Relative Entropy in CFT

By using Araki's relative entropy, Lieb's convexity and the theory of singular integrals, we compute the mutual information associated with free fermions, and we deduce many results about entropies for chiral CFT's which are embedded into free fermions, and their extensions. Such relative entropies in CFT are here computed explicitly for the first time in a mathematical rigorous way. Our results agree with previous computations by physicists based on heuristic arguments; in addition we uncover a surprising connection with the theory of subfactors, in particular by showing that a certain duality, which is argued to be true on physical grounds, is in fact violated if the global dimension of the conformal net is greater than $1.$Comment: 31 page

Research on a Pulmonary Nodule Segmentation Method Combining Fast Self-Adaptive FCM and Classification

The key problem of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) of lung cancer is to segment pathologically changed tissues fast and accurately. As pulmonary nodules are potential manifestation of lung cancer, we propose a fast and self-adaptive pulmonary nodules segmentation method based on a combination of FCM clustering and classification learning. The enhanced spatial function considers contributions to fuzzy membership from both the grayscale similarity between central pixels and single neighboring pixels and the spatial similarity between central pixels and neighborhood and improves effectively the convergence rate and self-adaptivity of the algorithm. Experimental results show that the proposed method can achieve more accurate segmentation of vascular adhesion, pleural adhesion, and ground glass opacity (GGO) pulmonary nodules than other typical algorithms

Evolution of the rpoB-psbZ region in fern plastid genomes: notable structural rearrangements and highly variable intergenic spacers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The <it>rpoB</it>-<it>psbZ </it>(BZ) region of some fern plastid genomes (plastomes) has been noted to go through considerable genomic changes. Unraveling its evolutionary dynamics across all fern lineages will lead to clarify the fundamental process shaping fern plastome structure and organization.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 24 fern BZ sequences were investigated with taxon sampling covering all the extant fern orders. We found that: (i) a tree fern <it>Plagiogyria japonica </it>contained a novel gene order that can be generated from either the ancestral <it>Angiopteris </it>type or the derived <it>Adiantum </it>type via a single inversion; (ii) the <it>trnY</it>-<it>trnE </it>intergenic spacer (IGS) of the filmy fern <it>Vandenboschia radicans </it>was expanded 3-fold due to the tandem 27-bp repeats which showed strong sequence similarity with the anticodon domain of <it>trnY</it>; (iii) the <it>trnY</it>-<it>trnE </it>IGSs of two horsetail ferns <it>Equisetum ramosissimum </it>and <it>E. arvense </it>underwent an unprecedented 5-kb long expansion, more than a quarter of which was consisted of a single type of direct repeats also relevant to the <it>trnY </it>anticodon domain; and (iv) <it>ycf66 </it>has independently lost at least four times in ferns.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results provided fresh insights into the evolutionary process of fern BZ regions. The intermediate BZ gene order was not detected, supporting that the <it>Adiantum </it>type was generated by two inversions occurring in pairs. The occurrence of <it>Vandenboschia </it>27-bp repeats represents the first evidence of partial tRNA gene duplication in fern plastomes. Repeats potentially forming a stem-loop structure play major roles in the expansion of the <it>trnY</it>-<it>trnE </it>IGS.</p

BUILDING A FACEBOOK EMBEDDED PICTURE BOOK DESIGN LEARNING PLATFORM AND UNDERSTANDING ITS USE INTENTIONS

Electronic reading is a process of digitalizing not only the content and reading devices but also the publication and distribution of books. With the development of e-books, more attention has been paid to use of e-books in education. Through online communities and innovative learning models, digital content providers can offer plenty of resources to help learners at all levels and promote the effectiveness of their self-regulated learning. The objective of this study is to build a cloud-based learning platform that integrates designs of electronic picture books and the social functions of Facebook. Students of multimedia design can upload their works to this platform and learn from each other through idea sharing and discussion. This platform is expected to help students create works with better quality and more creativity. Besides, this study also investigates the learning behavior and use intentions of students on this platform based on “Social Interaction Theory” and “Uses and Gratifications Theory”. This study attempts to capture students’ needs and how they are related to their learning outcomes. Results of this study contribute to the development of cloud-based learning and can be a reference for design of learning materials and improvement of teaching models

