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Scala is a well-established multi-paradigm programming language known for its terseness that includes advanced type inference features. Unfortunately this type inferring algorithm does not support typing of recursive functions. This is both against the original design philosophies of Scala and puts an unnecessary burden on the programmer. In this paper we propose a method to compute the return types for simple recursive functions in Scala. We make a heuristic assumption on the return type based on the non-recursive execution branches and provide a proof of the correctness of this method. We implemented our method as an extension prototype in the Scala compiler and used it to successfully test our method on various examples. The algorithm does not have a significant effect on the compilation speed. The compiler extension prototype is available for further tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses several processes of the “Society of Culture”, with a specific focus on recent urban development, and including dynamics of gentrification, touristification, segregation and their implications for the preservation of urban heritage. While cultural values exist on multiple levels – intrinsically artistic, social, and economic – it is the economic ones that have become dominant and predatory in recent decades. Through the analysis of international data on urbanism and tourism, we explore the role and value of urban heritage in European cities. Drawing from a literature review of the different thematic areas, taking into account relevant references from each one of them to establish an interrelated analysis, we try to argue why considering heritage-led tourist gentrification is urgent, what do we know so far, and some possible future lines of research that could contribute to a better understanding of these processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Success typing is a well known technique to calculate the type of Erlang functions. Although success typing is commonly used for documentation and discrepancy analysis purposes, it results in an overapproximation of the real type. Therefore, when we want to generate arguments for a function call based on the success typing of a function, the function call may fail during execution. In this paper we introduce a new algorithm to calculate the type of Erlang functions to support accurate data generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper questions the configurations in which contemporary European cultural policies attribute explicit positive values to culture. It begins with a reflection on the meaning of value, before identifying, through the analysis of a corpus of scientific articles, books and research reports as well as press articles, the numerous values identifiable in the history of cultural policies. From this collection, we propose a principle of classification into five major families of values: democracy, identity, well-being, aesthetics and economy. Finally, we describe the dynamics of emergence and transformation of the values attributed to culture in historical configurations, through three examples: the valuation of heritage, the conflicts over the values of democracy, and the values underpinning the concept of sustainable development. Our exploratory research shows that values already present in the twentieth century are becoming increasingly important in cultural policies, without taking precedence over values with which they can compete or, on the contrary, find a form of compatibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), as a reducing agent and an antioxidant molecule, exerts protective effects against hyperglycemic stress in the vascular endothelium. The mitochondrial enzyme 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3-MST) is an important biological source of H2S. We have recently demonstrated that 3-MST activity is inhibited by oxidative stress in vitro and speculated that this may have an adverse effect on cellular homeostasis. In the current study, given the importance of H2S as a vasorelaxant, angiogenesis stimulator and cellular bioenergetic mediator, we first determined whether the 3-MST/H2S system plays a physiological regulatory role in endothelial cells. Next, we tested whether a dysfunction of this pathway develops during the development of hyperglycemia and diabetes-associated vascular complications. Intraperitoneal (IP) 3-MP (1 mg/kg) raised plasma H2S levels in rats. 3-MP (10 µmol/L to 1 mmol/L) promoted angiogenesis in vitro in bEnd3 microvascular endothelial cells and in vivo in a Matrigel assay in mice (0.3-1 mg/kg). In vitro studies with bEnd3 cell homogenates demonstrated that the 3-MP-induced increases in H2S production depended on enzymatic activity, although at higher concentrations (1-3 mmol/L) there was also evidence for an additional nonenzymatic H2S production by 3-MP. In vivo, 3-MP facilitated wound healing in rats, induced the relaxation of dermal microvessels and increased mitochondrial bioenergetic function. In vitro hyperglycemia or in vivo streptozotocin diabetes impaired angiogenesis, attenuated mitochondrial function and delayed wound healing; all of these responses were associated with an impairment of the proangiogenic and bioenergetic effects of 3-MP. The antioxidants DL-α-lipoic acid (LA) in vivo, or dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) in vitro restored the ability of 3-MP to stimulate angiogenesis, cellular bioenergetics and wound healing in hyperglycemia and diabetes. We conclude that diabetes leads to an impairment of the 3-MST/H2S pathway, and speculate that this may contribute to the pathogenesis of hyperglycemic endothelial cell dysfunction. We also suggest that therapy with H2S donors, or treatment with the combination of 3-MP and lipoic acid may be beneficial in improving angiogenesis and bioenergetics in hyperglycemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemoprevention with chelating agent Humetta for three months was performed, due to anaemia and other haematologic disorders, immunotoxicological alterations and/or increased chromosome aberration rate among galvanisers and goldsmiths occupationally exposed to precious and heavy metals. Twenty-two of altogether 47 subjects took part voluntarily in the chemoprevention, and the rest of the subjects served as untreated controls. Complex clinical laboratory testing including detailed anamneses; genotoxicological and immunotoxicological monitoring were performed before and after administration of chemopreventive agent. After chemoprevention a significant improvement was observed in anaemia and serum glucose levels, while a less marked improvement was found in serum cholesterol levels and liver functions. Altered chromosome aberration and apoptotic cell fraction also tended to normalise after treatment. Immunological parameters were not affected by the treatment. The obtained results may suggest that chemoprevention with chelating agents as Humetta can help in the prevention of harmful effects of occupational exposures to metals.