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Owning to the sub-standards being developed by IEEE Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) Task Group, the traditional IEEE 802.1 Ethernet is enhanced to support real-time dependable communications for future time- and safety-critical applications. Several sub-standards have been recently proposed that introduce various traffic shapers (e.g., Time-Aware Shaper (TAS), Asynchronous Traffic Shaper (ATS), Credit-Based Shaper (CBS), Strict Priority (SP)) for flow control mechanisms of queuing and scheduling, targeting different application requirements. These shapers can be used in isolation or combination and there is limited work that analyzes, evaluates, and compares their performance, which makes it challenging for end-users to choose the right combination for their applications. This paper aims at (i) quantitatively comparing various traffic shapers and their combinations, (ii) summarizing, classifying, and extending the architectures of individual and combined traffic shapers and their Network calculus (NC)-based performance analysis methods, and (iii) filling the gap in the timing analysis research on handling ATS and CBS used for different priority queues, and two novel hybrid architectures of combined traffic shapers, i.e., TAS+ATS+SP and TAS+ATS+CBS when ATS and CBS used at the same queue. A large number of experiments, using both synthetic and realistic test cases, are carried out for quantitative performance comparisons of various individual and combined traffic shapers, from the perspective of upper bounds of delay, backlog, and jitter. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to quantitatively compare the performance of the main traffic shapers in TSN. The paper aims at supporting the researchers and practitioners in the selection of suitable TSN sub-protocols for their use cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, it is shown that a positive integer t can be written as t = ∑ i = 0 r − 1 (− 1) i (r − 1 , i) (t + r − 1 − i , r). It is also proved that the two expressions for number of codewords of weight t , obtained in Theorem 1[P. Kumar, M. Sangwan and S. K. Arora, The weight distributions of some irreducible cyclic codes of length p n and 2 p n , Adv. Math. Commun.9 (2015) 277–289] and in Theorem 1 Case (i)[G. Vega, The weight distribution for any irreducible cyclic code of length p m , Appl. Algebra Eng. Commun. Comput.29(4) (2018) 363–370] are same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to evaluate the antibacterial activity of five commercially available essential oils (EOs), Lavender (LEO), Clove (CEO), Oregano (OEO), Eucalyptus (EEO), and Peppermint (PEO), against the most-known MDR Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria—Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853)—alone and in various combinations. Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis established their complex compositions. Then, their antibacterial activity—expressed as the inhibition zone diameter (IZD) value (mm)—was investigated in vitro by the diffusimetric antibiogram method, using sterile cellulose discs with Ø 6 mm impregnated with 10 µL of sample and sterile borosilicate glass cylinders loaded with 100 µL; the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value (µg/mL) for each EO was calculated from the IZD values (mm) measured after 24 h. The following EO combinations were evaluated: OEO+CEO, CEO+EEO, CEO+PEO, LEO+EEO, and EEO+PEO. Then, the influence of each dual combination on the activity of three conventional antibacterial drugs—Neomycin (NEO), Tetracycline (TET), and Bacitracin (BAC)—was investigated. The most active EOs against S. aureus and E. coli were LEO and OEO (IZD = 40 mm). They were followed by CEO and EEO (IZD = 20–27 mm); PEO exhibited the lowest antibacterial activity (IZD = 15–20 mm). EEO alone showed the highest inhibitory activity on P. aeruginosa (IZD = 25–35 mm). It was followed by CEO, LEO, and EEO (IZD = 7–11 mm), while PEO proved no antibacterial action against it (IZD = 0 mm). Only one synergic action was recorded (OEO+CEO against P. aeruginosa); EEO+PEO revealed partial synergism against S. aureus and CEO+PEO showed additive behavior against E. coli. Two triple associations with TET showed partial synergism against E. coli, and the other two (with NEO and TET) evidenced the same behavior against S. aureus; all contained EEO+PEO or CEO+PEO. Most combinations reported indifference. However, numerous cases involved antagonism between the constituents included in the double and triple combinations, and the EOs with the strongest antibacterial activities belonged to the highest antagonistic combinations. A consistent statistical analysis supported our results, showing that the EOs with moderate antibacterial activities could generate combinations with higher inhibitory effects based on synergistic or additive interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is an attempt to study combinations of tale types using a networks approach and calculating the centrality index of each type (degree, betweenness, eigenvector centrality). The network of tale types seems to take the form of a 'small world' with a few types serving as bridges between highly connected sets of tale types. The centrality of each type also seems to depend more on its age than on how widespread it is. