Sound Effects on Physiological State and Behavior of Drivers in a Highway Tunnel

Driving behavior in a highway tunnel could be affected by external environmental factors like light, traffic flow, and acoustic environments, significantly when these factors suddenly change at the moment before and after entering a tunnel. It will cause tremendous physiological pressure on drivers because of the reduction of information and the narrow environment. The risks in driving behavior will increase, making drivers more vulnerable than driving on the regular highways. This research focuses on the usually neglected acoustic environment and its effect on drivers' physiological state and driving behavior. Based on the SIMLAB driving simulation platform of a highway tunnel, 45 drivers participated in the experiment. Five different sound scenarios were tested: original highway tunnel sound and a mix of it with four other sounds (slow music, fast music, voice prompt, and siren, respectively). The subjects' physiological state and driving behavior data were collected through heart rate variability (HRV) and electroencephalography (EEG). Also, vehicle operational data, including vehicle speed, steering wheel angle, brake pedal depth, and accelerator pedal depth, were collected. The results indicated that different sound scenarios in the highway tunnel showed significant differences in vehicle speed (p = 0.000, η2 = 0.167) and steering wheel angle (p = 0.007, η2 = 0.126). At the same time, they had no significant difference in HRV and EEG indicators. According to the results, slow music was the best kind of sound related to driving comfort, while the siren sound produced the strongest driver reaction in terms of mental alertness and stress level. The voice-prompt sound most likely caused driver fatigue and overload, but it was the most effective sound affecting safety. The subjective opinion of the drivers indicated that the best sound scenario for the overall experience was slow music (63%), followed by fast music (21%), original highway tunnel sound environment (13%), and voice-prompt sound (3%). The findings of this study will be valuable in improving acoustic environment quality and driving safety in highway tunnels

High density lipoprotein promotes proliferation of adipose-derived stem cells via S1P1 receptor and Akt, ERK1/2 signal pathways

Introduction: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) are non-hematopoietic mesenchymal stem cells that have shown great promise in their ability to differentiate into multiple cell lineages. Their ubiquitous nature and the ease of harvesting have attracted the attention of many researchers, and they pose as an ideal candidate for applications in regenerative medicine. Several reports have demonstrated that transplanting ADSC can promote repair of injured tissue and angiogenesis in animal models. Survival of these cells after transplant remains a key limiting factor for the success of ADSC transplantation. Circulating factors like High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) has been known to promote survival of other stems cells like bone marrow derived stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells, both by proliferation and by inhibiting cell apoptosis. The effect of HDL on transplanted adipose-derived stem cells in vivo is largely unknown. Methods: This study focused on exploring the effects of plasma HDL on ADSC and delineating the mechanisms involved in their proliferation after entering the bloodstream. Using the MTT and BrdU assays, we tested the effects of HDL on ADSC proliferation. We probed the downstream intracellular Akt and ERK1/2 signaling pathways and expression of cyclin proteins in ADSC using western blot. Results: Our study found that HDL promotes proliferation of ADSC, by binding to sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor-1(S1P1) on the cell membrane. This interaction led to activation of intracellular Akt and ERK1/2 signaling pathways, resulting in increased expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin E, and simultaneous reduction in expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p27, therefore promoting cell cycle progression and cell proliferation. Conclusions: These studies raise the possibility that HDL may be a physiologic regulator of stem cells and increasing HDL concentrations may be valuable strategy to promote ADSC transplantation.'973' National ST Major Project [2011CB503900]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [81270321, 81170101, 81370235]; Natural Science Foundation of Beijing, China [7122106]SCI(E)[email protected]; [email protected]

Inhibition of A/Human/Hubei/3/2005 (H3N2) influenza virus infection by silver nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo

AbstractSilver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have attracted much attention as antimicrobial agents and have demonstrated efficient inhibitory activity against various viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and Tacaribe virus. In this study, we investigated if AgNPs could have antiviral and preventive effects in A/Human/Hubei/3/2005 (H3N2) influenza virus infection. Madin-Darby canine kidney cells infected with AgNP-treated H3N2 influenza virus showed better viability (P,0.05 versus influenza virus control) and no obvious cytopathic effects compared with an influenza virus control group and a group treated with the solvent used for preparation of the AgNPs. Hemagglutination assay indicated that AgNPs could significantly inhibit growth of the influenza virus in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (P,0.01 versus the influenza virus control). AgNPs significantly reduced cell apoptosis induced by H3N2 influenza virus at three different treatment pathways (P,0.05 versus influenza virus control). H3N2 influenza viruses treated with AgNPs were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and found to interact with each other, resulting in destruction of morphologic viral structures in a time-dependent manner in a time range of 30 minutes to 2 hours. In addition, intranasal AgNP administration in mice significantly enhanced survival after infection with the H3N2 influenza virus. Mice treated with AgNPs showed lower lung viral titer levels and minor pathologic lesions in lung tissue, and had a marked survival benefit during secondary intranasal passage in vivo. These results provide evidence that AgNPs have beneficial effects in preventing H3N2 influenza virus infection both in vitro and in vivo, and demonstrate that AgNPs can be used as potential therapeutics for inhibiting outbreaks of influenza.<br /

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals &lt;1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Obtaining Human Experience for Intelligent Dredger Control: A Reinforcement Learning Approach

This work presents a reinforcement learning approach for intelligent decision-making of a Cutter Suction Dredger (CSD), which is a special type of vessel for deepening harbors, constructing ports or navigational channels, and reclaiming landfills. Currently, CSDs are usually controlled by human operators, and the production rate is mainly determined by the so-called cutting process (i.e., cutting the underwater soil into fragments). Long-term manual operation is likely to cause driving fatigue, resulting in operational accidents and inefficiencies. To reduce the labor intensity of the operator, we seek an intelligent controller the can manipulate the cutting process to replace human operators. To this end, our proposed reinforcement learning approach consists of two parts. In the first part, we employ a neural network model to construct a virtual environment based on the historical dredging data. In the second part, we develop a reinforcement learning model that can lean the optimal control policy by interacting with the virtual environment to obtain human experience. The results show that the proposed learning approach can successfully imitate the dredging behavior of an experienced human operator. Moreover, the learning approach can outperform the operator in a way that can make quick responses to the change in uncertain environments

Non-promoted Ru/sepiolite catalyst for ammonia synthesis

154-158Sepiolite was used as support for ruthenium catalyst. Non-promoted Ru/Sep is proved to be effective for ammonia synthesis. The catalyst was characterized by XRD, XPS and nitrogen adsorption isotherms. Ru is reduced completely and is present in few oxidation states on the support. Using non-aqueous solvent instead of water in the impregnation process on basic support, the Ru dispersion could be increased. Chlorine-free Ruthenium catalyst was prepared using RuCl3 by washing with ammonia solution

Bursting patterns with complex structures in a parametrically and externally excited Jerk circuit system

This paper aims to report complex bursting patterns in a parametrically and externally excited Jerk circuit system. Typically, the common compound bursting with two clusters in each period can be observed in this system. By the fast-slow analysis, we find that the active states related to this type of bursting are created by supercritical Hopf bifurcations. Interestingly, with the increase of parametric excitation amplitude, the common bursting pattern evolves into the ones that display complex structures. We show that the parametric excitation amplitude plays a vital role in influencing the dynamical behaviors, which is apparent from the two-parameters analysis. Then, a rich variety of dynamical phenomena including period-doubling and inverse period-doubling cascades in orbits of period 2, 4, and 8 can be observed with the increase of parametric excitation amplitude, thereby leading to complex bursting patterns with multiple-periodically active states. Besides, as a result of the period-doubling cascades, chaotic attractors are eventually discovered, which can be corroborated by the maximal Lyapunov exponent. In particular, periodic windows with period-doubling and inverse period-doubling cascades also emerge in the chaotic region when the parametric excitation amplitude increases to higher values. These give rise to the complex bursting patterns with chaotically active states. Based on this, two types of bursting patterns with complex structures, i.e., bursting patterns with multiple-periodically active states and bursting patterns with chaotically active states are revealed. Our results enrich the routes to complex bursting and deepen the understanding of bursting patterns with complex structures

