The exponential stability of a class of neural networks with continuously distributed delays is investigated by employing a novel Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional. Through introducing some free-weighting matrices and th...The exponential stability of a class of neural networks with continuously distributed delays is investigated by employing a novel Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional. Through introducing some free-weighting matrices and the equivalent descriptor form, a delay-dependent stability criterion is established for the addressed systems. The condition is expressed in terms of a linear matrix inequality (LMI), and it can be checked by resorting to the LMI in the Matlab toolbox. In addition, the proposed stability criteria do not require the monotonicity of the activation functions and the derivative of a time-varying delay being less than 1, which generalize and improve earlier methods. Finally, numerical examples are given to show the effectiveness of the obtained methods.展开更多
Significant amounts of free amino acids exist in commercially sold vegetables and fruits. Despite of the fact, only a little information is available about the free amino acid contents in foods. To utilize information...Significant amounts of free amino acids exist in commercially sold vegetables and fruits. Despite of the fact, only a little information is available about the free amino acid contents in foods. To utilize information of free amino acids in food, we have carried out the experiments to quantitate the free amino acids by derivatized with NBD-F (4-fluoro-7-nitrobenzofurazan) and analyzed on reversed-phase UHPLC (ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography) equipped with ultraviolet visible detector. Almost all of food extracts contained free amino acids including GABA (T-amino butyrate). Contents of free amino acids vary considerably depending upon vegetables and fruits. Principal free amino acids found in vegetables and fruits were asparagine, glutamine, arginine and GABA, which are involved in important metabolic pathways in human. About 140 species of vegetables and fruits were subjected for the data base. All of the plants and fruits we examined exhibit significant amount of free amino acids, those are clearly distinct from data bases obtained after acid hydrolysis treated food samples. Since glutamate and GABA act as excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in CNS, respectively; free amino acids in vegetables and fruits that we eat daily, should be an important source for the cellular metabolic activities.展开更多
A simple model for a set of interacting idealized neurons in scale-free networks is introduced. The basic elements of the model are endowed with the main features of a neuron function. We find that our model displays ...A simple model for a set of interacting idealized neurons in scale-free networks is introduced. The basic elements of the model are endowed with the main features of a neuron function. We find that our model displays powerlaw behavior of avalanche sizes and generates long-range temporal correlation. More importantly, we find different dynamical behavior for nodes with different connectivity in the scale-free networks.展开更多
Given that preaching is the primary mode of public theological discourse for most Christian ministers, an intellectual virtue of verbal restraint is required when practicing public theology and it is wise to address t...Given that preaching is the primary mode of public theological discourse for most Christian ministers, an intellectual virtue of verbal restraint is required when practicing public theology and it is wise to address the ways that homilies can shepherd public discourse practices. A theology of rhetoric includes the homilist's moral purpose. Homilies either enhance public discourse or pervert it. This essay sketches a pattern of sermon movement that respects the logic operative in public theology, given the social context of America. Homilies can help cultivate the pastoral care of public rhetoric by modeling discourse that nurtures the politics of accountability. While many call for a public ethos where divergent moral voices engage each other in highly contested arenas, a precondition to practicing effective public theology requires that one exercises discourse in a way that respects the social limits on the free exercise of religion. It is important that a public theology of rhetoric clarifies the original social agreement for acceptable religious discourse in the public arena. Homiletics, as a dimension of practical theology, can teach preachers methods of pastoral care for public discourse. The social agreement in liberal democracies to contain the combative nature of religious discourse assumes a logic that is circumscribed by commitments to (1) religious pluralism, (2) theological agnosticism, and (3) epistemological pragmatism. Here we propose that a sermon's form, which implicitly touches upon these commitments, can tap into the basic modes of persuasion in secular liberal societies. This respects the moral purposes previously agreed upon and expected of partisans during highly contestable times. This calls for incarnational humility on the part of the Christian public theologian and it guides her/his practice.展开更多