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time series forecasting plays an increasingly important role in modern business decisions. In today's data-rich environment, people often aim to choose the optimal forecasting model for their data. However, identifying the optimal model requires professional knowledge and experience, making accurate forecasting a challenging task. To mitigate the importance of model selection, we propose a simple and reliable algorithm to improve the forecasting performance. Specifically, we construct multiple time series with different sub-seasons from the original time series. These derived series highlight different sub-seasonal patterns of the original series, making it possible for the forecasting methods to capture diverse patterns and components of the data. Subsequently, we produce forecasts for these multiple series separately with classical statistical models (ETS or ARIMA). Finally, the forecasts are combined. We evaluate our approach on widely used forecasting competition data sets (M1, M3, and M4) in terms of both point forecasts and prediction intervals. We observe performance improvements compared with the benchmarks. Our approach is particularly suitable and robust for the data with higher frequency. To demonstrate the practical value of our proposition, we showcase the performance improvements from our approach on hourly load data that exhibit multiple seasonal patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a combinatorial approach for improving spatial predictions. First, copulas are used to interpolate a spatially distributed point rainfall field to a uniform spatial grid. It is observed that results vary substantially depending on the parameters chosen for interpolation leading to the hypothesis that it may be advantageous to estimate copula parameters locally or to combine local and global copula predictions. It is found that by modifying the method of forecast combinations, prediction errors in the spatial interpolation of rainfall can be reduced. Although this method of combining predictions is applied in the context of rainfall interpolation using local and global copula predictions, it can be used on other spatial variables and interpolation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presented paper is devoted to an innovative way of teaching mathematics, specifically the subject combinatorics in high schools. This is because combinatorics is closely connected with the beginnings of informatics and several other scientific disciplines such as graph theory and complexity theory. It is important in solving many practical tasks that require the compilation of an object with certain properties, proves the existence or non-existence of some properties, or specifies the number of objects of certain properties. This paper examines the basic combinatorial structures and presents their use and learning using relations through the Placemat method in teaching process. The effectiveness of the presented innovative way of teaching combinatorics was also verified experimentally at a selected high school in the Slovak Republic. Our experiment has confirmed that teaching combinatorics through relationships among talented children in mathematics is more effective than teaching by a standard algorithmic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dukpa belongs to the Central Bodish group of Tibeto-Burman language family (Bradley 1997). The term Dukpa originated from the Tibetan word Drugpa. Drug means 'dragon' and pa means 'resident' which literally co-defined the meaning of 'the resident of the dragon land'. The total population of Dukpa is not mentioned in the Census of India. They are also one of the smaller and lesser-known tribes living in the Buxa hill forest of Alipurduar district, West Bengal with a population of 1951 according to 2011 Census of Kalchini block of Alipurdaur district, West Bengal. The present paper is an attempt to describe the Consonantal system of Dukpa. Dukpa has twenty three/23 consonantal sounds including two semi-vowels. They are /p, ph, b, t, th, d, c, ch, k, kh, ɡ, m, n, ŋ, ɲ, s, z, ʃ, h, r, l, w, and y/. Consonant combination in Dukpa can classified three categories these are: (i) consonant cluster (ii) consonant sequence and (iii) geminate. Dukpa has initial and medial consonant clusters that occur within the syllabic boundary. Two consonant clusters are present in the language i.e., initial and medial but final cluster remains absent. Consonantal sequences and geminates are only in medial position of a word. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presented paper is devoted to an innovative way of teaching mathematics, specifically the subject combinatorics in high schools. This is because combinatorics is closely connected with the beginnings of informatics and several other scientific disciplines such as graph theory and complexity theory. It is important in solving many practical tasks that require the compilation of an object with certain properties, proves the existence or non-existence of some properties, or specifies the number of objects of certain properties. This paper examines the basic combinatorial structures and presents their use and learning using relations through the Placemat method in teaching process. The effectiveness of the presented innovative way of teaching combinatorics was also verified experimentally at a selected high school in the Slovak Republic. Our experiment has confirmed that teaching combinatorics through relationships among talented children in mathematics is more effective than teaching by a standard algorithmic approach.

