On-site and real-time non-destructive measurement of elastic constants for materials of a component in a in-service structure is a challenge due to structural complexities,such as ambiguous boundary,variable thickness...On-site and real-time non-destructive measurement of elastic constants for materials of a component in a in-service structure is a challenge due to structural complexities,such as ambiguous boundary,variable thickness,nonuniform material properties.This work develops for the first time a method that uses ultrasound echo groups and artificial neural network(ANN)for reliable on-site real-time identification of material parameters.The use of echo groups allows the use of lower frequencies,and hence more accommodative to structural complexity.To train the ANNs,a numerical model is established that is capable of computing the waveform of ultrasonic echo groups for any given set of material properties of a given structure.The waveform of an ultrasonic echo groups at an interest location on the surface the structure with material parameters varying in a predefined range are then computed using the numerical model.This results in a set of dataset for training the ANN model.Once the ANN is trained,the material parameters can be identified simultaneously using the actual measured echo waveform as input to the ANN.Intensive tests have been conducted both numerically and experimentally to evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of the currently proposed method.The results show that the maximum identification error of numerical example is less than 2%,and the maximum identification error of experimental test is less than 7%.Compared with currently prevailing methods and equipment,the proposefy the density and thickness,in addition to the elastic constants.Moreover,the reliability and accuracy of inverse prediction is significantly improved.Thus,it has broad applications and enables real-time field measurements,which has not been fulfilled by any other available methods or equipment.展开更多
Background:Assessment and quantification of skeletal muscle within the aging population is vital for diagnosis,treatment,and injury/disease prevention.The clinical availability of assessing muscle quality through diag...Background:Assessment and quantification of skeletal muscle within the aging population is vital for diagnosis,treatment,and injury/disease prevention.The clinical availability of assessing muscle quality through diagnostic ultrasound presents an opportunity to be utilized as a screening tool for function-limiting diseases.However,relationships between muscle echogenicity and clinical functional assessments require authoritative analysis.Thus,we aimed to(a) synthesize the literature to assess the relationships between skeletal muscle echogenicity and physical function in older adults(≥60 years),(b) perform pooled analyses of relationships between skeletal muscle echogenicity and physical function,and(c) perform sub-analyses to determine between-muscle relationships.Methods:CINAHL,Embase,MEDLINE,PubMed,and Web of Science databases were systematically searched to identify articles relating skeletal muscle echogenicity to physical function in older adults.Risk-of-bias assessments were conducted along with funnel plot examination.Meta-analyses with and without sub-analyses for individual muscles were performed utilizing Fisher's Z transformation for the most common measures of physical function.Fisher's Z was back-transformed to Pearson's r for interpretation.Results:Fifty-one articles(n=5095,female=~2759,male=~2301,72.5± 5.8 years,mean±SD(1 study did not provide sex descriptors))were extracted for review,with previously unpublished data obtained from the authors of 13 studies.The rectus femoris(n=34) and isometric knee extension strength(n=22) were the most accessed muscle and physical qualities,respectively.The relationship between quadriceps echogenicity and knee extensor strength was moderate(n=2924,r=-0.36(95% confidence interval:-0.38 to-0.32),p <0.001),with all other meta-analyses(grip strength,walking speed,sit-to-stand,timed up-and-go) resulting in slightly weaker correlations(r:-0.34 to-0.23,all p <0.001).Sub-analyses determined minimal differences in predictive ability between muscle groups,although combining muscles(e.g.,rectus femoris+vastus lateralis) often re sulted in stronger correlations with maximal strength.Conclusion:While correlations are modest,the affordable,portable,and noninvasive ultrasonic assessment of muscle quality is a consistent predictor of physical function in older adults.Minimal between-muscle differences suggest that echogenicity estimates of muscle quality are systemic.Therefore,practitioners may be able to scan a single muscle to estimate full-body skeletal muscle quality/composition,while researchers should consider combining multiple muscles to strengthen the model.展开更多
