Kamenev-Type Oscillation Criteria of Second-Order Nonlinear Dynamic Equations on Time Scales

Using functions from some function classes and a generalized Riccati technique, we establish Kamenev-type oscillation criteria for second-order nonlinear dynamic equations on time scales of the form (p(t)ψ(x(t))k∘xΔ(t))Δ+f(t,x(σ(t)))=0. Two examples are included to show the significance of the results

Oscillation Results for Second-Order Nonlinear Damped Dynamic Equations on Time Scales

This paper is concerned with second-order nonlinear damped dynamic equations on time scales of the following more general form (p(t)k1(x(t),xΔ(t)))Δ+r(t)k2(x(t),xΔ(t))xΔ(t)+f(t,x(σ(t)))=0. New oscillation results are given to handle some cases not covered by known criteria. An illustrative example is also presented

Nesting Forward Automatic Differentiation for Memory-Efficient Deep Neural Network Training

An activation function is an element-wise mathematical function and plays a crucial role in deep neural networks (DNN). Many novel and sophisticated activation functions have been proposed to improve the DNN accuracy but also consume massive memory in the training process with back-propagation. In this study, we propose the nested forward automatic differentiation (Forward-AD), specifically for the element-wise activation function for memory-efficient DNN training. We deploy nested Forward-AD in two widely-used deep learning frameworks, TensorFlow and PyTorch, which support the static and dynamic computation graph, respectively. Our evaluation shows that nested Forward-AD reduces the memory footprint by up to 1.97x than the baseline model and outperforms the recomputation by 20% under the same memory reduction ratio.Comment: 8 pages, ICCD 202

Color-charged Quark Matter in Astrophysics?

Color confinement is only a supposition, which has not been proved in QCD yet. It is proposed here that macroscopic quark gluon plasma in astrophysics could hardly maintain colorless because of causality. The authors expected that the existence of chromatic strange quark stars as well as chromatic strangelets preserved from the QCD phase transition in the early universe could be unavoidable if their colorless correspondents do exist.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figure

Potential molecular mechanisms of Erlongjiaonang action in idiopathic sudden hearing loss: A network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses

BackgroundIdiopathic sudden hearing loss (ISHL) is characterized by sudden unexplainable and unilateral hearing loss as a clinically emergent symptom. The use of the herb Erlongjiaonang (ELJN) in traditional Chinese medicine is known to effectively control and cure ISHL. This study explored the underlying molecular mechanisms using network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses.MethodThe Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacological database and the Swiss Target Prediction database were searched for the identification of ELJN constituents and potential gene targets, respectively, while ISHL-related gene abnormality was assessed using the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man and Gene Card databases. The interaction of ELJN gene targets with ISHL genes was obtained after these databases were cross-screened, and a drug component–intersecting target network was constructed, and the gene ontology (GO) terms, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and protein–protein interaction networks were analyzed. Cytoscape software tools were used to map the active components–crossover target–signaling pathway network and screened targets were then validated by establishing molecular docking with the corresponding components.ResultErlongjiaonang contains 85 components and 250 corresponding gene targets, while ISHL has 714 disease-related targets, resulting in 66 cross-targets. The bioinformatical analyses revealed these 66 cross-targets, including isorhamnetin and formononetin on NOS3 expression, baicalein on AKT1 activity, and kaempferol and quercetin on NOS3 and AKT1 activity, as potential ELJN-induced anti-ISHL targets.ConclusionThis study uncovered potential ELJN gene targets and molecular signaling pathways in the control of ISHL, providing a molecular basis for further investigation of the anti-ISHL activity of ELJN

Mechanical properties of trabeculae and osteocyte morphology change significantly in different areas of the necrotic femoral head

Background: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a complex hip ailment. The precise changes in bone tissue during the disease’s onset remain unclear. It is vital to assess both the quantity and quality of the trabecular state in a necrotic femoral head.Aim: This study aims to identify and compare the ultrastructural changes in osteocyte morphology and nanomechanical characteristics within various regions of necrotic femoral heads.Methods: Between December 2016 and May 2023, we gathered ten necrotic femoral heads from patients and five femoral heads from cadavers. The samples from the necrotic femoral heads were categorized into three areas: necrotic, sclerotic, and normal. Our assessment methods encompassed hematoxylin and eosin staining, sclerostin (SOST) immunohistochemistry, micro-computed tomography, nanoindentation, and acid-etched scanning electron microscopy. These techniques enabled us to examine the SOST expression, trabecular microstructure, micromechanical properties of trabeculae, and modifications in osteocyte morphology at the ultrastructural level.Results: The protein level of SOST was found to be lower in the sclerotic area. In the necrotic area, decreased values of bone volume fraction, trabecular thickness, and trabecular number and an increased value of trabecular separation were found. Conversely, in the sclerotic area, higher mean values of bone volume fraction, trabecular number, and trabecular thickness and lower trabecular separation indicated significant changes in the structural characteristics of trabeculae. Compared with the healthy area, the elastic modulus and hardness in the sclerotic area were significantly higher than those in the necrotic, normal, and control areas, while those in necrotic areas were significantly lower than those in the healthy area. The number of osteocytes tended to increase in the sclerotic area with more canalicular cells compared to the healthy area and control group.Conclusion: These results imply that the stress distribution within the sclerotic area could potentially lead to enhanced trabecular quality and quantity. This effect is also reflected in the increased count of osteocytes and their canaliculars. It is plausible that the sclerotic trabecular bone plays a pivotal role in the repair of necrotic femoral heads