Search

In this paper, the reliability characteristics of a parallel system are investigated. The parallel system under consideration is made up of three active units that run in parallel, with two of them having to be operational in order for the system to work. The main purpose of this study is to quantify/examine the effect of online and offline preventive maintenance. Preventive maintenance is carried out on the systems in two ways: online and offline preventive maintenance. After the first unit of each system fails, online preventive maintenance is performed. Following the failure of the second unit of each system, offline preventive maintenance is performed. Partial and complete failures are the two types of failures that may occur. Both systems can undergo exponential failure and repair. Using supplementary variable technique, Laplace transform, and Copula repair approach, the system of first-order differential equations associated with system effectiveness, which are crucial to this research, is established and resolved. Tables and graphs are used to illustrate the important findings based on assumed numerical values. System designers, programmers, and maintenance supervisors will be able to create and maintain more crucial systems with the assistance of this research paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of new composite materials is of great significance to improve the photocatalytic degradation efficiency. In this article, the TiO2/ZIF‐8 composite materials (TZCM) have been designed via the combination of hydrothermal‐assisted liquid phase deposition and the simple coprecipitation method. The experimental results indicate that the TiO2 and ZIF‐8 nanoparticles can be tightly bonded together by chemical bonds. Moreover, the TZCM also exhibit a significantly increased specific surface area and a reduced band gap width, which would provide more active sites and realize the visible‐light response during the photocatalytic process. The photodegradation rate and the corresponding first‐order reaction rate of methylene blue within 24 min by TiO2/ZIF‐8 composite material (e.g., sample TZCM‐3) is 93.36% and 0.1376 min−1, which is 31 times and 17 times that of pristine TiO2 and ZIF‐8, respectively. According to the photoelectrochemical experiments, the separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes in TZCM sample during the photocatalytic process could be significantly enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Monte Carlo method is the most commonly used dose calculation method in the field of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). General-purpose Monte Carlo (MC) code (e.g., MCNP) has been used in most treatment planning systems (TPS) to calculate dose distribution, which takes overmuch time in radiotherapy planning. Based on this, we developed COMPASS (COMpact PArticle Simulation System), an MC engine specifically for BNCT dose calculation. Several optimization algorithms are used in COMPASS to make it faster than general-purpose MC code. The parallel computation of COMPASS is performed by the message passing interface (MPI) library and OpenMP commands, which allows the user to increase computational speed by increasing the computer configurations. The physical dose of each voxel is calculated for developing a treatment plan. Comparison results show that the computed dose distribution of COMPASS is in good agreement with MCNP, and the computational efficiency is better than MCNP. These results validate that COMPASS has better performance than MCNP in BNCT dose calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The k-out-of-n system is a widely used concept in various fields. The significance of this system lies in its ability to ensure reliability, safety, and continuity of operation in various settings, including home appliances, military equipment, communication networks, and manufacturing systems. The system consists of two subsystems, each of which employs the kout-of-n: G scheme. Our aim is to estimate the performance of a system that implements a k-out-of-n: G scheme with a controller using Copula's properties. This system is susceptible to two types of failures; partial and complete failures. If the system fails partially, it is repaired using General repair techniques while completely failed state is repaired using Copula repair techniques. The system is investigated using supplementary variable techniques and the Laplace transformation to obtain explicit expressions for availability, reliability, mean time to failure (MTTF), sensitivity, and expected profit functions, all of which are numerically validated. The outcomes/results are displayed in tables and figures, enabling us to draw the appropriate conclusions and offer recommendations. On the basis of numerical results, the conclusions were drawn. The findings of this study will aid maintenance managers in determining the appropriate time and technique for a system's maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) is a highly aggressive biliary tract tumor. microRNAs (miRs) exert dual actions in various cancers. This paper seeks to expound on the functional mechanisms of miR-25-3p/dual specificity phosphatase 5 (DUSP5) in HCCA cell proliferation and migration. HCCA-related data were downloaded from GEO database to screen out differentially-expressed genes. The potential target miR (miR-25-3p) and its expression in HCCA were analyzed on Starbase. The binding relation between miR-25-3p and DUSP5 was confirmed by dual-luciferase assay. Levels of miR-25-3p and DUSP5 in FRH-0201 cells and HIBEpics were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot. miR-25-3p and DUSP5 levels were intervened with to explore their effects on FRH-0201 cells. The apoptosis, proliferation, migration, and invasion of FRH-0201 cells were evaluated by TUNEL, CCK8, scratch healing, and Transwell assays. Flow cytometry was conducted to assess FRH-0201 cell cycle. Levels of cell cycle-related proteins were determined by Western blot. DUSP5 was weakly-expressed and miR-25-3p was highly-expressed in HCCA samples and cells. miR-25-3p targeted DUSP5. miR-25-3p suppressed FRH-0201 cell apoptosis and increased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. DUSP5 overexpression partially abrogated miR-25-3p overexpression-exerted effects on FRH-0201 cells. miR-25-3p stimulated G1/S phase transition of FRH-0201 cells by targeting DUSP5. miR-25-3p regulated HCCA cell cycle and facilitated cell proliferation and migration by targeting DUSP5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing transcriptome analysis to investigate the mechanisms and therapeutic approaches for cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Firstly, the biological characters of A549 cells and A549/DDP cells were detected by RNA sequencing, CCK-8 and hippocampal energy analyzer. Then, the differential Genes were functionally enriched by GO and KEGG and the competitive endogenous RNA network map was constructed. Finally, the effects of the predicted biogenesis pathway on the biological functions of A549/DDP cells were verified by in vitro and in vivo experiments. The differentially transcribed genes of A549 and A549/DDP cells were analyzed by enrichment analysis and cell biological characteristics detection. The results showed that A549/DDP cells showed significantly increased resistance to cisplatin, glucose metabolism signaling pathway and glycolysis levels compared with A549 cells. Among glycolysis-related transcription genes, PKM had the most significant difference Fold Change is 8. LncRNA PCIF1 is a new marker of A549/DDP cells and can be used as a molecular sponge to regulate the expression of PKM. LncRNA PCIF1 targets miR-326 to induce PKM expression, promote glycolysis level, and enhance the resistance of A549/DDP cells to cisplatin. LncRNA PCIF1 as biomarkers of A549/DDP cells, higher expression can induce the PKM, promote cell glycolysis, lead to the occurrence of cisplatin resistance. LncRNA PCIF1 can be considered as a potential target for treating cisplatin-resistant NSCLC. • Each year, lung cancer causes high morbidity and mortality among all malignancies worldwide. • Abnormal energy metabolism is an important factor in the development of tumor. • Chemotherapy drug resistance is common in patients with NSCLC. • Glucose metabolic reprogramming is closely related to drug resistance in NSCLC. • Transcriptomics provides a new approach for the precise treatment of NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has