Dynamic Characteristics of Functionally Graded Timoshenko Beams by Improved Differential Quadrature Method

This study proposes an effective method to enhance the accuracy of the Differential Quadrature Method(DQM)for calculating the dynamic characteristics of functionally graded beams by improving the form of discrete node distribution.Firstly,based on the first-order shear deformation theory,the governing equation of free vibration of a functionally graded beam is transformed into the eigenvalue problem of ordinary differential equations with respect to beam axial displacement,transverse displacement,and cross-sectional rotation angle by considering the effects of shear deformation and rotational inertia of the beam cross-section.Then,ignoring the shear deformation of the beam section and only considering the effect of the rotational inertia of the section,the governing equation of the beam is transformed into the eigenvalue problem of ordinary differential equations with respect to beam transverse displacement.Based on the differential quadrature method theory,the eigenvalue problem of ordinary differential equations is transformed into the eigenvalue problem of standard generalized algebraic equations.Finally,the first several natural frequencies of the beam can be calculated.The feasibility and accuracy of the improved DQM are verified using the finite element method(FEM)and combined with the results of relevant literature.

Research on Evacuation Path Planning Based on Improved Sparrow Search Algorithm

Reducing casualties and property losses through effective evacuation route planning has been a key focus for researchers in recent years.As part of this effort,an enhanced sparrow search algorithm(MSSA)was proposed.Firstly,the Golden Sine algorithm and a nonlinear weight factor optimization strategy were added in the discoverer position update stage of the SSA algorithm.Secondly,the Cauchy-Gaussian perturbation was applied to the optimal position of the SSA algorithm to improve its ability to jump out of local optima.Finally,the local search mechanism based on the mountain climbing method was incorporated into the local search stage of the SSA algorithm,improving its local search ability.To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm,the Whale Algorithm,Gray Wolf Algorithm,Improved Gray Wolf Algorithm,Sparrow Search Algorithm,and MSSA Algorithm were employed to solve various test functions.The accuracy and convergence speed of each algorithm were then compared and analyzed.The results indicate that the MSSA algorithm has superior solving ability and stability compared to other algorithms.To further validate the enhanced algorithm’s capabilities for path planning,evacuation experiments were conducted using different maps featuring various obstacle types.Additionally,a multi-exit evacuation scenario was constructed according to the actual building environment of a teaching building.Both the sparrow search algorithm and MSSA algorithm were employed in the simulation experiment for multiexit evacuation path planning.The findings demonstrate that the MSSA algorithm outperforms the comparison algorithm,showcasing its greater advantages and higher application potential.

Landslide prediction based on improved principal component analysis and mixed kernel function least squares support vector regression model

Landslide probability prediction plays an important role in understanding landslide information in advance and taking preventive measures.Many factors can influence the occurrence of landslides,which is easy to have a curse of dimensionality and thus lead to reduce prediction accuracy.Then the generalization ability of the model will also decline sharply when there are only small samples.To reduce the dimension of calculation and balance the model’s generalization and learning ability,this study proposed a landslide prediction method based on improved principal component analysis(PCA)and mixed kernel function least squares support vector regression(LSSVR)model.First,the traditional PCA was introduced with the idea of linear discrimination,and the dimensions of initial influencing factors were reduced from 8 to 3.The improved PCA can not only weight variables but also extract the original feature.Furthermore,combined with global and local kernel function,the mixed kernel function LSSVR model was framed to improve the generalization ability.Whale optimization algorithm(WOA)was used to optimize the parameters.Moreover,Root Mean Square Error(RMSE),the sum of squared errors(SSE),Mean Absolute Error(MAE),Mean Absolute Precentage Error(MAPE),and reliability were employed to verify the performance of the model.Compared with radial basis function(RBF)LSSVR model,Elman neural network model,and fuzzy decision model,the proposed method has a smaller deviation.Finally,the landslide warning level obtained from the landslide probability can also provide references for relevant decision-making departments in emergency response.