Grouting defects are an inherent challenge in construction practices,exerting a considerable impact on the operational structural integrity of connections.This investigation employed the impact-echo technique for the ...Grouting defects are an inherent challenge in construction practices,exerting a considerable impact on the operational structural integrity of connections.This investigation employed the impact-echo technique for the detection of grouting anomalies within connections,enhancing its precision through the integration of wavelet packet energy principles for damage identification purposes.A series of grouting completeness assessments were meticulously conducted,taking into account variables such as the divergent material properties of the sleeves and the configuration of adjacent reinforcement.The findings revealed that:(i)the energy distribution for the highstrength concrete cohort predominantly occupied the frequency bands 42,44,45,and 47,whereas for other groups,it was concentrated within the 37 to 40 frequency band;(ii)the delineation of empty sleeves was effectively discernible by examining the wavelet packet energy ratios across the spectrum of frequencies,albeit distinguishing between sleeves with 50%and full grouting density proved challenging;and(iii)the wavelet packet energy analysis yielded variable detection outcomes contingent on the material attributes of the sleeves,demonstrating heightened sensitivity when applied to ultrahigh-performance concrete matrices and GFRP-reinforced steel bars.展开更多
This paper presents an air-coupled impact echo(IE)technique that relies on the phase spectrum of the collected data to find the frequencies corresponding to the reflections from delaminations.The proposed technique ta...This paper presents an air-coupled impact echo(IE)technique that relies on the phase spectrum of the collected data to find the frequencies corresponding to the reflections from delaminations.The proposed technique takes advantage of the fact that the IE compression wave is not a propagating wave,but it is the 1st order symmetrical(S1)mode Lamb wave at zero group velocity(S1-ZGV).Therefore,it searches the phase spectra of the data collected by multiple sensors to locate the frequency corresponding to the lowest phase difference.As a result,the technique reduces the effect of propagating waves,including the direct acoustic wave and ambient noise.It is named the Constant Phase IE(CPIE).The performance of the CPIE is experimentally compared with the regular amplitude spectrum-based IE technique and two other multisensor IE techniques.The CPIE shows a performance advantage,especially in a noisy environment.展开更多
BACKGROUND Inflammatory indices derived from complete blood tests have been reported to be associated with poor outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF).The data about the relationship between inflammatory in...BACKGROUND Inflammatory indices derived from complete blood tests have been reported to be associated with poor outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF).The data about the relationship between inflammatory indices and left atrial appendage thrombus(LAAT)or dense spontaneous echo contrast(SEC)are limited.AIM To explore the value of inflammatory indices for predicting the presence of LAAT or dense SEC in nonvalvular AF patients.METHODS A total of 406 patients with nonvalvular AF who underwent transesophageal echocardiography were included and divided into two groups based on the presence(study group)or absence(control group)of LAAT or dense SEC.Inflammatory indices,including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),platelet–tolymphocyte ratio(PLR),and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio(LMR),were calculated from complete blood analysis.The associations of inflammatory indices RESULTS LAAT and dense SEC were detected in 11(2.7%)and 42(10.3%)patients,respectively.The PLR only showed an association with LAAT/dense SEC in the univariate model.Elevated NLR(odds ratio[OR]=1.48,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.11-1.98,P=0.007)and reduced LMR(OR=0.59,95%CI:0.41-0.83,P=0.003)were found to be independent risk factors for the presence of LAAT/dense SEC.The areas under the NLR and LMR curves for predicting LAAT/dense SEC were 0.73(95%CI:0.66-0.80,P<0.001)and 0.73(95%CI:0.65-0.81,P<0.001),respectively,while the cutoff values were 2.8(sensitivity:69.8%;specificity:64.0%)and 2.4(sensitivity:71.7%;specificity:60.6%),respectively.CONCLUSION Increased NLR and decreased LMR may predict LAAT/dense SEC in patients with nonvalvular AF.展开更多
Based on the radar data and lightning position indicator data of strong thunderstorm weather which happened in Fuxin on July 8,2007,the relationship between the lightning activity and the radar echo was analyzed.The r...Based on the radar data and lightning position indicator data of strong thunderstorm weather which happened in Fuxin on July 8,2007,the relationship between the lightning activity and the radar echo was analyzed.The results showed that Fuxin area located in the cross position of T-shaped trough and was affected by the cold air which continuously glided down.The corresponding warm front on the ground advanced southward and arrived here.It was the weather background of this thunderstorm weather.The position variation of lightning occurrence was closely related to the strong echo movement of squall line,and the velocity echo clearly reflected and predicted the movement tendency of the radar echo.展开更多
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.51805141)Funds for Creative Research Groups of Hebei Province of China(Grant No.E2020202142)+2 种基金Tianjin Municipal Science and Technology Plan Project of China(Grant No.19ZXZNGX00100)Key R&D Program of Hebei Province of China(Grant No.19227208D)National Key Research and development Program of China(Grant No.2020YFB2009400).
