The subpower membership problem for semigroups

Fix a finite semigroup $S$ and let $a_1,\ldots,a_k, b$ be tuples in a direct power $S^n$. The subpower membership problem (SMP) asks whether $b$ can be generated by $a_1,\ldots,a_k$. If $S$ is a finite group, then there is a folklore algorithm that decides this problem in time polynomial in $nk$. For semigroups this problem always lies in PSPACE. We show that the SMP for a full transformation semigroup on 3 letters or more is actually PSPACE-complete, while on 2 letters it is in P. For commutative semigroups, we provide a dichotomy result: if a commutative semigroup $S$ embeds into a direct product of a Clifford semigroup and a nilpotent semigroup, then SMP(S) is in P; otherwise it is NP-complete

Data-based Collaboration on a Grand Scale

Modern spatial planning strongly relies on computer systems such as Computer-Aided Design tools (CAD) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). These, in turn, depend upon Database Management Systems: complex computer systems designed to optimize data storage and retrieval. In this paper we try to sketch a short survey of current DBMS technologies for the non-expert by overviewing their history, targets, strengths, and weaknesses. The goal is to make the spatial planning community more aware of the present and developing technologies such that future projects started can take advantage of the most suitable technology

Open Street Map for Multi-Modal Freight Transport Planning

Route planning for transportation of goods is an essential task. Determining a route for e.g. a truck is simple if the road network including the legal and technical limitations like truck ban or weight restriction are known. Planning of multi-modal routes is a bit more complex. The change of mode of transportation is only possible at specific locations. This change takes time and is often subjet to additional technical or legal restrictions. Thus the different networks, e.g., road and rail, need to be connected. An obvious approach for multi-modal transport planning would be the use of Open Street Map (OSM) data since it does not only contain information about roads but also about trains and rivers. In this paper we first present some existing solutions for multi-modal transport planning and then discuss the use of OSM data in such a process. We identify missing elements in OSM and show opportunities for further development and interventions

Effect of corticosteroids during ongoing drug exposure in pantoprazole-induced interstitial nephritis

Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) represents a significant cause of acute renal failure in hospital practice. An increasing number of drugs are known to cause AIN. Due to the lack of prospective, randomized clinical trials, the most effective management is still uncertain, especially the role of steroids in the resolution of interstitial nephritis remains to be further defined. We report on a case with pantoprazole-induced interstitial nephritis and on the effect of steroids during ongoing drug exposure. In spite of ongoing drug exposure, steroids led to almost complete resolution of the inflammatory infiltrates. Early diagnosis of interstitial nephritis by renal biopsy and identification of the causative drug and its withdrawal remains the mainstay of treatment. However, the additional use of steroids has the potential to eradicate inflammatory infiltrates more rapidly and completely and may thus be important to minimize subsequent chronic damag

Somewhere over the rainbow: How to make effective use of colors in meteorological visualizations

Results of many atmospheric science applications are processed graphically using colors to encode certain parts of the information. Colors should (1) allow humans to process more information, (2) guide the viewer to the most important information, (3) represent the data appropriately without misleading distortion, and (4) be appealing. The second requirement necessitates tailoring the visualization and the use of color to the viewer for whom the graphics is intended. A standard way of deriving color palettes is via transitions trough a certain color space. Most of the common software packages still provide palettes derived in the RGB color model or "simple" transformations thereof as default. Confounding perceptual properties such as hue and brightness make RGB-based palettes more prone to misinterpretation. Additionally, they are often highly saturated, which makes looking at them for a longer period strenuous. Switching to a color model corresponding to the perceptual dimensions of human color vision avoids these problems. We show several practically relevant examples using such a model, the HCL color model, to explain how it works and what its advantages are. Moreover, the paper contains several tips on how to easily integrate this knowledge into software commonly used by the community, which should help readers to switch over to the new concept. The switch will result in a greatly improved quality and readability of visualized atmospheric science data for research, teaching, and communication of results to society

Rapid adaptation of the intrarenal resistance index after living donor kidney transplantation

