Health risk assessment of trace metal(loid)s in agricultural soils based on Monte Carlo simulation coupled with positive matrix factorization model in Chongqing, southwest China

This study aimed to investigate the pollution characteristics, source apportionment, and health risks associated with trace metal(loid)s(TMs) in the major agricultural producing areas in Chongqing, China. We analyzed the source apportionment and assessed the health risk of TMs in agricultural soils by using positive matrix factorization(PMF) model and health risk assessment(HRA) model based on Monte Carlo simulation. Meanwhile, we combined PMF and HRA models to explore the health risks of TMs in agricultural soils by different pollution sources to determine the priority control factors. Results showed that the average contents of cadmium(Cd), arsenic (As), lead(Pb), chromium(Cr), copper(Cu), nickel(Ni), and zinc(Zn) in the soil were found to be 0.26, 5.93, 27.14, 61.32, 23.81, 32.45, and 78.65 mg/kg, respectively. Spatial analysis and source apportionment analysis revealed that urban and industrial sources, agricultural sources, and natural sources accounted for 33.0%, 27.7%, and 39.3% of TM accumulation in the soil, respectively. In the HRA model based on Monte Carlo simulation, noncarcinogenic risks were deemed negligible(hazard index <1), the carcinogenic risks were at acceptable level(10^(-6)<total carcinogenic risk ≤ 10^(-4)), with higher risks observed for children compared to adults. The relationship between TMs, their sources, and health risks indicated that urban and industrial sources were primarily associated with As, contributing to 75.1% of carcinogenic risks and 55.7% of non-carcinogenic risks, making them the primary control factors. Meanwhile, agricultural sources were primarily linked to Cd and Pb, contributing to 13.1% of carcinogenic risks and 21.8% of non-carcinogenic risks, designating them as secondary control factors.

Interconnected microstructure and flexural behavior of Ti_(2)C-Ti composites with superior Young’s modulus

To enhance the Young’s modulus(E)and strength of titanium alloys,we designed titanium matrix composites with intercon-nected microstructure based on the Hashin-Shtrikman theory.According to the results,the in-situ reaction yielded an interconnected microstructure composed of Ti_(2)C particles when the Ti_(2)C content reached 50vol%.With widths of 10 and 230 nm,the intraparticle Ti lamellae in the prepared composite exhibited a bimodal size distribution due to precipitation and the unreacted Ti phase within the grown Ti_(2)C particles.The composites with interconnected microstructure attained superior properties,including E of 174.3 GPa and ultimate flexural strength of 1014 GPa.Compared with that of pure Ti,the E of the composite was increased by 55% due to the high Ti_(2)C content and interconnected microstructure.The outstanding strength resulted from the strong interfacial bonding,load-bearing capacity of interconnected Ti_(2)C particles,and bimodal intraparticle Ti lamellae,which minimized the average crack driving force.Interrupted flexural tests revealed preferential crack initiation along the{001}cleavage plane and grain boundary of Ti_(2)C in the region with the highest tensile stress.In addition,the propagation can be efficiently inhibited by interparticle Ti grains,which prevented the brittle fracture of the composites.

基于零模行波S变换时频矩阵的配电网单相接地故障定位方法

为提高配电网发生单相接地故障时的定位精度,提出一种基于电压零模行波S变换时频矩阵的选线和定位方法。首先,将各条馈线末端行波检测装置测得的行波信号解耦,得到故障电压零模行波;然后,在主馈线、一级和二级分支支路等特殊位置设置故障,得到对应故障位置的S变换时频矩阵,建立确定故障支路的对比库;最后,将故障零模电压行波S变换时频矩阵与对比库中数据进行相似度对比,确定单相接地故障发生的馈线和所在支路,针对不同性质支路选取适应性最优的定位方法,实现配电网单相接地故障的精确定位。仿真结果表明:该方法的定位准确度高,且无须全网配备行波检测装置便能够实现配电网单相接地故障的精确定位。

Multimodal comparison of plasma proteins associated with blood-brain barrier impairment in Alzheimer’s disease