Reflections on,and Improvements of,the Mediation Functions of People's Assessors

Legislatively,the people’s assessors are defined as individuals who share judicial power.However,in the context of dispute resolutions,their role is restricted by the courts,which affects the extent of their assessorial activities.It is imperative to reconsider the implications of the people’s assessors’deep involvement in mediation from the standpoint of societal division of labor.To enhance this division of labor,it is advisable that the people’s assessors relinquish their mediation roles.It is necessary to redefine the distinctions between people’s assessors,judges,and people’s mediators,including specially invited mediators.This would not only make up the deficiencies in the role of professional judges but also relieve the tension between judicial professionalism and popular accountability.

Functional butter for reduction of consumption risk and improvement of nutrition

Butter has become renowned among consumers because of its exceptional flavor and taste.Nevertheless,conventional butter is deemed“unhealthy”due to its high concentration of saturated fats and cholesterol,which are linked to the development of cardiovascular ailments.Improving the health benefits of butter has become an essential topic of research in the butter industry.This review focuses on researches that have made improvements to functionality of butter,including the changes in fatty acid composition,cholesterol reduction,incorporation with bioactive substances,development of new sources.The reduction of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol in butter can help reduce the risk of disease from eating butter.In addition,incorporating probiotics or natural plant extracts can achieve nutritional functions such as balancing intestinal flora,enhancing nutrient absorption,and increasing the body’s antioxidant capacity.Butter substitute products can be based on new vegetable oils,insect fats or microbial fats,which cater to the consumer demands for low-calorie butter while reducing the environmental impact that results from butter production.This review summarizes the effects and characteristics of various improvement methods and proposes some possible directions for future development of functional butter.

4-Hydroxycinnamic acid attenuates neuronal cell death by inducing expression of plasma membrane redox enzymes and improving mitochondrial functions

Many approaches to neurodegenerative diseases that focus on amyloid-βclearance and gene therapy have not been successful.Some therapeutic applications focus on enhancing neuronal cell survival during the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases,including mitochondrial dysfunction.Plasma membrane(PM)redox enzymes are crucial in maintaining cellular physiology and redox homeostasis in response to mitochondrial dysfunction.Neurohormetic phytochemicals are known to induce the expression of detoxifying enzymes under stress conditions.In this study,mechanisms of neuroprotective effects of 4-hydroxycinnamic acid(HCA)were examined by analyzing cell survival,levels of abnormal proteins,and mitochondrial functions in two different neuronal cells.HCA protected two neuronal cells exhibited high expression of PM redox enzymes and the consequent increase in the NAD^(+)/NADH ratio.Cells cultured with HCA showed delayed apoptosis and decreased oxidative/nitrative damage accompanied by decreased ROS production in the mitochondria.HCA increased the mitochondrial complexes I and II activities and ATP production.Also,HCA increased mitochondrial fusion and decreased mitochondrial fission.Overall,HCA maintains redox homeostasis and energy metabolism under oxidative/metabolic stress conditions.These findings suggest that HCA could be a promising therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases.

Prediction of Parkinson’s Disease Using Improved Radial Basis Function Neural Network

Parkinson’s disease is a neurogenerative disorder and it is difficult to diagnose as no therapies may slow down its progression.This paper contributes a novel analytic system for Parkinson’s Disease Prediction mechanism using Improved Radial Basis Function Neural Network(IRBFNN).Particle swarm optimization(PSO)with K-means is used to find the hidden neuron’s centers to improve the accuracy of IRBFNN.The performance of RBFNN is seriously affected by the centers of hidden neurons.Conventionally K-means was used to find the centers of hidden neurons.The problem of sensitiveness to the random initial centroid in K-means degrades the performance of RBFNN.Thus,a metaheuristic algorithm called PSO integrated with K-means alleviates initial random centroid and computes optimal centers for hidden neurons in IRBFNN.The IRBFNN uses Particle swarm optimization K-means to find the centers of hidden neurons and the PSO K-means was designed to evaluate the fitness measures such as Intracluster distance and Intercluster distance.Experimentation have been performed on three Parkinson’s datasets obtained from the UCI repository.The proposed IRBFNN is compared with other variations of RBFNN,conventional machine learning algorithms and other Parkinson’s Disease prediction algorithms.The proposed IRBFNN achieves an accuracy of 98.73%,98.47%and 99.03%for three Parkinson’s datasets taken for experimentation.The experimental results show that IRBFNN maximizes the accuracy in predicting Parkinson’s disease with minimum root mean square error.

