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This paper mainly study the dynamics of a Lotka-Volterra reaction-diffusion-advection model for two competing species which disperse by both random diffusion and advection along environmental gradient. In this model, the species are assumed to be identical except spatial resource distribution: heterogeneity vs homogeneity. It is shown that the species with heterogeneous resources distribution is always in a better position, that is, it can always invade when rare. The ratio of advection strength and diffusion rate of the species with heterogeneous distribution plays a crucial role in the dynamics behavior of the system. Some conditions of invasion, driving extinction, and coexistence are given in term of this ratio and the diffusion rate of its competitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Great attention has been paid to conveniently calculating the electromagnetic (EM) field due to vertical magnetic dipole (VMD) buried in stratified media. It is quite difficult because this topic involves the computation of Sommerfeld-type integrals (SI). In this paper closed-form expressions for the far field of a VMD embedded below the sea surface are obtained easily by using a new technique to evaluate the SI with the aid of complex image theory. The present approach can be also used to get the far field formulas for other similar cases. Index Terms--Far field, layered conducting medium, sommerfeld integral (SI), vertical magnetic dipole (VMD).

Abstract Objective Most studies on sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) do not differentiate the outcomes within varied affected ears in children. The present study was designed to determine the clinical differences between unilateral and bilateral SSNHL in children. Methods The clinical data, from a total of 101 pediatric patients with SSNHL, was retrospectively analyzed from January 2003 to December 2016. The main outcome measures included basic characteristics, etiology, clinical symptoms and treatment courses. Results When the bilateral group (n = 28) was compared to the unilateral group (n = 73), neither gender nor onset of SSNHL was significantly different (p > 0.05 each); However, bilateral SSNHL tended to occur in younger ages (8.1 ± 4.0 yrs), with higher percentages of suspected etiologies (50%) and proportion of profound deafness (55.4%, p < 0.05 each). The short-term recovery rate was superior in the unilateral cases over the bilateral cases (37.0% vs. 12.5%, p < 0.05). Milder initial hearing threshold, early onset of treatment (5.6 ± 4.8 days) with unilateral involvement and an older age (11.3 ± 3.0 yrs) in bilaterally affected cases were associated with a better prognosis in this cohort. In addition, the unilateral group showed comparable outcomes, when sub-analyzed by comparison to that in either left- (n = 42) or right-sided (n = 31) SSNHL. Conclusion Although bilateral and unilateral pediatric SSNHL could cause partial to complete cochlear lesion, they may be relevant to distinct backgrounds. Our data also provides valuable information about demographics and outcomes of SSNHL in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diaphorina citri (Asian citrus psyllid; ACP) transmits 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' associated with citrus Huanglongbing (HLB). ACP has been reported in 11 provinces/regions in China, yet its population diversity remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated ACP population diversity in China using representative whole mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequences. Additional mitogenome sequences outside China were also acquired and evaluated. Results: The sizes of the 27 ACP mitogenome sequences ranged from 14 986 to 15 030 bp. Along with three previously published mitogenome sequences, the 30 sequences formed three major mitochondrial groups (MGs): MG1, present in southwestern China and occurring at elevations above 1000 m; MG2, present in southeastern China and Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam) and occurring at elevations below 180 m; and MG3, present in the USA and Pakistan. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in five genes (cox2, atp8, nad3, nad1 and rrnL) contributed mostly in the ACP diversity. Among these genes, rrnL had the most variation. Conclusion: Mitogenome sequences analyses revealed two major phylogenetic groups of ACP present in China as well as a possible unique group present currently in Pakistan and the USA. The information could have significant implications for current ACP control and HLB management. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry This study acquired 27 mitogenome sequences of Diaphorina citri. Mitogenome analyses revealed the heterogeneity of the D. citri population in China. The information has significant implications for current HLB management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an apparatus to study inelastic H or D atom scattering from surfaces under ultra-high vacuum conditions. The apparatus provides high resolution information on scattering energy and angular distributions by combining a photolysis-based atom source with Rydberg atom tagging time-of-flight. Using hydrogen halides as precursors, H and D atom beams can be formed with energies from 500 meV up to 7 eV, with an energy spread of down to 2 meV and an intensity of up to 108 atoms per pulse. A six-axis manipulator holds the sample and allows variation of both polar and azimuthal incidence angles. Surface temperature can be varied from 45 K up to 1500 K. The apparatus' energy