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Additional file 5: Fig. S4. Spline curves for the hazard ratio of 1-year all-cause mortality according to glucose variability. Glycemic variability was presented by (A) standard deviation (SD) of serum glucose levels and (B) coefficient of variation (CoV) of serum glucose levels.

Additional file 2: Fig. S1. Scatter plot of the blood glucose level of all subjects (at the time of admission, minimum, maximum values during hospitalization, and at discharge, respectively).

Additional file 4: Fig. S3. Scatter plots of the blood glucose level of the subjects (at the time of admission, minimum, maximum values during hospitalization, and at discharge, respectively) according to the use of insulin during hospitalization were presented. The plot on the left is a plot of patients who used insulin, and the plot on the right is a plot of patients who did not use insulin.

Additional file 1: Additional Tables.

Additional file 3: Fig. S2. Scatter plots of the blood glucose level of the subjects (at the time of admission, minimum, maximum values during hospitalization, and at discharge, respectively) according to the presence of diabetes were presented. The plot on the left is for diabetic patients, and the plot on the right is for non-diabetic patients.

Inspired by erythrocytes that contain oxygen-carrying hemoglobin (Hb) and that exhibit photo-driven activity, we introduce homogenous-sized erythrocyte-like Hb microgel (μGel) systems (5-6 μm) that can (i) emit heat, (ii) supply oxygen, and (iii) generate reactive oxygen species (ROS

Background There are numerous but conflicting data regarding gender differences in outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Furthermore, gender differences in clinical outcomes with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) following PCI in Asian population remain uncertain because of the under-representation of Asian in previous trials. Methods A total of 13, 104 AMI patients from Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-National Institute of Health (KAMIR-NIH) between November 2011 and December 2015 were classified into male (n = 8021, 75.9%) and female (n = 2547, 24.1%). We compared the demographic, clinical and angiographic characteristics, 30-days and 1-year major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in women with those in men after AMI by using propensity score (PS) matching. Results Compared with men, women were older, had more comorbidities and more often presented with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and reduced left ventricular systolic function. Over the median follow-up of 363 days, gender differences in both 30-days and 1-year MACCE as well as thrombolysis in myocardial infarction minor bleeding risk were not observed in the PS matched population (30-days MACCE: 5.3% vs. 4.7%, log-rank P = 0.494, HR = 1.126, 95% CI: 0.800-1.585; 1-year MACCE: 9.3% vs. 9.0%, log-rank P = 0.803, HR = 1.032, 95% CI: 0.802-1.328; TIMI minor bleeding: 4.9% vs. 3.9%, log-rank P= 0.215, HR = 1.255, 95% CI: 0.869-1.814). Conclusions Among Korean AMI population undergoing contemporary PCI, women, as compared with men, had different clinical and angiographic characteristics but showed similar 30-days and 1-year clinical outcomes. The risk of bleeding after PCI was comparable between men and women during one-year follow up.

Albumin nanoparticles have become an attractive cancer nanomedicine platform due to their pharmaceutical advantages. Recently, photothermal therapy has been extensively applied to cancer treatment due to heat-induced tumor ablation. Herein, we fabricated albumin nanoparticles (HSA-NPs) loaded with paclitaxel (PTX), indocyanine green (ICG; a hyperthermal agent) and hyaluronidase (HAase) that breaks down hyaluronan, a major component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in tumors. Synthesis was based on a slightly modified nanoparticle albumin-bound (Nab™) technique. The prepared nanoparticles (PTX/ICG/HAase-HSA-NPs) had a spherical shape with an average size of ~ 110 nm and a zeta potential of ~ -30.4 mV. They displayed good colloidal stability and typical patterns of ICG, HSA and HAase in UV–VIS–NIR and circular dichroism spectroscopic analysis. PTX/ICG/HAase-HSA-NPs were found to have excellent hyperthermal effects in response to near-infrared laser irradiation (808 nm) (up to > 50 °C over 4 min). The hyperthermia conducted by PTX/ICG/HAase-HSA-NPs resulted in significant cytotoxicity to pancreatic AsPC-1 cells at both severe (> 50 °C) and mild (41–42 °C) hyperthermal states in conjunction with the inherent cytotoxic activity of paclitaxel. Furthermore, the confocal images of AsPC-1 cell spheroids proved PTX/ICG/HAase-HSA-NPs were able to permeate deeply into the three-dimensional tumor tissue mimicry structure. Most of all, PTX/ICG/HAase-HSA-NPs maintained all these physicochemical and anti-cancer properties irrespective of the amount of embedded HAase (1–5 mg). Our results demonstrated that PTX/ICG/HAase-HSA-NPs are a promising hyperthermal/chemotherapeutic anticancer agent.

