Dual Actions for Born-Infeld and Dp-Brane Theories

Dual actions with respect to U(1) gauge fields for Born-Infeld and $Dp$-brane theories are reexamined. Taking into account an additional condition, i.e. a corollary to the field equation of the auxiliary metric, one obtains an alternative dual action that does not involve the infinite power series in the auxiliary metric given by ref. \cite{s14}, but just picks out the first term from the series formally. New effective interactions of the theories are revealed. That is, the new dual action gives rise to an effective interaction in terms of one interaction term rather than infinite terms of different (higher) orders of interactions physically. However, the price paid for eliminating the infinite power series is that the new action is not quadratic but highly nonlinear in the Hodge dual of a $(p-1)$-form field strength. This non-linearity is inevitable to the requirement the two dual actions are equivalent.Comment: v1: 11 pages, no figures; v2: explanation of effective interactions added; v3: concision made; v4: minor modification mad

MHR-Net: Multiple-Hypothesis Reconstruction of Non-Rigid Shapes from 2D Views

We propose MHR-Net, a novel method for recovering Non-Rigid Shapes from Motion (NRSfM). MHR-Net aims to find a set of reasonable reconstructions for a 2D view, and it also selects the most likely reconstruction from the set. To deal with the challenging unsupervised generation of non-rigid shapes, we develop a new Deterministic Basis and Stochastic Deformation scheme in MHR-Net. The non-rigid shape is first expressed as the sum of a coarse shape basis and a flexible shape deformation, then multiple hypotheses are generated with uncertainty modeling of the deformation part. MHR-Net is optimized with reprojection loss on the basis and the best hypothesis. Furthermore, we design a new Procrustean Residual Loss, which reduces the rigid rotations between similar shapes and further improves the performance. Experiments show that MHR-Net achieves state-of-the-art reconstruction accuracy on Human3.6M, SURREAL and 300-VW datasets.Comment: Accepted to ECCV 202

Neural network encoded variational quantum algorithms

We introduce a general framework called neural network (NN) encoded variational quantum algorithms (VQAs), or NN-VQA for short, to address the challenges of implementing VQAs on noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) computers. Specifically, NN-VQA feeds input (such as parameters of a Hamiltonian) from a given problem to a neural network and uses its outputs to parameterize an ansatz circuit for the standard VQA. Combining the strengths of NN and parameterized quantum circuits, NN-VQA can dramatically accelerate the training process of VQAs and handle a broad family of related problems with varying input parameters with the pre-trained NN. To concretely illustrate the merits of NN-VQA, we present results on NN-variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) for solving the ground state of parameterized XXZ spin models. Our results demonstrate that NN-VQE is able to estimate the ground-state energies of parameterized Hamiltonians with high precision without fine-tuning, and significantly reduce the overall training cost to estimate ground-state properties across the phases of XXZ Hamiltonian. We also employ an active-learning strategy to further increase the training efficiency while maintaining prediction accuracy. These encouraging results demonstrate that NN-VQAs offer a new hybrid quantum-classical paradigm to utilize NISQ resources for solving more realistic and challenging computational problems.Comment: 4.4 pages, 5 figures, with supplemental material

Study on the Mechanical Properties and Damage Constitutive Model of Hybrid Fibre- Reinforced EPS Lightweight Aggregate Concrete

The mechanical properties of hybrid fibre (polypropylene and wood)-reinforced expanded polystyrene (EPS) lightweight aggregate concrete was studied under various sand contents. Cubic and prismatic compression tests were carried out, through which the basic mechanical properties and stress-strain curves of the specimens were obtained. Moreover, the microstructures of the fibre-reinforced concrete with different sand proportions were analysed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The test results showed that as the sand proportion increased, the cubic compressive strength and prismatic compressive strength of the EPS lightweight aggregate concrete increased. The optimal slump was obtained when the sand ratio was 25%, after which the slump declined. The EPS lightweight aggregate concrete exhibited obvious elastoplastic behaviour during compression, and the corresponding stress-strain curve could be divided into four stages: the elastic stage, strengthening stage, softening stage and collapse platform stage. Moreover, based on the test results and the damage theory and considering the coupling relationship between plasticity and damage, a damage constitutive model was proposed for hybrid fibre-reinforced EPS lightweight aggregate concrete under uniaxial compression