Background:Vascular impairment is one of the major contributors to dementia.We aimed to identify blood biomarkers suggestive of potential impairment of the blood-brain barrier(BBB)in subjects with Alzheimer’s disease(AD).Methods:We used administrative data from the VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure Resource Center to study both inpatients and outpatients with AD.Plasma samples from healthy control and AD individuals were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and proteomics approaches to identify differentially expressed proteins.Bioinformatic analysis was applied to explore significantly enriched pathways.Results:In the same cohort of patients with AD,we found twice number of subjects with cerebral amyloid angiopathy in the two-year period after the onset of AD,compared to the number of subjects with cerebral amyloid angiopathy in the two-year period prior to AD onset.Different pathways related to BBB,like cell adhesion,extracellular matrix organization and Wnt signaling,were activated and differentially expressed proteins such as ADAM22,PDGFR-α,DKK-4,Neucrin and RSOP-1 were identified.Moreover,matrix metalloproteinase-9,which is implicated in causing degradation of basal lamina and BBB disruption,was significantly increased in the plasma of AD patients.Conclusions:Alteration of proteins found in AD subjects could provide new insights into biomarkers regulating permeability and BBB integrity.

小直径钢管桩Q-s曲线的数值模拟与分析

目前小直径钢管桩在工程领域内得到了广泛应用,但是为确定小直径钢管桩竖向承载力,通常需要采用静力荷载试验获取其荷载-沉降曲线作为其判断依据,然而原位试验不仅过程复杂,而且耗时较长,同时需要投入大量的人力和物力。利用理论模型推导获得小直径钢管桩的Q-s曲线,不仅可以省去现场试验的必要性,而且能提高设计和施工的效率。本文结合前人的研究,在桩土接触面单元的建立过程中参考了无厚度Goodman界面单元法,理论推导小直径钢管桩的Q-s曲线,并与实测结果对比分析,证明了该理论方法的适用性,并分析了结果存在误差的原因,鉴于较小的沉降对小直径钢管桩承载力的影响较小,因此工程实践中可以通过理论方法获取Q-s曲线。

基于CLUE-S模型的吴忠市土地利用时空演变及多情景模拟预测

【目的】研究不同情景下的未来土地利用时空演变格局,为合理利用土地资源、科学规划国土空间开发格局和区域高质量发展提供助力。【方法】研究团队以宁夏回族自治区吴忠市为研究对象,选取2000年、2010年和2020年3期土地利用数据,运用土地利用转移矩阵、CLUE-S模型,分析研究区2000—2020年土地利用变化特征,模拟自然增长情景、生态保护情景和经济增长情景下2030年吴忠市土地利用演变特征。【结果】1)2000—2020年吴忠市草地面积占比最大,其次是耕地和未利用地,建设用地面积不断增长;建设用地面积变化最快,并以耕地转化为建设用地为主。2)2030年建设用地面积在自然增长情景下将会减少,生态保护情景下林地面积增幅较大,经济增长情景下各土地利用类型变化较小。3)在3种情景下,吴忠市2030年土地利用结构仍然以耕地、林地、草地为主,建设用地面积在生态保护情景和经济增长情景下将呈增长的趋势,在自然增长情景下将呈减少趋势。【结论】生态保护情景下的预测结果更符合国土空间规划要求和经济社会发展的需求。该研究成果对推动吴忠市未来土地利用格局规划具有重要意义。

Natural Numbers and the Strong Goldbach Conjecture

This study introduces the representation of natural number sets as row vectors and pretends to offer a new perspective on the strong Goldbach conjecture. The natural numbers are restructured and expanded with the inclusion of the zero element as the source of a strong Goldbach conjecture reformulation. A prime Boolean vector is defined, pinpointing the positions of prime numbers within the odd number sequence. The natural unit primality is discussed in this context and transformed into a source of quantum-like indetermination. This approach allows for rephrasing the strong Goldbach conjecture, framed within a Boolean scalar product between the prime Boolean vector and its reverse. Throughout the discussion, other intriguing topics emerge and are thoroughly analyzed. A final description of two empirical algorithms is provided to prove the strong Goldbach conjecture.

