Prognostic Model for Industrial Robot Penetration in Centrally Planned Economics

The CIM Project has developed cost-benefit models, based on the production function approach to make an assessment of economic impacts of robotics and to forecast the future penetration of robotics. The current paper is an extension of this basic approach to planned economies, by using CSSR statistics. It is especially interesting, as it provides a greater insight of penetration and future forecasts of robotics in planned economies

Coherent control of magnetization precession in ferromagnetic semiconductor (Ga,Mn)As

We report single-color, time resolved magneto-optical measurements in ferromagnetic semiconductor (Ga,Mn)As. We demonstrate coherent optical control of the magnetization precession by applying two successive ultrashort laser pulses. The magnetic field and temperature dependent experiments reveal the collective Mn-moment nature of the oscillatory part of the time-dependent Kerr rotation, as well as contributions to the magneto-optical signal that are not connected with the magnetization dynamics.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, accepted in Applied Physics Letter

Laser-induced Precession of Magnetization in GaMnAs

We report on the photo-induced precession of the ferromagnetically coupled Mn spins in (Ga,Mn)As, which is observed even with no external magnetic field applied. We concentrate on various experimental aspects of the time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect (TR-MOKE) technique that can be used to clarify the origin of the detected signals. We show that the measured data typically consist of several different contributions, among which only the oscillatory signal is directly connected with the ferromagnetic order in the sample.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Second generation advanced reburning for high efficiency NO(x) control. Progress report, 1196

This project is designed to develop a family of novel NO{sub x} control technologies, called Second Generation Advanced Reburning (SGAR), which has the potential to achieve 90+% NO{sub x} control in coal fired boilers at a significantly lower cost than Selective Catalytic Reduction. Phase I consists of six tasks: Task 1.1 Project Coordination and Reporting/Deliverables; Task 1.2 Kinetics of Na{sub 2}CO{sub 3} Reactions with Flue Gas Components; Task 1.3 O.l x lO{sup 6}Btu/hr Optimization Studies; Task 1.4 1.0 x 10{sup 6} Btu/hr Process Development Tests; Task 1.5 Mechanism Development and Modeling; and Task 1. 6 Design Methodology and Application. The fourth reporting period (July 1 - September 30, 1996) included both experimental and modeling activities. The bench scale CTT experiments (Task 1.3) were completed. The 1 MMBtu/hr Boiler Simulator Facility (BSF) was prepared for the test program and experiments were conducted using natural gas (NG) as main and reburing fuels (Task 1.4). A few preliminary tests were also performed with coal firing. The results have been reduced and are reported. Initial experimental data were obtained on reactions of sodium promoters (Task 1.2) at the University of Texas in Austin (UT). The kinetic model was extended to include reactions of sulfur and sodium (Task 1.5)

Local Government Fiscal Burden in Nonmetropolitan America

Rising fiscal pressure on local governments in rural areas of the United States is documented in this study. The level of fiscal burden on taxpayers to support local governments in nonmetropolitan areas is found to be higher than that in metropolitan areas between 1977 and 1987. Using a model from the urban fiscal literature, the level of fiscal burden in nonmetropolitan areas is found to be influenced by a combination of demographic, socioeconomic, intergovernmental, and historical factors. Intergovernmental revenue transfers from the state and federal government play a critical role in determining the level of fiscal burden rural taxpayers bear. These findings have implications for rural economic development and for understanding how rural areas are influenced by the larger society

Magnetic Field Effects in the Pseudogap Phase: A Competing Energy Gap Scenario for Precursor Superconductivity

We study the sensitivity of T_c and T^* to low fields, H, within the pseudogap state using a BCS-based approach extended to arbitrary coupling. We find that T^* and T_c, which are of the same superconducting origin, have very different H dependences. This is due to the pseudogap, \Delta_{pg}, which is present at the latter, but not former temperature. Our results for the coherence length \xi fit well with existing experiments.We predict that very near the insulator \xi will rapidly increase.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, RevTe

Pseudogap effects induced by resonant pair scattering

We demonstrate how resonant pair scattering of correlated electrons above T_c can give rise to pseudogap behavior. This resonance in the scattering T-matrix appears for superconducting interactions of intermediate strength, within the framework of a simple fermionic model. It is associated with a splitting of the single peak in the spectral function into a pair of peaks separated by an energy gap. Our physical picture is contrasted with that derived from other T-matrix schemes, with superconducting fluctuation effects, and with preformed pair (boson-fermion) models. Implications for photoemission and tunneling experiments in the cuprates are discussed.Comment: REVTeX3.0; 4 pages, 4 EPS figures (included

Biochemical markers and assessment of cardiotoxicity during preparative regimen and hematopoietic cell transplantation in acute leukemia

