On a direct algorithm for the generation of log-normal pseudo-random numbers

The random variable \(\left( {\prod {_{i = 1}^n {{X_i } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{X_i } {X_{i + n} }}} \right. \kern-0em} {X_{i + n} }}} } \right)^{{1 \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {1 {\sqrt {2n} }}} \right. \kern-0em} {\sqrt {2n} }}}\) is used to generate standard log-normal variables Λ(0, 1), where theX _i are independent uniform variables on [0, 1].     

Polynomoperatoren in C k [a,b]

Some estimations for the relative projection constantP(∏ _n+k ^k ,Csik[a,b]) are given. By constructing an associated polynomial operatorL _n :C ⁰[a,b]→∏ _n ⁰ to a given polynomial operatorH _n+k :C ^k [a,b]→∏ _n+k ^k we get a lower bound for the projection constant. An upper bound forP(∏ _n+k ^k ,C ^k [a,b]) is obtained by the determination of the norms of appropriate polynomial operatorsP _n+k :C ^k [a,b]→∏ _n+k ^k . Further we give a convergence property for the sequence (P _n+k ) _n∈?.     

恒速成长公司股票投资价值的经济弹性分析

对恒速成长公司股票的投资价值进行了弹性分析。结果表明,恒速成长公司投资价值的利率与业绩弹性既敏感地依赖于公司的成长速度和利率水平等内外部因素,也是刻画股票某种投机价值的恰当指标。     

Einleitung und Abbruch der künstlichen Ernährung beim einwilligungsunfähigen Patienten

Definition of the problem: In Austria the legal discussion on initiating and withdrawing artificial nutrition in incompetent patients has just begun. Arguments and conclusion: Legal regulations are lacking, but there appears to be agreement on accepting advance directives under specific criteria. This would mean that a presumed will and documented refusal of treatment and nutrition has to be respected by physicians. However, there is no consensus with regard to the “supposed will” of an incompetent patient to refuse treatment and nutrition. At present, surrogate decision making with regard to refusing life-sustaining treatment or nutrition is only accepted according to a declared and documented directive of the patient himself. When the patient’s will has to be “surmised” the protection of life has priority. In Austria this concept is based on the national constitution and its duty to protect life.     

会计职业道德对提高会计信息质量的影响

会计信息质量与环境、会计系统等诸多因素有关,同时会计职业道德也是一个非常重要的因素。它作为一种引导和制约会计行为的社会规范,与会计信息的质量息息相关。我国会计信息质量的现状不容乐观,重整我国会计职业道德,将对我国会计信息质量的提高起到积极的推动作用。文中分析了会计职业道德的特征和现状,提出了重整会计职业道德的几点思考.     

Platelet-Derived miR-126-3p Directly Targets AKT2 and Exerts Anti-Tumor Effects in Breast Cancer Cells: Further Insights in Platelet-Cancer Interplay

Among the surrounding cells influencing tumor biology, platelets are recognized as novel players as they release microvesicles (MVs) that, once delivered to cancer cells, modulate signaling pathways related to cell growth and dissemination. We have previously shown that physiological delivery of platelet MVs enriched in miR-126 exerted anti-tumor effects in different breast cancer (BC) cell lines. Here, we seek further insight by identifying AKT2 kinase as a novel miR-126-3p direct target, as assessed by bioinformatic analysis and validated by luciferase assay. Both ectopic expression and platelet MV-mediated delivery of miR-126-3p downregulated AKT2 expression, thus suppressing proliferating and invading properties, in either triple negative (BT549 cells) or less aggressive Luminal A (MCF-7 cells) BC subtypes. Accordingly, as shown by bioinformatic analysis, both high miR-126 and low AKT2 levels were associated with favorable long-term prognosis in BC patients. Our results, together with the literature data, indicate that miR-126-3p exerts suppressor activity by specifically targeting components of the PIK3/AKT signaling cascade. Therefore, management of platelet-derived MV production and selective delivery of miR-126-3p to tumor cells may represent a useful tool in multimodal therapeutic approaches in BC patients.     