Background. Limited data exist concerning changes of renal perfusion directly after kidney transplantation. Colour-coded duplex sonography is the accepted method to assess kidney perfusion after transplantation. A widely used, although unspecific, Doppler parameter is the intrarenal resistance index (RI). The aim of this study was to clarify the influence of different patient- and procedure-related factors on RI before and immediately after living kidney transplantation. Methods. In a prospective study, 80 living kidney transplantation donor-recipient pairs were included. RI was measured in the donor 1 to 3 days before nephrectomy and in the recipient during the first hour after transplantation to examine the influence of age, heart rate, duration of cold and warm ischaemia time and immunosuppressive medications. Results. Mean RI did not differ between donors and recipients. RI correlated with age, both in donors (r = 0.58, P < 0.001) and recipients (r = 0.39, P < 0.001). In recipients, 10 or more years younger than their donors (n = 24), an average decrease of 0.05 in RI compared to the donors' value was observed (P = 0.01). Heart rate, cold and warm ischaemia time and immunosuppressive medications had no influence on the recipient RI. In patients with delayed graft function, a significant increase in RI within 14 days was observed. However, the initial RI was not predictive of graft function. Conclusions. The transplanted kidney seems to be able to adjust its RI within a short time despite several potential harmful factors that can occur during the transplantatio

Coordination and binding geometry of methyl-coenzyme M in the red1m state of methyl-coenzyme M reductase

Methane formation in methanogenic Archaea is catalyzed by methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) and takes place via the reduction of methyl-coenzyme M (CH3-S-CoM) with coenzyme B (HS-CoB) to methane and the heterodisulfide CoM-S-S-CoB. MCR harbors the nickel porphyrinoid coenzyme F430 as a prosthetic group, which has to be in the Ni(I) oxidation state for the enzyme to be active. To date no intermediates in the catalytic cycle of MCRred1 (red for reduced Ni) have been identified. Here, we report a detailed characterization of MCRred1m ("m” for methyl-coenzyme M), which is the complex of MCRred1a ("a” for absence of substrate) with CH3-S-CoM. Using continuous-wave and pulse electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy in combination with selective isotope labeling (13C and 2H) of CH3-S-CoM, it is shown that CH3-S-CoM binds in the active site of MCR such that its thioether sulfur is weakly coordinated to the Ni(I) of F430. The complex is stable until the addition of the second substrate, HS-CoB. Results from EPR spectroscopy, along with quantum mechanical calculations, are used to characterize the electronic and geometric structure of this complex, which can be regarded as the first intermediate in the catalytic mechanis

Silent recovery of native kidney function after transplantation in a patient with membranous nephropathy

Recurrence of membranous nephropathy (MN) is frequently seen after transplantation. However, there are no published data about the course of MN in the native kidneys after transplantation. Disease progression in almost all cases is assumed to be the ‘natural' course after transplantation. We report on a patient suffering from end-stage renal disease due to MN. Eight years after transplantation, nephrectomy was performed due to chronic rejection and unexpectedly, partial recovery of native kidney function was noted. As far as we know, there is no other similar case reported in the literature. The potential impact of the immunosuppression, especially of calcineurin inhibitors, is discusse

Моделирование особенностей движения геохода с ножевым исполнительным органом

Objective. To evaluate depressive symptoms regarding their association with the acute outcome in first-episode schizophrenia comparing risperidone and haloperidol. Method. A total of 274 patients were analysed within a double-blind randomized controlled trial and treated with risperidone or haloperidol. The patients were grouped according to their baseline HAMD-21 total score in a "depressed" (HAMD-21 >= 16) or "non-depressed" (HAMD-21 < 16) patient subgroup. PANSS, HAMD-21, GAF, SOFAS and AIMS ratings were performed. Early response was defined as an initial 20% reduction of the PANSS total score from admission to week 2, response as an at least 50% reduction of the PANSS total score from admission to discharge and remission according to the consensus criteria. Results. A total of 124 patients were classified as depressive at baseline with 22 patients still being depressive at discharge. The depressed and non-depressed patients did not significantly differ regarding the treatment with risperidone and haloperidol (P = 0.2270). The depressive patients suffered from significantly more suicidal tendencies (P = 0.0165), had significantly less insight into their illness (P = 0.0152) and featured significantly worse functioning (P = 0.0066). Patients with depressive symptoms achieved remission significantly less often than non-depressed patients. Conclusion. The importance of a specific and adequate treatment of depressive symptoms is highlighted