resolution (E / Δ E) can be as high as 1000 and its angular resolution can be adjusted between 0.3° and 3°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the optoacoustic communication from in-air platforms to submerged apparatus, a method based on speech recognition and variable laser-pulse repetition rates is proposed, which realizes character encoding and transmission for speech. Firstly, the theories and spectrum characteristics of the laser-generated underwater sound are analyzed; and moreover character conversion and encoding for speech as well as the pattern of codes for laser modulation is studied; lastly experiments to verify the system design are carried out. Results show that the optoacoustic system, where laser modulation is controlled by speech-to-character baseband codes, is beneficial to improve flexibility in receiving location for underwater targets as well as real-time performance in information transmission. In the overwater transmitter, a pulse laser is controlled to radiate by speech signals with several repetition rates randomly selected in the range of one to fifty Hz, and then in the underwater receiver laser pulse repetition rate and data can be acquired by the preamble and information codes of the corresponding laser-generated sound. When the energy of the laser pulse is appropriate, real-time transmission for speaker-independent speech can be realized in that way, which solves the problem of underwater bandwidth resource and provides a technical approach for the air-sea communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Delta/Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor (DNER) serves an important role in the developing central nervous system. However, the actions of DNER in the development of the spiral ganglion in the inner ear have yet to be elucidated. Wild-type C57BL/6 mice were housed and time-mated for use in the present study. Primary neuronal cultures were prepared using spiral ganglion progenitors isolated from the modiolus of postnatal day 1 (P1) mice. DNER recombinant lentiviral vectors were constructed and transfected into the cultured primary neurons. The relative proportion of differentiated neurons and the length of their neurites were evaluated using microscopy. The results of the present study demonstrated that DNER was expressed in spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) that exhibited significant polarity in the early differentiation stages; DNER expression gradually decreased until the polarity was lost on week 35. The in vitro expression of DNER was revealed to be similar to that in vivo. When DNER expression was silenced using RNA interference, the polarity of the differentiated neurons was altered and they exhibited significantly reduced dendritic length. In addition, the proportion of bipolar neurons was decreased compared with the control group. Furthermore, the expression of α-synuclein and the GluR2/3 subunits of the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid glutamate receptor were also reduced in cultured neurons in which DNER was silenced. Notch1 was co-expressed with DNER in SGNs isolated from P1 mice. The indirect Notch inhibitor N-[N-(3,5-Difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester also affected the polarity and the formation of protrusions, and reduced the expression of DNER and glial fibrillary acidic protein in SGNs. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that DNER was expressed in SGNs and appeared to be involved in the mechanisms underlying neuronal polarity and neuritogenesis, via a Notch-dependent signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Extant research has suggested that social exclusion could either increase or decrease consumers' subsequent self‐regulatory food choice. From the novel perspective of Active‐Self Account Theory, current research develops a theoretical framework to resolve the conflicting views by introducing individuals' time orientation as an important boundary condition. Our findings from 2 studies demonstrate that (a) when focused on the present, excluded (vs. included) individuals tend to exert less food self‐regulation; and (b) when focused on the future, excluded (vs. included) individuals are inclined to exhibit more food self‐regulation. Moreover, these effects are driven by self‐discipline. We discuss how our findings promote understanding of when and why social exclusion may boost or undermine food self‐regulation, and provide practical implications for food marketing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enterprise data security is a critical concern for businesses, especially when it comes to storing sensitive information related to property and resource risk management. Integrating blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) technology can provide a more secure and efficient solution for storing this type of data. Some multinational enterprises struggle with poor property and resource management, which leads to the loss of materials inventory information during storage. This lack of information prevents managers from accessing timely and accurate financial information, increasing the risk of foreign investment and resulting in financial crises. To address this problem, this paper proposes a secure storage system for Material Inventory Data (MID) that integrates blockchain and artificial intelligence technology. The proposed system consists of three components: transactions, blocks, and chains, which create a hierarchical structural model. The system's constraint function calculates the probability of multiple intruders attacking the