Screening, Treatment and Control of High Blood Pressure on Five Sites in Mali

Introduction: High blood pressure is defined as blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg for systolic and or 90 mm Hg for diastolic. It constitutes a major public health problem, the leading chronic disease in the world. The objective was to determine the prevalence, treatment rate and control of hypertension. Methods: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study which took place over a period of 6 months in a hospital environment and in the general population. Results: Of the 1000 participants, 637 had hypertension, giving a prevalence of 63.70% with a female predominance. Thirty-three percent (33%) were unaware of their high blood pressure. The age group 60 and more was the most represented (44%). A proportion of 33 and 23.20 were overweight and obese participants, respectively. Male subjects were more overweight than female, unlike obesity which was more common among female subjects. Sixty-two percent (62%) of hypertensives were treated, of whom 44% were non-compliant. The excessively high cost and consumption of medications as needed were the main factors in therapeutic non-compliance. Twenty-two percent (22%) of all hypertensive patients and 35% of treated hypertensive patients were controlled. Women were more treated but less observant and less controlled than men. Therapeutic coverage and combination therapy rates were lower in rural areas. Hypertensives who had a high level of education were better treated and controlled than those who had no level. Conclusion: High blood pressure remains a real public health problem in Mali. It is more common in people aged 60 and over and in females. One in three hypertensives were unaware of their hypertension. The majority received antihypertensive treatments, but only a minority of them had their hypertension controlled.

Radiofrequency ablation combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for recurrent liver cancer

BACKGROUND The recurrence rate of liver cancer after surgery is high.Radiofrequency ablation(RFA)combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)is an effective treatment for liver cancer;however,its efficacy in recurrent liver cancer remains unclear.AIM To investigate the clinical effect of TACE combined with RFA in the treatment of recurrent liver cancer.METHODS Ninety patients with recurrent liver cancer were divided into 2 groups according to treatment plan:Control(RFA alone);and experimental[TACE combined with RFA(TACE+RFA)].The incidence of increased alanine aminotransferase levels,complications,and other indices were compared between the two groups before and after the procedures.RESULTS One month after the procedures,the short-term efficacy rate and Karnofsky Performance Status scores of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).Alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)and total bilirubin levels were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05);The overall response rate was 82.22%and 66.67%in the experimental and control groups,respectively;The disease control rate was 93.33%and 82.22%in the experimental and control groups,respectively,the differences are statistically significant(P<0.05).And there were no statistical differences in complications between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION TACE+RFA was effective for the treatment of recurrent liver cancer and significantly reduced AFP levels and improved various indices of liver function.

Efficient Rate Control for Motion JPEG2000 under Constraint Memory

Fine scalability can provide not only precise rate control for constant bitrate (CBR) traffic, but also accurate quality control for variable bitrate (VBR) traffic. Motion JPEG2000 is a codec that can provide fine scalability with bitstreams. An efficient rate control approach utilizing a single buffer and two kinds of threshold for Motion JPEG2000 under resource constraint was proposed, which can offer good result in the constant quality video.

Adaptive rate control on wireless transcoder

To guarantee the real-time transmission of a video stream, based on the stochastic optimal control method, a frame layer adaptive rate control algorithm for the wireless transcoder is proposed, which is capable of dynamically determining the transcoder＇s objective bit rate, according to the bandwidth variation of the wireless channel and the buffer occupancy. Then the transient performance, steady performance, and computational complexity of the algorithm are analyzed. Finally, the experiment results demonstrate that the algorithm can improve the synthetic performance of rate control through the compromise between the end-to-end delay and the playout quality.

An Improved Rate Control Method Based on Modification at Scene Change for H.264

This paper presents an improved rate control method for H.264. First, the scene changes are detected by the average absolute difference of the brightness histograms between the adjacent frames. Then, the bit allocation and quantization parameters are adjusted, using a certain threshold. In addition, the calculation of the mean absolute difference （MAD） is modified in an alternative way, which makes the rate distortion optimization （RDO） more accurate. Extensive simulation results show that the proposed method, compared with G012, can improve the average peak signal-to-noise ratio （PSNR） and moderate the image quality.

