The upper and lower solution method for nonlinear third-order three-point boundary value problem

This paper is concerned with the following nonlinear third-order three-point boundary value problem \left\{ \begin{array}{l} u^{\prime \prime \prime }(t)+f\left( t,u\left( t\right) ,u^{\prime}\left(t\right) \right) =0,\, t\in \left[ 0,1\right], \\ u\left( 0\right) =u^{\prime }\left( 0\right) =0,\, u^{\prime}\left( 1\right) =\alpha u^{\prime }\left( \eta \right),\label{1.1} \end{array} \right. where $0<\eta <1$ and $0\leq \alpha <1.$ A new maximum principle is established and some existence criteria are obtained for the above problem by using the upper and lower solution method

Linezolid and Rifampicin Combination to Combat cfr-Positive Multidrug-Resistant MRSA in Murine Models of Bacteremia and Skin and Skin Structure Infection.

Linezolid resistance mediated by the cfr gene in MRSA represents a global concern. We investigated relevant phenotype differences between cfr-positive and -negative MRSA that contribute to pathogenesis, and the efficacy of linezolid-based combination therapies in murine models of bacteremia and skin and skin structure infection (SSSI). As a group, cfr-positive MRSA exhibited significantly reduced susceptibilities to the host defense peptides tPMPs, human neutrophil peptide-1 (hNP-1), and cathelicidin LL-37 (P &lt; 0.01). In addition, increased binding to fibronectin (FN) and endothelial cells paralleled robust biofilm formation in cfr-positive vs. -negative MRSA. In vitro phenotypes of cfr-positive MRSA translated into poor outcomes of linezolid monotherapy in vivo in murine bacteremia and SSSI models. Importantly, rifampicin showed synergistic activity as a combinatorial partner with linezolid, and the EC50 of linezolid decreased 6-fold in the presence of rifampicin. Furthermore, this combination therapy displayed efficacy against cfr-positive MRSA at clinically relevant doses. Altogether, these data suggest that the use of linezolid in combination with rifampicin poses a viable therapeutic alternative for bacteremia and SSSI caused by cfr-positive multidrug resistant MRSA

Syndecan-2 induces filopodia and dendritic spine formation via the neurofibromin–PKA–Ena/VASP pathway

Syndecan-2 induced filopodia before spinogenesis; therefore, filopodia formation was used here as a model to study the early downstream signaling of syndecan-2 that leads to spinogenesis. Screening using kinase inhibitors indicated that protein kinase A (PKA) is required for syndecan-2–induced filopodia formation in both human embryonic kidney cells and hippocampal neurons. Because neurofibromin, a syndecan-2–binding partner, activates the cyclic adenosine monophosphate pathway, the role of neurofibromin in syndecan-2–induced filopodia formation was investigated by deletion mutant analysis, RNA interference, and dominant-negative mutant. The results showed that neurofibromin mediates the syndecan-2 signal to PKA. Among actin-associated proteins, Enabled (Ena)/vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) were predicted as PKA effectors downstream of syndecan-2, as Ena/VASP, which is activated by PKA, induces actin polymerization. Indeed, when the activities of Ena/VASP were blocked, syndecan-2 no longer induced filopodia formation. Finally, in addition to filopodia formation, neurofibromin and Ena/VASP contributed to spinogenesis. This study reveals a novel signaling pathway in which syndecan-2 activates PKA via neurofibromin and PKA consequently phosphorylates Ena/VASP, promoting filopodia and spine formation

Retrieval of Optical Constant and Particle Size Distribution of Particulate Media Using the PSO-Based Neural Network Algorithm

An improved neural network algorithm was proposed and applied to the inverse radiative problems. A multi-strategy particle swarm optimization was applied to improve the performance of the back propagation multi-layer feed-forward neural network algorithm. Three commonly used particle size distribution (PSD) functions in a one-dimensional particle system were retrieved using the proposed algorithm. In addition, the optical constant was also estimated, and the measurement errors were considered. Results show that the proposed algorithm can be applied to the retrieval of PSDs and optical constant even with measurement errors. Finally, the proposed algorithm was applied to the simultaneous estimation of the PSDs and optical constant using the multi-wavelength and multi-thickness method

