A tight analysis of Kierstead-Trotter algorithm for online unit interval coloring

Kierstead and Trotter (Congressus Numerantium 33, 1981) proved that their algorithm is an optimal online algorithm for the online interval coloring problem. In this paper, for online unit interval coloring, we show that the number of colors used by the Kierstead-Trotter algorithm is at most $3 \omega(G) - 3$, where $\omega(G)$ is the size of the maximum clique in a given graph $G$, and it is the best possible.Comment: 4 page

Measurement of Transfort Properties for the Dried Layer of Several Food Materials Undergoing Freeze-Drying

The transport properties of several food materials have been presented as fundamental information to determine the drying rate of freeze-drying process. As an example, the measuring method of thermal conductyvity and permeability has been demonstrated for the sample of slices and mashed aplles undergoing freeze drying. Both samples were freeze - dried at constan surface temperatur ranging from -10 to 70 under the usual pressure range of commercial operation. A mathematical model, based on quasi-steady state analys, was formulated and then apllied to the drying data to determine these transport properties for the dried layer of the sample undergoing freeze drying. Values of thermal conductivity were found to be almost the same between sliced and mashed samples. However , the permeability data of mashed aplles were more than 4 timer greather than that sliced aplles

Measurement of Transfort Properties for The Dried Layer of Several Food Materials Undergoing Freeze-Drying

The transport properties of several food materials have been presented as fundamental information to determine the drying rate of freeze-drying process. As an example, the measuring method of thermal conductyvity and permeability has been demonstrated for the sample of slices and mashed aplles undergoing freeze drying. Both samples were freeze - dried at constan surface temperatur ranging from -10 to 70 under the usual pressure range of commercial operation. A mathematical model, based on quasi-steady state analys, was formulated and then apllied to the drying data to determine these transport properties for the dried layer of the sample undergoing freeze drying. Values of thermal conductivity were found to be almost the same between sliced and  mashed samples. However , the permeability data of mashed aplles were more than 4 timer greather than that sliced aplles

Memory-related gene expression profile of the male rat hippocampus induced by teeth extraction and occlusal support recovery

Objectives: The present study aimed to identify the effect of memory-related genes on male rats tested for spatial memory with either molar teeth extraction or its restoration by occlusal support using experimental dentures. Design: Memory-related genes were detected from hippocampi of male Wistar rats (exposed to teeth extraction with or without dentures, or no extraction (control)) (7-week old) after behavioural testing (via the radial maze task) using a DNA microarray. The time course of the expression of these genes was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (on 49-week-old rats). Results: In preliminary experiments, to determine which memory genes are affected by spatial memory training, DNA microarray analysis revealed that thyrotropin-releasing hormone (Trh) and tenascin XA (Tnxa) were up-regulated and neuronatin (Nnat) and S100a9 were down-regulated after the maze training. The expression of Tnxa, Nnat and S100a9 of 49-week-old rats (during the time course) via quantitative real-time PCR was consistent with the results of microarrays of the preliminary experiment. Expression of Trh that was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR did not agree with the results for this gene from the microarray for all groups. Therefore, expression of Trh may have increased in only young, trained rats. The expression of S100a9 prior to the maze task was down-regulated in only the extraction group. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that Trh, Tnxa and Nnat genes were affected according to the degree of memory in male rats. This study also indicated that S100a9 is a memory-related gene, which is affected by the presence of occlusal support

Analisis Rasio Energi Daur Ulang Panas pada Produksi Biodiesel Secara Non-Katalitik

Energy consumption in non-catalytic biodiesel production is still high, and needs to be reduced to the optimum level. It can be accomplished by recirculating the heat being used in the process by using heat exchanger. The objective of this study is to analyze the energy ratio of the system as influenced by the heat recirculation through a heat exchanger. This experiment used a superheated methanol vapor method for non-catalytic biodiesel production. The study was started with the determination and calculation of physical and thermal properties of materials to be used (palm olein, methanol, and methyl ester), continued with the designing of the heat exchanger, the experiment itself, and the energy ratio analysis. The process was occured in semi-batch mode with 3 levels of methanol flow rate, i.e., 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 mL/minute, at reaction temperature of 290 °C. The results show that heat recirculation by using heat exchanger can increase the energy ratio from 0.84 to 1.03, according to the definition that energy ratio is the ratio between energy content of the biodiesel to the total energi of the feedstock and the process energy. If the energy ratio is defined as the ratio between the increase in energy content of the biodiesel from its feedstock to the process energy, the energy ratio was found to be 7.85, 2.98, and 2.87 for the respective methanol flow rate of 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 mL/min

Spontaneous Celiac and Splenic Artery Dissection

Dissection o f t he splanchnic artery u nrelated to an aortic lesion is extremely rare. We describe a patient with dissection of the celiac and splenic arteries causing splenic circulatory impairment. A 55-year-old Japanese man was referred to our hospital for left back pain that suddenly occurred 3 days previously and spread to the left flank. He had complicated sleep apnea syndrome well controlled with continuous positive airway pressure, and had been prophylactically taking aspirin (100 mg/day) because of asymptomatic cerebral lacunar infarcts. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in the arterial phase revealed dissection from the celiac root extending to the entire splenic artery, the caliber of which was irregularly narrowed, causing malperfusion in the spleen. Because of hemodynamic stability and lack of impending sequelae, the patient was carefully observed with rest, strict blood pressure control, and aspirin administration. One month later, CT revealed restoration of the caliber of the dissected arteries and regression of the organizing false lumen, which confirmed the patient’s recovery. Despite the extreme rarity or nonspecific symptoms, splanchnic artery dissection should be considered a potentially life-threatening emergency. This case supports the possible benefit of starting antithrombotic treatment early to prevent thrombotic sequelae such as organ infarction and aneurysmal formation

Association between enterocyte injury and fluid balance in patients with septic shock: a post hoc exploratory analysis of a prospective observational study

Background: The required fluid volume differs among patients with septic shock. Enterocyte injury caused by shock may increase the need for fluid by triggering a systematic inflammatory response or an ischemia-reperfusion injury in the presence of intestinal ischemia/necrosis. This study aimed to evaluate the association between enterocyte injury and positive fluid balance in patients with septic shock.Methods: This study was a post hoc exploratory analysis of a prospective observational study that assessed the association between serum intestinal fatty acid-binding protein, a biomarker of enterocyte injury, and mortality in patients with septic shock. Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein levels were recorded on intensive care unit admission, and fluid balance was monitored from intensive care unit admission to Day 7. The association between intestinal fatty acid-binding protein levels at admission and the infusion balance during the early period after intensive care unit admission was evaluated. Multiple linear regression analysis, with adjustments for severity score and renal function, was performed.Results: Overall, data of 57 patients were analyzed. Logarithmically transformed intestinal fatty acid-binding protein levels were significantly associated with cumulative fluid balance per body weight at 24 and 72 h post-intensive care unit admission both before (Pearson’s r = 0.490 [95% confidence interval: 0.263–0.666]; P < 0.001 and r = 0.479 [95% confidence interval: 0.240–0.664]; P < 0.001, respectively) and after (estimate, 14.4 [95% confidence interval: 4.1–24.7]; P = 0.007 and estimate, 26.9 [95% confidence interval: 11.0–42.7]; P = 0.001, respectively) adjusting for severity score and renal function.Conclusions: Enterocyte injury was significantly associated with cumulative fluid balance at 24 and 72 h post-intensive care unit admission. Enterocyte injury in patients with septic shock may be related to excessive fluid accumulation during the early period after intensive care unit admissio