Movies have great power to shape the system of values in contemporary culture. In this paper, we deal with theological reflection of suicide and euthanasia and their presentation as free decisions of individuals shown...Movies have great power to shape the system of values in contemporary culture. In this paper, we deal with theological reflection of suicide and euthanasia and their presentation as free decisions of individuals shown in the movies Seven Pounds and The Sea Inside. Also, we shall present theological reflection on culture of life and culture of death aimed to find common ground for dialogue between two opposed points of view. In the first, introductory part, we will present two views of human freedom, and we will point out that just a theological speech about freedom includes the category of responsibility. On the other hand, what happens often is neglecting categories of resposibility and absolutisation or marginalization of free will. Then we will, as an introduction to the interpretation of films, present global statistics that justify global concerns when it comes to suicide and euthanasia. Next, we will show in central part the concept of quality of life, and we will interpret it through the two mentioned films. In the last section, We conclude, despite opposition between culture of life and death, to offer category of altruism as a starting point for dialogue between the two cultures.展开更多
Objective To investigate the effects of free radicals (FRs) and amyloid β protein 1 40 (Aβ 1 40 ) on the functions of expressed neurotransmitter receptors (NRs) in Xenopus oocytes Methods Total RNA and ...Objective To investigate the effects of free radicals (FRs) and amyloid β protein 1 40 (Aβ 1 40 ) on the functions of expressed neurotransmitter receptors (NRs) in Xenopus oocytes Methods Total RNA and messenger RNA (mRNA) was prepared from 3 month old Wistar rat brain tissues with Promega kits and microinjected into maturated Xenopus oocytes (stages Ⅴ Ⅵ) with 50?nl (50?ng) for each oocyte The microinjected oocytes were incubated with modified Bath's solution at 19 0℃±1 0℃ for receptor expression and their currents were recorded with double electrode voltage clamp technique Superoxide anion free radicals (SAFRs) were produced via a reaction system (HPX/XO) with hypoxanthine (HPX, 0 05?mol/L) and xanthine oxidase (XO, 0 1?U/L) In order to observe the effects of Aβ and SAFRs on the expressed glutamate receptor, HPX/XO and Aβ 1 40 were added to incubation solution at 12?h, 24?h and 96?h before recording Results The results showed that the oocytes expressed functional NRs originating from rat brain tissues These NRs included muscarinic acetylcholine (mACh), glutamate (Glu), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5 HT) and γ aminobutyric acid (GABA) The current characteristics of expressed receptors were inward currents carried by chloride ion with their equibrilium potentials close to -22?mV The extent of effect on the current of expressed glutamate receptor from rat brain was different among different Aβ concentrations and incubation times Aβ 1 40 at a concentration of 20?nmol/L had little effect on the currents of expressed rat brain glutamate receptors up to 24?h of incubation period; but the currents of glutamate receptor were significantly decreased (25% off, P <0 01) in the treatment of 60?nmol/L Aβ 1 40 over 24?h Moreover, when 20?nmol/L Aβ 1 40 was co incubated over 12?h with SAFRs produced by the reaction system of HPX/XO, it was found that the currents of expressed rat brain glutamate receptors had been changed markedly When the oocytes were co treated with 60?nmol/L Aβ 1 40 and SAFRs over a period of 12?h, the currents of glutamate receptor significantly decreased (21% off, P <0 05), and the decreased percentage reached 52% over 24?h co treatment with 60?nmol/L Aβ 1 40 and SAFRs In addition, vitamin E had a partial effect against this inhibitory effect Conclusion The results suggest that Aβ has a kind of inhibitory effect upon the current of the glutamate receptor, similar to the effects of free radicals The effects can be antagonized by vitamin E These imply that Aβ may play a role via inhibiting receptor function in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease展开更多
Objective: To investigate the effect of moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) on free radical metabolism in rat's hippocampus after different degrees of exhaustive exercise. Methods: A total of 72 male Sprague-Dawley (S...Objective: To investigate the effect of moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) on free radical metabolism in rat's hippocampus after different degrees of exhaustive exercise. Methods: A total of 72 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group (n=8), a model group (n=32) and a moxibustion group (n=32). According to the times of modeling or treatment, the model group was further randomly divided into different subgroups of a 1-time model subgroup, a 4-time model subgroup, a 7-time model subgroup and a 10-time model subgroup (n=8); the moxibustion group was also further randomly divided into different subgroups of a 1-time moxibustion subgroup, a 4-time moxibustion subgroup, a 7-time moxibustion subgroup and a 10-time moxibustion subgroup (n=8). Rats in both model and moxibustion subgroups were subjected to establishing the swimming exhaustive model. Rats in each moxibustion subgroup received mild moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) for 15 min immediately after modeling, once every