The impact of a dot: Case studies of a noise metamorphic relation pattern

We propose a \u27noise\u27 metamorphic relation pattern (MRP), which is a sub-pattern under the more general MRP \u27symmetry.\u27 We conduct case studies with real-life systems in three different application domains (obstacle perception in autonomous systems, machine translation, and named entity recognition) to show the usefulness of the \u27noise\u27 MRP for software verification and validation

Rate Transient Analysis for Multistage Fractured Horizontal Well in Tight Oil Reservoirs considering Stimulated Reservoir Volume

A mathematical model of multistage fractured horizontal well (MsFHW) considering stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) was presented for tight oil reservoirs. Both inner and outer regions were assumed as single porosity media but had different formation parameters. Laplace transformation method, point source function integration method, superposition principle, Stehfest numerical algorithm, and Duhamel’s theorem were used comprehensively to obtain the semianalytical solution. Different flow regimes were divided based on pressure transient analysis (PTA) curves. According to rate transient analysis (RTA), the effects of related parameters such as SRV radius, storativity ratio, mobility ratio, fracture number, fracture half-length, and fracture spacing were analyzed. The presented model and obtained results in this paper enrich the performance analysis models of MsFHW considering SRV

Patterns of sexual behaviors among unmarried adolescents and youth in three Asian cities

We examined patterns of sexual behaviors of unmarried adolescents and youth (UAY) in three Asian cities (Shanghai, Taipei, and Hanoi) and identified factors related to the timing of initial sexual experience. From analysis of a sample of 16 554 UAY aged 15–24 years recruited from Shanghai, Taipei, and Hanoi plus data collected from face-to-face interviews complemented by computer-assisted self-interviews for intimate questions, we learned: UAY in Shanghai, Taipei, and Hanoi have different sexual behaviors. Affluent economic status increases the likelihood of early initial sexual experiences. Higher educational attainment may delay initial intercourse. Compared with Shanghai UAY, study participants from Taipei and Hanoi were 3.64 times and 0.33 times as likely to participate intercourse. These data can provide a basis for developing effective government policies and social interventions

Pilose Antler Extracts (PAEs) Protect against Neurodegeneration in 6-OHDA-Induced Parkinson’s Disease Rat Models

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases worldwide. Although dopamine replacement therapy mitigates motor dysfunction in PD patients, there are no therapeutics that are currently available to reverse neuronal cell death in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), which is the main region for dopamine loss in PD patients. The protein concentration of the Pilose antler extracts (PAEs) was estimated using the Bradford Protein Assay Kit. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate the protective effect of PAEs on 6-OHDA induced cell death in PD model rats. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive neuronal cell in SNc. HPLC-MS was used to detect dopamine (DA), 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and glutamate (Glu) levels in the striatum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The amino acid level in the striatum and CSF was measured by HPLC-FLD. Protein expression of growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) and neurofilament heavy polypeptide (NF-H) was measured using western blotting. The components of PAEs through blood vessels were detected by HPLC/MS/MS. In this study, PAEs with proteins ranging from 10 kDa to 250 kDa molecular weight was administered to 6-OHDA-induced PD rats. We found that PAEs inhibited 6-OHDA-induced neuronal cell death and TH-positive neuronal loss in SNc. PAEs administration also increased the levels of DA, DOPAC, and 5-HT, in addition to DOPAC/DA and HVA/DA indexes in the CSF and Striatum of 6-OHDA induced rats. Conversely, PAEs decreased the levels of Glu and GABA. Treatment with PAEs and Madopar increased GAP-43 and NF-H expression in the SNc and striatum. Proteomic analysis using LC/MS/MS indicated that 11 components of PAEs may have neuropharmacological effects. These results demonstrate that PAEs protects against 6-OHDA induced toxic effects in the PD rat models. Intragastric administration of PAEs may be a novel therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative disorders like PD