Self-adapting extraction of matrix mineral bulk modulus and verification of fluid substitution

Gassmann＇s equations are commonly used for predicting seismic wave velocity in rock physics research.However the input matrix mineral bulk modulus parameters are not accurate,which greatly influences the prediction reliability.In this paper,combining the Russell fluid factor with the Gassman-Biot-Geertsma equation and introducing the dry-rock Poisson＇s ratio,we propose an effective matrix mineral bulk modulus extraction method.This method can adaptively invert the equivalent matrix mineral bulk modulus to apply the Gassmann equation to fluid substitution of complex carbonate reservoirs and increase the fluid prediction reliability.The verification of the actual material fluid substitution also shows that this method is reliable,efficient,and adaptable.

A Simplified Expression for a Diffusion-Dissolution Con-trolled Release of Drug from Matrix in TDDS

Chandrasekran-paul (1982) made an equation of drug release from matrix system as follows:In this paper a simplified expression has been deduced from it within ordinary range of experimental time and with appropriate values of K. The cumulative amount of drug release may vary in directproportion to the square root of time with an intercept,that is,The release behaviour of both nifedipine patch and propranolol patch has fit the expression with good correlation coefficient.The re0lease data of hydrocortisone creams (Shah,1989)also can be described by the same expression.Compared with Higuchi’s equation,the presence of the intercept,A〃,may be relative to drug dissolution characteristics

最终S-Nekrasov矩阵逆矩阵无穷范数的上界

研究矩阵条件数计算中A的逆矩阵A^(-1)的A|^(-1)|_(∞)的估计问题,利用S-Nekrasov矩阵逆矩阵无穷范数的估计式,结合最终S-Nekrasov矩阵的定义式,得到了该类矩阵的新上界估计式。

Alterations of glutathione S-transferase and matrix metalloproteinase-9 expressions are early events in esophageal carcinogenesis

AIM: To investigate the role of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expres-sions in the development and progression of reflux es-ophagitis-Barrett’s metaplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence in the esophagus.METHODS: GST and MMP-9 expressions were analyzed in 51 paraffin-embedded tissue samples by immunohisto-chemistry including patients with reflux esophagitis (n = 7), Barrett’s metaplasia (n = 14), Barrett and esophagi-tis (n = 8), Barrett and dysplasia (n = 7), esophageal adenocarcinoma (n = 8) and a control group without any histological changes (n = 7). Immunostaining was determined semiquantitatively. Statistical analysis with one-way ANOVA, LSD test and correlation analysis were performed. P value of < 0.05 was considered significant.RESULTS: GST expression was significantly higher while MMP-9 expression was significantly lower in control group compared to Barrett’s metaplasia and the other groups. No major changes were observed between Bar-rett, esophagitis, and Barrett and concomitant esophagi-tis. Barrett and concomitant dysplasia, and adenocarci-noma revealed a significant lower expression of GST and higher levels of MMP-9 compared to all other groups. Adenocarcinoma showed almost no expression of GST and significantly higher levels of MMP-9 than Barrett and concomitant dysplasia. Alterations of GST and MMP-9 were inversely correlated (r = - 0.82).CONCLUSION: Decreased GST and increased ex-pression of MMP-9 in Barrett’s metaplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence as compared to normal tissue suggest their association with esophageal tumorigenesis. Loss of GST and gain of MMP-9 in Barrett with dyspla-sia compared to non-dysplastic metaplasia indicate that these alterations may be early events in carcinogenesis. Quantification of these parameters in Barrett’s esopha-gus might be useful to identify patients at higher risk for progression to cancer.