ILB®, a Low Molecular Weight Dextran Sulphate,Restores Glutamate Homeostasis,Amino Acid Metabolism and Neurocognitive Functions in a Rat Model of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

In a previous study, we found that administration of ILB^®, a new low molecular weight dextran sulphate, significantly improved mitochondrial functions and energy metabolism, as well as decreased oxidative/nitrosative stress, of brain tissue of rats exposed to severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI), induced by the closed-head weight-drop model of diffused TBI. Using aliquots of deproteinized brain tissue of the same animals of this former study, we here determined the concentrations of 24 amino acids of control rats, untreated sTBI rats (sacrificed at 2 and 7 days post-injury) and sTBI rats receiving a subcutaneous ILB^® administration (at the dose levels of 1, 5 and 15 mg/kg b.w.) 30 min post-impact (sacrificed at 2 and 7 days post-injury). Additionally, in a different set of experiments, new groups of control rats, untreated sTBI rats and ILB^®-treated rats (administered 30 min after sTBI at the dose levels of 1 or 5 mg/kg b.w.) were studied for their neurocognitive functions (anxiety, locomotor capacities, short- and long-term memory) at 7 days after the induction of sTBI. Compared to untreated sTBI animals, ILB^® significantly decreased whole brain glutamate (normalizing the glutamate/glutamine ratio), glycine, serine and γ-aminobutyric acid. Furthermore, ILB^® administration restored arginine metabolism (preventing nitrosative stress), levels of amino acids involved in methylation reactions (methionine, L-cystathionine, S-adenosylhomocysteine), and N-acetylaspartate homeostasis. The macroscopic evidences of the beneficial effects on brain metabolism induced by ILB^® were the relevant improvement in neurocognitive functions of the group of animals treated with ILB^® 5 mg/kg b.w., compared to the marked cognitive decline measured in untreated sTBI animals. These results demonstrate that ILB^® administration 30 min after sTBI prevents glutamate excitotoxicity and normalizes levels of amino acids involved in crucial brain metabolic functions. The ameliorations of amino acid metabolism, mitochondrial functions and energy metabolism in ILB^®-treated rats exposed to sTBI produced significant improvement in neurocognitive functions, reinforcing the concept that ILB^® is a new effective therapeutic tool for the treatment of sTBI, worth being tested in the clinical setting.     

Platelet Derivatives and the Immunomodulation of Wound Healing

Besides their primary role in hemostasis, platelets contain a plethora of immunomodulatory molecules that profoundly affect the entire process of wound repair. Therefore, platelet derivatives, such as platelet-rich plasma or platelet lysate, have been widely employed with promising results in the treatment of chronic wounds. Platelet derivatives provide growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines targeting resident and immigrated cells belonging to the innate and adaptive immune system. The recruitment and activation of neutrophils and macrophages is critical for pathogen clearance in the early phase of wound repair. The inflammatory response begins with the release of cytokines, such as TGF-β, aimed at damping excessive inflammation and promoting the regenerative phase of wound healing. Dysregulation of the immune system during the wound healing process leads to persistent inflammation and delayed healing, which ultimately result in chronic wound. In this review, we summarize the role of the different immune cells involved in wound healing, particularly emphasizing the function of platelet and platelet derivatives in orchestrating the immunological response.     

Software specification using graph grammars

The following paper demonstrates that programmed sequential graph grammars can be used in a systematic proceeding to specify the changes of high level intermediate data structures arising in a programming support environment, in which all tools work in an incremental and syntax-driven mode. In this paper we lay stress upon the way to get the specification rather than on the result of this process. Therefore, we give here some approach to “specification engineering” using graph grammars. This approach is influenced by the syntactical definition of the underlying language for Programming in the Small, the module concept etc. to be supported on one side but also by the idea of the user interface.