Modification Of Rules Research Articles

Effect of a C-end rule modification on antitumor activity of thymosin α1

Thymosin α1 (Tα1), a hormone containing 28 amino acids, has been approved in several cancer therapies, but the lack of tumor-targeting hinders its full use in tumor treatment. We designed a new peptide by connecting Tα1 and RGDR, generating a product, Tα1-RGDR, where RGDR is located in the C-end with both tumor-homing and cell internalizing properties (C-end rule peptides, a consensus R/KXXR/K motif). This work aimed to study the antitumor and immunological activities of Tα1-RGDR, and its differences compared with the wild-type Tα1. The antitumor and immunological activities of Tα1-RGDR were measured using the B16F10 tumor and immunologic suppression models. Tα1-RGDR treatment led to significant inhibition of tumor growth at a dose at which Tα1 showed a slight effect in the B16F10 tumor growth model. In the immunologic suppression model, Tα1-RGDR shared almost equivalent immunomodulatory effect with Tα1. These results demonstrated the better therapeutic effects after treatment with Tα1-RGDR compared with Tα1. Moreover, both Tα1-RGDR and Tα1 shared a helical conformation in the presence of trifluoroethanol based on CD spectroscopy. Our dock information of Tα1-RGDR when combined with integrin αvβ3 or neuropilin-1 further confirmed previous experimental results. All these findings suggest that Tα1-RGDR might be a useful therapy for tumors by overcoming its wild type limitation of tumor homing.

Security Policy Violations in SDN Data Plane

Software-defined networking (SDN) utilizes a centralized controller to distribute packet processing rules to network switches. However, rules are often generated by the applications developed by different organizations, so they may conflict with each other in data plane and lead to violations with security rules. The problem is similar to firewall conflicts in IP networks. Rule conflict resolution should incur negligible process delay, such that all rules can be correctly and safely enforced in the data plane in real time. However, since SDN allows users to use more than 35 fields to specify rules (including field transition rules), it is much more complicated to prevent enforcement of SDN rules from violating with security rules than to resolve firewall rule violation, and in particular, field transition rules are enforced. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to resolve such rule conflicts in real time before the rules are installed in SDN data plane. In this paper, we investigate the rule conflict problem in SDN and identify new covert channel attacks due to rule conflicts. To the end, we propose the covert channel defender (CCD) that prevents covert channel attacks by verifying and resolving rule conflicts. Specifically, CCD tracks all rule insertion and modification messages from applications running on the controller. It analyzes the correlation among rules based on multiple packet header fields and resolves any identified rule conflict in real time before rule installation. We implement CCD with the Floodlight controller and evaluate its performance with the real-world Stanford topology. We show that CCD can efficiently detect and prevent rule conflicts in the data plane that may raise covert channels within hundreds of microseconds and brings small overhead to the packet delivery.

Local parents as ‘anchor defendants’ in European courts for claims against their foreign subsidiaries in human rights and environmental damages litigation: recent case law and legislative trends

Over the last few years, litigation in European courts against gross human rights violations and widespread environmental disasters has intensified. Recent case law shows that victims domiciled in third States attempt to start proceedings in Europe, where the parent company of a negligent local subsidiary is seated. In light of this, national courts of the EU have been asked to determine whether the parent company located in the State of the court seized with the matter may serve as an ʻanchor defendantʼ for claims against its foreign subsidiary. In Okpabi & Ors v. Royal Dutch Shell Plc & Anor, Akpan v. RDS and KiK, national courts' assessment regarding international jurisdiction significantly diverged. Unsatisfied with this result, some States adopted -or are in the process of adopting- legislations that establish or reinforce the duty of care or vigilance of parent companies directly towards victims. The present paper examines the latest legislative developments that took place in France, Switzerland and Germany. Notably, many States have opted for the amendment of their substantive law (only) rather than (additionally) for the modification of private international law rules.