Operations Improvement Function and Organisational Adaptability of Petroleum Tank Farms in South-South, Nigeria

The study examined the nexus between operations improvement function (dimensioned by contingency planning, benchmarking and continuous improvement processes) and organisational adaptability of Petroleum tank farms in South-South, Nigeria. The contingency theory and the theory of routine dynamics underpinned the study, and positivism was the underlying philosophy. The study adopted the cross-sectional survey through the use of questionnaire. 820 middle and top-level managers constituted the elements of the population, and the Krejcie & Morgan’s formula was used to determine the sample size of 262 respondents. Structural Equation Modeling was deployed to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. The results showed that contingency planning;benchmarking and continuous improvement processes all have a significant positive relationship with organisational adaptability of Petroleum tank farms in South-South, Nigeria. The study concludes that Petroleum tank farms’ operations should focus on the adoption of contingency planning, benchmarking and continuous improvement processes to enhance organisational adaptability. Therefore, it is recommended that the management of Petroleum tank farms should put in place mechanisms to advance continuous improvement processes by allocating the necessary amount of resources, such as energy, time and money, in order to promote the continuous development of the continuous improvement systems. Furthermore, managers of Petroleum tank farms should make better the adoption of contingency planning, ensuring that there is as much necessary training and information for employees on how to act during a crises situation, in order to evaluate safety and prepare in advance for recovery from disasters.

Modified Improved Boussinesq方程的扩展的椭圆函数展开解(II)

将扩展的椭圆函数展开法应用到Modified Improved Boussinesq方程,得到该方程的16 组Jacobi椭圆函数双周期解.在此基础上进一步改进该方法,并再次将该方法应用到Modified Improved Boussinesq方程中,得到了该方程8组新的双周期解.新的方法能被有效地应用到别的非线性偏微分方程中.

Modified Improved Boussinesq方程的精确解

借助Mathematics4.0软件、改进的广义幂指函数法研究了Modified Improved Boussinesq方程,得到了方程的精确解,这种方法也适合研究其它的非线性发展方程.

Scalp electroacupuncture at the Baihui acupoint (DU 20) improves functional recovery in rats with cerebral ischemia Association with increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factors

In this study, we induced cerebral infarction in rats by occluding the right middle cerebral artery, and tested the effects of electroacupuncture at the Baihui acupoint （DU 20）. Motor and sensory function was tested using Garcia’s scale and motor weakness grading, and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in the brain was quantified using immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. We found that scalp electroacupuncture at DU 20 significantly improved motor performance and sensory function in rats with stroke, and this was accompanied by an increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in the ischemic brain tissue and peri-ischemic area. In addition, Pearson correlation analysis showed that the improvements in functional recovery were correlated with the increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor.

High-precision solution to the moving load problem using an improved spectral element method

In this paper, the spectral element method(SEM)is improved to solve the moving load problem. In this method, a structure with uniform geometry and material properties is considered as a spectral element, which means that the element number and the degree of freedom can be reduced significantly. Based on the variational method and the Laplace transform theory, the spectral stiffness matrix and the equivalent nodal force of the beam-column element are established. The static Green function is employed to deduce the improved function. The proposed method is applied to two typical engineering practices—the one-span bridge and the horizontal jib of the tower crane. The results have revealed the following. First, the new method can yield extremely high-precision results of the dynamic deflection, the bending moment and the shear force in the moving load problem.In most cases, the relative errors are smaller than 1%. Second, by comparing with the finite element method, one can obtain the highly accurate results using the improved SEM with smaller element numbers. Moreover, the method can be widely used for statically determinate as well as statically indeterminate structures. Third, the dynamic deflection of the twin-lift jib decreases with the increase in the moving load speed, whereas the curvature of the deflection increases.Finally, the dynamic deflection, the bending moment and the shear force of the jib will all increase as the magnitude of the moving load increases.

