From a combination of Maxwell’s electromagnetism with Planck’s law and the de Broglie hypothesis, we arrive at quantized photonic wave groups whose constant phase velocity is equal to the speed of light c = ω/k and...From a combination of Maxwell’s electromagnetism with Planck’s law and the de Broglie hypothesis, we arrive at quantized photonic wave groups whose constant phase velocity is equal to the speed of light c = ω/k and to their group velocity dω/dk. When we include special relativity expressed in simplest units, we find that, for particulate matter, the square of rest mass , i.e., angular frequency squared minus wave vector squared. This equation separates into a conservative part and a uniform responsive part. A wave function is derived in manifold rank 4, and from it are derived uncertainties and internal motion. The function solves four anomalies in quantum physics: the point particle with prescribed uncertainties;spooky action at a distance;time dependence that is consistent with the uncertainties;and resonant reduction of the wave packet by localization during measurement. A comparison between contradictory mathematical and physical theories leads to similar empirical conclusions because probability amplitudes express hidden variables. The comparison supplies orthodox postulates that are compared to physical principles that formalize the difference. The method is verified by dual harmonics found in quantized quasi-Bloch waves, where the quantum is physical;not axiomatic.展开更多
A numerical method is designed to examine the response properties of real sea areas to open ocean forcing. The application of this method to modeling the China's adjacent seas shows that the Bohai Sea has a highest p...A numerical method is designed to examine the response properties of real sea areas to open ocean forcing. The application of this method to modeling the China's adjacent seas shows that the Bohai Sea has a highest peak response frequency (PRF) of 1.52 d^-1; the northern Yellow Sea has a PRF of 1.69 d^-1; the Gyeonggi Bay has a high amplitude gain plateau in the frequency band roughly from 1.7 to 2.7 d^-1; the Yellow Sea (includ- ing the Gyeonggi Bay), the East China Sea shelf and the Taiwan Strait have a common high amplitude gain band with frequencies around 1.76 to 1.78 d^-1 and are shown to be a system that responds to the open ocean forcing in favor of amplifying the waves with frequencies in this band; the Beibu Gulf, the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea deep basin have PRFs of 0.91, 1.01 and 0.98 d^-1 respectively. In addition, the East China Sea has a Poincare mode PRF of 3.91 d^-1. The PRFs of the Bohal Sea, the northern Yellow Sea, the Bei- bu Gulf and the South China Sea can be explained by a classical quarter (half for the Bohai Sea) wavelength resonance theory. The results show that further investigations are needed for the response dynamics of the Yellow Sea-East China Sea-Taiwan Strait system, the East China Sea Poincare mode, the Talwan Strait, and the Gulf of Thailand.展开更多
At 8 weeks after intragastric administration of icariin to senescence-accelerated mice (P8 strain), Morris water maze results showed that escape latency was shortened, and the number of platform crossings was increa...At 8 weeks after intragastric administration of icariin to senescence-accelerated mice (P8 strain), Morris water maze results showed that escape latency was shortened, and the number of platform crossings was increased. Immunohistochemical staining and western blot assay detected significantly increased levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein These results suggest that icariin upregulates phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein levels and improves learning and memory functions in hippocampus of the senescence-accelerated mouse.展开更多
A study on dynamic response of transversely isotropic saturated poroelastic media under a circular non-axisymmetrical harmonic source has been presented by Huang Yi et al. using the technique of Fourier expansion and ...A study on dynamic response of transversely isotropic saturated poroelastic media under a circular non-axisymmetrical harmonic source has been presented by Huang Yi et al. using the technique of Fourier expansion and Hankel transform. However, the method may not always be valid. The work is extended to the general case being in the rectangular coordinate. The purpose is to study the 3-d dynamic response of transversely isotropic saturated soils under a general source distributing in arbitrary rectangular zoon on the medium surface. Based on Biot's theory for fluid- saturated porous media, the 3-d wave motion equations in rectangular coordinate for transversely isotropic saturated poroelastic media were transformed into the two uncoupling governing differential equations of 6-order and 2-order respectively by means of the displacement functions. Then, using the technique of double Fourier transform, the governing differential equations were easily solved. Integral solutions of soil skeleton displacements and pore pressure as well as the total stresses for poroelastic media were obtained. Furthermore, a systematic study on half-space problem in saturated soils was performed. Integral solutions for surface displacements under the general harmonic source distributing on arbitrary surface zone, considering both case of drained surface and undrained surface, were presented.展开更多
Immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is effective in improving cognitive function in transgenic mouse models of AD. Because the AN1792 [beta-amyloid (Aβ) 1-42] vaccine was halted because of T cell mediated...Immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is effective in improving cognitive function in transgenic mouse models of AD. Because the AN1792 [beta-amyloid (Aβ) 1-42] vaccine was halted because of T cell mediated meningoencephalitis, many scientists are searching for a nove) vaccine to avoid the T cell mediated immune response caused by the Aβ1-42. Importantly, the time when the immunization is begun can influence the immune effect. In this study, an adenovirus vaccine was constructed containing 10 x Aβ3-10 repeats and gene adjuvant CpG DNA. Transgenic AD mice were immunized intranasally for 3 months. After 10 × Aβ3-10 vaccine immunization, high titers of anti-Aβ42 IgG1 predominant antibodies were induced. In spatial learning ability and probe tests, the 10 × Aβ3-10 immunized mice showed significantly improved memories compared to control mice. The 10 × Aβ3-10 vaccine resulted in a robust Th2 dominant humoral immune response and reduced learning deficits in AD mice. In addition, the 10 × Aβ3-10 vaccine might be more efficient if administered before Aβ aggregation at an early stage in the AD mouse brain. Thus, the adenovirus vector encoding 10 × Aβ-10 is a promising vaccine for AD.展开更多
The hydroelastic responses of a submerged horizontal solid/porous plate attached at the front of a very large rectangular floating structure(VLFS)under wave action has been investigated in the context of linear water ...The hydroelastic responses of a submerged horizontal solid/porous plate attached at the front of a very large rectangular floating structure(VLFS)under wave action has been investigated in the context of linear water wave theory.Darcy’s law is adopted to represent energy dissipation in pores.It is assumed that the porous plates are made of material with very fine pores so that the normal velocity across the perforated porous is linearly associated with the pressure drop.In the analytic method,the eigenfunction expansion-matching method(EEMM)for multiple domains is applied to solve the hydrodynamic problem and the elastic equation of motion is solved by the modal expansion method.The performance of the proposed submerged horizontal solid/porous plate can be significantly enhanced by selecting optimal design parameters,such as plate length,horizontal position,submerged depth and porosity.It is concluded that good damping effect can be achieved through installation of solid and porous plate.Porous plate has better damping effect at low frequencies,while solid plate has better damping effect at high frequencies.The optimal ratio of plate length to water depth is 0.25-0.375,and the optimal ratio of submerged depth to water depth is 0.09-0.181.展开更多
To investigate genetic factors that might help define which Crohn’s disease (CD) patients are likely to benefit from anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy. METHODSThis was a prospective cohort study. Patients were...To investigate genetic factors that might help define which Crohn’s disease (CD) patients are likely to benefit from anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy. METHODSThis was a prospective cohort study. Patients were recruited from a university digestive disease practice database. We included CD patients who received anti-TNF therapy, had available medical records (with information on treatment duration and efficacy) and who consented to participation. Patients with allergic reactions were excluded. Patients were grouped as ever-responders or non-responders. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and 7 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were assessed. The main outcome measure (following exposure to the drug) was response to therapy. The patient genotypes were assessed as the predictors of outcome. Possible confounders and effect modifiers included age, gender, race, and socioeconomic status disease, as well as disease characteristics (such as Montreal criteria). RESULTS121 patients were included. Twenty-one were non-responders, and 100 were ever-responders. Fas ligand SNP (rs763110) genotype frequencies, TNF gene -308 SNP (rs1800629) genotype frequencies, and their combination, were significantly different between groups on multivariable analysis controlling for Montreal disease behavior and perianal disease. The odds of a patient with a Fas ligand CC genotype being a non-responder were four-fold higher as compared to a TC or TT genotype (P = 0.009, OR = 4.30, 95%CI: 1.45-12.80). The presence of the A (minor) TNF gene -308 allele correlated with three-fold higher odds of being a non-responder (P = 0.049, OR = 2.88, 95%CI: 1.01-8.22). Patients with the combination of the Fas ligand CC genotype and the TNF -308 A allele had nearly five-fold higher odds of being a non-responder (P = 0.015, OR = 4.76, 95%CI: 1.35-16.77). No difference was seen for the remaining SNPs. CONCLUSIONThe Fas-ligand SNP and TNF gene -308 SNP are associated with anti-TNF treatment response in CD and may help select patients likely to benefit from therapy.展开更多
