S-model speed planning of NURBS curve based on uniaxial performance limitation

As more complex curves are used in current productions, curve speed planning has become a key technique to overcome the bottleneck of high-speed and high-precision computerized numerical control (CNC) systems. This paper first establishes the model of particle velocity, acceleration and jerk in Cartesian coordinate system, and then improves the uniaxial performance limit algorithm.We set up a real-time speed planning process of spline curves, design a S-model look-ahead algorithm, simplify the S-model speed planning algorithm, and achieve real-time non-uniform rational B-splines (NUBRS) curve S-model speed planning based on uniaxial performance limitation. Simulation results show that all the actual interpolation velocity, acceleration and jerk under the proposed method meet the preset single-axis limit. Experimental results show that the tracking performance under the proposed method has been significantly improved compared with that under the small line segments method. Compared with the NUBRS curve trapezoidal model speed planning, the vibration spikes during machining can be eliminated

Bias-correction and Test for Mark-point Dependence with Replicated Marked Point Processes

Mark-point dependence plays a critical role in research problems that can be fitted into the general framework of marked point processes. In this work, we focus on adjusting for mark-point dependence when estimating the mean and covariance functions of the mark process, given independent replicates of the marked point process. We assume that the mark process is a Gaussian process and the point process is a log-Gaussian Cox process, where the mark-point dependence is generated through the dependence between two latent Gaussian processes. Under this framework, naive local linear estimators ignoring the mark-point dependence can be severely biased. We show that this bias can be corrected using a local linear estimator of the cross-covariance function and establish uniform convergence rates of the bias-corrected estimators. Furthermore, we propose a test statistic based on local linear estimators for mark-point independence, which is shown to converge to an asymptotic normal distribution in a parametric $\sqrt{n}$-convergence rate. Model diagnostics tools are developed for key model assumptions and a robust functional permutation test is proposed for a more general class of mark-point processes. The effectiveness of the proposed methods is demonstrated using extensive simulations and applications to two real data examples

Identifying and decoupling many-body interactions in spin ensembles in diamond

We simulate the dynamics of varying density quasi-two-dimensional spin ensembles in solid-state systems, focusing on the nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond. We consider the effects of various control sequences on the averaged dynamics of large ensembles of spins, under a realistic "spin-bath" environment. We reveal that spin locking is efficient for decoupling spins initialized along the driving axis, both from coherent dipolar interactions and from the external spin-bath environment, when the driving is two orders of magnitude stronger than the relevant coupling energies. Since the application of standard pulsed dynamical decoupling sequences leads to strong decoupling from the environment, while other specialized pulse sequences can decouple coherent dipolar interactions, such sequences can be used to identify the dominant interaction type. Moreover, a proper combination of pulsed decoupling sequences could lead to the suppression of both interaction types, allowing additional spin manipulations. Finally, we consider the effect of finite-width pulses on these control protocols and identify improved decoupling efficiency with increased pulse duration, resulting from the interplay of dephasing and coherent dynamics

Low-temperature direct dehydrogenation of propane over binary oxide catalysts: insights into geometric effects and active sites

Binary ZnZrxOy catalysts were prepared and employed to catalyze propane dehydrogenation at relatively low temperatures. The evaluation of these materials for propane dehydrogenation was supplemented by material characterization and density functional theory calculations, to provide molecular insights into the nature of the catalytic active sites. Combined, these experiments suggested that coordinatively unsaturated Zn cations (Zncus) in Zncus–O–Zrcus were the active sites for the first step of propane dehydrogenation, and coordinatively unsaturated Zr cations (Zrcus) in Zncus–O–Zrcus were active sites for the second step. This synergistic effect, derived from both these components, led to significant enhancements in activity. Furthermore, the combination of Zn and Zr species resulted in notable changes to the structure of the catalysts, leading to both the formation of the Zrcus active site and improved oxygen mobility. ZnZr2 exhibited relatively high activity

Mechanism exploration and prognosis study of Astragali Radix-Spreading hedyotis herb for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma based on bioinformatics approaches and molecular dynamics simulation

