Analysis of morphological characteristics of gravels based on digital image processing technology and self-organizing map

A comprehensive understanding of spatial distribution and clustering patterns of gravels is of great significance for ecological restoration and monitoring.However,traditional methods for studying gravels are low-efficiency and have many errors.This study researched the spatial distribution and cluster characteristics of gravels based on digital image processing technology combined with a self-organizing map(SOM)and multivariate statistical methods in the grassland of northern Tibetan Plateau.Moreover,the correlation of morphological parameters of gravels between different cluster groups and the environmental factors affecting gravel distribution were analyzed.The results showed that the morphological characteristics of gravels in northern region(cluster C)and southern region(cluster B)of the Tibetan Plateau were similar,with a low gravel coverage,small gravel diameter,and elongated shape.These regions were mainly distributed in high mountainous areas with large topographic relief.The central region(cluster A)has high coverage of gravels with a larger diameter,mainly distributed in high-altitude plains with smaller undulation.Principal component analysis(PCA)results showed that the gravel distribution of cluster A may be mainly affected by vegetation,while those in clusters B and C could be mainly affected by topography,climate,and soil.The study confirmed that the combination of digital image processing technology and SOM could effectively analyzed the spatial distribution characteristics of gravels,providing a new mode for gravel research.

Patterns of upper layer circulation variability in the South China Sea from satellite altimetry using the self-organizing map

Patterns of the South China Sea (SCS) circulation variability are extracted from merged satellite altimetry data from October 1992 through August 2004 by using the self-organizing map (SOM). The annual cycle, seasonal and inter-annual variations of the SCS surface circulation are identified through the evolution of the characteristic circulation patterns.The annual cycle of the SCS general circulation patterns is described as a change between two opposite basin-scale SW-NE oriented gyres embedded with eddies: low sea surface height anomaly (SSHA) (cyclonic) in winter and high SSHA (anticyclonic) in summer half year. The transition starts from July—August (January—February) with a high (low) SSHA tongue east of Vietnam around 12°~14° N, which develops into a big anticyclonic (cyclonic) gyre while moving eastward to the deep basin. During the transitions, a dipole structure, cyclonic (anticyclonic) in the north and anticyclonic (cyclonic) in the south, may be formed southeast off Vietnam with a strong zonal jet around 10°~12° N. The seasonal variation is modulated by the interannual variations. Besides the strong 1997/1998 event in response to the peak Pacific El Nio in 1997, the overall SCS sea level is found to have a significant rise during 1999~2001, however, in summer 2004 the overall SCS sea level is lower and the basin-wide anticyclonic gyre becomes weaker than the other years.

A novel fractional uplink power control framework for self-organizing networks

Internet of things and network densification bring significant challenges to uplink management.Only depending on optimization algorithm enhancements is not enough for uplink transmission.To control intercell interference,Fractional Uplink Power Control(FUPC)should be optimized from network-wide perspective,which has to find a better traffic distribution model.Conventionally,traffic distribution is geographic-based,and ineffective due to tricky locating efforts.This paper proposes a novel uplink power management framework for Self-Organizing Networks(SON),which firstly builds up pathloss-based traffic distribution model and then makes the decision of FUPC based on the model.PathLoss-based Traffic Distribution(PLTD)aggregates traffic based on the propagation condition of traffic that is defined as the pathloss between the position generating the traffic and surrounding cells.Simulations show that the improvement in optimization efficiency of FUPC with PLTD can be up to 40%compared to conventional GeoGraphic-based Traffic Distribution(GGTD).

Pedestrian flow through exit:Study focused on evacuation pattern

Experiments are conducted on the evacuation rate of pedestrians through exits with queued evacuation pattern and random evacuation pattern. The experimental results show that the flow rate of pedestrians is larger with the random evacuation pattern than with the queued evacuation pattern. Therefore, the exit width calculated based on the minimum evacuation clear width for every 100 persons, which is on the assumption that the pedestrians pass through the exit in one queue or several queues, is conservative. The number of people crossing the exit simultaneously is greater in the random evacuation experiments than in the queued evacuation experiments, and the time interval between the front row and rear row of people is shortened in large-exit conditions when pedestrians evacuate randomly. The difference between the flow rate with a queued evacuation pattern and the flow rate with a random evacuation pattern is related to the surplus width of the exit, which is greater than the total width of all accommodated people streams. Two dimensionless quantities are defined to explore this relationship. It is found that the difference in flow rate between the two evacuation patterns is stable at a low level when the surplus width of the exit is no more than 45% of the width of a single pedestrian stream. There is a great difference between the flow rate with the queued evacuation pattern and the flow rate with the random evacuation pattern in a scenario with a larger surplus width of the exit. Meanwhile, the pedestrians crowd extraordinarily at the exit in these conditions as well, since the number of pedestrians who want to evacuate through exit simultaneously greatly exceeds the accommodated level. Therefore, the surplus width of exit should be limited especially in the narrow exit condition, and the relationship between the two dimensionless quantities mentioned above could provide the basis to some extent.

A divergent pattern in functional connectivity: a transdiagnostic perspective

Functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI)is a popular tool used to investigate not only how the brain responds to specific stimuli during sensorimotor or cognitive tasks,but also brain activity at rest.The physics beyond this approach is based on the analysis of the blood oxygenation level-dependent signal.

