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This article mainly studies the strong convergence properties for randomly weighted maximum partial sums of arrays of row-wise extended negatively dependent (END, for short) random variables, including the complete moment convergence and complete f-moment convergence. The results obtained in this paper extend the corresponding ones in the literature. As an application, we investigate the complete consistency of the estimators of nonparametric regression models based on END random errors by using the complete convergence that we established. Then we provide comprehensive simulation studies to demonstrate the validity of the theoretical results based on the finite sample performance. Finally, an application to a real data set is illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the integration of ecological systems theory and the risk and protective factor model, the current study tested whether individual relative deprivation mediated the association between perceived social support and adolescents' experiential avoidance and whether this mediation model was moderated by subjective social class. A sample of 582 senior high school students in China participated in the current survey. The results indicated that perceived social support was negatively related to the students' experiential avoidance. Mediation analysis showed a significant indirect effect of perceived social support on experiential avoidance, via individual relative deprivation. Moreover, the mediation effect of individual relative deprivation was moderated by subjective social class. Specifically, the negative relationship between perceived social support and individual relative deprivation, and the direct relationship between perceived social support and experiential avoidance were stronger for adolescents with low subjective social class. In contrast, the positive relationship between individual relative deprivation and experiential avoidance was stronger for adolescents with high subjective social class. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fecal incontinence is a common chronic disease, which not only brings inconvenience to the lives of patients, but also causes great psychological harm to patients. Artificial anal sphincter is an innovative method that may treat fecal incontinence, and now has been clinically applied. This article will review recent developments in mechanisms and clinical applications of artificial anal sphincter. The current results of clinical trials show that the implantation of artificial sphincter will cause morphological changes of surrounding tissues, and related biomechanical imbalance will lead to the loss of effectiveness of the device and various complications. In terms of safety, postoperative patients suffer from various complications such as infection, corrosion, tissue ischemia, mechanical failure, and difficulty in emptying. In terms of effectiveness, there is currently no long-term research data to prove that the implanted device can maintain a long-term functional state. The key issue for the safety and effectiveness of implantable devices is the biomechanical compatibility of implantable devices was proposed. Based on the superelasticity of shape memory alloy, this article proposes a new type of constant force artificial sphincter device, which provides a new direction for solving the clinical application of artificial anal sphincter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although residual tetracycline, NH4+-N, and P in aquaculture wastewater have been frequently detected, their simultaneous removal has received little attention. The simultaneous and efficient removal of tetracycline, NH4+-N, COD, and P in aquaculture wastewater was achieved with a laboratory-scale moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) under different influent C/N ratios. The results suggested that tetracycline could be degraded efficiently without using an additional organic carbon source. Most of the tetracycline (>80%), NH4+-N (>73%), TN (>68%), TP (>59%), and COD (>78%) were synchronously removed under the higher C/N ratios. The electron transport system activity (ETSA), dissolved organic matter (DOM), and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were evaluated for biofilm performance during aquaculture wastewater remediation. The results indicated that the protein (PN) and polysaccharide (PS) concentrations, and fluorescence intensities were significantly different because the influent C/N ratios changed the biofilm activity. The ETSA values were lowest when tetracycline was the sole carbon source, which suggested that tetracycline affected the nitrification activity of biofilms. Sphingobacteriia, Betaproteobacteria, and Alphaproteobacteria were identified as the dominant bacterial classes. This study provides a new strategy for the removal of tetracycline and nutrients from aquaculture wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a univariate finite mixed generalized normal distribution (MixGND) is proposed. First, we derive some probabilistic properties including hazard rate function, characteristic function, kurtosis and skewness, for a mixture of two generalized normal distributions. In particular, we use a geometric analysis and numerical simulation technique to study the monotonicity of skewness and kurtosis from prescribing corresponding parameters. Then moment estimation and maximum likelihood estimation of parameters are also given. To use the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) method, an expectation conditional maximization (ECM) algorithm is proposed to estimate and numerically simulate seven parameters of a two-component MixGND under the same variance and heteroscedasticity. By using data sets of the S&P 500 and Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index (SSEC), we compare goodness-of-fit performance between the mixture of two generalized normal distributions and the mixture of two normal distributions. The empirical analysis results show that the former better describes the heavy-tailed and leptokurtic characteristics of the daily returns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the complete moment convergence for arrays of rowwise m-extended negatively dependent (m-END) random variables, which generalizes some corresponding ones for complete convergence. We also give an application to non-parametric regression model based on m-END errors by using the complete convergence that we establish. Finally, the choice