OsJAZ13 Negatively Regulates Jasmonate Signaling and Activates Hypersensitive Cell Death Response in Rice

Jasmonate ZIM-domain (JAZ) proteins belong to the subgroup of TIFY family and act as key regulators of jasmonate (JA) responses in plants. To date, only a few JAZ proteins have been characterized in rice. Here, we report the identification and function of rice OsJAZ13 gene. The gene encodes three different splice variants: OsJAZ13a, OsJAZ13b, and OsJAZ13c. The expression of OsJAZ13 was mainly activated in vegetative tissues and transiently responded to JA and ethylene. Subcellular localization analysis indicated OsJAZ13a is a nuclear protein. Yeast two-hybrid assays revealed OsJAZ13a directly interacts with OsMYC2, and also with OsCOI1, in a COR-dependent manner. Furthermore, OsJAZ13a recruited a general co-repressor OsTPL via an adaptor protein OsNINJA. Remarkably, overexpression of OsJAZ13a resulted in the attenuation of root by methyl JA. Furthermore, OsJAZ13a-overexpressing plants developed lesion mimics in the sheath after approximately 30&ndash;45 days of growth. Tillers with necrosis died a few days later. Gene-expression analysis suggested the role of OsJAZ13 in modulating the expression of JA/ethylene response-related genes to regulate growth and activate hypersensitive cell death. Taken together, these observations describe a novel regulatory mechanism in rice and provide the basis for elucidating the function of OsJAZ13 in signal transduction and cell death in plants

Screening behaviors of high-risk individuals for lung cancer: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate current screening behaviors among high-risk individuals and analyse the factors that influence them. METHODS: A cross-sectional of 1652 high-risk individuals were recruited in Fujian Province, China from February to October 2022. Socio-demographic characteristics of participants were collected and other survey measures included a lung cancer and lung cancer screening knowledge questionnaire and a stage of adoption algorithm. Standardized measures on surveys were comprised of the: Lung Cancer Screening Health Belief Scales, Cataldo Lung Cancer Stigma Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Patient Trust in the Medical Profession Scale. Factors associated with screening behavior were identified using binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Lung cancer screening behavior stages were largely reported as Stage 1 and Stage 2 (64.4%). The facilitators of lung cancer screening included urban residence (OR&nbsp;=&nbsp;1.717, 95% CI: 1.224-2.408), holding administrative positions (OR&nbsp;=&nbsp;16.601, 95% CI: 2.118-130.126), previous lung cancer screening behavior (OR&nbsp;=&nbsp;10.331, 95% CI: 7.463-14.302), media exposure focused on lung cancer screening (OR&nbsp;=&nbsp;1.868, 95% CI: 1.344-2.596), a high level of knowledge about lung cancer and lung cancer screening (OR&nbsp;=&nbsp;1.256, 95% CI: 1.185-1.332), perceived risk of lung cancer (OR&nbsp;=&nbsp;1.123, 95% CI: 1.029-1.225) and lung cancer screening health beliefs (OR&nbsp;=&nbsp;1.090, 95% CI: 1.067-1.113). A barrier to lung cancer screening was found to be social influence (influence of friends or family) (OR&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.669, 95% CI: 0.465-0.964). CONCLUSIONS: This study found a low participation rate in lung cancer screening and identified eight factors that affected lung cancer screening behaviors among high-risk individuals. Findings suggest targeted lung cancer screening programs should be developed based on identified influencing factors in order to effectively promote awareness and uptake of lung cancer screening