Dual Flexible Prescribed Performance Control of Input Saturated High-Order Nonlinear Systems.

This article first presents a dual flexible prescribed performance control (DFPPC) approach of input saturated high-order nonlinear systems (IS-HONSs). Compared to the existing PPC approaches of IS-HONSs, under which the performance constraint boundaries (PCBs) are usually fixed and bounded, resulting in a restriction of the initial error in the algorithm implementation; in addition, the coupling relationship between performance constraints and input saturation is usually ignored, resulting in the methods are very fragile when input saturation occurs. By designing the novel tensile model-based PCBs that depend on output and input constraints, the proposed DFPPC method provides sufficient resilience for both the initial conditions and the input saturation, so that the proposed DFPPC method can not only be suitable for multiple types of initial errors by adjusting the parameters, including , , and , where , and denote the initial PCBs; but also can achieve a good balance between input saturation and performance constraints, i.

Regorafenib monotherapy as the later-line treatment for elderly patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: a multicenter real-world study.

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the tumors with the highest morbidity and mortality rates in China and the world. Regorafenib is a targeted drug for standard third-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Regorafenib monotherapy has shown certain efficacy in the elderly population, but more robust evidence is needed.

Prescribed-Time Output Feedback Control for Cyber-Physical Systems Under Output Constraints and Malicious Attacks.

This article presents a prescribed-time output feedback control (PTOFC) algorithm for cyber-physical systems (CPSs) under output constraint occurring in any finite time interval (OC-AFT) and malicious attacks. The OC-AFT meaning that the output constraint only occurs during a finite number of time periods while being absent in others, which is more general and complex than traditional infinite-time/deferred output constraints. A stretch model-based nonlinear mapping function is constructed to handle the OC-AFT, and a salient advantage is that the proposed algorithm is also suit for CPSs with infinite-time/deferred output (or funnel) constraints, as well as those that are constraint-free, without necessitating changes to the control structure.

Comparative efficacy of different interventions on executive function in adolescents with internet use disorder.

Background: The formation and relapse of Internet use disorder (IUD) are related to the decline in executive function. Previous studies have indicated that exercise intervention and high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) can improve the cognitive abilities of adolescents with IUD. However, the combined intervention's impact on executive function in these adolescents remains unclear.

Clinical features and mutation analysis of class 1/2/3 BRAF mutation colorectal cancer.

Background: BRAF (B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase)-mutated colorectal cancer (CRC) still has poor prognostic. The efficacy of BRAF inhibitor is unpredictable just that intrinsic genetic complexity, immune microenvironment and partially unknown reason. Understanding the co-mutation mechanism can help improve treatment and follow-up strategies.

Regorafenib monotherapy or combined with an immune-checkpoint inhibitor as later-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer: a multicenter, real-world retrospective study in China.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of regorafenib monotherapy or in combination with immune-checkpoint inhibitor while treating Chinese patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): a real-world study.

Methods: The data of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who received regorafenib-containing regimen as the third or later line treatment at ten Chinese hospitals from Aug 2017 to Jun 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including dosing details, survival data as well as adverse events. Survival analysis was further performed for patients administrated with regorafenib monotherapy and combined with an immune-checkpoint inhibitor based on Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods.

Exploration of the Linkages between Lignin and Carbohydrates in Kraft Pulp from Wheat Straw Using a C/H Isotopic Tracer.

To further our understanding of the change in association between lignin and carbohydrates after kraft pulping, isotope-labeled kraft pulp (KP) was prepared using C and D double-isotope-labeled wheat straw, and it was subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis and ionic liquid treatment to explore the linkages between lignin and carbohydrate complexes in wheat straw. Isotope abundance determination showed that C and D abundances in the experimental groups were substantially higher than those in the control group, indicating that the injected exogenous coniferin-[α-C], coniferin-[γ-C], and d-glucose-[6-D] were effectively absorbed and metabolized during wheat internode growth. Solid-state CP/MAS C-NMR spectroscopy showed that lignin was mainly linked to polysaccharides via acetal, benzyl ether, and benzyl ester bonds.

