The reliability assessment problem for products subject to degradation and random shocks is investigated. Two kinds of probabilistic models are constructed, in which the dependent competing failure process is consider...The reliability assessment problem for products subject to degradation and random shocks is investigated. Two kinds of probabilistic models are constructed, in which the dependent competing failure process is considered. First, based on the assumption of cumulative shock, the probabilistic models for hard failure and soft failure are built respectively. On this basis, the dependent competing failure model involving degradation and shock processes is established. Furthermore, the situation of the shifting-threshold is also considered, in which the hard failure threshold value decreases to a lower level after the arrival of a certain number of shocks. A case study of fatigue crack growth is given to illustrate the proposed models. Numerical results show that shock has a significant effect on the failure process; meanwhile, the effect will be magnified when the value of the hard threshold shifts to a lower level.展开更多
Sorption of acetanilide herbicides, metolachlor, acetochlor, pretilachlor and butachlor on eight soils with various physical and chemical properties was studied. The adsorption isotherms could fit Freundich equation w...Sorption of acetanilide herbicides, metolachlor, acetochlor, pretilachlor and butachlor on eight soils with various physical and chemical properties was studied. The adsorption isotherms could fit Freundich equation well (r 2 ≥0.91) and the adsorption extents increased in the order: metolachlor < acetochlor < pratilachlor < butachlor. The product of Freundlich adsorption constants, Kf (1/n), showed to have a good correlation with organic matter content (OM) of soils for each of these herbicides, suggesting that OM is the primary factor dominating in the adsorption process of these asetanilide herbicides. Multivariant correlation regression between Kf (1/n) and two factors, water solubility (S.) of herbicides and OM, was also performed. Kf(1/n) correlated with 1/S. and OM/S. well, showing that high S. corresponds to a weak tendency to adsorb on soils. Infrared (IR) spectra and electron spin resonance (ESR) parameters confirmed that multifunctional H-bonds and charge-transfer bonds were the main adsorption mechanisms of these acetanilide herbicides. The abilities of herbicides to form these adsorption bonds with HA increased in the same order as the extent of adsorption.展开更多
Aging is a multidimensional process that leads to an increased risk of developing severe diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and immunological diseases. Recently, small non-coding RNAs know...Aging is a multidimensional process that leads to an increased risk of developing severe diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and immunological diseases. Recently, small non-coding RNAs known as microRNAs （miRNAs） have been shown to regulate gene expression, which contributes to many physiological and pathophysiological processes in humans. Increasing evidence suggests that changes in miRNA expression profiles contribute to cellular senescence, aging and aging-related diseases. However, only a few miRNAs whose functions have been elucidated have been associated with aging and/or aging-related diseases. This article reviews the currently available findings regarding the roles of aging-related miRNAs, with a focus on cardiac and cardiovascular aging.展开更多
A powerful approach to generate multilevel superposition state in A-type manifold of levels is proposed. In the analysis, we introduce a group of rotations to transform the coupled system to a simpler form, which invo...A powerful approach to generate multilevel superposition state in A-type manifold of levels is proposed. In the analysis, we introduce a group of rotations to transform the coupled system to a simpler form, which involves one coupled and several decoupled, dark states in the ground state manifold. Then an arbitrary superposition state of initial and final states can be created. In particular, when the Rabi frequencies of the Stokes pulses have equal magnitudes, a superposition state （equal population of the （n - 2） superposition states） will be generated. A numerical simulation of coherence generation is given. It is shown that a small transient population in metastable state decreases as the intensity of Stokes pulses increases. Experimental implementation in Neon atom is given.展开更多
This paper is conceived at a time when new paradigms are sought for the development of a framework to deal with the problem of forest resources degradation. Deforestation in Bangladesh, has reached an alarming rate in...This paper is conceived at a time when new paradigms are sought for the development of a framework to deal with the problem of forest resources degradation. Deforestation in Bangladesh, has reached an alarming rate in recent years. The forest coverage of Bangladesh is one of the lowest and the deforestation rate is the highest of any country in the world. Coupled with the process of deforestation, flawed afforestration programmes have seriously exposed Bangladesh to environmental vulnerability. Considering this situation various strategies should be taken at different levels. The main objective of this paper is to suggest the possible steps that Bangladesh could halt and reverse the trend of deforestation. An extensive literature review and structured interviews of key informants have been used to collect relevant information to understand the reasons and consequences of forest degradation in the country. Based on the information gathered, this paper suggests some positive steps where the Government could be the main mitigating actor by implementing integrated programmes, which will also ensure mass awareness and wider impact.展开更多