Effect of modifications in rules in competition on participation of male youth goalkeepers in soccer

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of modifications in field size, number of players, and goal size on the goalkeeper's actions in competition in male youth soccer ( n = 4) (under-12). A quasi-experimental design was implemented to measure the effects of the changes in the number of players per team (8-a-side vs. 5-a-side), goal size (6 × 2 m vs. 3 × 2 m), and field size (58 × 38 m vs. 38 × 20 m) on the offensive and defensive technical and tactical actions of the goalkeeper. Four male under-12 goalkeepers (age = 11.33 ± 0.6 years, average weekly training = 2.45 ± 0.3 h, and years of experience = 4.8 ± 0.9 years) were analyzed in three tournaments (8-a-side; 5-a-side; 8-a-side). The dependent variables were: defensive and offensive technical actions taken by the goalkeepers and the way their actions were carried out. The results show that in the 5-a-side soccer matches, goalkeepers carried out more defensive actions (8-a-side: 31.2 ± 3.8; 5-a-side: 77.75 ± 5.0; 8-a-side: 39.5 ± 6.0; F2,6 = 111,218, p = .000, η2 = .974; ES .998) and offensive actions (8-a-side: 58.0 ± 7.1; 5-a-side: 84.0 ± 13.5; 8-a-side: 58.1 ± 9.2; F2,6 = 16,257, p = .004, η2 = .844; ES .996) than in 8-a-side soccer matches. The reduction in field size, number of players, and goal size resulted in under-12 goalkeepers having more interaction and more variability in their actions. This information could help the different stakeholders to adapt or design the youth soccer competition rules in a way that allows goalkeepers to have more experiences.

Short- and mid-term effects of the 2010 rule changes on game-related statistics in European basketball championships: An interrupted time series analysis

In 2010, one of the major rule changes in basketball came into effect. Including an extension of the 3-point line from 6.25 m to 6.75 m, changed shape of the 3-s area, the addition of no-charge semicircles, and modifications of the shot-clock. This study aimed to analyse if the rule modifications influenced the game-related statistics, both short- and mid-term using interrupted time series analysis, and if the rule changes had the same influence on different age groups and genders. The sample was composed by 5296 games from the European championships 2005–2016 for men and women in both senior and youth competitions. The standard game-related statistics were analysed. The game pace has increased or ceased to decrease after the rule modifications. The development towards a higher proportion of field goals being 3-pointers has continued, although the proportion was lowered directly after the rule modifications. The women senior seems to be the category where the rule modifications had the most effect on the continuous development. No general pattern of differences in effects between categories was found.

How directional mobility affects coexistence in rock-paper-scissors models

This work deals with a system of three distinct species that changes in time under the presence of mobility, selection, and reproduction, as in the popular rock-paper-scissors game. The novelty of the current study is the modification of the mobility rule to the case of directional mobility, in which the species move following the direction associated to a larger (averaged) number density of selection targets in the surrounding neighborhood. Directional mobility can be used to simulate eyes that see or a nose that smells, and we show how it may contribute to reduce the probability of coexistence.

A Four-Site Molecular Model for Simulations of Liquid Methanol and Water-Methanol Mixtures: MeOH-4P.

In this work, we present a new four-site potential for methanol, MeOH-4P, fitted to reproduce the dielectric constant ε, the surface tension γ s, and the liquid density ρ of the pure liquid at T = 298.15 K and p = 1 bar. The partial charges on each site were taken from the OPLS/2016 model with the only difference of putting the negative charge on the fourth site ( M) instead of on the O atom, as done in four-site water models. The original Lennard-Jones (LJ) parameters of OPLS/2016 for the methyl moiety (Me) were modified for the fitting of ρ and γ s, whereas the parameters of the TIP4P-FB water model were used for the O atom without change. Taking into account the energetic cost of the enhanced dipole relative to the isolated molecule, the results from simulations with this model showed good agreement with experiments for ρ, α p, κ T, C p, and Δ H v- l. Also, the temperature dependence of γ s and ε is satisfactory in the interval between 260 and 360 K, and the critical point description is similar to that of OPLS/2016. It is shown that orientational correlations, described by the Kirkwood factor G k, play a prominent role in the appropriate description of dielectric constants in existing models; unfortunately, the enhancement of the dipole moment produced a low diffusion coefficient DMeOH; thus, a compromise was required between a good reproduction of ε and an acceptable DMeOH. The use of a fourth site resulted in a significant improvement for water-methanol mixtures described with TIP4P-FB and MeOH-4P, respectively, but required the modification of the LJ geometric combination rule to allow a good description of the methanol molar-fraction dependence of ρ, ε, and methanol (water) diffusion coefficients DMeOH ( DH2O) and excess volume of mixing Δ Vmix in the entire range of composition. The resulting free energy of hydration Δ Ghyd shows excellent agreement with experiments in the interval between 280 and 360 K.