The properties of silk make it a promising material for medical applications, both in human and veterinary medicine. Its predominant amino acids, glycine and alanine, exhibit low chemical reactivity, reducing the risk of graft rejection, a notable advantage over most synthetic polymers. Hence, silk is increasingly used as a material for 3D printing in biomedicine. It can be used to build cell scaffolding with the desired cytocompatibility and biodegradability. In combination with gelatine, silk can be used in the treatment of arthritis, and as a hydrogel, to regenerate chondrocytes and mesenchymal cells. When combined with gelatine and collagen, it can also make skin grafts and regenerate the integumentary system. In the treatment of bone tissue, it can be used in combination with polylactic acid and hydroxyapatite to produce bone clips having good mechanical properties and high immunological tolerance. Furthermore, silk can provide a good microenvironment for the proliferation of bone marrow stem cells. Moreover, research is underway to produce artificial blood vessels using silk in combination with glycidyl methacrylate. Silk vascular grafts have demonstrated a high degree of patency and a satisfactory degree of endothelial cells coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce a type of approximation operators of neural networks with sigmodal functions on compact intervals, and obtain the pointwise and uniform estimates of the approximation. To improve the approximation rate, we further introduce a type of combinations of neural networks. Moreover, we show that the derivatives of functions can also be simultaneously approximated by the derivatives of the combinations. We also apply our method to construct approximation operators of neural networks with sigmodal functions on infinite intervals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid rise in research and development following the discovery of photodynamic therapy to establish novel photosensitizers and overcome the limitations of the technology soon after its clinical translation has given rise to a few significant milestones. These include several novel generations of photosensitizers, the widening of the scope of applications, leveraging of the offerings of nanotechnology for greater efficacy, selectivity for the disease over host tissue and cells, the advent of combination therapies with other similarly minimally invasive therapeutic technologies, the use of stimulus-responsive delivery and disease targeting, and greater penetration depth of the activation energy. Brought together, all these milestones have contributed to the significant enhancement of what is still arguably a novel technology. Yet the major applications of photodynamic therapy still remain firmly located in neoplasms, from where most of the new innovations appear to launch to other areas, such as microbial, fungal, viral, acne, wet age-related macular degeneration, atherosclerosis, psoriasis, environmental sanitization, pest control, and dermatology. Three main value propositions of combinations of photodynamic therapy include the synergistic and additive enhancement of efficacy, the relatively low emergence of resistance and its rapid development as a targeted and high-precision therapy. Combinations with established methods such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy and demonstrated applications in mop-up surgery promise to enhance these top three clinical tools. From published in vitro and preclinical studies, clinical trials and applications, and postclinical case studies, seven combinations with photodynamic therapy have become prominent research interests because they are potentially easily applied, showing enhanced efficacy, and are rapidly translating to the clinic. These include combinations with chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, magnetic hyperthermia, cold plasma therapy, sonodynamic therapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy. Photochemical internalization is a critical mechanism for some combinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While most attention is generally paid to lexical (autosemantic) words, the goal of this paper is to map grammatical (or synsemantic) words which have been largely neglected. The specific aim is to look into combinations of all types of grammatical words whose common feature, though they are widely different in most other respects, is their auxiliary role with regard to lexical words. This auxiliary role is to be viewed as having two functional interpretations: grammatical words may be seen either as linkers (serving as links between lexical words) or as substitutes or pro-forms (replacing lexical words in text to avoid their repetition in general). Since until now most authors have paid attention to various word classes in this area (see Bibliography), this paper focuses on the possibilities of their roles as substitutes and the limitations of their combinations with one another, a subject hardly ever mentioned, let alone researched. The investigation, involving pronouns and numerals, is based on a large corpus of Czech (SYN2010). Because of their special character and function, interjections are loosely added to the bulk of the grammatical words. It is shown that, contrary to simplified expectations, most grammatical words have a life of their own, i.e. they combine with each other and form collocations independently of lexical words.

