Imaging a Semi-Analytical Jet model Generated by 3D GRMHD Simulation

Employing 3D GRMHD simulation, we study the images of a geometrically thin jet, whose emissions concentrate on its surface, for accretion system surrounding a central spinning BH. By introducing a strong magnetic field, we observe three phases of BH accretion evolution: (a) initially, both the accretion rate and the magnetic flux on the horizon gradually increase; (b) at an intermediate stage, the magnetic flux approximately reaches saturation, and a jet forms via the Blandford-Znajek (BZ) mechanism; (c) ultimately, the entire system achieves a dynamic equilibrium, and a magnetically arrested disk (MAD) forms. We carefully study the jet images during the saturation and MAD regimes at various frequencies and from different observational angles. We reveal the presence of U-shaped brighter lines near the jet surface boundaries, which can be attributed to the photons whose trajectories skim over the jet surface. The existence of these brighter lines is a unique feature of a geometrically thin jet. Moreover, we notice that the jet images are relatively insensitive to the observed frequencies of interest. Additionally, we observe that the time-averaged images for the highly oscillating MAD regime show only slight differences from those of the saturation regime

Precise-Orientation-Beamforming Scheme for Wireless Communications between Buoys

Utilizing wireless sensor network (WSN) to monitor the marine environment is one of the major techniques in oceanographic monitoring, and how to increase the limited communication distance between the buoys in WSN has become a hot research issue. In this paper, a new technique called precise-orientation-beamforming (POB) which uses the beamforming algorithm to increase the communication distance between buoys is presented. As was widely applied in the radar and sonar, the beamforming method was not used to extend the communication distance between buoys so far. The POB method overcomes the unstable position of buoys caused by waves by implementing the orientation filter. The whole process includes two steps: First, the real-time attitude of the antenna array is calculated by the orientation filter. With the known relative direction of the destination node to the antenna array, the second step is to control phased array antenna beamforming parameters, directing the beam at the destination node. The POB scheme has been simulated under the condition of regular waves. The results reveal that POB provides significant power gains and improves the distance between two communicating nodes effectively

Nitrogen Regulator GlnR Controls Redox Sensing and Lipids Anabolism by Directly Activating the whiB3 in Mycobacterium smegmatis

WhiB3 is a conserved cytoplasmic redox sensor which is required in the infection and lipid anabolism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The response of WhiB3 to environmental nutrient and its regulatory cascades are crucial during the persistent infection, while little is known about the relationship between WhiB3 and emergence of nutrient stress in this process. Here, we found that nitrogen regulator GlnR directly interacted with the WhiB3 promoter region and activated its transcription in response to nitrogen availability. In whiB3 promoter region, the typical GlnR-box was also identified. Moreover, GlnR controlled cell resistance to redox stress and SL-1 lipid anabolism by directly activating whiB3 expression. These results demonstrated that GlnR regulated redox sensor WhiB3 at the transcriptional level and mediated the interplay among nitrogen metabolism, redox sensing, and lipid anabolism

Spatial variation of energy efficiency based on a Super-Slack-Based Measure: Evidence from 104 resource-based cities

Energy efficiency is tied to energy activities and environmental effects and serves as a useful tool for sustainability analysis. Few insights have been acquired for sustainability development from resource-based cities in developed or developing countries. A Super-Slack-Based Measure (Super-SBM) with undesirable outputs is established to account for the total-factor energy efficiency from an energy-economy-environment perspective. Using China as a case study, the spatial variation in energy efficiency from 104 resource-based cities is analysed, furthermore, the results are compared with a scenario that does not consider environmental constraints. Finally, resource-based cities are classified into three categories through K-means clustering technology: high-efficiency region, medium-efficiency region and low-efficiency region. The investigation results show the following: (1) Efficiency disparities exist in resource-based cities under different scenarios, as a whole, the energy efficiency in the scenario two considering by-products of energy activities is obviously lower, which can more truly represent the sustainability of resource-based cities. (2) Most resource-based cities are in low-efficiency zones with substantial room for improvement. Spatial agglomeration effect or spatial spillover effect appears in a few cities. (3) Urban development in developing countries may follow the full life cycle process of local resources. A total of 262 resource-based cities could be roughly categorized into four types. The energy efficiency of growing type is the highest, followed by grow-up type, recessionary type, and regenerative type. (4) The ordering of efficiency in resource-based city is as follows: oil and gas-based > multiple minerals-based > non-metallic-based > nonferrous metal-based > coal-based > forestry-based > ferrous metal-based. The discussion offered in this study for various types of resource-based cities could provide a reference for other cities or developing countries which are in similar industrialization phases and hope for sustainable development

Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Early Recovery of Bowel Function in Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of acupuncture therapy to reduce the duration of postoperative ileus (POI) and to enhance bowel function in cancer patients. Methods. A systematic search of electronic databases for studies published from inception until January 2017 was carried out from six databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving the use of acupuncture and acupressure for POI and bowel function in cancer patients were identified. Outcomes were extracted from each study and pooled to determine the risk ratio and standardized mean difference. Results. 10 RCTs involving 776 cancer patients were included. Compared with control groups (no acupuncture, sham acupuncture, and other active therapies), acupuncture was associated with shorter time to first flatus and time to first defecation. A subgroup analysis revealed that manual acupuncture was more effective on the time to first flatus and the time to first defecation; electroacupuncture was better in reducing the length of hospital stay. Compared with control groups (sham or no acupressure), acupressure was associated with shorter time to first flatus. However, GRADE approach indicated a low quality of evidence. Conclusions. Acupuncture and acupressure showed large effect size with significantly poor or inferior quality of included trials for enhancing bowel function in cancer patients after surgery. Further well-powered evidence is needed

Association between left ventricular remodeling and lipid profiles in obese children: an observational study

ObjectiveChildhood obesity has become a prominent issue in the society, which can lead to left ventricular remodeling and severe cardiovascular complications in adulthood. It is beneficial to identify the causes of left ventricular remodeling so that targeted measures can be taken to prevent the cardiovascular disease. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the relationship between left ventricular remodeling and changes in blood lipid indexes in obese children.MethodsThis study was conducted on 40 healthy non-obese children and 140 obese children diagnosed in the pediatric health department of our hospital. Clinical data collected from the two groups were compared. Echocardiography was performed to examine left ventricular configuration and cardiac function. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the independent effects of blood lipid levels on echocardiographic parameters. Blood lipid indicators among different left ventricular structural patterns which were classified according to left ventricular mass indexes and relative wall thickness were compared.ResultsObese children exhibited significantly increased height, weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BFP), blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, left ventricular internal diameter (LVIDd), interventricular septum (IVSd), left ventricular posterior wall diastolic thickness (LVPWd), myocardial mass (LVM) and relative wall thickness (RWT), as well as lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) compared to the non-obese children (P < 0.05). Multiple linear correlation analysis showed LVM had a significantly positive correlation with BMI (r = 3.21, P = 0.002) and SBP (r = 2.61, P = 0.01); LVMI had a significantly negative correlation with HDL-C (r = −2.45, P = 0.015); RWT had a significantly positive correlation with SBP (r = 2.50, P = 0.013) but a significantly negative correlation with HDL-C (r = −2.35, P = 0.02). Furthermore, there were significant differences in HDL-C values among children with different ventricular configurations (P < 0.05), with the lowest HDL-C value recorded in the concentric hypertrophy group.ConclusionObese children will develop left ventricular remodeling. The left ventricular configuration indexes are most significantly associated with serum HDL-C. Lower HDL-C level contributes to severer left ventricular hypertrophy, indicating a concentric hypertrophy pattern

Gay mobile apps and the evolving virtual risk environment: a cross-sectional online survey among men who have sex with men in China

The expansion of gay sex-seeking application (gay app) use among men who have sex with men (MSM) may create new virtual risk environments that are associated with STI transmission. The goals of this study were to compare sexual behaviors between gay app users and non-users, and to describe sexual behaviors among gay app users in China