values) to detect melanoma were 90.6 and 73.9%, respectively. The IFFP tests may facilitate the discrimination between melanoma patients and healthy subjects, and may be used in follow-up of patients with melanoma.     

Apolipoprotein(a) concentrations in type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetic patients from Romania

Several studies suggested that lipoprotein (a)-Lp(a) is an independent atherogenic risk factor. Since non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is characterized by an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) as related to the general population, the main purpose of our study was to compare the plasma levels of apolipoprotein (a)-(apo) (a) in 30 NIDDM patients hospitalized in our department, and in 20 non-diabetic controls from Timi?oara. Apo (a) values were similar in the two groups (medians, 95% confidence intervals 57 (50-107) in NIDDM versus 58 (51-106) U/l in controls; p = 0.9097). We found weak correlations between apo (a) and hemoglobin A1 (HbA1) (r = 0.42). A significant association was noticed between apo (a) and apo B, both in NIDDM (r = 0.71) and in control subjects (r = 0.81) p < < 0.001. The diabetic patients were screened for microalbuminaria with the MICRAL-test and we compared apo (a) levels in those having albumin excretion values above and under the cut-off point (20 mg/l). Apo (a) concentrations were similar in both samples. We found no association between apo (a) and plasma lipid values. NIDDM patients on fair glycemic control have similar apo (a) concentrations to non-diabetic subjects and they do not seem to be influenced by diabetes duration, HbA1, microalbuminuria and plasma lipid values Apo (a) and apo B are significantly correlated, both in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects.     

Comparison of stochastic approaches to the transportation problem:a case study

The objective of this case study is to provide insight to practitioners about the methodology of using the space-time autoregressive integrated moving average (STARIMA) class of models to formulate stochastic demand of the transportation problem. While providing insight, two other methods-expected value (EV) and stochastic approximation (SA)-are also employed to formulate demand. A comparative evaluation of the methods using brewery data for the distribution of four products from five production plants to 64 distribution centers is presented. It is shown that the demand characterized by the STARIMA approach results in a lower total cost of transportation. This occurs because the STARIMA approach results in better forecasts. Based upon the case study, the cost analysis indicated that the STARIMA method when used without (with) updating resulted in a 9.49% (10.5%) increase in the Company's net profit as compared with the SA method. Similarly, the STARIMA approach when used without (with) updating resulted in an 11.36% (12.37%) increase in the net profit as compared with the EV method. For the STARIMA approach, computations for a large size problem are shown to be identical to those of the deterministic transportation problem given the demand forecasts. Extra computation effort for producing STARIMA forecasts are easily justified in terms of the increased profit margin     

Applying storm water management in Greek cities: learning from the European experience

This paper is based on the studies forming part of the European research project DayWater, which aims at the promotion of stormwater source control (participating countries: UK, France, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands and Greece). Source control techniques include all techniques (e.g. retention, infiltration, reuse) of stormwater treatment near its source, in contrast to end-of-pipe. In this paper we present: the different stormwater management issues across Europe; the specific stormwater management issues in Greece; source control techniques applied in European cities; Public policies for promoting source control techniques; Strategies of application of the aforementioned techniques and policies in Greek cities. In Greece, the question of stormwater treatment has not yet attracted a lot of attention. Wastewater management, flood prevention and fresh water scarcity issues are given priority instead. However source control stormwater management can contribute to the solution of all these problems. In many European cities source control techniques have been chosen for stormwater treatment because: a) they are less expensive than massive end-of-pipe treatment installations, b) they are more compatible with the natural water cycle, c) they reduce the overall stormwater flow and thus permit the expansion of cities without requesting reconstruction of the existing sewer networks. Different policy instruments (taxes, specific regulations and controls, information campaigns) have been applied in order to promote source control techniques. The main objective of this work is to discuss the possibility of applying similar techniques and policies in Greek cities.     

Workshop "Radio-oncology and the Law"

From 25 to 27 Sept 1997, a workshop was organized at the Essen Medical School (Universit?tsklinikum Essen), at which radiooncologists and jurists from universities and courts as well as lawyers contributed their views on mutual problems. The following topics were discussed by papers and in round table meetings: "Requirements on the patient's information", "definition of therapeutic guidelines-limits of clinical research and standard treatments", "treatment documentation", "liability of the physician for treatment faults" and "technical standard and preserve of quality". The consensual guidelines to the topics "patient's information", "therapeutic guidelines" and "liability" are presented here.