Optimal source rate control for adapting VBR video over CBR channels

In this paper we discuss the source rate control problem of adapting variable bit-rate （VBR） compressed video over constant bit-rate （CBR） channels. Firstly we formulate it as an optimal control problem of a discrete linear system with state and control constraints. Then we apply the discrete maximum principle to get the optimal solution. Experimental results are given in the end. Compared with traditional algorithms, the proposed algorithm is suitable for the coder with continuous output rates, and can achieve the better solution. Our algorithm can be used in both off-line and on-line coding.

Fair rate control for wireless ad-hoc networks with time varying channel capacities

We consider the problem of fair rate control for wireless ad-hoc networks with time varying channel capacities. The interaction between links in wireless ad-hoc networks introduces additional constraints on the flow rate. A primal-dual algorithm that guarantees fair rate control is proved to be trajectory stable. Various fairness indexes are obtained by choosing the specified form of the utility functions, and the numerical results validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

Model classification rate control algorithmfor video coding

A model classification rate control method for video coding is proposed. The macro-blocks are classified according to their prediction errors, and different parameters are used in the rate-quantization and distortion-quantization model. The different model parameters are calculated from the previous frame of the same type in the process of coding. These models are used to estimate the relations among rate, distortion and quantization of the current frame. Further steps, such as R-D optimization based quantization adjustment and smoothing of quantization of adjacent macrobloeks, are used to improve the quality. The results of the experiments prove that the technique is effective and can be realized easily. The method presented in the paper can be a good way for MPEG and H. 264 rate control.

A rate based congestion control algorithm in networks with coexisting unicast and multicast sessions

The optimal rate control problem in networks with unicast and multiratemulticast sessions is investigated. A penalty function approach is used to solve a convex programformulation of this problem, and then a heuristic rate control algorithm is derived. The algorithmis distributed, and suitable both for source-driven unicast sessions and receiver-driven multicastsessions. To obtain practical viability, the computational burden on core routers as well asend-hosts is kept very low, also is the overhead of network congestion feedback. Simulation resultsshow that the algorithm guarantees TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)-based unicast sessionscoexisting with multirate multicast sessions in a fair and friendly manner. It is also shown thatvarious fairness criteria of resource allocation could be achieved by choosing appropriate utilityfunctions, and resource-utilizing efficiencies would be likewise different.

Impact of Village-based Health Education of Tobacco Control on the Current Smoking Rate in Chinese Rural Areas

The number of smokers in Chinese rural areas is more than 200 million, which is twice that in cities. It is very significant to carry out tobacco control interventions in rural areas. We performed this community intervention study to evaluate the efficacy of village-based health education of tobacco control on the male current smoking rate in rural areas. The population of this study was the males above 15 years old from 6 villages in rural areas. The villages were randomly assigned to intervention group or control group（3 villages in each group）. Self-designed smoking questionnaire was applied. The intervention group received the village-based health education of tobacco control for one year. The primary outcome measurement was the male current smoking rate. In the baseline investigation, completed surveys were returned by 814 male residents from the control group and 831 male residents from the intervention group. The male current smoking rate in the control group and the intervention group was 61.2% and 58.5%, respectively, before intervention. There was no significant difference between these two groups（P〉0.05）. After one-year intervention, the current smoking rate in the intervention group（51.2%） was significantly lower than that in the control group（62.8%）（P〈0.001）. Our study suggested that the village-based health education of tobacco control was effective in lowering the male current smoking rate in rural areas, which could be a suitable and feasible way for tobacco control in the Chinese rural areas.

ON THE ASYMPTOTIC ASSIGNMENT OF THE BOUNDS OF DECREASING RATE FOR A TIME-VARYING LINEAR CONTROL SYSTEM

In the paper the problem on the assignment of the bounds of decreasing rate for a time-varying linear control system is discussed. The sufficient and necessary condition for bounds of decreasing rate of a time-varying linear system to be assigned arbitrarily is presented. It is pointed out that for any given real number m, M, m<M, there exists a linear state feedback with time-varying gain matrix which makes the corresponding closed-loop system possess M and m as its upper bound and lower bound of the decreasing rate respectively. For the purposes of its application to system design the concept of the asymptotic assignment of the bounds of decreasing rate is also proposed. The method dealing with the asymptotic assignment is given too.

