Scale adaptive fitness evaluation‐based particle swarm optimisation for hyperparameter and architecture optimisation in neural networks and deep learning

Research into automatically searching for an optimal neural network(NN)by optimi-sation algorithms is a significant research topic in deep learning and artificial intelligence.However,this is still challenging due to two issues:Both the hyperparameter and ar-chitecture should be optimised and the optimisation process is computationally expen-sive.To tackle these two issues,this paper focusses on solving the hyperparameter and architecture optimization problem for the NN and proposes a novel light‐weight scale‐adaptive fitness evaluation‐based particle swarm optimisation(SAFE‐PSO)approach.Firstly,the SAFE‐PSO algorithm considers the hyperparameters and architectures together in the optimisation problem and therefore can find their optimal combination for the globally best NN.Secondly,the computational cost can be reduced by using multi‐scale accuracy evaluation methods to evaluate candidates.Thirdly,a stagnation‐based switch strategy is proposed to adaptively switch different evaluation methods to better balance the search performance and computational cost.The SAFE‐PSO algorithm is tested on two widely used datasets:The 10‐category(i.e.,CIFAR10)and the 100−cate-gory(i.e.,CIFAR100).The experimental results show that SAFE‐PSO is very effective and efficient,which can not only find a promising NN automatically but also find a better NN than compared algorithms at the same computational cost.

Reliability and validity of the Tibetan medicine constitution scale: a cross-sectional study of the general population in Beijing, China

Background:The constitutional theory is an important aspect of Tibetan medicine,however a quantitative measurement tool for constitution identification still does not exist.The objective of this study is to evaluate the reliability and validity of a Tibetan medicine constitution scale(TMCS)that consists of three sub-scales and 31 items.Methods:From June to July 2019,622 people from the general population in Beijing,China,aged 18 to 60 were investigated.We employed Cronbach’s alpha(α),split-half reliability,and test-retest reliability to determine the reliability of the scale.The content validity and contract validity of the TMCS were evaluated using factor analysis and correlation analysis based on Tibetan medicine theory.The items were screened according to the reliability test results.Results:After the items were screened,22 items remained in the scale.The Cronbach’s alpha value for the internal consistency reliability of the TMCS was 0.754(95%confidence interval(CI):0.700–0.761).The correlation coefficient for the two-week test-retest of the total score was 0.726(95%CI:0.571–0.834).The split-half coefficient was 0.689(95%CI:0.640–0.734).The scale can be explained by eight potential factors,including morphological structure,physiological function,personality,adaptability,etc.The body mass index was negatively correlated with the score of the sub-rlung scale(r=−0.376),slightly positively correlated with the sub-mkhris pa scale(r=0.099),and positively correlated with the sub-bad kan scale(r=0.362).Conclusion:The TMCS is a reliable and valid instrument that can be used to assess the body constitution of the general population in Beijing,China.Future studies are needed to explore the differences in biological characteristics among the constitutional types and the association between constitution and disease.

A Weighted Combination Forecasting Model for Power Load Based on Forecasting Model Selection and Fuzzy Scale Joint Evaluation

To solve the medium and long term power load forecasting problem,the combination forecasting method is further expanded and a weighted combination forecasting model for power load is put forward.This model is divided into two stages which are forecasting model selection and weighted combination forecasting.Based on Markov chain conversion and cloud model,the forecasting model selection is implanted and several outstanding models are selected for the combination forecasting.For the weighted combination forecasting,a fuzzy scale joint evaluation method is proposed to determine the weight of selected forecasting model.The percentage error and mean absolute percentage error of weighted combination forecasting result of the power consumption in a certain area of China are 0.7439%and 0.3198%,respectively,while the maximum values of these two indexes of single forecasting models are 5.2278%and 1.9497%.It shows that the forecasting indexes of proposed model are improved significantly compared with the single forecasting models.