the potential to severely threaten Taxuschinensis, an endangered endemic tree plant in China. Hence, we need to plan conservation areas for T. chinensis in light of climate change. We applied the common species distribution modelling software Maxent to generate maps of current and projected future distributions of T. chinensis. These distributional maps with conservation planning software were used to determine priority protection areas (PPAs). Then, we evaluated the ability of existing nature reserves to conserve T. chinensis and performed a gap analysis for the species under climate change. The PPAs of T. chinensis were mainly distributed within central and southern China. Nature reserves such as Zhangjiajiedani, Yangzie, Wolong, Baishuijiang and Dabashan have the greatest potential to protect T. chinensis under climate change. In situ and ex situ conservation of T. chinensis in the PPAs of these five nature reserves should be a priority. However, existing nature reserves lag far behind the PPAs with respect to total area. Therefore, more nature reserves are urgently needed for species like T. chinensis to cope with rapid climate change. Meanwhile, we should strengthen protection and management of areas that will experience an increase in T. chinensis while enhancing both monitoring and protection activities for T. chinensis in PPAs that are predicted to experience decreases in population size. Finally, we suggest that climate change must be integrated into conservation planning for the endangered plant species, T. chinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NeuMANTA is a new generation boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT)-specific treatment planning system developed by the Neuboron Medical Group and upgraded to an important feature, a Hounsfield unit (HU)-based material conversion algorithm. The range of HU values was refined to 96 specific groups and established corresponding to tissue information. The elemental compositions and mass densities have an important effect on the calculated dose distribution. The region of interest defined in the treatment plan can be converted into multiple material compositions based on HU values or assigned specified single material composition in NeuMANTA. Different material compositions may cause normal tissue maximum dose rates to differ by more than 10% in biologically equivalent doses and to differ by up to 6% in physically absorbed doses. Although the tumor has a lower proportion of BNCT background dose, the material composition difference may affect the minimum dose of biologically equivalent dose and physically absorbed dose by more than 3%. In addition, the difference in material composition could lead to a change in neutron moderation as well as scattering. Therefore, the material composition has a significant impact on the assessment of normal tissue side effects and tumor control probability. It is essential for accurate dose estimation in BNCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most treatment planning systems of boron neutron capture therapy perform dose calculations based on the assumption of a homogeneous boron distribution in tumors, which leads to dose distortion due to the difference between the tumor-to-normal tissue ratio (TNR) range measured in positron emission tomography images (PET) and the target delineation in computed tomography images of the treatment plan. The heterogeneous boron distribution in the target of the treatment plan can be obtained by image fusion. This study provides a way to quantify a heterogeneous boron distribution based on PET images. Theoretically, the same mean TNR for dose calculation by homogeneous or heterogeneous boron distribution should get almost the same mean dose. However, slightly different mean doses are found due to the partial volume effect for a small target volume. The wider the boron distribution is, the higher the impact on the dose-volume histogram distribution is. Dose distribution with homogeneous boron distribution may be overestimated in low boron uptake regions by wrong boron concentration and neutron flux depression. To accurately give the tumor prescription dose and achieve better tumor control, for low dose regions of the tumor should be considered more boron neutron capture therapy treatments or combined with other treatment modalities. The heterogeneous boron distribution must be taken into consideration to have an accurate dose estimation. Therefore, the way how medical physicists and clinicians process the TNR in gross tumor volume should be refined, and the method demonstrated in the work provides a good reference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A symplectic numerical method using the finite element algorithm in time scheme was proposed for rotor dynamics involving nonlinear factors, in which the Euler angle representation was introduced into the dynamic rotor system for the description of the nonlinear motion of rotation. The swirling motion of the rotor system including the beam-disc combination was analyzed. The numerical results demonstrate the validity and correctness of the proposed method, which can be used for the analysis of swirling motion of rotor systems in various situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An identity transformation between the time derivative of quaternions and angular velocity was introduced into the kinetic energy term, according to the theory of quaternion- based rigid body dynamics. This proposed approach yielded a non-singular mass matrix. Combined with the analytical structural mechanics, a new symplectic integration scheme with 4 formulations, was proposed. In practice, the discrete variational principle of the action function was employed to replace the relevant quaternion differential equations for the proposed method. Correspondingly, the unit length constraint was met explicitly by means of the algebraic constraint at the integration grid points. The numerical results show that the new scheme avoids the severe periodical nutation errors for the special cases of steady precession of a gyro top, which is a puzzling phenomenon in recent researches. In addition, the new scheme presents an impressive improvement of accuracy for the general cases as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quaternion representation was introduced into multibody dynamics for the description of rigid body rotation, based on which the constrained dynamics was derived and the relevant Lagrange system was established. Then, the segmental action for discrete systems was introduced and approximated with the finite element method. According to the theory of analytical structural mechanics, the symplectic numerical integration was derived with the constraints strictly satisfied at the integration points and the integration process was symplectic conservative in the sense of variation principle. The proposed method has the characteristics of less calculation and less unknown numbers, which is confirmed with the numerical results of an exemplary multibody hinged system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two Bi-MOFs, [Bi(PDC)(OH)] (Bi-PDC; H 2 PDC ​= ​2,4-pyridine bicarboxylic acid) and [Bi(PTC)(H 2 O) 2 ] (Bi-PTC; H 3 PTC ​= ​2,4,6-pyridine tricarboxylic acid), have been synthesized under almost the same solvothermal condition, respectively. Both Bi-PDC and Bi-PTC were characterized by microanalysis, infrared spectra (IR), thermal gravimetric analyses (TGA), and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) techniques. Single-crystal structural analyses indicate that the Bi3+ ions adopt similar coordination sphere of monocapped square antiprism in Bi-PDC and Bi-PTC, while PDC2− and PTC3− ligands display distinct bridging modes through carboxylates and pyridyl groups, leading to Bi-PDC forming three-dimensional (3D) pillared-layer framework and Bi-PTC developing into two-dimensional (2D) layered structure. Two Bi-MOFs emit ligand-centered room temperature phosphorescence due to the heavy atom effect of Bi3+ ion, with lifetime and quantum yield of 0.39 ​ms and 2.49% in Bi-PDC versus 0.57 ​ms and 5.45% in Bi-PTC, and the intense green and orange phosphorescence is visible by naked eyes under ambient condition, and the long-wavelength (orange) phosphorescence Bi-based MOF is seldom reported. Two Bi-MOFs with pyridylmulticarboxylate ligands, Bi-PDC and Bi-PTC, show distinct crystal structures and phosphorescence properties. [Display omitted] • Bi-PDC and Bi-PTC show different crystal