The DRM （dynamic contact resistance measurement） in high voltage circuit breakers is a manner of evaluating the internal ageing condition of the chamber. DRM is similar to static contact resistance measurement testi...The DRM （dynamic contact resistance measurement） in high voltage circuit breakers is a manner of evaluating the internal ageing condition of the chamber. DRM is similar to static contact resistance measurement testing, but instead of measuring a single value when the breaker contacts are closed （static value）, the ohmic resistance is measured at various contact positions, from the beginning of the contact opening until a complete separation of the contacts. The relationship between the contact resistances of the new circuit breaker and the ageing circuit breaker in operation provides subsidy for the evaluation of both the main and arcing contact conditions. This research aims to analyze the correlation between the various levels of degradation of the contacts and the configuration of the DRM curve. This work considers curve samples from new acceleration tests. breaker chamber contacts and different levels of degradation by展开更多
The aim was to characterize thyroid function in Hispanic hypertensive population. Retrospective study of 1,023 individuals was performed, in which 68.23% had hypertension （74.21% women） and 37.25% had thyroid pathol...The aim was to characterize thyroid function in Hispanic hypertensive population. Retrospective study of 1,023 individuals was performed, in which 68.23% had hypertension （74.21% women） and 37.25% had thyroid pathology. Age, weight, blood pressure, biochemical measurements were recorded, mean age： 53.02 ± 14.80 yr, mean weight： 83.05 ±16.95 kg, thyrotropin-stimulating hormone （TSH） hypertensive patients： 5.55±1.63 μUI/mL and without hypertension： 3,72 ± 1.60 μUI/mL. TSH range concentration distributed by sex indicates： 1.50-2.49 μUI/mL men, 2.50-5.01 μUI/mL women. TSH categories vs. age were positively associated （r = ＋ 0.114, P = 0.044） and hypertension by age was also correlated （r = ＋ 0.178, P = 0.0001）. Significant positive association we found between TSH and diastolic blood pressure （r = ＋ 0.197, P = 0.008）. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure vs. age were positively increasing （r = ＋ 0.410,p = 0.0001; r = ＋0.285, P = 0.0001, respectively）. Prevalence of thyroid pathology in hypertensive subjects are hyperthyroidism 5.87%; hypothyroidism 20.34% （5.73% subclinic） and autoimmune disease 6.25%. High percentage of hypertensive population has concomitant thyroid diseases, more common in women （50-70 years）. Systematic surveillance for occult thyroid dysfunction in patients with hypertension could prevent future cardiovascular disease.展开更多
The uncertainty principle is a crucial aspect of quantum mechanics.It has been shown that quantum entanglement as well as more general notions of correlations,such as quantum discord,can relax or tighten the entropic ...The uncertainty principle is a crucial aspect of quantum mechanics.It has been shown that quantum entanglement as well as more general notions of correlations,such as quantum discord,can relax or tighten the entropic uncertainty relation in the presence of an ancillary system.We explored the behaviour of entropic uncertainty relations for system of two qubits—one of which subjects to several forms of independent quantum noise,in both Markovian and non-Markovian regimes.The uncertainties and their lower bounds,identified by the entropic uncertainty relations,increase under independent local unital Markovian noisy channels,but they may decrease under non-unital channels.The behaviour of the uncertainties(and lower bounds)exhibit periodical oscillations due to correlation dynamics under independent non-Markovian reservoirs.In addition,we compare different entropic uncertainty relations in several special cases and find that discord-tightened entropic uncertainty relations offer in general a better estimate of the uncertainties in play.展开更多
Objective:To observe the effect of acupuncture on the quality of life in patients with age-related macular degeneration(AMD).Methods:A total of 47 dry AMD cases(94 eyes)were randomly allocated into three groups,22 cas...Objective:To observe the effect of acupuncture on the quality of life in patients with age-related macular degeneration(AMD).Methods:A total of 47 dry AMD cases(94 eyes)were randomly allocated into three groups,22 cases(44 eyes)in the acupuncture group,15 cases(30 eyes)in the Western medicine group and 10 cases(20 eyes)in the control group.Cases in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture,cases in the Western medicine group with vitamin C and E and cases in the control group received no treatment except for out-patient follow-up.Results:Acupuncture could significantly improve eye symptoms of dry AMD cases including blurred vision,drastic decrease in visual acuity,distorted vision,central scotomas,visual fatigue and dry eyes as well as other systemic symptoms related to macular degeneration.Conclusion:Acupuncture can substantially improve the quality of life in patients with dry AMD.展开更多
