Projective synchronization analysis for BAM neural networks with time-varying delay via novel control

In this paper, the projective synchronization of BAM neural networks with time-varying delays is studied. Firstly, a type of novel adaptive controller is introduced for the considered neural networks, which can achieve projective synchronization. Then, based on the adaptive controller, some novel and useful conditions are obtained to ensure the projective synchronization of considered neural networks. To our knowledge, different from other forms of synchronization, projective synchronization is more suitable to clearly represent the nonlinear systems’ fragile nature. Besides, we solve the projective synchronization problem between two different chaotic BAM neural networks, while most of the existing works only concerned with the projective synchronization chaotic systems with the same topologies. Compared with the controllers in previous papers, the designed controllers in this paper do not require any activation functions during the application process. Finally, an example is provided to show the effectiveness of the theoretical results

The upper and lower solution method for a class of singular nonlinear second order three-point boundary value problems

AbstractIn this paper we develop the upper and lower solution method and the monotone iterative technique for a class of singular nonlinear second order three-point boundary value problems. A maximum principle is established and some new existence results are obtained

An Empirical Study on the Intercultural Communicative Competence of Chinese EFL College Students

Through a questionnaire survey of 100 English majors and non-English majors in North China Electric Power University, this study explores the intercultural communicative competence (ICC) of Chinese EFL students at the tertiary level. The questions in the questionnaire are designed around three key points concerning the ICC: intercultural knowledge, intercultural awareness and ICC. The correlation between the ICC, the academic achievement, and other relevant factors has been examined. The results of the data analysis show that: (1) all students have a considerable amount of intercultural knowledge, have developed keen awareness of cultural differences, and are equipped with a relatively high level of ICC; (2) there is a positive correlation between their academic achievements and their ICC; (3) factors of international experience, gender and major have some effects on students’ ICC. Students with international experience tend to have a better intercultural performance, and so do the female students and English majors. Keywords: intercultural communicative competence, intercultural knowledge, intercultural awareness, Chinese EFL college student

The Effect of Different Presentations on English Words Retention of Chinese Learners of English

The authors of the present paper carried out some experiments of different presentations of English words (context, image and semantic field) so as to observe the effects of different presentations upon the memory retention of Chinese learners of English. The subjects of the experiments were 36 non-English majors from North China Electric Power University. The words used in the experiments were 45 English words selected from the glossary in the Band Eight Syllabus for English Majors, published by the Ministry of Education. The data from the experiments were mainly obtained through one immediate test and two delayed tests. After the experiments, the researchers interviewed several subjects to gain more feedback and further information. The results of the study show that image presentation is the most effective on short-term memory, and that context presentation is the most effective on long-term memory. Keywords: English words; presentation; image; context; semantic field; effect; Chinese learners of Englis

Hemodialysis catheter-related infection caused by Pannonibacter phragmitetus: a rare case report in China

Pannonibacter phragmitetus (P. phragmitetus) is rarely related with human disease. We reported a case of catheter-related infection caused by P. phragmitetus in a 68-year-old woman on hemodialysis. The patient developed recurrent fever during hemodialysis and blood cultures were positive for P. phragmitetus. The patient’s body temperature returned to normal after intravenous cefoperazone/sulbactam treatment, and the hemodialysis catheter was locked with gentamicin and urokinase. The potential anti-infective treatment against P. phragmitetus was discussed

Effects of a dietary supplement on inflammatory marker expression in middle-aged and elderly hypertensive patients

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to explore the effects of diet on the inflammatory response in middle-aged and elderly people with hypertension. METHODS: Thirty overweight or obese patients with stage one hypertension (age range, 45-75 years) were allocated to either the intervention or control group (n=15 per group; age- and sex-matched). Patients in the intervention group consumed a food powder supplement (100 g) instead of a regular meal. The control group maintained their normal dietary habits. This study lasted for six weeks. Blood pressure, inflammatory marker levels, and energy intake were measured before and after the study. RESULTS: After 6 weeks, the diet composition of the intervention group changed significantly (po0.05). The intake of proteins, dietary fibre, monounsaturated fat, and polyunsaturated fat increased significantly (po0.05), while the total energy intake trended towards an increase (p40.05). In the control group, the total energy intake decreased significantly (po0.05). The levels of nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) decreased, and adiponectin increased significantly in the intervention group (po0.05); however, no significant changes were observed in the inflammatory marker levels of the control group. In the intervention group, systolic blood pressure decreased significantly (po0.05), and diastolic blood pressure also exhibited a decreasing trend. No significant change in blood pressure was observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: The consumption of a food powder supplement can improve diet composition, decrease blood pressure and reduce inflammation in middle-aged and elderly overweight or obese hypertensive patients. The food powder supplement may also have an anti-atherosclerotic effect in hypertensive patients

