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In recent years, the stability of the predator–prey model subject to the Allee effect has become an interesting issue. This study investigates the effect of Allee effect on the stability of a discrete-time predator–prey model with Holling type-II functional response. Using equilibrium analysis, stability analysis and bifurcation theory, the mathematical characteristics of the proposed model are examined. Model experiences flip bifurcation and Neimark–Sacker bifurcation based on the center manifold theorem and bifurcation theory. Our analytical results are demonstrated by numerical simulations.

A discrete-time predator–prey model is investigated in this paper. In considered model, the population is assumed to follow the model suggested by Ricker 1954. Existence and stability of equilibria are studied. Numerical simulations reveal that, depending on the parameters, the system has complicated and rich dynamics and can exhibit complex patterns. Also the bifurcation diagrams are presented.

The making of a quilt is an interesting process. Historically, a quilt is a canvas of work made from old pieces of cloth cut into squares or whatever shape that make a nice connected pattern and then stitched together. The quilt could be random pieces that is not related to each other. In most recent years and more common cases, a quilt is made of different pieces of patches that are connected and laid out in a special way to tell a story. Not only does it portray a story that is put together in a certain sequence, but it also stiches the pieces of the quilt into a nice and complete narrative. A story that one can understand just by looking at the quilt spread and unfolded. Much like the making of a quilt that has a story to tell, a Product Digital Quilt will tell the story of a product.The Digital Product Quilt replaces the conventional way of telling a product story. The traditional product story is a method that is serially connecting multiple product life cycle silos together. This process is usually error prone, difficult to understand and hard to maintain.The Digital Product Quilt is made up of multiple pieces of the puzzle that makes a product story and the source of truth. At the center of the Product Digital Quilt is the Digital Model which represent the source of truth for the product. The first core band of the Product Digital Quilt, surrounding the Digital Model, are Requirements, Engineering, Analysis, Manufacturing, Integration and Fielding the product to the end user which includes Sustainability and Maintenance. The different pieces of the Product Digital Quilt are stitched with many different digital threads such as the System, Software, hardware and quality threads.

Factory machine diagnosis is important for preventive maintenance. Diagnosis equipment needs to be reliable and easy to handle, and the diagnostic results should be easily recognizable. An equipment that meets the above conditions is developed; it comprises a laser beam source, leaf spring with a mirror and a magnet as a position-adjustable mass, a copper plate, and a remote switch, if necessary. The principle is based on optical lever and mechanical vibration resonance. The laser spot vibration trajectory is irradiated onto the wall, ceiling, floor of a factory, or the housing of a machine as a screen. An equipment (29 mm $\times35$ mm $\times22$ mm) placed on the vibrating machine irradiates a laser beam and the magnified vibration is displayed on the screen. In this paper, the theoretical model and the equipment are presented, and the measured vibrations for a test vibrator and an actual machine are shown. A peak-to-peak vibration of 0.006 mm measured by a vibrometer is magnified to the 115 mm laser beam spot trajectory. The magnification is 38,333 times (91.6 dB), which is even larger on screens placed farther away. The calculation results by the theoretical model are in good agreement with the measurements.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) preventive therapy (TPT) decreases the risk of developing TB disease and its associated morbidity and mortality. The aim of these clinical standards is to guide the assessment, management of TB infection (TBI) and implementation of TPT.METHODS: A panel of global experts in the field of TB care was identified; 41 participated in a Delphi process. A 5-point Likert scale was used to score the initial standards. After rounds of revision, the document was approved with 100% agreement.RESULTS: Eight clinical standards were defined: Standard 1, all individuals belonging to at-risk groups for TB should undergo testing for TBI; Standard 2, all individual candidates for TPT (including caregivers of children) should undergo a counselling/health education session; Standard 3, testing for TBI: timing and test of choice should be optimised; Standard 4, TB disease should be excluded prior to initiation of TPT; Standard 5, all candidates for TPT should undergo a set of baseline examinations; Standard 6, all individuals initiating TPT should receive one of the recommended regimens; Standard 7, all individuals who have started TPT should be monitored; Standard 8, a TBI screening and testing register should be kept to inform the cascade of care.CONCLUSION: This is the first consensus-based set of Clinical Standards for TBI. This document guides clinicians, programme managers and public health officers in planning and implementing adequate measures to assess and manage TBI.

