Linear B-spline finite element method for the improved Boussinesq equation

In this paper, we develop and validate a numerical procedure for solving a class of initial boundary value problems for the improved Boussinesq equation. The finite element method with linear B-spline basis functions is used to discretize the nonlinear partial differential equation in space and derive a second order system involving only ordinary derivatives. It is shown that the coefficient matrix for the second order term in this system is invertible. Consequently, for the first time, the initial boundary value problem can be reduced to an explicit initial value problem to which many accurate numerical methods are readily applicable. Various examples are presented to validate this technique and demonstrate its capacity to simulate wave splitting, wave interaction and blow-up behavior

The Local and Global Existence of Solutions for a Generalized Camassa-Holm Equation

A nonlinear generalization of the Camassa-Holm equation is investigated. By making use of the pseudoparabolic regularization technique, its local well posedness in Sobolev space HS(R) with s>3/2 is established via a limiting procedure. Provided that the initial value u0 satisfies the sign condition and u0∈Hs(R)  (s>3/2), it is shown that there exists a unique global solution for the equation in space C([0,∞);Hs(R))∩C1([0,∞);Hs−1(R))

Genetic and Environmental Influences on Blood Pressure and Body Mass Index in the National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council World War II Veteran Twin Registry

Blood pressure (BP) and obesity phenotypes may covary due to shared genetic or environmental factors or both. Furthermore, it is possible that the heritability of BP differs according to obesity status-a form of GxE interaction. This hypothesis has never been tested in White twins. The present study included 15 924 White male twin pairs aged between 15 and 33 years from the National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council World War II Veteran Twin Registry. Systolic and diastolic BPs, as well as height and weight, were measured at the induction physical examination. Body mass index (BMI) was used as the index of general obesity. Quantitative genetic modeling was performed using Mx software. Univariate analysis showed that narrow sense heritabilities (95% CI) for systolic BP, diastolic BP, height, and BMI were 0.401 (0.381-0.420), 0.297 (0.280-0.320), 0.866 (0.836-0.897), and 0.639 (0.614-0.664), respectively. Positive phenotypic correlations of BMI with systolic BP (r=0.13) and diastolic BP (r=0.08) were largely due to genetic factors (70% and 86%, respectively). The gene-BMI interaction analysis did not show any support for a modifying effect of BMI on genetic and environmental influences of systolic BP and diastolic BP. Our results suggest that correlations between BP and BMI are mainly explained by common genes influencing both. Higher BMI levels have no influence on the penetrance of genetic vulnerability to elevated BP. These conclusions may prove valuable for gene-finding studies

The existence of global weak solutions for a weakly dissipative Camassa-Holm equation in H1(R)

The existence of global weak solutions to the Cauchy problem for a weakly dissipative Camassa-Holm equation is established in the space C([0,∞)×R)nL∞([0,∞);H1(R)) under the assumption that the initial value u 0 (x) only belongs to the space H 1 (R) . The limit of viscous approximations, a one-sided super bound estimate and a space-time higher-norm estimate for the equation are established to prove the existence of the global weak solution

Modeling Rett Syndrome Using TALEN-Edited MECP2 Mutant Cynomolgus Monkeys

Gene-editing technologies have made it feasible to create nonhuman primate models for human genetic disorders. Here, we report detailed genotypes and phenotypes of TALEN-edited MECP2 mutant cynomolgus monkeys serving as a model for a neurodevelopmental disorder, Rett syndrome (RTT), which is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the human MECP2 gene. Male mutant monkeys were embryonic lethal, reiterating that RTT is a disease of females. Through a battery of behavioral analyses, including primate-unique eye-tracking tests, in combination with brain imaging via MRI, we found a series of physiological, behavioral, and structural abnormalities resembling clinical manifestations of RTT. Moreover, blood transcriptome profiling revealed that mutant monkeys resembled RTT patients in immune gene dysregulation. Taken together, the stark similarity in phenotype and/or endophenotype between monkeys and patients suggested that gene-edited RTT founder monkeys would be of value for disease mechanistic studies as well as development of potential therapeutic interventions for RTT

AMS measurement of 53Mn and its initial application at CIAE

The determination of cosmogenic 53Mn in terrestrial archives has important applications, such as burial ages, exposure age and erosion rates. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is the most sensitive technique to detect minute amounts of 53Mn. 53Mn measurements were developed at the China Institute of Atomic nergy (CIAE) using the DE-Q3D equipped AMS system. This approach was recently optimized with the goal to reach the sensitivity required for AMS measurements of 53Mn in deep-sea ferromanganese crust (DSFC) samples. Based on these improvements of sample preparation, current beam transmission and so on, 53Mn in two samples of DSFC was measured by AMS. The ratios of 53Mn/Mn corresponding to an age of 3.77 ± 0.42 and 13.73 ± 2.74 Ma by 129I dating method are (5.01 ± 2.15) 10 13 and (1.90 ± 0.96) 10 13. The ratios are close to the experimental reference values, deduced from the previous research. The experimental progress, performances and results are presented in this contribution.This work was mainly supported by the National Natural Science Foundations of China (NSFC), under Grant No. 11075221, and a partly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos. 10705054, 41073044 and 11265005

Urban, semi-urban and rural difference in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Shaanxi province, northwestern China : a population-based survey

Background The ongoing rapid urbanization in China offers rural population opportunities not only for economic improvement but also for substantial health risks. Albeit some researches related to rural-urban difference of metabolic syndrome (MS), there lacks studies focusing on this point in undeveloped provinces in China. Methods The survey, as part of China National Diabetes and Metabolic disorders Study, was conducted in Shaanxi province from June 2007 to May 2008. A total of 3,297 adults aged 20 years or older were included, of which 1,467 individuals were from urban areas, 839 from semi-urban areas, and 890 from rural areas. The MS was defined according to the 2009 Joint Interim Statement. Results The age-standardized prevalence of MS was significant higher in rural residents than in urban counterparts (29.0% vs. 25.9%, P = 0.017), in particular among females (30.2% vs. 24.4%, P = 0.003). After adjusted for the listed risk factors, rural residents had a 27.6% increased risk of having MS than urban residents. With respect to MS components, the crude prevalence of raised fasting glucose and raised blood pressure was significantly greater in rural than in urban participants. However, no significant difference in the prevalence of MS was observed between semi-urban and urban participants. Conclusions Rural residents in Shaanxi province, northwest China, were at increased risk of MS, which could be partly explained by sociodemographic and lifestyle differences. In addition, the gap between urban and semi-urban areas seemed to be minimized in related to MS prevalence. Much more attention should be paid to and intervention strategies were needed to address the rural-urban disparities in China