packing structures due to distinct bridging modes of ligands. • Bi-PDC and Bi-PTC emit the ligand-centered phosphoresce owing to the heavy atom effect of Bi3+ ion. • Compared with Bi-PDC, the emission peak of Bi-PTC shows significant redshift (83 ​nm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In accord with the practical engineering design conditions, a nonlinear programming model is constructed for maximizing the fatigue life of V-belt drive in which some polymorphic uncertainties are incorporated. For a given satisfaction level and a confidence level, an equivalent formulation of this uncertain optimization model is obtained where only interval parameters are involved. Based on the concepts of maximal and minimal range inequalities for describing interval inequality, the interval parameter model is decomposed into two standard nonlinear programming problems, and an algorithm, called two-step based sampling algorithm, is developed to find an interval optimal solution for the original problem. Case study is employed to demonstrate the validity and practicability of the constructed model and the algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this study was to illustrate the effect of borneol on pharmacokinetics of salvianolic acid B (SalB) in rats after oral administration of SalB with different doses of borneol. The concentrations of SalB in rat plasma were determined by an established and validated LC-MS/MS method. Our data showed that when 20, 40, and 80 mg kg− 1 of borneol were orally administrated with SalB at 50 mg kg− 1, C max of SalB was increased by 18.4%, 55.8%, and 103.2% compared with that of SalB alone. And AUC0 − t of SalB in plasma was increased by 14.4%, 48.5%, and 123.3%, respectively. The results indicated that borneol is able to enhance the intestinal absorption and relative bioavailability of SalB, with a positive dose-dependent relationship. The described herb–drug interactions might prove the scientific rationality of the compatible ratio of traditional Chinese medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We study a class of stochastic bi-criteria optimization problems with one quadratic and one linear objective functions and some linear inequality constraints. A hybridmethod of chance-constrained programming (CCP) combined with variance expectation (VE) is proposed to find the optimal solution of the original problem. By introducing the expectation level, the bi-criteria problem is converted into a single-objective problem. By introducing the confidence level and the preference level of decision maker, we obtain a relaxed robust deterministic formulation of the stochastic problem. Then, an interactive algorithm is developed to solve the obtained deterministic model with three parameters, reflecting the preferences of decision maker. Numerical experiments show that the proposed method is superior to the existing methods. The optimal solution obtained by our method has less violation of the constraints and reflects the satisfaction degree of decision-maker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider a linear program with only equality constraints but containing interval and random coefficients. We first address the linear program with interval coefficients, and establish some structural properties of this linear program. On this basis, a solution method is proposed. We then move on to consider the linear program with random coefficients. Using the chance constraint approach and a new approach, the satisfaction degree approach, we obtain the two respective deterministic equivalent formulations. Then the results and the numerical solution methods obtained for these two linear models are applied to the original linear problem which contains both interval and random coefficients. By way of illustration, we consider a practical problem, where the optimal mixing proportions need to be determined for the mix slurry in the production process of aluminium with sintering. This gives rise to a linear program with interval and random coefficients. Its deterministic equivalent formulations are presented. Preliminary numerical examples show that the proposed models and the solution methods are promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new approach was proposed to reformulate the biobjectives optimization model of portfolio management into an unconstrained minimization problem, where the objective function is a piecewise quadratic polynomial. We presented some properties of such an objective function. Then, a class of penalty algorithms based on the well-known conjugate gradient methods was developed to find the solution of portfolio management problem. By implementing the proposed algorithm to solve the real problems from the stock market in China, it was shown that this algorithm is promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gyroscopic dynamic system can be introduced to Hamiltonian system. Based on an adjoint symplectic subspace iteration method of Hamiltonian gyroscopic system, an adjoint symplectic subspace iteration method of indefinite Hamiltonian function gyroscopic system was proposed to solve the eigenvalue problem of indefinite Hamiltonian function gyroscopic system. The character that the eigenvalues of Hamiltonian gyroscopic system are only pure imaginary or zero was used. The eigenvalues that Hamiltonian function is negative can be separated so that the eigenvalue problem of positive definite Hamiltonian function system was presented, and an adjoint symplectic subspace iteration method of positive definite Hamiltonian function system was used to solve the separated eigenvalue problem. Therefore, the eigenvalue problem of indefinite Hamiltonian function gyroscopic system was solved, and two numerical examples were given to demonstrate that the eigensolutions converge exactly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A normal quartic polynomial is a quartic polynomial whose fourth, degree term coefficient tensor is positive definite. Its minimization problem is one of the simplest cases of nonconvex global optimization, and has engineering applications. We call a direction a global descent direction of a function at a point if there is another point with a lower function value along this direction. For a normal quartic polynomial, we present a criterion to find a global descent direction at a noncritical point, a saddle point, or a local maximizer. We give sufficient conditions to judge whether a local minimizer is global and give a method for finding a global descent direction at a local, but not global, minim izer. We also give a formula at a critical point and a method at a noncritical point to find a one-dimensional global minimizer along a global descent direction. Based upon these, we propose a global descent algorithm for finding a global minimizer of a normal quartic polynomial when n = 2. For the case n > 3, we propose an algorithm for finding an e-global minimizer. At each iteration of a second algorithm, a system of constrained nonlinear equations is solved. Numerical tests show that these two algorithms are promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solution of 3 D elastic-plastic frictional contact problems belongs to the unspecified boundary problems where the interaction between two kinds of nonlinearities should occur. Considering the difficulties for the solution of 3D frictional contact problems, the key part is the determination of the tangential slip states at the contact points, and a great amount of computing work is needed for a high accuracy result. A new method based on a combination of programming and iteration methods, which are respectively known as two main kinds of methods for contact analysis, was put forward to deal with 3D elastic-plastic contact problems. Numerical results demonstrate the efficiency of the algorithm illustrated here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postpartum hypogalactia (PH) is prominent during lactation and may negatively impact the mother's or infant's health. Acupuncture is widely used to increase maternal breast milk production. However, the effects of acupuncture on PH remain unclear. Therefore, this review aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in individuals with PH. Materials and methods: Articles on potentially eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture for PH published from database inception to October 2023 were retrieved from the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, EBSCO, Scopus, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, WanFang, and VIP databases. Two reviewers independently screened the records, extracted essential information, and evaluated the methodological quality of the RCTs using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias (RoB) tool. The primary outcome was a change in serum prolactin (PRL) levels before and after treatment. Secondary outcomes included milk secretion volume (MSV), total effective rate (TER), mammary fullness degree (MFD), and exclusive breastfeeding rate (EBR). Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan v5.4. Finally, the quality of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation tool. Results: This study included 19 RCTs involving 2,400 participants. The included studies were classified as having an unclear to high RoB. Our findings indicated that, overall, acupuncture showed a significant effect in increasing serum PRL levels (standardized mean differences [SMDs] = 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.50, 1.68), MSV (SMD = 1.69, 95% CI: 0.53, 2.86), TER (relative risk [RR] = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.42), and EBR (RR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.07, 3.78) compared to that in the control group; however, no difference in MFD (SMD = 1.17, 95% CI: –0.09, 2.42) was observed. In the subgroup analysis, acupuncture combined with Chinese herbs or conventional treatment was significantly more effective in increasing serum PRL levels, MSV, and TER than did Chinese herbs or conventional treatment alone. Moreover, acupuncture alone resulted in significantly higher serum PRL levels compared to Chinese herbs; however, this benefit was not observed for TER and MFD. The quality of evidence was critically low. Conclusion: Acupuncture may effectively increase milk secretion in women with PH. However, owing to the low quality of evidence, further rigorously designed studies are warranted to confirm our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the liquid phase deposition of flower-like TiO 2 microspheres were decorated by ZIF-8 nanoparticles, forming the ZIF-8/TiO 2 composite materials. The results showed that the ZIF-8 nanoparticles can be well-deposited on the surface of TiO 2 microspheres with a porous microstructure. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared materials were evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RhB) solutions. It revealed that the ZIF-8/TiO 2 composite materials exhibited the enhanced photocatalytic activity, of which the photodegradation rate of MB and RhB solutions with initial concentration of 10 mg/L can reach approximately 90% under illumination for 40 min. Moreover, the reactive species trapping experiments indicated that ·OH was the main active species during the photodegradation process in this system. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of ZIF-8/TiO 2 composite materials was attributed to the synergistic effect between the TiO 2 microspheres and ZIF-8 nanoparticles, which resulted in the increased specific surface area and the reduced recombination of photogenerated charge carriers. Image 1 • ZIF-8/TiO 2 composite materials are prepared by a simple wet-chemical method. • ZIF-8/TiO 2 shows an increased specific surface area and porosity. • ZIF-8/TiO 2 composite materials exhibit the enhanced photocatalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Growing evidence showed that acupuncture may improve cognitive function by reducing oxidative stress, key to the pathogenesis in vascular dementia (VaD), but this is yet to be systematically analysed. This study aimed to summarize and evaluate the effect of acupuncture on oxidative stress in animal models of VaD. Method: Eight databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane library, CNKI, Wan Fang, CBM, and VIP were searched since their establishment until April 2023, for studies that reported the effect of acupuncture on oxidative stress in VaD animal models. Relevant literature was screened, and information was extracted by two reviewers. The primary outcomes were the levels of oxidative stress indicators. The methodological quality was assessed via the SYRCLE Risk of Bias Tool. Statistical analyses were performed using the RevMan and Stata software. Results: In total, 22 studies with 747 animals were included. The methodology of most studies had flaws or uncertainties. The meta-analysis indicated that, overall, acupuncture significantly reduced the expression of pro-oxidants including reactive oxygen species (standardized mean differences [SMDs] = -4.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -6.26, -2.31), malondialdehyde (SMD = -2.27, 95% CI: -3.07, -1.47), nitric oxide (SMD = -0.85, 95% CI: -1.50, -0.20), and nitric oxide synthase (SMD = -1.01, 95% CI: -1.69, -0.34) and enhanced the levels of anti-oxidants including super oxide dismutase (SMD = 2.80, 95% CI: 1.98, 3.61), glutathione peroxidase (SMD = 1.32, 95% CI: -0.11, 2.76), and catalase (SMD = 1.31, 95% CI: 0.05, 2.58) in VaD animal models. In subgroup analyses, acupuncture showed significant effects on most variables. Only partial modelling methods and treatment duration could interpret the heterogeneity of some outcomes. Conclusion: Acupuncture may inhibit oxidative stress to improve cognitive deficits in animal models of VaD. Nevertheless, the methodological quality is unsatisfactory. More high-quality research with a rigorous design and further experimental researches and clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings. Systematic review registration: This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023411720). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We have previously demonstrated the effect of alpha-2-macroglobulin (α2M) in the remediation of radiation-induced cellular damage. Here, we investigated the protective effects of α2M in a preclinical rat model of jaw osteoradionecrosis (ORN).Methods: Eighteen rats were divided randomly into three groups: the control group, the radiation therapy (RT) alone group, and the radiated mandibles pretreated with α2M (α2M + RT) group. One month after radiation, all left molar teeth were extracted. After another 3 months, the animals were sacrificed and body weight, histopathology, microcomputed tomography and immunofluorescence were evaluated in all groups.Results: The RT group showed serious alopecia, bone exposure, inflammation, necrosis, fibrosis, and the absence of new bone formation within the socket. The α2M + RT group exhibited less alopecia than the RT group and slight inflammation and fibrosis in the bone marrow cavity. The cortical bone was similar to normal bone tissue. Interestingly, compared with RT group, serum superoxide dismutase levels in the α2M + RT group increased at the 1th day (P = 0.037), 14th day (P = 0.012), while reactive oxygen species levels clearly decreased at the 1th day (P< 0.001), 14th day (P = 0.007), and 28th day (P = 0.013).Conclusions: A clinically translational model of jaw ORN was successfully established and the application of α2M prior to radiation protected the bone from being injured by the radiation, possibly related to oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transform domain provides a useful tool in the field of confidential data hiding and protection. In order to protect and transmit patients' information and competence, this study develops an amplitude quantization system in a transform domain by hiding patients' information in an electrocardiogram (ECG). In this system, we first consider a non-linear model with a hiding state switch to enhance the quality of the hidden ECG signals. Next, we utilize particle swarm optimization (PSO) to solve the non-linear model so as to have a good signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), root mean square error (RMSE), and relative root mean square error (rRMSE). Accordingly, the distortion of the shape in each ECG signal is tiny, while the hidden information can fulfill the needs of physiological diagnostics. The extraction of hidden information is reversely similar to a hiding procedure without primary ECG signals. Preliminary outcomes confirm the effectiveness of our proposed method, especially an Amplitude Similarity of almost 1, an Interval RMSE of almost 0, and SNRs all above 30. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The infrared temperature measurement technique has been applied in various fields with the development of charge coupled device. In the problem of metal surface temperature measurement, if the surface is covered by participating media, the traditional infrared temperature measurement technique will lead to intolerable measurement errors. In this work, the infrared temperature measurement problem was solved by the source multi-flux method. On this base, the impact of the flue gas thickness and surface temperature on the apparent temperature measured by the charge coupled device was analyzed. Furthermore, the corresponding experimental system was set up. And the experimental results were found to have a good agreement with the simulated results. Finally, the idea of modification for the infrared temperature measurement by inverse method was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Di-Long (Pheretima vulgaris) is a classic animal sourced traditional Chinese medicine. It has been used for the treatment of joint inflammation and arthralgia for over two thousand years due to its effects of Tong-Luo-Zhi-Tong (dredging collaterals and alleviating pain). Our previous study showed that Chinese medicine Di-Long has significant anti-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) effects. Considering Di-Long as a potential source of active compounds with specific anti-RA therapeutic effects, this research was to obtain the anti-RA target-specific active fraction from Di-Long extracts (DL), and to further explore the chemical basis and verify the anti-RA mechanism of this active fraction. Transcriptomic was applied to obtain the main anti-RA targets of DL on human RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) and validated by qPCR. The target-corresponding active fraction was isolated from DL by ethanol precipitation and gel chromatography, and analyzed by nanoliter chromatography-mass spectrometry. Anti-RA effects of this active fraction was investigated by collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice, and anti-RA mechanisms were verified in cocultured model of rat FLS and peripheral blood lymphocytes. We confirmed that CXCL10/CXCR3 was the main anti-RA target of DL. The active fraction - A (2182 - 890 Da) was isolated from DL based on its CXCL10 inhibiting effects in RA-FLS. Fraction A contains 195 peptides (192 were newly discovered), 26 of which might be bioactive and were considered to be the chemical basis of its anti-RA effects. Fraction A significantly ameliorated the joint destruction and overall inflammation in CIA mice, and downregulated CXCR3 expression in mice joint. Fraction A inhibited the chemotaxis of Th-cells in rat peripheral blood lymphocytes towards the TNF-α-induced rat FLS through CXCL10/CXCR3 pathway. Our work indicated that active fraction from DL containing small peptides exhibits promising therapeutic effects for RA through inhibiting CXCL10/CXCR3 chemotaxis. [Display omitted] • We confirmed the important role of the chemokine CXCL10 and chemokine receptor CXCR3 in the pathological mechanism of rheumatoid arthritis. • The active peptides from Chinese medicine Di-Long (Pheretima vulgaris) targets CXCL10/CXCR3 in rheumatoid arthritis, which is a different mechanism from that of the therapeutic drugs currently in clinical use. • We identified 26 bioactive peptides (25 of which are newly discovered) from Di-Long for the first time, and these peptides were the chemical basis for the anti-rheumatoid arthritis effects of Di-Long. • We established the cocultured model of rat peripheral blood lymphocytes and rat fibroblast-like synoviocytes for the first time to simulate the chemotaxis of blood lymphocytes to the synovium in rheumatoid arthritis, and this model was used to study the anti-chemotaxis mechanism of active fraction from Di-Long. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A symplectic eigenspace expansion method was proposed for the dynamic analysis of linear systems with damping and gyroscopic effect. The modal expansion method based on the Rayleigh quotient had been widely used in the dynamics of complex structures. However, the applicability of the modal expansion method was restricted since the gyroscopic effect was not taken into account. Herein, the relation between the Rayleigh quotient eigenvalue problems and the symplectic eigenvalue problems was established firstly. For these two types of problems, it was found that the latter was more general and can be reduced to the former through neglection of the gyroscopic effect. Then, the symplectic eigenspace expansion method was derived to conduct the dynamic analysis of linear damped gyroscopic systems. Finally, effectiveness of the proposed method is shown with the numerical examples of damped systems with and without gyroscopic effect simulated respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A symplectic-conservative algorithm was proposed for the nonlinear dynamic Hamilton systems with the application of the mixed energy variational principle. Based on this, an iterative algorithm for the nonlinear problem was designed in which a parametric variable was introduced into the Hamilton system, and the goal of energy preservation was realized at the integration grid nodes through parametric adjustments. The numerical examples of the undamped Duffing spring systems show that, compared with the only symplectic-conservative algorithm, the proposed symplectic-conservative and energy-preserving algorithm bears far higher accuracy in the simulation of the nonlinear dynamic Hamilton systems [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fast precise integration method is developed for the time integral of the hyperbolic heat conduction problem. The wave nature of heat transfer is used to analyze the structure of the matrix exponential, leading to the fact that the matrix exponential is sparse. The presented method employs the sparsity of the matrix exponential to improve the original precise integration method. The merits are that the proposed method is suitable for large hyperbolic heat equations and inherits the accuracy of the original version and the good computational efficiency, which are verified by two numerical examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An improved precise integration method (IPIM) for solving the differential Riccati equation (DRE) is presented. The solution to the DRE is connected with the exponential of a Hamiltonian matrix, and the precise integration method (PIM) for solving the DRE is connected with the scaling and squaring method for computing the exponential of a matrix. The error analysis of the scaling and squaring method for the exponential of a matrix is applied to the PIM of the DRE. Based on the error analysis, the criterion for choosing two parameters of the PIM is given. Three kinds of IPIMs for solving the DRE are proposed. The numerical examples show that the IPIM is stable and gives the machine accuracy solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Combining Fourier series expansion with recursive matrix formulas, new reliable algorithms to compute the periodic, non-negative, definite stabilizing solutions of the periodic Riccati and Lyapunov matrix differential equations are proposed in this paper. First, periodic coefficients are expanded in terms of Fourier series to solve the time-varying periodic Riccati differential equation, and the state transition matrix of the associated Hamiltonian system is evaluated precisely with sine and cosine series. By introducing the Riccati transformation method, recursive matrix formulas are derived to solve the periodic Riccati differential equation, which is composed of four blocks of the state transition matrix. Second, two numerical sub-methods for solving Lyapunov differential equations with time-varying periodic coefficients are proposed, both based on Fourier series expansion and the recursive matrix formulas. The former algorithm is a dimension expanding method, and the latter one uses the solutions of the homogeneous periodic Riccati differential equations. Finally, the efficiency and reliability of the proposed algorithms are demonstrated by four numerical examples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Auxiliary bearings (AB) support the rotor and protect the magnetic bearing (AMB) system when the AMB is disabled due to power loss or excessive loads. The paper demonstrates that installing a damping device along with the AB can yield extended AB fatigue life, protect the AMB, and reduce vibration, contact force and AB heating. A squeeze film damper (SFD) is an energy dissipation device that has been widely used