Unified Fuzzy Control of High-Order Nonlinear Systems With Multitype State Constraints.

This article presents a unified adaptive fuzzy control approach for high-order nonlinear systems (HONSs) with multitype state constraints. Existing methods always require the upper and lower constraint boundaries are strictly positive and negative functions (or constants), respectively, which is often inconsistent with the actual constraints. In this article, "multitype state constraint" means that the upper and lower constraint boundaries include multiple types, such as both being strictly positive (or negative), sometime be positive or negative, and so on (cases ①-⑥).

Acrosomal vesicle protein in predicting progression of pancreatitis in Chinese patients with acute pancreatitis.

The present preliminary investigation was designed to identify biomarkers in the progression of pancreatitis in Chinese patients with acute pancreatitis. Chinese patients aged <60 years with a confirmed diagnosis of acute pancreatitis were enrolled. A saliva sample was collected using salimetrics oral swab in precooled polypropylene tubes to prevent degradation of sensitive peptides.

B(CF)-catalyzed cyclopropanation of 3-alkenyl-oxindoles with diazomethanes.

Spirocyclopropane-oxindoles are key motifs in biologically active compounds and are versatile synthetic intermediates. Herein, we report a metal-free, B(CF) catalyzed cyclopropanation of 3-alkenyl-oxindoles with diazomethanes. This provides 25 variants of spirocyclopropane-oxindole derivatives.

Analysis of Functional Corticomuscular Coupling Based on Multiscale Transfer Spectral Entropy.

Functional corticomuscular coupling (FCMC) between the cerebral motor cortex and muscle activity reflects multi-layer and nonlinear interactions in the sensorimotor system. Considering the inherent multiscale characteristics of physiological signals, we proposed multiscale transfer spectral entropy (MSTSE) and introduced the unidirectionally coupled Hénon maps model to verify the effectiveness of MSTSE. We recorded electroencephalogram (EEG) and surface electromyography (sEMG) in steady-state grip tasks of 29 healthy participants and 27 patients.

Catalyst-dependent chemoselective insertion of diazoalkanes into the N-H/C-H/O-H/C-O bonds of 2-hydroxybenzothiazoles.

The control of chemoselective insertions of diazoalkanes into 2-hydroxybenzothiazoles is challenging. Herein, the chemoselective N-H, O-H, C-O or C-H bond insertions of diazoalkanes into 2-hydroxybenzothiazoles are achieved using B(CF), Rh(OAc) or TfOH as the catalyst. This affords routes to 54 benzothiazole derivatives.

Antibacterial Vancomycin@ZIF-8 Loaded PVA Nanofiber Membrane for Infected Bone Repair.

Bone substitutes with strong antibacterial properties and bone regeneration effects have an inherent potential in the treatment of severe bone tissue infections, such as osteomyelitis. In this study, vancomycin (Van) was loaded into zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) to prepare composite particles, which is abbreviated as V@Z. As a pH-responsive particle, ZIF-8 can be cleaved in the weak acid environment caused by bacterial infection to realize the effective release of drugs.

Compound Event-Triggered Distributed MPC for Coupled Nonlinear Systems.

This article investigates the event-triggered distributed model predictive control (DMPC) for perturbed coupled nonlinear systems subject to state and control input constraints. A novel compound event-triggered DMPC strategy, including a compound triggering condition and a new constraint tightening approach, is developed. In this event-triggered strategy, two stability-related conditions are checked in a parallel manner, which relaxes the requirement of the decrease of the Lyapunov function.

Catalytic hydroaminations of alkynes: a facile protocol to vinyl-carbazole derivatives a frustrated Lewis pair mechanism.

