Integrated methodology for assessing the readiness of a territory for the creation of a transport cluster

The process of transport clustering is a tool for the regional spatial development of the country, since it contributes to the elimination of infrastructural constraints, increasing the availability and quality of the main transport infrastructure and increasing the competitiveness of the territory. The choice of a territory for the creation of a transport and logistics cluster (hereinafter - TLC) is an important stage in the development of the clustering process, but there is no methodology that assesses the conditions of the region for the creation of a TLC. The aim of the work is to develop a methodology for assessing the readiness of the territory to create a TLC. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were completed: indicators were developed that characterize the conditions for the creation of a TLC; mathematical tools of the methodology were developed; three groups of regions were identified according to the value of assessing readiness for the creation of a TLC; the methodology was tested in the regions of the Russian Federation and subjects ready to create a transport cluster were identified. As a result of the methodology approbation the regions of the Russian Federation were assessed according to the degree of readiness for transport clustering, which forms the basis for the spatial development of the territory

The role of subprocess-connector in business process modeling

The paper presents several aspects of Petri Nets as a tool for surmounting the deadlocks in a system. Emphasis is placed on the importance of the correct and consistent business process planning. The most important objective in business process generation is the proper execution of the activities in a business organization and studying the links between them. To visualize all business processes in a system a subprocess – connector has been created that helps to detect: the deadlock markings in a system. It is impossible to change a component without interfering the operation with the others.This work is supported by the Bulgarian National Scientific Research Fund under the contract DFNI - I02/13

Applying process mining techniques and neural networks to creating and assessment of business process models

The article presents an approach for automated generation of business process models by applying process mining techniques to event logs created during the operation of information systems used in an organization. Existing algorithms for process mining are discussed. Criteria for performing a comparative analysis of these algorithms are specified. А framework is proposed in which to build and analyze business process models. The framework includes tools for initial analysis of the event log file, extracting elements of a business process model, and composing a new model by applying a trained neural network

Modernization of traditional Chinese theater in 1911–1966

The gradual decline of the Qing Dynasty led to a long period of political unrest and social turmoil. During this period traditional forms of Chinese theater were still performed throughout the huge country. However, international contacts, particularly with the West, led to new kinds of experiments and innovations. They include, not only discussion on the future concept of theater development, but also creation completely new kinds of theater forms, such as the spoken drama or huaju and the musical drama or geju. The Paper covers modernization of the Chinese theatre in 1911–1966. The focus is on political and social processes, cultural transformations which affected the development process of performing arts in China; social condition of the formation of new kinds of theatre art; features of coexistence of European traditions and Chinese culture in the development of contemporary Chinese musical and drama theatre.Стремительное падение династии Цин привело к затяжному периоду политических волнений и социальных потрясений. Традиционные формы китайского театра в этот период все еще продолжали бытовать по всей стране. Однако расширение международных контактов, особенно с Западом, дало начало новым видам экспериментов и инноваций, включающим в себя не только дискуссии по вопросам будущей концепции развития театра, но и собственно возникновение совершенно новых театральных форм, таких как разговорная драма хуацзюй и музыкальная драма гэцзюй. Статья посвящена модернизации театрального искусства Китая в 1911–1966 гг. В центре внимания автора — политико-социальные процессы и культурные преобразования, оказавшие влияние на процесс развития сценического искусства Китая, социальные условия формирования новых видов театрального искусства, а также особенности сосуществования европейских традиций и культуры Китая в развитии его современного музыкального и драматического театра

Application of Data Mining and Process Mining approaches for improving e-Learning Processes

The paper describes the basic principles of Data mining and Process mining methods, their similarities and differences. Some examples of special software for Data mining and Process mining are presented. The authors examine the research in Educational Data Mining field, associated with the use of Data mining techniques in education, give examples of problems to be solved with the use of Data mining and Process mining techniques in the area of traditional and e-learning, describe the possibilities and limitations of different methods. A review of major scientific conferences and journals devoted to the research in Educational Data Mining is made.This work is supported by the Bulgarian National Scientific Research Fund under the contract DFNI - I02/13

Three very young HgMn stars in the Orion OB1 Association

We report the detection of three mercury-manganese stars in the Orion OB1 association. HD 37886 and BD-0 984 are in the approximately 1.7 million year old Orion OB1b. HD 37492 is in the approximately 4.6 million year old Orion OB1c. Orion OB1b is now the youngest cluster with known HgMn star members. This places an observational upper limit on the time scale needed to produce the chemical peculiarities seen in mercury-manganese stars, which should help in the search for the cause or causes of the peculiar abundances in HgMn and other chemically peculiar upper main sequence stars.Comment: 8 pages including 1 figure. To appear in Astrophysical Journal Letter