文摘On-site and real-time non-destructive measurement of elastic constants for materials of a component in a in-service structure is a challenge due to structural complexities,such as ambiguous boundary,variable thickness,nonuniform material properties.This work develops for the first time a method that uses ultrasound echo groups and artificial neural network(ANN)for reliable on-site real-time identification of material parameters.The use of echo groups allows the use of lower frequencies,and hence more accommodative to structural complexity.To train the ANNs,a numerical model is established that is capable of computing the waveform of ultrasonic echo groups for any given set of material properties of a given structure.The waveform of an ultrasonic echo groups at an interest location on the surface the structure with material parameters varying in a predefined range are then computed using the numerical model.This results in a set of dataset for training the ANN model.Once the ANN is trained,the material parameters can be identified simultaneously using the actual measured echo waveform as input to the ANN.Intensive tests have been conducted both numerically and experimentally to evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of the currently proposed method.The results show that the maximum identification error of numerical example is less than 2%,and the maximum identification error of experimental test is less than 7%.Compared with currently prevailing methods and equipment,the proposefy the density and thickness,in addition to the elastic constants.Moreover,the reliability and accuracy of inverse prediction is significantly improved.Thus,it has broad applications and enables real-time field measurements,which has not been fulfilled by any other available methods or equipment.
文摘Background:Assessment and quantification of skeletal muscle within the aging population is vital for diagnosis,treatment,and injury/disease prevention.The clinical availability of assessing muscle quality through diagnostic ultrasound presents an opportunity to be utilized as a screening tool for function-limiting diseases.However,relationships between muscle echogenicity and clinical functional assessments require authoritative analysis.Thus,we aimed to(a) synthesize the literature to assess the relationships between skeletal muscle echogenicity and physical function in older adults(≥60 years),(b) perform pooled analyses of relationships between skeletal muscle echogenicity and physical function,and(c) perform sub-analyses to determine between-muscle relationships.Methods:CINAHL,Embase,MEDLINE,PubMed,and Web of Science databases were systematically searched to identify articles relating skeletal muscle echogenicity to physical function in older adults.Risk-of-bias assessments were conducted along with funnel plot examination.Meta-analyses with and without sub-analyses for individual muscles were performed utilizing Fisher's Z transformation for the most common measures of physical function.Fisher's Z was back-transformed to Pearson's r for interpretation.Results:Fifty-one articles(n=5095,female=~2759,male=~2301,72.5± 5.8 years,mean±SD(1 study did not provide sex descriptors))were extracted for review,with previously unpublished data obtained from the authors of 13 studies.The rectus femoris(n=34) and isometric knee extension strength(n=22) were the most accessed muscle and physical qualities,respectively.The relationship between quadriceps echogenicity and knee extensor strength was moderate(n=2924,r=-0.36(95% confidence interval:-0.38 to-0.32),p <0.001),with all other meta-analyses(grip strength,walking speed,sit-to-stand,timed up-and-go) resulting in slightly weaker correlations(r:-0.34 to-0.23,all p <0.001).Sub-analyses determined minimal differences in predictive ability between muscle groups,although combining muscles(e.g.,rectus femoris+vastus lateralis) often re sulted in stronger correlations with maximal strength.Conclusion:While correlations are modest,the affordable,portable,and noninvasive ultrasonic assessment of muscle quality is a consistent predictor of physical function in older adults.Minimal between-muscle differences suggest that echogenicity estimates of muscle quality are systemic.Therefore,practitioners may be able to scan a single muscle to estimate full-body skeletal muscle quality/composition,while researchers should consider combining multiple muscles to strengthen the model.
基金supported by financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U1904177)the Excellent Youth Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province of China(212300410079)+2 种基金the Subproject of the Key Project of the National Development and Reform Commission of China(202203001)the Project of Young Key Teachers in Henan Province of China(2019GGJS01)Horizontal Research Projects(20230352A).
