Global exponential stability of impulsive dynamical systems with distributed delays

In this paper, the global exponential stability of dynamical systems with distributed delays and impulsive effect is investigated. By establishing an impulsive differential-integro inequality, we obtain some sufficient conditions ensuring the global exponential stability of the dynamical system. Three examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of our theoretical results

Metal Amidoboranes and Their Derivatives for Hydrogen Storage

As potential hydrogen storage mediums, ammonia borane and its derivatives have been paid an increasing attention owing to their higher hydrogen capacities and facile dehydrogenation properties under moderate conditions. In this chapter, we presented extensive studies on thermodynamic tailoring of dehydrogenation of metal amidoboranes, metal borohydride-ammonia borane complexes, and metal amidoborane ammoniates as well as their derivatives, with special focus on the syntheses, crystal structures, and dehydrogenation properties. Finally, future perspective was given toward the practical applications

The Berardenga Antependium and the Passio Ymaginis Office

Table S1. Signatures summary. A summary of 33 signatures about the platforms derived from, the subtypes used for, the gene number included, and the function terms involved. Table S8. The number of function terms in each signature. (PDF 82 kb

Probing the nuclear deformation with three-particle asymmetric cumulant in RHIC isobar runs

$^{96}_{44}$Ru+$^{96}_{44}$Ru and $^{96}_{40}$Zr+$^{96}_{40}$Zr collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{\rm NN}}}=200$ GeV provide unique opportunities to study the geometry and fluctuations raised from the deformation of the colliding nuclei. Using iEBE-VISHNU hybrid model, we predict ${\rm ac}_{2}\{3\}$ ratios between these two collision systems and demonstrate that the ratios of ${\rm ac}_{2}\{3\}$, as well as the ratios of the involving flow harmonics and event-plane correlations, are sensitive to $\beta_{2}$ quadrupole and $\beta_{3}$ octupole deformations, which provides strong constrain on the shape differences between $^{96}$Ru and $^{96}$Zr.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Hydrostatic piezoelectric properties of [011] poled Pb(Mg 1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 single crystals and 2-2 lamellar composites

The hydrostatic piezoelectric properties of [011] poled Pb(Mg 1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) crystals and corresponding 2-2 crystal/epoxy composites were investigated. The crystal volume ratio and compositional dependencies of the hydrostatic charge and voltage coefficients (dh and gh) and hydrostatic figure of merit (FOM) dh x gh were determined, where large FOM value of 3.2 pm2/N with high stability as a function of hydrostatic pressure was achieved for rhombohedral crystal composites. In addition, the stress amplification effects of the face-plate and different epoxy matrixes were investigated, with maximum FOM value being on the order of 92 pm2/N, indicating that 2-2 crystal/epoxy composites are promising materials for hydrostatic applications. 2014 AIP Publishing LLC

Data Flow Control for Network Load Balancing in IEEE Time Sensitive Networks for Automation

IEEE time sensitive networks (TSN) offer redundant paths for automation networks that are essential preconditions for network load balancing (NLB) or distribution. They also provide several traffic shapers and schedulers with different impacts on the data flow control. The selection of the right traffic shaper or scheduler for an automation network is challenging. Their influence depends on various network parameters such as network extension, network cycles, application cycles, and the amount of data per traffic class and network cycle. In this study, data flow control for NLB in automation TSN using different traffic shapers and schedulers was investigated. The effects of the network parameters on the shapers and schedulers were derived and imported into the data flow control model of the automation network. The sample networks were simulated, and performance comparisons were made. The results show that the enhancements for scheduled traffic (EST), strict priority queuing (SPQ), and the combination of SPQ with frame preemption (FP) are better scheduler selections in connection with larger networks, fast network cycles, and fast application cycles. The cyclic queuing and forwarding (CQF) shaper and asynchronous traffic shaper (ATS) are rather an alternative for load control in small networks or in conjunction with slow applications

Astaxanthin promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and antioxidant capacity in chronic high-intensity interval training

Purpose: Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are required for exercise-induced molecular adaptations; however, excessive exercise may cause cellular oxidative distress. We postulate that astaxanthin (ASX) can neutralize oxidative distress and stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis in high-intensity exercise-trained mice. Methods: Six-week-old mice (n = 8/group) were treated with ASX (10 mg/kg BW) or placebo. Training groups participated in 30 min/day high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for 6 weeks. Gastrocnemius muscle was collected and assayed following the exercise training period. Results: Compared to the HIIT control mice, the ASX-treated HIIT mice reduced malonaldehyde levels and upregulated the expression of Nrf2 and FOXO3a. Meanwhile, the genes NQO1 and GCLC, modulated by Nrf2, and SOD2, regulated by FOXO3a, and GPx4, were transcriptionally upregulated in the ASX-treated HIIT group. Meanwhile, the expression of energy sensors, AMPK, SIRT1, and SIRT3, increased in the ASX-treated HIIT group compared to the HIIT control group. Additionally, PGC-1α, regulated by AMPK and SIRT1, was upregulated in the ASX-treated HIIT group. Further, the increased PGC-1α stimulated the transcript of NRF1 and Tfam and mitochondrial proteins IDH2 and ATP50. Finally, the ASX-treated HIIT mice had upregulations in the transcript level of mitochondrial fusion factors, including Mfn1, Mfn2, and OPA1. However, the protein level of AMPK, SIRT1, and FOXO3a, and the transcript level of Nrf2, NQO1, PGC-1α, NRF1, Mfn1, Mfn2, and OPA1 decreased in the HIIT control group compared to the sedentary control group. Conclusion: Supplementation with ASX can reduce oxidative stress and promote antioxidant capacity and mitochondrial biogenesis during strenuous HIIT exercise in mice.</p

3-D Modelling of Biological Systems for Biomimetics

With the advanced development of computer-based enabling technologies, many engineering, medical, biology, chemistry, physics and food science etc have developed to the unprecedented levels, which lead to many research and development interests in various multi-discipline areas. Among them, biomimetics is one of the most promising and attractive branches of study. Biomimetics is a branch of study that uses biological systems as a model to develop synthetic systems. To learn from nature, one of the fundamental issues is to understand the natural systems such animals, insects, plants and human beings etc. The geometrical characterisation and representation of natural systems is an important fundamental work for biomimetics research. 3D modeling plays a key role in the geometrical characterisation and representation, especially in computer graphical visualization. This chapter firstly presents the typical procedure of 3D modelling methods and then reviews the previous work of 3D geometrical modelling techniques and systems developed for industrial, medical and animation applications. Especially the chapter discusses the problems associated with the existing techniques and systems when they are applied to 3D modelling of biological systems. In addition, the chapter also presents two case studies of authors’ own work. Based upon the discussions, the chapter proposes some areas of research interests in 3D modelling of biological systems and for Biomimetics