Background: Herb pair of Astragali Radix (AR) and Spreading Hedyotis Herb (SH) has been frequently prescribed in clinical for the treatment of lung cancer owing to its favorable efficacy. Yet, the mechanism under the therapeutic effects remained unveiled, which has limited its clinical applications, and new drug development for lung cancer.Methods: The bioactive ingredients of AR and SH were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database, with the targets of obtained components predicted by Swiss Target Prediction. Genes related to lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) were acquired from GeneCards, OMIM and CTD databases, with the hub genes of LUAD screened by CTD database. The intersected targets of LUAD and AR-SH were obtained by Venn, with David Database employed to perform Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. Survival analysis of the hub genes of LUAD was carried out using TCGA-LUAD dataset. Molecular docking of core proteins and active ingredients was performed by Auto-Dock Vina software, followed by molecular dynamics simulations of protein-ligand complexes with well-docked conformations.Results: 29 active ingredients were screened out with 422 corresponding targets predicted. It is revealed that AR-SH can act on various targets such as EGFR, MAPK1, and KARS by ursolic acid (UA), Astragaloside IV(ASIV), and Isomucronulatol 7,2′-di-O-glucoside (IDOG) to alleviate the symptoms of LUAD. Biological processes involved are protein phosphorylation, negative regulation of apoptotic process, and pathways involved are endocrine resistance, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, PI3K-Akt, and HIF-1 pathway. Molecular docking analysis indicated that the binding energy of most of the screened active ingredients to proteins encoded by core genes was less than −5.6 kcal/mol, with some active ingredients showing even lower binding energy to EGFR than Gefitinib. Three ligand-receptor complexes including EGFR-UA, MAPK1-ASIV, and KRAS-IDOG were found to bind relatively stable by molecular dynamics simulation, which was consistent with the results of molecule docking.Conclusion: We suggested that the herb pair of AR-SH can act on targets like EGFR, MAPK1 and KRAS by UA, ASIV and IDOG, to play a vital role in the treatment and the enhancement of prognosis of LUAD

β-Arrestin2 Inhibits Expression of Inflammatory Cytokines in BEAS-2B Lung Epithelial Cells Treated with Cigarette Smoke Condensate via Inhibition of Autophagy

Background/Aims: β-arrestin2 has been shown to have a role in human inflammatory disease. However, the role of β-arrestin2 in cigarette smoke-induced inflammation in the lung remains unknown. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of β-arrestin2 on cigarette smoke condensate (CSC)-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines in the BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cell line in vitro, and the mechanisms involved. Methods: The MTT assay determined cell viability of cultured BEAS-2B cells. Autophagy was assessed by western blot, adenoviral mRFP-GFP-LC3 transfection, and immunofluorescence. The effects of β-arrestin2 shRNA knockdown were studied by western blot and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Western blot evaluated the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. Levels of inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 were measured in cell culture supernatants by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: CSC suppressed expression of β-arrestin2 in BEAS-2B cells, activated the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway, increased cell autophagy and the expression of IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1,pretreatment with the β-arrestin2 biased ligands, propranolol, and ICI118551 reversed these changes. Inhibition of autophagy reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines following CSC. Conclusion: In the human bronchial epithelial cell line, BEAS-2B, β-arrestin2 reduced the expression of CSC-induced inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting autophagy, most likely via the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway

Comparison of PET/CT and MRI in the Diagnosis of Bone Metastasis in Prostate Cancer Patients: A Network Analysis of Diagnostic Studies

Background: Accurate diagnosis of bone metastasis status of prostate cancer (PCa) is becoming increasingly more important in guiding local and systemic treatment. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have increasingly been utilized globally to assess the bone metastases in PCa. Our meta-analysis was a high-volume series in which the utility of PET/CT with different radioligands was compared to MRI with different parameters in this setting. Materials and Methods: Three databases, including Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library, were searched to retrieve original trials from their inception to August 31, 2019 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed by two independent investigators utilizing Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2). A Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed using an arm-based model. Absolute sensitivity and specificity, relative sensitivity and specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and superiority index, and their associated 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to assess the diagnostic value. Results: Forty-five studies with 2,843 patients and 4,263 lesions were identified. Network meta-analysis reveals that 68Ga-labeled prostate membrane antigen (68Ga-PSMA) PET/CT has the highest superiority index (7.30) with the sensitivity of 0.91 and specificity of 0.99, followed by 18F-NaF, 11C-choline, 18F-choline, 18F-fludeoxyglucose (FDG), and 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT. The use of high magnetic field strength, multisequence, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and more imaging planes will increase the diagnostic value of MRI for the detection of bone metastasis in prostate cancer patients. Where available, 3.0-T high-quality MRI approaches 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT was performed in the detection of bone metastasis on patient-based level (sensitivity, 0.94 vs. 0.91; specificity, 0.94 vs. 0.96; superiority index, 4.43 vs. 4.56). Conclusions: 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT is recommended for the diagnosis of bone metastasis in prostate cancer patients. Where available, 3.0-T high-quality MRI approaches 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT should be performed in the detection of bone metastasis

