Computational intelligence-based prognosis for hybrid mechatronic system using improved Wiener process

In this article, a fast krill herd algorithm is developed for prognosis of hybrid mechatronic system using the improved Wiener degradation process. First, the diagnostic hybrid bond graph is used to model the hybrid mechatronic system and derive global analytical redundancy relations. Based on the global analytical redundancy relations, the fault signature matrix and mode change signature matrix for fault and mode change isolation can be obtained. Second, in order to determine the true faults from the suspected fault candidates after fault isolation, a fault estimation method based on adaptive square root cubature Kalman filter is proposed when the noise distributions are unknown. Then, the improved Wiener process incorporating nonlinear term is developed to build the degradation model of incipient fault based on the fault estimation results. For prognosis, the fast krill herd algorithm is proposed to estimate unknown degradation model coefficients. After that, the probability density function of remaining useful life is derived using the identified degradation model. Finally, the proposed methods are validated by simulations

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in China: A comprehensive meta-analysis

There are conflicting prevalence estimates of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in mainland China (China thereafter). This study is a comprehensive meta-analysis of the pooled prevalence of ASDs in the general population in China. Study investigators independently conducted a systematic literature search of the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese biomedical literature service system, and Wan Fang. Studies reporting prevalence of ASDs and autism in Chinese population were identified and analysed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis program with the random effects model. Forty-four studies were included in the meta-analysis comprising 2,337,321 subjects of whom 46.66 % were females. The mean age of subjects ranged from 1.6 to 8 years. Based on diagnostic criteria the pooled prevalence of ASDs was 39.23 per 10,000 (95% CI: 28.44-50.03 per 10,000, I2=89.2%); specifically, the prevalence of autism was 10.18 per 10,000 (95% CI: 8.46-11.89 per 10,000, I2=92.5%). Subgroup analyses revealed significant difference in the prevalence of ASDs between genders (72.77 per 10,000 in males vs. 16.45 per 10,000 in females). In conclusion, the prevalence of ASDs and autism in China was found generally lower than those reported in other countries. Further studies are needed to clarify the variation in prevalence

Method of determining cosmological parameter ranges with samples of candles with an intrinsic distribution

In this paper, the effect of the intrinsic distribution of cosmological candles is investigated. We find that, in the case of a narrow distribution, the deviation of the observed modulus of sources from the expected central value could be estimated within a ceratin range. We thus introduce a lower and upper limits of $\chi ^{2}$, $\chi_{\min}^{2}$ and $\chi_{\max}^{2}$, to estimate cosmological parameters by applying the conventional minimizing $\chi ^{2}$ method. We apply this method to a gamma-ray burst (GRB) sample as well as to a combined sample including this GRB sample and an SN Ia sample. Our analysis shows that: a) in the case of assuming an intrinsic distribution of candles of the GRB sample, the effect of the distribution is obvious and should not be neglected; b) taking into account this effect would lead to a poorer constraint of the cosmological parameter ranges. The analysis suggests that in the attempt of constraining the cosmological model with current GRB samples, the results tend to be worse than what previously thought if the mentioned intrinsic distribution does exist.Comment: 6 pages,4 figures,1 tables.Data updated. Main conclusion unchange

Cosmic age test in inhomogeneous cosmological models mimicking Λ\LambdaCDM on the light cone

The possibility of reconstructing a spherically symmetric inhomogeneous Lemaitre-Tolman-Bondi (LTB) model with $\Lambda$CDM observations has drawn a lot of attention. Recently, a LTB model having the same luminosity-distance and light-cone mass density as the $\Lambda$CDM model was reconstructed. We calculate the cosmic age at our position in this model, and get the age $t_{LTB}<11.7$Gyr in 2$\sigma$ confidence level from the Seven-Year WMAP observations. This result is inconsistent with some Milky Way observations.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure

The HIF/PHF8/AR axis promotes prostate cancer progression.

Recent studies provide strong evidence that the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway remains active in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we demonstrate that plant homeo domain finger protein 8 (PHF8 )interacts with and functions as an essential histone demethylase activity-dependent AR coactivator. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the expression of PHF8 is induced by hypoxia in various prostate cancer cell lines. Knockdown of either hypoxia-inducible factor HIF2α or HIF1α almost completely abolished hypoxia-induced PHF8 expression. Importantly, we observed that PHF8 is highly expressed in clinical androgen deprived prostate cancer samples and expression of PHF8 correlates with increased levels of HIF1α and HIF2α. Moreover, elevated PHF8 is associated with higher grade prostate cancers and unfavorable outcomes. Our findings support a working model in which hypoxia in castrated prostate cancer activates HIF transcription factors which then induces PHF8 expression. The elevated PHF8 in turn promotes the AR signaling pathway and prostate cancer progression. Therefore, the HIF/PHF8/AR axis could serve as a potential biomarker for CRPC and is also a promising therapeutic target in combating CRPC