of the fixed design points and the weight functions for the nearest neighbor estimator are proposed. We also provide a numerical simulation to verify the validity of our theoretical result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate the parametric component and nonparametric component estimators in a semiparametric regression model based on φ -mixing random errors. The r-th mean consistency and uniform consistency are established under some suitable conditions. Finally, a simulation to study the numerical performance of the consistency for the nearest neighbor weight function estimators is provided. The results obtained in the paper complement the existing ones of independent random errors to the case of φ -mixing random errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sesame peptides could be used to treat underlying diseases and a suitable carrier of nutrients. In this study, sesame peptides were mainly prepared from SSM (sesame meal), and the chelating ability of different molecular weight sesame peptide components to calcium and the physical characterization of the chelates were investigated. After that, the molecular weights were verified by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography), and the Zeta potential, PDI (polydispersity) of SSMP (sesame meal peptides) of different molecular weights were determined. In the SSMP-Ca chelates, the chelation rate of SSMP-2 (sesame meal peptide components 2) to calcium is 72.72 ± 0.17%. Fluorescence spectrum analysis found that the fluorescence intensity of chelates decreased, and the maximum absorption peak was red-shifted. FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy) research showed that the chelate vibration absorption wavelengths of the three characteristic peaks -NH2, COO−, and C = O had change, indicating that the amino and carboxyl groups in sesame peptide participated in the chelation reaction. SEM (scanning electron microscope) analysis showed that SSMP and calcium could form a chelate with specific stability. Most of its microstructures were encapsulated and adhered to each other to create a "bridging effect" and appear as aggregates. These results provided a basis for using sesame peptides in the food or pharmaceutical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

S-Equol is an intestinal bacterial metabolite of the isoflavone daidzein. Racemic (±)-equol is used as a dietary estrogen supplement in menopausal women and is suggested to affect the female reproductive function and development, primarily controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and gonadotropin-releasing hormone release. In this study, murine neurons were utilized to evaluate the effect and mechanism of (±)-equol on the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. The cells were treated with up to 20 µmol/L of (±)-equol to determine the influence on cell viability. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and Western-blotting analysis were used to investigate the impacts of (±)-equol on the secretion and transcription of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, and the transcription and translation of key neuromodulators. This study showed that (±)-equol could decrease cell viability, increase the ability to secrete gonadotropin-releasing hormone, and interfere with the expression of neurokinin B receptor, makorin ring finger protein 3, and silent information regulator 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prosthetic socket is the connecting part between the stump and the prosthesis, which is the important basis for the function of the prosthesis. The current prosthetic socket is difficult in meeting the needs of amputees current, which is the main reason for amputees abandoning their prostheses. This paper reviews the design and use of prosthetic sockets for lower limb. The contribution of this publication is to review the skin problem, interface stress and volume fluctuations for prosthetic sockets, which are proposed as the key factors affecting the use of prosthetic sockets. Moreover, the lower limb prosthetic sockets are classified into the full-contact and the frame-type sockets according to the different contact type between stump and prosthetic socket, and their advantages and disadvantages are analyzed from different perspectives. Aim to design the prosthetic socket with function transfer, suspension stability and comfort of socket, a design concept for prosthetic socket with self-adapt in real-time is proposed. It can be achieved by the smart materials with special mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is the leading cause of drug-induced liver injury. Bianliang ziyu, a variety of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. (Asteraceae), has potential hepatoprotective effect. However, the mechanism is not clear yet. To investigate the hepatoprotective activity and mechanism of Bianliang ziyu flower ethanol extract (BZE) on APAP-induced rats based on network pharmacology. Potential pathways of BZE were predicted by network pharmacology. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were pre-treated with BZE (110, 220 and 440 mg/kg, i.g.) for eight days, and then APAP (800 mg/kg, i.g.) was used to induce liver injury. After 24 h, serum and liver were collected for biochemical detection and western blot measurement. Network pharmacology indicated that liver-protective effect of BZE was associated with its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic efficacy. APAP-induced liver pathological change was alleviated, and elevated serum AST and ALT were reduced by BZE (440 mg/kg) (from 66.45 to 22.64 U/L and from 59.59 to 17.49 U/L, respectively). BZE (440 mg/kg) reduced the ROS to 65.50%, and upregulated SOD and GSH by 212.92% and 175.38%, respectively. In addition, BZE (440 mg/kg) increased levels of p-AMPK, p-GSK3β, HO-1 and NQO1, ranging from 1.66- to 10.29-fold compared to APAP group, and promoted nuclear translocation of Nrf2. BZE also inhibited apoptosis induced by APAP through the PI3K–Akt pathway and restored the ability of mitochondrial biogenesis. Our study demonstrated that BZE protected rats from APAP-induced liver injury through antioxidant and anti-apoptotic pathways, suggesting BZE could be further developed as a potential liver-protecting agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast urbanization and population increase resulted in the demand for ornamental seedling supply in a high efficiency under the culture of continuous artificial lighting. Light emitting