The Existence of Positive Solutions for an Integral Boundary Value Problems

In this paper, by using fixed point theorem of cone expansion-compression type and suitable conditions, we present the existence of single positive solution for the integral boundary value problems. We derive an explicit interval of λ such that for any λ in this interval, the existence of at least one positive solution to the boundary value problems is guaranteed

Error Analysis of a Rational Interpolation Spline

Abstract. This paper deals with the approximation properties of a rational cubic interpolation with linear denominator. The rational cubic spline based on function values only and the two families of parameters, in the description of the rational interpolant, modify the shape of the curve freely. Error expression of the values and the derivatives of interpolating functions are derived, which shows the interpaltion is stable

The association between gut microbiome and PCOS: evidence from meta-analysis and two-sample mendelian randomization

BackgroundIncreasing evidence from observational studies and clinical experimentation has indicated a link between the gut microbiotas (GMs) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), however, the causality and direction of causality between gut microbiome and PCOS remains to be established.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive search of four databases–PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase up until June 1, 2023, and subjected the results to a meta-analysis. In this study, a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was employed to investigate the impact of gut microbiota on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for PCOS comprised 113,238 samples, while the GWAS data for gut microbiota were derived from the MiBioGen consortium, encompassing a total sample size of 18,340 individuals. As the largest dataset of its kind, this study represents the most comprehensive genome-wide meta-analysis concerning gut microbiota composition to date. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected as instrumental variables at various taxonomic levels, including Phylum, Class, Order, Family, and Genus. The causal associations between exposures and outcomes were assessed using four established MR methods. To correct for multiple testing, the false discovery rate (FDR) method was applied. The reliability and potential biases of the results were evaluated through sensitivity analysis and F-statistics.ResultsThe meta-analysis incorporated a total of 20 studies that met the criteria, revealing a close association between PCOS and specific gut microbiota species. As per the results from our MR analysis, we identified six causal associations between the gut microbiome and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). At the genus level, Actinomyces (ORIVW = 1.369, FDR = 0.040), Streptococcus (ORIVW = 1.548, FDR = 0.027), and Ruminococcaceae UCG-005 (ORIVW = 1.488, FDR = 0.028) were identified as risk factors for PCOS. Conversely, Candidatus Soleaferrea (ORIVW = 0.723, FDR = 0.040), Dorea (ORIVW = 0.580, FDR = 0.032), and Ruminococcaceae UCG-011 (ORIVW = 0.732, FDR = 0.030) were found to be protective factors against PCOS. Furthermore, the MR-PRESSO global test and MR-Egger regression indicated that our study results were not affected by horizontal pleiotropy (p > 0.05). Finally, the leave-one-out analysis corroborated the robustness of the MR findings.ConclusionBoth our meta-analysis and MR study indicates that there is a causal relationship between the gut microbiome and PCOS, which may contribute to providing novel insights for the development of new preventive and therapeutic strategies for PCOS

Existence and Iteration of Positive Solutions for Multipoint Boundary Value Problems Dependence on the First Order Derivative with One-Dimensional p-Laplacian

Abstract In this paper, we study the existence of monotone positive solutions for the following nonlinear m-point singular boundary value problem with p-Laplacian operator. The main tool is the monotone iterative technique. We obtain not only the existence of positive solutions for the problem, but also establish iterative schemes for approximating solution. Mathematics Subject Classification: 34B1

Integrating Blue and Green Water to Identify Matching Characteristics of Agricultural Water and Land Resources in China

The uneven distribution and spatial mismatch between water and land resources (WLR) limit the utilization efficiency of agricultural water and land resources (AWLR), and then pose a threat to food production. There is a critical need to understand their matching characteristics for strategic resource allocation decisions and management. In this study, a holistic index (RSI) derived from resource equivalency analysis (REA) was developed which contributed to examine the abundance or deficiency of agricultural water and land resources (AWLR) based on the conception of generalized water resources (including blue water and green water). Results indicate that the matching degree of AWLR was the lowest in Northeast China, North China and Gansu in Northwest China, while the highest value was in Xinjiang due to the higher blue water use. In north China, other provinces suffered water scarcity except in Jilin, Liaoning, Henan, while all provinces in south China suffered land scarcity except in Tibet and Jiangsu. Meanwhile, the matching of AWLR was not exactly consistent with the distribution pattern of precipitation. The higher proportion of green water resources was not located in southeast China with rich precipitation; it had to do with water management. Too much or little water resources can result in the increasing of blue water use. The proposed approach can be a powerful instrument to implement public policies and management strategy as an attempt to improve the utilization efficiency and enhance the optimize-allocation of AWLR

Integrating Blue and Green Water to Identify Matching Characteristics of Agricultural Water and Land Resources in China