This study explores the possible dialogue between Catholic Philosopher Lonergan and Zen (Seon) Master Chinul in the light of enlightenment or conversion as ‘Christian enlightenment’. Keeping in mind that Zen Buddhism puts much stress on ‘direct cutting’ or ‘intuition’ rather than language or knowing, this comparative study examines Lonergan’s ‘transcendental epistemology’ in which he shows how humans could reach ‘conversion’ (Metanoia) or ‘Christian enlightenment’ with Chinul’s idea of Buddha-nature as ‘mystical or spiritual knowing’(靈智). Such ‘enlightenment-centered’ comparison will suggest a ‘deeper dialogue’ on the level of fundamental human consciousness, such that this study could be a suggestion or even a challenge for both Eastern and Western religious traditions by expanding the horizon of interreligious dialogue for a new and deeper way of promoting such dialogue.

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of feeding ethanol on growth performances, carcass characteristics, and lipid metabolism of finishing Korean cattle (Hanwoo) steers. Methods Thirty (30) Hanwoo steers (average 25.1 months of age, body weight 660.1 kg) were assigned to three treatments: control (0% ethanol), E-3 (1.44% ethanol for 3 months), or E-5 (0.72% ethanol for 2 months followed by 1.44% ethanol for 3 months). The animals were allotted by treatment group into six pens and fed concentrate and perennial ryegrass. Ethanol (30%, v/v) was supplemented into drinking water twice a day to meet final concentrations based on average water consumption of finishing Hanwoo steers. Results There were no statistical differences among the groups in final body weight, average daily gain, or carcass yield grade indices such as cold carcass weight, fat thickness, and loin area. The marbling score tended (p = 0.228) to increase with the highest score (6.7) in the E-5 group followed by 6.3 and 6.0 in E-3 and control groups, respectively. The appearance frequencies of quality grades of 1++ (the best), 1+, 1, and 2, were; 30%, 50%, 0%, and 20% for control, 10%, 80%, 10%, and 0% for E-3, and 10%, 80%, 0%, and 10% for E-5 groups, respectively, indicating improvements of quality grades by feeding ethanol. Concentrations of serum glucose tended to decrease whereas those of insulin and non-esterified fatty acid to increase by feeding ethanol (E-3 and E-5; p>0.05). Conclusion Feeding ethanol directly into drinking water of finishing Hanwoo steers stimulated lipogenesis in intramuscular adipose tissue (marbling) and thereby improved carcass quality grade. The serum metabolites results supported the hypothesis of lipolysis of existing adipose tissue, such as abdominal fats, and lipogenesis in intramuscular adipocytes.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) are viewed together as an effective method of ablating tumors. After absorbing highly tissue-penetrating near-infrared (NIR) light, UCNPs emit a shorter wavelength light (~660 nm) suitable for PDT. In this study, we designed and prepared highly red fluorescence-emitting silica-coated core-shell upconverting nanoparticles modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG5k)-folic acid and tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin (TCPP) (UCNPs@SiO2-NH2@FA/PEG/TCPP) as an efficient photodynamic agent for killing tumor cells. The UCNPs consisted of two simple lanthanides, erbium and lutetium, as the core and shell, respectively. The unique core-shell combination enabled the UCNPs to emit red light without green light. TCPP, folic acid, and PEG were conjugated to the outer silica layer of UCNPs as a photosensitizing agent, a ligand for tumor attachment, and a dispersing stabilizer, respectively. The prepared UCNPs of ~50 nm diameter and &minus, 34.5 mV surface potential absorbed 808 nm light and emitted ~660 nm red light. Most notably, these UCNPs were physically well dispersed and stable in the aqueous phase due to PEG attachment and were able to generate singlet oxygen (1O2) with a high efficacy. The HeLa cells were treated with each UCNP sample (0, 1, 5, 10, 20, 30 &mu, g/mL as a free TCPP). The results showed that the combination of UCNPs@SiO2-NH2@FA/PEG/TCPP and the 808 nm laser was significantly cytotoxic to HeLa cells, almost to the same degree as na&iuml, ve TCPP plus the 660 nm laser based on MTT and Live/Dead assays. Furthermore, the UCNPs@SiO2-NH2@FA/PEG/TCPP was well internalized into HeLa cells and three-dimensional HeLa spheroids, presumably due to the surface folic acid and small size in conjunction with endocytosis and the nonspecific uptake. We believe that our UCNPs@SiO2-NH2@FA/PEG/TCPP will serve as a new platform for highly efficient and deep-penetrating photodynamic agents suitable for various tumor treatments.