Clinical, Psychological and Socio-Economic Profile of Women Consulting for Couple Infertility in the Yaounde Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital

Introduction: Infertility is defined as the inability to achieve a pregnancy after at least 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Our main objective was to describe the clinical, psychological and socio-economic profile of women consulting for infertility in the Yaounde Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with prospective data collection at the Yaounde Gyneco Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital over a period of 7 months from 1st December 2021 to 31st June 2022. Results: We included 171 patients. The mean age was 32.3 ± 5.5 years. The mean duration of infertility was 4.0 ± 3.7 years. Primary and secondary Infertility made up 31.6% and 68.4% of cases respectively. Past medical history was significant for Abortions (50%), Chlamydia and Mycoplasma infections (43.8%), chronic pelvic pain (49.7%) and endouterine manipulations (33.3%) of cases. Majority of our patients were stressed (76.6%). The most represented stress score was severe stress (66.1%). 51% of our patients were mentally depressed and 35.6% were anxious. Majority of them (74.9%) had low socio-economic status. Conclusion: Couple infertility is most often secondary. It triggers the onset of psychological problems like stress, mental depression and anxiety. Most of our patients had a low socio-economic status.

Foresights, Expectations and Implications of China＇s Foreign Language Proficiency Scaling and Rating Framework

Referring to the well established foreign language proficiency evaluation scale frameworks such as the CEFR （Common European Framework of Reference for Languages） in Europe and ILR （The Interagency Language Roundtable） scale in the United States, Chinese language education authority is dedicating great efforts to the contruction of the Chinese targeted and tailored national proficiency evaluation system. This initiative will tremendously subvert the traditional language learning and testing mechanism, bring phenomenal transformations and innovations to the future language learning and teaching approaches and methodologies, and meanwhile impose great influence on the language concerning administration and profession.

Evaluation of the scales assessing the severity of myasthenia gravis

Objective To evaluate the reliability and validity of the 4 myasthenia gravis(MG)scales widely used for assessing the grades of disease severity in Chinese MG patients.Methods Sixty MG patients were examined by a neurologist with the following four MG scales:Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis Score(QMGS),Myasthenia Gravis Composite(MGC),Myasthenic Muscle Scale(MMS),Absolute and Relative Score of MG(ARS-

Evaluation of criterion validity of CHF-quality of life scale of integrative medicine

Objective To evaluate the criterion validity of Chronic Heart Failure(CHF)-Quality of Life(QOL)Scale of Integrative Medicine(abbreviated as Scale).Methods Clinical data of 249 CHF in-patients were collected.

Investigation of Common Symptoms of Cancer and Reliability Analysis

Objective： To identify cancer distribution and treatment requirements, a questionnaire on cancer patients was conducted. It was our objective to validate a series of symptoms commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. Methods： The M. D. Anderson Symptom Assessment Inventory （MDASI） was used with 10 more TCM items added. Questions regarding TCM application requested in cancer care were also asked. A multi-center, cross-sectional study was conducted in 340 patients from 4 hospitals in Beijing and Dalian. SPSS and Excel software were adopted for statistical analysis. The questionnaire was self-evaluated with the Cronbach＇s alpha score. Results： The most common symptoms were fatigue 89.4%, sleep disturbance 74.4%, dry mouth 72.9%, poor appetite 72.9%, and difficulty remembering 71.2%. These symptoms affected work （89.8%）, mood （82.6%）, and activity （76.8%）, resulting in poor quality of life. Eighty percent of the patients wanted to regulate the body with TCM. Almost 100% of the patients were interested in acquiring knowledge regarding the integrated traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and Western medicine （WM） in the treatment and rehabilitation of cancer. Cronbach＇s alpha score indicated that there was acceptable internal consistency within both the MDASI and TCM items, 0.86 for MDASI, 0.78 for TCM, and 0.90 for MDASI-TCM （23 items）. Conclusions： Fatigue, sleep disturbance, dry mouth, poor appetite, and difficulty remembering are the most common symptoms in cancer patients. These greatly affect the quality of life for these patients. Patients expressed a strong desire for TCM holistic regulation. The MDASI and its TCM-adapted model could be a critical tool for the quantitative study of TCM symptoms.