DOUBLE LOOP ACTIVE VIBRATION CONTROL OF PNEUMATIC ISOLATOR WITH TWO SEPARATE CHAMBERS

A newly designed pneumatic spring with two separate chambers is promoted and double-loop active control is introduced to overcome the following drawbacks of passive pneumatic isolation： ① The low frequency resonances introduced into the system; ② Conflict between lower isolation frequency and stiffness high enough to limit quasi-static stroke;③ Inconsistent isolation level with different force load. The design of two separate chambers is for the purpose of tuning support frequency and force independently and each chamber is controlled by a different valve. The inner one of double-loop structure is pressure control, and in order to obtain good performance, nonlinearities compensation and motion flow rate compensation （MFRC） are added besides the basic cascade compensation, and the influence of tube length is studied. The outer loop has two functions： one is to eliminate the resonance caused by isolation support and to broaden the isolation frequency band by payload velocity feedback and base velocity feed forward, and the other is to tune support force and support stiffness simultaneously and independently, which means the support force will have no effect on support stiffness. Theoretical analysis and experiment results show that the three drawbacks are overcome simultaneously.

Study of the Effect of Two New Types of IUDs,TCu380A and GyneFix on the Positive Rate of Chlamydia Trahmatis

To analyze the effect of two types of IUDs, TCu380A and GyneFix on the positive rate of Chlamydia Trahmatis (CT). Methods The TCu380A and GyneFix IUDs were compared in a randomized was for the one year and two year positive rate of Chlamydia Trahmatis (CT) and with the control respectively. Results The one year positive rate of CT antigens was 5.63% of TCu380A and two year was 4.92%; the one year positive rate of CT antigens was 4.62% and two year was 5.08% of GyneFix. There was no significant difference in the positive rate of CT antigen between the TCu380A IUD, and GyneFix IUDs groups, while there were significant differences between the TCu380A IUD, GyneFix IUD and the controls (15.18%) respectively. Conclusion Both IUDs provide highly effective protection against CT infection.

Standard-state entropies and their impact on the potential-dependent apparent activation energy in electrocatalysis

The apparent activation energy,Eapp,is a common measure in thermal catalysis to discuss the activity and limiting steps of catalytic processes on solid-state materials.Recently,the electrocatalysis community adopted the concept of Eappand combined it with the Butler-Volmer theory.Certain observations though,such as potential-dependent fluctuations of Eapp,are yet surprising because they conflict with the proposed linear decrease in Eappwith increasing overpotential.The most common explanation for this finding refers to coverage changes upon alterations in the temperature or the applied electrode potential.In the present contribution,it is demonstrated that the modulation of surface coverages cannot entirely explain potential-dependent oscillations of Eapp,and rather the impact of entropic contributions of the transition states has been overlooked so far.In the case of a nearly constant surface coverage,these entropic contributions can be extracted by a dedicated combination of Tafel plots and temperature-dependent experiments.

The Thermal History of the Huangmeijian Granite Intrusion in Anhui and Its Relation to Mineralization: Isotopic Evidence

Whole-rock Rb-Sr, zircon U-Pb and hornblende, biotite and K-feldspar K-Ar ages areused to reconstruct the cooling history of the Huangmeijian intrusion in the Anqing-Lujiangquartz-syenite belt in Anhui. Oxygen isotope geothermometry of mineral pairs demonstrates thatdiffusion is a dominant factor controlling the closure of isotopic systems. Assuming the coolingof the intrusion is synchronous with a dicrease in local geothermal gradients, an emplacementdepth of about 8 km and the magma crystallization temperature of 800±50℃ are estimated. TheHuangmeijian intrusion experienced a rapid cooling process and uplifted after its emplacementand crystallization at 133 Ma B.P. with a cooling rate of 34.5℃/Ma and an uplifting rate of 0.35mm/a. The intrusion was rising until it rested at a depth of 3km at a temperature of 300±50℃about 14 Ma later. Then the intrusion was in slow cooling and uplifting with a cooling rate of4.4℃/Ma and an uplifting rate of 0.04 mm/a. U-Pb dating of pitchblende is done for the hydrothermal uranium deposit formed in thecontact zone of the Huangmeijian intrusion. The result shows that the mineralization age is closeto the closing time of the K-Ar system in biotite. The fluid inclusion thermometry indicates thatthe mineralization temperature is in agreement with the closure temperature of the biotite K-Arsystem. This suggests a close relationship between the slow cooling of the intrusion and thehydrothermal uranium mineralization process.

