In the domain of \emph{Computing with words} (CW), fuzzy linguistic approaches are known to be relevant in many decision-making problems. Indeed, they allow us to model the human reasoning in replacing words, assessments, preferences, choices, wishes… by \emph{ad hoc} variables, such as fuzzy sets or more sophisticated variables. This paper focuses on a particular model: Herrera and Martínez' 2-tuple linguistic model and their approach to deal with unbalanced linguistic term sets. It is interesting since the computations are accomplished without loss of information while the results of the decision-making processes always refer to the initial linguistic term set. They propose a fuzzy partition which distributes data on the axis by using linguistic hierarchies to manage the non-uniformity. However, the required input (especially the density around the terms) taken by their fuzzy partition algorithm may be considered as too much demanding in a real-world application, since density is not always easy to determine. Moreover, in some limit cases (especially when two terms are very closed semantically to each other), the partition doesn't comply with the data themselves, it isn't close to the reality. Therefore we propose to modify the required input, in order to offer a simpler and more faithful partition. We have added an extension to the package jFuzzyLogic and to the corresponding script language FCL. This extension supports both 2-tuple models: Herrera and Martínez' and ours. In addition to the partition algorithm, we present two aggregation algorithms: the arithmetic means and the addition. We also discuss these kinds of 2-tuple models.
This tutorial summarizes the new approach to complex system theory that comes basically from physical information analogies. The information components and gates are defined in a similar way as components in electrical or mechanical engineering. Such approach enables the creation of complex networks through their serial, parallel or feedback ordering. Taking into account wave probabilistic functions in analogy with quantum physics, we can enrich the system theory with features such as entanglement. It is shown that such approach can explain emergencies and self-organization properties of complex systems.
This study reports the results of archaeometallurgical investigations performed on a complete two-part bronze casting mould discovered in the village of Elgiszewo (north Poland). The mould was part of the so-called Lusatian founder’s hoard deposited on the southern borders of the Chełmno group territory between 900 and 700 BC. The investigations involved the employment of spectral (ED XRF, SEM-EDS, X-ray) and microscopic (SEM-EDS, OM) analyses. The experimental casting of the model mould and socketed axe was carried out in this study as well. The chemical composition of the mould indicates the use of fire-refined (oxidized) fahlore scrap bronze, which could originally be composed of North Tyrolean copper fahlores. The metallographic results furthermore indicate deliberate tin abandonment by the Lusatian metalworker to maintain a thermal resistance of the mould during direct metal casting. Having analysed the results of the performed research, we can state that the mould from Elgiszewo was capable of ensuring direct casting and was in fact used by the Lusatian metalworkers for this purpose before the mould was finally deposited. and Studie prezentuje výsledky archeometalurgického výzkumu kompletní dvoudílné bronzové licí formy nalezené v obci Elgiszewo (Kujavsko-pomořské vojvodství). Forma pochází z depotu zlomků, který byl uložen na jižních hranicích územní skupiny Chełmno mezi lety 900 a 700 př. n. l. Průzkum formy zahrnul spektrální (ED XRF, SEM-EDS, rtg.) a mikroskopické (SEM-EDS, OM) analýzy. V rámci studie bylo provedeno i experimentální odlití modelů formy a tulejkovité sekerky. Chemické složení formy nasvědčuje užití žárově (oxidačně) rafinovaného zlomkového bronzu získaného hutněním sulfidických měděných rud (řady tetraedrit- tennantit), jejichž původ lze hledat nejspíše v severním Tyrolsku. Metalografické výsledky ukazují i na skutečnost, že kovolitci lužické kultury záměrně pominuli příměs cínu z důvodu zachování tepelné odolnosti formy pro přímé lití. Po analýze výsledků výzkumu lze konstatovat, že forma z Elgiszewa umožňovala přímé lití a že toto zařízení bylo skutečně využíváno.
A trial of analogies utilization among electrical, mechanical and information circuits is presented. The concepts of Information Power and significant proximity of the measure of information and knowledge could enable upgrading these analogies for solving important tasks from the area of Systems Engineering. This attempt seems to be attractive, as it could help in using the well-established and proved methodologies from the classical areas of electricity or mechanics.
In this paper, by using a new representation of fuzzy numbers, namely the ecart-representation, we investigate the possibility to consider such multiplication between fuzzy numbers that is fully distributive. The algebraic and topological properties of the obtained semiring are studied making a comparison with the properties of the existing fuzzy multiplication operations. The properties of the generated fuzzy power are investigated.
