383 research outputs found
A well-balanced lattice Boltzmann model for binary fluids based on the incompressible phase-field theory
Spurious velocities arising from the imperfect offset of the undesired term
at the discrete level are frequently observed in numerical simulations of
equilibrium multiphase flow systems using the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE)
method. To capture the physical equilibrium state of two-phase fluid systems
and eliminate spurious velocities, a well-balanced LBE model based on the
incompressible phase-field theory is developed. In this model, the equilibrium
distribution function for the Cahn-Hilliard (CH) equation is designed by
treating the convection term as a source to avoid the introduction of undesired
terms, enabling achievement of possible discrete force balance. Furthermore,
this approach allows for the attainment of a divergence-free velocity field,
effectively mitigating the impact of artificial compression effects and
enhancing numerical stability. Numerical tests, including a flat interface
problem, a stationary droplet, and the coalescence of two droplets, demonstrate
the well-balanced properties and improvements in the stability of the present
model
Effects of 24-week treatment with acarbose on glucagon-like peptide 1 in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients: a preliminary report
BACKGROUND: Treatment with the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor (AGI) acarbose is associated with a significant reduction the risk of cardiovascular events. However, the underlying mechanisms of this effect are unclear. AGIs were recently suggested to participate in stimulating glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) secretion. We therefore examined the effects of a 24-week treatment of acarbose on endogenous GLP-1, nitric oxide (NO) levels, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS: Blood was drawn from 24 subjects (14 male, 10 female, age: 50.7 ± 7.36 years, BMI: 26.64 ± 3.38 kg/m(2), GHbA1c: 7.00 ± 0.74%) with drug-naïve T2D at 0 and 120 min following a standard mixed meal for the measurements of active GLP-1, NO and NOS. The CIMT was measured prior to and following 24 weeks of acarbose monotherapy (mean dose: 268 mg daily). RESULTS: Following 24 weeks of acarbose treatment, both fasting and postprandial plasma GLP-1 levels were increased. In patients with increased postprandial GLP-1 levels, serum NO levels and NOS activities were also significantly increased and were positively related to GLP-1 levels. Although the CIMT was not significantly altered following treatment with acarbose, a decreased CIMT was negatively correlated with increased GLP-1 levels. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-four weeks of acarbose monotherapy in newly diagnosed patients with T2D is associated with significantly increased levels of both fasting and postprandial GLP-1 as well as significantly increased NO levels and NOS activity for those patients in whom postprandial GLP-1 levels were increased. Therefore, the benefits of acarbose on cardiovascular risk may be related to its stimulation of GLP-1 secretion
An investigation of the health value and self-care capabilities of the elderly in urban-rural fringe area nursing homes and the related influencing factors
AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the health value and self-care capabilities of the elderly living in urban-rural fringe area nursing homes and the factors that influence these variables.MethodsA cluster sampling method was used to select 280 elderly individuals from seven urban-rural fringe communities in Xianning to complete a survey regarding their health value and self-care capabilities.ResultsThe total health value and self-care capability scores of the elderly were 7.45 ± 1.45 and 100.25 ± 22.56, respectively. Both of these scores significantly differed by age, education level, marital status, and income (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Self-care capability was correlated with health value (r = 0.521). A multivariate linear regression analysis showed that health value, marital status, and age predicted self-care capability.ConclusionsElderly people living in the urban-rural fringe area with higher health values also had higher self-care capabilities. The self-care capabilities of the elderly can be enhanced by improving their health value using the “knowing-trusting-acting” model
Poly[[tetrakis(μ-2-anilinobenzoato-κ2 O:O′)tetra-μ1,1,1-azido-tetra-μ1,1-azido-octamethanolhexanickel(II)] methanol hexasolvate]
The crystal structure of the title compound, [Ni6(C13H10NO2)4(N3)8(CH3OH)8]·6CH3OH, consists of a centrosymmetric hexanuclear [NiII