Very interesting issues regarding RCC treatment have been raised during 2017. We analysed the main news that may potentially modified clinical practice. Conflicting data came from trials testing targeted therapies in the adjuvant setting, supporting the necessity of further investigations. One of the key goals of RCC research is focused on the first-line therapy, with particular interest focus on immunotherapy combinations. Redefine the standard of care with the aim of improving patients' survival represents an imperative need. Enhancing immunotherapy antitumor activity by combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with anti-angiogenetic therapies is a noteworthy research field, with promising results. In addiction, we analysed in the metastatic setting data about the role of cytoreductive nephrectomy and the possibility of delay the start of first-line therapy after an active surveillance period. Based on recent developments, the paper outlines future prospective of RCC research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many approaches are being pursued to address the major global health challenge posed by the increasing resistance of pathogenic bacteria to antibacterial agents. One of the promising approaches being investigated includes the design and development of multiple action-based small-molecule antibacterials. Aspects of this broad area have been reviewed previously, and recent developments are addressed in this update review covering the literature mainly over the past three years. Considerations encompassing drug combinations, single-molecule hybrids and prodrugs are summarised in regard to the intentional design and development of multiple-action agents with a focus on potential triple or greater activities in bacteria. The hope for such single agents or combinations of single agents is that resistance development will be significantly hindered, and they may be useful in tackling bacterial disease caused by both resistant and non-resistant bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of sorbic acid, ethanol, previously fermented juice and their combined additives on fermentation quality and residual water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) of napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum) were herein investigated. There were two experiments in total. The treatments of experiment 1 were as follows: control (no addition); sorbic acid at 0.1%, S; molasses at 1.0%, M; previously fermented juice at 5 mL/kg, P; SP; SM; SPM. The treatments of experiment 2 were as follows: control (no addition); ethanol at 1.5%, E; molasses at 1.0%, M; previously fermented juice at 5 mL/kg, P; EM; EP; EPM. The laboratory silos (10 L) were kept at room temperature (~25 °C), and opened after 120 days of ensiling and the chemical compositions of silage were analyzed. Sorbic acid addition significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the silage pH and increased the residual WSC and lactic acid (LA) contents as compared with control. Ethanol addition decreased pH, acetic acid (AA) and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) contents, and increased the ratio of LA/AA, LA and residual WSC contents. Molasses addition increased ratios of LA/AA and enhanced WSC content used by lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The PFJ addition increased AA and ammonia nitrogen/total nitrogen (AN/TN) and decreased the LA contents. Comparing the fermentation quality among all silages in the present study, the combined additives SM and EM performed best in improving the silage quality of napiergrass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to review the combinations of RES-E support instruments in the European Union (EU), using different sources of data. It is shown that combinations are indeed a widespread phenomenon in the EU Member States. Not much attention has been paid to the combinations of primary instruments with other secondary instruments for the same renewable energy technology. It is found that the most frequent mixes of instruments are between feed-in laws (feed-in tariffs, and increasingly feed-in premiums), on the one hand, and investment subsidies, soft loans and tax incentives on the other. In a broad sense, the policy mix between primary and secondary instruments has experienced some changes over the last decade, mostly related to changes in the primary instruments themselves. Exclusion (i.e., ineligibility to apply for an instrument when the RES-E generator is already being financially supported by another instrument) and explicit coordination of support under primary and secondary instruments do not seem to be common elements in these policy combinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Antipsychotic polypharmacy (AP) to treat patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder is commonly prescribed in clinical practice; however, evidence supporting its use is scarce. This study surveyed South Korean psychiatrists' rationale for AP. METHODS: Psychiatrists were