The improved element-free Galerkin method forthree-dimensional wave equation

The paper presents the improved element-free Galerkin （IEFG） method for three-dimensional wave propa- gation. The improved moving least-squares （IMLS） approx- imation is employed to construct the shape function, which uses an orthogonal function system with a weight function as the basis function. Compared with the conventional moving least-squares （MLS） approximation, the algebraic equation system in the IMLS approximation is not ill-conditioned, and can be solved directly without deriving the inverse matrix. Because there are fewer coefficients in the IMLS than in the MLS approximation, fewer nodes are selected in the IEFG method than in the element-free Galerkin method. Thus, the IEFG method has a higher computing speed. In the IEFG method, the Galerkin weak form is employed to obtain a dis- cretized system equation, and the penalty method is applied to impose the essential boundary condition. The traditional difference method for two-point boundary value problems is selected for the time discretization. As the wave equations and the boundary-initial conditions depend on time, the scal- ing parameter, number of nodes and the time step length are considered for the convergence study.

Dissipation source function and an improvement to LAGFD-WAM model

In this paper, a new theoretical expression of dissipation term is presented on the basis of statistical model of breaking wave, which is an improvement to LAGFD-WAM wave model. The computational results in three typical wind fields show a good improvement to LAGFD-WAM model and a better accuracy in comparison with the observed data in the South China Sea.

Functions of Russian Melilotus officinalis on Degraded Soil Improvement

To improve the serious situation of soil degradation in China, tests were carried out to study the improvement effects of Russian Melilotus officinalis on the low base saturation acid soil, the alkaline-saline soil and the heavy metal contaminated soil. The results showed that M. officinalis could improve the low base saturation acid soil, increase the salt, alkali content, mineral nutrition and organic nutrient, which indicated that M. officinalis could be planted in the acid soil, and had a significant ecological effect on soil improvement. M. officinalis achieved a remarkable effect on improving the alkaline-saline soil （pH 8.5-9.5） that the soil desalted, dealkalized and had more organic nutrient. Moreover, M. officinalis could improve the heavy metal contaminated soil and had the ability to enrich and transform heavy metal elements, especially Cd and Ni, thereby presenting significant repair effects on soil improvement. Therefore, Russian M. officinalis had multiple-effects on degraded soil improvement, so it is worthy of application and popularization.

Improvement of learning and memory abilities and motor function in rats with cerebral infarction by intracerebral transplantation of neuron-like cells derived from bone marrow stromal cells

