Всяко n-мерно сепарабелно метрично пространство съдържа напълно несвързано (n − 1)-мерно подмножество с едноточкови квазикомпоненти

Владимир Тодоров, Петър Стоев - Тази бележка съдържа елементарна конструкция на множество с указаните в заглавието свойства. Да отбележим в допълнение, че така полученото множество остава напълно несвързано дори и след като се допълни с краен брой елементи.The quasi-component Q(x) of a point x of a topological space X is by definition the intersection of all open and closed subsets of X, every one of which contains x. If a quasi-component consists of more than one point, it is called a true quasi-component. In this note we give a simple construction of (at least) (n − 1)-dimensional totally disconnected subspace Y of a given n-dimensional separable metric space X such that every quasi-component in Y is a single point. *2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: 17C55

Testing the Twin Deficit Hypothesis: The Case of Central and Eastern Europe Countries

Recent developments in the economies of the CEE countries bring into question the validity of the twin deficit hypothesis since we observed combination of high current account deficits and prevailingly stable fiscal positions before the crisis and just the opposite combination after it. The paper starts with the analysis of the theoretical foundations of the twin deficit hypothesis and the alternative explanations about the relationship between current account and fiscal deficits. Different econometric techniques are applied to test the validity of diverse theoretical approaches on the basis of panel data for CEE countries. OLS panel regression shows relatively modest positive connection between current account and fiscal deficits what confirms the twin deficit paradigm. On the other hand, the twin deficit hypothesis can be rejected in the case of Bulgaria and Estonia. The vector autoregressive analysis is also not compatible with the twin deficit hypothesis. Further research is necessary to overcome these contradictory results

Компаративна економска анализа Македонија vs. Белгија

The main objective of this paper is through comparative analysis of two at first sight similar, but in practice completely different European countries (Macedonia and Belgium) to show how different approaches in solving economic issues can lead to different dynamics in economic development. The paper is divided in six general sections. The first is a brief historical overview of both countries. The second and third section show the foreign trade development and models of strengthening Belgium’s competitive advantage over the years. Third part is actualy meant to be a guideline for Macedonia of how to develop its competitive advantages and thus to became more competitive od European markets and worldwide. Fourth section analyses Belgium’s educational system, where its competitive advantage actually begins. The fifth chapter is reserved for agriculture – one of Macedonia’s most important but extensive economic sectors vis-à-vis Belgian highly developed and unique agri-complex. At the end, the paper analyses both countries’ trade policies and gives directions of how can Macedonia use Belgian experience in foreign trade in future. The methods of statistical data analysis, historical analysis, comparative analysis and deduction are widely used in this paper

Компаративна економска анализа Македонија vs. Белгија

The main objective of this paper is through comparative analysis of two at first sight similar, but in practice completely different European countries (Macedonia and Belgium) to show how different approaches in solving economic issues can lead to different dynamics in economic development. The paper is divided in six general sections. The first is a brief historical overview of both countries. The second and third section show the foreign trade development and models of strengthening Belgium’s competitive advantage over the years. Third part is actualy meant to be a guideline for Macedonia of how to develop its competitive advantages and thus to became more competitive od European markets and worldwide. Fourth section analyses Belgium’s educational system, where its competitive advantage actually begins. The fifth chapter is reserved for agriculture – one of Macedonia’s most important but extensive economic sectors vis-à-vis Belgian highly developed and unique agri-complex. At the end, the paper analyses both countries’ trade policies and gives directions of how can Macedonia use Belgian experience in foreign trade in future. The methods of statistical data analysis, historical analysis, comparative analysis and deduction are widely used in this paper

A new analysis approach for single nephron GFR in intravital microscopy of mice [version 3; peer review: 2 approved, 2 not approved]

Background: Intravital microscopy is an emerging technique in life science with applications in kidney research. Longitudinal observation of (patho-)physiological processes in living mice is possible in the smallest functional unit of the kidney, a single nephron (sn). In particular, effects on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) - a key parameter of renal function - can be assessed. Methods: After intravenous injection of a freely filtered, non-resorbable, fluorescent dye in C57BL/6 mice, a time series was captured by multiphoton microsopy. Filtration was observed from the glomerular capillaries to the proximal tubule (PT) and the tubular signal intensity shift was analyzed to calculate the snGFR. Results: Previously described methods for snGFR analysis relied on two manually defined measurement points in the PT and the tubular volume was merely estimated in 2D images. We present an extended image processing workflow by adding continuous measurement of intensity along the PT in every frame of the time series using ImageJ. Automatic modelling of actual PT volume in a 3D dataset replaced 2D volume estimation. Subsequent data analysis in R, with a calculation of intensity shifts in every frame and normalization against tubular volume, allowed exact assessment of snGFR by linear regression. Repeated analysis of image data obtained in healthy mice showed a striking increase of reproducibility by reduction of user interaction. Conclusions: These improvements in image processing and data analysis maximize the reliability of a sophisticated intravital microscopy technique for the precise assessment of snGFR, a highly relevant predictor of kidney function

