Wedge modules for two-parameter quantum groups

The Yang-Baxterization R(z) of the trigonometric R-matrix is computed for the two-parameter quantum affine algebra of type A. Using the fusion procedure we construct all fundamental representations of the quantum algebra as wedge products of the natural representation.Comment: Updated versio

Quantity and quality of China's water from demand perspectives

China is confronted with an unprecedented water crisis regarding its quantity and quality. In this study, we quantified the dynamics of China's embodied water use and chemical oxygen demand (COD) discharge from 2010 to 2015. The analysis was conducted with the latest available water use data across sectors in primary, secondary and tertiary industries and input-output models. The results showed that (1) China's water crisis was alleviated under urbanisation. Urban consumption occupied the largest percentages (over 30%) of embodied water use and COD discharge, but embodied water intensities in urban consumption were far lower than those in rural consumption. (2) The 'new normal' phase witnessed the optimisation of China's water use structures. Embodied water use in light-manufacturing and tertiary sectors increased while those in heavy-manufacturing sectors (except chemicals and transport equipment) dropped. (3) Transformation of China's international market brought positive effects on its domestic water use. China's water use (116-80 billion tonnes (Bts))9 and COD discharge (3.95-2.22 million tonnes (Mts)) embodied in export tremendously decreased while its total export values (11-25 trillion CNY) soared. Furthermore, embodied water use and COD discharge in relatively low-end sectors, such as textile, started to transfer from international to domestic markets when a part of China's production activities had been relocated to other developing countries

A High-Temperature-Resistant Inorganic Matrix for Concrete Structures Enhanced by Fiber-Reinforced Polymer

This paper probed deep into a high-temperature resistant inorganic matrix: alkali-activated slag cement (AASC), which is a kind of cementitious material prepared by alkali-activator and pozzolanic or latent hydraulic material. Firstly, the mix ratio of the AASC was optimized to improve the wettability and mechanical properties. Then, the effects of the adhesive matrix and the type of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) were observed through FRP-to-concrete bond tests on 93 specimens. The test results, coupled with anchorage analysis, indicate that the AASC has comparable reinforcing effects as those of organic epoxy matrix; the anchorage length of FRP sheets has a significant influence on the failure behavior and failure mode of FRP-enhanced concrete structures. In addition, our tests prove that the AASC has favorable high-temperature resistance and bonding effects. The research results provide a good reference for the design and application of inorganic matrix for FRP-enhancement of concrete structures

Automatic detection of epileptic slow-waves in EEG based on empirical mode decomposition and wavelet transform

Slow-wave is one of the most typical epileptic activities in EEGs and plays an important role in the diagnosis of disorders related to epilepsy in clinic. However artifacts such as blinking resemble slow-waves in shape and confuse slow-wave detection. Thus, differentiating and removing these artifacts are of great importance in slow-wave detection. In this paper, we propose an improved slow-wave detection algorithm based on discrete wavelet transform (DWT) that specially concerns on removal of blinking artifact (BA). EMD that can break down a complicated signal without a basis function such as sine or wavelet functions is used to decompose EEG. Two intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) which have BA’s characteristic are extracted. Then, we compute the similarity between original EEG and the combination of IMFs for identifying BA. Regression method is used to remove influence of BA from all channels. Finally, improved DWT is employed to detect slow-waves. We employ this method to clinical data and results show that the average false detection rate of the improved method is much lower than that of the traditional DWT method

Ovarian Hormonal Change-Related Energy Metabolism and Obesity in Menopausal Women

Obesity and its related severe consequences have been a major public health problem worldwide. A significant weight gain and intra-abdominal adipose tissue accumulation are observed as women begin the menopausal transition. A number of clinical and basic research indicate that ovarian hormone may play a crucial role. However, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. In this chapter, we aim to systematically review the literature in the influences of ovarian hormone on the physiology of lipid and glucose metabolism, obesity-related hormone, and the regulation of body weight by the dietary intake, feeding behavior. A variety of research modalities have been used to explore the effects of MHT in perimenopausal women. Hence, we will also summarize the latest progress of MHT use on the effect of body mass, body fat redistribution, and insulin resistance, which lead to protective cardiometabolic effects

Ignored adult primary hypothyroidism presenting chiefly with persistent ovarian cysts: a need for increased awareness

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ovarian cysts are a common cause for gynecological surgery. However, some cysts are a direct result of endocrine disorders and do not require surgery. This report describes an unusual case in which persistent ovarian cysts are associated with primary hypothyroidism in a young woman. The data were collected by history-taking, physical examination, laboratory tests, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and a histo-pathological study. In addition, the exons of the gene encoding the human follicle-stimulating hormone receptor were sequenced.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The patient had markedly elevated levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone and an enlarged pituitary gland. After treatment with thyroid hormone replacement, regression of the enlarged pituitary and the ovarian cysts was observed. The possible mechanisms of the pathophysiology are discussed below.</p> <p>Summary</p> <p>It is necessary to consider hypothyroidism and other endocrine disorders in the differential diagnosis of adult patients with ovarian multiple cyst formation in order to prevent inadvertent ovarian surgery.</p