On beta and sigma convergence of Czech regions

The aim of the article is to examine beta and sigma convergence of fourteen Czech regions during 1995-2009. Using real GDP per capita panel data from the Czech Statistical Office it was found that Czech regions σ-diverged in the period and this divergence was accelerating in time regardless of whether the capital city Prague was included among regions or not. Also, statistically significant β-divergence was present during the same period. There are two main possible reasons for the divergence: inequalities in foreign and domestic investments as well as the accumulation of human and physical capital in the most attractive regions, while less competitive regions were left behind. Policy implications necessary to reverse the situation include government’s support of investments in poorer regions and also gaining more financial resources from European ESF and ERDF funds

A Theoretical Exploration of Birhythmicity in the p53-Mdm2 Network

Experimental observations performed in the p53-Mdm2 network, one of the key protein modules involved in the control of proliferation of abnormal cells in mammals, revealed the existence of two frequencies of oscillations of p53 and Mdm2 in irradiated cells depending on the irradiation dose. These observations raised the question of the existence of birhythmicity, i.e. the coexistence of two oscillatory regimes for the same external conditions, in the p53-Mdm2 network which would be at the origin of these two distinct frequencies. A theoretical answer has been recently suggested by Ouattara, Abou-Jaoudé and Kaufman who proposed a 3-dimensional differential model showing birhythmicity to reproduce the two frequencies experimentally observed. The aim of this work is to analyze the mechanisms at the origin of the birhythmic behavior through a theoretical analysis of this differential model. To do so, we reduced this model, in a first step, into a 3-dimensional piecewise linear differential model where the Hill functions have been approximated by step functions, and, in a second step, into a 2-dimensional piecewise linear differential model by setting one autonomous variable as a constant in each domain of the phase space. We find that two features related to the phase space structure of the system are at the origin of the birhythmic behavior: the existence of two embedded cycles in the transition graph of the reduced models; the presence of a bypass in the orbit of the large amplitude oscillatory regime of low frequency. Based on this analysis, an experimental strategy is proposed to test the existence of birhythmicity in the p53-Mdm2 network. From a methodological point of view, this approach greatly facilitates the computational analysis of complex oscillatory behavior and could represent a valuable tool to explore mathematical models of biological rhythms showing sufficiently steep nonlinearities

Anlagenentwicklung und -validierung zur Herstellung elektrogesponnener Garne für den Einsatz im Tissue Engineering

Tissue Engineering is a field of research that combines physical, chemical, biological and engineering processes to produce living tissue for medical purposes. The scaffold is an essential factor in this process, serving as a supporting structure for the cells and promoting correct tissue formation. An exact reproduction of the body's extracellular matrix is an advantage. The development of the scaffolds takes place within the framework of engineering research. The task is to produce a scaffold that meets the requirements of the cells, taking into account the correct material and process selection. In comparison to other textile pro-cesses, electrospinning is of particular interest as it simulates the structure of the extracellular matrix and thus provides an ideal environment for the cultivation of cells. The deficit of the conventional electrospinning process is the limitation to two-dimensional nonwoven structures. Therefore, the aim of this work is the development and subsequent validation of a production process for the manufacture of electrospun yarns, in order to be able to combine the advantages of e-spun fibres for applications in the field of tissue engineering with the properties of textile technology products. For this reason, an e-yarn spinning plant will be constructed in the first step of the work. For the machine validation a mixture of the polymers polylactic acid (PLA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) is transformed into electrospun yarns. Furthermore, it is proven that the spinning plant can be used universally by the production of electro-spun yarns from thermoplastic polyurethane. Process speeds of up to 1.3 m/min are achieved during yarn production from PLA and PEG. These yarns are then further processed in the knitting and weaving process. A processing of the yarns in an automated textile process can thus be demonstrated within the scope of the work. On the basis of the produced woven fabric, a final concept is developed for transferring the results into industry

Supporting global health goals with information and communications technology

The objective of this study is to critically assess the possible roles of information and communications technology (ICT) in supporting global health goals. This is done by considering privilege and connectibility. In short, ICT can contribute by providing health information via four different kinds of access, each with its own history and prospective future. All four are analyzed here, in two perspectives: business-as-usual and disruptive. Health data analytics is difficult since the digital representation of past, current, and future health information is lacking. The flow of analytics that may prove beneficial to the individual and not just meet abstract population-level goals or ambitions is analyzed in detail. Sensemaking is also needed, to meet the minimum requirement of making prospective future services understandable to policymakers. Drivers as well as barriers for areas in which policy decisions have the potential to drive positive developments for meeting the Sustainable Development Goals are identified