diode (LED) can be considered as the replacement of high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps by providing lights with specific wavelengths for plant growth at low energy cost. In this study, nutrient use efficiency was detected in Podocarpus macrophyllus seedlings under lighting spectra generated by white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (red (R)/green (G)/blue (B)=8.4:75:16.6) and high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps (R/G/B/=4.3:69.3:26.5). Compared to seedlings under the HPS spectrum, those under white LED spectrum had better growth, greater biomass accumulation, higher photosynthesis and gas exchange. In contrast, LED-spectrum treated seedlings had greater nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents than HPS-spectrum treated ones. The LED spectrum promoted nutrient use index for both N and P in seedlings compared to the HPS spectrum. The LED spectrum induced steady-state uptake of P but resulted in the dilution of N. In conclusion, white LED can be considered to replace the usage of HPS lamps for the culture of tree seedlings due to the spectrum effect on N utilization, P uptake and the use efficiencies of N and P. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on reliability theory, the value of the standard normal distribution integral can be obtained by calculating the probability of the failure domain of the linear performance function. After the sample space is divided into some sub-sample spaces, a number of sub-failure domains are obtained. In the paper, the methods of computing the probabilities of sub-failure domains are discussed. All the formulae and the steps of computing the standard normal distribution integral which meet any required precision are given in the paper. Examples show that it is easy for the method to compute the standard normal distribution integral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we discuss the interval consensus problem of multi-agent systems by providing a special Laplacian of directed graphs. As one of the most important issues in the coordination control of multi-agent systems, the consensus problem requires that the output of several spatially distributed agents reach a common value that depends on the states of all agents. For the given consensus protocol and initial states, a fixed consensus value is obtained. The resulting consensus value, however, may not be ideal or meet the quality that we require from the multi-agent system. In this paper, by introducing two state-dependent switching parameters into the consensus protocol, the system given by the proposed protocol can globally asymptotically converge to a designated point on a special closed and bounded interval. In other words, the system given by the proposed protocol can globally asymptotically reach interval consensus and then the system can also achieve a generalised interval average consensus if the directed graph is balanced. Simulations are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of our theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The distribution of environmental features of the internal ruins which are formed by a randomly seismic disaster is unpredictable. Therefore, the existing methods of map segmentation, which need to preset parameters, cannot be directly used. Considering the lack of prior knowledge, a map segmentation method based on the spectral clustering is proposed in the framework of hierarchical simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithm. The method solves the problem of incremental complexity of SLAM algorithm using the division of environment. In accordance with the similarity of observed environment, a weighted graph is established. The nodes in the graph are generated by measuring the expected information gain and position redundancy. Then, the graph is partitioned into subjective results of map segment based on the criterion of minimum normalized cut. On the basis of the inherent sparse of SLAM, the proposed algorithm not only reduces the cost of calculation, but also minimizes the loss of information in order to ensure the global consistency. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the algorithm are verified by simulation and experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Biofouling is a universal problem in various applications ranging from water purification to implantable biomedical devices. Recent advances in surface modification have created a rich library of antifouling surface chemistries, many of which can be categorized into one of the two groups: hydrophilic surfaces or amphiphilic surfaces. We report the straightforward preparation of antifouling thin film coatings in both categories via initiated chemical vapor deposition. A molecular force spectroscopy-based method is demonstrated as a rapid and quantitative assessment tool for comparing the differences in antifouling characteristics. The fouling propensity of single molecules, as opposed to bulk protein solution or bacterial culture, is assessed. This method allows for the interrogation of molecular interaction without the complication resulted from protein conformational change or micro-organism group interactions. The molecular interaction follows the same trend as bacterial adhesion results obtained previously, demonstrating that molecular force probe is a valid method for the quantification and mechanistic examination of fouling. In addition, the molecular force spectroscopy-based method is able to distinguish differences in antifouling capability that is not resolvable by traditional static protein adsorption tests. To lend further insight into the intrinsic fouling resistance of zwitterionic and amphiphilic surface chemistries, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, advancing and receding water contact angles, and atomic force microscopy are used to elucidate the film properties that are relevant to their antifouling capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we report the first full mitochondrial genome sequence for a white shark caught in the Atlantic Ocean. The mitochondrial genome is 16,745 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a non-coding control region. The base composition of this mtDNA lineage is A: 30.7%, C: 26.9%, G: 13.8%, and T: 28.6%. In concordance with previous population genetic studies, the Atlantic caught individual forms a separate lineage from individuals caught on either side of the Pacific Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]