Synchronization in the quaternionic Kuramoto model

In this paper, we propose an $N$ oscillators Kuramoto model with quaternions $\mathbb{H}$. In case the coupling strength is strong, a sufficient condition of synchronization is established for general $N\geqslant 2$. On the other hand, we analyze the case when the coupling strength is weak. For $N=2$, when coupling strength is weak (below the critical coupling strength $\lambda_c$), we show that new periodic orbits emerge near each equilibrium point, and hence phase-locking state exists. This phenomenon is different from the real Kuramoto system since it is impossible to arrive at any synchronization when $\lambda<\lambda_c$. A theorem is proved which states that the closed contours form a set of "Baumkuchen" that is dense near each equilibrium point. In other words, the trajectory of phase difference lies on a $4D$-torus surface. Therefore, this implies that the phase-locking state is Lyapunov stable but not asymptotically stable. The proof uses a new infinite buffer method ("$\delta/n$ criterion") and a Lyapunov function argument. This has been studied both analytically and numerically. For $N=3$, we consider Lion Dance flow, the analog of Cherry flow, to demonstrate that the quaternionic synchronization exists even when the coupling strength is "super weak" (when $\lambda/\omega 3$, the stable manifold of Lion Dance flow exists, and the number of these equilibria is $\lfloor \frac{N-1}{2}\rfloor$. Therefore, we conjecture that quaternionic synchronization always exists.Comment: 35 pages, 6 figure

Enhanced MRI and MRI-Guided Interventional Procedures in Women with Asymptomatic Silicone-Injected Breasts

Asymptomatic women who have received silicone injection for breast augmentation have a risk of underestimating breast cancer by palpation, mammography, or breast sonography. Enhanced breast MRI is sensitive to display certain nonspecific enhanced lesions or suspicious lesions. Such nonspecific MRI-detected lesions could be managed by American College Radiology BI-RADS lexicon and selectively with MRI-guided techniques biopsy to prevent unnecessary surgery

Characterizing First Arrival Position Channels: Noise Distribution and Capacity Analysis

This paper addresses two fundamental problems in diffusive molecular communication: characterizing the first arrival position (FAP) density and bounding the information transmission capacity of FAP channels. Previous studies on FAP channel models, mostly captured by the density function of noise, have been limited to specific spatial dimensions, drift directions, and receiver geometries. In response, we propose a unified solution for identifying the FAP density in molecular communication systems with fully-absorbing receivers. Leveraging stochastic analysis tools, we derive a concise expression with universal applicability, covering any spatial dimension, drift direction, and receiver shape. We demonstrate that several existing FAP density formulas are special cases of this innovative expression. Concurrently, we establish explicit upper and lower bounds on the capacity of three-dimensional, vertically-drifted FAP channels, drawing inspiration from vector Gaussian interference channels. In the course of deriving these bounds, we unravel an explicit analytical expression for the characteristic function of vertically-drifted FAP noise distributions, providing a more compact characterization compared to the density function. Notably, this expression sheds light on a previously undiscovered weak stability property intrinsic to vertically-drifted FAP noise distributions.Comment: 30 pages; 3 figures, 1 table; this paper is submitted to IEEE Transactions on Communication

An Impact Model for Experiential Activities of Farming and Food Education in Agricultural Sustainable Tourism

This paper examines the development, implementation, and implications of farming and food experiential activities and the effects of these activities on agricultural sustainable tourism. A model is proposed that examines the major correlates and possible impacts related to these variables. A heuristic inquiry research design was adopted, employing a major multiple case study approach. In addition to secondary data, primary data were collected through 18 interviews with farmers, customers, government employees, community leaders and scholars, as well as 132 quantitative surveys from tourists and visitors involved in the activities on site. The major cases of the Small Bee Project, Pitaya Tour and three other examples of farming and food education programs are introduced. Results show that farming and food educational experiences provide participants with more awareness of ecological sustainability, food safety, and a sense of sociability, as well as an appreciation of the linkages between farming and safe food. Farming and food education are still developing and need more promotion, training and support. More cooperation is desired among both the private and public sectors, as well as the local community. The local farmers could benefit from training to increase knowledge about the latest scientific advances and technology tools, adopt practices that are less harmful to the environment, reduce food contamination, build professional tours for farming and food education, and increase profits. This study concludes that a comprehensive farming and food education program includes farming experiences, nutrition, food safety, and environmental education about respecting sustainable development. The major correlates of farming and food educational experiences include positive attitudes towards green tourism and potential demands for authentic experiences and educational experiences in food safety. These correlates contribute to the perceived value of experiential activities in farming and food education. Further, possible impacts of these experiential education activities on participants in this type of agricultural sustainable tourism include more awareness of ecological sustainability and food safety