The principles of chemical kinetics comprise one of the core topics that appear throughout chemistry. Standard kinetics lessons typically cover reaction rates and relative rates, rate laws, integra...

Although the pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMMC) flap is among the useful reconstructive materials following oral cancer ablation, this flap has an unstable blood circulation that could result in partial necrosis of the skin paddle. This report describes the usefulness of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) to achieve complete engraftment of the PMMC flap. Five patients with oral cancer underwent reconstruction with a PMMC flap after cancer ablation. During the skin paddle design and flap elevation, the blood supply to the flap was assessed by ICGA. Areas of the skin paddle that showed no ICG fluorescence were excised. Consequently, prior to transfer to the recipient site, the blood supply to all flaps was confirmed with indocyanine green visible at the edge of the skin paddle, and complete engraftment was achieved without partial necrosis. Based on the results observed, ICGA would make a useful contribution to complete engraftment of the PMMC flap.

This study aims to introduce an approach of scour detection for an in-service railway bridge in terms of a remote microtremor monitoring. Japanese railway companies make decisions on occurrence of scour by investigating changes in a target frequency, and it is very common to conduct the impact test on the railway bridge pier as a promising scour detection method to identify changes in frequencies. However, the impact test is a laborious and time-consuming method, and has difficulties in real time monitoring to make a proper decision on the train operation control during flood. This study investigates feasibility of scour detection from microtremor monitoring as an alternative method for the conventional impact test. A railway bridge has been being monitored utilizing a sensing unit including functions of vibration measurement, data processing and remote control. Observations from the microtremor data before and after a flood event showed that target frequency was slightly decreased under increase of water surface during flood. However, the slightly decreased frequency recovered once water surface level decreased after flood. Scour assessment following a Japanese guideline showed an extremely low probability of scour of the target bridge due to the flood.

Study objectives Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) is an autosomal recessive and congenital neurological disorder characterized by the accumulation of cholesterol and glycosphingolipids. Symptoms include hepatosplenomegaly, vertical supranuclear saccadic palsy, ataxia, dystonia, and dementia. Some cases frequently display narcolepsy-like symptoms, including cataplexy which was reported in 26% of all NPC patients and was more often recorded among late-infantile onset (50%) and juvenile onset (38%) patients. In this current study, we examined CSF orexin levels in the 10 patients of NPC with and without cataplexy, which supports previous findings. Methods Ten patients with NPC were included in the study (5 males and 5 females). NPC diagnosis was biochemically confirmed in all 10 patients, from which 8 patients with NPC1 gene were identified. We compared CSF orexin levels among NPC, narcoleptic and idiopathic hypersomnia patients. Results Six NPC patients with cataplexy had low or intermediate orexin levels. In 4 cases without cataplexy, their orexin levels were normal. In 5 cases with Miglustat treatment, their symptoms stabilized or improved. For cases without Miglustat treatment, their conditions worsened generally. The CSF orexin levels of NPC patients were significantly higher than those of patients with narcolepsy-cataplexy and lower than those of patients with idiopathic hypersomnia, which was considered as the control group with normal CSF orexin levels. Discussion Our study indicates that orexin level measurements can be an early alert of potential NPC. Low or intermediate orexin levels could further decrease due to reduction in the neuronal function in the orexin system, accelerating the patients’ NPC pathophysiology. However with Miglustat treatment, the orexin levels stabilized or improved, along with other general symptoms. Although the circuitry is unclear, this supports that orexin system is indeed involved in narcolepsy-cataplexy in NPC patients. Conclusion The NPC patients with cataplexy had low or intermediate orexin levels. In the cases without cataplexy, their orexin levels were normal. Our study suggests that orexin measurements can serve as an early alert for potential NPC; furthermore, they could be a marker of therapy monitoring during a treatment.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the bladder or kidneys. UTIs may be caused by germs due to poor hygiene and tubes placed in drain tubes, and occur in some elderly living in nursing homes. In clinical situations, most caregivers help residents with urination by using diapers or catheters. However, the use of both medical devices has a risk of infection and requires caregivers’ labor and time to change. If it is possible to predict the urinary volume in the bladder without attaching any sensors to the body, it will ease the burden on caregivers and prevent residents from contracting the infection by not using diapers and catheters. Therefore, we propose a method for predicting urinary volume in the bladder without attaching a sensor to the body. In this study, the prediction phase is divided into two steps: First, we predict urinary volume in the bladder based on a model that demonstrates how urine accumulates in the bladder considering the absorption spectrum of urine obtained immediately after urination. Second, we correct urinary volume predicted in the first step of the multi-task Gaussian process (MGP). We performed a series of experiments to evaluate the proposed method and calculated the error rate between the actual urinary volume and the urinary volume predicted by the proposed model at the time of urination. The mean error rate of the proposed method was 8.40%.

