Tight Conditional Lower Bounds for Longest Common Increasing Subsequence

We consider the canonical generalization of the well-studied Longest Increasing Subsequence problem to multiple sequences, called k-LCIS: Given k integer sequences X_1,...,X_k of length at most n, the task is to determine the length of the longest common subsequence of X_1,...,X_k that is also strictly increasing. Especially for the case of k=2 (called LCIS for short), several algorithms have been proposed that require quadratic time in the worst case. Assuming the Strong Exponential Time Hypothesis (SETH), we prove a tight lower bound, specifically, that no algorithm solves LCIS in (strongly) subquadratic time. Interestingly, the proof makes no use of normalization tricks common to hardness proofs for similar problems such as LCS. We further strengthen this lower bound to rule out O((nL)^{1-epsilon}) time algorithms for LCIS, where L denotes the solution size, and to rule out O(n^{k-epsilon}) time algorithms for k-LCIS. We obtain the same conditional lower bounds for the related Longest Common Weakly Increasing Subsequence problem

The parameters of unconventional double-current circuit, their accuracy measures and measurement of strain and temperature

The two-voltage-output circuit called a double-current bridge is presented. A single DC current source is switched over and connected in turns to opposite arms of the four-element bridge circuit. The output voltages are dependent on the arm resistance increments and their values are given in absolute and relative units. The simplified signal conditioning formulas of strain and temperature simultaneous measurement of a cantilever beam are featured. The results achieved with the use of the circuit are also published. The accuracy measures (actual errors, limited errors and standard uncertainties) of the bridge transfer functions are described

Coplanar Waveguide-Fed Broadband Microwave Devices with (or without) a Thin Dielectric Substrate for Use in Flexible Electronic Systems

Two examples of microwave devices, fed by a coplanar waveguide and realized on a thin substrate (or without such a substrate), are employed to investigate the influence of devices’ curvatures and the proximity of different materials on their parameters. To perform the tests, a broadband antenna and a low-pass filter are chosen. A feeding coplanar waveguide is realized on a dielectric material brick attached to an SMA connector and the main device structure is placed in the air or on a thin substrate. The utilization of a thin substrate or its removal from the structure gives rise to the possibility of placing the devices on curved surfaces. The investigated devices are redesigned and manufactured. The antenna has a total size of 46 mm × 44 mm and covers a frequency range of 2.4–35 GHz which gives a 174% fractional bandwidth. The filter has a total size of 50 mm × 80 mm and its bandwidth has a cutoff frequency of 3.4 GHz. The obtained results are verified by measurements and good agreement is achieved

Topography and morphometry of intestinal mast cells in children with Hirschsprung's disease.

Mast cells (MC) are source of many biological active compounds like cytokines, arachidonic acid derivates, proteoglicanes, prostaglandins, proteases, free oxygen radials, NGF, PAF and many more. The role of MC in pathogenesis of Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is not clear. Substances produced by MC may exert an important effect on embryology, growth, differentiation and regeneration of intestinal nervous system. Additionally, MC products modulate inflammation processes thus influencing on the clinical course of HD. Present study was established to evaluate the morphologic MC examination as a support of making diagnosis in HD. The MC topography and morphometry were evaluated in specimens collected from aganglionic colon of patients with diagnosed HD. The results were compared with corresponding data from normally innervated colon of patients suffering from constipation, and normal colon of children not presenting defecation problems. MC were visualized using indirect immunohistochemical method LSAB with mouse antibody against human tryptase. The MC visualized in submucosa and muscular layer in Hirschsprung's disease were significantly larger in comparison with control group (

Is littoral cell angioma of the spleen as rare as previously believed in the pediatric population?

Littoral cell angioma (LCA) is a rare primary splenic vascular tumor, originating from the littoral cellslining the red pulp sinuses of the spleen. There are only a handful of case reports of LCA in children to be foundin the literature. We performed a retrospective analysis of the medical charts of pediatric patients with spleniclesions who were treated between 2005 and 2010 in the Pediatric Surgery Department of the Medical Universityof Bialystok. Surprisingly, LCA accounted for 37.5% of the splenic lesions found in our series. The majority ofLCA tumors are benign, but given their malignant potential, splenectomy and long-term follow-up should bethe gold standard for their management. We strongly support the use of further cross-sectional studies to properlyelucidate the prevalence of littoral cell angioma of the spleen in the pediatric population.Littoral cell angioma (LCA) is a rare primary splenic vascular tumor, originating from the littoral cellslining the red pulp sinuses of the spleen. There are only a handful of case reports of LCA in children to be foundin the literature. We performed a retrospective analysis of the medical charts of pediatric patients with spleniclesions who were treated between 2005 and 2010 in the Pediatric Surgery Department of the Medical Universityof Bialystok. Surprisingly, LCA accounted for 37.5% of the splenic lesions found in our series. The majority ofLCA tumors are benign, but given their malignant potential, splenectomy and long-term follow-up should bethe gold standard for their management. We strongly support the use of further cross-sectional studies to properlyelucidate the prevalence of littoral cell angioma of the spleen in the pediatric population

Transcatheter closure of iatrogenic perimembranous ventricular septal defect after aortic valve and ascending aorta replacement using an Amplatzer membranous ventricular septal occluder

Iatrogenic perimembranous ventricular septal defect is a rare complication after surgical replacement of the aortic valve, and so transcatheter closure of such a defect is not a routine procedure. We report the successful closure of an iatrogenic perimembranous ventricular septal defect which occurred after the replacement of the aortic valve and ascending aorta. (Cardiol J 2008; 15: 189-191

Seabird colony effects on soil properties and vegetation zonation patterns on King George Island, Maritime Antarctic

Seabirds are among the most important vectors transferring biogenic compounds from the sea onto land in the polar regions and, consequently, influencing the properties of soil and vegetation. We studied the influence of bird colonies (Adélie penguin Pygoscelis adeliae, gentoo penguin P. papua and giant petrels Macronectes giganteus) on soil properties and plant communities on King George Island, Maritime Antarctic. We designated seven transects, each starting from the colony edge and running to a natural boundary feature, which were divided into contiguous sample plots where we identified specific plant taxa (Prasiola crispa, Deschampsia antarctica, Colobanthus quitensis, Usnea sp.), as well as hydrophilous and xerophilous ecological groups of mosses. Based on percentage contributions of each of these taxa, we distinguished six distinct vegetation zones along the transects, in which we measured physical (moisture, conductivity and pH) and chemical (NO3 −, NO2 −, NH4 +, K+ and PO4 3− content) soil parameters. Our study confirmed that, with increasing distance from bird colonies, the concentration of nutrients and soil conductivity decreased, while pH increased. The vegetation zones were clearly related to this gradient of seabird colony influence and occurred in the same sequence for all three bird species examined, although the largest colony of Adélie penguins had the strongest effect on vegetation. Similarly, the physical and chemical soil properties did not differ significantly between the colonie

Mast cells evaluation in meningioma of various grades

Introduction: Meningioma is a heterogenous group of primary brain tumors. The progression or recurrence is relatively very common; however there is lack of prognostic factors which may indicate those events. The aim of the study was to evaluate the presence of mast cells within the low grade and high grade meningiomas. Material and Methods: The immunohistochemical reaction was done. The tryptase expression was estimated in slides of meningiomas of various grades in 10 random fields under the light microscope. Results: The expression of tryptase was observed in 31,8% low grade meningiomas and in 85,9% high grade meningiomas. The immunostaining was observed next to the blood vessels. Conclusion: The presence of mast cells might be a significant prognostic factor for the recurrence or the worse prognosis of meningiomas