SOME EXISTENCE RESULTS ON PERIODIC SOLUTIONS OF ORDINARY (q, p)-LAPLACIAN SYSTEMS

Pasca, Daniel,Tang, Chun-Lei The Korean Society for Computational and Applied M 2011 Journal of applied mathematics & informatics Vol.29 No.1

Some existence theorems are obtained for periodic solutions of nonautonomous second-order differential systems with (q, p)-Laplacian by the minimax methods in critical point theory.

Reliability of analytical models for the prediction of out-of-plane capacity of masonry infills

Monica Pasca,Laura Liberatore,Renato Masiani 국제구조공학회 2017 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.64 No.6

The out-of-plane response of infill walls has recently gained a growing attention and has been recognised fundamental in the damage assessment of reinforced concrete and steel framed buildings subjected to seismic loads. The observation of damage after earthquakes highlighted that out-of-plane collapse of masonry infills may occur even during seismic events of low or moderate intensity, causing both casualty risks and unfavourable situations affecting the overall structural response. Even though studies concerning the out-of-plane behaviour of infills are not as many as those focused on the in-plane response, in the last decades, a substantial number of researches have been carried out on the out-of-plane behaviour of infills. In this study, the out-of-plane response is investigated considering different aspects. First, damages observed after past earthquakes are examined, with the aim of identifying the main parameters involved and the most critical configurations. Secondly, the response recorded in about 150 experimental tests is deeply examined, focusing on the influence of geometrical characteristics, boundary conditions, prior in-plane damage, presence of reinforcing elements and openings. Finally, different theoretical capacity models and code provisions are discussed and compared, giving specific attention to those based on the arching theory. The reliability of some of these models is herein tested with reference to experimental results. The comparison between analytically predicted and experimental values allows to appreciate the extent of approximation of such methods.

A Comparison of Usability Testing Methods in Smartphone Evaluation

Andrie Pasca Hendradewa,Yassierli 대한산업공학회 2019 Industrial Engineeering & Management Systems Vol.18 No.2

A number of conventional methods are available for usability testing of smartphones, but their effectiveness is yet to be established. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the usability testing methods in identifying the problems of a smartphone design. Three usability methods, Think-Aloud (TA), Cognitive Walkthrough (CW), and Heuristic Evaluation (HE), were selected for comparison, and 15 smartphone users and 16 usability experts were chosen as participants in the comparative study. The results of this study indicate that HE method is the most effective one and has the highest severity rating. Additionally, this study finds that eight evaluators are sufficient for using HE method to find most of the usability problems. There has been substantial increase recently in smartphone sales that trigger a tough competition among the smartphone manufacturers. The usability of the smartphone has become among most smartphone users consider before buying their phones. This study proposed a guideline for usability testing of smartphones.

A Small-Molecule Antagonist of the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

Lee, Jongkook,Wu, Xu,Pasca di Magliano, Marina,Peters, Eric C.,Wang, Yan,Hong, Jiyong,Hebrok, Metthias,Ding, Sheng,Cho, Charles Y.,Schultz, Peter G. Wiley-VCH Verlag 2007 Chembiochem Vol. No.

<B>Graphic Abstract</B> <P>Shadow the Hedgehog. JK184 (illustrated in the scheme) was identified as an antagonist of Hedgehog signaling through a cell-based screen of chemical libraries. Results from biochemical and cellular experiments suggest that JK184 functions by inhibiting class IV alcohol dehydrogenase. This molecule should serve as a useful tool for studying Hedgehog signaling. <img src='wiley_img/14394227-2007-8-16-CBIC200700403-content.gif' alt='wiley_img/14394227-2007-8-16-CBIC200700403-content'> </P>

Evidence of Placental Villous Inflammation and Apoptosis in Third-Trimester Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Maternal Infection

Erry Gumilar Dachlan,Manggala Pasca Wardhana,Kuntaman Kuntaman,Budi Utomo,Rozi Aditya Aryananda,Salsabila Nabilah Rifdah,Ifan Ali Wafa,Almira Aulia Shahnaz,Dahlia Ningrum,Nareswari Imanadha Cininta Ma 연세대학교의과대학 2024 Yonsei medical journal Vol.65 No.4

Purpose: In view of conflicting reports on the ability of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) to infect placental tissue, this study aimed to further evaluate the impact of inflammation and placental damage from symptomatic third trimester maternal COVID-19 infection. Materials and Methods: This case-control study included 32 placenta samples each from symptomatic COVID-19 pregnancy and normal non-COVID-19 pregnancy. The villous placental area’s inflammatory expression [angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2), transmembrane protease serine-2 (TMPRSS2), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein] and apoptotic rate were examined using immunohistochemistry and Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP Nick- End La beling (TUNEL) assay. Comparison and correlation analysis were used based on COVID-19 infection, placental SARS-CoV-2 spike protein evidence, and maternal severity status. Results: Higher expressions of TMPRSS2, IFN-γ, and trophoblast apoptotic rate were observed in the COVID-19 group (p<0.001), whereas ACE-2 and IL-6 expressions were not significantly different from the control group (p>0.05). Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was detected in 8 (25%) placental samples of COVID-19 pregnancy. COVID-19 subgroup analysis revealed in creased IFN-γ, trophoblast, and stromal apoptosis (p<0.01). Moreover, the results of the current study revealed no correlation be tween maternal COVID-19 severity and placental inflammation as well as the apoptotic process. Conclusion: The presence of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as well as altered inflammatory and apoptotic processes may indicate the presence of placental disturbance in third-trimester maternal COVID-19 infection. The lack of correlation between placental dis ruption and maternal severity status suggests the need for more research to understand the infection process and any potential long-term impacts on all offsprings born to COVID-19-infected pregnant women.