Role of matrix metalloproteinase,tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase and tumor necrosis factor-α single nucleotide gene polymorphisms in inflammatory bowel disease

AIM:To study the (functional) relevance of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-1,-2,-3,-9,tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1,-2 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the etiopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD),that may enhance susceptibility and/or disease severity. METHODS:Genomic DNA from 134 Crohn's disease (CD),111 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and 248 control subjects was isolated from resected intestinal tissue or blood. Allelic composition at SNP loci was determined by PCR-RFLP or tetra primer ARMS PCR. RESULTS:The TIMP-1 genotype TT in women and T in men at SNP +372 T/C was found to increase CD susceptibility (39% vs 23.8%,P=0.018 and 67.9% vs 51.6%,P=0.055,respectively),while women with this genotype were less prone to development of fistulae during follow-up (41.4% vs 68.3%,P=0.025). Male IBD or CD patients carrying the TIMP-1 +372 T-allele expressed lower levels of TIMP-1 in surgically resected macroscopically inflamed tissue (0.065 < P < 0.01). The 5T5T genotype at MMP-3 SNP -1613 5T/6T increased the chance of stenotic complications in CD during follow-up (91.2% vs 71.8%,P = 0.022) but seemed to protect against colonic involvement of this disease at first endoscopic/radiologic examination (35.3% vs 59.5%,P=0.017). CONCLUSION:Allelic composition at the examinedSNPs in genes coding for TIMP-1 and MMP-3 affect CD susceptibility and/or phenotype,i.e.,fistulizing disease,stricture pathogenesis and first disease localisation. These findings reinforce the important role of these proteins in IBD.

不确定非方广义分数阶T-S模糊系统的鲁棒镇定

针对不确定非方广义分数阶T-S模糊系统阶数为0<α<1的鲁棒镇定问题,提出了一个有效的判据.首先,利用一个新的T-S模糊动态补偿器,将不确定非方广义分数阶T-S模糊系统转化为一个增广的不确定方形广义分数阶T-S模糊系统.由于增广变量的引入,动态补偿器的设计问题可以等价为静态输出反馈控制器的设计问题.其次,设计一个分数阶导数反馈控制器对得到的增广系统进行正常化处理.然后,对正常化得到的不确定分数阶T-S模糊系统进行研究,得到一个系统渐近稳定的充分条件.该条件保守性小并且形式简洁.最后,通过一个数值算例和一个实际例子验证了本文所提出结论的正确性和有效性.

基于s域节点导纳矩阵的谐振稳定性分析方法

谐振稳定性问题在新型电力系统背景下日益突出,目前缺乏在大系统层面进行谐振稳定性分析的有效方法。在阐述谐振稳定性的定义和机理的基础上,提出了基于s域节点导纳矩阵原理实现谐振稳定性分析的完整方法。该方法分2个阶段完成,首先在假定系统阻尼为0的条件下确定各谐振模态的无阻尼谐振频率、节点电压振型和最佳可控可观测节点;然后在考虑系统所有阻尼的条件下,基于系统降阶和系统辨识的思路,采用测试信号法精确计算出谐振模态对应的特征根。进一步还可计算出各谐振模态对特定元件参数的灵敏度。该方法避免了直接求解s域节点导纳矩阵行列式零点的困难,为在大系统层面开展电力系统谐振稳定性分析提供了可靠途径。

The relationship between matrix metalloproteinases-9 and CD15s antigen in angiogenesis of gastric carcinoma

Objective： To investigate the relationship between matrix metalloproteinases-9 （MMP-9） and sialyl Lewis X （CD15s） antigen in invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma. Methods： Expression of CD105, MMP-9 and CD15s in 47 cases of gastric carcinoma undergone radical surgery were evaluated by SP immunohistochemical staining using the respective monoclonal antibody. The microvessel density （MVD） marked with CD105 was detected. Correlation between MVD and MMP-9, CD15s was also statistically analyzed. Results： The MVD in both MMP-9 and CD15s positive expression group was higher significantly than that in MMP-9 or CD15s positive expression alone group, and it was also significantly higher than that in both MMP-9 and CD15s negative expression group. Conclusion： MMP-9 is a marker of invasion and CD15s is a marker of metastasis in gastric carcinoma. Combining detection of MMP-9 and CD15s has certain clinical significance for diagnosis, treatment and assessing the prognosis for gastric caner.

