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Biological membranes are able to exhibit various morphology due to the fluidity of the lipid molecules within the monolayers. The shape transformation of membranes has been well described by the classical Helfrich theory, which consists only a few phenomenological parameters, including the mean and the Gaussian curvature modulus. Though various methods have been proposed to measure the mean curvature modulus, determination of the Gaussian curvature modulus remains difficult both in experiments and in simulation. In this paper we study the buckling process of a rectangular membrane and a circular membrane subject to compressive stresses and under different boundary conditions. We find that the buckling of a rectangular membrane takes place continuously, while the buckling of a circular membrane can be discontinous depending on the boundary conditions. Furthermore, our results show that the stress-strain relationship of a buckled circular membrane can be used to effectively determine the Gaussian curvature modulus.

The modeling of traffic dynamics under intelligent transportation system (for short, ITS) is an important and interesting topic in traffic flow theory. In this paper, a novel lattice hydrodynamic model is presented to describe dynamic features of traffic flow with consideration of multi-anticipative average flux effect under ITS environment. The corresponding stability condition is obtained by using the linear stability analysis theory. The analytical results show that the stable region can be significantly widened on the phase diagram when the multi-anticipative average flux effect is considered, and the anticipating average flux information of more sites ahead can further lead to the stability of traffic flow. The mKdV equation near the critical point during the nonlinear analysis is derived to describe the evolution properties of traffic density waves by applying the reductive perturbation method. Numerical simulation results are consistent with the theoretical results, which further confirm that the traffic jam can be effectively alleviated by taking into account multi-anticipative average flux effect in the traffic system.

Objective The endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulates bone turn-over and remodeling. Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) occurring during obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may lead to disorders of the ECS and bone metabolism abnormalities. This study aimed to investigate whether or not the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) antagonist rimonabant (Ri) alleviates bone metabolism abnormalities and bone destruction induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH). Methods Healthy male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (n=48) were randomly divided into 6 groups of 8 rats: 2 normal control (NC) groups, 2 intermittent hypoxia (IH) groups, and 2 IH + Ri groups. Rats in NC groups breathed room air for 4 weeks (4w NC group) and 6 weeks (6w NC group). Rats in IH groups experienced IH environment for 4 weeks (4w IH group) and 6 weeks (6w IH group). In addition to the same IH exposure, rats in IH + Ri group were given daily intraperitoneal injection of Ri at the dosage of 1.5 mg/kg/d for 4 weeks (4w IH + Ri group) and 6 weeks (6w IH + Ri group). Levels of serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP, a marker of bone resorption) were determined by ELISA. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed on bone sections to observe the changes in bone microstructure. Expression of CB1R in bone tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry. Results TRAP levels were higher in the 4w IH and 6w IH groups than in the 4w NC and 6w NC groups; TRAP levels were lower in the 4w IH + Ri and 6w IH + Ri groups than in the 4w IH and 6w IH groups. HE staining showed that the morphology of bone cells in the NC group was normal, but the 4w IH group had mild edema of bone cells, reduction in trabecular bone, and destruction of bone microstructure. Changes were more severe in the 6w IH group than 4w IH. The 4w IH + Ri group was slightly improved compared with the 4w IH group. The 6w IH + Ri group was improved compared with the 4w IH + Ri group. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of CB1R in IH group was significantly higher than that in NC group. The expression of CB1R in the IH + Ri group was lower than that in the IH group. With the prolongation of hypoxia, the expression of CB1R in bone cells of IH group increased. The expression level of CB1R in IH + Ri group decreased with the prolongation of intervention time. Correlation analysis showed that the expression rate of CB1R in bone cells was positively correlated with the level of TRAP in serum. Conclusion CIH increases serum TRAP levels and triggers metabolic bone disorder by activating bone CB1R. Intervention with CB1R antagonist (rimonabant) reduces the bone dysmetabolism in the CIH rat model.

