63 research outputs found
Abundant Exact Solition-Like Solutions to the Generalized Bretherton Equation with Arbitrary Constants
The Riccati equation is employed to construct exact travelling wave solutions to the generalized Bretherton equation. Taking full advantage of the Riccati equation which has more new solutions, abundant new multiple solition-like solutions are obtained for the generalized Bretherton equation
Neutralization of Diverse Human Cytomegalovirus Strains Conferred by Antibodies Targeting Viral gH/gL/pUL128-131 Pentameric Complex
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the leading cause of congenital viral infection, and developing a prophylactic vaccine is of high priority to public health. We recently reported a replication-defective human cytomegalovirus with restored pentameric complex glycoprotein H (gH)/gL/pUL128-131 for prevention of congenital HCMV infection. While the quantity of vaccine-induced antibody responses can be measured in a viral neutralization assay, assessing the quality of such responses, including the ability of vaccine-induced antibodies to cross-neutralize the field strains of HCMV, remains a challenge. In this study, with a panel of neutralizing antibodies from three healthy human donors with natural HCMV infection or a vaccinated animal, we mapped eight sites on the dominant virus-neutralizing antigen-the pentameric complex of glycoprotein H (gH), gL, and pUL128, pUL130, and pUL131. By evaluating the site-specific antibodies in vaccine immune sera, we demonstrated that vaccination elicited functional antiviral antibodies to multiple neutralizing sites in rhesus macaques, with quality attributes comparable to those of CMV hyperimmune globulin. Furthermore, these immune sera showed antiviral activities against a panel of genetically distinct HCMV clinical isolates. These results highlighted the importance of understanding the quality of vaccine-induced antibody responses, which includes not only the neutralizing potency in key cell types but also the ability to protect against the genetically diverse field strains. IMPORTANCE HCMV is the leading cause of congenital viral infection, and development of a preventive vaccine is a high public health priority. To understand the strain coverage of vaccine-induced immune responses in comparison with natural immunity, we used a panel of broadly neutralizing antibodies to identify the immunogenic sites of a dominant viral antigen-the pentameric complex. We further demonstrated that following vaccination of a replication-defective virus with the restored pentameric complex, rhesus macaques can develop broadly neutralizing antibodies targeting multiple immunogenic sites of the pentameric complex. Such analyses of site-specific antibody responses are imperative to our assessment of the quality of vaccine-induced immunity in clinical studies
Traditional Chinese medicine residues promote the growth and quality of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge by improving soil health under continuous monoculture
Continuous monoculture of crops has resulted in reduced yields and quality, as well as soil deterioration. Although traditional Chinese medicine residues (TCMRs) are known to promote plant growth and soil health, few studies have investigated their effectiveness in continuous monoculture soils. Here, we studied the impact of chemical fertilizers (CF) and four TCMRs with antibacterial activities on the growth of S. miltiorrhiza (a widely used medicinal plant in China), accumulation of active ingredients in plants, and soil health under continuous monoculture conditions. Compared with no fertilizer (CK) and CF, fermented Sophora flavescens radix residue (SFRf) and fermented and unfermented Moutan cortex residue (MCRf and MCRu, respectively) resulted in a reduction of the disease index of root rot, while CF did not. The CF and four TCMR treatments increased the accumulation of nitrogen (N) (42.8-124.6% and 17.0-101.7%), phosphorous (P) (19.8-74.7% and 8.3-27.4%), and potassium (K) (104.1-212.0% and 9.3-51.8%) in shoots and roots compared to CK. The differences in nutrient accumulation between the CF and TCMR treatments were statistically insignificant, excepted for the N accumulation in the roots. All fertilization treatments increased plant biomass compared to CK, with increases of 25.57-89.86% and 2.62-35.28% in shoots and roots, respectively. The SFRf treatment exhibited the most significant enhancement in both shoot and root biomass. CF significantly reduced the accumulation of seven active ingredients in roots by 23.90-78.95% compared to CK, whereas each TCMR increased accumulation of certain active ingredients. The TCMR treatments effectively improved the health of deteriorated soil by enhancing soil physicochemical properties, restoring the balance of the microbial community, recruiting beneficial bacteria, and reducing the relative abundance of the pathogen Fusarium. The SFRf treatment exhibited superior performance in improving soil health than other treatments. Overall, the TCMRs outperformed CF in restoring soil health and promoting the yield and quality of S. miltiorrhiza. These findings offer guidance for improving the health of continuous cropping soil and recycling TCMRs
Conservation laws, symmetry reductions, and exact solutions of some Keller–Segel models
Abstract In this paper, three Keller–Segel models are considered from the point of Lie symmetry analysis, conservation laws, symmetry reduction, and exact solutions. By means of Lie symmetry analysis, we first obtain all the symmetries for the three models. Based on the obtained symmetries, many non-trivial and explicit conservation laws for the three models are obtained with the help of Ibragimov’s new conservation theorem. Applying the characteristic equations of the obtained symmetries, symmetry reductions and exact solutions are obtained, including solutions expressed by rational functions and Bessel functions
FOXA1 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression by suppressing PIK3R1 expression in male patients