Clinical manifestations and pregnancy outcomes of COVID-19 in indonesian referral hospital in central pandemic area

( Muhammad Ilham Aldika Akbar ),( Khanisyah Erza Gumilar ),( Rino Andriya ),( Manggala Pasca Wardhana ),( Pungky Mulawardhana ),( Jimmy Yanuar Anas ),( Ernawati ),( Muhammad Ardian Cahya Laksana ),( G 대한산부인과학회 2022 Obstetrics & Gynecology Science Vol.65 No.1

Objectives Data on the clinical manifestations and pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women with COVID-19 are limited, particularly in developing countries. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical manifestations and pregnancy outcomes in COVID-19 maternal cases in a large referral hospital in Indonesia. Methods This study used a prospective cohort design and included all pregnant women with suspected COVID-19. Subjects were divided into COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups based on the results of real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Clinical characteristics, laboratory results, and pregnancy outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results Of the 141 suspected maternal cases, 62 cases were COVID-19-confirmed (43.9%), while 79 suspected cases were negative (56.1%). The clinical manifestations and laboratory findings between the two groups were not significantly different (P>0.05). However, the maternal mortality directly caused by COVID-19 was significantly higher than that in the non-COVID-19 group (8.3% vs. 1.3%; P=0.044; odd ratio, 6.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.79-60.81). Conclusion The clinical manifestations and laboratory results of suspected pregnant women with positive and negative RT-PCR COVID-19 results were similar. However, within the Indonesian setting, COVID-19 significantly increases the risk of maternal death through both direct and indirect factors.

인도네시아, 네덜란드 및 프랑스의 사례를 기반으로 한 음악 학습 모델 개발

쿤 세티아닝 아스트투티(Kun Setyaning Astuti ),파스카 비올리타 랑기트(Pasca Violita Langit ) 한국음악교육학회 2024 음악교육연구 Vol.53 No.1

Music is a vital aspect of life, and as such, nearly every country in the world includes music as one of the subjects taught in schools, including Indonesia, the Netherlands, and France. In practice, music education takes on various models. The research aims to 1) Describe the music education models in the Netherlands, France, and Indonesia; 2) Explore the strengths and weaknesses of the instructional models in these countries, 3) Develop a strategy for enhancing the music education model in Indonesia by capitalizing on the strengths of the teaching models in the Netherlands and France. The approach of the research is quality by using descriptive qualitative analysis. The step of the research consist 1) Study literature, 2) data collection, and 3) create a music teaching model. The result of the research shows that in the Netherlands, the primary emphasis is on fostering foundational musical potential, students are encouraged to creatively engage with musical stimuli. In France, music education places greater weight on skill mastery, enabling students to proficiently perform music with precision. Conversely, music education in Indonesia follows a deductive approach. Instructors furnish theoretical explanations concerning concepts of music theories. 음악은 삶의 중요한 측면이며, 인도네시아, 네덜란드 및 프랑스를 포함하여 거의 모든 나라에서 학교에서 가르치는 과목 중 하나로 음악이 포함된다. 실제로 음악 교육은 다양한 모델로 이루어진다. 이 연구의 목표는 1) 네덜란드, 프랑스 및 인도네시아의 음악 교육 모델을 설명하고; 2) 이러한 국가의 교육 모델의 장단점을 탐색하고; 3) 네덜란드와 프랑스의 교육 모델의 강점을 활용하여 인도네시아의 음악 교육 모델을 개선하기 위한 전략을 개발하는 것이다. 연구 접근 방식은 서술적인 질적 분석을 사용한다. 연구 단계는 1) 문헌 조사, 2) 자료 수집 및 3) 음악 교육 모델 작성으로 구성된다. 연구 결과로 네덜란드에서는 주로 기본 음악적 잠재력을 육성하는 데 중점이 두어지며, 학생들은 음악적 자극과 창의적으로 상호 작용하도록 장려한다. 프랑스에서는 음악 교육이 기술 숙련에 더 많은 중요성을 두어 학생들이 음악을 정밀하고 능숙하게 연주할 수 있도록 돕는다. 반면, 인도네시아의 음악 교육은 탐구적인 방법을 따르며 교사들은 음악 이론 개념에 대한 이론적 설명을 제공한다.

Benzothiazinones Kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Blocking Arabinan Synthesis

Makarov, V.,Manina, G.,Mikusova, K.,Mollmann, U.,Ryabova, O.,Saint-Joanis, B.,Dhar, N.,Pasca, M. R.,Buroni, S.,Lucarelli, A. P.,Milano, A.,De Rossi, E.,Belanova, M.,Bobovska, A.,Dianiskova, P.,Kordula American Association for the Advancement of Scienc 2009 Science Vol.324 No.5928

<P>New drugs are required to counter the tuberculosis (TB) pandemic. Here, we describe the synthesis and characterization of 1,3-benzothiazin-4-ones (BTZs), a new class of antimycobacterial agents that kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro, ex vivo, and in mouse models of TB. Using genetics and biochemistry, we identified the enzyme decaprenylphosphoryl-beta-d-ribose 2'-epimerase as a major BTZ target. Inhibition of this enzymatic activity abolishes the formation of decaprenylphosphoryl arabinose, a key precursor that is required for the synthesis of the cell-wall arabinans, thus provoking cell lysis and bacterial death. The most advanced compound, BTZ043, is a candidate for inclusion in combination therapies for both drug-sensitive and extensively drug-resistant TB.</P>