Multilevel analysis of the central-peripheral-target organ pathway:contributing to recovery after peripheral nerve injury

Peripheral nerve injury is a common neurological condition that often leads to severe functional limitations and disabilities.Research on the pathogenesis of peripheral nerve injury has focused on pathological changes at individual injury sites,neglecting multilevel pathological analysis of the overall nervous system and target organs.This has led to restrictions on current therapeutic approaches.In this paper,we first summarize the potential mechanisms of peripheral nerve injury from a holistic perspective,covering the central nervous system,peripheral nervous system,and target organs.After peripheral nerve injury,the cortical plasticity of the brain is altered due to damage to and regeneration of peripheral nerves;changes such as neuronal apoptosis and axonal demyelination occur in the spinal cord.The nerve will undergo axonal regeneration,activation of Schwann cells,inflammatory response,and vascular system regeneration at the injury site.Corresponding damage to target organs can occur,including skeletal muscle atrophy and sensory receptor disruption.We then provide a brief review of the research advances in therapeutic approaches to peripheral nerve injury.The main current treatments are conducted passively and include physical factor rehabilitation,pharmacological treatments,cell-based therapies,and physical exercise.However,most treatments only partially address the problem and cannot complete the systematic recovery of the entire central nervous system-peripheral nervous system-target organ pathway.Therefore,we should further explore multilevel treatment options that produce effective,long-lasting results,perhaps requiring a combination of passive(traditional)and active(novel)treatment methods to stimulate rehabilitation at the central-peripheral-target organ levels to achieve better functional recovery.

Multilevel carbon architecture of subnanoscopic silicon for fast‐charging high‐energy‐density lithium‐ion batteries

Silicon(Si)is widely used as a lithium‐ion‐battery anode owing to its high capacity and abundant crustal reserves.However,large volume change upon cycling and poor conductivity of Si cause rapid capacity decay and poor fast‐charging capability limiting its commercial applications.Here,we propose a multilevel carbon architecture with vertical graphene sheets(VGSs)grown on surfaces of subnanoscopically and homogeneously dispersed Si–C composite nanospheres,which are subsequently embedded into a carbon matrix(C/VGSs@Si–C).Subnanoscopic C in the Si–C nanospheres,VGSs,and carbon matrix form a three‐dimensional conductive and robust network,which significantly improves the conductivity and suppresses the volume expansion of Si,thereby boosting charge transport and improving electrode stability.The VGSs with vast exposed edges considerably increase the contact area with the carbon matrix and supply directional transport channels through the entire material,which boosts charge transport.The carbon matrix encapsulates VGSs@Si–C to decrease the specific surface area and increase tap density,thus yielding high first Coulombic efficiency and electrode compaction density.Consequently,C/VGSs@Si–C delivers excellent Li‐ion storage performances under industrial electrode conditions.In particular,the full cells show high energy densities of 603.5 Wh kg^(−1)and 1685.5 Wh L^(−1)at 0.1 C and maintain 80.7%of the energy density at 3 C.

On the Use of Monotonicity-Preserving Interpolatory Techniques in Multilevel Schemes for Balance Laws

Cost-effective multilevel techniques for homogeneous hyperbolic conservation laws are very successful in reducing the computational cost associated to high resolution shock capturing numerical schemes.Because they do not involve any special data structure,and do not induce savings in memory requirements,they are easily implemented on existing codes and are recommended for 1D and 2D simulations when intensive testing is required.The multilevel technique can also be applied to balance laws,but in this case,numerical errors may be induced by the technique.We present a series of numerical tests that point out that the use of monotonicity-preserving interpolatory techniques eliminates the numerical errors observed when using the usual 4-point centered Lagrange interpolation,and leads to a more robust multilevel code for balance laws,while maintaining the efficiency rates observed forhyperbolic conservation laws.

基于Multilevel CodingTree模型的公路数字化档案标识编码研究

针对高速公路信息化建设中的编码问题,文章提出了基于Multilevel Coding Tree模型的"项目代号+属性+类别+流水号"四段位编码方案。根据该编码的结构,采用概率分析、实验测试和命题证明等手段,验证了编码的唯一性。该编码方案为公路信息化建设中各类文件提供了唯一的编码,达到一页(件)一码,是一种行之有效的编码方案。

Defect image segmentation using multilevel thresholding based on firefly algorithm with opposition-learning

To segment defects from the quad flat non-lead QFN package surface a multilevel Otsu thresholding method based on the firefly algorithm with opposition-learning is proposed. First the Otsu thresholding algorithm is expanded to a multilevel Otsu thresholding algorithm. Secondly a firefly algorithm with opposition-learning OFA is proposed.In the OFA opposite fireflies are generated to increase the diversity of the fireflies and improve the global search ability. Thirdly the OFA is applied to searching multilevel thresholds for image segmentation. Finally the proposed method is implemented to segment the QFN images with defects and the results are compared with three methods i.e. the exhaustive search method the multilevel Otsu thresholding method based on particle swarm optimization and the multilevel Otsu thresholding method based on the firefly algorithm. Experimental results show that the proposed method can segment QFN surface defects images more efficiently and at a greater speed than that of the other three methods.