Aqua­dinitrato(quioxalino[2,3-f][1,10]phenanthroline)nickel(II) monohydrate

In the crystal of the title compound, [Ni(NO3)2(C18H10N4)(H2O)]·H2O, the NiII ion is coordinated in a distorted octahedral geometry by two N atoms of the 1,10-phenanthroline moiety of the ligand, three O atoms from two nitrate anions and an O atom from one water mol­ecule. O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the coordinated and the solvent water molecules and between these water molecules and the nitrate O atoms help to establish the crystal packing

Genomic sequencing and analyses of Lymantria xylina multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Outbreaks of the casuarina moth, <it>Lymantria xylina </it>Swinehoe (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), which is a very important forest pest in Taiwan, have occurred every five to 10 years. This moth has expanded its range of host plants to include more than 65 species of broadleaf trees. LyxyMNPV (<it>L. xylina </it>multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus) is highly virulent to the casuarina moth and has been investigated as a possible biopesticide for controlling this moth. LdMNPV-like virus has also been isolated from <it>Lymantria xylin</it>a larvae but LyxyMNPV was more virulent than LdMNPV-like virus both in NTU-LY and IPLB-LD-652Y cell lines. To better understand LyxyMNPV, the nucleotide sequence of the LyxyMNPV DNA genome was determined and analysed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The genome of LyxyMNPV consists of 156,344 bases, has a G+C content of 53.4% and contains 157 putative open reading frames (ORFs). The gene content and gene order of LyxyMNPV were similar to those of LdMNPV, with 151 ORFs identified as homologous to those reported in the LdMNPV genome. Two genes (Lyxy49 and Lyxy123) were homologous to other baculoviruses, and four unique LyxyMNPV ORFs (Lyxy11, Lyxy19, Lyxy130 and Lyxy131) were identified in the LyxyMNPV genome, including a <it>gag-like </it>gene that was not reported in baculoviruses. LdMNPV contains 23 ORFs that are absent in LyxyMNPV. Readily identifiable homologues of the gene <it>host range factor-1 </it>(<it>hrf-1</it>), which appears to be involved in the susceptibility of <it>L. dispar </it>to NPV infection, were not present in LyxyMNPV. Additionally, two putative <it>odv-e27 </it>homologues were identified in LyxyMNPV. The LyxyMNPV genome encoded 14 <it>bro </it>genes compared with 16 in LdMNPV, which occupied more than 8% of the LyxyMNPV genome. Thirteen homologous regions (<it>hr</it>s) were identified containing 48 repeated sequences composed of 30-bp imperfect palindromes. However, they differed in the relative positions, number of repeats and orientation in the genome compared to LdMNPV.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The gene parity plot analysis, percent identity of the gene homologues and a phylogenetic analysis suggested that LyxyMNPV is a Group II NPV that is most closely related to LdMNPV but with a highly distinct genomic organisation.</p

