Pharmacokinetic study of hypaphorine, a potential agent for treating osteoclast-based bone loss, on rats using LC-MS/MS

Aim and Objective: A high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of hypaphorine, a potential agent for treating osteoclast-based bone loss, was developed and valadated in rat plasma. Materials and Methods: Plasma samples were pretreated by the protein precipitation. Chromatographic separation was performed using an Inertsil ODS-3 column (50 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm). The mobile phase consisted of water (containing 0.1% formic acid) and acetonitrile in a gradient mode at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The acquisition was carried out in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) of the transitions from protonated precursor ion [M + H]+ to the particular daughter ion and the mass transitions of hypaphorine and IS were 247 → 188 and m/z 219 → 188, respectively. The method was validated in terms of selectivity, linearity, accuracy and precision, extraction recovery and matrix effect, stability and carryover. Results: It showed good linearity over the range of 1-2000 ng/mL (R2 = 0.9978). The intra-batch accuracy was within 93.95-105.81% and the precision was within 4.92-11.53%. The inter-batch accuracy was within 96.18-100.39% with a precision of 6.22-11.23%. The extraction recovery and matrix factors were acceptable. Conclusion: The simple and rapid method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetics study in rats following oral administration of hypaphorine at the doses of 0.5, 1.5, and 4.5 mg/kg.

Factor-Bounded Nonnegative Matrix Factorization

Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (NMF) is broadly used to determine class membership in a variety of clustering applications. From movie recommendations and image clustering to visual feature extractions, NMF has applications to solve a large number of knowledge discovery and data mining problems. Traditional optimization methods, such as the Multiplicative Updating Algorithm (MUA), solves the NMF problem by utilizing an auxiliary function to ensure that the objective monotonically decreases. Although the objective in MUA converges, there exists no proof to show that the learned matrix factors converge as well. Without this rigorous analysis, the clustering performance and stability of the NMF algorithms cannot be guaranteed. To address this knowledge gap, in this article, we study the factor-bounded NMF problem and provide a solution algorithm with proven convergence by rigorous mathematical analysis, which ensures that both the objective and matrix factors converge. In addition, we show the relationship between MUA and our solution followed by an analysis of the convergence of MUA. Experiments on both toy data and real-world datasets validate the correctness of our proposed method and its utility as an effective clustering algorithm.

Matrix of sustainability of the person

In article the matrix of an algorithm of a research of sustainability of the person is provided. 125 terms characterizing sustainability of the person are taken as a basis. Two hypotheses are for this purpose formulated. The first hypothesis tells about lack of a uniform paradigm of studying a phenomenon sustainability. The second hypothesis approves a possible general way of a research of a phenomenon of sustainability of the person in psychology. In article the factor model of sustainability of the person defining approach to formulation of a matrix is provided. Follows from a matrix that methods of the analysis and diagnostics must show numerical value of sustainability of the person. In a matrix factors of psychophysiological, psychological and psychosocial levels of living and human activity are put. Therefore, in article it is told about psychophysiological, psychological and psychosocial sustainability. They form the general sustainability of the person. In article the author suggests entering a uniform symbol of designation of sustainability of the person - Ω. In the conclusion of article, the author suggests combining efforts for forming of uniform approach in a research of a phenomenon of sustainability of the person.

MERACLE: Constructive Layer-Wise Conversion of a Tensor Train into a MERA

In this article, two new algorithms are presented that convert a given data tensor train into either a Tucker decomposition with orthogonal matrix factors or a multi-scale entanglement renormalization ansatz (MERA). The Tucker core tensor is never explicitly computed but stored as a tensor train instead, resulting in both computationally and storage efficient algorithms. Both the multilinear Tucker-ranks as well as the MERA-ranks are automatically determined by the algorithm for a given upper bound on the relative approximation error. In addition, an iterative algorithm with low computational complexity based on solving an orthogonal Procrustes problem is proposed for the first time to retrieve optimal rank-lowering disentangler tensors, which are a crucial component in the construction of a low-rank MERA. Numerical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms together with the potential storage benefit of a low-rank MERA over a tensor train.

A multi-layered and dynamic apical extracellular matrix shapes the vulva lumen in Caenorhabditis elegans

Biological tubes must develop and maintain their proper diameter to transport materials efficiently. These tubes are molded and protected in part by apical extracellular matrices (aECMs) that line their lumens. Despite their importance, aECMs are difficult to image in vivo and therefore poorly understood. The Caenorhabditis elegans vulva has been a paradigm for understanding many aspects of organogenesis. Here we describe the vulva luminal matrix, which contains chondroitin proteoglycans, Zona Pellucida (ZP) domain proteins, and other glycoproteins and lipid transporters related to those in mammals. Confocal and transmission electron microscopy revealed, with unprecedented detail, a complex and dynamic aECM. Different matrix factors assemble on the apical surfaces of each vulva cell type, with clear distinctions seen between Ras-dependent (1°) and Notch-dependent (2°) cell types. Genetic perturbations suggest that chondroitin and other aECM factors together generate a structured scaffold that both expands and constricts lumen shape.

A multi-layered and dynamic apical extracellular matrix shapes the vulva lumen in Caenorhabditis elegans

Biological tubes must develop and maintain their proper diameter in order to transport materials efficiently. These tubes are molded and protected in part by apical extracellular matrices (aECMs) that line their lumens. Despite their importance, aECMs are difficult to image in vivo and therefore poorly understood. The C. elegans vulva has been a paradigm for understanding many aspects of organogenesis. Here we describe the vulva luminal matrix, which contains chondroitin proteoglycans, Zona Pellucida (ZP) domain proteins, and other glycoproteins and lipid transporters related to those in mammals. Confocal and transmission electron microscopy revealed, with unprecedented detail, a complex and dynamic aECM. Different matrix factors assemble on the apical surfaces of each vulva cell type, with clear distinctions seen between Ras-dependent (1°) and Notch-dependent (2°) cell types. Genetic perturbations suggest that chondroitin and other aECM factors together generate a structured scaffold that both expands and constricts lumen shape.

Fiscal Risk Matrix for G20 Countries

Risk matrix, as a well know tool for corporate finance, penetrates public finance as a simplified idea in budgetary guides in a small number of leading countries only. At the same time the complexity of socio-economic environment of public finance, needs of public finance manageability and high sovereign debt call for advanced the risk matrix design. The first step of the research is the observation of the leading countries’ matrix examples and articles targeting the same topic to determine the risk matrix structure. The second step involves comprehensive reading of the most transparent countries to create a list of the matrix factors. The factors include key socio-economic events as sources of risks and key budgetary variables changes as types of risks. The third step ranges the matrix elements (cells) by their occurrence in G20 countries based on comprehensive reading of IMF countries’ reports. The research result is a one-page risk matrix with 10x13 key factors and many ranging elements, designed as the compromise between the environment complexity and manageability needs for public finance.

Сompany’s sales simulation based on the use of SWOT analysis and Ishikawa charts

Marketing research at an enterprise is carried out by marketing units in order to determine a possible increase in the marketing activity of the enterprise. To identify the strengths and weaknesses of the sales management of the enterprise, the SWOT-analysis method was applied. A matrix of SWOT analysis of company’s sales activity was built, which forms squares in the form of a combination of the following factors: “Strengths-Opportunities” (SO), “Strengths-Threats” (ST), “Weaknesses-Possibilities” (WO), “Weaknesses-Threats” (WT). The most significant intersections of the SWOT matrix factors of the analysis were analyzed, and it was proposed to use four types of strategies on their basis. To formalize cause-and-effect relations Ishikawa diagram was used.