other day. The concentration of malic dialdehyde (MDA), as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in rat's hippocampus in each group were detected 24 h after the exhaustive exercise. Results: Compared with the 1-time model subgroup, the exhaustive swimming time of rats was significantly prolonged in the 4-time model subgroup (P〈0.01), while it was significantly shortened in the 7-time and 10-time model subgroups (both P〈0.01). Compared with the matched model subgroup, the exhaustive swimming time of rats in the 7-time and 10-time moxibustion subgroups was significantly prolonged (both P〈0.01). Compared with the normal group, the MDA concentration was increased significantly (P〈0.01), and the activities stress response of SOD and T-AOC were increased in the 1-time model subgroup (both P〈0.05); the MDA concentration was increased (all P〈0.01), and the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and T-AOC were decreased differently (P〈0.05 or P〈0.01) in the 4-time, 7-time and 10-time model subgroups. Compared with the matched model subgroup, the concentration of MDA was significantly reduced (P〈0.05 or P〈0.01), and the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and T-AOC were significantly increased in the 4-time, 7-time and 10-time moxibustion subgroups (all P〈0.01). Conclusion: Moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) can improve the fatigue status of the body after long-term exhaustive exercise by regulating free radical metabolism in rat's hippocampus. To some extent, this provides an experimental basis for moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) against exercise-induced fatigue.展开更多
Trajectory tracking control of space robots in task space is of great importance to space missions, which require on-orbit manipulations. This paper focuses on position and attitude tracking control of a tree-floating...Trajectory tracking control of space robots in task space is of great importance to space missions, which require on-orbit manipulations. This paper focuses on position and attitude tracking control of a tree-floating space robot in task space. Since nei- ther the nonlinear terms and parametric uncertainties of the dynamic model, nor the external disturbances are known, an adap- tive radial basis function network based nonsingular terminal sliding mode (RBF-NTSM) control method is presented. The proposed algorithm combines the nonlinear sliding manifold with the radial basis function to improve control performance. Moreover, in order to account for actuator physical constraints, a constrained adaptive RBF-NTSM, which employs a RBF network to compensate for the limited input is developed. The adaptive updating laws acquired by Lyapunov approach guar- antee the global stability of the control system and suppress chattering problems. Two examples are provided using a six-link free-floating space robot. Simulation results clearly demonstrate that the proposed constrained adaptive RBF-NTSM control method performs high precision task based on incomplete dynamic model of the space robots. In addition, the control errors converge faster and the chattering is eliminated comparing to traditional sliding mode control.展开更多
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China (No60574006)
文摘The exponential stability of a class of neural networks with continuously distributed delays is investigated by employing a novel Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional. Through introducing some free-weighting matrices and the equivalent descriptor form, a delay-dependent stability criterion is established for the addressed systems. The condition is expressed in terms of a linear matrix inequality (LMI), and it can be checked by resorting to the LMI in the Matlab toolbox. In addition, the proposed stability criteria do not require the monotonicity of the activation functions and the derivative of a time-varying delay being less than 1, which generalize and improve earlier methods. Finally, numerical examples are given to show the effectiveness of the obtained methods.
文摘Significant amounts of free amino acids exist in commercially sold vegetables and fruits. Despite of the fact, only a little information is available about the free amino acid contents in foods. To utilize information of free amino acids in food, we have carried out the experiments to quantitate the free amino acids by derivatized with NBD-F (4-fluoro-7-nitrobenzofurazan) and analyzed on reversed-phase UHPLC (ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography) equipped with ultraviolet visible detector. Almost all of food extracts contained free amino acids including GABA (T-amino butyrate). Contents of free amino acids vary considerably depending upon vegetables and fruits. Principal free amino acids found in vegetables and fruits were asparagine, glutamine, arginine and GABA, which are involved in important metabolic pathways in human. About 140 species of vegetables and fruits were subjected for the data base. All of the plants and fruits we examined exhibit significant amount of free amino acids, those are clearly distinct from data bases obtained after acid hydrolysis treated food samples. Since glutamate and GABA act as excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in CNS, respectively; free amino acids in vegetables and fruits that we eat daily, should be an important source for the cellular metabolic activities.