The uneven distribution and spatial mismatch between water and land resources (WLR) limit the utilization efficiency of agricultural water and land resources (AWLR), and then pose a threat to food production. There is a critical need to understand their matching characteristics for strategic resource allocation decisions and management. In this study, a holistic index (RSI) derived from resource equivalency analysis (REA) was developed which contributed to examine the abundance or deficiency of agricultural water and land resources (AWLR) based on the conception of generalized water resources (including blue water and green water). Results indicate that the matching degree of AWLR was the lowest in Northeast China, North China and Gansu in Northwest China, while the highest value was in Xinjiang due to the higher blue water use. In north China, other provinces suffered water scarcity except in Jilin, Liaoning, Henan, while all provinces in south China suffered land scarcity except in Tibet and Jiangsu. Meanwhile, the matching of AWLR was not exactly consistent with the distribution pattern of precipitation. The higher proportion of green water resources was not located in southeast China with rich precipitation; it had to do with water management. Too much or little water resources can result in the increasing of blue water use. The proposed approach can be a powerful instrument to implement public policies and management strategy as an attempt to improve the utilization efficiency and enhance the optimize-allocation of AWLR

Prediction of solids residence time distribution in cross-flow bubbling fluidized bed

Cross-flow bubbling fluidized beds (BFBs) have been widely used in dual fluidized bed systems such as chemical and heat looping. Understanding the residence characteristics of solids in such system is important for better design and optimization of reactors. Previously we experimentally measured the residence time distributions (RTDs) of sands in a cross-flow rectangular BFB by using coal particles as tracer. A computational investigation of solids RTD using multi-fluid Eulerian method combined with the species transport equation showed that the RTD of sands could be correctly represented by that of coal particles, and the simulation results well agreed with experimental data. Parametric studies demonstrated that, under the considered operation conditions, the influence of tracer injection time period on the predicted solid residence times was nearly ignorable. Simulation results revealed that in the investigated cross-flow BFB the solids RTD is closely related to solids inventory and solids flux. Through proper data processing, it was found that the descending part of solids RTD profile can be uniquely fitted by an empirical exponential function. A semi-empirical approach was thus developed and further validated, for the first time in the literature, to predict the entire profile of solids RID, in which the ascending part of solids RTD profile is obtained through CFD simulation whereas the descending part is given by the fitted empirical exponential function. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</p

Cu Nanowires and Nanoporous Ag Matrix Fabricated through Directional Solidification and Selective Dissolution of Ag–Cu Eutectic Alloys

Cu nanowires and a nanoporous Ag matrix were fabricated through directional solidification and selective dissolution of Ag–Cu eutectic alloys. Ag-39.9at.%Cu eutectic alloys were directionally solidified at growth rates of 14, 25, and 34 μm/s at a temperature gradient of 10 K/cm. The Cu phase in the Ag matrix gradually changed from lamellar to fibrous with an increase in the growth rate. The Ag matrix phase was selectively dissolved, and Cu nanowires of 300–600 nm in diameter and tens of microns in length were prepared in 0.1 M borate buffer with a pH of 9.18 at a constant potential of 0.7 V (vs. SCE). The nanoporous Ag matrix was fabricated through selective dissolution of Cu fiber phase in 0.1 M acetate buffer with a pH of 6.0 at a constant potential of 0.5 V (vs. SCE). The diameter of Ag pores decreased with increasing growth rate. The diameter and depth of Ag pores increased when corrosion time was extended. The depth of the pores was 30 μm after 12 h

Association of self-rated health with chronic disease, mental health symptom and social relationship in older people

10.1038/s41598-021-94318-xScientific Reports1111465

Soil Organic Nitrogen Indirectly Enhances Pepper-Residue-Mediated Soil Disease Suppression through Manipulation of Soil Microbiome

Banana Fusarium wilt-suppressive soils are effective against pathogen invasion, yet soil physicochemical factors responsible for conducive or suppressive behavior have not been reported. Here, we investigated the changes in banana biomass, disease incidence (DI), soil culturable microbes and physicochemical properties by incorporating pepper and banana residues into conducive and suppressive soils. Before the incorporation of any residues, the suppressive soil significantly increased banana biomass and decreased DI compared to the conducive soil. The biomass of the suppressive soil was significantly higher than that of the conducive soil after the incorporation of either pepper or banana residues. Compared with the control (CK), the incorporation of pepper residues to both soils significantly reduced DI, while banana residues had the opposite effect. Additionally, both conducive and suppressive soils supplemented with pepper residues significantly reduced the amounts of culturable Fusarium oxysporum and increased the amounts of beneficial Pseudomonas and Bacillus. The pepper residue extracts significantly inhibited the growth of F. oxysporum mycelium. Soil alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen (AN) responded most strongly to residue application to suppressive soil. The AN factor was significantly and positively correlated with banana biomass; however, there was no direct and significant negative correlation with DI. Further analysis of the results showed that elevated AN content could stimulate the amounts of culturable Bacillus in the soil, and Bacillus antagonized the proliferation of pathogen and thus indirectly and effectively reduced banana DI. In conclusion, soil AN content can indirectly improve the disease suppression ability of pepper-residue-mediated suppressive soil by manipulating the soil microbiome