interviewed using a newly developed, semi-structured questionnaire inquiring about AP attitudes and behaviors, including frequency of use, rationale, concerns, and preferred combinations. RESULTS: Compared with the high-prescribing AP group (>10 patients a day; HAP group), the low-prescribing AP group (<9 patients a day; LAP group) tended to work in a university general hospital, publish more research papers a year, attend more psychiatric conferences, prescribe more 2-antipsychotic combinations, and have more satisfaction with AP. Psychiatrists were satisfied with the therapeutic response with AP (rating 6.4 ± 1.5). Psychiatrists felt concern about AP (rating 4.7 ± 1.6), mostly because of its higher risk of chronic adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: In South Korean psychiatric practices, the LAP group seems to pay closer attention to AP than the HAP group does. However, both the HAP and LAP groups share similar attitudes toward satisfaction, concerns, and preferred combinations of AP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A high number of combinations of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors with other anti-cancer therapies are in clinical development. The usefulness of phase II trials in evaluating their efficacy and safety is unclear.Materials and Methods: We performed a systematic search on PubMed and Cochrane Library for phase II trials of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in combination with other anti-cancer therapies (systemic therapy and/or radiotherapy) published between January 1st 2018 and December 31st 2020. Study design, primary endpoint and main outcomes were registered for each paper.Results: 119 articles reporting on 65 regimens were included in our analysis. Backbone agents were more frequently PD-1 inhibitors (pembrolizumab = 47, nivolumab = 41, camrelizumab = 3) followed by anti-PD-L1 (durvalumab = 19, atezolizumab = 6, avelumab = 3). Therapeutic partners were other immunotherapeutic agents (n = 46), targeted therapies (n = 40), chemotherapy (n = 22) or radiotherapy (n = 11). The majority of articles reported on single-arm trials (n = 87, 73%) and response rate was the most frequent primary endpoint (n = 69, 58%). Objective responses, registered in 109 (92%) articles, ranged between 0% and 91%. The incidence of grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events, clearly reported in 97 (82%) articles, spanned from 0 to 100%. Five combinations received regulatory approval by Food and Drug Administration or European Medicine Agency for 9 different indications, based on the results of a phase II trial (n = 3) or on a confirmatory phase III trial (n = 6).Conclusions: The landscape of phase II trials evaluating PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors with other anticancer therapies is heterogeneous. Combinations of two immunotherapeutic agents have been the most investigated. Only a minority of indications (8%) granted regulatory approval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the present study was to evaluate under laboratory conditions the toxicity of essential oils (EOs) extracted from Mentha suaveolens L. subsp. timija (Briq.) Harley, Chenopodium ambrosioides L. and Laurus nobilis L. against Varroa destructor adult mites. Also, various combinations were prepared by mixing equal concentrations of any two and all three studied EOs and used to evaluate the combinational acaricidal effects of mixtures against adult Varroa mites. The GC/MS analysis indicated that the main chemical compounds of M. suaveolens subsp. timija EO were menthone (40.42%) and pulegone (19.22%), whereas C. ambrosioides EO is rich in α-terpinene (34.08%), isoascaridol (13.6%), p-cymene (10.95%), thymol (10.26%), ascaridole (10.25%) and carvacrol (7.75%). L. nobilis EO is mainly composed with 1,8-cineol (37.5%) and linalool (14.09%). The fumigation bioassays showed that the three tested EOs showed varroacidal toxicity, whereas no mortality has been observed on honey bees that were exposed to their higher concentrations. The highest acaricidal potency was observed with M. suaveolens subsp. timija (LD50 = 3.360 µl/Lair and LD90 = 7.300 µl/Lair). According to the combination index (CI) calculated by CompuSyn software, the ternary blend combination exhibited high synergistic effectiveness with a CI value of 0.343. All combinations have shown favorable dose reduction with DRI indexes greater than one. Our findings suggest that EO combinations tested could present a promising solution to reduce the effective doses of EOs and constitute a promising alternative to synthetic acaricides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Ethnobotanical reports on more than 100 southern African medicinal plants with dermatological relevance have been highlighted, yet there is still limited scientific data to support claims for their antimicrobial effectiveness against skin pathogens. Guided by ethnobotanical data, this paper explores the antimicrobial efficacies of southern African medicinal plants used