The driving necessities of cost reduction and the need to develop fields at ever increasing water depths have led to the use of floating structures. Among these structures are the Floating Production Storage and Offlo...The driving necessities of cost reduction and the need to develop fields at ever increasing water depths have led to the use of floating structures. Among these structures are the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units whose motion analysis is considered in this paper. In actual environmental condition, it is required to accurately determine or predict large amplitude motion of the FPSO before any offshore operation. This paper seeks to present a detailed method of computing the Response Amplitude Operator(s) (RAOs) for the six (6) degrees of freedom using ANSYS AQWA. The results indicate for Heave motion a tendency for the heave peak value to move slightly higher dimensionless encounter-frequency as the wave moves from Head sea to Beam sea direction. A MATLAB source code was developed to validate the result for heave motion at head sea. Although a small difference in predicted heave motion occurred, it is pertinent to note that the comparisons between results generated in the MATLAB program and ANSYS AQWA demonstrate generally good agreement, and the roll response of the FPSO is noted to be critical.展开更多
Vibration mode of the constrained damping cantilever is built up according to the mode superposition of the elastic cantilever beam. The control equation of the constrained damping cantilever beam is then derived usin...Vibration mode of the constrained damping cantilever is built up according to the mode superposition of the elastic cantilever beam. The control equation of the constrained damping cantilever beam is then derived using Lagrange's equation. Dynamic response of the constrained damping cantilever beam is obtained according to the principle of virtual work, when the concentrated force is suddenly unloaded. Frequencies and transient response of a series of constrained damping cantilever beams are calculated and tested. Influence of parameters of the damping layer on the response time is analyzed. Analyitcal and experimental approaches are used for verification. The results show that the method is reliable.展开更多
The applicability of the laws of thermodynamics to processes on Earth is discussed and it is shown that the chemical thermodynamics provides the reasonable basis for predicting probable changes. The historical evoluti...The applicability of the laws of thermodynamics to processes on Earth is discussed and it is shown that the chemical thermodynamics provides the reasonable basis for predicting probable changes. The historical evolution of the planet is considered in the framework of the Harari approach;a civilization’s level is estimated by the Kardashev scale based on the amount of energy it is able to use. During a short historical interval (≈500 years), when the effect of biological evolution is imperceptible and the main changes on the planet are caused by human activity, two systems are considered: 1) a nonequilibrium inhabited planet and 2) a quasi-equilibrium hypothetical planet without people, which is accepted as a comparison system. It is shown that in response to the energy impact, the equilibrium of the hypothetical system with the primordial nature is disturbed and processes are initiated aimed to prevent further growth of energy production. In the case of a real planet, this implements changes preventing the uncontrolled activities of humans—the energy producers. Climate change, an increase in the number of natural disasters and epidemics can be recognized as a direct response of the planet, while changes in socio-economic relations, morality, demographic situation, new threats etc. can be considered as an indirect reaction to changing conditions of human beings. The latter results from the mutual correlation between the progress of society, on the one hand, and humanitarian and political processes, on the other. The role of renewable and non-renewable energy sources in evolution is taken into account. Obviously, it is better to take meaningful measures to achieve an acceptable balance now than to wait for the blind and extremely painful action of the laws of nature, which would lead to a reduction in the population.展开更多
In this paper, a virus infection model with standard incidence rate and delayed CTL immune response is investigated. By analyzing corresponding characteristic equations,the local stability of each of feasible equilibr...In this paper, a virus infection model with standard incidence rate and delayed CTL immune response is investigated. By analyzing corresponding characteristic equations,the local stability of each of feasible equilibria and the existence of Hopf bifurcations at the CTL-activated infection equilibrium are established, respectively. By means of comparison arguments, it is verified that the infection-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if the basic reproduction ratio is less than unity. By using suitable Lyapunov functional and LaSalle's invariance principle, it is shown that the CTL-inactivated infection equilibrium of the system is globally asymptotically stable if the immune response reproduction ratio is less than unity and the basic reproduction ratio is greater than unity. Numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the theoretical result.