(p − 1)(p + 1)-approximate algorithms for p-traveling salesmen problems on a tree with minmax objective

AbstractSuppose p traveling salesmen must visit together all points/nodes of a tree, and the objective is to minimize the maximum of lengths of their tours. For location-allocation problems (where both optimal home locations of the salesmen and their tours must be found), which are NP-complete, fast polynomial heuristics with worst-case relative error (p − 1)(p + 1) are presented

Interaction between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Human Host: Role of Cytokines in Pathogenesis and Treatment Monitoring

Tuberculosis is one of the most prevalent infections of human beings. According to WHO Global tuberculosis report 2016, there were 10.4 million new incidents of TB cases worldwide, and 580,000 new cases of multidrug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis. Monitoring the effectiveness of tuberculosis treatment and timely diagnosis of latent tuberculosis is an important problem for immunological research. Interaction of M. tuberculosis and the human immune system begins with phagocytosis of mycobacteria by macrophages and activate the immune response through the cytokines and chemokines release. The balance of proinflammatory and immunoregulatory cytokines and chemokines production may reflect the level of host-parasite interaction (e.g., elimination or persistence of the microbe). The review presents current clinical trends in studies on proinflammatory (IL-12, IL-1, INF-II, TNF-α) and immunoregulatory (IL-10 and TGF-β) cytokines, as well as matrix metalloproteases and hemoxygenase 1 to characterize the success of antituberculous chemotherapy. Monitoring the effectiveness of tuberculosis treatment will require the use new combinations of cytokines, chemokines, and nonspecific inflammatory factors which combinations have not yet been determined. The most promising area is studying of immunoregulatory cytokines, (e.g., IL-10, TGF-β), cell migration factors (e.g., IP-10/CXCL-10, MIG/CXCL/9), and markers of nonspecific inflammation (e.g., HO-1, SAA and MMP-1,3,9)

ADVERTISING INTERVENTIONS IN METRO ARCHITECTURAL SPACE

Research actualizes the problem of uncontrolled distribution of advertising messages in the architectural environment, namely in the underground metro space, as exemplified by the Kharkiv and Kyiv metro stations. Particular attention is focused on the so-called branding – a campaign involving the complete covering of architectural forms and structures with advertising images. The result of the negative influence of such methods on the perception of the architectural image of metro stations is shown. As a result of analysis of the current state of the metro in the cities of the post-Soviet space, it has been revealed that the identified problem is characteristic only for Ukraine. The need is noted to involve professionals and the public to discuss and further resolve this problem.Key words: architectural environment, evaluation of aesthetic qualities, outdoor advertising, commercial signs, metro space.кандидат архитектуры Авербах М. Я. Рекламные интервенции в архитектурном пространстве метрополитена/ Харьковский национальный университет строительства и архитектуры, Украина, ХарьковИсследование актуализирует проблему безудержного распространения рекламных сообщений в архитектурной среде, в частности в подземном пространстве метро на примере станций харьковского и киевского метрополитенов. Особое внимание сосредоточено на так называемом брендировании – акции, которая предусматривает полное завешивание архитектурных форм и конструкций рекламными изображениями. Показан результат негативного влияния таких приемов на восприятие архитектурного образа станций метро. В результате анализа существующего состояния метрополитенов городов постсоветского пространства выявлено, что обозначенная проблема является характерной только для Украины. Отмечается необходимость привлечения профессионалов и общественности для обсуждения и дальнейшего урегулирования данной проблемы.Ключевые слова: архитектурная среда, оценка эстетических качеств, наружная реклама, коммерческие знаки, пространство метрополитена

IMPACT OF ADVERTISEMENTS ON THE ARCHITECTURAL IMAGE AND ITS PERCEPTION BY CONSUMERS (BASED ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE KHARKIV METRO STATIONS),