Introduction: Cardiotoxicity is a relatively frequent and potentially serious complication of antitumor treatment. Anthracyclines and other high-dose chemotherapy represent the greatest risk. The aim of the study was to assess cardiotoxicity during preparative regimen (PR) and hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in acute leukemia (AL) with biochemical markers — “N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide” (NT-proBNP), cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB mass). Methods: Nineteen adult AL patients previously treated with anthracyclines — idarubicine, daunorubicine, mitoxantrone with standard doses for a cycle as 3 х 12 mg/m2, 3 х 50 mg/m2, 3 х 10 mg/m2 accordingly were studied. PR consisted of high-dose cyclophosphamide (HD-C) in combination with busulphan or total body irradiation (TBI). Plasma NT-proBNP, cTnT and CK-MB mass concentrations were measured the day before PR, the day after PR, the day after HCT and 14 days after HCT. Results: Before PR, mean plasma NT-proBNP value was 106.3 ± 55.7 ng/l. After PR, it increased to 426.1 ± 391.5 ng/l. After HCT, a further increase to 847.6 ± 780.6 ng/l was observed. Fourteen days after HCT, the mean NT-proBNP was 330.8±236.8 ng/l. The differences were statistically significant in comparison with the baseline values (p < 0.01). The NT-proBNP elevations were more pronounced in patients with cumulative doses (CD) of anthracyclines above 450 mg/m2 (p < 0.05), in patients with PR containing HD-C and TBI (p < 0.05). In all patients, plasma cTnT and CK-MB mass concentrations remained unchangable during PR and HCT. Conclusion: Our results suggest that administration of PR and HCT is in most AL patients associated with acute neurohumoral activation (significant rise in NT-proBNP). Persistent NT-proBNP elevations, in our study in 12 (63.2 %) patients, indicate subclinical cardiotoxicity (risk for development of heart failure) and require further follow-up. More pronounced NT-proBNP elevations in patients with higher CD of anthracyclines and in patients with PR containing combination of HD-C and TBI confirm that these therapeutic procedures seem to be more cardiotoxic and not very appropriate for patients with cumulation of risk factors for cardiotoxicity. Negative plasma cTnT and CK-MB mass concentrations show no detectable damage of cardiomyocyte structure during PR and HCT.Введение: кардиотоксические осложнения — это относительно частые и потенциально опасные последствия противоопухолевой терапии. Наибольшую кардиотоксичность отмечают при применении высоких доз химиопрепаратов, в частности антибиотиков антрациклинового ряда. Целью данного исследования была оценка кардиотоксичности при лекарственной подготовке пациентов с острым лейкозом (ОЛ) и проведении им трансплантации гематопоэтических стволовых клеток (ГСК), а также определение следующих биохимических маркеров – N-терминального промозгового натрийуретического пептида (NT-proBNP), сердечного тропонина T (cTnT) и креатинкиназы MB (CK-MB). Методы: обследованы 19 взрослых пациентов с ОЛ, прошедших предварительное лечение (ПЛ) с применением антрациклиновых антибиотиков (АА) – идарубицина, даунорубицина, митотриксантрона в дозах 3 х 12 мг/м2 , 3 х 50 мг/м2 , 3 х 10 мг/м2 соответственно. Кроме применения АА, ПЛ включало высокие дозы циклофосфамида (ВД-Ц) в сочетании с бусульфаном или радиолучевой терапией (РЛТ). Концентрацию NT-proBNP, cTnT и CK-MB определяли в плазме крови за день до и через день после проведения ПЛ, а также за день до и через 14 дней после трансплантации ГСК. Результаты: уровень NT-proBNP перед проведением ПЛ составил 106,3 ± 55,7 нг/л, а после повышался до 426,1 ± 391,5 нг/л. После трансплантации ГСК отмечали дальнейшее возрастание исследуемого показателя до 847,6 ± 780,6 нг/л. Через 14 дней после трансплантации ГСК концентрация NT-proBNP достигла 330,8 ± 236,8 нг/л, при этом разница была статистически достоверна по сравнению с исходными значениями (p < 0,01). Повышение уровня NT-proBNP в плазме крови более выражено у пациентов, получавших АА в суммарной дозе (СД) выше 450 мг/м2 (p < 0,05), а также у больных, получавших ВД-Ц и РЛТ (p < 0,05). Концентрация cTnT и CK-MB при проведении ПЛ и трансплантации ГСК не изменялась по отношению к исходному уровню. Выводы: показано, что применение ПЛ и трансплантация ГСК у большинства пациентов с ОЛ сопровождается острой нейрогуморальной активацией, что проявлялось в существенном повышении уровня NT-proBNP. Постоянно высокий уровень NTproBNP, отмеченный у 12 (63,2%) пациентов, свидетельствует о бессимптомной кардиотоксичности (риске развития сердечной недостаточности) и требует последующего врачебного наблюдения больных. Более выраженное повышение уровня NT-proBNP у пациентов с более высокой СД АА и у больных, получавших ВД-Ц и РЛТ, свидетельствует о том, что такое лечение является более кардиотоксичным и не рекомендовано для применения в случае наличия факторов риска проявления кардиотоксичности

Extended bound states and resonances of two fermions on a periodic lattice

The high-$T_c$ cuprates are possible candidates for d-wave superconductivity, with the Cooper pair wave function belonging to a non-trivial irreducible representation of the lattice point group. We argue that this d-wave symmetry is related to a special form of the fermionic kinetic energy and does not require any novel pairing mechanism. In this context, we present a detailed study of the bound states and resonances formed by two lattice fermions interacting via a non-retarded potential that is attractive for nearest neighbors but repulsive for other relative positions. In the case of strong binding, a pair formed by fermions on adjacent lattice sites can have a small effective mass, thereby implying a high condensation temperature. For a weakly bound state, a pair with non-trivial symmetry tends to be smaller in size than an s-wave pair. These and other findings are discussed in connection with the properties of high-$T_c$ cuprate superconductors.Comment: 21 pages, RevTeX, 4 Postscript figures, arithmetic errors corrected. An abbreviated version (no appendix) appeared in PRB on March 1, 199