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate the effect of Grifola frondosa polysaccharides(GFP)in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease(AD).Methods:Seventy-five rats were divided into five groups:the normal control group and the AD group tre...Objective:To evaluate the effect of Grifola frondosa polysaccharides(GFP)in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease(AD).Methods:Seventy-five rats were divided into five groups:the normal control group and the AD group treated with or without GFP(100,200,and 400 mg/kg).Behavioral responses in the open field test and elevated plus maze test were assessed.Additionally,the levels of malondialdehyde and ferric-reducing ability of plasma,and the mRNA expressions of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1βin the hippocampus were measured.Results:Treatment with GFP significantly improved AD-induced behavioral changes in the open field test and elevated plus maze test(P<0.05).In addition,the level of malondialdehyde and the mRNA expressions of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1βwere decreased by GFP treatment in a dose-dependent manner in AD rats(P<0.05),while the level of ferric-reducing ability of plasma was significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusions:Oral administration of GFP can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress,as well as improve behavioral responses associated with AD,suggesting its potential use in AD treatment.However,additional studies are needed to elucidate its underlying mechanisms and efficacy.展开更多
A treat-to-target(T2T)approach applies the principles of early intervention and tight disease control to optimise long-term outcomes in Crohn's disease.The Selecting Therapeutic Targets in Inflammatory Bowel Disea...A treat-to-target(T2T)approach applies the principles of early intervention and tight disease control to optimise long-term outcomes in Crohn's disease.The Selecting Therapeutic Targets in Inflammatory Bowel Disease(STRIDE)-II guidelines specify short,intermediate,and long-term treatment goals,documenting specific treatment targets to be achieved at each of these timepoints.Scheduled appraisal of Crohn’s disease activity against pre-defined treatment targets at these timepoints remains central to determining whether current therapy should be continued or modified.Consensus treatment targets in Crohn’s disease comprise combination clinical and patient-reported outcome remission,in conjunction with biomarker normalisation and endoscopic healing.Although the STRIDE-II guidelines endorse the pursuit of endoscopic healing,clinicians must consider that this may not always be appropriate,acceptable,or achievable in all patients.This underscores the need to engage patients at the outset in an effort to personalise care and individualise treatment targets.The use of non-invasive biomarkers such as faecal calprotectin in conjunction with cross-sectional imaging techniques,particularly intestinal ultrasound,holds great promise;as do emerging treatment targets such as transmural healing.Two randomised clinical trials,namely,CALM and STARDUST,have evaluated the efficacy of a T2T approach in achieving endoscopic endpoints in patients with Crohn’s disease.Findings from these studies reflect that patient subgroups and Crohn’s disease characteristics likely to benefit most from a T2T approach,remain to be clarified.Moreover,outside of clinical trials,data pertaining to the real-world effectiveness of a T2T approach remains scare,highlighting the need for pragmatic real-world studies.Despite the obvious promise of a T2T approach,a lack of guidance to support its integration into real-world clinical practice has the potential to limit its uptake.This highlights the need to describe strategies,processes,and models of care capable of supporting the integration and execution of a T2T approach in real-world clinical practice.Hence,this review seeks to examine the current and emerging literature to provide clinicians with practical guidance on how to incorporate the principles of T2T into routine clinical practice for the management of Crohn’s disease.展开更多
The influence of the dispersion and uncertainty of the dynamic shear wave velocity and Poisson's ratio of soil in a hard rock site was investigated on the seismic response of reactor building structure. The analysis ...The influence of the dispersion and uncertainty of the dynamic shear wave velocity and Poisson's ratio of soil in a hard rock site was investigated on the seismic response of reactor building structure. The analysis is performed by considering the soil-structure interaction effects and based on the model of the reactor building in a typical pressurized water reactor nuclear power plant (NPP). The numerical results show that for the typical floor selected, while the relative increment ratio of the dynamic shear wave velocity varies from -30% to 30% compared to the basis of 1 930 m/s, the relative variation of the horizontal response spectra peak value lies in the scope of ±10% for the internal structure, and the relative variation of the frequency corresponding to the spectra peak is 0.0% in most cases. The relative variation of the vertical response spectra peak value lies in the scope of - 10% to 22%, and the relative variation of the frequency corresponding to the Spectra peak lies in the scope of - 22% to 4%. The analysis indicates that the dynamic shear wave velocity and the Poisson's ratio of the rock would affect the seismic response of structure and the soil-structure interaction effects should be considered in seismic analysis and design of NPP even for a hard rock site.展开更多