Taking into account the intrinsic decoherence, we have investigated quantum correlations in a two-qubit Heisenberg XX model when a nonuniform magnetic field is included. We compare entanglement measured by entan- glem...Taking into account the intrinsic decoherence, we have investigated quantum correlations in a two-qubit Heisenberg XX model when a nonuniform magnetic field is included. We compare entanglement measured by entan- glement of formation, quantum discord and measurement-induced measurement （MID） and illustrate their different characteristics. Quantum discord and MID show the same features and always exist even though there is no entangle- ment in the long time limit. In the time evolution, quantum discord could be generated or enhanced to the stable value, while MID just decreases to the stable value.展开更多
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.50405021)Graduate Training Innovative Projects Foundation of Jiangsu Province(No.CXLX12_0081)
文摘The reliability assessment problem for products subject to degradation and random shocks is investigated. Two kinds of probabilistic models are constructed, in which the dependent competing failure process is considered. First, based on the assumption of cumulative shock, the probabilistic models for hard failure and soft failure are built respectively. On this basis, the dependent competing failure model involving degradation and shock processes is established. Furthermore, the situation of the shifting-threshold is also considered, in which the hard failure threshold value decreases to a lower level after the arrival of a certain number of shocks. A case study of fatigue crack growth is given to illustrate the proposed models. Numerical results show that shock has a significant effect on the failure process; meanwhile, the effect will be magnified when the value of the hard threshold shifts to a lower level.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos: 29477274 and 3967O420)
文摘Sorption of acetanilide herbicides, metolachlor, acetochlor, pretilachlor and butachlor on eight soils with various physical and chemical properties was studied. The adsorption isotherms could fit Freundich equation well (r 2 ≥0.91) and the adsorption extents increased in the order: metolachlor < acetochlor < pratilachlor < butachlor. The product of Freundlich adsorption constants, Kf (1/n), showed to have a good correlation with organic matter content (OM) of soils for each of these herbicides, suggesting that OM is the primary factor dominating in the adsorption process of these asetanilide herbicides. Multivariant correlation regression between Kf (1/n) and two factors, water solubility (S.) of herbicides and OM, was also performed. Kf(1/n) correlated with 1/S. and OM/S. well, showing that high S. corresponds to a weak tendency to adsorb on soils. Infrared (IR) spectra and electron spin resonance (ESR) parameters confirmed that multifunctional H-bonds and charge-transfer bonds were the main adsorption mechanisms of these acetanilide herbicides. The abilities of herbicides to form these adsorption bonds with HA increased in the same order as the extent of adsorption.
文摘Aging is a multidimensional process that leads to an increased risk of developing severe diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and immunological diseases. Recently, small non-coding RNAs known as microRNAs （miRNAs） have been shown to regulate gene expression, which contributes to many physiological and pathophysiological processes in humans. Increasing evidence suggests that changes in miRNA expression profiles contribute to cellular senescence, aging and aging-related diseases. However, only a few miRNAs whose functions have been elucidated have been associated with aging and/or aging-related diseases. This article reviews the currently available findings regarding the roles of aging-related miRNAs, with a focus on cardiac and cardiovascular aging.
文摘A powerful approach to generate multilevel superposition state in A-type manifold of levels is proposed. In the analysis, we introduce a group of rotations to transform the coupled system to a simpler form, which involves one coupled and several decoupled, dark states in the ground state manifold. Then an arbitrary superposition state of initial and final states can be created. In particular, when the Rabi frequencies of the Stokes pulses have equal magnitudes, a superposition state （equal population of the （n - 2） superposition states） will be generated. A numerical simulation of coherence generation is given. It is shown that a small transient population in metastable state decreases as the intensity of Stokes pulses increases. Experimental implementation in Neon atom is given.
文摘This paper is conceived at a time when new paradigms are sought for the development of a framework to deal with the problem of forest resources degradation. Deforestation in Bangladesh, has reached an alarming rate in recent years. The forest coverage of Bangladesh is one of the lowest and the deforestation rate is the highest of any country in the world. Coupled with the process of deforestation, flawed afforestration programmes have seriously exposed Bangladesh to environmental vulnerability. Considering this situation various strategies should be taken at different levels. The main objective of this paper is to suggest the possible steps that Bangladesh could halt and reverse the trend of deforestation. An extensive literature review and structured interviews of key informants have been used to collect relevant information to understand the reasons and consequences of forest degradation in the country. Based on the information gathered, this paper suggests some positive steps where the Government could be the main mitigating actor by implementing integrated programmes, which will also ensure mass awareness and wider impact.