Influence of key factors on deflection of bonded prestressed concrete simply supported slabs subjected to fire

In order to validate the accuracy of nonlinear fire simulation programs,comparison analysis is carried out between simulation and experiment induced from small-scale specimens,and then fire resistance of large-scale prestressed concrete slabs is further investigated through parameter expansion.The influences on fire resistance ratings controlled by deflection are explored and discussed,including effective span,concrete cover thickness,load level,prestress degree,effective prestress,composite reinforcement index and other factors.The calculated results indicate that fire resistance ratings of large-scale bonded prestressed concrete simply supported slabs are bigger than those of small-scale ones.Finally,the calculation formulas of fire resistance ratings controlled by deflection are established,which rationally consider the influence of effective span,concrete cover thickness,load level,composite reinforcement index and so on key factors.

一种基于视觉显著度模型的无线视频码率控制算法(英文)

In order to further improve the efficiency of video compression, we introduce a perceptual characteristics of Human Visual System (HVS) to video coding, and propose a novel video coding rate control algorithm based on human visual saliency model in H.264/AVC. Firstly, we modifie Itti's saliency model. Secondly, target bits of each frame are allocated through the correlation of saliency region between the current and previous frame, and the complexity of each MB is modified through the saliency value and its Mean Absolute Difference (MAD) value. Lastly, the algorithm was implemented in JVT JM12.2. Simulation results show that, comparing with traditional rate control algorithm, the proposed one can reduce the coding bit rate and improve the reconstructed video subjective quality, especially for visual saliency region. It is very suitable for wireless video transmission.

Frame-layer bit allocation for multi-view video coding based on frame complexity estimation

Current multi-view video coding （MVC） reference model in joint video team （JVT） does not provide efficient rate control schemes. This paper presents a rate control algorithm for MVC by improving the quadratic rate-distortion （R-D） model. We reasonably allocate bit-rate among views based on the correlation analysisl The proposed algorithm consists of three levels to control the rate bits more accurately, of which the frame layer allocates bits according to the frame complexity and the temporal activity. Extensive experiments show that the proposed algorithm can control the bit rate efficiently.

Heading rate controller for unmanned helicopters based on modified ADRC

A modified heading rate active disturbance rejection controller(ADRC)for miniature unmanned helicopters is presented to improve the transient performance and adaptability of working conditions.First,a tail-locking mathematical model is introduced,and the amplification factor is defined.Second,a standard ADRC controller is presented.Because the amplification factor plays an important role in both parts of the content and is primarily influenced by the main rotor speed,an online forgetting factor recursive least square algorithm is used to identify it,and the identification result is condensed into a function of the main rotor speed,adapting to various working conditions.This function is also included in the proposed ADRC controller to supplement the standard scheme.Finally,experiments were conducted on a small electric helicopter.A reduction of approximately 40%in the transient time(compared with an off-the-shelf PID controller)was achieved in the experiment.The comparative results show that the proposed ADRC scheme outperforms the classic PID and standard ADRC schemes in terms of transient performance and adaptability to working conditions.

Assessment of Stress Cognitive Control and Executive Function with Stress Control Rating Scale (ECOSTRESS) and Low Resolution Brain Electromagnetic Tomography (LORETA) (In Portuguese People in Situations of Unemployment and Economic Insufficiency)

This article reviews the constructs of stress, appraisal, coping, according to a transactional perspective, and executive function, and presents a stress control rating scale (ECOSTRESS), which design is founded in these constructs. This psychometric tool is useful in the assessment of cognitive control of stress, correlated with the function of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. It has been validated for its use in the assessment of Portuguese people in situations of stress related to unemployment and economic insufficiency. Also, within the context of the cognitive control of stress, it is highlighted the usefulness of low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA).