Convergence of the variational iteration method for solving multi-order fractional differential equations

AbstractIn this paper, the variational iteration method (VIM) is applied to obtain approximate solutions of multi-order fractional differential equations (M-FDEs). We can easily obtain the satisfying solution just by using a few simple transformations and applying the VIM. A theorem for convergence and error estimates of the VIM for solving M-FDEs is given. Moreover, numerical results show that our theoretical analysis are accurate and the VIM is a powerful method for solving M-FDEs

An optimal fractional-order accumulative Grey Markov model with variable parameters and its application in total energy consumption

In this paper, we propose an optimal fractional-order accumulative Grey Markov model with variable parameters (FOGMKM (1, 1)) to predict the annual total energy consumption in China and improve the accuracy of energy consumption forecasting. The new model is built upon the traditional Grey model and utilized matrix perturbation theory to study the natural and response characteristics of a system when the structural parameters change slightly. The particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) is used to determine the number of optimal fractional order and nonlinear parameters. An experiment is conducted to validate the high prediction accuracy of the FOGMKM (1, 1) model, with mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and root mean square error (RMSE) values of 0.51% and 1886.6, respectively, and corresponding fitting values of 0.92% and 6108.8. These results demonstrate the superior fitting performance of the FOGMKM (1, 1) model when compared to other six competitive models, including GM (1, 1), ARIMA, Linear, FAONGBM (1, 1), FGM (1, 1) and FOGM (1, 1). Our study provides a scientific basis and technical references for further research in the finance as well as energy fields and can serve well for energy market benchmark research

Simultaneous sampling of volatile and non-volatile analytes in beer for fast fingerprinting by extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

By gently bubbling nitrogen gas through beer, an effervescent beverage, both volatile and non-volatile compounds can be simultaneously sampled in the form of aerosol. This allows for fast (within seconds) fingerprinting by extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (EESI-MS) in both negative and positive ion mode, without the need for any sample pre-treatment such as degassing and dilution. Trace analytes such as volatile esters (e.g., ethyl acetate and isoamyl acetate), free fatty acids (e.g., caproic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid), semi/non-volatile organic/inorganic acids (e.g., lactic acid), and various amino acids, commonly present in beer at the low parts per million or at sub-ppm levels, were detected and identified based on tandem MS data. Furthermore, the appearance of solvent cluster ions in the mass spectra gives insight into the sampling and ionization mechanisms: aerosol droplets containing semi/non-volatile substances are thought to be generated via bubble bursting at the surface of the liquid; these neutral aerosol droplets then collide with the charged primary electrospray ionization droplets, followed by analyte extraction, desolvation, ionization, and MS detection. With principal component analysis, several beer samples were successfully differentiated. Therefore, the present study successfully extends the applicability of EESI-MS to the direct analysis of complex liquid samples with high gas content. Figure By gently bubbling nitrogen gas through beer, both volatile and non-volatile compounds can be simultaneously sampled in the form of aerosol for further analysis, allowing fast chemically fingerprinting using extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (EESI-MS

Comparative pharmacokinetic study of ascaridole after oral administration of ascaridole and Jinghuaweikang capsule to rats

The objective of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetic characteristics of ascaridole following oral administration of pure ascaridole and Jinghuaweikang (JHWK) capsule. Besides, additional rats were given pure ascaridole via intravenous administration for the bioavailability study. The concentration of ascaridole in rat plasma was determined by a GC/MS method. Following oral administration of pure ascaridole and JHWK capsule, the maximum mean concentration in rat plasma (Cmax, 2701.4 ± 1282.6 ng/mL and 3008.0 ± 273.5 ng/mL) were achieved at 0.25 ± 0.09 h and 0.47 ± 0.22 h (Tmax), and the absolute bioavailabilities were approximately 20.8 and 26.9 %, respectively. The results indicated that other ingredients in JHWK capsule might facilitate and prolong the absorption procedure of ascaridole, and thus enhance its bioavailability in rats. The present study provided the necessary information for the further investigation of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. and its preparation.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Effects of organic and inorganic selenium on selenium bioavailability, growth performance, antioxidant status and meat quality of a local beef cattle in China