in the turbo-machinery industry, and as demonstrated in the paper can also work effectively in combination with an AB. Usually, the SFD implements a supply groove to ensure adequate lubricant flow into the film lands. The supply groove can provide significant added mass coefficients and significantly influence the overall impedance of the SFD. Past literature has analyzed the transient response of the rotor dropping onto AB's with squeeze film dampers, none though have considered the influence of the SFD's center groove and its added mass effect on rotor's drop behavior. This paper develops a high fidelity finite element grooved SFD model considering the fluid inertia, and an effective groove clearance is used following the practice appearing in the literature. SFD force coefficients are benchmarked with results of a linear fluid inertia, bulk-flow model developed in the literature, before including them in the rotor – AB system model. The SFD model is integrated into a high fidelity nonlinear auxiliary bearing (angular contact ball bearing) model, which considers the movements, contact force, stress, and temperature of bearing balls, the inner race and outer race. The instantaneous reaction forces from the SFD are calculated with a finite element based solution of Reynold equation at each time step due to the intermittent and large sudden loads. The flexibility of the rotor is included utilizing a Timoshenko beam, finite element model. The fatigue life of the auxiliary bearing when integrated into the SFD is also calculated based on the rain flow counting method. The influence of the added mass of the SFD on the rotor's drop behavior is demonstrated showing that the added mass increases the contact force and peak temperature and reduces the fatigue life of the AB. Therefore, the added mass effect of the SFD should be considered to avoid over predicting the AB fatigue life. The influence of the SFD clearance on the rotor's drop behavior is also studied showing that an optimal clearance exists for increasing the AB fatigue life. Too small of a clearance will yield excessive damping making the effective stiffness too large, and causing high contact forces. Too large of a clearance lowers damping which may lead to a destructive backward whirl. This paper provides key guidelines for auxiliary bearing damper system design. • A grooved squeeze film damper model considering the fluid inertia effect is coupled together with the high fidelity elastic-thermal coupled ball bearing type auxiliary bearing model for the rotor drop transient simulation. • The influence of the added mass of the SFD on rotor drop is demonstrated showing that the added mass increases the contact force and peak temperature and reduces the fatigue life of the AB. • The influence of the SFD clearance on the rotor's drop behavior showing that an optimal clearance exists for increasing the AB fatigue life. Too small of a clearance will yield excessive damping making the effective stiffness too large, and causing high contact forces. Too large of a clearance lowers damping which may lead to a destructive backward whirl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A pair of epimer brachyanins A (1) and B (2), along with a new phloroglucinol brachyanin C (3), were isolated from the leaves of Leptospermum brachyandrum. Brachyanins A (1) and B (2) were the first example of novel meroterpenoid with a unique skeleton that combined a synacrpic acid and a pinene units via a benzyl moiety. Their structures were elucidated through the application of extensive spectroscopic measurements and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and with the absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were confirmed by the quantum chemical CD calculation. The hetero Diels-Alder as the key biotransformation was proposed to account for the biosynthesis of brachyanins A and B sheding light by the potential procursor brachyanin C. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Objective: The relationship between either paraoxonase 1 (PON1) gene promoter DNA methylation or genetic variations and bleeding or major adverse cardiac events after dual antiplatelet therapy has been incompletely characterized. We aimed to systematically investigate the role of genetic variations and DNA methylation of the PON1 CpG island promoter on the clinical outcomes of dual antiplatelet therapy for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods: This study included 653 patients with CAD undergoing PCI and receiving dual antiplatelet therapy. Genomic DNAs were isolated from whole blood and were genotyped for the three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the PON1 gene. The DNA methylation levels in the PON1 promoter region were determined by bisulfite sequencing or pyrosequencing at five CpG sites (positions -142, -161, -163, -170, and -184 from the transcription start site). Clopidogrel and its metabolites in plasma were examined using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS), and platelet function analysis was performed using the VerifyNow assay.Results: Statistically significant associations between methylation levels at five PON1 CpG sites and bleeding were observed: -184 [odds ratio (OR) 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96-1.00, p = 0.028]; -170 (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.97-1.00, p = 0.048); -163 (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96-1.00, p = 0.029); -161 (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-1.00, p = 0.026); and -142 (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-1.00, p = 0.042) at a false discovery rate of <5%. Statistical analysis also revealed that aspirin reaction units (ARUs) were significantly associated with PON1 methylation level at CpG site -163 (p = 0.0342). The ARUs of patients with the PON1 126 CC genotype was 527 ± 94, which was higher than the ARUs (473 ± 89) of patients with the 126 CG genotype (p = 0.0163). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the PON1 methylation level at CpG site -161 (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92-0.98, p = 0.002) and the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.26-0.89, p = 0.021) were associated with a decreased risk of bleeding events.Conclusions: Hypomethylation of CpGs in the PON1 promoter may be a weak, albeit statistically significant, risk factor of bleeding after dual antiplatelet therapy. Further large-scale studies are needed to verify our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method is proposed for the solution of the vertical vehicle–track interaction including a separation between wheel and rail. The vehicle is modelled as a multi-body system using rigid bodies, and the track is treated as a three-layer beam model in which the rail is considered as an Euler-Bernoulli beam and both the sleepers and the ballast are represented by lumped masses. A linear complementarity formulation is directly established using a combination of the wheel–rail normal contact condition and the generalised-αmethod. This linear complementarity problem is solved using the Lemke algorithm, and the wheel–rail contact force can be obtained. Then the dynamic responses of the vehicle and the track are solved without iteration based on the generalised-αmethod. The same equations of motion for the vehicle and track are adopted at the different wheel–rail contact situations. This method can remove some restrictions, that is, time-dependent mass, damping and stiffness matrices of the coupled system, multiple equations of motion for the different contact situations and the effect of the contact stiffness. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed method is effective for simulating the vehicle–track interaction including a separation between wheel and rail. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Four new diphenyl ether derivatives, sinopestalotiollides A–D ( 1 – 4 ), one new natural α-pyrone product ( 11 ), as well as twelve known compounds ( 5 – 1 7 ), were obtained from the ethyl acetate extract of the endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis palmarum isolated from the leaves of medicinal plant Sinomenium acutum (Thunb.) Rehd et Wils. The structures were elucidated by HR-ESI-MS and NMR spectrometry data. Bioassay experiments revealed that compounds 1–4 and 11 exhibited strong to weak cytotoxicities against three human tumor cell lines Hela, HCT116 and A549. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to identify the involvement of critical genes in systemic vasculitis, to gain an improved understanding of the molecular circuity and to investigate novel potential gene targets for systemic vasculitis treatment. The dual‑color cDNA microarray data of GSE16945, consisting of peripheral mononuclear blood cell specimens from 13 patients with systemic vasculitis and 16 healthy controls, was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened in systemic vasculitis compared with controls using BRB ArrayTools, followed by the construction of a protein‑protein interaction (PPI) network using the clusterProfiler package, and significant functional interaction (FI) module selection. Furthermore, transcriptional factors (TFs) among the identified DEGs were predicted and a transcriptional regulation network was constructed. A total of 173 up- and 93 downregulated genes were identified, which were mainly associated with immune response pathways. FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog (FOS), ubiquitin B (UBB), signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and MX dynamin‑like GTPase 1 (MX1) were identified as hub proteins in the PPI network. Furthermore, UBB, FOS, and STAT1 were hub proteins in the three identified FI modules, respectively. In total, nine TFs were predicted among the DEGs. Of the DEGs that were predicted to be TFs, STAT1, v‑maf avian musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog B (MAFB) and tyrosine 3‑monooxygenase/tryptophan 5‑monooxygenase activation protein Z (YWHAZ), which interacted with each other, were identified to regulate further DEGs as target genes. Various genes, including FOS, UBB, MX1, STAT1, MAFB, and YWHAZ may be potential targets useful for the treatment of systemic vasculitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) accumulation and hypertrophy are common in vascular disorders, and inflammation has a crucial role in the development of these diseases. To investigate the effect of inflammation on the neurotransmission of VSMC, bioinformatic analysis was performed, following next generation sequencing. Genes of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated A7r5 cells and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-treated A7r5 cells were sequenced via next generation sequencing, and each assay was repeated three times. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained using the NOISeq package in R. Subsequently, their potential functions were predicted by functional and pathway enrichment analyses using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery online tool. Interaction relationships of the proteins enriched in pathways associated with neurological diseases, the proteins which had interaction relationships with adrenoceptor α 1D (ADRA1D) or calcium voltage-gated channel subunit α1 S (CACNA1S), separately, were obtained from STRING, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using Cytoscape software. A total of 2,038 DEGs, including 1,094 upregulated and 944 down-regulated genes in the LPS treatment group were identified when compared with the control group. Enrichment analyses showed that NADH:Ubiquinone Oxidoreductase Core Subunit V2 (NDUFV2) was involved in several neurological diseases, including oxidative phosphorylation, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. Furthermore, NDUFV2 (degree, 20) had a higher degree in the PPI network for DEGs enriched in pathways associated with neurological diseases. In the PPI network for ADRA1D, CACNA1S and the DEGs interacting with them, prohibitin (PHB), oxytocin receptor (OXTR), collapsin response mediator protein 1 (CRMP1) and dihydropyrimidinase like 2 (DPYSL2) had interaction relationships with both ADRA1D and CACNA1S. To conclude, the present study revealed that NDUFV2, PHB, OXTR, CRMP1 and DPYSL2 may have key roles in the effect of inflammation on neurotransmission of VSMC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate direct puncture embolization of the internal iliac artery with hemostatic gelatin sponge particles to treat pernicious placenta previa coexisting with placenta accreta during cesarean delivery.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of data from women with pernicious placenta previa and placenta accreta who underwent direct puncture embolization of the internal iliac artery during cesarean delivery at a center in China between September 1, 2013, and February 28, 2015. Information regarding surgical procedures, operative data, and outcomes during hospitalization were obtained from medical records.Results: The procedure was successful in all 16 cases included. Mean operative time was 78 minutes (range 65-90) and mean estimated blood loss was 1550 mL (range 1000-2500). Complications such as fever, buttock pain, or acute limb ischemia were not observed. The procedure was performed after partial cystectomy for two patients with bladder invasion. Postoperative Doppler imaging indicated uterine recovery and normalized uterine blood flow in all patients.Conclusion: Direct puncture embolization of the internal iliac artery during cesarean delivery was a safe, effective, simple, and rapid method to control hemorrhage among women with pernicious placenta previa and placenta accreta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a disturbance acceleration adaptive estimate and correction approach for an attitude reference system (ARS) so as to improve the attitude estimate precision under vehicle movement conditions. The proposed approach depends on a Kalman filter, where the attitude error, the gyroscope zero offset error and the disturbance acceleration error are estimated. By switching the filter decay coefficient of the disturbance acceleration model in different acceleration modes, the disturbance acceleration is adaptively estimated and corrected, and then the attitude estimate precision is improved. The filter was tested in three different disturbance acceleration modes (non-acceleration, vibration-acceleration and sustained-acceleration mode, respectively) by digital simulation. Moreover, the proposed approach was tested in a kinematic vehicle experiment as well. Using the designed simulations and kinematic vehicle experiments, it has been shown that the disturbance acceleration of each mode can be accurately estimated and corrected. Moreover, compared with the complementary filter, the experimental results have explicitly demonstrated the proposed approach further improves the attitude estimate precision under vehicle movement conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To improve the comprehensive performances of a one-part room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (RTV-1 SiR), Nano-SiO2 particles are employed as the reinforcing agent. Materials and methods: The SiO2/RTV-1 SiR composite is prepared using PDMS, ND42, D-60 and HMDS-modified SiO2 particles by mixing method. And then, the mechanical and electrical properties, including shear strength, tensile strength, hardness Shore A and volume resistivity, are investigated using experimental method. Results: The addition of nano-SiO2 particles can improve the properties of the SiO2/RTV-1 SiR composite in different degrees. And, the incorporation of 25~30 phr nano-SiO2 particles is found to be reasonable for silicone rubber composite with the best comprehensive performances. Conclusions: The significant improvement of mechanical properties and electrical insulation of SiO2 may be contributed to the addition of modified nano-SiO2 particles. Additionally, the excellent comprehensive performances of SiO2/RTV-1 SiR composite guarantee a potential applications as electrical-insulating adhesives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TGFβ1-Smad signaling pathway is closely related to various tissues fibrosis. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been shown to antagonize TGFβ1-Smad signaling and may improve kidney tissue fibrosis in diabetic models. Penile fibrosis is a pathological condition which occurs during diabetic erectile dysfunction (ED). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the treatment of ED in diabetic rats with a combination of HGF and adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSC). In this diabetes model, rats were injected intraperitoneally with 60 mg streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetes. Three months later, the diabetic rats were divided into a negative control(NC) group, an ADSC-treated group and an ADSC + HGF-treated group while normal rats were assigned into a sham group. Rats in the sham and NC groups were injected in the corpus cavernosum with phosphate-buffered saline, while rats in the other groups were injected with either ADSC or ADSC + HGF. One month later, erectile function was examined in each group and penile tissues were collected for experiments. The expression of smooth muscle actin (SMA) and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) was analyzed by Western blotting. The smooth muscle and collagen deposition in corpus cavernosum was evaluated by Masson staining, while endothelial changes were assessed immunohistochemically. Cell apoptosis was detected by the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The results revealed that ADSC alone can significantly improve erectile function in diabetic rats, but in combination with HGF the improvement was more prominent, showing higher content of smooth muscle and endothelial cells and lower cell apoptotic index in corpus cavernosum. Treatment with HGF can significantly enhance the beneficial effect of ADSC on erectile function in diabetic rats, and this effect might be closely related to the down-regulation of TGFβ1-Smad signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vibration control and performance evaluation on a transmission-tower line system by using friction dampers subjected to wind excitations are carried out in this study. The three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of a transmission tower is firstly constructed. A two-dimensional lumped mass model of a transmission tower is developed for dynamic analysis. The analytical model of transmission tower-line system is proposed by taking the dynamic interaction between the tower and the transmission lines into consideration. The mechanical model of passive friction damper is presented by involving the effects of damper axial stiffness. The equation of motion of the transmission tower-line system incorporated with the friction dampers disturbed by wind excitations is established. A real transmission tower-line system is taken as an example to examine the feasibility and reliability of the proposed control approach. An extensive parameter study is carried out to find the optimal parameters of friction damper and to assess the effects of slipping force axial stiffness and hysteresis loop on control performance. The work on an example structure indicates that the application of friction dampers with optimal parameters could significantly reduce wind-induced responses of the transmission tower-line system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The random dynamic responses of the damped gyroscopic system were investigated under random loads. The pseudo-excitation method, as a highly efficient and accurate method for random vibration analysis, had been widely used in the fields of structural seismic and wind engineering. In the Lagrange framework based on a single physics variable the method of modal superposition is effective to reduce the degrees of freedom for complex structures in the numerical random vibration analysis. However, for the random analysis of gyroscopic systems, given the existing gyroscopic effects, application of the modal superposition method based on the Rayleigh quotient eigenvalues will be quite limited. Therefore, the general description of the symplectic eigenvalue problem was introduced firstly. Furthermore, for the damped gyroscopic system subjected to stationary random loads, the pseudo-excitation method was used and the solution formulae were derived based on the symplectic eigenspace expansion. For the conservative gyroscopic system, the solution expression was in an explicit form. In the numerical examples, the stationary random responses of a gyroscopic system were computed with the present method, of which the accuracy and efficiency were verified through comparison of the results with those out of other methods. The present method is of significance for the random vibration problems about mechanical engineering equipments with gyroscopic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Reconstruction of complex injuries involving bone and soft-tissue in foot remains a tough challenge for surgeons. The free fibular flap is a popular flap for treating these composite defects. However, complications caused by microvascular anastomoses are not uncommon. Herein, we designed a pedicled fibular flap elevated in the ipsilateral leg for reconstruction of multiple defects in foot. Methods From July 2005 to April 2013, four patients with composite defects in foot were treated by pedicled fibular flaps. The defects were located in the first metatarsal bone and medial cuneiform bone in two patients, in the fourth metatarsal bone in one patient, and in the second to fourth metatarsal bones in one patient. The size of soft-tissue defects ranged from 10 × 7 cm to 15 × 7 cm, and the length of bone defects ranged from 6 to 8 cm. Results The length of fibular grafts ranged from 7 to 8.5 cm, and the size of skin flaps ranged from 11 × 8 cm to 16 × 8 cm. All flaps survived completely. Complications occurred in two patients. One suffered moderate venous congestion and the flap survived without intervention. The other one sustained re-infection. Debridement was performed and the wound healed uneventfully. Follow-up ranged from 8 to 32 months. Bone union occurred at an average of 12 weeks, and the skin flaps showed good cosmetic results. No serous donor-site complications occurred. Conclusion The pedicled fibular flap transfer could avoid anastomosis complications and preserve healthy limb. It is a good option for reconstruction of complex defects in foot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A parametric variational principle and the corresponding numerical algorithm are proposed to solve a linear-quadratic (LQ) optimal control problem with control inequality constraints. Based on the parametric variational principle, this control problem is transformed into a set of Hamiltonian canonical equations coupled with the linear complementarity equations, which are solved by a linear complementarity solver in the discrete-time domain. The costate variable information is also evaluated by the proposed method. The parametric variational algorithm proposed in this paper is suitable for both time-invariant and time-varying systems. Two numerical examples are used to test the validity of the proposed method. The proposed algorithm is used to astrodynamics to solve a practical optimal control problem for rendezvousing spacecrafts with a finite low thrust. The numerical simulations show that the parametric variational algorithm is effective for LQ optimal control problems with control inequality constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This retrospective study analyzed fertilization protocols and pregnancy outcomes for oocytes with with narrow perivitelline space and heterogeneous zona pellucid (NPVS/HZP). Methods: In 63 in-vitro fertilization cycles filled with NPVS/HZP oocytes (abnormal oocytes group) and 521 cycles with normal oocytes (normal oocytes group), major clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded and compared in different fertilization cycles (conventional IVF cycles, rescue ICSI cycles, and traditional ICSI cycles). Results: NPVS/HZP oocytes meant lower MIIoocytes rates in both IVF and ICSI cycles compared with normal oocytes ( p < 0.05). The 2PN rates for abnormal oocytes were significantly lower than those for normal oocytes in both conventional IVF cycles (58.8 % VS 71.3 %, P < 0.05) and rescue ICSI cycles (58.0 % VS 78.0 %, P = 0.0000). The high-quality embryo rates in normal oocytes groups were significantly higher than those in abnormal oocytes groups in different fertilization cycles (52.2 % VS 35.0 %, P < 0.01; 42.9 % VS 23.9 %, P < 0.001; 50.6 % VS 31.0 %, P = 0.0000, respectively). No clinical pregnancy was obtained from abnormal oocytes in 11 conventional IVF cycles. The clinical pregnancy rates in rescue ICSI and traditional ICSI cycles were comparatively lower in abnormal oocytes groups, but there was no significant difference as compared with normal oocytes groups (35.0 % VS 48.1 % and 26.7 % VS 50.7 %, P > 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: Retrieval of oocytes characterized by NPVS/PZP from cycle to cycle was one of the reasons for obscure infertility. ICSI may be the right way to avoid fertilization failure and get pregnancy in women with NPVS/HZP oocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]