AUTOMATIC MULTILEVEL THRESHOLDING METHOD BASED ON MAXIMUM ENTROPY

In the multilevel thresholding segmentation of the image, the classification number is always given by the supervisor. To solve this problem, a fast multilevel thresholding algorithm considering both the threshold value and the classification number is proposed based on the maximum entropy, and the self-adaptive criterion of the classification number is given. The algorithm can obtain thresholds and automatically decide the classification number. Experimental results show that the algorithm is effective.

Risk Assessment of Diary Cattle Brucellosis Based on Systematic Multilevel Grey Relation Entropy Method

[Objective] The study was to explore the major factors affecting diary cattle brucellosis risk assessment,as well as their strong-to-weak sequence,so as to provide theoretical basis for assessing diary cattle brucellosis risk level in different regions.[Method] From 4 dimensions of feeding and importing,breeding,housing and polyculture situation,an evaluation index system was set up,and diary cattle brucellosis risk survey was conducted in 3 typical regions.Finally,systematic multilevel grey relation entropy method was applied to perform data analysis.[Result] The strong-to-weak sequence of Level 1 impact factor of diary cattle brucellosis was as follows：feeding and importinghousingpolyculture situationbreeding;the sequence of Level 2 impact factor was U32〉U12〉U11〉U31〉U21〉U42〉U43〉U23〉U22〉U41;the risk level sequence of 3 typical regions was Province A（County A1,A2,A3）Province B（County B1,B2,B3）Province C（County C1,C2,C3）.[Conclusion] According to the weight of Level 1 index strata,administrative departments at all levels and dairy cattle farmers should lay emphasis on the aspects of feeding,importing and housing;viewed from the perspective of Level 2 index strata,dairy cattle farmers should value the siting of cattle field,the brucellosis surveillance before importing and milking modes most.According to the diary cattle brucellosis risk level of 3 typical regions,if administrative departments at all levels strengthen peoples＇ awareness of their personal health and increase investment in this area,with new healthy cultured atmosphere built,the risk level of diary cattle brucellosis will surly decline.

Human induced dryland degradation in Ordos Plateau,China,revealed by multilevel statistical modeling of normalized difference vegetation index and rainfall time-series

Land degradation causes serious environmental problems in many regions of the world, and although it can be effectively assessed and monitored using a time series of rainfall and a normalized difference vegetation index （NDVI） from remotely-sensed imagery, dividing human-induced land degradation from vegetation dynamics due to climate change is not a trivial task. This paper presented a multilevel statistical modeling of the NDVI-rainfall relationship to detect human-induced land degradation at local and landscape scales in the Ordos Plateau of Inner Mongolia, China, and recognized that anthropogenic activities result in either positive （land restoration and re-vegetation） or negative （degradation） trends. Linear regressions were used to assess the accuracy of the multi- level statistical model. The results show that： （1） land restoration was the dominant process in the Ordos Plateau between 1998 and 2012; （2） the effect of the statistical removal of precipitation revealed areas of human-induced land degradation and improvement, the latter reflecting successful restoration projects and changes in land man- agement in many parts of the Ordos; （3） compared to a simple linear regression, multilevel statistical modeling could be used to analyze the relationship between the NDVI and rainfall and improve the accuracy of detecting the effect of human activities. Additional factors should be included when analyzing the NDVI-rainfall relationship and detecting human-induced loss of vegetation cover in drylands to improve the accuracy of the approach and elimi- nate some observed non-significant residual trends.

Improvement and performance of parallel multilevel fast multipole algorithm

The method of establishing data structures plays an important role in the efficiency of parallel multilevel fast multipole algorithm（PMLFMA）.Considering the main complements of multilevel fast multipole algorithm（MLFMA） memory,a new parallelization strategy and a modified data octree construction scheme are proposed to further reduce communication in order to improve parallel efficiency.For far interaction,a new scheme called dynamic memory allocation is developed.To analyze the workload balancing performance of a parallel implementation,the original concept of workload balancing factor is introduced and verified by numerical examples.Numerical results show that the above measures improve the parallel efficiency and are suitable for the analysis of electrical large-scale scattering objects.