On Accelerated Singular Value Thresholding Algorithm for Matrix Completion

An accelerated singular value thresholding (SVT) algorithm was introduced for matrix completion in a recent paper [1], which applies an adaptive line search scheme and improves the convergence rate from O(1/N) for SVT to O(1/N2), where N is the number of iterations. In this paper, we show that it is the same as the Nemirovski’s approach, and then modify it to obtain an accelerate Nemirovski’s technique and prove the convergence. Our preliminary computational results are very favorable.

Tribological Behaviour of Aluminium/Alumina/Graphite Hybrid Metal Matrix Composite Using Taguchi’s Techniques

Tribological behaviour of aluminium alloy (Al-Si10Mg) reinforced with alumina (9%) and graphite (3%) fabricated by stir casting process was investigated. The wear and frictional properties of the hybrid metal matrix composites was studied by performing dry sliding wear test using a pin-on-disc wear tester. Experiments were conducted based on the plan of experiments generated through Taguchi’s technique. A L27 Orthogonal array was selected for analysis of the data. Investigation to find the influence of applied load, sliding speed and sliding distance on wear rate, as well as the coefficient of friction during wearing process was carried out using ANOVA and regression equations for each response were developed. Objective of the model was chosen as ‘smaller the better’ characteristics to analyse the dry sliding wear resistance. Results show that sliding distance has the highest influence followed by load and sliding speed. Finally, confirmation tests were carried out to verify the experimental results and Scanning Electron Microscopic studies were done on the wear surfaces.

Voltage and Current Mode Vector Analyses of Correction Procedure Application to Clarke’s Matrix—Symmetrical Three-Phase Cases

Clarke’s matrix has been applied as a phase-mode transformation matrix to three-phase transmission lines substituting the eigenvector matrices. Considering symmetrical untransposed three-phase lines, an actual symmetrical three-phase line on untransposed conditions is associated with Clarke’s matrix for error and frequency scan analyses in this paper. Error analyses are calculated for the eigenvalue diagonal elements obtained from Clarke’s matrix. The eigenvalue off-diagonal elements from the Clarke’s matrix application are compared to the correspondent exact eigenvalues. Based on the characteristic impedance and propagation function values, the frequency scan analyses show that there are great differences between the Clarke’s matrix results and the exact ones, considering frequency values from 10 kHz to 1 MHz. A correction procedure is applied obtaining two new transformation matrices. These matrices lead to good approximated results when compared to the exact ones. With the correction procedure applied to Clarke’s matrix, the relative values of the eigenvalue matrix off-diagonal element obtained from Clarke’s matrix are decreased while the frequency scan results are improved. The steps of correction procedure application are detailed, investigating the influence of each step on the obtained two new phase-mode transformation matrices.

Brain repair for Parkinson's disease:is the answer in the matrix?

Two hundred years after James Parkinson first described the cardinal motor symptoms of the disorder that would later bear his name,there is still an irrefutable need for a therapy that targets the underlying pathophysiology of the disease and not solely its symptoms.

Bounds for Polynomial’s Roots from Fiedler and Sparse Companion Matrices for Submultiplicative Matrix Norms

We use submultiplicative companion matrix norms to provide new bounds for roots for a given polynomial P(X) over the field C[X]. From a n×n Fiedler companion matrix C, sparse companion matrices and triangular Hessenberg matrices are introduced. Then, we identify a special triangular Hessenberg matrix Lr, supposed to provide a good estimation of the roots. By application of Gershgorin’s theorems to this special matrix in case of submultiplicative matrix norms, some estimations of bounds for roots are made. The obtained bounds have been compared to known ones from the literature precisely Cauchy’s bounds, Montel’s bounds and Carmichel-Mason’s bounds. According to the starting formel of Lr, we see that the more we have coefficients closed to zero with a norm less than 1, the more the Sparse method is useful.