We study slow-roll inflation with a Gauss-Bonnet term that is coupled to an inflaton field nonminimally. We investigate the inflationary solutions for a specific type of the nonminimal coupling to ...the Gauss-Bonnet term and inflaton potential both analytically and numerically. We also calculate the observable quantities such as the power spectra of the scalar and tensor modes, the spectral indices, the tensor-to-scalar ratio, and the running spectral indices. Finally, we constrain our result with the observational data by Planck and BICEP2 experiment.
This paper proposes a novel model predictive control (MPC) algorithm that increases the path tracking performance according to the control input. The proposed algorithm reduces the path tracking ...errors of MPC by updating the sampling time of the next step according to the control inputs (i.e., the lateral velocity and front steering angle) calculated in each step of the MPC algorithm. The scenarios of a mixture of straight and curved driving paths were constructed, and the optimal control input was calculated in each step. In the experiment, a scenario was created with the Automated Driving Toolbox of MATLAB, and the path-following performance characteristics and computation times of the existing and proposed MPC algorithms were verified and compared with simulations. The results prove that the proposed MPC algorithm has improved path-following performance compared to those of the existing MPC algorithm.
Our previous study evaluated the antioxidant activities of sulfated polysaccharides from Celluclast-assisted extract of
(HFPS)
in Vero cells and
in zebrafish. The results showed that HFPS possesses ...strong antioxidant activity and suggested the potential photo-protective activities of HFPS. Hence, in the present study, we investigated the protective effects of HFPS against ultraviolet (UV) B-induced skin damage
in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF cells). The results indicate that HFPS significantly reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and improved the viability of UVB-irradiated HDF cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, HFPS significantly inhibited intracellular collagenase and elastase activities, remarkably protected collagen synthesis, and reduced matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression by regulating nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), activator protein 1 (AP-1), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathways in UVB-irradiated HDF cells. These results suggest that HFPS possesses strong UV protective effect, and can be a potential ingredient in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
Abstract
A broadband metasurface flat lens is proposed as a polarization-independent wideband superstrate for wave focusing and gain enhancement at Ka-band. The proposed metasurface structure ...consists of four metal layers and is designed with diagonally symmetric unit cells to accommodate both the vertical and horizontal polarizations. The focusing ability of the proposed metasurface flat lens is validated via simulation and measurement, where normally incident plane waves are shown to be enhanced by up to 11 dB as a result of wave focusing. Also, the radiation gain enhancement due to the proposed metasurface flat lens is demonstrated via simulation and measurement, where a gain enhancement of up to 10.5 dB is achieved. The results show that the proposed structure maintains the wave focusing and gain enhancement characteristics over a bandwidth of 28–32 GHz. Furthermore, to demonstrate the utility of the proposed metasurface for circular polarization (CP), the gain enhancement of a CP patch antenna as a result of implementing the proposed metasurface as a superstrate is demonstrated via simulation and measurement. It is shown that the proposed metasurface superstrate provides a CP gain enhancement of nearly 10 dB.
Visual aura (VA) presents in 98% of cases of migraine with aura. However, data on its prevalence and impact in individuals with migraine and probable migraine (PM) are limited. Data from the ...nation-wide, population-based Circannual Change in Headache and Sleep Study were collected. Participants with VA rating scale scores ≥ 3 were classified as having VA. Of 3,030 participants, 170 (5.6%) and 337 (11.1%) had migraine and PM, respectively; VA prevalence did not differ between these cohorts (29.4% 50/170 vs. 24.3% 82/337, p = 0.219). Participants with migraine with VA had a higher headache frequency per month (4.0 2.0-10.0 vs. 2.0 1.0-4.8, p = 0.014) and more severe cutaneous allodynia (12-item Allodynia Symptom Checklist score; 3.0 1.0-8.0 vs. 2.0 0.0-4.8, p = 0.046) than those without VA. Participants with PM with VA had a higher headache frequency per month (2.0 2.0-8.0 vs. 2.0 0.6-4.0, p = 0.001), greater disability (Migraine Disability Assessment score; 10.0 5.0-26.3 vs. 5.0 2.0-12.0, p < 0.001), and more severe cutaneous allodynia (12-item Allodynia Symptom Checklist score, 2.5 0.0-6.0 vs. 0.0 0.0-3.0, p < 0.001) than those without VA. VA prevalence was similar between migraine and PM. Some symptoms were more severe in the presence of VA.