Phuong Thi Thu Pham,1 Xuan Thien Le,1 Hanju Kim,1 Hwang Kyung Kim,1 Eun Seong Lee,2 Kyung Taek Oh,3 Han-Gon Choi,4 Yu Seok Youn1 1School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do 16419, Republic of Korea; 2Division of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do 14662, Republic of Korea; 3College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea; 4College of Pharmacy, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do 15588, Republic of KoreaCorrespondence: Yu Seok Youn Tel +82-31-290-7785Email ysyoun@skku.eduBackground: Indocyanine green (ICG) has received considerable interest as a biocompatible organic photothermal agent, and curcumin (Cur) is considered an attractive natural chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic compound. However, the in vivo applicability of ICG and Cur is significantly restricted by their poor ability to target tumors and their extremely low solubility.Materials and Methods: To address these problems, ICG/Cur-loaded albumin nanoparticles (ICG-BSA-Cur-NPs) based on the nabTM (nanoparticle albumin-bound) technology were applied to neuroblastomas in vivo.Results: The fabricated ICG-BSA-Cur-NPs were found to be spherical, ∼ 150 nm in size and highly dispersible and stable in aqueous solution. Approximately 80% of the incorporated ICG and Cur were gradually released from the NPs over 48 h. All formulations of ICG-BSA-Cur-NPs (5∼ 20 μg/mL) showed efficient hyperthermia profiles (up to 50– 60°C within 5 min) in response to 808-nm NIR laser irradiation in vitro and in vivo. Notably, ICG-BSA-Cur-NPs illuminated with 808-nm laser irradiation (1.5 W/cm2) showed excellent cytotoxicity toward N2a cells in vitro and undisputable antitumor efficacy in N2a-xenografted mice in vivo, compared to other tested sample groups (tumor volumes for PBS, BSA-Cur-NPs, free ICG, and ICG-BSA-Cur-NPs groups were 1408.6 ± 551.9, 1190.6 ± 343.6, 888.6 ± 566.2, and 103.0 ± 111.3 mm3, respectively).Conclusion: We demonstrate that these hyperthermal chemotherapeutic ICG-BSA-Cur-NPs have potential as a future brain tumor treatment.Keywords: indocyanine green, curcumin, photothermal therapy, albumin nanoparticles, tumor targeting

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and to identify factors that influenced LUTS in advanced cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Methods This cross-sectional study included a total of 158 advanced cancer patients with CIPN. A structured questionnaire including the International Prostate Symptom Score and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecology Oncology Group/Neurotoxicity scale was used. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. Results Nocturia was the most prevalent LUTS. A positive relationship was found between CIPN symptoms and LUTS. The duration of cancer diagnosis and the severity of CIPN were key factors that influenced LUTS. Conclusions The severity of CIPN symptoms was the most important predictor of LUTS. Nurses’ care for advanced cancer patients should incorporate a comprehensive health assessment, which includes a history of treatment and physical neuropathic symptoms, for any patient complaining of CIPN symptoms.

Objectives To evaluate the age-related one-year major adverse cardiocerebrovascular events (MACCE) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We analyzed the association between age and one-year MACCE after AMI. Methods A total of 13,104 AMI patients from Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-National Institue of Health (KAMIR-NIH) between November 2011 and December 2015 were classified into four groups according to age (Group I, < 60 years, n = 4199; Group II, 60–70 years, n = 2577; Group III; 70–80 years, n = 2774; Group IV, ≥ 80 years, n = 1018). Patients were analyzed for one-year composite of MACCE (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, cerebrovascular events) after AMI. Results The one-year MACCE in AMI were 3.5% (Group I), 6.3% (Group II), 9.6% (Group III) and 17.6% (Group IV). After adjustment for confounding parameters, the analysis results showed that patients with AMI had incremental risk of one-year MACCE [Group II, adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) = 1.224, 95% CI: 0.965–1.525, P = 0.096; Group III, aHR = 1.316, 95% CI: 1.037–1.671, P = 0.024; Group IV, aHR = 1.975, 95% CI: 1.500–62.601, P < 0.001) compared to Group I. Especially, cardiac death in the composite of primary end point played a major role in this effect (Group II, aHR = 1.335, 95% CI: 0.941–1.895, P = 0.106; Group III, aHR = 1.575, 95% CI: 1.122–2.210, P = 0.009; Group IV, aHR = 2.803, 95% CI: 1.937–4.054, P < 0.001). Conclusions Despite advanced techniques and medications for PCI in AMI, age still exerts a powerful influence in clinical outcomes. Careful approaches, even in the modern era of developed cardiology are needed for aged-population in AMI intervention.

