Barrier-critic-disturbance approximate optimal control of nonzero-sum differential games for modular robot manipulators.

In this paper, for addressing the safe control problem of modular robot manipulators (MRMs) system with uncertain disturbances, an approximate optimal control scheme of nonzero-sum (NZS) differential games is proposed based on the control barrier function (CBF). The dynamic model of the manipulator system integrates joint subsystems through the utilization of joint torque feedback (JTF) technique, incorporating interconnected dynamic coupling (IDC) effects. By integrating the cost functions relevant to each player with the CBF, the evolution of system states is ensured to remain within the safe region.

Investigation on the hesitancy of COVID-19 vaccination among liver transplant recipients: A cross-sectional study in China.

Objectives: The hospitalization and mortality rate from COVID-19 appears to be higher in liver transplant recipients when compared with general populations. Vaccination is an effective strategy to reduce the risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to evaluate COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in liver transplant recipients.

A closed-circuit cycle process for recovery of carbon and valuable components from spent carbon cathode by hydrothermal acid-leaching method.

Spent carbon cathode (SCC) as a hazardous solid waste produced in aluminum electrolysis industry, contains plenty valuable components but generate a seriously threat to the environment. This paper focus on a closed-circuit cycle process for direct treatment of SCC based on the hydrothermal acid-leaching method. Thermodynamic calculation, single factor experiment, orthogonal experiment and kinetic study are utilized to obtain the leaching properties of impurities, optimize the leaching conditions, study the influence of conditions on leaching, and capture the restriction factors of leaching.

Zinc transporter ZIP12 maintains zinc homeostasis and protects spermatogonia from oxidative stress during spermatogenesis.

Background: Overwhelming evidences suggest oxidative stress is a major cause of sperm dysfunction and male infertility. Zinc is an important non-enzymatic antioxidant with a wide range of biological functions and plays a significant role in preserving male fertility. Notably, zinc trafficking through the cellular and intracellular membrane is mediated by specific families of zinc transporters, i.

The underlying risks of circadian blood pressure variation for carotid plaque in treated hypertensive patients with normal blood pressure.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between 24 h variation of blood pressure (BP) and carotid plaque in essential hypertensive patients with normal BP under anti-hypertensive treatment.

Participants And Methods: A total of 322 hypertensive patients with systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) within the normal range after routine treatment were continuously recruited and evaluated by ambulatory BP monitoring from 1 January 2014 to 31 July 2015. The exclusion criteria included participants younger than 18 or older than 90 years of age, pregnancy, night-work employment, and suffering from secondary hypertension.

Mammalian target of rapamycin overexpression antagonizes chronic hypoxia-triggered pulmonary arterial hypertension via the autophagic pathway.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive pulmonary vascular disorder with high morbidity and mortality, and is characterized by excessive growth of endothelial cells. Recently, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has attracted increasing attention due to its potential as a therapeutic target against certain diseases associated with proliferative and metabolic abnormalities. However, the effect on mTOR on PAH has not yet been elucidated.

Knockdown of mTOR by lentivirus‑mediated RNA interference suppresses atherosclerosis and stabilizes plaques via a decrease of macrophages by autophagy in apolipoprotein E‑deficient mice.

Atherosclerotic plaque destabilization and rupture leads to acute coronary syndromes which cause serious damage to human health worldwide. However, there is currently a lack of efficient therapeutic methods. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has been suggested to be involved in the development of atherosclerotic plaques and serves as a therapeutic target.