-Vinylcarbazoles are important skeletons for photoluminescent materials. Herein, a transition metal-free, B(CF) mediated carbazolation reaction of alkynes is reported, providing 24 variants of -vinylcarbazole derivatives. These -vinylcarbazole products were obtained in good to excellent yields (up to 99%) under mild reaction conditions and could be performed on a gram scale.

Real-world outcomes of regorafenib combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with advanced or metastatic microsatellite stable colorectal cancer: A multicenter study.

Background: Treatment strategies are limited for patients with chemotherapy refractory microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal cancer. We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with regorafenib in this population in routine clinical practice.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer who received at least one dose of ICIs combined with regorafenib in 14 Chinese medical centers.

Emotion-movement relationship: A study using functional brain network and cortico-muscular coupling.

Background: Emotions play a crucial role in human communication and affect all aspects of human life. However, to date, there have been few studies conducted on how movements under different emotions influence human brain activity and cortico-muscular coupling (CMC).

New Methods: In this study, for the first time, electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram physiological electrical signals were used to explore this relationship.

B(CF)-Catalyzed site-selective -alkylation of benzotriazoles with diazoalkanes.

Alkylation of benzotriazoles is synthetically challenging, often leading to mixtures of N1 and N2 alkylation. Herein, metal-free catalytic site-selective N1-alkylation of benzotriazoles with diazoalkanes is described in the presence of 10 mol% of B(C6F5)3. These reactions provide N1-alkylated benzotriazoles in good to excellent yields and this protocol is successfully adapted to gram-scale syntheses as well as a derivative with antimicrobial activity.

Cortico-muscular functional network: an exploration of cortico-muscular coupling in hand movements.

. The main objective of this research was to study cortico-muscular, intra-cortical, and inter-muscular coupling. Herein, we established a cortico-muscular functional network (CMFN) to assess the network differences associated with making a fist, opening the hand, and wrist flexion.

Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on brain network connectivity and complexity in motor imagery.

Related experiments have shown that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) anodal stimulation of the brain's primary motor cortex (M1) and supplementary motor area (SMA) can improve the motor control and clinical manifestations of stroke patients with aphasia and dyskinesia. In this study, to explore the different effects of tDCS on the M1 and SMA in motor imagery, 35 healthy volunteers participated in a double-blind randomized controlled experiment. Five subjects underwent sham stimulation (control), 15 subjects underwent tDCS anode stimulation of the M1, and the remaining 15 subjects underwent tDCS anode stimulation of the SMA.

3D MXene microspheres with honeycomb architecture for tumor photothermal/photodynamic/chemo combination therapy.

The MXene combining high surface area, prominent biocompatibility, and wide near infrared (NIR) absorption has been recognized as one of the most promising materials for tumor therapy. The application of MXene in tumor therapy is negatively affected by the current design methods lack the control of size distribution and the great tendency to agglomerate as well as poor photodynamic therapy. To solve the above problems, we report a facile strategy to process TiC nanosheets into three-dimensional (3D) structure with honeycomb structure and anti-aggregation properties for synergistic therapy of chemotherapy, photothermal and photodynamic therapy.

Suppression of PAPP-A mitigates atherosclerosis by mediating macrophage polarization via STAT3 signaling.

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), a type of metalloproteinase in the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system, has been implicated in atherosclerosis progression, but its function and mechanism in atherosclerosis is not fully understood. The study was performed to further explore the effects of PAPP-A on inflammation, macrophage polarization and atherosclerosis. In mouse macrophages stimulated by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), PAPP-A expression was significantly increased.

Fine-regulating ultramicropores in porous carbon a self-sacrificial template route for high-performance supercapacitors.

Ultramicropores (size < 0.7 nm) are critically demanded to provide an efficient path for the penetration and transportation of electrolytes to achieve high-performance supercapacitors. Here, a self-sacrificial template approach is adopted, which introduces C8 alkyl chains with a kinetic diameter of 0.