Inflammation is a pathological process that is known to be involved in numerous diseases. Microbial infection or tissue injury activates inflammatory responses, resulting in the induction of proinflammatory proteins including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Aster yomena is used in traditional Korean remedies to treat cough, asthma, and insect bites. Here, we investigated the effects of A. yomena extract (EAY) on the expression of COX-2 and iNOS induced by LPS. EAY inhibited NF-κB activation and IκBα degradation induced by LPS. EAY suppressed LPS-induced COX-2 and iNOS expression which are the target genes regulated through NF-κB activation in macrophages. EAY also suppressed LPS-induced nitrite production. These results suggest that EAY has the potential to be developed as a potent anti-inflammatory drug.

In this work, we prepared basalt based nanostructured zeolite 13X by alkali fusion and hydrothermal synthesis process. The sample prepared was characterized using XRD, SEM, and low-temperature nitrogen analysis. The adsorption equilibrium and kinetic characteristics of ammonia nitrogen (NH+₄-N) and phosphate phosphorus (PO3-₄-P) were investigated. It was found that the basalt based nanostructured zeolite 13X showed high adsorption capacities for NH+₄-N (75 mg/g) and PO3-₄-P (25 mg/g) under the experimental conditions used. Our results demonstrate that basalt based zeolite 13X can be a good alternative adsorbent for the simultaneously removal of NH+₄-N and PO3-₄-P from aqueous solution.

The aim of this study was to investigate the biological activities, such as antioxidant and anticancer activities, of Korean wild edible vegetables. The total polyphenol content of Glehnia littoralis ( Gle ), Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina ( Pru ), Petasites japonicas ( Pet ), Isodon japonicas ( Iso ), and Tetragonia tetragonoides ( Tet ) extracts were 35, 193, 85, 100, and 31 mg/g, respectively. In the α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, Pru , Pet, and Iso extracts showed 45%, 24%, and 19% antioxidant activity, respectively. Moreover, Pru extracts also showed the highest ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) value (170 mM). In HepG2 cells, Tet and Pru extracts showed 39% and 28% anticancer activity, respectively. Assessment of apoptotic cell death in HepG2 cells showed that, compared to the control, p53, p21, and Bax expression levels increased in the presence of the extracts, while Bcl-2 expression was downregulated.

In context-aware computing environment, some context is characterized by a single event, but many other contexts are determined by a sequence of events which happen with some timing constraints. Therefore context inference could be conducted by monitoring the sequence of event occurrence along with checking their conformance with timing constraints. Some context could be described with fuzzy concepts instead of concrete concepts. Multiple entities may interact with a service system in the context-aware environments, and thus the context inference mechanism should be equipped to handle multiple entities in the same situation. This paper proposes a context inference model which is based on the so-called fuzzy colored timed Petri net. The model represents and handles the sequential occurrence of some events along with involving timing constraints, deals with the multiple entities using the colored Petri net model, and employs the concept of fuzzy tokens to manage the fuzzy concepts.

The purpose of this study is to delineate the internal adjustment factors asa well as the physicl and mental health states of social welfare workers in Korea(K-group)and Japan(J-group).I have acquired four factors from this research:evaluation on working environment and condetion;relation with user;sense of satisfaction;and sense of confidence with their job. I condusted a comparative study between Korea and Japan,using the four factors that constitute Internal Adjustment.This comparative study showed that K-group is more satisfied with their job than J-group in three factors(as for the fourth factor,working environment and condition,it was excluded).In addition, it showed also that K-group is far healthier physically and mentally than J-group. THe result of this study indicates that some necessary steps should be taken,e.g.,increased manpower and salary,rationalization of system and others to promote Internal Adjustment for workers who work long-term,as well as mental health for young workers who are new to this field and have worked only short-term.