Quantum dots (QDs) are useful for demonstrating the particle-in-a-box (PIB) model utilized in quantum chemistry, and can readily be applied to a discussion of both thermodynamics and kinetics in an undergraduate laboratory setting. Modifications of existing synthetic procedures were used to create QDs of different sizes and compositions (CdS passivated with polymer, and CdSe passivated with oleic acid/trioctylphosphine). These were investigated by spectroscopy, to which standard 3D PIB mathematical models were applied to determine their effective size. The data were compared to those from other methods for students to see the validity of the PIB model. For CdSe QDs, an empirical formula was applied to the spectroscopic data. In the case of CdS, the synthesized QDs were studied with X-ray diffraction, from which one can also estimate the size of the QDs. Finally, the QDs were utilized as the light-harvesting layer in photovoltaic cells by attachment to a layer of surface-modified titania (TiO2) nanoparticl...

An exploration of the photophysical properties of two lophine derivatives with electron-donating groups in the 2-position began with the preparation of compounds 1 and 2 via one-pot reactions in good yields, 83% and 74%, respectively. The absorption spectra of 1 and 2 had bands at approximately 300 nm (e ≈ 25,000–34,000 M−1 cm−1), while that of 2 had an additional band at 348 nm (e = 35,600 M−1 cm−1). These absorptions were assigned to π→π* transitions. Excitation into the absorption band of 1 at approximately 300 nm produced emission at 387 nm, while excitation into either of the absorption bands of 2 produced emission at 406 nm. Of the two compounds, 2 had the higher quantum yield. The emission spectra of compounds 1 and 2 were slightly blue-shifted at 77 K. Excited state lifetimes for 1 and 2 were short (indicating that the observed emission was fluorescence) at room temperature and 77 K, ranging from 1.1 to 1.8 ns. Computational studies of both compounds 1 and 2 were performed to better understand how their structures relate to their photophysical properties.

Current theories of astringency propose that this sensation is a result of delubrication in the oral cavity due to precipitation of salivary proteins. Astringency, commonly described as a drying or puckering sensation, is a main driving factor for rejection of certain foods. Previous studies have shown that fat plays a role in moderating astringency in foods. To investigate the role that polyphenols and fat play in astringency perception, we used modified cocoa powders to produce pseudo‐cocoa liquor systems that were rated for taste and flavor attributes on generalized Labeled Magnitude Scales by semi‐trained consumers. Our results show significant differences among the cocoa liquors, resulting from acetone–water extraction of free polyphenols and fat content variation. No significant differences resulted from training with oil‐based vis‐a‐vis water‐based reference solutions. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Astringency is a prominent sensation commonly experienced by individuals who consume cocoa and chocolate products. It is of the utmost importance to the cocoa and chocolate industry because consumers typically reject products that are highly astringent. Therefore, study of the perception of astringency and the role that polyphenols and fat play would benefit our understanding of these fat‐based products. Training with aqueous‐based references, which was easier than oil‐based references, yielded equivalent results.