基金The project supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 90203008 and the Doctoral Foundation of the Ministry of Education of China.
文摘A simple model for a set of interacting idealized neurons in scale-free networks is introduced. The basic elements of the model are endowed with the main features of a neuron function. We find that our model displays powerlaw behavior of avalanche sizes and generates long-range temporal correlation. More importantly, we find different dynamical behavior for nodes with different connectivity in the scale-free networks.
文摘Given that preaching is the primary mode of public theological discourse for most Christian ministers, an intellectual virtue of verbal restraint is required when practicing public theology and it is wise to address the ways that homilies can shepherd public discourse practices. A theology of rhetoric includes the homilist's moral purpose. Homilies either enhance public discourse or pervert it. This essay sketches a pattern of sermon movement that respects the logic operative in public theology, given the social context of America. Homilies can help cultivate the pastoral care of public rhetoric by modeling discourse that nurtures the politics of accountability. While many call for a public ethos where divergent moral voices engage each other in highly contested arenas, a precondition to practicing effective public theology requires that one exercises discourse in a way that respects the social limits on the free exercise of religion. It is important that a public theology of rhetoric clarifies the original social agreement for acceptable religious discourse in the public arena. Homiletics, as a dimension of practical theology, can teach preachers methods of pastoral care for public discourse. The social agreement in liberal democracies to contain the combative nature of religious discourse assumes a logic that is circumscribed by commitments to (1) religious pluralism, (2) theological agnosticism, and (3) epistemological pragmatism. Here we propose that a sermon's form, which implicitly touches upon these commitments, can tap into the basic modes of persuasion in secular liberal societies. This respects the moral purposes previously agreed upon and expected of partisans during highly contestable times. This calls for incarnational humility on the part of the Christian public theologian and it guides her/his practice.
文摘Movies have great power to shape the system of values in contemporary culture. In this paper, we deal with theological reflection of suicide and euthanasia and their presentation as free decisions of individuals shown in the movies Seven Pounds and The Sea Inside. Also, we shall present theological reflection on culture of life and culture of death aimed to find common ground for dialogue between two opposed points of view. In the first, introductory part, we will present two views of human freedom, and we will point out that just a theological speech about freedom includes the category of responsibility. On the other hand, what happens often is neglecting categories of resposibility and absolutisation or marginalization of free will. Then we will, as an introduction to the interpretation of films, present global statistics that justify global concerns when it comes to suicide and euthanasia. Next, we will show in central part the concept of quality of life, and we will interpret it through the two mentioned films. In the last section, We conclude, despite opposition between culture of life and death, to offer category of altruism as a starting point for dialogue between the two cultures.
基金supportedbyagrantfromtheNationalNaturalScienceFoundationofChina (No 3 9470 761)
文摘Objective To investigate the effects of free radicals (FRs) and amyloid β protein 1 40 (Aβ 1 40 ) on the functions of expressed neurotransmitter receptors (NRs) in Xenopus oocytes Methods Total RNA and messenger RNA (mRNA) was prepared from 3 month old Wistar rat brain tissues with Promega kits and microinjected into maturated Xenopus oocytes (stages Ⅴ Ⅵ) with 50?nl (50?ng) for each oocyte The microinjected oocytes were incubated with modified Bath's solution at 19 0℃±1 0℃ for receptor expression and their currents were recorded with double electrode voltage clamp technique Superoxide anion free radicals (SAFRs) were produced via a reaction system (HPX/XO) with hypoxanthine (HPX, 0 05?mol/L) and xanthine oxidase (XO, 0 1?U/L) In order to observe the effects of Aβ and SAFRs on the expressed glutamate receptor, HPX/XO and Aβ 1 40 were added to incubation solution at 12?h, 24?h and 96?h before recording Results The results showed that the oocytes expressed functional NRs originating from rat brain tissues These NRs included muscarinic acetylcholine (mACh), glutamate (Glu), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5 HT) and γ aminobutyric acid (GABA) The current characteristics of expressed receptors were inward currents carried by chloride ion with their equibrilium potentials close to -22?mV The extent of effect on the current of expressed glutamate receptor from rat brain was different among different Aβ concentrations and incubation times Aβ 1 40 at a