ObjectivesThis study sought to test whether the newly developed platinum chromium (PtCr)-based everolimus-eluting stent (EES) is noninferior to the cobalt chromium (CoCr)-based zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES) in all-comers receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).BackgroundPtCr provides improved radial strength, conformability, and visibility compared with the CoCr alloy, but PtCr-based stents have not been tested in a wide range of patients receiving PCI. Also, recent case series have raised the issue of longitudinal stent deformation (LSD) with newer drug-eluting stents.MethodsWe randomly assigned 3,755 all-comers receiving PCI to PtCr-EES or CoCr-ZES. The primary outcome was target lesion failure (TLF) at 1-year post-PCI, defined as the composite of cardiac death, nonfatal target vessel–related myocardial infarction, and ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization. Post-hoc angiographic analysis was performed to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze LSD.ResultsAt 1 year, TLF occurred in 2.9% and 2.9% of the population in the PtCr-EES and CoCr-ZES groups, respectively (superiority p = 0.98, noninferiority p = 0.0247). There were no significant differences in the individual components of TLF as well as the patient-oriented clinical outcome. Of 5,010 stents analyzed, LSD occurred in 0.2% and 0% in the PtCr-EES and CoCr-ZES groups, respectively (p = 0.104). There was no significant difference in post-deployment stent length ratio between the 2 stents (p = 0.352).ConclusionsAt 1 year, PtCr-EES was noninferior to CoCr-ZES in all-comers receiving PCI. Although LSD was observed only in PtCr-EES, both the stent length ratio and the frequency of LSD were not significantly different between the 2 stent types, and PtCr-EES was not associated with adverse clinical outcomes. (Harmonizing Optimal Strategy for Treatment of Coronary Artery Stenosis–SAfety & EffectiveneSS of Drug-ElUting Stents & Anti-platelet REgimen [HOST–ASSURE]; NCT01267734)

The coupling-beam effect on the seismic response of three dimensional wall-type buildings are investigated from the experimental and analytical results of RC shear wall subassemblages and RC wall-type buildings. Firstly, this research presents results of nonlinear 3D solid finite element analyses of a 2-story RC shear wall subassemblages under reversed cyclic lateral loads, and verifies the reliability of these analytical results compared with the experimental. This verified analytical model is applied to 3-, 5-, and 10-story RC wall subassemblages, and effects of the number of stories, the existence of slabs and coupling beams, and the differences in details of coupling beams are investigated. Secondly, the shaking table responses of a 1:5 scale 10-story wall-type RC building model and a 1:15 scale 25-story flat-plate core-wall building model are simulated by using the nonlinear analysis program, PERFORM-3D. Through the comparison of experimental and analytical results, the coupling-beam effect on the seismic response of the RC wall-type structure, such as the stiffness, strength, ductility, and failure mode, are evaluated. In addition, the information, which could not be obtained experimentally, such as the internal flow of force and the resisting mechanism of the slabs with the contribution of the coupling beam, is provided.

The explosive growth in on-demand access of video across all forms of delivery (Internet, traditional cable, IPTV, wireless) has renewed the interest in scalable delivery methods. Approaches using Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), Peer-to-Peer (P2P) approaches, and their combinations have been proposed as viable options to ease the load on servers and network links. However, there has been little focus on how to take advantage of user viewing patterns to understand their impact on existing mechanisms and to design new solutions that improve the streaming service quality. In this dissertation, we leverage on the observation that users watch only a small portion of videos to understand the limits of existing designs and to optimize two scalable approaches -- the content placement and P2P Video-on-Demand (VoD) streaming. Then, we present our novel scalable system called Joint-Family which enables adaptive bitrate streaming (ABR) in P2P VoD, supporting user viewing patterns. We first provide evidence of such user viewing behavior from data collected from a nationally deployed VoD service. In contrast to using a simplistic popularity-based placement and traditionally proposed caching strategies (such as CDNs), we use a Mixed Integer Programming formulation to model the placement problem and employ an innovative approach that scales well. We have performed detailed simulations using actual traces of user viewing sessions (including stream control operations such as pause, fast-forward, and rewind). Our results show that the use of segment-based placement strategy yields substantial savings in both disk storage requirements at origin servers/VHOs as well as network bandwidth use. For example, compared to a simple caching scheme using full videos, our MIP-based placement using segments can achieve up to 71% reduction in peak link bandwidth usage. Secondly, we note that the policies adopted in existing P2P VoD systems have not taken user viewing behavior -- that users abandon videos -- into account. We show that abandonment can result in increased interruptions and wasted resources. As a result, we reconsider the set of policies to use in the presence of abandonment. Our goal is to balance the conflicting needs of delivering videos without interruptions while minimizing wastage. We find that an Earliest-First chunk selection policy in conjunction with the Earliest-Deadline peer selection policy allows us to achieve high download rates. We take advantage of abandonment by converting peers to "partial seeds"; this increases capacity. We minimize wastage by using a playback lookahead window. We use analysis and simulation experiments using real-world traces to show the effectiveness of our approach. Finally, we propose Joint-Family, a protocol that combines P2P and adaptive bitrate (ABR) streaming for VoD. While P2P for VoD and ABR have been proposed previously, they have not been studied together because they attempt to tackle problems with seemingly orthogonal goals. We motivate our approach through analysis that overcomes a misconception resulting from prior analytical work, and show that the popularity of a P2P swarm and seed staying time has a significant bearing on the achievable per-receiver download rate. Specifically, our analysis shows that popularity affects swarm efficiency when seeds stay "long enough". We also show that ABR in a P2P setting helps viewers achieve higher playback rates and/or fewer interruptions. We develop the Joint-Family protocol based on the observations from our analysis. Peers in Joint-Family simultaneously participate in multiple swarms to exchange chunks of different bitrates. We adopt chunk, bitrate, and peer selection policies that minimize occurrence of interruptions while delivering high quality video and improving the efficiency of the system. Using traces from a large-scale commercial VoD service, we compare Joint-Family with existing approaches for P2P VoD and show that viewers in Joint-Family enjoy higher playback rates with minimal interruption, irrespective of video popularity.