Reactive Oxygen Species Function to Mediate the Fe Deficiency Response in an Fe-efficient Apple Genotype：An Early Response Mechanism for Enhancing Reactive Oxygen Production

AbstractReactive oxygen species (ROS) are important signaling molecules in plants that contribute to stress adaption. This study demonstrated that ROS play a critical role in Fe deficiency-induced signaling at an early stage in Malus xiaojinensis. Once ROS production has been initiated, prolonged Fe starvation leads to activation of ROS scavenging mechanisms. Further, we demonstrated that ROS scavengers are involved in maintaining the cellular redox homeostasis during prolonged Fe deficiency treatment. Taken together, our results describe a feedback repression loop for ROS to preserve redox homeostasis and maintain a continuous Fe deficiency response in the Fe-efficient woody plant M. xiaojinensis. More broadly, this study reveals a new mechanism in which ROS mediate both positive and negative regulation of plant responses to Fe deficiency stress

Comparing Efficacy of Different Biostimulants for Hydroponically Grown Lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i> L.)

Biostimulants can enhance horticultural crop production. However, their application in hydroponically grown lettuce is still limited, and information regarding their relative efficacy is lacking. A greenhouse trial was conducted to address this issue. Five nutrient solution treatments were evaluated on two lettuce cultivars: butterhead and red oak-leaf. The treatments included a half-strength modified Hoagland solution (Hs-H); a full-strength modified Hoagland solution (Fs-H); and Hs-H supplemented with 50 mg L−1 fulvic acid (FA), 334 mg L−1 seaweed extract (SE), or 5 mL L−1 gamma polyglutamic acid (PGA). The results indicated that the shoot biomass observed after biostimulant supplementation was significantly greater than or comparable to that observed with Fs-H. Nutrient solutions supplemented with SE and PGA led to a greater increase in the root biomass than that realized with Hs-H and Fs-H treatments. The Hs-H + FA treatment resulted in the lowest root-to-shoot ratio on a fresh weight basis among all treatments. The nitrate concentration in the shoot was significantly reduced following biostimulant supplementation compared to that realized with Fs-H and Hs-H treatments. Nutrient solutions supplemented with SE and PGA also decreased soluble sugar concentrations compared to that achieved using Hs-H and Fs-H treatments. FA and SE improved nutrient uptake for both cultivars, but PGA had a minimal effect on nutrient uptake. The two cultivars varied in their responses to biostimulant supplementation with regard to biomass, quality traits, and nutrient uptake. This study supports using fulvic acid and seaweed extract, rather than γ-PGA, in hydroponic lettuce production systems

Green Environmentally Friendly “Zn(CH₃SO₃)₂” Electrolyte for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are considered as an ideal substitute for lithium-ion batteries due to their abundant resource storage, high safety, and low price. However, zinc anodes exhibit poor reversibility and cyclic stability in most conventional aqueous electrolytes. Herein, an environmentally friendly Zn(CH3SO3)2 electrolyte is proposed to solve the problems of common aqueous electrolytes. The bulky CH3SO3– anions can regulate the solvation structure of Zn2+ by replacing some water molecules in the primary solvation sheath of Zn2+, thus slowing the hydrogen evolution side reactions and formation of zinc dendrite. Additionally, the changing solvation structure weakens the bonding between Zn2+ and the surrounding water molecules, which is conducive to the transport and charge transfer of Zn2+, thus improving the battery capacity. In the Zn(CH3SO3)2 electrolyte, Zn plating/stripping exhibits a high Coulombic efficiency of >98% and long-term cyclic stability over 800 h. The specific capacity of the assembled Zn//V2O5 cell in 3 mol L–1 Zn(CH3SO3)2 reaches 350 mA h g–1 at 0.1 A g–1, much higher than that in the ZnSO4 electrolyte (213 mA h g–1). In conclusion, this work offers insights into the exploration of advanced green electrolyte systems for zinc-ion batteries