6(C13H10NO2)4(N3)8(CH3OH)8] molecule and six methanol solvent molecules. In the hexanuclear unit, the six octahedrally coordinated NiII atoms are linked by four μ1,1,1-azide and four μ1,1-azide bridges, forming a face-sharing Ni6N8 tetracubane-like unit with four missing corners. The NiII atoms are further bridged by four μ1,2-carboxalate groups. Neighbouring hexanuclear units are connected via N—H⋯O hydrogen-bonding interactions into a three-dimensional structure. Although the H atoms of the methanol OH groups could not be located, O⋯N/O contacts between 2.65 and 2.86 Å suggest that these molecules participate in hydrogen bonding
Selection and evaluation of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria from grapevine rhizospheres for use as biofertilizers
Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) have the ability to solubilize insoluble phosphorus (P) and release soluble P. Extensive research has been performed with respect to PSB isolation from the rhizospheres of various plants, but little is known about the prevalence of PSB in the grapevine rhizosphere. In this study, we aimed to isolate and identify PSB from the grapevine rhizosphere in five vineyards of Northwest China, to characterize their plant-growth-promoting (PGP) traits, evaluate the effect of stress on their phosphate-solubilizing activity (PSA), and test their ability to stimulate the growth of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Cabernet Sauvignon. From the vineyard soils, 66 PSB isolates were screened, and 10 strains with high PSA were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing. Sequence analysis revealed that these 10 strains belonged to 4 genera and 5 species: Bacillus aryabhattai, B. megaterium, Klebsiella variicola, Stenotrophomonas rhizophila, and Enterobacter aerogenes. The selected PSB strains JY17 (B. aryabhattai) and JY22 (B. aryabhattai) were positive for multiple PGP traits, including nitrogen fixation and production of indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophores, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, chitinase, and protease. JY17 and JY22 showed strong PSA under stress conditions of high pH, high salt, and high temperature. Therefore, these two isolates can be used as biofertilizers in saline-alkaline soils. The inoculation with PSB significantly facilitated the growth of V. vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon under greenhouse conditions. Use of these PSB as biofertilizers will increase the available P content in soils, minimize P-fertilizer application, reduce environmental pollution, and promote sustainable agriculture
Chinese Herbal Decoction Based on Syndrome Differentiation as Maintenance Therapy in Patients with Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer: An Exploratory and Small Prospective Cohort Study
Objective. To investigate the treatment effect and treatment length of Chinese herbal decoction (CHD) as maintenance therapy on patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) and to reflect the real syndrome differentiation (Bian Zheng) practices of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Patients and Methods. Different CHDs were prescribed for each patient based on syndrome differentiation. The length of CHD treatment was divided into two phases for analyzing progression-free survival (PFS) and postprogression survival (PPS). Results. Three hundred and fifty-seven CHDs were prescribed based on syndrome differentiation during the study period. Median PFS was significantly longer in patients who received CHD >3 months than patients who received CHD ≤3 months in the first phase (8.7 months versus 4.5 months; hazard ratio (HR), 0.52; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.41–0.99; P=0.0009). Median PPS was significantly longer in patients who received CHD >7 months than patients who received CHD ≤7 months in the second phase (11.7 months versus 5.1 months; HR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.90–2.74; P=0.002). Conclusion. CHD could improve PFS and PPS, which are closely related to treatment time and deepness of response of first-line therapy. In addition, CHD could improve body function and keep patients in a relatively stable state
Bends and splitters in graphene nanoribbon waveguides
We investigate the performance of bends and splitters in graphene nanoribbon
waveguides. Although the graphene waveguides are lossy themselves, we show that
bends and splitters do not induce any additional loss provided that the
nanoribbon width is sub-wavelength. We use transmission line theory to
qualitatively interpret the behavior observed in our simulation. Our results
pave a promising way to realize ultra-compact devices operating in the
terahertz region.Comment: 7 pages, including 4 figure
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