Efficacy of catgut-embedding therapy at"five neck points"on cervical spondylotic arteriopathy and effects on hemodynamics:A randomized clinical trial

Objective:To observe the effect of catgut-embedding therapy at five neck points in the treatment of cervical spondylotic arteriopathy(CSA)and analyze its effects on the hemodynamics of patients with CSA.Methods:Using the computer randomization method,72 patients with CSA were divided into a catgutembedding therapy group(n=36,none dropped out)and a western medication group(n=36,none dropped out).In the catgut-embedding therapy group,the therapy was applied to five neck points,i.e.bilateral Jǐngjiājǐ(颈夹脊)at C5,bilateral Jǐngjiājǐ(颈夹脊)at C6,and Dàzhuī(大椎GV14)once a week.One3-week treatment session was required.In the western medication group,flunarizine hydrochloride 5 mg capsules were administered orally once daily for 3 weeks.Efficacy was assessed before and after 3 weeks treatment using a functional evaluation scale for cervical spondylotic arteriopathy(FS-CSA).Changes in vertebral-basilar arterial hemodynamics,serum nitric oxide(NO)level,and plasma endothelin(ET)level were detected.Results:Efficacy was assessed when the treatment session was completed.The total efficacy rate was significantly higher in the catgut-embedding therapy group(86.1%)than in the western medication group(61.1%;P<0.01).The after treatment FS-CSA score was reduced compared with baseline score in both groups(P<0.05),and the reduction in the catgut-embedding therapy group was superior to that in the Western medication group(P<0.05).Compared with baseline,the flow velocity and pulsatility index of the bilateral vertebral and basilar arteries increased at each period in both groups(P<0.05)except for the left systolic velocity of the vertebral artery after treatment.The increase in the catgut-embedding therapy group was greater than that in the western medication group(P<0.05).After treatment,the serum NO concentration was increased and the plasma ET concentration was reduced compared to baseline in both groups(P<0.05),while the improvements in the catgut-embedding therapy group were superior to those in the western medication group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The clinical efficacy in the catgut-embedding therapy group was superior to that in the western medication group.Catgut-embedding therapy at five neck points may effectively improve psychological and functional conditions,promote vertebral basilar arterial supply,and relieve clinical symptoms in patients with CSA.

Development and evaluation of short form of constitution in Chinese medicine questionnaire:a national epidemiological survey data of 21948 cases

OBJECTIVE:To develop the best short form of constitution in Chinese medicine questionnaire(CCMQ)and evaluate its psychometric properties in Chinese population.METHODS:A total of 21948 subjects were used to refine the short form.Correlation coefficient,exploratory factor analysis(EFA)and Cronbach's alpha coefficient were used to analyze and select items to form the short form.Separate sample of 205 subjects were collected to further evaluate the short from.EFA,confirmatory factor analysis(CFA),item-scale correlation,discriminant validity,internal consistency reliability and split-half reliability were carried out to evaluate the short form.RESULTS:The short form CCMQ included 26 items.Seven common factors of characteristic root>1 were extracted to explain 58.488%of the total variation.Result of CFA was consistent with the 9-factors structure.The mean differences of Blood-stasis body constitution and Qi-stagnation body constitution had statistical significance in body mass index differentiation.Cronbach's alpha coefficient of short form CCMQ was 0.863.The split-half reliability of total scale was 0.813,and each scale was 0.568-0.770.The item-scale correlations ranged from 0.620-0.849.CONCLUSION:The short form CCMQ consisted of 26 items with good psychometric properties.The short form should be recommended for the measurement of health of Chinese population in any clinical trial.