Global solution for massive Maxwell-Klein-Gordon equations

We derive the asymptotic properties of the mMKG system (Maxwell coupled with a massive Klein-Gordon scalar field), in the exterior of the domain of influence of a compact set. This complements the previous well known results, restricted to compactly supported initial conditions, based on the so called hyperboloidal method. That method takes advantage of the commutation properties of the Maxwell and Klein Gordon with the generators of the Poincar\'e group to resolve the difficulties caused by the fact that they have, separately, different asymptotic properties. Though the hyperboloidal method is very robust and applies well to other related systems it has the well known drawback that it requires compactly supported data. In this paper we remove this limitation based on a further extension of the vector-field method adapted to the exterior region. Our method applies, in particular, to nontrivial charges. The full problem could then be treated by patching together the new estimates in the exterior with the hyperboloidal ones in the interior. This purely physical space approach introduced here maintains the robust properties of the old method and can thus be applied to other situations such as the coupled Einstein Klein-Gordon equation

A systematic review on sustainability assessment of internal combustion engines

Internal combustion engines (ICEs) have served as the primary powertrain for mobile sources since the 1890s and also recognized as significant contributors to CO2 emissions in the transportation sector. In order to achieve "carbon neutrality" for transportation sectors, ICE vehicles (ICEVs) are facing substantial challenges in meeting CO2 regulations and intense competition from battery electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles. Consequently, new technologies of ICEs are continually emerging to enhance competitiveness in reducing environmental impacts. However, the limited studies on the life cycle assessment (LCA) of ICEs make it difficult to evaluate the actual contributions of the emerging technologies from a life cycle perspective. Conducting a systematic review of ICEs LCA studies could identify weaknesses and gaps in these studies for new scenarios. Therefore, this article presents the first systematic review of the LCA of ICEs to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge. A total of 87 life cycle assessment studies between 2017 and 2023 using the Scopus database were identified after searching for the keywords "Sustainability assessment" OR "Life cycle assessment" AND "Internal combustion engine*" OR "ICE*" and carefully screening, and then classified and analyzed by six aspects including sustainability indicators, life cycle phases, life cycle inventories, ICE technologies (including alternative fuels), types of mobile sources and powertrain systems. It is concluded that there are quite limited studies solely focusing on LCA of ICEs, and the LCA assessment lacks consideration of: 1. environmental pollution, human health and socio-economic aspects, 2. fuel production process and maintenance & repair phase, 3. small and developing countries, 4. the emerging ICE technologies and zero carbon/carbon-neutral fuels, 5. large and high-power mobile sources and heavy-duty hybrid technologies

Analysis on the Correlation Degree between the Driver’s Reaction Ability and Physiological Parameters

In this paper, the correlation degree between driver’s reaction time and the physiological signal is analyzed. For this purpose, a large number of road experiments are performed using the biopac and the reaction time test systems to collect data. First, the electroencephalograph (EEG) signal is processed by using the fast Fourier and the inverse Fourier transforms. Then, the power spectrum densities (PSD) of α, β, δ, and EEG wave are calculated by Welch procedure. The average power of the power spectrum of α, β, and θ is calculated by the biopac software and two ratio formulas, (α+θ)/β and α/β, are selected to be the impact factors. After that the heart rate and the standard deviation of RR interval are calculated from the electrocardiograph (ECG) signal. Lastly, the correlation degree between the eight impact factors and the reaction time are analyzed based on the grey correlation analysis. The results demonstrate that α/β has the greatest correlation to the reaction time except EEG-PSD. Furthermore, two mathematical models for the reaction time-driving time and the α/β-driving time are developed based on the Gaussian function. These mathematical models are then finally used to establish the functional relation of α/β-the reaction time

Chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 expression are associated with perineural invasion of prostate cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>To identify the roles of CXCL12 and CXCR4 and the associated mechanism involved in perineural invasion of prostate cancer.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The distribution and expression of CXCL12, CXCR4, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in human prostate cancer and in tumor cells invading nerve tissue were studied with immunohistochemical staining. The effects of exogenous CXCL12 and CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 on PC3 prostate cancer cells invasiveness were assessed in vitro and in vivo.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The expression of CXCL12, CXCR4, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in human prostate cancer were higher than those in hyperplastic prostate tissues (<it>P </it>< 0.05). In vitro CXCL12 could stimulate the PC3 cells invasiveness (<it>P </it>< 0.05) while AMD3100 could inhibit invasiveness. In vivo, the number of nerves around the tumor tissue in the group treated with CXCL12 was significantly higher than that found in the control group (<it>P </it>< 0.05). Both the control group and the CXCL12-treated group had more nerves number near the tumor tissue than it found in the AMD3100-treated group. The positive cell number of CXCL12, CXCR4, MMP-2, MMP-9, and NGF expression ranked from highest to lowest, were the CXCL12-treated, the control, and the AMD3100-treated group(<it>P </it>< 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 along with MMP-2 and MMP-9 are related with prostate cancer perineural invasion.</p

Path Integral Treatment of Proton Transport Processes in BaZrO3

Nuclear quantum effects on proton transfer and reorientation in BaZrO3 is investigated theoretically using the ab initio path-integral molecular-dynamics simulation technique. The result demonstrates that adding quantum fluctuations has a large effect on, in particular, the transfer barrier. The corresponding rates and diffusion coefficient are evaluated using the path-centroid transition state theory. In contrast with what is found assuming classical mechanics for the nuclear motion, the reorientation step becomes rate limiting below 600 K

Beneficial Evaluation of Residential Dual Water Supply System

The scientific development and utilization of regional unconventional water resources and the implementation of high-quality water supply at the county level is beneficial both in the water resources allocation and the water shortage alleviation. It is also important in improving the human society as well as protecting the ecological environment, which shows significant economic, social and environmental benefits. The beneficial evaluation analysis of the development and utilization of regional unconventional water resources and the potential of dual water supply are conducted in this study. The reasonable beneficial evaluation of the utilization of unconventional water resources and regional dual water supply system are of great significance to the regional effective water sources allocation and water supply method

Cellular immune responses in patients with hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance induced by antiviral therapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The mechanisms by which chronic hepatitis B is completely resolved through antiviral therapy are unknown, and the contribution of acquired T cell immunity to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance has not been investigated. Therefore, we measured the T-cell responses to core and envelope antigens in patients with HBsAg seroclearance.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fourteen subjects with HBsAg seroclearance following antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B, 7 HBeAg-positive immunotolerant HBV carriers and 9 HBeAg-negative inactive HBsAg carriers were recruited. HBV-specific T-cell responses to recombinant HBV core (rHBcAg) and envelope (rHBsAg) proteins and pools of core and envelope peptides were measured using an ELISPOT assay detecting interferon-gamma and intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) assays detecting interferon-gamma or interleukin 2.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Interferon-gamma ELISPOT assays showed a low frequency of weak responses to the rHBsAg and S peptide pool in the HBsAg seroclearance group, and the response frequency to the rHBcAg and the C peptide pool was higher than to the rHBsAg (<it>P </it>< 0.001) and S peptide pool (<it>P </it>= 0.001) respectively. A higher response frequency to C than S peptide pools was confirmed in the interferon-gamma ICS assays for both CD4+ (<it>P </it>= 0.033) and CD8+ (<it>P </it>= 0.040) T cells in the HBsAg seroclearance group. The responses to C and S antigens in the inactive carriers were similar.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>There was a low frequency of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell immune responses to envelope antigens in Chinese subjects with HBsAg seroclearance following antiviral therapy. It is unlikely that these immune responses are responsible for HBsAg seroclearance in these subjects.</p

Non-invasive methods to evaluate liver fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease that is strongly related to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, and it has become the most common liver disorder in developed countries. NAFLD embraces the full pathological process of three conditions: steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and finally, cirrhosis. As NAFLD progresses, symptoms will become increasingly severe as fibrosis develops. Therefore, evaluating the fibrosis stage is crucial for patients with NAFLD. A liver biopsy is currently considered the gold standard for staging fibrosis. However, due to the limitations of liver biopsy, non-invasive alternatives were extensively studied and validated in patients with NAFLD. The advantages of non-invasive methods include their high safety and convenience compared with other invasive approaches. This review introduces the non-invasive methods, summarizes their benefits and limitations, and assesses their diagnostic performance for NAFLD-induced fibrosis