文摘Grouting defects are an inherent challenge in construction practices,exerting a considerable impact on the operational structural integrity of connections.This investigation employed the impact-echo technique for the detection of grouting anomalies within connections,enhancing its precision through the integration of wavelet packet energy principles for damage identification purposes.A series of grouting completeness assessments were meticulously conducted,taking into account variables such as the divergent material properties of the sleeves and the configuration of adjacent reinforcement.The findings revealed that:(i)the energy distribution for the highstrength concrete cohort predominantly occupied the frequency bands 42,44,45,and 47,whereas for other groups,it was concentrated within the 37 to 40 frequency band;(ii)the delineation of empty sleeves was effectively discernible by examining the wavelet packet energy ratios across the spectrum of frequencies,albeit distinguishing between sleeves with 50%and full grouting density proved challenging;and(iii)the wavelet packet energy analysis yielded variable detection outcomes contingent on the material attributes of the sleeves,demonstrating heightened sensitivity when applied to ultrahigh-performance concrete matrices and GFRP-reinforced steel bars.
文摘This paper presents an air-coupled impact echo(IE)technique that relies on the phase spectrum of the collected data to find the frequencies corresponding to the reflections from delaminations.The proposed technique takes advantage of the fact that the IE compression wave is not a propagating wave,but it is the 1st order symmetrical(S1)mode Lamb wave at zero group velocity(S1-ZGV).Therefore,it searches the phase spectra of the data collected by multiple sensors to locate the frequency corresponding to the lowest phase difference.As a result,the technique reduces the effect of propagating waves,including the direct acoustic wave and ambient noise.It is named the Constant Phase IE(CPIE).The performance of the CPIE is experimentally compared with the regular amplitude spectrum-based IE technique and two other multisensor IE techniques.The CPIE shows a performance advantage,especially in a noisy environment.
基金Public Welfare Technology Project of Ningbo Science and Technology Bureau,No.2023S140Medical Health Science and Technology Project of Zhejiang Province Health Commission,No.2024KY1518.
文摘BACKGROUND Inflammatory indices derived from complete blood tests have been reported to be associated with poor outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF).The data about the relationship between inflammatory indices and left atrial appendage thrombus(LAAT)or dense spontaneous echo contrast(SEC)are limited.AIM To explore the value of inflammatory indices for predicting the presence of LAAT or dense SEC in nonvalvular AF patients.METHODS A total of 406 patients with nonvalvular AF who underwent transesophageal echocardiography were included and divided into two groups based on the presence(study group)or absence(control group)of LAAT or dense SEC.Inflammatory indices,including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),platelet–tolymphocyte ratio(PLR),and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio(LMR),were calculated from complete blood analysis.The associations of inflammatory indices RESULTS LAAT and dense SEC were detected in 11(2.7%)and 42(10.3%)patients,respectively.The PLR only showed an association with LAAT/dense SEC in the univariate model.Elevated NLR(odds ratio[OR]=1.48,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.11-1.98,P=0.007)and reduced LMR(OR=0.59,95%CI:0.41-0.83,P=0.003)were found to be independent risk factors for the presence of LAAT/dense SEC.The areas under the NLR and LMR curves for predicting LAAT/dense SEC were 0.73(95%CI:0.66-0.80,P<0.001)and 0.73(95%CI:0.65-0.81,P<0.001),respectively,while the cutoff values were 2.8(sensitivity:69.8%;specificity:64.0%)and 2.4(sensitivity:71.7%;specificity:60.6%),respectively.CONCLUSION Increased NLR and decreased LMR may predict LAAT/dense SEC in patients with nonvalvular AF.
基金Supported by The Special Project of Public Welfare Industry Scientific Research(GYHY200806014)Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology Project(E30JG0730)
文摘Based on the radar data and lightning position indicator data of strong thunderstorm weather which happened in Fuxin on July 8,2007,the relationship between the lightning activity and the radar echo was analyzed.The results showed that Fuxin area located in the cross position of T-shaped trough and was affected by the cold air which continuously glided down.The corresponding warm front on the ground advanced southward and arrived here.It was the weather background of this thunderstorm weather.The position variation of lightning occurrence was closely related to the strong echo movement of squall line,and the velocity echo clearly reflected and predicted the movement tendency of the radar echo.