Abstract
Metasurfaces allow the rapid development of compact and flat electromagnetic devices owing to their capability in manipulating the wavefront of electromagnetic waves. Particularly, with ...respect to the metasurface lenses, wide operational bandwidth and wide incident angle behavior are critically required for practical applications. Herein, a single-layer phase gradient metasurface lens is presented to achieve millimeter-wave focusing at a focal point of 13 mm regardless of the incident angle. The proposed metasurface lens is fabricated by constructing subwavelength-thick (< λ/10) phase elements composed of two metallic layers separated by a single dielectric substrate that exhibits low-Q resonance properties and a wide phase modulation range with satisfactory transmissivity. By controlling the spatial phase distribution, the proposed metasurface lens successfully realises effective wavefront manipulation properties and high-performance electromagnetic-wave-focusing characteristics over a wide operating frequency range from 35 to 40 GHz with incident angle independency up to 30°.
Migraine neither presents with a definitive single symptom nor has a distinct biomarker; thus, its diagnosis is based on combinations of typical symptoms. We aimed to identify natural subgroups of ...migraine based on symptoms listed in the diagnostic criteria of the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. Latent class analysis (LCA) was applied to the data of the Korean Sleep-Headache Study, a nationwide population-based survey. We selected a three-class model based on Akaike and Bayesian information criteria and characterized the three identified classes as "mild and low frequency," "photophobia and phonophobia," and "severe and high frequency." In total, 52.0% (65/125) of the participants were classified as "mild and low frequency," showing the highest frequency of mild headache intensity but the lowest overall headache frequency. Meanwhile, "photophobia and phonophobia" involved 33.6% (42/125) of the participants, who showed the highest frequency of photophobia and phonophobia. Finally, "severe and high frequency" included 14.4% (18/125) of the participants, and they presented the highest frequency of severe headache intensity and highest headache frequency. In conclusion, LCA is useful for analyzing the heterogeneity of migraine symptoms and identifying migraine subtypes. This approach may improve our understanding of the clinical characterization of migraine.
In this paper, we investigate various types of Fubini instantons in the Dilatonic Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet theory of gravitation which describes the decay of the vacuum state at a hilltop potential ...through tunneling without barrier. It is shown that the vacuum states are modified by the non-minimally coupled higher-curvature term. Accordingly, we present the new solutions which describe the tunneling from new vacuum states in anti-de Sitter and de Sitter backgrounds. The decay probabilities of the vacuum states are also influenced. We thus show that the semiclassical exponents can be decreased for specific parameter ranges, thereby increasing tunneling probability.
Information technology advances may help in conducting epidemiological studies using web-based surveys. Questionnaire-based headache diagnosis should be validated against the doctor's diagnosis. This ...study aimed to develop and validate a web-based diagnostic questionnaire for migraine, probable migraine (PM), and tension-type headache (TTH). We constructed a seven-item questionnaire for diagnosing migraine, PM, and TTH. A web-based survey was conducted among adults aged 20-59 years; migraine, PM, and TTH were diagnosed based on the responses. Validation interview was performed via telephone by a neurologist within 1 month after the web-based interview. Finally, 256 participants completed both web-based survey and validation interview. Of them, 121 (47.3%), 65 (25.4%), 61 (23.8%), and 9 (3.5%) were diagnosed with migraine, PM, TTH, and unclassified headache (UH), respectively in the web-based survey, whereas 119 (46.5%), 60 (23.4%), 74 (28.9%), 2 (0.8%), and 1 (0.4%) were diagnosed with migraine, PM, TTH, UH, and primary stabbing headache, respectively in the validation interview. The best agreement was found in migraine (sensitivity: 92.6%; specificity: 94.8%; kappa coefficient: 0.875), followed by TTH (sensitivity: 78.4%; specificity: 98.4%; kappa coefficient: 0.809). PM showed the least agreement (sensitivity: 85.0%; specificity: 92.9%; kappa coefficient: 0.757). In conclusion, our questionnaire is valid in identifying these headache disorders.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease with complex etiology involving multiple factors. Current treatment methods are highly limited and there is a strong need for the development of safer and ...efficacious agents. We have previously shown that a water-soluble extract derived from hardy kiwifruit
, called PG102, shows potent anti-inflammatory effects. Based on its reported biological activities, the effects of PG102 were examined on imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation. Our results showed that topical application of PG102 ameliorates clinical symptoms of psoriasis, reducing skin thickness and Interleukin (IL)-17A level in draining lymph nodes without causing any adverse effects. Treatment with PG102 on cytokine-stimulated HaCaT cells suppressed hyperproliferation and downregulated the expression of various chemokines and antimicrobial peptides known to induce neutrophil infiltration. These anti-inflammatory activities of PG102 were mediated via inhibition of NF-κB and signal transducer of activation (STAT) signaling. We also found decreased neutrophil chemotaxis both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, PG102 has potential as a safe and effective reagent for the treatment of psoriasis.
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