BACKGROUND： Transplantation of fetal cell suspension or blocks of fetal tissue can ameliorate the nerve function after the injury or disease in the central nervous system, and it has been used to treat neurodegenerative disorders induced by Parkinson disease. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effects of the transplantation of neuron-like cells derived from bone marrow stromal cells （rMSCs） into the brain in restoring the dysfunctions of muscle strength and balance as well as learning and memory in rat models of cerebral infarction. DESIGN ： A randomized controlled experiment.SETTING ： Department of Pathophysiology, Zhongshan Medical College of Sun Yat-sen University.MATERIALS ： Twenty-four male SD rats （3-4 weeks of age, weighing 200-220 g） were used in this study （Certification number：2001A027）. METHODS： The experiments were carried out in Zhongshan Medical College of Sun Yat-sen University between December 2003 and December 2004. ① Twenty-four male SD rats randomized into three groups with 8 rats in each： experimental group, control group and sham-operated group. Rats in the experiment al group and control group were induced into models of middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO）. After in vitro cultured, purified and identified with digestion, the Fischer344 rMSCs were induced to differentiate by tanshinone IIA, which was locally injected into the striate cortex （18 area） of rats in the experimental group, and the rats in the control group were injected by L-DMEM basic culture media （without serum） of the same volume to the corresponding brain area. In the sham-operated group, only muscle and vessel of neck were separated. ② At 2 and 8 weeks after the transplantation, the rats were given the screen test, prehensile-traction test, balance beam test and Morris water-maze test. ③ The survival and distribution of the induced cells in corresponding brain area were observed with Nissl stained with toluidine blue and hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining in the groups.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES ： ① Results of the behavioral tests （time of the Morris water-maze test screen test, prehensile-traction test, balance beam test）; ② Survival and distribution of the induced cells.RESULTS： All the 24 rats were involved in the analysis of results. ① Two weeks after transplantation, rats with neuron-like cells grafts in the experimental group had significant improvement on their general muscle strength than those in the control group [screen test： （9.4±1.7）, （4.7±1.0） s, P 〈 0.01]; forelimb muscle strength [prehensile-traction test： （7.6±1.4）, （5.2±1.2） s, P 〈 0.01], ability to keep balance [balance beam test： （7.9±0.74）, （6.1±0.91） s, P 〈 0.01] and abilities of learning and memory [latency to find the platform： （35.8±5.9）, （117.5±11.6） s, P 〈 0.01; distance： （623.1±43.4）, （1 902.3±98.6） cm, P 〈 0.01] as compared with those in the control group. The functional performances in the experimental group at 8 weeks were better than those at two weeks, which were still obviously different from those in the sham-operated group （P 〈 0.05）. ② The HE and Nissl stained brain tissue section showed that there was nerve cell proliferation at the infarcted cortex in the experiment group, the density was higher than that in the control group, plenty of aggregative or scattered cells could be observed at the site where needle was inserted for transplantation, the cells migrated directively towards the area around them, the cerebral vascular walls were wrapped by plenty of cells; In the control group, most of the cortices were destroyed, karyopyknosis and necrosis of neurons were observed, normal nervous tissue structure disappeared induced by edema, only some nerve fibers and glial cells remained.CONCLUSION： The rMSCs transplantation can obviously enhance the motor function and the abilities of learning and memory in rat models of cerebral infarction.

Motor relearning program and Bobath method improve motor function of the upper extremities in patients with stroke

BACKGROUND: In the natural evolution of cerebrovascular disease, unconscious use of affected extremity during drug treatment and daily life can improve the function of affected upper extremity partially, but it is very slow and also accompanied by the formation of abnormal mode. Therefore, functional training should be emphasized in recovering the motor function of extremity. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of combination of motor relearning program and Bobath method on motor function of upper extremity of patients with stroke. DESIGN: Comparison of therapeutic effects taking stroke patients as observation subjects. SETTING: Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Beijing Jingmei Group. PARTICIPANTS: Totally 120 stroke patients, including 60 males and 60 females, averaged (59±3) years, who hospitalized in the Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Beijing Jingmei Group between January 2005 and June 2006 were recruited. The involved patients met the following criteria: Stroke attack within 2 weeks; diagnosis criteria of cerebral hemorrhage or infarction made in the 4th National Cerebrovascular Disease Conference; confirmed by skull CT or MRI; Informed consents of therapeutic regimen were obtained. The patients were assigned into 2 groups according to their wills: rehabilitation group and control group, with 30 males and 30 females in each group. Patients in rehabilitation group averaged (59±2)years old, and those in the control group averaged (58±2)years old. METHODS: ① Patients in two groups received routine treatment in the Department of Neurology. When the vital signs of patients in the rehabilitation group were stable, individualized treatment was conducted by combined application of motor relearning program and Bobath method. Meanwhile, training of activity of daily living was performed according to the disease condition changes of patients at different phases, including the nursing and instruction of body posture, the maintenance of good extremity position, bed exercise, bedside sit up and sitting position balance, sit up exercise, dynamic and static balance exercise, walking exercise, active training and passive training. The strength, time and speed of training were increased gradually according to their physical abilities. Patients were trained 45 to 60 minutes once, 5 times a week, within 2 weeks. ② Evaluation criteria of therapeutic effect: The motor function of upper extremity was evaluated by Fugl-Meyer method on the day of beginning and end of treatment. Higher points indicated better function of upper extremity. ③ t test and paired t test were used for comparing the difference of intergroup and intragroup measurement data, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in Fugl-Meyer scoring of two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: Totally 120 stroke patients participated in the final analysis. Before treatment, Fugl-Meyer scoring was close between rehabilitation group and control group [(14.47±2.38),(14.16±2.39) points, P > 0.05]; Fugl-Meyer scoring of rehabilitation group after treatment was significantly higher than that before treatment and that of control group[(37.93±2.67),(18.36±2.43) points, t =11.053, 5.408, P < 0.01]; There were no significant differences in Fugl-Meyer scoring between before treatment in the control group and control group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Combined application of motor relearning program and Bobath method can significantly improve the motor function of upper extremity of patients with stroke.