文摘The DRM （dynamic contact resistance measurement） in high voltage circuit breakers is a manner of evaluating the internal ageing condition of the chamber. DRM is similar to static contact resistance measurement testing, but instead of measuring a single value when the breaker contacts are closed （static value）, the ohmic resistance is measured at various contact positions, from the beginning of the contact opening until a complete separation of the contacts. The relationship between the contact resistances of the new circuit breaker and the ageing circuit breaker in operation provides subsidy for the evaluation of both the main and arcing contact conditions. This research aims to analyze the correlation between the various levels of degradation of the contacts and the configuration of the DRM curve. This work considers curve samples from new acceleration tests. breaker chamber contacts and different levels of degradation by
文摘The aim was to characterize thyroid function in Hispanic hypertensive population. Retrospective study of 1,023 individuals was performed, in which 68.23% had hypertension （74.21% women） and 37.25% had thyroid pathology. Age, weight, blood pressure, biochemical measurements were recorded, mean age： 53.02 ± 14.80 yr, mean weight： 83.05 ±16.95 kg, thyrotropin-stimulating hormone （TSH） hypertensive patients： 5.55±1.63 μUI/mL and without hypertension： 3,72 ± 1.60 μUI/mL. TSH range concentration distributed by sex indicates： 1.50-2.49 μUI/mL men, 2.50-5.01 μUI/mL women. TSH categories vs. age were positively associated （r = ＋ 0.114, P = 0.044） and hypertension by age was also correlated （r = ＋ 0.178, P = 0.0001）. Significant positive association we found between TSH and diastolic blood pressure （r = ＋ 0.197, P = 0.008）. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure vs. age were positively increasing （r = ＋ 0.410,p = 0.0001; r = ＋0.285, P = 0.0001, respectively）. Prevalence of thyroid pathology in hypertensive subjects are hyperthyroidism 5.87%; hypothyroidism 20.34% （5.73% subclinic） and autoimmune disease 6.25%. High percentage of hypertensive population has concomitant thyroid diseases, more common in women （50-70 years）. Systematic surveillance for occult thyroid dysfunction in patients with hypertension could prevent future cardiovascular disease.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.61144006,11201427 and 10901103)the Foundation of China Scholarship Council,the Project Fund of Hunan Provincial Scienceand Technology Department(Grant No.2010FJ3147)the Fund of Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Photoelectric Information Integration and Optical Manufacturing Technology,the Educational Committee of the Hunan Province of China through the Overseas Famous Teachers Programme
文摘The uncertainty principle is a crucial aspect of quantum mechanics.It has been shown that quantum entanglement as well as more general notions of correlations,such as quantum discord,can relax or tighten the entropic uncertainty relation in the presence of an ancillary system.We explored the behaviour of entropic uncertainty relations for system of two qubits—one of which subjects to several forms of independent quantum noise,in both Markovian and non-Markovian regimes.The uncertainties and their lower bounds,identified by the entropic uncertainty relations,increase under independent local unital Markovian noisy channels,but they may decrease under non-unital channels.The behaviour of the uncertainties(and lower bounds)exhibit periodical oscillations due to correlation dynamics under independent non-Markovian reservoirs.In addition,we compare different entropic uncertainty relations in several special cases and find that discord-tightened entropic uncertainty relations offer in general a better estimate of the uncertainties in play.
基金supported by Scientific Research Fund of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Shanghai Municipal Health Bureau(2010L001A)
文摘Objective:To observe the effect of acupuncture on the quality of life in patients with age-related macular degeneration(AMD).Methods:A total of 47 dry AMD cases(94 eyes)were randomly allocated into three groups,22 cases(44 eyes)in the acupuncture group,15 cases(30 eyes)in the Western medicine group and 10 cases(20 eyes)in the control group.Cases in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture,cases in the Western medicine group with vitamin C and E and cases in the control group received no treatment except for out-patient follow-up.Results:Acupuncture could significantly improve eye symptoms of dry AMD cases including blurred vision,drastic decrease in visual acuity,distorted vision,central scotomas,visual fatigue and dry eyes as well as other systemic symptoms related to macular degeneration.Conclusion:Acupuncture can substantially improve the quality of life in patients with dry AMD.
基金Supported by "the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities" of China University of Mining and Technology under Grant No.2012QNA37 the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.11375168
文摘Taking into account the intrinsic decoherence, we have investigated quantum correlations in a two-qubit Heisenberg XX model when a nonuniform magnetic field is included. We compare entanglement measured by entan- glement of formation, quantum discord and measurement-induced measurement （MID） and illustrate their different characteristics. Quantum discord and MID show the same features and always exist even though there is no entangle- ment in the long time limit. In the time evolution, quantum discord could be generated or enhanced to the stable value, while MID just decreases to the stable value.