Ectrichodiinae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), the millipede assassin bugs, are a speciose group (>660 species) of assassin bugs that appear to be specialist predators on Diplopoda, or millipedes. Apparently capable of coping with the noxious defensive compounds produced by many millipedes, Ectrichodiinae are engaged in a predator-prey relationship with millipedes realized only by few other arthropods. Unfortunately, feeding behaviors of Ectrichodiinae are inadequately documented, rendering this exciting phenomenon largely inaccessible. We here present a literature review on ectrichodiine prey selection and feeding behaviors, with supplemental original observations on Rhiginia cinctiventris (Stål, 1872) in Costa Rica. Thirteen species in 12 genera have been observed to feed on millipedes. The majority of diplopod prey species were reported from the orders Spirostreptida and Spirobolida, whereas Polydesmida are rarely attacked. Ectrichodiinae insert their stylets at the millipede’s intersegmental membranes on the ventral and ventro-lateral trunk area or between the head and collum. Communal predation was observed among conspecific nymphs, among groups of nymphs with a conspecific adult, and more rarely among adults. Immature ectrichodiines were rarely observed to engage in solitary predation. Observations on R. cinctiventris indicate that this species preys on spirobolid and polydesmid millipedes and are in agreement with behaviors described for other Ectrichodiinae., Michael Forthman, Christiane Weirauch., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Docetaxel je cytostatikum užívané v adjuvantní, neoadjuvatní i paliativní léčbě karcinomu prsu. Je podáván jako monoterapie či jako součást kombinovaných režimů. Taxany obecně spolu s antracykliny patří mezi nejefektivnější chemoterapeutika využívané v léčbě karcinomu prsu. Zařazení docetaxelu do léčebného schématu karcinomu prsu přineslo zlepšení celkového přežití a prodloužení období bez nemoci u pacientek léčených adjuvantně a větší procento léčebných odpovědí, prodloužení doby do progrese a celkového přežití při léčbě paliativní (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Při využívání docetaxelu v léčbě je potřeba mít na paměti, že se jedná o chemoterapeutikum s nezanedbatelnými nežádoucími účinky. Cílem naší retrospektivní studie bylo vyhodnocení akutní toxicity při léčbě režimy s docetaxelem a zvážení možností léčby akutní toxicity., Docetaxel is a cytostatic drug used in adjuvant, neoadjuvant as well as palliative treatment of breast cancer. It is administered as monotherapy or as part of combination regimens. Taxanes along with anthracyclines are among the most efficacious chemotherapeutic drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer. Inclusion of docetaxel in the therapeutic regimen for breast cancer has resulted in improved overall survival and extended disease-free interval in patients treated with adjuvant therapy and in a greater proportion of therapeutic responses as well as extended time-to-progression and overall survival with palliative therapy (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). It must be kept in mind that, when used for treatment, docetaxel is a chemotherapeutic drug with non-negligible adverse effects. The aim of our retrospective study was to evaluate acute toxicity of therapeutic regimens with docetaxel and to consider the options for the treatment of acute toxicity., Kateřina Krošláková, Milan Kohoutek, Markéta Pospíšková, and Literatura
Toxická epidermální nekrolýza je vzácné, akutní, život ohrožující onemocnění projevující se rozsáhlým odlučováním epidermis a slizničních povrchů. Jde o závažnou nežádoucí reakci na podávané léky, nejčastěji antibiotika, antikonvulziva či nesteroidní antirevmatika. Jako první ji popsal skotský dermatolog Alan Lyell v roce 1956, proto je též nazývána Lyellův syndrom. Mortalita tohoto onemocnění je vysoká, proto je klíčová včasná diagnostika a neodkladné zahájení adekvátní péče o pacienta. Jedná se o vzácné onemocnění s velmi malou incidencí a závažnou prognózou, což značně ztěžuje provedení velkých randomizovaných klinických studií. Je tedy obtížné hodnotit efektivitu jednotlivých terapeutických možností. Jako nejperspektivnější se prozatím jeví nitrožilní podávání imunoglobulinů se zřejmým zlepšením klinického stavu pacienta, dobrou tolerancí a minimálními vedlejšími nežádoucími účinky. Nové experimentální postupy se snaží hledat cestu terapie cíleným ovlivněním granulyzinu jakožto hlavního cytotoxického mediátoru. Klíčová slova: anamnéza – apoptóza keratinocytů – cyklosporin A – granulyzin – hodnocení SCORTEN – intravenózní imunoglobuliny – interdisciplinární péče – kortikosteroidy – Nikolského fenomén – plazmaferéza – poléková reakce – Stevensův-Johnsonův syndrom – toxická epidermální nekrolýza, Toxic epidermal necrolysis is a rare, acute and life-threatening disorder manifested by extensive separation of the epidermis and mucosal surfaces. It is a serious adverse response to administered drugs, mostly antibiotics, anticonvulsants or NSAIDs. First described by Scottish dermatologist Alan Lyell in 1956, it is also known as Lyell’s syndrome. Mortality of the disease is high, therefore its early diagnosis is crucial and immediate initiation of appropriate patient care necessary. It is a rare disease with a very low incidence and serious prognosis, which is a considerable hindrance to undertaking large randomized clinical studies. It is therefore difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of various therapeutic options. As the most promising so far appears the administration of intravenous immunoglobulins, apparently reaching improvement in the clinical condition of the patient, with a good tolerances and minimal side adverse effects. New experimental techniques endeavour to seek a way to the therapy through targeted influencing of granulysin as the major cytotoxic mediator. Key words: adverse drug reaction – corticosteroids – cyclosporine A – granulysin – intravenous immunoglobulins – interdisciplinary team care – keratinocyte apoptosis – medical history – Nikolsky´s sign – plasmapheresis – SCORTEN score – Stevens-Johnson syndrome – toxic epidermal necrolysis, and Dina Odarčenková, Milan Kvapil