to treat skin ailments. Aim of the study: To investigate the antimicrobial properties of southern African medicinal plants against dermatologically relevant pathogens. The study also aimed at providing a scientific rationale for the traditional use of plant combinations to treat skin diseases and the isolation of the bio-active compound from the most active species, Aristea ecklonii (Iridaceae). Materials and methods: Organic and aqueous extracts (132) were prepared from 47 plant species and screened for antimicrobial properties against dermatologically relevant pathogens using the micro-titre plate dilution method. Four different plant combinations were investigated for interactive properties and the sum of the fractional inhibitory concentration (ƩFIC) calculated. Isobolograms were used to further investigate the antimicrobial interactive properties of Pentanisia prunelloides combined with Elephantorrhiza elephantina at varied ratios. A bioactivity-guided fractionation process was adopted to fractionate the organic leaf extract of Aristea ecklonii. Results: Plants demonstrating notable broad-spectrum activities (MIC values ≤1.00mg/ml) against the tested pathogens included extracts from Aristea ecklonii, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Diospyros mespiliformis, Elephantorrhiza elephantina, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Gunnera perpensa, Harpephyllum caffrum, Hypericum perforatum, Melianthus comosus, Terminalia sericea and Warburgia salutaris. The organic extract of Elephantorrhiza elephantina, a plant reportedly used to treat acne vulgaris, demonstrated noteworthy antimicrobial activity (MIC value of 0.05mg/ml) against Propionibacterium acnes. Similarly, Diospyros mespiliformis reported for its traditional use to treat ringworm, also displayed noteworthy antimicrobial activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes (MIC 0.10mg/ml) and Microsporum canis (MIC 0.50mg/ml). The aqueous root extracts of Pentanisia prunelloides combined (1:1) with Elephantorrhiza elephantina displayed synergistic interactions (ƩFIC values 0.31–0.38) against Staphylococcus aureus, gentamycin–methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida albicans. Fractionation of Aristea ecklonii resulted in the isolation of the known bio-active compound, plumbagin, displaying noteworthy antimicrobial activity (MIC range between 2.00μg/ml and 16.00μg/ml). Conclusion: Most of the plant extracts demonstrated pathogen specific antimicrobial effects with a few exhibiting broad-spectrum activities. Positive antimicrobial effects noted for plants such as Elephantorrhiza elephantina and Diospyros mespiliformis used for acne vulgaris and ringworm infections, respectively, give some validation to their reported traditiona l uses. Synergistic interactions noted for Pentanisia prunelloides combined with Elephantorrhiza elephantina validate an enhanced antimicrobial effect when used in combination. Noteworthy antimicrobial activities (MIC range between 2.00μg/ml and 16.00μg/ml) were observed for plumbagin isolated from Aristea ecklonii. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The different lithological combinations of the surrounding rock of coal seams play a key role in controlling the enrichment and migration of coalbed methane (gas), and their permeability and stress sensitivity have important theoretical guiding significance for the regional election and evaluation of coalbed methane development. In this paper, the HB-2 type coal rock sample pore permeability adsorption simulation measurement device is used to carry out the sensitivity experiment of the permeability of different surrounding rock combinations on the effective stress of the No. 3 coal seam roof in the Daping coal mine area, Luan, Shanxi. The sensitivity coefficient of permeability to effective stress, the maximum damage rate of permeability, and other parameters are defined to characterize the response mode of permeability to effective stress and the dynamic change rule of permeability, and reveal the control mechanism of effective stress on permeability change of different surrounding rock combinations. The results show that the permeability of the roof of No. 3 coal seam is highly sensitive to the effective stress, and the permeability of different surrounding rock combinations decreases with the increase of the effective stress, and there is a strong negative exponential correlation between the permeability and the effective stress; the stress sensitivity coefficients of different surrounding rock combinations under unloading stress are higher than those under loading; the permeability changes of specimens with different combinations of surrounding rock under the same experimental conditions are varied and the differentiation phenomenon is significant; the permeability is affected by lithology, pore fissure degree, and different combinations of surrounding rock, among which different combinations of surrounding rock are the main controlling factors for the dynamic change of permeability.

