Search

The paper deals with the numerical positivity, convergence and dynamical behaviors (including extinction and persistence) for stochastic SIS model. Compared with the existing numerical methods, a linearly backward Euler method with truncated Wiener process is introduced with a less computational cost and a better dynamic behavior. We discuss the numerical positivity by the truncated Wiener process, which is the basis for the investigation of convergence and dynamic behavior. The numerical dynamical behaviors (extinction and persistence) are obtained by an exponential representation for the nonlinear stochastic stability function and the large number theorem for martingale, which reproduces the existing theoretical results of exact solution. Finally, numerical examples are given to validate our numerical results for stochastic SIS model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

YIV-906 (PHY906) is a standardized botanical cancer drug candidate developed with a systems biology approach—inspired by a traditional Chinese herbal formulation, historically used to treat gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. In combination with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, preclinical and clinical results suggest that YIV-906 has the potential to prolong survival and improve quality of life for cancer patients. Here, we demonstrated that YIV-906 plus anti-PD1 could eradicate all Hepa 1–6 tumors in all tumor bearing mice. YIV-906 was found to have multiple mechanisms of action to enhance adaptive and innate immunity. In combination, YIV-906 reduced PD1 or counteracted PD-L1 induction caused by anti-PD1 which led to higher T-cell activation gene expression of the tumor. In addition, YIV-906 could reduce immune tolerance by modulating IDO activity and reducing monocytic MDSC of the tumor. The combination of anti-PD1 and YIV-906 generated acute inflammation in the tumor microenvironment with more M1-like macrophages. YIV-906 could potentiate the action of interferon gamma (IFNg) to increase M1-like macrophage polarization while inhibiting IL4 action to decrease M2 macrophage polarization. Flavonoids from YIV-906 were responsible for modulating IDO activity and potentiating IFNg action in M1-like macrophage polarization. In conclusion, YIV-906 could act as an immunomodulator and enhance the innate and adaptive immune response and potentiate anti-tumor activity for immunotherapies to treat cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic varied elastic modulus and damping coefficient of underground goaf are most important factors which describes the goaf absorption ability on seismic wave energy. This numerical simulation study have focused on the effect of goaf area on earthquake-wave propagation and seismic response on the ground surface in a coal mine area. The laboratory measurements were carried out by 135 porous samples cases consisting rocks and coal particles 0.12–0.25 mm in size to estimate the dynamic elastic modulus and damping coefficient of the fragmented rock masses. In this simulation, a new model on damping coefficient of longitudinal and transverse waves has been presented in considering rock size (D), effective stress (σe), porosity (φ) and compaction time (t). The empirical correlation between the damping coefficient and effective stress (depth) as well as the compaction time of the goaf area has been derived and used for each goaf and strata grid blocks in the simulation. The results showed that the peak ground acceleration (PGA) above the goaf area exhibits 9–20% reduction compared to that of unexcavated condition (original coal seam), and around 10–35% seismic energy is trapped in the goaf area as goaf varied from 100 to 700 m. In the meantime, the peak ground displacement (PGD) is amplified up to seven times for the goaf depth ranging from 100 to 700 m compared to that of the unexcavated condition. Both PGA and PGD above goaf area are smaller than those above the undisturbed coal seam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A water-fluid mud coupling model is developed based on the unstructured grid finite volume coastal ocean model (FVCOM) to investigate the fluid mud motion. The hydrodynamics and sediment transport of the overlying water column are solved using the original three-dimensional ocean model. A horizontal two-dimensional fluid mud model is integrated into the FVCOM model to simulate the underlying fluid mud flow. The fluid mud interacts with the water column through the sediment flux, current, and shear stress. The friction factor between the fluid mud and the bed, which is traditionally determined empirically, is derived with the assumption that the vertical distribution of shear stress below the yield surface of fluid mud is identical to that of uniform laminar flow of Newtonian fluid in the open channel. The model is validated by experimental data and reasonable agreement is found. Compared with numerical cases with fixed friction factors, the results simulated with the derived friction factor exhibit the best agreement with the experiment, which demonstrates the necessity of the derivation of the friction factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prediction of cohesive sediment transport in storm process is important for both navigation safety and environment of the coastal zone. The difficulties to simulate cohesive sediment transport for a small-scale area such as around a harbor during storm events mainly include the low spatial resolution of the present reanalysis atmosphere forcing, the complex hydrodynamic and sediment transport processes, and their interactions. In this paper, an integrated atmosphere-wave-3D hydrodynamic and cohesive sediment transport model with unstructured grid, which is comprised of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN) model, and Finite-Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM), was