Asiatic Acid Inhibits Liver Fibrosis by Blocking TGF-beta/Smad Signaling In Vivo and In Vitro

Liver fibrosis is a major cause of liver failure, but treatment remains ineffective. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms and anti-hepatofibrotic activities of asiatic acid (AA) in a rat model of liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and in vitro in TGF-beta1-stimulated rat hepatic stellate cell line (HSC-T6). Treatment with AA significantly attenuated CCl4-induced liver fibrosis and functional impairment in a dosage-dependent manner, including blockade of the activation of HSC as determined by inhibiting de novo alpha smooth muscle actin (a-SMA) and collagen matrix expression, and an increase in ALT and AST (all p<0.01). The hepatoprotective effects of AA on fibrosis were associated with upregulation of hepatic Smad7, an inhibitor of TGF-beta signaling, thereby blocking upregulation of TGF-beta1 and CTGF and the activation of TGF-beta/Smad signaling. The anti-fibrosis activity and mechanisms of AA were further detected in vitro in HSC-T6. Addition of AA significantly induced Smad7 expression by HSC-T6 cells, thereby inhibiting TGF-beta1-induced Smad2/3 activation, myofibroblast transformation, and collagen matrix expression in a dosage-dependent manner. In contrast, knockdown of Smad7 in HSC-T6 cells prevented AA-induced inhibition of HSC-T6 cell activation and fibrosis in response to TGF-beta1, revealing an essential role for Smad7 in AA-induced anti-fibrotic activities during liver fibrosis in vivo and in vitro. In conclusion, AA may be a novel therapeutic agent for liver fibrosis. Induction of Smad7-dependent inhibition of TGF-beta/Smad-mediated fibrogenesis may be a central mechanism by which AA protects liver from injury

Subcutaneous nerve stimulation for rate control in ambulatory dogs with persistent atrial fibrillation

Background Subcutaneous nerve stimulation (ScNS) damages the stellate ganglion and improves rhythm control of atrial fibrillation (AF) in ambulatory dogs. Objective The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that thoracic ScNS can improve rate control in persistent AF. Methods We created persistent AF in 13 dogs and randomly assigned them to ScNS (n = 6) and sham control (n = 7) groups. 18F-2-Fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging of the brain stem was performed at baseline and at the end of the study. Results The average stellate ganglion nerve activity reduced from 4.00 ± 1.68 μV after the induction of persistent AF to 1.72 ± 0.42 μV (P = .032) after ScNS. In contrast, the average stellate ganglion nerve activity increased from 3.01 ± 1.26 μV during AF to 5.52 ± 2.69 μV after sham stimulation (P = .023). The mean ventricular rate during persistent AF reduced from 149 ± 36 to 84 ± 16 beats/min (P = .011) in the ScNS group, but no changes were observed in the sham control group. The left ventricular ejection fraction remained unchanged in the ScNS group but reduced significantly in the sham control group. Immunostaining showed damaged ganglion cells in bilateral stellate ganglia and increased brain stem glial cell reaction in the ScNS group but not in the control group. The 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose uptake in the pons and medulla was significantly (P = .011) higher in the ScNS group than the sham control group at the end of the study. Conclusion Thoracic ScNS causes neural remodeling in the brain stem and stellate ganglia, controls the ventricular rate, and preserves the left ventricular ejection fraction in ambulatory dogs with persistent AF

Conflicting language ideologies and contradictory language practices in Singaporean bilingual families

Informed by family language policy (FLP) as the theoretical framework, I illustrate in this paper how language ideologies can be incongruous and language policies can be conflicting through three multilingual families in Singapore representing three major ethnic groups – Chinese, Malay and Indian. By studying their family language audits, observing their language practices, and engaging in conversations about their language ideologies, I look at what these families do and do not do and what they claim to do and not to do. Data were collected over a period of 6 months with more than 700 minutes of recording of actual interactions. Analysis of the data reveals that language ideologies are ‘power-inflected’ and tend to become the source of educational and social tensions which in turn shape family language practices. In Singapore these tensions are illustrated by the bilingual policy recognising mother tongues (MTs) and English as official languages, and its educational policy establishing English as the medium of instruction. The view of English as having instrumental values and MTs as having cultural functions reveals that language choices and practices in family domains are value-laden in everyday interactions and explicitly negotiated and established through FLP