The freshwater fish Carassius auratus was chosen as an experimental subject, and their hepatic biochemical responses to the medium-term exposure of Benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF) alone and in combination with PCB 118 ...The freshwater fish Carassius auratus was chosen as an experimental subject, and their hepatic biochemical responses to the medium-term exposure of Benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF) alone and in combination with PCB 118 and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) were investigated by measuring the reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), to assess sublethal effects. The hepatic GSH content was significantly inhibited by organic pollutants, alone and in mixtures, while the TBARS content was significantly induced after three days of exposure. Bell-shaped concentration-response charts of GST activities were obtained. Significant dose-response relationships were found for hepatic GSH and TBARS contents of all concentrations and for the GST activity, except at the highest concentration. The GSH content, GST activity, and TBARS content in Carassius auratus were confirmed as useful biomarkers of exposure to organic pollutions.展开更多
文摘From a combination of Maxwell’s electromagnetism with Planck’s law and the de Broglie hypothesis, we arrive at quantized photonic wave groups whose constant phase velocity is equal to the speed of light c = ω/k and to their group velocity dω/dk. When we include special relativity expressed in simplest units, we find that, for particulate matter, the square of rest mass , i.e., angular frequency squared minus wave vector squared. This equation separates into a conservative part and a uniform responsive part. A wave function is derived in manifold rank 4, and from it are derived uncertainties and internal motion. The function solves four anomalies in quantum physics: the point particle with prescribed uncertainties;spooky action at a distance;time dependence that is consistent with the uncertainties;and resonant reduction of the wave packet by localization during measurement. A comparison between contradictory mathematical and physical theories leads to similar empirical conclusions because probability amplitudes express hidden variables. The comparison supplies orthodox postulates that are compared to physical principles that formalize the difference. The method is verified by dual harmonics found in quantized quasi-Bloch waves, where the quantum is physical;not axiomatic.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 40676009 and 40606006the Basic Research Project of Qingdao Science and Technology Program of China under contract No.11-1-4-98-jch
文摘A numerical method is designed to examine the response properties of real sea areas to open ocean forcing. The application of this method to modeling the China's adjacent seas shows that the Bohai Sea has a highest peak response frequency (PRF) of 1.52 d^-1; the northern Yellow Sea has a PRF of 1.69 d^-1; the Gyeonggi Bay has a high amplitude gain plateau in the frequency band roughly from 1.7 to 2.7 d^-1; the Yellow Sea (includ- ing the Gyeonggi Bay), the East China Sea shelf and the Taiwan Strait have a common high amplitude gain band with frequencies around 1.76 to 1.78 d^-1 and are shown to be a system that responds to the open ocean forcing in favor of amplifying the waves with frequencies in this band; the Beibu Gulf, the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea deep basin have PRFs of 0.91, 1.01 and 0.98 d^-1 respectively. In addition, the East China Sea has a Poincare mode PRF of 3.91 d^-1. The PRFs of the Bohal Sea, the northern Yellow Sea, the Bei- bu Gulf and the South China Sea can be explained by a classical quarter (half for the Bohai Sea) wavelength resonance theory. The results show that further investigations are needed for the response dynamics of the Yellow Sea-East China Sea-Taiwan Strait system, the East China Sea Poincare mode, the Talwan Strait, and the Gulf of Thailand.
文摘At 8 weeks after intragastric administration of icariin to senescence-accelerated mice (P8 strain), Morris water maze results showed that escape latency was shortened, and the number of platform crossings was increased. Immunohistochemical staining and western blot assay detected significantly increased levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein These results suggest that icariin upregulates phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein levels and improves learning and memory functions in hippocampus of the senescence-accelerated mouse.