concentration of 20?nmol/L had little effect on the currents of expressed rat brain glutamate receptors up to 24?h of incubation period; but the currents of glutamate receptor were significantly decreased (25% off, P <0 01) in the treatment of 60?nmol/L Aβ 1 40 over 24?h Moreover, when 20?nmol/L Aβ 1 40 was co incubated over 12?h with SAFRs produced by the reaction system of HPX/XO, it was found that the currents of expressed rat brain glutamate receptors had been changed markedly When the oocytes were co treated with 60?nmol/L Aβ 1 40 and SAFRs over a period of 12?h, the currents of glutamate receptor significantly decreased (21% off, P <0 05), and the decreased percentage reached 52% over 24?h co treatment with 60?nmol/L Aβ 1 40 and SAFRs In addition, vitamin E had a partial effect against this inhibitory effect Conclusion The results suggest that Aβ has a kind of inhibitory effect upon the current of the glutamate receptor, similar to the effects of free radicals The effects can be antagonized by vitamin E These imply that Aβ may play a role via inhibiting receptor function in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease
文摘Objective: To investigate the effect of moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) on free radical metabolism in rat's hippocampus after different degrees of exhaustive exercise. Methods: A total of 72 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group (n=8), a model group (n=32) and a moxibustion group (n=32). According to the times of modeling or treatment, the model group was further randomly divided into different subgroups of a 1-time model subgroup, a 4-time model subgroup, a 7-time model subgroup and a 10-time model subgroup (n=8); the moxibustion group was also further randomly divided into different subgroups of a 1-time moxibustion subgroup, a 4-time moxibustion subgroup, a 7-time moxibustion subgroup and a 10-time moxibustion subgroup (n=8). Rats in both model and moxibustion subgroups were subjected to establishing the swimming exhaustive model. Rats in each moxibustion subgroup received mild moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) for 15 min immediately after modeling, once every other day. The concentration of malic dialdehyde (MDA), as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in rat's hippocampus in each group were detected 24 h after the exhaustive exercise. Results: Compared with the 1-time model subgroup, the exhaustive swimming time of rats was significantly prolonged in the 4-time model subgroup (P〈0.01), while it was significantly shortened in the 7-time and 10-time model subgroups (both P〈0.01). Compared with the matched model subgroup, the exhaustive swimming time of rats in the 7-time and 10-time moxibustion subgroups was significantly prolonged (both P〈0.01). Compared with the normal group, the MDA concentration was increased significantly (P〈0.01), and the activities stress response of SOD and T-AOC were increased in the 1-time model subgroup (both P〈0.05); the MDA concentration was increased (all P〈0.01), and the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and T-AOC were decreased differently (P〈0.05 or P〈0.01) in the 4-time, 7-time and 10-time model subgroups. Compared with the matched model subgroup, the concentration of MDA was significantly reduced (P〈0.05 or P〈0.01), and the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and T-AOC were significantly increased in the 4-time, 7-time and 10-time moxibustion subgroups (all P〈0.01). Conclusion: Moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) can improve the fatigue status of the body after long-term exhaustive exercise by regulating free radical metabolism in rat's hippocampus. To some extent, this provides an experimental basis for moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8) against exercise-induced fatigue.
文摘Trajectory tracking control of space robots in task space is of great importance to space missions, which require on-orbit manipulations. This paper focuses on position and attitude tracking control of a tree-floating space robot in task space. Since nei- ther the nonlinear terms and parametric uncertainties of the dynamic model, nor the external disturbances are known, an adap- tive radial basis function network based nonsingular terminal sliding mode (RBF-NTSM) control method is presented. The proposed algorithm combines the nonlinear sliding manifold with the radial basis function to improve control performance. Moreover, in order to account for actuator physical constraints, a constrained adaptive RBF-NTSM, which employs a RBF network to compensate for the limited input is developed. The adaptive updating laws acquired by Lyapunov approach guar- antee the global stability of the control system and suppress chattering problems. Two examples are provided using a six-link free-floating space robot. Simulation results clearly demonstrate that the proposed constrained adaptive RBF-NTSM control method performs high precision task based on incomplete dynamic model of the space robots. In addition, the control errors converge faster and the chattering is eliminated comparing to traditional sliding mode control.