A Context Sensitive Multilevel Thresholding Using Swarm Based Algorithms

In this paper, a comprehensive energy function is used to formulate the three most popular objective functions:Kapur's, Otsu and Tsalli's functions for performing effective multilevel color image thresholding. These new energy based objective criterions are further combined with the proficient search capability of swarm based algorithms to improve the efficiency and robustness. The proposed multilevel thresholding approach accurately determines the optimal threshold values by using generated energy curve, and acutely distinguishes different objects within the multi-channel complex images. The performance evaluation indices and experiments on different test images illustrate that Kapur's entropy aided with differential evolution and bacterial foraging optimization algorithm generates the most accurate and visually pleasing segmented images.

A multilevel preconditioner and its shared memory implementation for a new generation reservoir simulator

As a result of the interplay between advances in computer hardware, software, and algorithm, we are now in a new era of large-scale reservoir simulation, which focuses on accurate flow description, fine reservoir characterization, efficient nonlinear/linear solvers, and parallel implementation. In this paper, we discuss a multilevel preconditioner in a new-generation simulator and its implementation on multicore computers. This preconditioner relies on the method of subspace corrections to solve large-scale linear systems arising from fully implicit methods in reservoir simulations. We investigate the parallel efficiency and robustness of the proposed method by applying it to million-cell benchmark problems.

A novel analytical thermal model for multilevel nano-scale interconnects considering the via effect

Based on the heat diffusion equation of multilevel interconnects, a novel analytical thermal model for multilevel nano-scale interconnects considering the via effect is presented, which can compute quickly the temperature of multilevel interconnects, with substrate temperature given. Based on the proposed model and the 65 nm complementary metal oxide semiconductor （CMOS） process parameter, the temperature of nano-scale interconnects is computed. The computed results show that the via effect has a great effect on local interconnects, but the reduction of thermal conductivity has little effect on local interconnects. With the reduction of thermal conductivity or the increase of current density, however, the temperature of global interconnects rises greatly, which can result in a great deterioration in their performance. The proposed model can be applied to computer aided design （CAD） of very large-scale integrated circuits （VLSIs） in nano-scale technologies.

Multilevel read-only optical recording methods

The advantages of read-only storage is the predominance of optical recording relative to magnetic and other rewritable methods. Multilevel （ML） read-only technology has been a trend to improve the data capacity and transfer rate. Based on the principle and coding method of ML, this paper demonstrates some ML read-only recording methods, of which a new ML read-only recording is developed. This recording method integrates amplitude modulation achieved by the reaction mechanism of physics and chemistry of photoresist with the run-length-limited technology. The discs can be achieved using standard photoresist mastering and replication techniques with great compatibility to conventional binary read-only discs.

Comparison of Alternative Strategies for Multilevel Optimization of Hierarchical Systems

The augmented Lagrangian penalty formulation and four different coordination strategies are used to examine the nu- merical behavior of Analytical Target Cascading (ATC) for multilevel optimization of hierarchical systems. The coordination strategies considered include augmented Lagrangian using the method of multipliers and alternating direction method of multipliers, diagonal quadratic approximation, and truncated diagonal quadratic approximation. Properties examined include computational cost and solution accuracy based on the selected values for the different parameters that appear in each formulation. The different strategies are implemented using two- and three-level decomposed example problems. While the results show the interaction between the selected ATC formulation and the values of associated parameters, they clearly highlight the impact they could have on both the solution accuracy and computational cost.

Efficient analysis of dielectric radomes using multilevel fast multipole algorithm with CRWG basis

A full-wave analysis of the electromagnetic problem of a three-dimensional （3-D） antenna radiating through a 3-D dielectric radome is preserued. The problem is formulated using the Poggio-Miller-Chang-Harrington- Wu（PMCHW） approach for homogeneous dielectric objects and the electric field integral equation for conducting objects. The integral equations are discretized by the method of moment （MoM）, in which the conducting and dielectric surface/interfaces are represented by curvilinear triangular patches and the unknown equivalent electric and magnetic currents are expanded using curvilinear RWG basis functions. The resultant matrix equation is then solved by the multilevel fast multipole algorithm （MLFMA） and fast far-field approximation （FAFFA） is used to further accelerate the computation. The radiation patterns of dipole arrays in the presence of radomes are presented. The numerical results demonstrate the accuracy and versatility of this method.

MULTILEVEL INDEX STRUCTURE FOR INFORMATION FILTERING BASED ON USER CHARACTERISTIC

Aimed at information overload and personalized characteristic of user information requirement, this letter presents a type of multilevel index structure and algorithm which is applied to large scale information filtering system and has better performance and stronger scalability.

Multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy treated by anterior cervical decompression in subsection and autograft fusion

Objective：To investigate a novel surgical method for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy （CSM）. Methods： Totally 21 patients with multilevel CSM undergoing a novel surgical procedure from April 2001 to January 2004 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients experienced anterior cervical decompression surgery in subsection, autograft fusion and internal fixation. Preoperative, immediate postoperative and follow-up image data, X-rays and semi-quantitative Japanese orthopaedics association （JOA） scores were used to evaluate the restoration of lordosis （Cobb＇s angle）, intervertebral heights, the stability of the cervical spine and the improvement of neurological impairment. Results： Preoperative symptoms were markedly alleviated or disappeared in most of the patients. According to the JOA scores, the ratio of improvement in neurological function was 72. 2%, including excellent in 9 cases （42.9%）, good in 7 cases （33.3%）, fair in 3 cases （14.3%） and poor in 2 cases （9.5%）. Immediate postoperative X-rays showed obvious improvements in lordosis and in the intervertebral height of the cervical spine （P〈0. 01）. There is no evidence of instrument failure during the mean follow-up period of 14. 2 months （9-24 months, P〉0. 01）. Conclusion：Anterior cervical decompression in subsection, autograft fusion and internal fixation is a rational effective method for the surgical treatment of multilevel CSM.

Mechanical response and microscopic damage mechanism of pre-flawed sandstone subjected to monotonic and multilevel cyclic loading:A laboratory-scale investigation

This study aims to investigate the mechanical response and acoustic emission(AE)characteristic of pre-flawed sandstone under both monotonic and multilevel constant-amplitude cyclic loads.Specifically,we explored how coplanar flaw angle and load type impact the strength and deformation behavior and microscopic damage mechanism.Results indicated that being fluctuated before rising with increasing fissure angle under monotonic loading,the peak strength of the specimen first increased slowly and then steeply under cyclic loading.The effect of multilevel cyclic loading on the mechanical parameters was more significant.For a single fatigue stage,the specimen underwent greater deformation in early cycles,which subsequently stabilized.Similar variation pattern was also reflected by AE count/energy/b-value.Crack behaviors were dominated by the fissure angle and load type and medium-scale crack accounted for 74.83%–86.44%of total crack.Compared with monotonic loading,crack distribution of specimen under cyclic loading was more complicated.Meanwhile,a simple model was proposed to describe the damage evolution of sandstone under cyclic loading.Finally,SEM images revealed that the microstructures at the fracture were mainly composed of intergranular fracture,and percentage of transgranular fracture jumped under cyclic loading due to the rapid release of elastic energy caused by high loading rate.

Gaussian shaper for nuclear pulses based on multilevel cascade convolution

For nuclear measurements,it is necessary to obtain accurate information from nuclear pulses,which should be obtained by first shaping the pulses outputted by the detectors.However,commonly used pulse-shaping algorithms have certain problems.For example,certain pulse-shaping algorithms have long dead-times in high-counting-rate environments or are difficult to achieve in digital systems.Gaussian signals are widely used in analog nuclear instruments owing to their symmetry and completeness.A Gaussian signal is usually implemented by using a multilevel S–K filter in series or in parallel.It is difficult to construct a real-time digital Gaussian filter for the complex Gaussian filtering algorithm.Based on the multilevel cascade convolution,a pulse-shaping algorithm for double exponential signals is proposed in this study,which,in addition to double exponential signals,allows more complex output signal models to be used in the new algorithm.The proposed algorithm can be used in high-counting-rate environments and has been implemented in an FPGA with fewer multipliers than those required in other traditional Gaussian pulse-shaping algorithms.The offline processing results indicated that the average peak base width of the output-shaped pulses obtained using the proposed algorithm was reduced compared with that obtained using the traditional Gaussian pulse-shaping algorithm.Experimental results also demonstrated that signal-to-noise ratios and energy resolutions were improved,particularly for pulses with a low energy.The energy resolution was improved by 0.1–0.2%while improving the counting rate.

Multilevel security model for ad hoc networks

Modern battlefield doctrine is based on mobility, flexibility, and rapid response to changing situations. As is well known, mobile ad hoc network systems are among the best utilities for battlefield activity. Although much research has been done on secure routing, security issues have largely been ignored in applying mobile ad hoc network theory to computer technology. An ad hoc network is usually assumed to be homogeneous, which is an irrational assumption for armies. It is clear that soldiers, commanders, and commanders-in-chief should have different security levels and computation powers as they have access to asymmetric resources. Imitating basic military rank levels in battlefield situations, how multilevel security can be introduced into ad hoc networks is indicated, thereby controlling restricted classified information flows among nodes that have different security levels.