Scutellaria baicalensis decreases ritonavir-induced nausea

BACKGROUND: Protease inhibitors, particularly ritonavir, causes significant gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, even at low doses. This ritonavir-induced nausea could be related to its oxidative stress in the gut. Alleviation of drug-induced nausea is important in effectively increasing patients' compliance and improving their quality of life. Conventional anti-emetic drugs can only partially abate the symptoms in these patients, and their cost has also been a concern. Rats respond to nausea-producing emetic stimuli by increasing consumption of non-nutritive substances like kaolin or clay, a phenomenon known as pica. In this study, we used this rat pica model to evaluate the effects of Scutellaria baicalensis, a commonly used oriental herbal medicine, on ritonavir-induced nausea. RESULTS: Rats treated with 20 mg/kg ritonavir significant caused increases of kaolin consumption at 24 to 48 hr (P < 0.01). Pretreatment with 0.3 and 3 mg/kg Scutellaria baicalensis extract significantly decreased ritonavir-induced kaolin intake in a dose-related manner (P < 0.01). Compared to vehicle treatment, the extract completely prevented ritonavir-induced kaolin consumption at dose 3 mg/kg. The area under the curves (AUC) for kaolin intake from time 0 to 120 hr for vehicle only, ritonavir only, SbE 0.3 mg/kg plus ritonavir, and SbE 3 mg/kg plus ritonavir were 27.3 g•hr, 146.7 g•hr, 123.2 g•hr, and 32.7 g•hr, respectively. The reduction in area under the curves of kaolin intake from time 0 to 120 hr between ritonavir only and SbE 0.3 mg/kg plus ritonavir, ritonavir only and SbE 3 mg/kg plus ritonavir were 16.0% and 77.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Scutellaria baicalensis significantly attenuated ritonavir-induced pica, and demonstrated a potential in treating ritonavir-induced nausea

Protease inhibitor-induced nausea and vomiting is attenuated by a peripherally acting, opioid-receptor antagonist in a rat model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Protease inhibitors such as ritonavir can cause nausea and vomiting which is the most common reason for discontinuation. Rats react to nauseous and emetic stimuli by increasing their oral intake of non-nutritive substances like kaolin, known as pica behavior. In this study, we evaluated the effects of methylnaltrexone, a peripherally acting <it>mu</it>-opioid receptor antagonist that does not affect analgesia, on ritonavir-induced nausea and vomiting in a rat pica model.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We observed that 24 to 48 hr after administration of oral ritonavir 20 mg/kg, kaolin consumption increased significantly in rats (<it>P </it>< 0.01). This increase was attenuated by pretreatment with an intraperitoneal injection of methylnaltrexone (0.3–3.0 mg/kg) in a dose dependent manner (<it>P </it>< 0.01) and also with naloxone (0.1–0.3 mg/kg) (<it>P </it>< 0.01). The areas under the curve for kaolin intake from time 0 to 120 hr were significantly reduced after administration of the opioid antagonists. Food intake was not significantly affected. Plasma naltrexone levels were measured after methylnaltrexone injection, and no detectable levels were found, indicating that methylnaltrexone was not demethylated in our experimental paradigm.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results suggest that methylnaltrexone may have potential clinical utility in reducing nausea and vomiting in HIV patients who take ritonavir.</p

Comparative studies on the multi-component pharmacokinetics of Aristolochiae Fructus and honey-fried Aristolochiae Fructus extracts after oral administration in rats

PK parameters of 7-OH AA I in rats after oral administration of AF and HAF. (DOC 37 kb

Early Triassic microbialites from the Changxing Region of Zhejiang Province, South China

© 2019, The Author(s). Microbialites, often considered as a signal of extreme marine environment, are common in the Lower Triassic strata of South China where they flourished in the aftermath of the end-Permian mass extinction. Early Triassic microbialite facies are known to vary palaeogeographically, perhaps due to differing climates, ocean chemistry, and water depths. This paper provides the first record of a brief, but spectacular development of microbialites in the aftermath of the end-Permian mass extinction at Panjiazhuang section, Changxing Region of Zhejiang Province (eastern South China). Here, the Upper Permian Changxing Formation comprises typical shallow platform facies rich in calcareous algae and foraminifera, the development of which was terminated by the major end-Permian regression. A 3.4-m-thick microbialite began to form at the onset of the transgression in the earliest Triassic. The microbialite at Panjiazhuang section is composed of thrombolite that contains abundant calcified cyanobacteria, small gastropods, microconchid tubes and ostracods, representing a low-diversity shallow marine community in the aftermath of the end-Permian crisis. The microbialites are succeeded by thin-bedded micrites bearing thin-shelled bivalves, which record a rapid sea-level rise in the Early Triassic. Abundant populations of small pyrite framboids are observed in the upper part of the microbialites and the overlying thin-bedded micrites, suggesting that dysoxic water conditions developed at that time. The appearance of microbialites near the Permian–Triassic boundary (PTB) at Panjiazhuang section was the result of peculiar marine conditions following the end-Permian regression, whilst their disappearance was due to the increasing water depth and the development of dysoxia