Improvement of Cardiac Function by Dry Weight Optimization Based on Interdialysis Inferior Vena Caval Diameter (1)

In hemodialysis (HD) patients, the diameter of the inferior vena cava (IVC) serves for evaluation of the amount of body fluid.

Botulinum toxin type A plus rehabilitative training for improving the motor function of the upper limbs and activities of daily life in patients with stroke and brain injury

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) is mostly to be used to treat various diseases of motor disorders, whereas its effect on muscle spasm after stroke and brain injury needs further observation. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of BTX-A plus rehabilitative training on treating muscle spasm after stroke and brain injury. DESIGN: A randomized controlled observation. SETTINGS: Department of Rehabilitation, Department of Neurology and Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty inpatients with brain injury and stroke were selected from the Department of Rehabilitation, Department of Neurology and Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2001 to August 2006. They were all confirmed by CT and MRI, and had obvious increase of spastic muscle strength in upper limbs, their Ashworth grades were grade 2 or above. The patients were randomly divided into treatment group (n =30) and control group (n =30). METHODS: ① Patients in the treatment group undertook comprehensive rehabilitative trainings, and they were administrated with domestic BTX-A, which was provided by Lanzhou Institute of Biological Products, Ministry of Health (S10970037), and the muscles of flexion spasm were selected for upper limbs, 20-25 IU for each site. ② Patients in the treatment group were assessed before injection and at 1 and 2 weeks, 1 and 3 months after injection respectively, and those in the control group were assessed at corresponding time points. The recovery of muscle spasm was assessed by modified Ashworth scale (MAS, grade 0-Ⅳ; Grade 0 for without increase of muscle strength; Grade Ⅳ for rigidity at passive flexion and extension); The recovery of motor function of the upper limbs was evaluated with Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA, total score was 226 points, including 100 for exercise, 14 for balance, 24 for sense, 44 for joint motion, 44 for pain and 66 for upper limb); The ADL were evaluated with Barthel index, the total score was 100 points, 60 for mild dysfunction, 60-41 for moderate dysfunction, < 40 for severe dysfunction). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes of MAS grade, FMA scores and Barthel index before and after BTX-A injection. RESULTS: All the 60 patients with brain injury and stroke were involved in the analysis of results. ① FMA scores of upper limbs: The FMA score in the treatment group at 2 weeks after treatment was higher than that before treatment [(14.98±10.14), (13.10±9.28) points, P < 0.05], whereas there was no significant difference at corresponding time point in the control group. The FMA scores at 1 and 3 months in the treatment group [(23.36±10.69), (35.36±11.36) points] were higher than those in the control group [(20.55±10.22), (30.33±10.96) points, P < 0.01]. ② MAS grades of upper limbs: There were obviously fewer cases of grade Ⅲ in MAS at 2 weeks after treatment than before treatment in the treatment group (0, 9 cases, P < 0.05), whereas there was no obvious difference in the control group. There were obviously fewer cases of grade Ⅲ in MAS at 2 weeks and 1 month after treatment in the treatment group (0, 0 case) than the control group (5, 2 cases, P < 0.01). ③ Barthel index of upper limbs: The Barthel index at 2 weeks after treatment was higher than that before treatment in the treatment group [(30.36±22.25), (28.22±26.21) points, P < 0.05], whereas there was no significant difference in the control group. The Barthel indexes at 1 and 3 months after treatment in the treatment group were obviously higher than those in the control group [(20.55±10.22), (30.33±10.96) points, P < 0.01]. CONCLUSION: BTX-A has obvious efficacy on decreasing muscle tension after stroke and brain injury, and relieving muscle spasm; Meanwhile, the combination with rehabilitative training can effectively ameliorate the motor function of upper limbs and ADL of the patients.