Klapálek’s Kamimuria (Plecoptera: Perlidae) types in the National Museum Prague

Three species of the genus Kamimuria Klapálek, 1907 are redescribed or a complementary description is provided on the basis of specimens kept in the National Museum Prague (NMP): male, female and egg of K. fulvescens Klapálek, 1912 is redescribed from syntypes, the male of K. lepida Klapálek, 1913 is redescribed on the basis of original specimen. Also, a complementary description based on the holotype of K. similis is provided. Furthermore, comments are provided on the basis of type or original specimens of the nine additional Kamimuria taxa that can be found in the NMP. Distribution area of the genus is discussed and depicted on a map

Discrete-Time Indefinite Stochastic Linear Quadratic Optimal Control with Second Moment Constraints

This paper studies the discrete-time stochastic linear quadratic (LQ) problem with a second moment constraint on the terminal state, where the weighting matrices in the cost functional are allowed to be indefinite. By means of the matrix Lagrange theorem, a new class of generalized difference Riccati equations (GDREs) is introduced. It is shown that the well-posedness, and the attainability of the LQ problem and the solvability of the GDREs are equivalent to each other

Nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulation: An approach based on quantum measurement picture

Mixed-quantum-classical molecular dynamics simulation implies an effective measurement on the electronic states owing to continuously tracking the atomic forces.Based on this insight, we propose a quantum trajectory mean-field approach for nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulations. The new protocol provides a natural interface between the separate quantum and classical treatments, without invoking artificial surface hopping algorithm. Moreover, it also bridges two widely adopted nonadiabatic dynamics methods, the Ehrenfest mean-field theory and the trajectory surface-hopping method. Excellent agreement with the exact results is illustrated with representative model systems, including the challenging ones for traditional methods

H

This paper discusses the H- index problem for stochastic linear discrete-time systems. A necessary and sufficient condition of H- index is given for such systems in finite horizon. It is proved that when the H- index is greater than a given value, the feasibility of H- index is equivalent to the solvability of a constrained difference equation. The above result can be applied to the fault detection observer design. Finally, some examples are presented to illustrate the proposed theoretical results

Intensity Mapping Functions For HDR Panorama Imaging: Weighted Histogram Averaging

It is challenging to stitch multiple images with different exposures due to possible color distortion and loss of details in the brightest and darkest regions of input images. In this paper, a novel intensity mapping algorithm is first proposed by introducing a new concept of weighted histogram averaging (WHA). The proposed WHA algorithm leverages the correspondence between the histogram bins of two images which are built up by using the non-decreasing property of the intensity mapping functions (IMFs). The WHA algorithm is then adopted to synthesize a set of differently exposed panorama images. The intermediate panorama images are finally fused via a state-of-the-art multi-scale exposure fusion (MEF) algorithm to produce the final panorama image. Extensive experiments indicate that the proposed WHA algorithm significantly surpasses the related state-of-the-art intensity mapping methods. The proposed high dynamic range (HDR) stitching algorithm also preserves details in the brightest and darkest regions of the input images well. The related materials will be publicly accessible at https://github.com/yilun-xu/WHA for reproducible research.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure

Methylene blue reduces the serum levels of interleukin-6 and inhibits STAT3 activation in the brain and the skin of lipopolysaccharide-administered mice

It is valuable to search for novel and economical agents for inhibiting STAT3 activation and blocking increases in IL-6 levels, due to the important roles of STAT3 and IL-6 in inflammation. Since Methylene Blue (MB) has shown therapeutical potential for multiple diseases, it has become increasingly important to investigate the mechanisms underlying the effects of MB on inflammation. Using a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the effects of MB on inflammation, obtaining the following findings: First, MB administration attenuated the LPS-induced increases in the serum levels of IL-6; second, MB administration attenuated LPS-induced STAT3 activation of the brain; and third, MB administration attenuated LPS-induced STAT3 activation of the skin. Collectively, our study has suggested that MB administration can decrease the levels of IL-6 and STAT3 activation - two important factors in inflammation. Since MB is a clinically used and relatively economical drug, our findings have suggested therapeutic potential of MB for multiple inflammation-associated diseases due to its effects on STAT3 activation and IL-6 levels

Mechanical Design and Kinematic Modeling of a Cable-Driven Arm Exoskeleton Incorporating Inaccurate Human Limb Anthropomorphic Parameters

Compared with conventional exoskeletons with rigid links, cable-driven upper-limb exoskeletons are light weight and have simple structures. However, cable-driven exoskeletons rely heavily on the human skeletal system for support. Kinematic modeling and control thus becomes very challenging due to inaccurate anthropomorphic parameters and flexible attachments. In this paper, the mechanical design of a cable-driven arm rehabilitation exoskeleton is proposed to accommodate human limbs of different sizes and shapes. A novel arm cuff able to adapt to the contours of human upper limbs is designed. This has given rise to an exoskeleton which reduces the uncertainties caused by instabilities between the exoskeleton and the human arm. A kinematic model of the exoskeleton is further developed by considering the inaccuracies of human-arm skeleton kinematics and attachment errors of the exoskeleton. A parameter identification method is used to improve the accuracy of the kinematic model. The developed kinematic model is finally tested with a primary experiment with an exoskeleton prototype

A new species of Cryptoperla Needham, 1909 (Plecoptera: Peltoperlidae) from Guangxi of China, based on male, female, and larval stage

Li, Weihai, Murányi, Dávid (2018): A new species of Cryptoperla Needham, 1909 (Plecoptera: Peltoperlidae) from Guangxi of China, based on male, female, and larval stage. Zootaxa 4455 (1): 177-188, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4455.1.

On the identity of some Oriental Acroneuriinae taxa (Plecoptera: Perlidae), with an annotated checklist of the subfamily in the realm.

The monotypic Taiwanese genus Mesoperla Klapálek, 1913 is redescribed on the basis of a male syntype specimen, and its affinities are re-evalu ated. The single female type specimen of further two Oriental monotypic genera, Kalidasia Klapálek, 1914 and Nirvania Klapálek, 1914, are confirmed to be lost or destroyed respectively; both genera are considered as nomina dubi a. The Sichuan endemic Acroneuria grahami Wu & Claassen, 1934 is redescribed on the basis of male holotype. Distinctive characters of the genus Brahmana Klapálek, 1914 consisting of five, inadequately known Oriental species are discussed. Flavoperla needhami (Klapálek, 1916) and Sinacroneuria sinica (Yang & Yang, 1998) comb. novae are suggested for an Indian species originally described in Gibosia Okamoto, 1912 and a Chinese species originally described in Acroneuria Pictet, 1841. At present, 62 species of Acroneuriinae, classified in 10 valid genera are reported from the Oriental Realm but 29 species are inadequa tely known. A key is presented to dis tinguish males of the Asian Acroneuriinae genera. Asian distribution of each gene ra are detailed and depicted on a map