Willingness to accept monkeypox vaccine and its correlates among men who have sex with men in Southern China: a web-based online cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The May 2022 global outbreak of monkeypox (MPX) poses a threat to the health of men who have sex with men. However, there is limited data on the willingness of MSM to receive monkeypox vaccination in Southern China. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of MPX, concerns regarding MPX, and willingness to receive monkeypox vaccination, as well as their correlates, among MSM in China. METHODS: We conducted a Web-based online survey of MSM in Southern China from August to September 2022. Data were collected on the socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, worries, concerns regarding MPX and willingness to receive monkeypox vaccination. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to explore the factors associated with willingness to receive monkeypox vaccination. RESULTS: A total of 1903 participants completed the survey. Among them, approximately 69.9% reported being aware of MPX awareness, 94.1% of the participants supported the promotion of monkeypox vaccination. The majority of participants (91.4%) expressed their willingness to receive monkeypox vaccination. Participants who considered monkeypox vaccination safe [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 4.82, 95% CI: 1.35-17.18], agreed on the necessity of government promotion of monkeypox vaccination in China (aOR = 6.03, 95% CI: 1.07-33.93), believed in prioritizing monkeypox vaccination for MSM (aOR = 5.01, 95% CI: 1.10-22.71), and had friends or sexual partners who had already received the monkeypox or smallpox vaccination (aOR = 10.37, 95% CI: 2.11-50.99) are more likely to be vaccinated. Conversely, married individuals (aOR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.03-0.47), those engaging in anal sex 4-6 times per week in the past 3 months (aOR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.09-0.77) expressed hesitancy toward monkeypox vaccination. CONCLUSION: There was a high willingness to receive monkeypox vaccination among MSM in China. The hesitancy toward the monkeypox vaccine can be effectively mitigated by addressing concerns about its safety and potential adverse reactions. Moreover, increasing acceptance of the monkeypox vaccination among MSM and their peers is crucial, as social influence significantly impacts vaccine attitudes and behaviors

Advances in dynamic visual acuity test research

The dynamic visual acuity test (DVAT) is a functional evaluation tool for the impairment and compensation of the vestibular system, which could reflect the Vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function. We present an overview of DVAT research, displaying recent advances in test methods, application, and influencing factors; and discussing the clinical value of DVAT to provide a reference for clinical application. There are two primary types of DVAT: dynamic-object DVAT and static-object DVAT. For the latter, in addition to the traditional bedside DVAT, there are numerous other approaches, including Computerized DVAT (cDVAT), DVAT on a treadmill, DVAT on a rotary, head thrust DVA (htDVA) and functional head impulse testing (fHIT), gaze shift dynamic visual acuity with walking (gsDVA), translational dynamic visual acuity test (tDVAT), pediatric DVAT. The results of DAVT are affected by subject [occupation, static visual acuity (SVA), age, eyeglass lenses], testing methods, caffeine, and alcohol. DVAT has numerous clinical applications, such as screening for vestibular impairment, assessing vestibular rehabilitation, predicting fall risk, and evaluating ophthalmology-related disorders, vestibular disorders, and central system disorders

Analysis of the association between testosterone and cardiovascular disease potential risk factor apolipoprotein B in adult males without cancer: national health and nutrition examination survey 2011-2016

BackgroundOver the years, there has been extensive exploration of the association between testosterone and lipid profiles, yet the precise mechanisms underlying their interaction remain incompletely elucidated. Similarly, there is a dearth of research on the correlation between serum apolipoprotein B (apoB) and serum total testosterone (TT), particularly within specific populations.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the relationship between serum TT concentration and serum apoB concentration. Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2016, we employed weighted generalized linear models, weighted univariate, weighted multivariate analysis, and smooth curve fitting to assist in exploring the relationship between serum TT and apoB. Serum apoB concentration served as the independent variable, and serum TT concentration as the dependent variable. ApoB was divided into four quartiles—Q1 (<0.7g/L, N=691), Q2 (≥0.7g/L to <0.9g/L, N=710), Q3 (≥0.9g/L to <1.1g/L, N=696), and Q4 (≥1.1g/L, N=708)—thereby further solidifying the stable association between the two. Additionally, the application of smooth curve fitting will contribute to a more detailed elucidation of the specific relationship between serum TT concentration and serum apoB concentration under different factors (Drinking, Smoke, Diabetes, Hypertension, and High cholesterol level.).ResultsThe results indicate a negative correlation between serum TT concentration and apoB concentration (β=-113.4; 95% CI: -146.6, -80.2; P<0.001). After adjusting for confounding variables, the negative correlation between apoB concentration and TT concentration remains significant (β=-61.0; 95% CI: -116.7, -5.2; P=0.040). When apoB concentration was converted from a continuous variable to a categorical variable (quartiles: Q1<0.7g/L; Q2:≥0.7g/L to<0.9g/L; Q3:≥0.9g/L to <1.1g/L; Q4: ≥1.1g/L), TT level of participants in the highest quartile (≥1.1g/L) was -47.2 pg/mL (95% CI: -91.2, -3.3; P=0.045) lower than that in the lowest quartile (<0.7g/L). The smooth curve fitting diagram revealed differences in the relationship between TT concentration and apoB among individuals with different cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.ConclusionsThis study elucidates a robust inverse correlation between serum TT concentration and apoB concentration, maintaining statistical significance even upon adjustment for confounding factors. These findings present a promising avenue for addressing the prevention and treatment of low testosterone and CVD