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Taking the living space of the Historic Centre of Macao as an example, by field measurement of the midweek and weekend data of people and traffic flow in major blocks with remote sensors technology, this paper comprehensively analyzes the association and impact of multi-level spatial networks on the urban vitality of historic blocks, evaluate and verify the close correlation and goodness of fit between the analysis of spatial syntax and the field test data. This paper selects three levels: metropolitan level, block level and neighborhood level, and uses information sensors to conduct correlation analysis on the number of standardized stores and spatial syntactic parameters for the living space in the Historic Centre of Macao, verifying the role and effect of integration and through a degree in analyzing multi-level spatial time and space. In the subsequent development of the Historic Centre, the service sector with a small radius should be protected and renewed, and the guidelines and orientation for street renewal and revitalization should also be enhanced with the help of information actuators. • The paper analyzes the association and impact of multi-level spatial networks on city. • Analyze standardized stores and spatial syntactic parameters of living space of Macao. • Guidelines and orientation for street renewal and revitalization should be enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The combinatorial object named t -spontaneous emission error design (t -SEED) was proposed by Beth et al. in 2003 in order to correct errors caused by quantum jumps. The newly rising category of t -SEEDs has been studied extensively in recent years. Especially, the maximal possible dimensions for 2-SEEDs with block size 3 were determined completely; lower bounds on 2-SEEDs were established by applying affine groups. In this paper we utilize the action of twisted affine groups on finite fields and obtain new lower bounds on the dimensions of 2- (q 2 , k ; m) SEEDs, some of which outperform the known ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The combinatorial object named t -spontaneous emission error design (t -SEED) was proposed by Beth et al. in 2003 to correct errors caused by quantum jumps. The newly rising category of t -SEEDs contains the classical problem of large sets as a subbranch at the extremal optimal situation. In this article we study carefully the necessary conditions for the existence of a 3- (v , 4 ; m) SEED where v ≡ 5 (mod 6), v ≥ 23 and m = v − 7 (the largest possible dimension). By considering the derived designs we determine all possible degeneracy graphs to twenty types (including the empty graph). Then we define triad graphs to investigate these degeneracy graphs. Finally we rule out eighteen of them and reduce the leave of the putative optimal 3-SEED to three concrete types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel oxide (NiO) has great application prospects as a counter electrode in electrochromic devices, such as smart windows and displays. However, the cycle stability and electrochromic properties of pure NiO films are rather poor in lithium ion based non-aqueous electrolyte. To improve these properties, Li–Ti co-doped NiO films were prepared by sol–gel spin coating technique. Compared with undoped NiO films, Li and Ti doping deteriorate the symmetry of NiO cubic phase, increase lattice disorder and change the valence state of nickel in the films. The investigations of NiO-based films in LiClO 4 /PC electrolyte reveal enhancement of electrochromic properties and cycle stability with Li–Ti co-doping. Finally, electrochromic devices assembled with poly(3,4-(2,2-dimethylpropylenedioxy)thiophene) and Li–Ti–NiO films exhibit rapid color change within 1 s, excellent optical variation for about 56% at 580 nm and high stability up to 1,000,000 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vanadium pentoxide (V 2 O 5 ) is a promising material for constructing electrochromic devices, due to its outstanding properties of lithium ion intercalation/deintercalation. However, its poor cyclic stability limits practical applications. We report here that V 2 O 5 films gain significantly improved cyclic stability by doping with titanium (Ti) and perform well in WO 3 -based electrochromic devices. V 2 O 5 films were fabricated by spin coating with a vanadium triisopropoxy oxide solution followed by heat treatment. X-ray diffraction studies reveal that introducing the Ti element reduces the crystallinity of a V 2 O 5 film and distorts its layer structure. The cyclic stability of the V 2 O 5 films increases as the doped Ti content increases. The electrochromic device assembled with an optimized V 2 O 5 electrode (V:Ti = 2:1) has lasted 200,000 cyclic switching times between the lowest (2%) and highest (62%) transmittance with no significant degradation of performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Sylvester’s problem, i.e., the problem of the existence of large sets of Kirkman triple systems (LKTSs), is one of the most challenging problems in combinatorial design theory. Most recursive constructions for LKTSs impose resolvable restrictions on the ingredient designs, making the recursions difficult to apply. In this note we provide necessary small designs by using spherical geometries and a direct construction. Finally, we prove the existence of LKTS for all positive integers . A new result on overlarge sets of Kirkman triple systems is also produced. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An LRMTS is a large set consisting of pairwise disjoint resolvable Mendelsohn triple systems defined over the same -element set. In this paper a new product construction for LRMTS is displayed by using generalized LR-designs. As well, several new existence families of LRMTS are constructed via 3-wise balanced designs. Finally the existence result of LRMTS is expanded by combining all the known constructions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An () over a -set is a collection of pairwise disjoint resolvable (almost resolvable) Mendelsohn triple systems of order . In this paper several direct construction methods for OLRMTSs and OLARMTSs are presented and then applied to produce some new orders; the smallest unknown for , the smallest unknown for , and some other small designs are displayed; a few new existence families are also obtained by known recursive constructions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An idempotent Latin square of order is called resolvable and denoted by RILS if the off-diagonal cells can be resolved into disjoint transversals. A large set of resolvable idempotent Latin squares of order , briefly LRILS, is a collection of RILSs pairwise agreeing on only the main diagonal. In this paper we display some recursive and direct constructions for LRILSs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A Mendelsohn triple system MTS (v , b) is a collection of b cyclic triples (blocks) on a set of v points. It is j -balanced for j = 1 , 2 , 3 when any two points, ordered pairs, or cyclic triples (resp.) are contained in the same or almost the same number of blocks (difference at most one). A (2 , 3) -balanced Mendelsohn triple system is an MTS (v , b) that is both 2-balanced and 3-balanced. Employing large sets of Mendelsohn triple systems and partitionable Mendelsohn candelabra systems, we completely determine the spectrum for which a 2-balanced Mendelsohn triple system exists. Meanwhile, we determine the existence spectrum for a (2 , 3) -balanced Mendelsohn triple system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of a partial geometric difference set (or 1 1 2 -difference set) was introduced by Olmez in 2014. Recently, Nowak, Olmez and Song introduced the notion of a partial geometric difference family, which generalizes both the classical difference family and the partial geometric difference set. It was shown that partial geometric difference sets and partial difference families give rise to partial geometric designs. In this paper, a number of new infinite families of partial geometric difference sets and partial geometric difference families are constructed. From these partial geometric difference sets and difference families, we generate a list of infinite families of partial geometric designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) is involved in the development of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the molecular mechanism and biological function of MALAT1 in AMI remained unclear. Methods The expression levels of MALAT1, miR-320 and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (Pten) in a mouse model of AMI and sham-operated mice were determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blotting, respectively. The relationships between miR-320 and MALAT1, Pten were confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. The roles of MALAT1, miR-320 and Pten in myocardial apoptosis were evaluated using Annexin V-FITC/PI double-labeled flow cytometry. Echocardiographic evaluation, serum creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), myocardial infarct size and myocardial apoptosis using terminal dexynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay were used to examine the impact of MALAT1 on myocardial injury. Results MALAT1 and Pten were highly expressed, while miR-320 was suppressed in MI group. Mechanistically, MALAT1 may serve as a sponge for miR-320 to upregulate Pten, a direct target of miR-320. Moreover, MALAT1 knockdown overturned the pro-apoptotic effect of miR-320 in vitro and in vivo . Conclusion MALAT1 knockdown attenuated myocardial apoptosis through suppressing Pten expression by sponging miR-320 in mouse AMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Acupuncture is frequently recommended as a complementary therapy for infertility. However, whether acupuncture can prevent early ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome has not been examined and its potential mechanisms are not well understood. Main methods Forty rats were randomized into four groups: Control, Ovarian Stimulation Model, Acupuncture, and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG). Serum estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pituitary ER mRNA and ERβ expression were detected by real-time PCR and western blotting respectively. The pathology of rat ovaries were observed by light microscopy. Key findings We observed significantly lower estradiol levels in the Acupuncture group than in the Model group and increased LH levels in the HCG group than in Model and Acupuncture groups. Testosterone and FSH levels were significantly lower in the Acupuncture group than in the HCG group. Western blotting showed significantly lower pituitary ERβ expression in the Model group than in the Control group and higher expression in the Acupuncture group than in the Model group. Real-time PCR showed lower pituitary ER mRNA expression in the Acupuncture group than in the Model group. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed a lower proportion of atretic follicles in Acupuncture and HCG groups than in Model and Control groups. Instead, Acupuncture and HCG groups showed growing and mature follicles. Significance Our results demonstrate a relationship between acupuncture and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, and the potential mechanism underlying the preventative effects of acupuncture on the incidence of early ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Let be a -covering with excess and a blocking set . Let , , , be all connected components of with at least two vertices (note that if ). The blocking set is called tight if further and for . In this paper, we give a complete solution for the existence of a minimum -covering admitting a blocking set (BS), or a tight blocking set (TBS) for any and when and . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]