Abstract: Cell-mediated cytotoxicity assays are widely implemented to evaluate cell-mediated cytotoxic activity, and some assays are analyzed using the analogy of enzyme kinetics. In the analogy, the effector cell is regarded as the enzyme, the target cell as the substrate, the effector cell–target cell conjugate as the enzyme–substrate complex and the dead target cell as the product. However, the assumptions analogous to those of enzyme kinetics are not always true in cell-mediated cytotoxicity assays, and the parameter analogous to the Michaelis–Menten constant is not constant but is dependent on the number of effector cells. Therefore I present novel mathematical models for cell-mediated cytotoxicity assays without applying enzyme kinetics. I instead use combinations and probability, because analysis of cell-mediated cytotoxicity assays by applying enzyme kinetics seems controversial. With my original models, I demonstrate simulations of the data in previously published papers. The results are exhibited in the same forms as the corresponding data. Comparing the simulation results with the published data, the results seem to agree well with the data. From simulations of cytotoxic assays with bulk effector cells, it appears that bystanders in bulk effector cells increase both the cytotoxic activity and the motility of effector cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The global introduction of 14 new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) over the past 20 years as adjunctive treatment in refractory epilepsy has triggered an increased interest in optimising combination therapy. With a widening range of available mechanisms of AED action, much activity has been focused on the defining and refining “rational polytherapy” with AEDs that have differing pharmacological properties. This paper reviews the available animal and human data exploring this issue. The experimental and clinical evidence in support of “rational polytherapy” is sparse, with only the combination of sodium valproate with lamotrigine demonstrating synergism. Robust evidence to guide clinicians on how and when to combine AEDs is lacking and current practice recommendations are largely empirical. Practical guidance for the clinician is summarised and discussed in this review. In particular, care should be taken to avoid excessive drug load, which can be associated with decreased tolerability and, therefore, reduced likelihood of seizure freedom. A palliative strategy should be defined early for the more than 30% of patients with refractory epilepsy. Nevertheless, the availability of an increasing number of pharmacologically distinct AEDs has produced a modest improvement in prognosis with combination therapy, which will encourage the clinician to persevere with continued pharmacological manipulation when other therapeutic options have been tried or are not appropriate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Approximate pattern matching has a wide range of applications and, depending on the type of approximation, there exist numerous algorithms for solving it. In this article we focus on texts which originate from OCRed documents, whose errors quite often have a particular form and are far from being random errors. We introduce a new variant of the edit distance metric, where apart from the traditional edit operations, two new operations are supported. The combination operation allows two or more symbols from a string x to be interpreted as a single symbol and then "matched" (or aligned) against a single symbol of a second string y. Its dual is the operation of a split, where a single symbol from x is broken down into a sequence of two or more other symbols, that can then be matched against an equal number of symbols from y. Our algorithm requires O(L) time for preprocessing, and O(mnk) time for computing the edit distance, where L is the total length of all the valid combinations/splits, m and n are the lengths of the two strings under comparison and k is an upper bound on the number of valid splits for any single symbol. The expected running time is O(mn). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel nonthermal processes, such as high hydrostatic pressure (HHP), pulsed electric fields (PEFs), ionizing radiation and ultrasonication, are able to inactivate microorganisms at ambient or sublethal temperatures. Many of these processes require very high treatment intensities, however, to achieve adequate microbial destruction in low-acid foods. Combining nonthermal processes with conventional preservation methods enhances their antimicrobial effect so that lower process intensities can be used. Combining two or more nonthermal processes can also enhance microbial inactivation and allow the use of lower individual treatment intensities. For conventional preservation treatments, optimal microbial control is achieved through the hurdle concept, with synergistic effects resulting from different components of the microbial cell being targeted simultaneously. The mechanisms of inactivation by nonthermal processes are still unclear; thus, the bases of synergistic combinations remain speculative. This paper reviews literature on the antimicrobial efficiencies of nonthermal processes combined with conventional and novel nonthermal technologies. Where possible, the proposed mechanisms of synergy is mentioned. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This introduction outlines some key aspects of an Austrian perspective on innovation, which is viewed as an ongoing, dynamic process in which entrepreneurs combine heterogeneous capital resources in new ways order to develop and deploy new technologies, products, and methods of business organisation. It goes on to introduce the contributions to this special issue on Austrian economics and innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of forecasts is a simple, pragmatic and sensible way to possibly produce better forecasts. Simple extensions of the original idea involve the use of various available 'forecasts' even if some are rather inefficient. Some unsolved questions relate to combining forecasts with horizons longer than one period. More complicated extensions are associated with `encompassing' and the combination of confidence intervals or quantiles. The relevance of information sets is emphasized in both the underlying theory and the interpretation of combinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]