У дослідженні зачіпаються актуальні для сучасного стану суспільства питання нестримного поширення рекламних повідомлень в архітектурному середовищі, зокрема в підземному просторі метро. В результаті такої експансії порушується авторське право, спотворюється архітектурний образ, впроваджуються сторонні сенси, формується «карнавальний» стиль, не властивий інженерним інфраструктурним об'єктам. Постулюється необхідність залучення громадськості до формування думки щодо даних явищ і прийняття певних рішень. Запропоновано методику оцінки думок споживачів, в даному випадку - пасажирів харківського метрополітену. Розроблено питання для фіксації і шкалювання відповідей респондентів.Ключові слова: архітектурне середовище, зовнішня реклама, бренд, архітектурний образ, візуальне сприйняття, простір метрополітену.The paper considers the issues, particularly relevant for the current state of society, regarding the unrestrained distribution of advertising messages in the architectural environment, especially in the underground space of the metro. As a result of this expansion, copyright is violated, the architectural image is distorted, extraneous meanings are introduced, and a “carnival" style is formed that is not typical for engineering infrastructure facilities. The necessity is postulated to involve the community in the process of forming an opinion regarding these phenomena and making certain decisions. A methodology is proposed for assessing the opinions of consumers, in this case, passengers of the Kharkiv Metro. Questions have been developed in order to record and scale respondents' opinions. Key words: architectural environment, outdoor advertising, brand, architectural image, visual perception, metro space

Host Genetics in Granuloma Formation: Human-Like Lung Pathology in Mice with Reciprocal Genetic Susceptibility to M. tuberculosis and M. avium

Development of lung granulomata is a hallmark of infections caused by virulent mycobacteria, reflecting both protective host response that restricts infection spreading and inflammatory pathology. The role of host genetics in granuloma formation is not well defined. Earlier we have shown that mice of the I/St strain are extremely susceptible to Mycobacterium tuberculosis but resistant to M. avium infection, whereas B6 mice show a reversed pattern of susceptibility. Here, by directly comparing: (i) characteristics of susceptibility to two infections in vivo; (ii) architecture of lung granulomata assessed by immune staining; and (iii) expression of genes encoding regulatory factors of neutrophil influx in the lung tissue, we demonstrate that genetic susceptibility of the host largely determines the pattern of lung pathology. Necrotizing granuloma surrounded by hypoxic zones, as well as a massive neutrophil influx, develop in the lungs of M. avium-infected B6 mice and in the lungs of M. tuberculosis-infected I/St mice, but not in the lungs of corresponding genetically resistant counterparts. The mirror-type lung tissue responses to two virulent mycobacteria indicate that the level of genetic susceptibility of the host to a given mycobacterial species largely determines characteristics of pathology, and directly demonstrate the importance of host genetics in pathogenesis

CONTENT OF PENTRAXIN-3 AND C-REACTIVE PROTEIN IN BLOOD SERUM OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS SUFFERING FROM RESPIRATORY TUBERCULOSIS WITH DESTRUCTION AND MINOR FORMS OF THE DISEASE

The study investigated the dynamic changes in the content of pentraxin-3 and C-Reactive Protein in blood serum of children and adolescents suffering from respiratory tuberculosis with destruction and minor tuberculous changes in chest lymph nodes and lungs (minor forms). Level of PTX3 in tuberculosis patients with destructive lesions confidently reduced by the 6th month of treatment (end of the intensive phase of treatment): from 3 285.2 ± 387.1 down to 1 280.0 ± 65.4 pg/ml In the group ofthose with minor forms oftuberculosis the content of PTX3 confidently increased after 6 months of treatment (completion of the main course of chemotherapy): from 2 990.0 ± 330.3 down 5 329.7 ± 421.3 pg/ml. Such changes of PTX3 in this group were observed for the first time and it had not been described before. It is possible that the increase of PTX3 level after completion of chemotherapy course is temporary and it is related to activation of the lung tissue healing. Content of C-Reactive Protein before treatment start was typically higher in those with destructive lesions and it confidently reduced in 6 months of chemotherapy in the patients from this group (from 15.7 ± 2.9 down to 5.95 ± 1.2 mg/l) and remained unchanged in the patients with minor forms of tuberculosis (4.5 ± 1.1; 2.9 ± 0.1 mg/l)

DYNAMIC CHANGES OF CHEMOKINE CXCL-10 (IP-10) IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH DIFFERENT FORMS OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS

CXCL10 (IP-10) chemokine is one of additional humoral markers applied along with determination of antigen-induced IFNγ for diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in humans. Dynamics of the IP-10 changes and its prognostic value in planning treatment for various forms of tuberculosis is a scarcely studied problem, especially, in children and adolescents. Present study has revealed an increase in spontaneous and antigen-induced IP-10 production in children and adolescents with overt tuberculosis, when compared with latent course of tuberculosis, followed by its significant reduction in cases of successful chemotherapy of tuberculosis. Such dynamics was not evident in destructive forms of tuberculosis manifesting as torpid and progressive infection