Abstract Background Forkhead box A1 (FOXA1) expression is associated with various types of tumors; however, the function and underlying mechanism of FOXA1 in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains obscure. Methods Here, we investigated the role of FOXA1 in the development of HCC by applying gene function gain and loss analysis to HepG2 and Hep3B cell lines, and comparing outcomes with those of clinical HCC samples. Results Phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 1 (PIK3R1), which encodes protein PI3Kp85 (p85), was identified as a FOXA1 target gene. Analyses of the mechanism and function revealed that FOXA1 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma cell viability and motility by inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling through direct inhibition of PIK3R1 transcription. Moreover, in clinical samples from male HCC patients, FOXA1 expression was much lower, whereas PI3Kp85 levels were much higher in tumor than in non-tumor tissues. Elevated PI3Kp85 is an unfavorable factor in HCC. Conclusions As a tumor suppressor, FOXA1 targets PIK3R1 directly to inhibit PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thus exerting a negative regulatory effect on proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC in male patients
Performance Analysis and Evaluation for Multi-Traffic Networks Using Priority Based Controlled Available Bit Rates
In this paper, we consider a multi-traffic network system with a transmission link shared by Available Bit Rate(ABR) application for non-real time traffic and Variable Bit Rate(VBR) application for real time traffic. It is assumed that the VBR traffic has a higher transmission priority than ABR traffic. We propose a new feedback control method to control the flow of the ABR traffic. In this method, the ABR source has multiple states and the number of cells transmitted by the ABR source is controlled by the feedback on the congestion state of the buffer. By using the Markov chain method, we establish a tractable analytical model for the system. We give some iterative formulas for calculating the transition probabilities. Then, based on the analysis, we calculate the cell loss probability and the utilization of the network system. The impact of several parameters on the system performance is presented through some simulation results.The original publication is available at JAIST Press http://www.jaist.ac.jp/library/jaist-press/index.htmlIFSR 2005 : Proceedings of the First World Congress of the International Federation for Systems Research : The New Roles of Systems Sciences For a Knowledge-based Society : Nov. 14-17, 2026, Kobe, JapanSymposium 3, Session 1 : Intelligent Information Technology and Applications Men and Computin
Logging evaluation of shale laminae: A case study from the Wufeng-Longmaxi formations in the southern Sichuan Basin
Shale laminae influence shale reservoir quality and fracturing, whereas previous studies are simply based on geological materials. Taking full advantage of geophysical logging data could provide novel insights for shale laminae evaluation in drilled boreholes. Methods Cored boreholes in the Wufeng-Longmaxi formations in the southern Sichuan Basin are utilized in this study. Shale cores, CT scanning based on full-diameter cores, large-sized thin sections, X-ray diffraction, and TOC content are first integrated to clarify shale laminae fabrics. Elemental scanning, microresistivity electrical imaging, multipole array acoustic, conventional and nuclear magnetic resonance logging techniques are interpreted to characterize shale laminae by geological calibration, and the methodology of logging evaluation on shale laminae has been set out. Results It is concluded that the target formation has developed four types of bed, includingthe silicic bed (lamina poorly developed), silicic lamina, calcareous lamina, and argillaceous lamina. Elemental scanning is implemented to determine laminae minerals and TOC content. Electrical imaging and the anisotropy index derived from multipole array acoustic and conventional logs are used to evaluate lamina density or development degree. Besides, electrical imaging is able to reflect the lamina thickness. Nuclear magnetic resonance is performed to analyze the variation in lamina pore structure. Conclusion Although logging resolution and response complexity can significantly affect the accuracy of logging interpretation of shale laminae, logging techniques rooted in petrophysical properties are valuable supplements for the evaluation of shale laminae and lamina associations
Numerical Investigation of Segregation Evolution during the Vacuum Arc Remelting Process of Ni-Based Superalloy Ingots
Segregation defects greatly affect the service performance and working life of castings during the vacuum arc remelting (VAR) process. However, the corresponding research on the prediction of segregation defects is still not comprehensive. Through considering the influence of water-cooled crucible on the electromagnetic field inside an ingot, a full-scale model for the comprehensive prediction of freckles and macrosegregation defects during the VAR process is developed in this paper. The macroscopic solute transport phenomenon and the segregation behavior of Ni-5.8 wt% Al-15.2 wt% Ta alloy are predicted. The results indicate that the freckles are mainly concentrated in the lower region of the ingot. With the growth of the ingot, the solute enrichment channels gradually develop into solute enrichment regions, and the channel segregation evolves into macrosegregation. The Lorentz force mainly affects the flow pattern at the top of the molten pool, while the complex flow of multiple vortices is dominated by thermosolutal buoyancy. The maximum and minimum relative segregation ratio inside the ingot can reach 290% and −90%, respectively, and the positive segregation region accounts for about 79% of the total volume. This paper provides a new perspective for understanding the segregation behavior inside the ingot by studying the segregation evolution during the VAR process
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