Effect of Tai Chi exercise for hypertension: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objectives: We designed this study to evaluate the effect of Tai Chi exercise for hypertension patients. Methods: RCTs designed to evaluate the effect of Tai Chi exercise for hypertension patients were searched from Science Direct, EBSCO, Pub Med, CNKI and Wanfang databases. Results: The meta-analysis found that (ATC) the SBP (WMD = 13.19 mmHg; 95%CI: 11.52 to 14.87; P < 0.0001) and DBP (WMD = 8.92 mmHg; 95% CI: 7.94 to 9.90; P< 0.0001) can be significantly reduced after Tai Chi exercise compared to before Tai Chi exercise (BTC). ATC significantly improved the content of NO (WMD =−7.98mmol/L; 95%CI: −10.63 to −5.33; P < 0.0001), and decreased the content of TG (WMD =0.22mmol/ml; 95%CI: 0.06 to 0.38; P =0.006) and LDL-C (WMD =0.20mmol/ml; 95%CI: 0.13 to 0.26; P < 0.0001). There was no obvious difference between ATC and BTC on HR (WMD = 1.64; 95%CI: −0.51 to 3.97; P =0.14), TC (WMD = −0.03mmol/ml; 95%CI: −0.22 to 0.17; P =0.80) and HDL-C (WMD =−0.04 mmol/ml; 95%CI: −0.09 to 0.01; P =0.13). Conclusions: As a valid treatment for hypertension patients, Tai Chi exercise can decrease SBP, DBP, TG, LDL-C and increase NO

Associations of obesity and malnutrition with cardiac remodeling and cardiovascular outcomes in Asian adults:A cohort study

BackgroundObesity, a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and heart failure (HF), is associated with adverse cardiac remodeling in the general population. Little is known about how nutritional status modifies the relationship between obesity and outcomes. We aimed to investigate the association of obesity and nutritional status with clinical characteristics, echocardiographic changes, and clinical outcomes in the general community.Methods and findingsWe examined 5,300 consecutive asymptomatic Asian participants who were prospectively recruited in a cardiovascular health screening program (mean age 49.6 ± 11.4 years, 64.8% male) between June 2009 to December 2012. Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were described in participants, stratified by combined subgroups of obesity and nutritional status. Obesity was indexed by body mass index (BMI) (low, ≤25 kg/m2 [lean]; high, >25 kg/m2 [obese]) (WHO-recommended Asian cutoffs). Nutritional status was defined primarily by serum albumin (SA) concentration (low, ConclusionsIn our cohort study among asymptomatic community-based adults in Taiwan, we found that obese individuals with poor nutritional status have the highest comorbidity burden, the most adverse cardiac remodeling, and the least favorable composite outcome

Visfatin mediates malignant behaviors through adipose-derived stem cells intermediary in breast cancer

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have been implicated in tumor growth and metastasis in breast cancer. ADSCs exhibit tumor tropism, and are of increasing clinical relevance due to the autologous fat grafting for breast reconstruction. Although we have previously shown that a high level of the adipocytokine visfatin in human breast cancer tissues correlated with tumor progression mediated by cAbl and STAT3, the effects of visfatin in the tumor microenvironment are unclear. To understand how visfatin modulates breast cancer within the tumor-stromal environment, we examined determinants of breast cancer progression using a visfatin-primed ADSCs-tumor co-culture model. ADSCs were isolated from tumor-free adipose tissue adjacent to breast tumors. ADSCs were treated with or without visfatin for 48 h and then collected for co-culture with breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 for 72 h in a transwell system. We found that the MDA-MB-231 cells co-cultured with visfatin-treated ADSCs (vADSCs) had higher levels of cell viability, anchorage independent growth, migration, invasion, and tumorsphere formation than that co-cultured with untreated ADSCs (uADSCs). Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) upregulation was found in the co-culture conditioned medium, with GDF15 neutralizing antibody blocking the promoting effect on MDA-MB-231 in co-culture. In addition, a GDF15-induced AKT pathway was found in MDA-MB-231 and treatment with PI3K/AKT inhibitor also reversed the promoting effect. In an orthotopic xenograft mouse model, MDA-MB-231 co-injected with vADSCs formed a larger tumor mass than with uADSCs. Positive correlations were noted between visfatin, GDF15, and phosphor-AKT expressions in human breast cancer specimens. In conclusion, visfatin activated GDF15-AKT pathway mediated via ADSCs to facilitate breast cancer progression