Synchronization in a System of Globally Coupled Oscillators with Time Delay

We study the synchronization phenomena in a system of globally coupled oscillators with time delay in the coupling. The self-consistency equations for the order parameter are derived, which depend explicitly on the amount of delay. Analysis of these equations reveals that the system in general exhibits discontinuous transitions in addition to the usual continuous transition, between the incoherent state and a multitude of coherent states with different synchronization frequencies. In particular, the phase diagram is obtained on the plane of the coupling strength and the delay time, and ubiquity of multistability as well as suppression of the synchronization frequency is manifested. Numerical simulations are also performed to give consistent results

Metal-insulator transition in two-dimensional disordered systems with power-law transfer terms

We investigate a disordered two-dimensional lattice model for noninteracting electrons with long-range power-law transfer terms and apply the method of level statistics for the calculation of the critical properties. The eigenvalues used are obtained numerically by direct diagonalization. We find a metal-insulator transition for a system with orthogonal symmetry. The exponent governing the divergence of the correlation length at the transition is extracted from a finite size scaling analysis and found to be $\nu=2.6\pm 0.15$. The critical eigenstates are also analyzed and the distribution of the generalized multifractal dimensions is extrapolated.Comment: 4 pages with 4 figures, printed version: PRB, Rapid Communication

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors and the Risk of Pneumonia and Septic Shock

CONTEXT: Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) have an increased risk of pneumonia and septic shock. Traditional glucose-lowering drugs have recently been found to be associated with a higher risk of infections. It remains unclear whether sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is), which have pleiotropic/anti-inflammatory effects, may reduce the risk of pneumonia and septic shock in DM. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception up to May 19, 2022, for randomized, placebo-controlled trials of SGLT2i that included patients with DM and reported outcomes of interest (pneumonia and/or septic shock). Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment (using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool) were conducted by independent authors. A fixed-effects model was used to pool the relative risk (RRs) and 95% CI across trials. RESULTS: Out of 4568 citations, 26 trials with a total of 59 264 patients (1.9% developed pneumonia and 0.2% developed septic shock) were included. Compared with placebo, SGLT2is significantly reduced the risk of pneumonia (pooled RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78-0.98) and septic shock (pooled RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.44-0.95). There was no significant heterogeneity of effect size among trials. Subgroup analyses according to the type of SGLT2i used, baseline comorbidities, glycemic control, duration of DM, and trial follow-up showed consistent results without evidence of significant treatment-by-subgroup heterogeneity (all P(heterogeneity) > .10). CONCLUSION: Among DM patients, SGLT2is reduced the risk of pneumonia and septic shock compared with placebo. Our findings should be viewed as hypothesis generating, with concepts requiring validation in future studies

Toward Sustainable Environmental Quality : Priority Research Questions for Asia

Environmental and human health challenges are pronounced in Asia, an exceptionally diverse and complex region where influences of global megatrends are extensive and numerous stresses to environmental quality exist. Identifying priorities necessary to engage grand challenges can be facilitated through horizon scanning exercises, and to this end we identified and examined 23 priority research questions needed to advance toward more sustainable environmental quality in Asia, as part of the Global Horizon Scanning Project. Advances in environmental toxicology, environmental chemistry, biological monitoring, and risk-assessment methodologies are necessary to address the adverse impacts of environmental stressors on ecosystem services and biodiversity, with Asia being home to numerous biodiversity hotspots. Intersections of the food–energy–water nexus are profound in Asia; innovative and aggressive technologies are necessary to provide clean water, ensure food safety, and stimulate energy efficiency, while improving ecological integrity and addressing legacy and emerging threats to public health and the environment, particularly with increased aquaculture production. Asia is the largest chemical-producing continent globally. Accordingly, sustainable and green chemistry and engineering present decided opportunities to stimulate innovation and realize a number of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Engaging the priority research questions identified herein will require transdisciplinary coordination through existing and nontraditional partnerships within and among countries and sectors. Answering these questions will not be easy but is necessary to achieve more sustainable environmental quality in Asia. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1485–1505

Catalyst

A water gas shift catalyst comprising metal particles and a metal oxide material is disclosed. The metal particles comprise at least one precious metal and the metal oxide material comprises at least one reducible metal oxide. Substantially all of the metal particles are encapsulated by the metal oxide material such that the catalyst has substantially no activity for methanation. The loading of the metal particles is between 0.5-25wt% based on the weight of the metal oxide material. A process for preparing the catalyst is also disclosed

The limits of linked suppression for regulatory T cells

10.3389/fimmu.2016.00082Frontiers in Immunology7MAR8

Frailty is associated with pain and cognitive function in older people in post-acute care settings

Background: To describe pain, cognitive function, and frailty of older people in post-acute care settings and examine the association between the three elements. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 142 participants from a rehabilitation ward and a geriatric day centre. Pain, cognitive function and frailty were assessed using Brief Pain Inventory, Abbreviated Mental Test, and 5-item Frail Scale respectively. Results: Participants were mostly women (51.7%) with a mean age of 76.5 (SD 7.8). Mean scores for pain, cognition, and frailty were 9.0 ± 1.0, 4.0 ± 2.8, and 2.2 ± 1.2, respectively. Cognition had a significant inverse association with frailty (β = −0.160, p = 0.047), and pain had a significant positive association with frailty (β = 5.122, p < 0.001). This linear regression model explained a variance of 0.269. Conclusions: The study demonstrated the association between pain, cognitive function, and frailty. In predicting frailty, however, more studies are required to determine the predictive value and cut-off points for pain and cognitive measures

Role of monoamine oxidases in the exaggerated 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced tension development of human isolated preeclamptic umbilical artery

We investigated the role(s) of monoamine oxidases (MAOs) on the altered 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin)-induced tension development of the isolated umbilical artery of preeclamptic pregnancy of Chinese women. An enhanced 5-HT-induced tension development of the umbilical artery of preeclamptic pregnancy was observed when compared with that of normal pregnancy. The enhanced component of 5-HT-induced tension development was eradicated by clorgyline (a MAO-A inhibitor). Blockade of eNOS (endothelial isoform nitric oxide synthase) (Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester), 5-HT transporter (citalopram), 5-HT receptor subtypes (5HT2B, SB 204741; 5-HT2C, RS 102221; 5-HT7, SB 269970), and endothelium denudation of the umbilical artery of normal pregnancy mimicked the enhanced 5-HT-induced tension development as observed in the preeclamptic tissues. In contrast, no apparent changes in 5-HT-induced tension development of the umbilical artery of preeclamptic pregnancy were observed with the same pharmacological manipulations. A decreased protein expression levels of MAO-A and eNOS (no iNOS and MAO-B expression was detected) and no change in caveolin-1 and 5-HT transporter expression were demonstrated in the umbilical artery (endothelium intact) lysate of preeclamptic pregnancy, compared to that of the umbilical artery of normal pregnancy. Thus, in the umbilical artery of preeclamptic pregnancy, a decrease of MAO-A and eNOS protein expression levels are probably associated with, or responsible for, the exaggerated 5-HT-induced tension development