Free-form spatial structures and façades that follow the envelope surface of a complex-shaped skin, such as the DZ-Bank in Berlin (Frank O. Gehry), the British Museum in London (Norman Foster), the New Fair in Milan (Massimiliano Fuksas), have become an interesting issue in modern architecture. The object of this research project is an investigation of the structural failure in free form special structures due to sway collapse, paying particular attention to the influence of the nodal stiffness on the system rigidity. Until now no detailed investigation of the grid nodes has been undertaken. This should include the modelling of the bolt assembly, the application of pre-stressing forces, the contact stiffness and the influence of bolt clearances. An investigation of different node systems used in realised projects will close this gap. Here particular focus is placed on the geometry parameters on local stiffness of the node., Die attraktive Formensprache von Freiformflächen hat dazu geführt, dass sie in den letzten Jahren zunehmend für Gebäudehüllen eingesetzt werden. Dies ist unter Anderem in Projekten wie der DG-Bank in Berlin, dem Westfield Shopping Center in London oder bei Frankfurt Hoch Vier in Frankfurt am Main zu beobachten. Das vorliegende Forschungsvorhaben beschäftigt sich mit dem Stabilitätsverhalten von frei geformten Stab- und Gitterschalen und untersucht dabei insbesondere den Einfluss der Knotensteifigkeit auf die Systemsteifigkeit. Bis Dato wurden noch keine detaillierten Berechnungen zur Knotenausbildung, die auf Effekte wie Scherloch-Leibung und Lochspiel in Bezug auf die Gesamtstabilität von Kuppeln und Schalen Rücksicht nehmen, unternommen. Diese Lücke soll hier geschlossen werden, dazu werden verschiedene Knotensysteme, welche in vergangenen Projekten eingesetzt wurden, im Detail analisiert. Genauer betrachtet werden hier sowohl die Aufnehmbarkeit von lokalen Geometrieparametern als auch die lokalen Tragfähigkeiten.

We investigate several arithmetic properties of -Genocchi polynomials and numbers of higher order.

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate several further interesting properties of symmetry for the multivariate -adic fermionic integral on . From these symmetries, we can derive some recurrence identities for the -Euler polynomials of higher order, which are closely related to the Frobenius-Euler polynomials of higher order. By using our identities of symmetry for the -Euler polynomials of higher order, we can obtain many identities related to the Frobenius-Euler polynomials of higher order.

We give some interesting relationships between the power sums and the generalized Bernoulli numbers attached to of higher order using multivariate -adic invariant integral on .

The main purpose of this paper is to present new -extensions of Apostol's type Euler polynomials using the fermionic -adic integral on . We define the - -Euler polynomials and obtain the interpolation functions and the Hurwitz type zeta functions of these polynomials. We define -extensions of Apostol type's Euler polynomials of higher order using the multivariate fermionic -adic integral on . We have the interpolation functions of these - -Euler polynomials. We also give -extensions of Apostol's type Euler polynomials of higher order and have the multiple Hurwitz type zeta functions of these - -Euler polynomials.