We prepared a series of highly porous Polyrotaxane/sodium alginate, and Polyrotaxane/Chitosan foam alloys according to a sustainable pathway by using water as the only solvent. The foam alloys were further used as supporter materials for poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) encapsulation, to fabricate shape-stable bio-based phase change materials (PCMs). The pore morphology and the internal interface between PEG and foam alloys were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Due to the good compatibility between foam alloys and PEG, the PCM performed perfect anti-leakage properties. The introduction of sodium alginate or Chitosan ensures the shape stability of the PCMs during the phase transition. The PCMs performed good cycle stability and showed ultra-high latent heat (171.6 J g−1–189.5 J g−1). Finally, we compared the typical indicators of this work with those reported in the literature, and the comparison highlighted that the present PCMs have the significant advantages: high melting enthalpy, convenient preparation and outstanding sustainability. Notably, the work provided a sustainable idea for the design of anti-leakage and shape-stable PEG-based PCMs. pre-print 1327 KB

Background Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) induced chronic kidney disease is mainly caused by chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH). Our study investigate the mechanism underlying CIH-induced renal damage and whether the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) antagonist rimonabant (Ri) alleviates CIH-induced renal injury. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: one normal control (NC) group, two chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) groups, and two CIH + Ri groups. Rats in the NC groups were exposed to room air, while the CIH groups were exposed to a CIH environment for 4 weeks (4w CIH group) and 6 weeks (6w CIH group), respectively. Additionally, rats in the CIH + Ri groups were administered 1.5 mg/kg/day Ri for 4 weeks (4w CIH + Ri group) and 6 weeks (6w CIH + Ri group), respectively. Following this, the rats were euthanized and kidneys were excised for downstream analysis. In the renal tissues, the morphological alterations were examined via haematoxylin eosin (HE) staining and periodic acid schiff (PAS) staining, CB1R, Fis1, Mfn1, and p66Shc expression was assessed through western blot and immunohistochemistry, and the mitochondrial ultrastructural changes in kidney sections were assessed by electron microscopy. Results CB1R expression in the 4w and 6w CIH groups was significantly elevated, and further increased with prolonged hypoxia; however, Ri prevented the increase in CIH-induced CB1R expression. Fis1 and p66Shc expression in the CIH groups were increased, but Mfn1 expression decreased. Ri decreased Fis1 and p66Shc expression and increased Mfn1 expression. Renal damage in the 4w or 6w CIH + Ri group was evidently improved compared with that in the 4w or 6w CIH group. CB1R expression was positively correlated with Fis1 and p66Shc and negatively correlated with Mfn1. Meanwhile, electron microscopy showed that the percentage of fragmented mitochondria in the tubular cells in each group was consistent with the trend of CB1R expression. Conclusion CIH causes endocannabinoid disorders and induces abnormal mitochondrial dynamics, resulting in renal injury. Treatment with CB1R antagonists reduces CIH-induced renal damage by inhibiting dysregulated renal mitochondrial dynamics.

Additional file 1: Figure S1. Representative western blotting images of CB1R in renal tissue. Figure S2. Representative western blotting images of Fis1 in renal tissue. Figure S3. Representative western blotting images of p66shc in renal tissue. Figure S4. Representative western blotting images of Mfn1 in renal tissue. Figure S5. Representative western blotting images of β- actin.

In order to improve ability of amplification about optical arrival angle in laser eavesdropping system, and enhance receiving field of view (FOV) of laser eavesdropping system, this paper presents a new multi-stage amplifier laser eavesdropping model based on waveguide fiber taper. First of all, taking about four-quadrant (4QD) laser eavesdropping model as an example, from the theoretical view, analyses factors that, currently, laser eavesdropping system face many restrictive factors during practical applications. Besides, from the receiving FOV and ability of amplification about arrival angle of incoming optical axis angles, systematically analyses advantages of multi-stage amplifier model. What's more, through constructing laser eavesdropping test platform, we demonstrate Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) of two stage amplification model is eventually promoted to 6–10 dB compared with one amplifying model, especially in low and high audio level, the advantages is more obvious. Keywords: Laser eavesdropping, Waveguide fiber taper, 4QD

Prediction of cabin noise for new types of ships and offshore platforms, based on measurement or simulation databases, is a common problem that needs a solution at the beginning of the design process. In this paper, we explore the use of a radial basis function (RBF) neural network to study this problem. Within the framework of the RBF network, we implement and compare several algorithms to devise a fast and precise cabin noise prediction model. We select a combination of algorithms after training the RBF with noise measurement samples. The results show that the RBF neural network trained using the DE algorithm has better prediction accuracy, generalization, and robustness than the others. Our work provides a new method for preliminary noise assessment during the schematic design phase and enables rapid analysis of vibration and noise control schemes for ships and offshore platforms.