文摘A study on dynamic response of transversely isotropic saturated poroelastic media under a circular non-axisymmetrical harmonic source has been presented by Huang Yi et al. using the technique of Fourier expansion and Hankel transform. However, the method may not always be valid. The work is extended to the general case being in the rectangular coordinate. The purpose is to study the 3-d dynamic response of transversely isotropic saturated soils under a general source distributing in arbitrary rectangular zoon on the medium surface. Based on Biot's theory for fluid- saturated porous media, the 3-d wave motion equations in rectangular coordinate for transversely isotropic saturated poroelastic media were transformed into the two uncoupling governing differential equations of 6-order and 2-order respectively by means of the displacement functions. Then, using the technique of double Fourier transform, the governing differential equations were easily solved. Integral solutions of soil skeleton displacements and pore pressure as well as the total stresses for poroelastic media were obtained. Furthermore, a systematic study on half-space problem in saturated soils was performed. Integral solutions for surface displacements under the general harmonic source distributing on arbitrary surface zone, considering both case of drained surface and undrained surface, were presented.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30471927
文摘Immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is effective in improving cognitive function in transgenic mouse models of AD. Because the AN1792 [beta-amyloid (Aβ) 1-42] vaccine was halted because of T cell mediated meningoencephalitis, many scientists are searching for a nove) vaccine to avoid the T cell mediated immune response caused by the Aβ1-42. Importantly, the time when the immunization is begun can influence the immune effect. In this study, an adenovirus vaccine was constructed containing 10 x Aβ3-10 repeats and gene adjuvant CpG DNA. Transgenic AD mice were immunized intranasally for 3 months. After 10 × Aβ3-10 vaccine immunization, high titers of anti-Aβ42 IgG1 predominant antibodies were induced. In spatial learning ability and probe tests, the 10 × Aβ3-10 immunized mice showed significantly improved memories compared to control mice. The 10 × Aβ3-10 vaccine resulted in a robust Th2 dominant humoral immune response and reduced learning deficits in AD mice. In addition, the 10 × Aβ3-10 vaccine might be more efficient if administered before Aβ aggregation at an early stage in the AD mouse brain. Thus, the adenovirus vector encoding 10 × Aβ-10 is a promising vaccine for AD.
基金financially supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2019YFC1407700)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.51779038)。
文摘The hydroelastic responses of a submerged horizontal solid/porous plate attached at the front of a very large rectangular floating structure(VLFS)under wave action has been investigated in the context of linear water wave theory.Darcy’s law is adopted to represent energy dissipation in pores.It is assumed that the porous plates are made of material with very fine pores so that the normal velocity across the perforated porous is linearly associated with the pressure drop.In the analytic method,the eigenfunction expansion-matching method(EEMM)for multiple domains is applied to solve the hydrodynamic problem and the elastic equation of motion is solved by the modal expansion method.The performance of the proposed submerged horizontal solid/porous plate can be significantly enhanced by selecting optimal design parameters,such as plate length,horizontal position,submerged depth and porosity.It is concluded that good damping effect can be achieved through installation of solid and porous plate.Porous plate has better damping effect at low frequencies,while solid plate has better damping effect at high frequencies.The optimal ratio of plate length to water depth is 0.25-0.375,and the optimal ratio of submerged depth to water depth is 0.09-0.181.
文摘To investigate genetic factors that might help define which Crohn’s disease (CD) patients are likely to benefit from anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy. METHODSThis was a prospective cohort study. Patients were recruited from a university digestive disease practice database. We included CD patients who received anti-TNF therapy, had available medical records (with information on treatment duration and efficacy) and who consented to participation. Patients with allergic reactions were excluded. Patients were grouped as ever-responders or non-responders. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and 7 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were assessed. The main outcome measure (following exposure to the drug) was response to therapy. The patient genotypes were assessed as the predictors of outcome. Possible confounders and effect modifiers included age, gender, race, and socioeconomic status disease, as well as disease characteristics (such as Montreal criteria). RESULTS121 patients were included. Twenty-one were non-responders, and 100 were ever-responders. Fas ligand SNP (rs763110) genotype frequencies, TNF gene -308 SNP (rs1800629) genotype frequencies, and their combination, were significantly different between groups on multivariable analysis controlling for Montreal disease behavior and perianal disease. The odds of a patient with a Fas ligand CC genotype being a non-responder were four-fold higher as compared to a TC or TT genotype (P = 0.009, OR = 4.30, 95%CI: 1.45-12.80). The presence of the A (minor) TNF gene -308 allele correlated with three-fold higher odds of being a non-responder (P = 0.049, OR = 2.88, 95%CI: 1.01-8.22). Patients with the combination of the Fas ligand CC genotype and the TNF -308 A allele had nearly five-fold higher odds of being a non-responder (P = 0.015, OR = 4.76, 95%CI: 1.35-16.77). No difference was seen for the remaining SNPs. CONCLUSIONThe Fas-ligand SNP and TNF gene -308 SNP are associated with anti-TNF treatment response in CD and may help select patients likely to benefit from therapy.