Selenium (Se) is an essential nutrient with multiple health benefits to humans and animals. Cattle generally require dietary Se supplementation to meet their daily requirements. The two main forms of dietary Se in cattle are organic Se and inorganic Se. Data comparing the health and productivity effects of organic Se and inorganic Se on cattle are still insufficient, and it is necessary to conduct more research to evaluate the bioavailability, nutritional value, deposition, and body functions of Se sources in different breeds and physiological stages of cattle raised in areas with different Se levels. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of organic and inorganic sources of Se on plasma biochemical indices, Se bioavailability, deposition in body tissues and organs, growth performance, antioxidant capacity and meat quality of beef cattle raised in Se-deficient areas. Fifteen Chinese Xiangzhong Black beef cattle with an average weight of 254.5 ± 8.85 kg were assigned to three dietary groups. The three groups were fed the same basal ration and supplemented with either an inorganic [sodium selenite (SS)] or organic [selenomethionine (SM) or Se-enriched yeast (SY)] source of Se (0.1 mg/kg dry matter) for 60 days. At the end of the experiment, three cattle from each group were randomly selected and slaughtered, and samples were collected from tissues and organs for analysis. The results revealed that growth performance, slaughter performance, Se content of tissues and organs, meat quality characteristics including chemical composition, pH45min, pH24h, drip loss, and cooking losses did not differ (p > 0.05) due to supplementation of the different organic and inorganic sources of Se. SM and SY were more effective in increasing (p < 0.05) immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentrations in the blood and reducing (p < 0.05) malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the longissimus dorsi than SS. In conclusion, organic Se is more effective than inorganic Se in improving the immune and antioxidant capacity of Chinese Xiangzhong Black beef cattle

Prime-boost vaccination of mice and rhesus macaques with two novel adenovirus vectored COVID-19 vaccine candidates.

ABSTRACTCOVID-19 vaccines are being developed urgently worldwide. Here, we constructed two adenovirus vectored COVID-19 vaccine candidates of Sad23L-nCoV-S and Ad49L-nCoV-S carrying the full-length gene of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The immunogenicity of two vaccines was individually evaluated in mice. Specific immune responses were observed by priming in a dose-dependent manner, and stronger responses were obtained by boosting. Furthermore, five rhesus macaques were primed with 5 × 109 PFU Sad23L-nCoV-S, followed by boosting with 5 × 109 PFU Ad49L-nCoV-S at 4-week interval. Both mice and macaques well tolerated the vaccine inoculations without detectable clinical or pathologic changes. In macaques, prime-boost regimen induced high titers of 103.16 anti-S, 102.75 anti-RBD binding antibody and 102.38 pseudovirus neutralizing antibody (pNAb) at 2 months, while pNAb decreased gradually to 101.45 at 7 months post-priming. Robust T-cell response of IFN-γ (712.6 SFCs/106 cells), IL-2 (334 SFCs/106 cells) and intracellular IFN-γ in CD4+/CD8+ T cell (0.39%/0.55%) to S peptides were detected in vaccinated macaques. It was concluded that prime-boost immunization with Sad23L-nCoV-S and Ad49L-nCoV-S can safely elicit strong immunity in animals in preparation of clinical phase 1/2 trials

A PD-1 Inhibitor Induces Complete Response of Advanced Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma: A Case Report

The prognosis of patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma is dismal. Platinum-based chemotherapy is still the main first-line treatment for advanced urothelial carcinoma, while immunotherapy can be used as a first-line treatment option for people who cannot tolerate platinum. Immunotherapy is preferred in the second-line treatment of bladder urothelial carcinoma. PD-1 inhibitors (Pembrolizumab, nivolumab and atezolizumab) and PD-L1 inhibitors (Ddurvalumab and avelumab) have not been approved for the treatment of advanced urothelial cancer in China. We describe a patient with advanced urothelial carcinoma experienced disease progression after gemcitabine chemotherapy. Following a treatment of domestic PD-1 inhibitor (sintilimab), the patient achieved a durable complete response with mild toxicity. This case indicates that PD-1 inhibitor sintilimab might be a second-line treatment choice for advanced urothelial carcinoma