Previous cross-sectional studies have suggested an association between migraine and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but no longitudinal study has been performed to evaluate the temporal relationship between the two conditions. The purpose of the present population-based, propensity score-matched cohort study was to investigate whether migraineurs are at a higher risk of developing RA. A total of 58,749 subjects aged between 20 and 90 years with at least two ambulatory visits with a diagnosis of migraine were recruited in the migraine group. We fit a logistic regression model that included age, sex, comorbid conditions, and socioeconomic status as covariates to compute the propensity score. The non-migraine group consisted of 58,749 propensity score-matched, randomly sampled subjects without migraine. The RA-free survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Stratified Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate the effect of migraine on the risk of RA. During follow-up, 461 subjects in the migraine group and 220 in the non-migraine group developed RA. The incidence rate of RA was 3.18 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.90-3.49) per 1000 person-years in the migraine group and 1.54 (95% CI 1.34-1.76) per 1000 person-years in the non-migraine group. Compared to the non-migraine group, the crude hazard ratio of RA for the migraine group was 2.15 (95% CI 1.82-2.56, P

Carpal tunnel syndrome is common, and open carpal tunnel release remains the treatment of choice for cases refractive to conservative treatment. However, up to 25% of postrelease patients remain symptomatic. Our case illustrates how ultrasound examination can visualize the movements of the contents of the carpal tunnel and reveal additional pathologies. A 42-year-old patient with previous bilateral open carpal tunnel release surgeries presented with recurrent symptoms of bilateral hand tingling sensation starting months after the first operation. Under real-time sonographic exam, the median nerve (MN) changed shape and migrated inferiorly when the patient extended her third finger, suggesting that the perineurium of the MN was adherent to the tendon sheath of the third flexor digitorum superficialis tendon. The patient opted to continue conservative treatment but unfortunately did not improve. Recurrent inflammation and fibrosis may have led to the adhesion of the flexor tendons to the MN which was only apparent on real-time evaluation of the displacement of the MN on ultrasound examination. We suggest that the observation of the displacement of the MN during active finger movement can be integrated into the examination of carpal tunnel syndrome patients both before and after surgical intervention and herein include an easy to follow protocol for such examinations.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to expand current knowledge of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)-associated long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and to discover potential lncRNA prognostic biomarkers for HNSCC based on next-generation RNA-seq. Methods: RNA-seq data of 546 samples from patients with HNSCC were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), including 43 paired samples of tumor tissue and adjacent normal tissue. An integrated analysis incorporating differential expression, weighted gene co-expression networks, functional enrichment, clinical parameters, and survival analysis was conducted to discover HNSCC-associated lncRNAs. The function of CYTOR was verified by cell-based experiments. To further identify lncRNAs with prognostic significance, a multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed. The identified lncRNAs were validated with an independent cohort using clinical feature relevance analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results: We identified nine HNSCC-relevant lncRNAs likely to play pivotal roles in HNSCC onset and development. By functional enrichment analysis, we revealed that CYTOR might participate in the multistep pathological processes of cancer, such as ribosome biogenesis and maintenance of genomic stability. CYTOR was identified to be positively correlated with lymph node metastasis, and significantly negatively correlated with overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) of HNSCC patients. Moreover, CYTOR inhibited cell apoptosis following treatment with the chemotherapeutic drug diamminedichloroplatinum (DDP). HCG22, the most dramatically down-regulated lncRNA in tumor tissue, may function in epidermis differentiation. It was also significantly associated with several clinical features of patients with HNSCC, and positively correlated with patient survival. CYTOR and HCG22 maintained their prognostic values independent of several clinical features in multivariate Cox hazards analysis. Notably, validation either based on an independent HNSCC cohort or by laboratory experiments confirmed these findings. Conclusions: Our transcriptomic analysis suggested that dysregulation of these HNSCC-associated lncRNAs might be involved in HNSCC oncogenesis and progression. Moreover, CYTOR and HCG22 were confirmed as two independent prognostic factors for HNSCC patient survival, providing new insights into the roles of these lncRNAs in HNSCC as well as clinical applications.

Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF), a rare rheumatic disease, usually affects the limbs symmetrically and generally spares the hands and feet. Cases of unilateral hand involvement are rarely reported. Here, we report such a rare case. Ultrasonography demonstrated thickening of the overlying skin and subcutaneous tissue, peripheral deep fascia, myositis of lumbrical muscles and adductor pollicis muscle, and edema surrounding flexor digitorum tendons. It reminds us that EF should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unilateral painful hand swelling despite being uncommon. Ultrasonography can be used to aid the diagnosis and monitor therapeutic response in patients with EF.

Binocular stereo vision ranging method taking contour boundary center of measurement object as matching features was investigated. And experimental platform for binocular stereo vision ranging system was built up. The stereo vision ranging system comprised four modules: camera calibration, stereo calibration, stereo rectification and features extraction. Firstly, the intrinsic parameters of single camera were obtained by camera calibration and relative pose of two cameras was obtained by stereo calibration. Then the left and right images were rectified into a frontal parallel arrangement by Bouguet’s method. The edge pixels of contours were detected by image processing. Then the disparity and the distance was calculated taking contour center as matching features. Finally, measurement error analysis was performed to verify the proposed method with good practicability.

With the development of computer science and multimedia technology, network act as an important role in adult education. The traditional adult education mode are not suitable the modern teaching modes need. To construct an adult education self-help study platform is urgent needed. This paper analyses the defects of the traditional adult education mode, rises a new education mode based on the internet, and realizes the framework design of the self-help study platform based on Internet.

Vehicle-to-vehicle (for short, V2V) communication technology is regarded as a promising technology to improve traffic efficiency and safety. In this paper, an extended car-following model is proposed to simulate traffic flow by considering multi-anticipative average velocity effect (including the average velocity and the mean expected velocity field effect of preceding vehicles group) under V2V environment. The stability condition of this model is obtained by applying the linear stability theory. The phase diagram comparison and analysis shows that the multi-anticipative average velocity effect can effectively enhance the stabilization of traffic system. In particular, the average velocity effect plays a more important role than that of the mean expected velocity field effect in improving the stability of traffic flow. The mKdV equation is derived to describe the evolution characteristics of traffic density waves by using the reductive perturbation method. Furthermore, the numerical simulation is carried out to validate the theoretical results, and indicates that the traffic jam can be suppressed efficiently via taking into account multi-anticipative average velocity effect.

To reduce the algorithm complexity and improve performance, comparison table is created, and then encrypted by a randomized ten-bit serial number. Serial number forms the first key named key1, and the encrypted comparison table forms the second key named key2. Watermarking image is transformed into a binary bit stream. By using tuples primary key, key1 and key2, each tuples unique Id is computed. According to the watermarking length, all tuples are divided into different groups. Using tuple Id, by searching the encrypted comparison table, each tuple group can embed one bit information of watermarking. Robustness and security of this algorithm are tested by experiment.

Mesoporous hydroxylapatite was prepared by Liquid phase precipitation method, using Polystyrene microspheres as template. Polystyrene microspheres mixed uniformly with the prepared hydroxylapatite slurry, then the mixture dryed and sintered at reasonable temperature, mesoporous hydroxylpatite ceramics were obtained. The phase constituent was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the microstructure was observed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the prepared mesoporous hydroxylapatite ceramics were of high purity and their pores were evenly distributed, with big pore 0.8-1.0 um and small pore 30-80nm in diameter.

The conformers of allyl alcohol and allyl mercaptan were studied with B3LYP/aug‐cc‐pVTZ method. Their relative energies were calculated at MP3, MP4(SDQ), and CCSD(T) levels. The most stable conformers for these two molecules are Gauche‐gauche′ (Gg′). The theoretical photoelectron spectra simulated with the calculated ionization energies demonstrate that there are at least four conformers in allyl alcohol and four conformers in allyl mercaptan in the gas‐phase experiments. The Dyson orbitals of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the next HOMO (HOMO‐1) of allyl mercaptan Gg′ conformer show strongly mixing ns and πc=c characteristics, which may be due to the resonance and inductive effects between πc=c and ns in HOMO‐1 and HOMO.