文摘The driving necessities of cost reduction and the need to develop fields at ever increasing water depths have led to the use of floating structures. Among these structures are the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units whose motion analysis is considered in this paper. In actual environmental condition, it is required to accurately determine or predict large amplitude motion of the FPSO before any offshore operation. This paper seeks to present a detailed method of computing the Response Amplitude Operator(s) (RAOs) for the six (6) degrees of freedom using ANSYS AQWA. The results indicate for Heave motion a tendency for the heave peak value to move slightly higher dimensionless encounter-frequency as the wave moves from Head sea to Beam sea direction. A MATLAB source code was developed to validate the result for heave motion at head sea. Although a small difference in predicted heave motion occurred, it is pertinent to note that the comparisons between results generated in the MATLAB program and ANSYS AQWA demonstrate generally good agreement, and the roll response of the FPSO is noted to be critical.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 10572150)the Natural Science Foundation of Naval University of Engineering (No. HGDQNJJ008)
文摘Vibration mode of the constrained damping cantilever is built up according to the mode superposition of the elastic cantilever beam. The control equation of the constrained damping cantilever beam is then derived using Lagrange's equation. Dynamic response of the constrained damping cantilever beam is obtained according to the principle of virtual work, when the concentrated force is suddenly unloaded. Frequencies and transient response of a series of constrained damping cantilever beams are calculated and tested. Influence of parameters of the damping layer on the response time is analyzed. Analyitcal and experimental approaches are used for verification. The results show that the method is reliable.
文摘The applicability of the laws of thermodynamics to processes on Earth is discussed and it is shown that the chemical thermodynamics provides the reasonable basis for predicting probable changes. The historical evolution of the planet is considered in the framework of the Harari approach;a civilization’s level is estimated by the Kardashev scale based on the amount of energy it is able to use. During a short historical interval (≈500 years), when the effect of biological evolution is imperceptible and the main changes on the planet are caused by human activity, two systems are considered: 1) a nonequilibrium inhabited planet and 2) a quasi-equilibrium hypothetical planet without people, which is accepted as a comparison system. It is shown that in response to the energy impact, the equilibrium of the hypothetical system with the primordial nature is disturbed and processes are initiated aimed to prevent further growth of energy production. In the case of a real planet, this implements changes preventing the uncontrolled activities of humans—the energy producers. Climate change, an increase in the number of natural disasters and epidemics can be recognized as a direct response of the planet, while changes in socio-economic relations, morality, demographic situation, new threats etc. can be considered as an indirect reaction to changing conditions of human beings. The latter results from the mutual correlation between the progress of society, on the one hand, and humanitarian and political processes, on the other. The role of renewable and non-renewable energy sources in evolution is taken into account. Obviously, it is better to take meaningful measures to achieve an acceptable balance now than to wait for the blind and extremely painful action of the laws of nature, which would lead to a reduction in the population.
基金Supported by the NNSF of China(11371368,11071254)Supported by the NSF of Hebei Province(A2014506015)Supported by the NSF for Young Scientists of Hebei Province(A2013506012)
文摘In this paper, a virus infection model with standard incidence rate and delayed CTL immune response is investigated. By analyzing corresponding characteristic equations,the local stability of each of feasible equilibria and the existence of Hopf bifurcations at the CTL-activated infection equilibrium are established, respectively. By means of comparison arguments, it is verified that the infection-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if the basic reproduction ratio is less than unity. By using suitable Lyapunov functional and LaSalle's invariance principle, it is shown that the CTL-inactivated infection equilibrium of the system is globally asymptotically stable if the immune response reproduction ratio is less than unity and the basic reproduction ratio is greater than unity. Numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the theoretical result.
文摘Objective:To evaluate the effect of Grifola frondosa polysaccharides(GFP)in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease(AD).Methods:Seventy-five rats were divided into five groups:the normal control group and the AD group treated with or without GFP(100,200,and 400 mg/kg).Behavioral responses in the open field test and elevated plus maze test were assessed.Additionally,the levels of malondialdehyde and ferric-reducing ability of plasma,and the mRNA expressions of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1βin the hippocampus were measured.Results:Treatment with GFP significantly improved AD-induced behavioral changes in the open field test and elevated plus maze test(P<0.05).In addition,the level of malondialdehyde and the mRNA expressions of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1βwere decreased by GFP treatment in a dose-dependent manner in AD rats(P<0.05),while the level of ferric-reducing ability of plasma was significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusions:Oral administration of GFP can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress,as well as improve behavioral responses associated with AD,suggesting its potential use in AD treatment.However,additional studies are needed to elucidate its underlying mechanisms and efficacy.