Prolyl‐4‐hydroxylases 2 and 3 control erythropoietin production in renin‐expressing cells of mouse kidneys

Activation of the hypoxia-signalling pathway induced by deletion of the ubiquitin-ligase von Hippel–Lindau protein causes an endocrine shift of renin-producing cells to erythropoietin (EPO)-expressing cells. However, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been investigated. Since oxygen-regulated stability of hypoxia-inducible transcription factors relevant for EPO expression is dependent on the activity of prolyl-4-hydroxylases (PHD) 2 and 3, this study aimed to determine the relevance of different PHD isoforms for the EPO expression in renin-producing cells in vivo. For this purpose, mice with inducible renin cell-specific deletions of different PHD isoforms were analysed. Our study shows that there are two subgroups of renal renin-expressing cells, juxtaglomerular renin+ cells and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β+ interstitial renin+ cells. These interstitial renin+ cells belong to the cell pool of native EPO-producing cells and are able to express EPO and renin in parallel. In contrast, co-deletion of PHD2 and PHD3, but not PHD2 deletion alone, induces EPO expression in juxtaglomerular and hyperplastic renin+ cells and downregulates renin expression. A strong basal PHD3 expression in juxtaglomerular renin+ cells seems to prevent the hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-2-dependent phenotype shift into EPO cells. In summary, PHDs seem important for the stabilization of the juxtaglomerular renin cell phenotype. Moreover, these findings reveal tubulointerstitial cells as a novel site of renal renin expression and suggest a high endocrine plasticity of these cells. Our data concerning the distinct expression patterns and functions of PHD2 and PHD3 provide new insights into the regulation of renin-producing cells and highlight the need for selective PHD inhibitors

The Memory Politics of Becoming European: The East European Subalterns and the Collective Memory of Europe

The situation in collective memory studies that share a nexus with the discipline of International Relations (IR) is currently reflective of the traditionally West-centric writing of European history. This order of things has become increasingly challenged after the eastern enlargement of the European Union (EU). This article examines Poland’s and the Baltics’ recent attempts to enlarge the mnemonic vision of ‘the united Europe’ by placing their ‘subaltern pasts’ in contest with the conventionally Western European-bent understanding of the consequences of World War II in Europe. I argue that their endeavours to wrench the ‘European mnemonical map’ apart in order to become more congruent with the different historical experiences within the enlarged EU encapsulate the curious trademark of Polish and Baltic post-Cold War politics of becoming European: their combination of simultaneously seeking recognition from and resisting the hegemonic ‘core European’ narrative of what ‘Europe’ is all about

Developmental endothelial locus-1 protects from hypertension-induced cardiovascular remodeling via immunomodulation

The causative role of inflammation in hypertension-related cardiovascular diseases is evident and calls for development of specific immunomodulatory therapies. We tested the therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of action of developmental endothelial locus-1 (DEL-1), an endogenous anti-inflammatory factor, in angiotensin-II (ANGII)- and DOCA (deoxycorticosterone acetate)-salt-induced cardiovascular organ damage and hypertension. By using mice with endothelial overexpression of DEL-1 (EC-Del1) and performing preventive and interventional studies by injecting recombinant DEL-1 in mice, we showed that DEL-1 improved endothelial function and abrogated aortic adventitial fibrosis, medial thickening and loss of elastin. DEL-1 also protected the mice from cardiac concentric hypertrophy, interstitial and perivascular coronary fibrosis and improved left-ventricular function and myocardial coronary perfusion. DEL-1 prevented aortic stiffness and abolished the progression of hypertension. Mechanistically, DEL-1 acted by inhibiting αvβ3-integrin dependent activation of pro-MMP2 in mice and in human isolated aorta. Moreover, DEL-1 stabilized αvβ3-integrin dependent CD25+FoxP3+ Treg numbers and IL-10 levels, which were associated with decreased pro-inflammatory cell recruitment of inflammatory cells and reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in cardiovascular organs. The demonstrated effects and immune-modulating mechanisms of DEL-1 in abrogation of cardiovascular remodeling and progression of hypertension identify DEL-1 as a potential therapeutic factor