Purpose Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICS) is an important cause of ischemic stroke, particularly in the Asian population. Endovascular treatment, such as balloon angioplasty with and without stenting have emerged as therapeutic options for symptomatic (ICS) since the 1990s and the Wingspan stent was approved at 2014 in Japan. This study was to investigate the periprocedural complication rates, long-term outcome and restenosis of endovascular treatment for ICS in our hospital. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 217 patients with 256 endovascular treatments for high-grade symptomatic ICS between 1999 and 2017. The lesion was located in in the internal carotid artery in 77, the middle cerebral artery in 111, the basilar artery in 29 and the vertebral artery in 39. Patients were divided into two groups, before (A group, between 1999 and 2013) and after approval of Wingspan (B group, between 2014 and 2017). We assessed perioperative and long-term outcomes such as restenosis and the recurrence of strokes. Results In A group (n=163, aged 63.5±10.2 years), 157 lesions were treated with balloon angioplasty and 31 (16.5%) with coronary stent. In B group (n=54, aged 66.4±13.3 years), 33 lesions were treated with balloon angioplasty and 35 (51.5%) with Wingspan stent. Overall technical success rates were 96% in balloon angioplasty and 100% in stenting groups. The 30 day rate of stroke, TIA and death were 4.3% in A group and 4.4% in B group. In B group, there was one patient who had subacute in-stent thrombosis with major stroke and 2 minor stroke. There were no stroke and vascular events during follow-up periods in B group. Eight patients (14.8%) in B group had restenosis after the procedure and 7 patients were retreated. Conclusions This study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of balloon angioplasty with and without stenting for symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis if patients are properly selected. We suggest that a more judicious use of intracranial stents may be responsible for better postprocedure outcome. Disclosures T. Ueda: None. T. Takada: None. S. Takaishi: None. N. Usuki: None. Y. Tokuyama: None. T. Fukano: None. K. Tatsuno: None. Y. Hamada: None.

A monitoring system based on a flow-cell detector was developed for measuring the tritium concentration in water. The flow-cell detector was fabricated using a granular CaF2 solid scintillator. Thi...

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has known environmental risk factors, notably smoking, and enzymes that biotransform carcinogens. The interindividual differences observed in the metabolism of tobacco carcinogens substances have been attributed to the genetic polymorphism of genes, which code for enzymes involved in detoxification. Polymorphic deletions of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes involved in the detoxification of potentially carcinogenic agents may be a risk factor for NPC. To investigate the roles of genetic variations of GSTM1 and GSTT1 in NPC susceptibility in the Northern African population, we conducted a case-control study of 132 NPC cases and 200 controls. DNA was isolated from blood for cases and controls. GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletion variants were genotyped by multiplex PCR assays. Allelic frequencies between the two groups were compared using a χ2 test, and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. The results indicate that an excess of the GSTM1 null genotype was observed in cases compared with controls, 50% versus 33%. The genotypic frequency of GSTM1 null genotype between controls and patients was significantly different. This genotype confers an increased risk of NPC [OR = 2.18; CI 95% (1.23–5.33). The association between GSTM1 and increased NPC risk in this cases-controls study was present among both men [OR = 2.59; CI95% (1.81–4.32)] and smokers. No significant association was observed between null GSTT1 genotype and the risk of CNP.

In this paper, development and standardization of on-vehicle control and communication data network for small size farm machinery is described. There already exist an international standard and many compliant products in the western countries. But, they are too huge and complicated for the average Japanese style of farming, which is represented by the words of small tractors and small paddy fields. In order to achieve an advancement and cost reduction in this field, enough and sufficient low cost simple electronic devices and related software were developed. The communication method adopted basically depends on the ISO 11783 standard technology, and some new features needed for the domestic agricultural conditions are considered. At the same time, a new domestic simple standard for data exchange between ECU's on tractors and attached implements are discussed. From some experiments, it became clear that the developed hardware and software together are strong tools to realize the domestic standardized devices. It can be said that standardization of data communication for lower range of farm machinery just has been started.