High dietary folate in pregnant mice leads to pseudo-MTHFR deficiency and altered methyl metabolism, with embryonic growth delay and short-term memory impairment in offspring

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) generates methyltetrahydrofolate for methylation reactions. Severe MTHFR deficiency results in homocystinuria and neurologic impairment. Mild MTHFR deficiency (677C > T polymorphism) increases risk for complex traits, including neuropsychiatric disorders. Although low dietary folate impacts brain development, recent concerns have focused on high folate intake following food fortification and increased vitamin use. Our goal was to determine whether high dietary folate during pregnancy affects brain development in murine offspring. Female mice were placed on control diet (CD) or folic acid-supplemented diet (FASD) throughout mating, pregnancy and lactation. Three-week-old male pups were evaluated for motor and cognitive function. Tissues from E17.5 embryos, pups and dams were collected for choline/methyl metabolite measurements, immunoblotting or gene expression of relevant enzymes. Brains were examined for morphology of hippocampus and cortex. Pups of FASD mothers displayed short-term memory impairment, decreased hippocampal size and decreased thickness of the dentate gyrus. MTHFR protein levels were reduced in FASD pup livers, with lower concentrations of phosphocholine and glycerophosphocholine in liver and hippocampus, respectively. FASD pup brains showed evidence of altered acetylcholine availability and Dnmt3a mRNA was reduced in cortex and hippocampus. E17.5 embryos and placentas from FASD dams were smaller. MTHFR protein and mRNA were reduced in embryonic liver, with lower concentrations of choline, betaine and phosphocholine. Embryonic brain displayed altered development of cortical layers. In summary, high folate intake during pregnancy leads to pseudo-MTHFR deficiency, disturbed choline/methyl metabolism, embryonic growth delay and memory impairment in offspring. These findings highlight the unintended negative consequences of supplemental folic acid

Self-trapped states and the related luminescence in PbCl2_2 crystals

We have comprehensively investigated localized states of photoinduced electron-hole pairs with electron-spin-resonance technique and photoluminescence (PL) in a wide temperature range of 5-200 K. At low temperatures below 70 K, holes localize on Pb$^{2+}$ ions and form self-trapping hole centers of Pb$^{3+}$. The holes transfer to other trapping centers above 70 K. On the other hand, electrons localize on two Pb$^{2+}$ ions at higher than 50 K and form self-trapping electron centers of Pb$_2$$^{3+}$. From the thermal stability of the localized states and PL, we clarify that blue-green PL band at 2.50 eV is closely related to the self-trapped holes.Comment: 8 pages (10 figures), ReVTEX; removal of one figure, Fig. 3 in the version

Macrophage polarization in sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, characterized by the formation of epithelioid cell granulomas, multisystem lesions with a certain frequency of involvement of various organs, mainly the lungs (up to 90% of cases). Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in understanding the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis, the important role of immunological, genetic and environmental factors in the development of this pathology has been established. It is believed that the leading mechanism in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis is the aberrant activation of the innate and adaptive immune response to unidentified antigen(s), which leads to the development of granulomatous inflammation and the formation of granulomas. However, despite the huge number of studies that has been carried out, the mechanisms and signaling pathways that control the development of the inflammatory process during the formation of granulomas and the progression of pathology have not been fully determined.This literature review examines the important role of various cytokines and T helper subpopulations in sarcoidosis. Particular attention is paid to the cells of innate immunity – macrophages in the pathogenesis of this disease. These cells play a key role in the formation of sarcoid granulomas and in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis. The macrophage population is characterized by plasticity and functional heterogeneity. In response to various signals from the microenvironment, macrophages are able to acquire certain phenotypes. The review considers the issues of polarization of macrophages, changes in the phenotype of these cells to subpopulations M1 (M1 phenotype; classically activated; pro-inflammatory) and M2 (M2 phenotype; alternatively activated, anti-inflammatory). These two cell populations are characterized by the expression of different markers on their surface, which allow these cells to differentiate from each other. The analysis of literature data on the levels of key polarizing cytokines for macrophages and cells-producers of these cytokines that patients with sarcoidosis have, in acute and chronic course of the disease, was carried out.Important aspects of the alternative activation of macrophages of the M2 phenotype and their division into subtypes: M2a, M2b, M2c, M2d are noted. The features of various subtypes’ activation of macrophages in this granulomatosis and their importance in the development and progression of pathology are considered. Studying the role of macrophages’ phenotypes, understanding the mechanisms by which the phenotypes of these cells are activated and modulated in various microenvironmental conditions, can contribute to the development and implementation into clinical practice of new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of sarcoidosis and many other forms of pathologies