文摘A treat-to-target(T2T)approach applies the principles of early intervention and tight disease control to optimise long-term outcomes in Crohn's disease.The Selecting Therapeutic Targets in Inflammatory Bowel Disease(STRIDE)-II guidelines specify short,intermediate,and long-term treatment goals,documenting specific treatment targets to be achieved at each of these timepoints.Scheduled appraisal of Crohn’s disease activity against pre-defined treatment targets at these timepoints remains central to determining whether current therapy should be continued or modified.Consensus treatment targets in Crohn’s disease comprise combination clinical and patient-reported outcome remission,in conjunction with biomarker normalisation and endoscopic healing.Although the STRIDE-II guidelines endorse the pursuit of endoscopic healing,clinicians must consider that this may not always be appropriate,acceptable,or achievable in all patients.This underscores the need to engage patients at the outset in an effort to personalise care and individualise treatment targets.The use of non-invasive biomarkers such as faecal calprotectin in conjunction with cross-sectional imaging techniques,particularly intestinal ultrasound,holds great promise;as do emerging treatment targets such as transmural healing.Two randomised clinical trials,namely,CALM and STARDUST,have evaluated the efficacy of a T2T approach in achieving endoscopic endpoints in patients with Crohn’s disease.Findings from these studies reflect that patient subgroups and Crohn’s disease characteristics likely to benefit most from a T2T approach,remain to be clarified.Moreover,outside of clinical trials,data pertaining to the real-world effectiveness of a T2T approach remains scare,highlighting the need for pragmatic real-world studies.Despite the obvious promise of a T2T approach,a lack of guidance to support its integration into real-world clinical practice has the potential to limit its uptake.This highlights the need to describe strategies,processes,and models of care capable of supporting the integration and execution of a T2T approach in real-world clinical practice.Hence,this review seeks to examine the current and emerging literature to provide clinicians with practical guidance on how to incorporate the principles of T2T into routine clinical practice for the management of Crohn’s disease.
基金SUPPORTED BY NATIONAL NATURAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION FOR DISTINGUISHED YOUNG SCHOLARS OF CHINA (NO. 50425824).
文摘The influence of the dispersion and uncertainty of the dynamic shear wave velocity and Poisson's ratio of soil in a hard rock site was investigated on the seismic response of reactor building structure. The analysis is performed by considering the soil-structure interaction effects and based on the model of the reactor building in a typical pressurized water reactor nuclear power plant (NPP). The numerical results show that for the typical floor selected, while the relative increment ratio of the dynamic shear wave velocity varies from -30% to 30% compared to the basis of 1 930 m/s, the relative variation of the horizontal response spectra peak value lies in the scope of ±10% for the internal structure, and the relative variation of the frequency corresponding to the spectra peak is 0.0% in most cases. The relative variation of the vertical response spectra peak value lies in the scope of - 10% to 22%, and the relative variation of the frequency corresponding to the Spectra peak lies in the scope of - 22% to 4%. The analysis indicates that the dynamic shear wave velocity and the Poisson's ratio of the rock would affect the seismic response of structure and the soil-structure interaction effects should be considered in seismic analysis and design of NPP even for a hard rock site.
基金supported by the Special Fund for Public Welfare Industry of Ministry of Water Resources of China(Grant No201001056)the Project of Jiangxi Provincial Department of Science and Technology (Grant No2010BSA20300)the Project of Jiangxi Provincial Department of Education(Grants No GJJ11246 and GJJ11636)
文摘The freshwater fish Carassius auratus was chosen as an experimental subject, and their hepatic biochemical responses to the medium-term exposure of Benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF) alone and in combination with PCB 118 and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) were investigated by measuring the reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), to assess sublethal effects. The hepatic GSH content was significantly inhibited by organic pollutants, alone and in mixtures, while the TBARS content was significantly induced after three days of exposure. Bell-shaped concentration-response charts of GST activities were obtained. Significant dose-response relationships were found for hepatic GSH and TBARS contents of all concentrations and for the GST activity, except at the highest concentration. The GSH content, GST activity, and TBARS content in Carassius auratus were confirmed as useful biomarkers of exposure to organic pollutions.