The basic principle of the hydrogen storage alloy PCT (Pressure-Composition-Temperature) measuring apparatus is introduced in this article. And the method of 3D virtual design in the hydrogen storage alloy PCT measuring apparatus based on SolidWorks software is described. The conceptual design of the system is conducted by Visio software. And the design, assembly, commissioning and optimization of parts is conducted by SolidWorks and the valve, gas piping, sample room, measuring apparatus are improved. Eventually it is found that the reliability and development efficiency of the measuring system can be effectively improved.

hydroxyapatite/Chitosan bioceramics were fabricated by combining in-situ chemical synthesis and freeze drying method, using (NH4)2HPO4, Ca(NO3)2·4H2O, and chitosan(CS) as raw materials. The effect of freezing temperatures, solid loading and freeze-drying time on microstructures of hydroxyapatite/Chitosan bioceramics was studied. The microstructures of the fabricated porous bioceramics were investigated by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the hydroxyapatite/Chitosan bioceramics have interconnected porous structures from several microns to 200um, more suitable to bone tissue implantation. In addition, the porous structures are affected by freezing temperature.

When the temperature is changed, due to the influence of the thermal expansion effect and thermo-optic effect, the thickness and refractive index of each layer of medium of photonic crystal will be Varied. As shown by optical resonators theory, the drift amount of the wavelength has a linear relationship with the variation of temperature. The electron beam lithography technology (EBL) and induction coupling plasma(ICP) etching were used for making the PCs with 1550nm central wavelength. An experiment mode is constructed for analyzing temperature characteristic of one-dimensional PCs, and then PCs is experimented at low temperature and high temperature. It can be found by experiment that, as the temperature changes, the central wavelength of photonic crystal has a linear relationship with the temperature, the drift amount of central wavelength at the low temperature is 0.072nm/°C,the drift amount at the high temperature is 0.076nm/°C,and the 3dB bandwidth of transmission spectrum of photonic crystal has no significant change, the spectral shape is changed very little.

The band characteristics of two-dimensional (2D) lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) photonic crystals are analyzed by finite element method. The electro-optic effect of PLZT can cause the refractive index change when it is imposed by the applied electric field, and the band structure of 2D photonic crystals based on PLZT varies accordingly. The effect of the applied electric field on the structural characteristics of the first and second band gaps in 2D PLZT photonic crystals is analyzed in detail. And the results show that for each band gap, the variations of start wavelength, cut-off wavelength and bandwidth are proportional to quadratic of the electric field.

Due‐date performance (DDP) is a very important performance indicator for the companies. Thus, companies with a high hit rate would have greater competitive advantage; on the contrary, companies that delay customers' orders frequently would lose sales opportunities and reputations. Therefore, there were many academic studies and practical efforts to improve DDP in the past, but the problem of low hit rate still exists. In order to increase the hit rate, some companies have focused on reducing the variation, while others focus on production management, but is the real problem affecting the low rate variability or production management? This is indeed difficult to be validated through practice. Therefore, this study designed three scenarios, tested each scenario for 30 times, each test involved seven subjects. The tests were to provide counter‐evidence in the Job Shop environment without variation. If the variation is the main factor of affecting hit rate, the rate at this time should be good; otherwise, the assumption that variation is the main cause is rebutted. The results demonstrated that production management planning is the main cause, and the method of enhancing the hit rate is obtained during the test.

From a partial genomic library enriched for GATA short tandem repeats, we developed 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci from the green-backed tit (Parus monticolus). We characterized these loci by genotyping 30 adult individuals with unknown relationship. The number of alleles ranged from four to 17 per locus (mean = 9.3 alleles) and the observed heterozygosity for each locus ranged from 0.633 to 0.933 (mean = 0.789). All loci conformed to Hardy–Weinberg expectations. Four of 66 possible pairwise comparisons between loci showed significant gametic disequilibrium.

Allowing for all combinations of internal single-bond rotamers, 1,296 unique trial structures of γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) are obtained. All of these structures are optimized at the M06-2X level of theory and a total of 68 local minimal conformers are found. The nine low-lying conformers are used for further studies. According to the calculated relative Gibbs free energies at M06-2X level of theory, we find that the dispersion is important for the relative energy of GABA. The intramolecular hydrogen bonds and hyperconjugative interaction and their effects on the conformational stability are studied. The results show that both of them have great influence on the conformers. The vertical ionization energies (VIE) are calculated and match the experimental data well. The results show that the neutral GABA in the gas phase is a multi-conformer system and at least four conformations exist.