Intelligent Second-Order Sliding-Mode Control for Chaotic Tracking Problem

[[conferencetype]]國際[[conferencedate]]20140909~20140912[[booktype]]紙本[[booktype]]電子版[[iscallforpapers]]Y[[conferencelocation]]Sapporo, Japa

Anti-Hyperglycemic Properties of Crude Extract and Triterpenes from Poria cocos

Poria cocos, Bai Fu Ling in Chinese, is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diabetes. However, its claimed benefits and mechanism are not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect and action of P. cocos on type 2 diabetes. We first performed phytochemical analysis on the crude extract and factions of P. cocos. P. cocos crude extract at 50 mg/kg body weight or more significantly decreased blood glucose levels in db/db mice. Based on a bioactivity-directed fractionation and isolation (BDFI) strategy, chloroform fraction and subfractions 4 and 6 of the P. cocos crude extract possessed a blood glucose-lowering effect. Dehydrotumulosic acid, dehydrotrametenolic acid, and pachymic acid were identified from the chloroform sub-fractions 4, 3, and 2, respectively. Dehydrotumulosic acid had anti-hyperglycemic effect to a greater extent than dehydrotrametenolic acid and pachymic acid. Mechanistic study on streptozocin- (STZ-) treated mice showed that the crude extract, dehydrotumulosic acid, dehydrotrametenolic acid, and pachymic acid of P. cocos exhibited different levels of insulin sensitizer activity. However, the P. cocos crude extract and triterpenes appeared not to activate PPAR-γ pathway. Overall, the data suggest that the P. cocos extract and its triterpenes reduce postprandial blood glucose levels in db/db mice via enhanced insulin sensitivity irrespective of PPAR-γ

Bach-flat asymptotically locally Euclidean metrics

We obtain a volume growth and curvature decay result for various classes of complete, noncompact Riemannian metrics in dimension 4; in particular our method applies to anti-self-dual or Kahler metrics with zero scalar curvature, and metrics with harmonic curvature. Similar results are known for Einstein metrics, but our analysis differs from the Einstein case in that (1) we consider more generally a fourth order system in the metric, and (2) we do not assume any pointwise Ricci curvature bound.Comment: 54 pages; final versio

Associations of lower-limb muscle strength performance with static and dynamic balance control among older adults in Taiwan

BackgroundAging is an inevitable process of life development. These physical changes can cause a decline in the functional adaptability and health status of older adult individuals.AimsThe purpose of this study was to investigate the association of lower-limb muscle strength performance with static and dynamic balance control among older adults in Taiwan.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study and reviewed data derived from the National Physical Fitness Survey in Taiwan 2015–2016. A total of 20,846 Taiwanese older adult individuals aged 65 years old or older were recruited as study participants. Demographic characteristics, anthropometric assessments, lifestyle habits, and health-related physical fitness measurements from this dataset were analyzed using the chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance, and linear regression analysis. Lower-limb muscle strength performance was classified into 4 groups based on quartile (Quartile 1 [Q1], Quartile 2 [Q2], Quartile 3 [Q3], and Quartile 4 [Q4]) values.ResultsIncreased lower-limb muscle strength levels were significantly associated with static balance in men (Q2: β = 2.539, p < 0.0001; Q3: β = 4.590, p < 0.0001; Q4: β = 7.700, p < 0.0001) and women (Q2: β = 2.022, p < 0.0001; Q3: β = 4.179, p < 0.0001; Q4: β = 6.920, p < 0.0001) after adjusting for potential confounders. In addition, we observed that increased lower-limb muscle strength levels were significantly associated with dynamic balance in men (Q2: β = −1.661, p < 0.0001; Q3: β = −2.434, p < 0.0001; Q4: β = −3.091, p < 0.0001) and women (Q2: β = −1.660, p < 0.0001; Q3: β = −2.548, p < 0.0001; Q4: β = −3.196, p < 0.0001) after adjusting for potential confounders.ConclusionLower-limb muscle strength was the most important factor, as it was an improved method for static and dynamic balance control in both genders

Synthesis and properties of epitaxial thin films of c-axis oriented metastable four-layered hexagonal BaRuO3BaRuO3

We have grown epitaxial thin films of c-axis oriented metastable four-layered hexagonal BaRuO3BaRuO3 on a (111) SrTiO3SrTiO3 substrate by 90° off-axis sputtering techniques. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy reveal that the films are single domains of c-axis four-layered hexagonal structures with an in-plane epitaxial arrangement of BaRuO3BaRuO3 [20]∥SrTiO3[110].[21̄1̄0]∥SrTiO3[110]. Surfaces with smooth terraces having a step height of a half unit cell (∼4.7 Å) have been observed by scanning tunneling microscopy. The in-plane electrical resistivity of the films is metallic, with a room temperature value of 810 μΩ cm and slightly curved temperature dependence. Their magnetic susceptibility is Pauli paramagnetic. The metastable layered metallic oxide can be used for understanding new solid-state phenomena and device applications. © 2000 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/69917/2/APPLAB-77-3-364-1.pd