Lossless and robust privacy preservation of association rules in data sanitization

Data sanitization is a novel research area that conceals the sensitive rules given by the experts present in the original database with the appropriate modifications and then emancipates the modified database so that unauthorized persons cannot discover the sensitive rules and so the confidentiality of data is conserved against data mining methods. This paper primarily focuses on building an effective sanitizing algorithm for hiding the sensitive rules given by the experts/users. In order to minimize the four sanitization research challenges such as hiding failure, information loss, false rule generation and modification degree, the proposed method uses Firefly optimization algorithm. The proposed sanitization method has been compared and examined with other existing sanitizing algorithms depicting considerable improvement in terms of four research challenges that in turn can secure the selected database.

MOBILE PAYMENTS AND MAJOR SHIFTS IN CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR

Considering the fact that in China, in 2016 solely, the mobile payment volume was around $5 trillion – half of its gross domestic product, carried out through two main competitors – Alipay and Wechat Pay, it is becoming more and more clearer that companies will invest piles of money in order to process the payments of the millions of potential users. With banking industry shaken by the different modifications of rules and regulations and consumers addicted to latest gadgets, the tech companies may have the pole position in this race. Apple is charging each Apple Pay user with 0.15% per transaction which may not seem a lot, but taking into account that in 2015 iPhone users traded over $10.9 billion we can see why tech companies are eager to develop payment applications. In this paper are presented briefly the newest means of payment and how are those influenced or not by the mainstream legislation. The most important piece in the gear – end-user – has to keep up with all the novelties in this sector and, as consequence, some behavioral patterns occur. Those are presented further in the text altogether with some trends in financial services that may influence the mobile payments market as we know it.

Are water markets globally applicable?

Water scarcity is a global concern that necessitates a global perspective, but it is also the product of multiple regional issues that require regional solutions. Water markets constitute a regionally applicable non-structural measure to counter water scarcity that has received the attention of academics and policy-makers, but there is no global view on their applicability. We present the global distribution of potential nations and states where water markets could be instituted in a legal sense, by investigating 296 water laws internationally, with special reference to a minimum set of key rules: legalization of water reallocation, the separation of water rights and landownership, and the modification of the cancellation rule for non-use. We also suggest two additional globally distributed prerequisites and policy implications: the predictability of the available water before irrigation periods and public control of groundwater pumping throughout its jurisdiction.

Force fields for monovalent and divalent metal cations in TIP3P water based on thermodynamic and kinetic properties.

Metal cations are essential in many vital processes. In order to capture the role of different cations in all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of biological processes, an accurate parametrization is crucial. Here, we develop force field parameters for the metal cations Li+, Na+, K+, Cs+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, and Ba2+ in combination with the TIP3P water model that is frequently used in biomolecular simulations. In progressing toward improved force fields, the approach presented here is an extension of previous efforts and allows us to simultaneously reproduce thermodynamic and kinetic properties of aqueous solutions. We systematically derive the parameters of the 12-6 Lennard-Jones potential which accurately reproduces the experimental solvation free energy, the activity derivative, and the characteristics of water exchange from the first hydration shell of the metal cations. In order to reproduce all experimental properties, a modification of the Lorentz-Berthelot combination rule is required for Mg2+. Using a balanced set of solution properties, the optimized force field parameters aim to capture the fine differences between distinct metal cations including specific ion binding affinities and the kinetics of cation binding to biologically important anionic groups.

Classification rule hierarchical tuning with linguistic modification based on solving fuzzy relational equations

The common problem with the hierarchical tuning methods is the lack of conditions for modification of the primary rules. The incremental approach accelerates the generation of candidate rules, but complicates the selection of the primary and modified rules. In the paper, the approach that combines semantic training, granular partition and solution of fuzzy relational equations for constructing accurate and interpretable rules is developed. The composite fuzzy model of direct logic inference based on the primary rules with granular parameters is proposed. The method of hierarchical tuning with the linguistic modification based on solving fuzzy relational equations is developed, which allows reducing the training time. It is shown that the weights of the primary rules, which are subject to modification, as well as the hedging threshold of the primary terms, are solutions of the primary system of fuzzy logic equations with the hierarchical max-min/min-max composition, which solves the problem of the hierarchical selection of the primary and modified rules for the given output classes. The genetic-neural approach was used for tuning the primary rules and solving the system of equations, as well as tuning the composite rules. The effectiveness of the approach is illustrated by the example of tuning and interpreting the solutions to the technological process quality control problem for the specified productivity classes. The primary model with granular parameters allows reducing the tuning error by 25 % compared to the primary relational model. The solution of the hierarchical selection problem allows reducing the tuning time by half.