Exploring the link: magnesium intake and hepatic steatosis in Americans

PurposeThe connection between magnesium and hepatic steatosis has not been well-studied. This study aimed to explore the link between magnesium intake and hepatic steatosis, utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017–2020.Materials and methodsThe analysis included 5,935 participants, excluding individuals with hepatitis infection or substantial alcohol consumption. Magnesium intake assessment was based on 24-h dietary recalls. Hepatic steatosis evaluation employed the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), measured via transient elastography. Multivariate regression and subgroup analyses were conducted to scrutinize the relationship between magnesium intake and CAP values.ResultsA higher magnesium intake was associated with lower CAP values, after adjusting for potential confounders. Subgroup analyses indicated an inverted U-shaped correlation between magnesium intake and CAP in women, White people, and non-hypertensive individuals, with respective inflection points at 126, 124.5, and 125 mg/day, respectively. Below these thresholds, a higher magnesium intake correlated with increased CAP values, while above these points, it was associated with decreased CAP.ConclusionThis extensive population-based study indicates an inverse relationship between magnesium intake and hepatic steatosis in Americans. This relationship displays an inverted U-curve, varying before and after specified inflection points in women, White people, and non-hypertensive individuals. These findings offer insights into tailored magnesium supplementation strategies for preventing and treating liver steatosis, based on gender and ethnicity

Diagnosis and phylogenetic analysis of Orf virus from goats in China: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Orf virus (ORFV) is the etiological agent of contagious pustular dermatitis and is the prototype of the genus Parapoxvirus (PPV). It causes a severe exanthematous dermatitis that afflicts domestic and wild small ruminants.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>In the present study, an outbreak of proliferative dermatitis in farmed goats. The presence of ORFV in tissue scrapings from the lips was confirmed by B2L gene polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The molecular characterization of the ORFV was performed using PCR amplification, DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the B2L gene.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results of this investigation indicated that the outbreak was caused by infection with an ORFV that was closely related genetically to Nantou (DQ934351), which was isolated from the Tai wan province of China and Hoping (EU935106), which originated from South Korea in 2008. This is the first report of the phylogenetic analysis of ORFV from goats in China.</p

Fluctuation of primary motor cortex excitability during cataplexy in narcolepsy

Objective Cataplexy is a complicated and dynamic process in narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) patients. This study aimed to clarify the distinct stages during a cataplectic attack and identify the changes of the primary motor cortex (PMC) excitability during these stages. Methods Thirty-five patients with NT1 and 29 healthy controls were recruited to this study. Cataplectic stages were distinguished from a cataplectic attack by video-polysomnogram monitoring. Transcranial magnetic stimulation motor-evoked potential (TMS-MEP) was performed to measure the excitability of PMC during quiet wakefulness, laughter without cataplexy, and each cataplectic stage. Results Based on the video and electromyogram observations, a typical cataplectic attack (CA) process is divided into four stages: triggering (CA1), resisting (CA2), atonic (CA3), and recovering stages (CA4). Compared with healthy controls, NT1 patients showed significantly decreased intracortical facilitation during quiet wakefulness. During the laughter stage, both patients and controls showed increased MEP amplitude compared with quiet wakefulness. The MEP amplitude significantly increased even higher in CA1 and 2, and then dramatically decreased in CA3 accompanied with prolonged MEP latency compared with the laughter stage and quiet wakefulness. The MEP amplitude and latency gradually recovered during CA4. Interpretation This study identifies four stages during cataplectic attack and reveals the existence of a resisting stage that might change the process of cataplexy. The fluctuation of MEP amplitude and MEP latency shows a potential participation of PMC and motor control pathway during cataplexy, and the increased MEP amplitude during CA1 and 2 strongly implies a compensatory mechanism in motor control that may resist or avoid cataplectic attack

Self-Lubricating Polytetrafluoroethylene/Polyimide Blends Reinforced with Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

ZnO nanoparticle reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene/polyimide (PTFE/PI) nanocomposites were prepared and their corresponding tribological and mechanical properties were studied in this work. The influences of ZnO loading, sliding load, and velocity on the tribological properties of ZnO/PTFE/PI nanocomposites were systematically investigated. Results reveal that nanocomposites reinforced with 3 wt% ZnO exhibit the optimal tribological and mechanical properties. Specifically, the wear loss decreased by 20% after incorporating 3 wt% ZnO compared to unfilled PTFE/PI. Meanwhile, the impact strength, tensile strength, and elongation-at-break of 3 wt% ZnO/PTFE/PI nanocomposite are enhanced by 85, 5, and 10% compared to pure PTFE/PI blend. Microstructure investigation reveals that ZnO nanoparticles facilitate the formation of continuous, uniform, and smooth transfer film and thus reduce the adhesive wear of PTFE/PI