Summary Severe Candida esophagitis (CE) may lead to development of strictures, hemorrhage, esophagotracheal fistula, and a consequent decrease in quality of life. Although the severity of CE has been classified based on macroscopic findings on endoscopy, the clinical significance remains unknown. The aim of the study was to elucidate the predictive clinical factors for endoscopic severity of CE. Patients who underwent upper endoscopy and answered questionnaires were prospectively enrolled. Smoking, alcohol, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, liver cirrhosis, systemic steroids use, proton pump inhibitor use, H2 blocker use, and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were assessed on the same day of endoscopy. GI symptoms including epigastric pain, heartburn, reflux, hunger cramps, nausea, dysphagia, and odynophagia were assessed on a 7-point Likert scale. Endoscopic severity was classified as mild (Kodsi's grade I/II) or severe (grade III/IV). Of 1855 patients, 71 (3.8%) were diagnosed with CE (mild, n = 48; severe, n = 23). In the CE patients, 50.0% (24/48) in the mild group and 23.1% (6/23) in the severe group did not have any GI symptoms. In HIV-infected patients (n = 17), a significant correlation was found between endoscopic severity and declining CD4 cell count (Spearman's rho = −0.90; P

The aim of this study was to determine whether l-methyl-[

The OSIRIS study investigated efficacy and safety of simeprevir plus sofosbuvir for eight or 12 weeks in hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4-infected patients with METAVIR F0-F4 fibrosis. Sixty-three patients (33 treatment-naive and 30 peg-interferon/ribavirin (Peg-IFN/RBV)-experienced) enrolled in a partly randomized, open-label, multicentre, phase IIa study. Patients with F0-F3 fibrosis were randomized (1:1) into two groups (A1 and A2), stratified according to treatment experience and METAVIR score, to receive either eight weeks (Group A1, n=20) or 12 weeks (Group A2, n=20) of treatment. Patients with compensated cirrhosis (METAVIR F4) received 12 weeks of treatment (Group B, n=23). Treatment comprised simeprevir 150 mg and sofosbuvir 400 mg daily. The primary efficacy endpoint was sustained virologic response 12 weeks after planned end of treatment (SVR12). Safety and tolerability were assessed throughout. Overall, 92% (95% CI: 82-97) of patients achieved SVR12; 75% (15/20) in Group A1 and 100% in groups A2 and B. Patients who did not achieve SVR12 (n=5) experienced viral relapse during the first 32 days following treatment and were all prior Peg-IFN/RBV null responders. The most commonly reported treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were asymptomatic lipase increase (14%), pruritus (14%), headache (13%) and hyperbilirubinaemia (11%). No patients discontinued due to TEAEs. In conclusion, simeprevir plus sofosbuvir for 12 weeks achieved a 100% SVR rate in HCV genotype 4-infected patients with or without compensated cirrhosis (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02278419). The AE and laboratory profile were favourable and consistent with previous data for simeprevir plus sofosbuvir in eight- and 12-week regimens.

A linear response function for zonal flows is obtained by solving the gyro-kinetic equation. This is an extension of a previous work which adopted the method of ``integrating along particle orbit" to solve the drift kinetic equation. The formula derived in this paper is used to calculate the dispersion relation of geodesic acoustic mode, which is then compared with that of the gyro-kinetic analytic formula.

A 48-year-old woman developed a mobile abdominal mass in the course of treatment for recurrent breast cancer. Imaging studies indicated linitis plastica of the colon. She underwent surgery because of the stenosis of the transverse colon. An examination of the resected specimen revealed a segmental stricture, thickening of the entire wall, and a granular mucosa resembling cobblestones. Microscopic findings of the colon lesion were very similar to those of her primary, invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast. Atypical cells showed immunoreactivity for cytokeratin-7, but not for cytokeratin-20. These findings suggested that the lesion of the colon was a colonic metastasis of breast cancer. Metastatic gastrointestinal diseases originating from breast carcinoma are unusual, and colonic metastases are especially rare. Although colon cancer may occur in patients with a history of breast cancer, metastatic colon cancer should be suspected if linitis plastica is detected.