Investigation of the thermal stability of MoOx as hole-selective contacts for Si solar cells

The stoichiometry and work function of molybdenum oxide (MoOx) are of crucial importance for its performance as hole selective contact for crystalline silicon solar cells. Hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) is typically used as an interface passivation layer in combination with MoOx to reduce surface recombination. As the fabrication process of a solar cell typically contains subsequent high-temperature processes, the consideration of thermal stability of MoOx with and without a-Si:H becomes critical. In this work, in situ x-ray spectroscopy (XPS)/ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the temperature range from 300 K to 900 K are used to investigate the thermal stability of MoOx with and without a-Si:H. In addition, both the passivation and contact performance are studied by evaluating the surface saturation current density J0s, carrier lifetime τeff, and contact resistivity ρc. The XPS results reveal that the as-evaporated MoOx on top of both c-Si and a-Si:H is sub-stoichiometric, and the work function of both films is higher than 6 eV. While after in situ annealing, the evolution of MoOx phase on top of a-Si:H shows a different behavior compared to it on c-Si which is attributed to H diffusion from a-Si:H after 600 K, whereas the work function shows a similar trend as a function of the annealing temperature. The J0s of a p-type Si symmetrically passivated by MoOx is found to be 187 fA/cm2 and the ρc is ∼82.5 mΩ·cm2 in the as-evaporated state. With a-Si interface passivation layer, J0s is significantly lower at 5.39 fA/cm2. The J0s and the ρc increase after post-deposition annealing. The evolution of these functional properties can be attributed to the material properties.This work was funded by the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation, NPRP Grant No. NPRP9- 021–009) and by ARENA as part of ARENA’s Research and Development Program – Solar PV Research (Grant No. 2017/ RND007

Antidiabetic effect and mode of action of cytopiloyne

Cytopiloyne was identified as a novel polyacetylenic compound. However, its antidiabetic properties are poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-diabetic effect and mode of action of cytopiloyne on type 2 diabetes (T2D). We first evaluated the therapeutic effect of cytopiloyne on T2D in db/db mice. We found that one dose of cytopiloyne reduced postprandial glucose levels while increasing blood insulin levels. Accordingly, long-term treatment with cytopiloyne reduced postprandial blood glucose levels, increased blood insulin, improved glucose tolerance, suppressed the level of glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and protected pancreatic islets in db/db mice. Next, we studied the anti-diabetic mechanism of action of cytopiloyne. We showed that cytopiloyne failed to decrease blood glucose in streptozocin- (STZ-)treated mice whose β cells were already destroyed. Additionally, cytopiloyne dose dependently increased insulin secretion and expression in β cells. The increase of insulin secretion/expression of cytopiloyne was regulated by protein kinase C α (PKC α ) and its activators, calcium, and diacylglycerol (DAG). Overall, our data suggest that cytopiloyne treats T2D via regulation of insulin production involving the calcium/DAG/PKC α cascade in β cells. These data thus identify the molecular mechanism of action of cytopiloyne and prove its therapeutic potential in T2D

Cosmological Constraints on the Modified Entropic Force Model

Very recently, Verlinde considered a theory in which space is emergent through a holographic scenario, and proposed that gravity can be explained as an entropic force caused by changes in the information associated with the positions of material bodies. Then, motivated by the Debye model in thermodynamics which is very successful in very low temperatures, Gao modified the entropic force scenario. The modified entropic force (MEF) model is in fact a modified gravity model, and the universe can be accelerated without dark energy. In the present work, we consider the cosmological constraints on the MEF model, and successfully constrain the model parameters to a narrow range. We also discuss many other issues of the MEF model. In particular, we clearly reveal the implicit root to accelerate the universe in the MEF model.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figures, revtex4; v2: discussions added, Phys. Lett. B in press; v3: published versio

On the inheritance of crystallographic texture during the nickel silicide solid-phase reaction

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is an emerging minimally invasive tumor ablation technique that delivers short pulses of strong electric fields and kills cancer cells by disrupting their cell membranes with the electric pulses. However, clinical studies report that more than 10% of local tumor recurrences occur at the original ablated site. NVP BEZ-235 (BEZ) is a dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor that has substantial anticancer effects. However, the clinical trials of BEZ was not satisfactory because of its low bioavailability and high toxicity, which stemmed from the use of oral administration of high doses over a long period of time. In this research, we prepared a liposomal formulation of BEZ (L-BEZ) for intratumoral injection and studied its antitumor efficacy alone and in combination with IRE. We hypothesized that IRE could release BEZ from the liposomes and that the combination could decrease tumor viability. Our results show that IRE released BEZ from its liposomal encapsulation. The combination of L-BEZ and IRE killed more Hep3B tumor cells in vitro than did L-BEZ or IRE alone and also inhibited cancer cell proliferation in nude mice bearing Hep3B xenografts. Combination of chemotherapeutic agent loaded nanoparticles could enhance the antitumor efficacy of IRE