A class of restricted P colonies with string environment

In this paper we continue the study of variants of P colonies, called APCol systems, where the environment is given as a string and the model is an accepting system. We develop the concept by introducing the notion of the generating working mode. We then compare the power of a special subclass of APCol systems working in the generating mode to the power of register machines and context-free matrix grammars without appearance checking.     

New vistas on causal-tree methods: from root cause analysis (RCA) to constructive cause analysis (CCA)

Cognition, Technology & Work - Causal-tree methods such as root cause analysis (RCA) are the oldest and the most widespread methods used to analyze the causes of adverse events. They are often...     

Review of Psychologie positive et personnalité.

Reviews the book, Psychologie positive et personnalite (Positive psychology and personality, activation of resources) by Firouzeh Mehran (2010). This is an interesting book on a captivating subject that has been little examined. Psychology has produced much more research on human distress than on people’s well-being. On the practical level, it presents a variety of techniques applicable in therapy. On the personal level, the book encourages the reader to modify current habits and suggests several ways of doing so. The book begins with personality theories prior to positive psychology that focused on healthy aspects of human existence; then examines current trends. Among other aspects, the author discusses spirituality and humor, their utility in clinical work and future possibilities. This is a theoretical book that offers practical ideas on acquiring healthy attitudes. Many techniques are suggested for therapists, and their clients, such as the principles and exercises of meditation in the mindfulness approach. It is not only an instructive source of knowledge but a tool for change and professional development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Growth and Potential Damage of Human Bone-Derived Cells on Fresh and Aged Fullerene C60 Films

Fullerenes are nanoparticles composed of carbon atoms arranged in a spherical hollow cage-like structure. Numerous studies have evaluated the therapeutic potential of fullerene derivates against oxidative stress-associated conditions, including the prevention or treatment of arthritis. On the other hand, fullerenes are not only able to quench, but also to generate harmful reactive oxygen species. The reactivity of fullerenes may change in time due to the oxidation and polymerization of fullerenes in an air atmosphere. In this study, we therefore tested the dependence between the age of fullerene films (from one week to one year) and the proliferation, viability and metabolic activity of human osteosarcoma cells (lines MG-63 and U-2 OS). We also monitored potential membrane and DNA damage and morphological changes of the cells. After seven days of cultivation, we did not observe any cytotoxic morphological changes, such as enlarged cells or cytosolic vacuole formation. Furthermore, there was no increased level of DNA damage. The increasing age of the fullerene films did not cause enhancement of cytotoxicity. On the contrary, it resulted in an improvement in the properties of these materials, which are more suitable for cell cultivation. Therefore, fullerene films could be considered as a promising material with potential use as a bioactive coating of cell carriers for bone tissue engineering.