system, and the target constraint conditions are divided to establish a safe storage mechanism. Additionally, the system uses an incentive mechanism where multiple nodes agree on the block contents to optimize the model and maximize block income. Simulation results show that the proposed system has a shorter data storage delay time than the conventional approach, and very little data loss, effectively ensuring the integrity of enterprise data security storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the basic psychometric properties of the Core Self-evaluations Scale (CSES) originally developed by Judge, Erez, Bono and Thoresen. To date, it is the only available instrument that permits a conceptually pure quantification of core self-evaluations. Factor structures, validity, internal reliability were examined for the two Chinese subsamples. The two-factor model was confirmed via exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The invariance between students and non-students was supported. The CSES was found to have satisfactory internal reliability and test-retest reliability. The results of the present study are comparable with those obtained in previous work with measures of social support, emotional intelligence and life satisfaction and increase support for the validity of this instrument. The questionnaire can be used in Chinese adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative damage to the inner ear is responsible for several types of sensorineural deafness. Cochlear stria marginal cells (MCs) are thought to be vulnerable to such oxidative stress. Activated poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) has been implicated in several diseases, but the effect of PARP1 on MCs subjected to oxidative stress remains elusive. In this study, we established an in vitro cellular oxidative stress model using glucose oxidase (GO) and attempted to explore the role that PARP1 plays in the oxidative damage of MCs. In this study, PARP1 and poly-ADP-ribose (PAR) were highly expressed in GO-treated MCs, and this was accompanied by loss of MC viability, excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), collapse of mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm), and redistribution of the mitochondrial downstream pathway-related molecules Bax and cytochrome c, eventually causing MC death. These effects were almost completely counteracted by suppressing PARP1 expression with small interfering RNA (siRNA). We also found that caspase-3 activation was a downstream event of PARP activation and that apoptosis of MCs was suppressed, although not completely, by pretreatment with the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk. The suppression was less than that when PARP1 expression was inhibited. We conclude that GO treatment induces activation of PARP1, which causes MC damage via mitochondrial mediation. PARP1 plays a pivotal role in GO-induced MC death, at least in part, via the caspase-3 cascade. Our study might provide a new cellular and molecular approach for the treatment of oxidative stress-related sensorineural deafness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although existing studies on adolescent well-being have revealed a positive relationship between gratitude and global subjective well-being, little research investigates whether the findings could be applied to domain-specific of subjective well-being, such as school well-being, and why this linkage arises. The present study addresses this gap by examining the effect of gratitude on school well-being, and the mediation of materialism. Participants were 764 late adolescents who completed measures of gratitude, materialism, and school well-being. Results showed that gratitude had a positive effect on school well-being, which was partially mediated by materialism. Furthermore, a multi-group analysis suggested that the pathway from gratitude to school well-being was significantly different between genders. Practical implications and limitations of this study are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic susceptibility may play an important role in the pathogenesis of sudden deafness. However, the specific genes involved are largely unknown. We sought to explore the frequency of GJB2 and mitochondrial 12S rRNA susceptibility mutations in patients with sudden deafness. Between September 2011 and May 2012, 62 consecutive patients with sudden deafness were seen. In 50 of these, no etiological factors for sudden deafness were found. We detected GJB2 and mitochondrial 12S rRNA variants by direct sequencing in these 50 patients and in 53-aged matched controls with normal hearing. In addition, we undertook functional analyses of the mitochondrial mutations which we detected, applying structural and phylogenetic analysis. GJB2 sequencing identified six mutations, including three pathogenic mutations (c.235delC, c.299-300delAT, c.109G>A) and three polymorphisms, in the study participants, giving an allele frequency of 15.0 %. A homozygous c.109G>A mutation was detected in two participants. A total of 16 variants in mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene were identified in the participants. No significant differences were found in GJB2 heterozygosity or in mitochondrial 12S rRNA variants between patients with sudden deafness and in controls. Our results suggest that the homozygous GJB2 c.109G>A mutation may be a cause of sudden deafness involving both ears. This finding should increase awareness of the likely role of genetic factors in the etiology of sudden deafness in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]