Constitutionality in Montana: A Decade of Institution Building in the Blackfoot Community Conservation Area

Constitutionality is an approach that addresses how people shape their own institutions and rules for local natural resource use even amidst politically challenging conditions at multiple scales. In this paper we examine thelocal public-private partnership known as the Blackfoot Community Project in western Montana (U.S.A.) and its efforts to forstall increasing social and ecological fragmentation by purchasing and conveying thousands of acres of divested corporate timberlands into various conservation ownerships including a locally-owned community conservation area. Based on a decade of participatory research, we examine the creation and operation of the Blackfoot Community Conservation Area (BCCA)’s key governance institution, the BCCA Council, and its efforts to develop locally supported and effective procedures for two of its most contentious issues: motorized recreation and grazing. The analysis highlights strategies of deliberate and incremental processes of participation, cooperation across property boundaries, experimentation, adaptation, and rule modification to find compromises for combined local social and ecological benefits. The paper concludes with a discussion on the tensions raised between these accomplishments occurring in a boldly neoliberal nation-state and among increasingly heterogenous communities, and ongoing challenges entailed in using the market and private ownership (albeit governed by and for a collective of local constituents) as a strategy to foster resource ownership and stewardship.

Erratum to: Magnetic field-induced modification of selection rules for Rb D2 line monitored by selective reflection from a vapor nanocell

Erratum to: Magnetic field-induced modification of selection rules for Rb D2 line monitored by selective reflection from a vapor nanocell

Совершенствование правил трансфертного ценообразования в Республике Армения

The article analyzes legislative novelties in the area of transfer pricing in the Republic of Armenia through the best practices comparison and countryŐs economic and institutional specifics. The authorsŐ research approach is based on determination of national economic and institutional special features and outlining the riskiest types of transfer pricing transactions. Through the collected data and the best foreign practices the authors analyze the national transfer pricing rules and policy. As a result of such analysis there are presented several practical recommendations for the modification of tax legislation and transfer pricing rules in the Republic of Armenia. The authors also suggest implementation of possibility to use stock exchange quotes as benchmarks for commodity transactions when applying comparable uncontrolled price method. Introduction of safe harbor rules is also recommended for interests of financial arrangements on related party debt, based on key rates of fiscal markets (Central Bank rate, EURIBOR, LIBOR, SHIBOR and so on). The authors also discuss in details the problems of application of thin capitalization rules in combination with transfer pricing rules and double tax treaties. In addition, the article recommends several practical ideas on streamlining tax administration (setting up transition period without fines and sanctions or testing the existing thresholds for transfer pricing control).

Деятельностные детерминанты оценки и обеспечения качества профессиональных образовательных программ работодателями

The question of the essence and meaning of the layer of cultural forms in the scheme of reproduction of culture and activities is considered. The structure of activity of a modern specialist is determined, which can be implemented in “basic accepted norms” form or be open to the public, that involves the modification, enhancement and self-creation of rules. Attention is paid to the role of employers in the process of translation of modern rules of professional activity in the course of their participation in the development of accreditation programs for specialists. The article raises the question of the formation of the position of the graduate, employed in the field of small business, as well as of the formation of general professional competencies related to the readiness of graduates of educational programs to take risks, responsibility, not be afraid of initiative and innovation. Particular attention is paid to the conditions of the conscious nature of the professional activity, which graduate is prepared to. In addition, the authors focus on the issues of such characteristics of professional activity as the scale, analyze the skills of a specialist involved in the modern economy. The relevance of the study is due to the fact that the considered fundamental grounds can be used to identify the quality criteria of professional educational programs for the accreditation procedure.

Preventive measures for fire-related injuries and their risk factors in residential buildings: a systematic review.

:Background:Every year, a large number of people lose their lives or become injured seriously as a result of fires. Fires in buildings pose a great threat to resident safety. The aim of this systematic review is to identify preventive measures for fire-related injuries in residential buildings, taking into account associated risk factors.Methods:In this study, a systematic review was performed of all studies conducted in the field of residential building fires, influencing factors and available safety procedures. From the earliest record up to 7 July 2017, databases of PubMed, Web of Science/Knowledge, and Scopus were searched and selected articles included in the study.Results:A total of 5,613 published articles were examined, of which 30 were finally found to meet the inclusion criteria. The findings of the study were included in two main groups of preventive measures and risk factors for residential building fires and related injuries. Regarding preventive measures, the factors to reduce the risk of fire-related injuries raised in the studies under review included rule amendments, changes and modification of the environment, behavior change such as emergency evacuation during fire occurrence, improvements to emergency medical services, and awareness-raising. Also, many of the studies showed that areas with a large number of young children, older people, people with physical and mental disabilities, alcohol and drug addicts, smokers, single-family households and low-income families were particularly at risk of fire-related injuries and deaths.Conclusions:There are features in residential buildings and attributes among residents that can be related to fire hazard and fire-related injuries and deaths. The most important point of this study is to focus on preventive strategies including environmental modification, promotion of safety rules and changes in risk behavior among residents. Policy makers should pay more attention to these important issues in order to promote safety and injury prevention in relation to building fires.