developed to solve the abovementioned problems. For cohesive sediment, the flocculation and hindered settling were included, and a self-weight consolidation processes was introduced to the existing FVCOM. Interactions between components were considered by providing data fields to each other in an offline manner. The integrated model was applied to simulate cohesive sediment transport around Lianyungang Harbor, China, during Typhoon Wipha in 2007. Results identify that the atmosphere model WRF performed better in the simulation of wind field during typhoon process compared with QuikSCAT/National Centers for Environmental Prediction (QSCAT/NCEP) data. Simulation of wave model was directly affected by wind results as wave vector field driven by WRF wind field showed anticlockwise vortex while waves driven by QSCAT/NCEP wind field did not. The influence of water elevation and flow field on waves was great at the nearshore area. However, the effect of wave on current was not apparent, while the wind field played a more important role, especially on the current velocity. The cohesive sediment transport was greatly affected by wave due to the combined wave-current-induced shear stress. In general, simulation results of wind, wave, current, and sediment showed reasonable agreement with measured data. It is demonstrated that the integrated model developed in the paper is capable of providing high-resolution atmosphere data for other components, reproducing the complex hydrodynamics and cohesive sediment transport processes and taking account of the interaction between components. The integrated model is necessary for simulating the cohesive sediment transport in a small-scale area during storm events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) is a two-stage (pre-intentional and post-intentional) behavioral change model that distinguishes between motivation and volition in behavior change process. This study aims to develop HAPA-based assessments for smoking cessation among current smokers. The HAPA-based measures were developed and the draft measures included nine constructs, namely, risk perception in smoking-induced cancer, risk perception in smoking-induced systemic disease, positive outcome expectancy, negative outcome expectancy, self-efficacy in quitting smoking, self-efficacy in maintaining, self-efficacy in re-initiating, quitting planning and coping planning in smoking cessation, with a total of 26 items. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in China in 2022. Principal Component Analysis was used for Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Cronbach's α coefficient was calculated to evaluate the internal consistency. Variables such as severity of smoking addiction were selected to evaluate the correlation between the HAPA scale and these variables. Of the 928 participants, 76.4% (709/928) were male and the median age was 35 years. Five factors were extracted by EFA. The factor loadings of each item were all greater than 0.60, and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 90.15%. The Cronbach's α coefficient of each HAPA-based subscales was 0.929–0.986. The HAPA-based measurements are comprehensive, reliable and valid in the assessment of smokers' smoking cessation cognition, which can be used to guide the design and implementation of intervention and the development of theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese herbal medicine Bu-Shen-Jiang-Ya decoction (BSJYD) is reported to be beneficial for hypertension. Over expression of extracellular signal regulated kinases (ERK) pathway plays an important role in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). This study aimed to observe effects of BSJYD on LVH in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and explore its possible mechanism on regulation of ERK pathway. Sixty 12-week-old SHRs were randomly allocated into 5 groups: BSJYD high dose group, middle dose group, low dose group, captopril group, and control group. Besides, a control group of Wistar-Kyoto rats was established. All rats were treated for 8 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR), pathology, and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were measured. Western blotting and Real-time PCR were used to assess the expressions of BDNF, Ras, ERK1/2, and c-fox levels. SBP and HR were significantly decreased compared with the control group and LVMI was markedly improved by BSJYD treatment in a dose-dependent manner. BSJYD inhibited the expression of BDNF, Ras, ERK1/2, and c-fox mRNA in LVH. In conclusion, BSJYD suppressed hypertension-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting the expression of ERK pathway. These changes in gene expression may be a possible mechanism by which BSJYD provides myocardial protection from hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy has generated tremendous success in revealing detailed subcellular structures in animal cells. However, its application to plant cell biology remains extremely limited due to numerous technical challenges, including the generally high fluorescence background of plant cells and the presence of the cell wall. In the current study, stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) imaging of intact Arabidopsis thaliana seedling roots with a spatial resolution of 20-40 nm was demonstrated. Using the super-resolution images, the spatial organization of cortical microtubules in different parts of a whole Arabidopsis root tip was analyzed quantitatively, and the results show the dramatic differences in the density and spatial organization of cortical microtubules in cells of different differentiation stages or types. The method developed can be applied to plant cell biological processes, including imaging of additional elements of the cytoskeleton, organelle substructure, and membrane domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]