Multiple magnetoplasmon polaritons of magneto-optical graphene in near-field radiative heat transfer

Graphene, as a two-dimensional magneto-optical material, supports magnetoplasmon polaritons (MPP) when exposed to an applied magnetic field. Recently, MPP of a single-layer graphene has shown an excellent capability in the modulation of near-field radiative heat transfer (NFRHT). In this study, we present a comprehensive theoretical analysis of NFRHT between two multilayered graphene structures, with a particular focus on the multiple MPP effect. We reveal the physical mechanism and evolution law of the multiple MPP, and we demonstrate that the multiple MPP allow one to mediate, enhance, and tune the NFRHT by appropriately engineering the properties of graphene, the number of graphene sheets, the intensity of magnetic fields, as well as the geometric structure of systems. We show that the multiple MPP have a quite significant distinction relative to the single MPP or multiple surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in terms of modulating and manipulating NFRHT

A Novel Approach to Study Real-Time Dynamic Optimization Analysis and Simulation of Complex Mine Logistics Transportation Hybrid System with Belt and Surge Links

The mine logistics transportation system with belt and surge links is often formed by a complex hybrid dynamic system that consists of continuous and discrete links, and these parts can have the complex changes along with the mining engineering going on. Studying the hybrid system with belt and surge links to fully realize its beneficial functions is very significant. Until now, there have been many references studying the logistics transportation hybrid system with belt and surge links, and many concepts about it have been set up. However, in these references, complicated real-time dynamic changes of the hybrid system usually is studied. This paper presents a novel approach to study real-time dynamic optimization analysis and simulation problems of complex mine logistics transportation hybrid system, which can be used to make optimization design for this kind of complex hybrid system. The proposed method considered expressly complicated real-time dynamic changing of the hybrid system comparing with some existing references and can solve some optimization design problems of the hybrid system. In addition, this paper used statistical data of a real logistics transportation system with belt and surge bin on simulation and gets some useful conclusions. The application result shows that the presented method is valid

Efflux Pump Overexpression Contributes to Tigecycline Heteroresistance in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

Bacterial heteroresistance has been identified in several combinations of bacteria and antibiotics, and it complicated the therapeutic strategies. Tigecycline is being used as one of the optimal options for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant Salmonella. This study investigated whether heterorresistance to tigecycline exists in a Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain harboring the oqxAB-bearing IncHI2 plasmid pHXY0908. MIC and population analyses were performed to evaluate population-wide susceptibility to tigecycline. The effects of efflux pumps on MIC levels were assessed using the efflux pump inhibitor Phe-Arg-β-naphthylamide, measuring intracellular tigecycline accumulation as well as mRNA levels of regulatory and efflux pump genes. DNA sequencing of regulatory regions were performed and plasmid curing from a resistant strain provided an appropriate control. Results showed that MICs of a parental strain with and without pHXY0908 as well as a plasmid-cured strain 14028/Δp52 were 0.5, 1, and 1 μg/mL, respectively. Population analysis profiling (PAP) illustrated that only the pHXY0908-containg strain was heteroresistant to tigecycline. A fraction of colonies exhibited stable profiles with 4- to 8-fold increases in MIC. The frequencies of emergence of these isolates were higher in the plasmid-containing strain pHXY0908 than either the parental or the 14028/Δp52 strain. Phe-Arg-β-naphthylamide addition restored tigecycline susceptibility of these isolates and intracellular tigecycline accumulation was reduced. Heteroresistant isolates of the strain containing pHXY0908 also had elevated expression of acrB, ramA, and oqxB. DNA sequencing identified numerous mutations in RamR that have been shown to lead to ramA overexpression. In conclusions, heteroresistance to tigecycline in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium was manifested in a plasmid-bearing strain. Our results suggest that this phenotype was associated with overexpression of the AcrAB-TolC and OqxAB efflux pumps