Traumatic brain injuries in mixed martial arts: A systematic review

Introduction Mixed martial arts is an emerging combat sport that is gaining popularity worldwide. We systematically reviewed the literature regarding the prevalence, severity and risk factors of head injuries sustained in mixed martial arts activities. Methods We conducted a comprehensive systematic review of Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, EBM Reviews, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science from 1990 to 2016 for studies of any design that reported associations of acute or chronic head injuries in persons participating in mixed martial arts activities. Results The initial database search yielded a total 472 citations, including 264 unique citations after duplications were removed. A total of 18 articles, primarily of observational data, showed ‘technical knockouts’ and ‘knockouts’ are prevalent in this sport (range: 28.3–46.2% of all matches) with other studies showing the lifetime average of 6.2 technical knockouts or knockouts in a career. Studies used inconsistent reporting methods for concussion, and no information regarding long-term follow-up was available. Conclusion Mixed martial arts fighting may be associated with repetitive head injuries and potential long-term neurological consequences; however, data on this topic are poor. Larger studies and stringent medical oversight are needed to improve the management and understanding of mixed martial arts head injuries, with implementation of harm reduction strategies and/or rule modifications to prevent long-term neurological sequelae. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO – CRD42014010019.

Thermophysical Properties of Cold- and Vacuum Plasma-Sprayed Cu-Cr-X Alloys, NiAl and NiCrAlY Coatings II: Specific Heat Capacity

Part I of the paper discussed the temperature dependencies of the electrical resistivities, thermal conductivities, thermal diffusivities and total hemispherical emissivities of several vacuum plasma-sprayed (VPS) and cold-sprayed (CS) copper alloy monolithic coatings, VPS NiAl, VPS NiCrAlY, extruded GRCop-84 and as-cast Cu-17(wt.%)Cr-5%Al. Part II discusses the temperature dependencies of the constant-pressure specific heat capacities, C P, of these coatings. The data were empirically regression-fitted with the equation: $${\varvec{C}}_{\mathbf{P}} = {\mathbf{ AT}}^{\mathbf 4} + {\mathbf{BT}}^{\mathbf 3} + {\mathbf{CT}}^{\mathbf 2} + {\mathbf{DT}} + \varvec{E}$$ where T is the absolute temperature and A, B, C, D and E are regression constants. The temperature dependencies of the molar enthalpy, molar entropy and Gibbs molar free energy determined from experimental values of molar specific heat capacity are reported. Calculated values of C P using the Neumann–Kopp (NK) rule were in poor agreement with experimental data. Instead, a modification of the NK rule was found to predict values closer to the experimental data with an absolute deviation less than 6.5%. The specific molar heat capacities for all the alloys did not agree with the Dulong–Petit law, and C P > 3R, where R is the universal gas constant, were measured for all the alloys except NiAl for which C P < 3R at all temperatures.

04.11: Strength enhancement in axially compressed cylinders with stepped walls

ABSTRACTMetal silos and tanks are subject to loading that increases progressively from the top to the base of the cylindrical shell. Efficient design calls for progressive increases in wall thickness, but metal sheets are made in discrete thicknesses. For silos, buckling under axial compression is the dominant design condition, whilst in tanks axial compression with internal pressure may also be critical. The step increases in wall thickness mean that the most critical point on the wall is always at the base of one strake of uniform thickness, so the location of a critical buckle is expected to be at or just above a change of thickness. Until now, design rules have always ignored the effect of the thicker lower strake in restraining the axial compression buckle above it, and the requirement for buckles to have a finite size.Whilst this effect has previously been noted [1,2], it has never been systematically studied. In this paper, a first thorough study is presented, which shows that the strength enhancement associated with a change of plate thickness can be considerable (over 40%). The presented information addresses the buckling of imperfect shells, and includes both elastic and plastic conditions. The findings are sufficient to produce a modification of the current design rules for buckling under axial compression, giving designers the freedom to extend their thin shell segments deeper in the silo or tank structure.