Białko CTRP3 zwiększa wrażliwość na insulinę adipocytów 3T3-L1 przez hamowanie procesu zapalnego i poprawę przekazywania sygnału insulinowego

 Introduction: C1q/TNF-related Protein-3 (CTRP3) is a novel adipokine with multiple effects such as lowering glucose levels, inhibiting glyconeogenesis in the liver, and increasing angiogenesis and anti-inflammation. But little is known about the effects of CTRP3 on insulin resistance in adipose tissue. This study aims to investigate the effects and mechanisms of CTRP3 on the insulin sensitivity of 3T3-L1 adipocytes.Material and methods: Insulin resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes were induced by palmic acid cultivation. Such adipocytes were treated with recombinant CTRP3 protein at different concentrations (0, 10, 50, 1,250 ng/mL）for 12 hours, and at a concentration of 250 ng/mL for differing times (2, 6, 12, and 24h). Another group was pre-treated with wortmannin, the special inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-4,5- bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K), for 20 minutes before the treatment with 250 ng/mL CTRP3. The glucose consumption, the glucose uptake, the expression and release of tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6(IL-6) in supernatant, and the protein relative expression of PI3K and protein kinase B (PKB)(ser437) were detected.Results: Compared to the control group, glucose consumption in the CTRP3 intervention group at concentrations of 10, 50, 250, and 1,250 ng/mL was increased by 22.1%, 42.9%, 76.6% and 80.5% respectively (all P < 0.01); the glucose uptake was increased by 39.0%, 68.0%, 108.0% and 111.0% respectively (all P < 0.01); the content of TNF-α in the culture media of CTRP3 (10, 50, 250 ng/mL) intervention group was decreased by 7.6% (P > 0.05), 13.0% (P < 0.05) and 17.4% (P < 0.01) respectively; the content of IL-6 was decreased by 7.1%, 12.4% and 17.1% respectively (all P < 0.01); the protein relative expression of PI3K was increased by 0.63-, 1.00- and 1.36-fold respectively (all P < 0.01), and PKB(ser437) increased by 0.65-, 1.61- and 1.93-fold respectively (all P < 0.01); the mRNA relative expression of GLUT-4 was increased by 23.0%, 47.0% and 62.0% respectively (all P < 0.01). After the treatment with wortmannin, glucose consumption, glucose uptake, PI3K and PKB(ser437) protein relative expression, as well as GLUT-4 mRNA relative expression, was decreased by 53.2%, 44.7%, 43.4%, 56.1 and 30.9% respectively (all P < 0.01).Conclusions: CTRP3 could improve insulin sensitivity of insulin resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes by decreasing inflammation and ameliorating insulin signalling transduction, indicating that CTRP3 may be a new target for the prevention and cure of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. (Endokrynol Pol 2014; 65 (4): 252–258) Wstęp: Białko związane z C1q/TNF typu 3 (CTRP3, C1q/TNF-related Protein-3) jest nowo odkrytą adipokiną o wielorakim działaniu obejmującym obniżenie stężenia glukozy we krwi, hamowanie glukoneogenezy w wątrobie, pobudzanie angiogenezy i działanie przeciwzapalne, Niewiele jednak wiadomo na temat wpływu CTRP3 na insulinooporność komórek tłuszczowych. Badanie to przeprowadzono w celu oceny mechanizmów działania tej adipokiny i jej wpływu na wrażliwość na insulinę adipocytów 3T3-L1.Materiał i metody: Insulinooporne adipocyty 3T3-L1 uzyskano poprzez dodanie do hodowli tych komórek kwasu palmitynowego. Następnie adipocyty te poddano działaniu rekombinowanego białka CTRP3 w różnych stężeniach (0, 10, 50, 1250 ng/ml przez 12 godzin oraz w stężeniu 250 ng/ml przez różny czas (2, 6, 12, 24 godz.). Inną grupę hodowli komórkowych przed dodaniem CTRP3 w stężeniu 250 ng/ml inkubowano wstępnie z wortmaniną, inhibitorem kinazy fosfatydyloinozytolu-4,5 (PI3K, phosphatidylinositol-4,5- bisphosphate 3-kinase) przez 20 minut. Określono zużycie glukozy, wychwyt glukozy, ekspresję i uwalnianie czynnika martwicy nowotworów typu alfa (TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor α) i interleukiny 6 (IL-6, interleukin-6,) w supernatancie oraz ekspresję PI3K i kinazy białkowej B (PKB, protein kinase B) (ser437).Wyniki: Zużycie glukozy w hodowlach poddanych działaniu CTRP3 w stężeniach 10, 50, 250, 1250 ng/ml było większe niż w hodowli kontrolnej odpowiednio o 22,1%, 42,9%, 76,6% i 80,5% (dla wszystkich porównań p < 0,01). Wychwyt glukozy był większy o 39,0%, 68,0%, 108,0% i 111,0% (dla wszystkich porównań p < 0,01) Zawartości TNF-α w medium hodowli komórkowej z dodatkiem CTRP3 (10, 50, 250 ng/ml) były mniejsze odpowiednio o 7,6% (p > 0,05), 13,0% (p < 0,05) i 17,4% (p < 0,01), a zawartości IL-6 były mniejsze o odpowiednio 7,1%, 12,4% i 17,1% (dla wszystkich porównań p < 0,01). Związana z białkami ekspresja PI3K stanowiła odpowiednio 0,63-, 1,00- i 1,36-krotność wartości uzyskanej w hodowli kontrolnej (dla wszystkich porównań p < 0,01), a ekspresja PKB(ser437) stanowiła odpowiednio 0,65-, 1,61- i 1,93-krotność (dla wszystkich porównań p < 0,01); Względna ekspresja mRNA GLUT-4 była większa odpowiednio o 23,0%, 47,0% i 62,0% (dla wszystkich porównań p < 0,01). W hodowlach poddanych wstępnie działaniu wortmaniny zużycie glukozy, signifiwychwyt glukozy, ekspresja PI3K i PKB(ser437) oraz ekspresja mRNA GLUT-4 były mniejsze odpowiednio o 53,2%, 44,7%, 43,4%, 56,1% i 30,9% (dla wszystkich porównań p < 0,01).Wnioski: Białko CTRP3 może powodować zwiększenie wrażliwości na insulinę insulinoopornych adipocytów 3T3-L1 przez hamowanie procesu zapalnego i poprawę przewodzenia sygnałów insulinowych, co wskazuje, że białko to może być nowym celem w zapobieganiu i leczeniu insulinooporności i cukrzycy typu 2. (Endokrynol Pol 2014; 65 (4): 253–258)

AdS/BCFT and Island for curvature-squared gravity

In this paper, we investigate AdS/BCFT for curvature-squared gravity. To warm up, we start with Gauss-Bonnet gravity. We derive the one point function of stress tensor and show that the central charge related to the norm of displacement operator is positive for the couplings obeying causality constraints. Furthermore, by imposing the null energy condition on the end-of-the-world brane, we prove the holographic g-theorem for Gauss-Bonnet gravity. This corrects a wrong point of view in the literature, which claims that the holographic g-theorem is violated for Gauss-Bonnet gravity. As a by-product, we obtain the boundary entropy and A-type boundary central charges in general dimensions. We also study AdS/BCFT for general curvature-squared gravity. We find that it is too restrictive for the shape of the brane and the dual BCFT is trivial if one imposes Neumann boundary conditions for all of the gravitational modes. Instead, we propose to impose Dirichlet boundary condition for the massive graviton, while imposing Neumann boundary condition for the massless graviton. In this way, we obtain non-trivial shape dependence of stress tensor and well-defined central charges. In particular, the holographic g-theorem is satisfied by general curvature-squared gravity. Finally, we discuss the island and show that the Page curve can be recovered for Gauss-Bonnet gravity. Interestingly, there are zeroth-order phase transitions for the Page curve within one range of couplings obeying causality constraints. Generalizing the discussions to holographic entanglement entropy and holographic complexity in AdS/CFT, we get new constraints for the Gauss-Bonnet coupling, which is stronger than the causality constraint.Comment: 49 pages, 29 figures, revision accepted for publication in JHEP, main improvements: prove that our g-function can recover the universal term of boundary entropy in general dimensions; add a toy model to explain the novel zeroth-order phase transition of the Page curve analyticall

The uncertainty evaluation method of supply chain reliability

The objective of the article is to scientifically evaluate supply chain reliability (SCR). We argue that this problem relates to two aspects ‐ the cognition and expression of SCR. The paper considers SCR as a unification of a fuzzy and random meaning in a dynamic environment. Furthermore, intrinsic relationship between the theoretical foundation of SCR evaluation and the cloud theory is discovered, accordingly to which, the cloud theory is applied to study the evaluation of SCR from a holistic perspective. According to the comprehensive invalidation degree of a supply chain, SCR is differentiated as six grades and the influencing factors of SCR are classified taking into account __ve aspects. A comprehensive performance model is developed to measure five aspects of influencing factors and to evaluate the exact class SCR belongs to. As we know, the cognition of SCR depends on human mind while the natural language is an appropriate medium to express human mind. Therefore, linguistic terms are adopted to express uncertain transformation between qualitative concepts and their corresponding quantitative values. This method is further demonstrated using a numerical example. First published online: 27 Oct 201

Small Interference RNA Targeting TLR4 Gene Effectively Attenuates Pulmonary Inflammation in a Rat Model

Objective. The present study was to investigate the feasibility of adenovirus-mediated small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene in ameliorating lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced acute lung injury (ALI). Methods. In vitro, alveolar macrophages (AMs) were treated with Ad-siTLR4 and Ad-EFGP, respectively, for 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h, and then with LPS (100 ng/mL) for 2 h, and the function and expression of TLR4 were evaluated. In vivo, rats received intratracheal injection of 300 μL of normal saline (control group), 300 μL of Ad-EGFP (Ad-EGFP group), or 300 μL of Ad-siTLR4 (Ad-siTLR4 group) and then were intravenously treated with LPS (50 mg/kg) to induce ALI. Results. Ad-siTLR4 treatment significantly reduced TLR4 expression and production of proinflammatory cytokines following LPS treatment both in vitro and in vivo. Significant alleviation of tissue edema, microvascular protein leakage, and neutrophil infiltration was observed in the AdsiTLR4-treated animals. Conclusion. TLR4 plays a critical role in LPS-induced ALI, and transfection of Ad-siTLR4 can effectively downregulate TLR4 expression in vitro and in vivo, accompanied by alleviation of LPS-induced lung injury. These findings suggest that TLR4 may serve as a potential target in the treatment of ALI and RNA interfering targeting TLR4 expression represents a therapeutic strategy

Cervical and endometrial cancers of intestinal origin diagnosed 18 years after vaginal replacement with a sigmoid colon segment: a case report and review of the literature

BackgroundSigmoid colpoplasty is a surgical method for the treatment of vagina agenesis. Malignant tumors of neovaginas derived from sigmoid colons are rare.Case presentationWe report a 33-year-old woman who underwent sigmoid colpoplasty for vaginal agenesis and presented 18 years later with vaginal bleeding. Examination revealed cancer of the neovagina with involvement of the cervix and endometrium. The patient was administered four cycles of chemotherapy because she refused surgery.ConclusionsPatients with a history of colpoplasty should undergo long-term comprehensive testing after reconstruction, including regular gynecological, colposcopic, and gastrointestinal examinations. In patients with cancer of the neovagina, a comprehensive treatment plan should be developed in consultation with gynecologists and surgeons. There is no standard treatment, although surgery plus chemotherapy or radiotherapy appears to be effective