Generativity of Self-Organizing Processes and Their Correlative Description in Terms of a Formal Language of Meta-Ordinal Generative Nature, in the Light of the Maximum Ordinality Principle and the Explicit Solution to the “Three-Body Problem”

The main objective of this paper is to demonstrate that the internal processes of Self-Organizing Systems represent a unique and singular process, characterized by their specific generativity. This process can be modeled using the Maximum Ordinality Principle and its associated formal language, known as the “Incipient” Differential Calculus (IDC).

Pig Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) Does Not Attach to Boar Sperm;It Affects Only the Velocity Pattern and the Mobility Pattern

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the sperm viability of semen infected with PRRSV viral particles, observing the effect of the Virus on the motility of boar sperm. The work was carried out at the FMVZ-BUAP Genetics and Reproduction Laboratory. 5 stallions were used. Each sample contained 1 × 106 sperm, the PRRS virus strain was ATCC-VR-2332 (0, 102, 104 and 106 copies of RNA/mL in triplicate), it was observed daily at the CASA;Hamilton Thorne®. Cells with MT (P < 0.05) on days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 of evaluation with 201 ± 7.3, 167 ± 10.1, 165 ± 14.6, 134 ± 8.2 and 120 ± 8.8, respectively. The % MP between control and virus concentrations (P ≥ 0.05). The LCV on day 1 and 7 PI at 10X2 and 10X6 (P < 0.05) vs control. In the Correlation Matrix, where it is observed that there is a correlation between VSL and VAP, VSL and VCL, VCL and ALH, VAP with ALH. There is a correlation of VSL and ALH, STR and ALH. In this study there were (P ≤ 0.01) in the VCL, in the concentrations (102) 162.81 ± 10.65 and (106) 177.12 ± 5.77 vs 193.04 ± 4.62 of control. This indicates that altering these parameters would be related to fertility and the PRRS virus affects the LCV. Regarding the VSL, it was observed that the sperm infected with viruses 102, 104 and 106 of 48.00 ± 3.38, 49.88 ± 1.83 and 50.55 ± 2.24 Vs. 56.66 ± 1.68 of control respectively, the control would have greater possibilities of fertilizing the oocyte. In this study, it was found (P ≤ 0.01) in the VAP with 102 of 77.26 ± 5.16, 104 with 83.35 ± 2.41 and 106 with 81.29 ± 3.14 vs the control with 90.56 ± 2.07. Regarding the ALH there is (P < 0.05) a 104 with 8.70 ± .26 and 106 with 9.64 ± 0.23 vs control 8.50 ± 0.27. The presence of different concentrations of PRRSV in boar semen induces changes in different types of sperm motility. Infection of ejaculates with the PRRS virus affects sperm motility on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 post-infections.

A Portfolio Selection Method Based on Pattern Matching with Dual Information of Direction and Distance

Pattern matching method is one of the classic classifications of existing online portfolio selection strategies. This article aims to study the key aspects of this method—measurement of similarity and selection of similarity sets, and proposes a Portfolio Selection Method based on Pattern Matching with Dual Information of Direction and Distance (PMDI). By studying different combination methods of indicators such as Euclidean distance, Chebyshev distance, and correlation coefficient, important information such as direction and distance in stock historical price information is extracted, thereby filtering out the similarity set required for pattern matching based investment portfolio selection algorithms. A large number of experiments conducted on two datasets of real stock markets have shown that PMDI outperforms other algorithms in balancing income and risk. Therefore, it is suitable for the financial environment in the real world.

Pattern of Referral of Obstetric Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Southern Nigeria

Background: Health challenges that are difficult to manage at primary health centres should be referred to secondary health facilities, and if untreated, to the tertiary hospitals. A good referral should include the patient’s biography, such as age, gender, tribe, religion, occupation, medical history, the reason for the referral, treatments received, and clinical diagnosis. Objectives: To evaluate the referral patterns, indications for referrals, and feto-maternal outcomes for obstetric patients who were referred to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Materials and Methods: A prospective study of patients admitted to the Obstetric unit from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022. Data was collected from patients while on admission or clinic visits and recorded in an excel spread sheet. Data was analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Results: Of the 3469 patients were admitted to the obstetric unit, 1476 and 1993 were admitted in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Most (70.35%) of the patients were in the 20-34 years age group, parity 1-4 was the most frequent (66.49%), while 85.39% of patients were booked. 10.46% of the booked patients were referred from other facilities, whereas 89.54% of patients were booked at our facility from the onset. Most common indications of referrals were previous caesarean section (CS) at term (40.09%) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (17.59%). The outcome for 2021 indicated 17 maternal deaths, 132 fetal deaths and 1010 live births, giving maternal mortality ratio (MMR) as 1810.44 per 100,000 live births and perinatal mortality ratio (PMR) of 130.7 per 1000 births respectively. In 2022, there were 17 maternal deaths, 130 fetal deaths and 1297 deliveries, giving a MMR of 1399 per 100,000 live births and a PMR of 100.2 per 1000 births. Conclusion: The pattern of referral among obstetric patients in this study shows that a lot of the patients do not get adequate care at the lower cadre of the referral system, hence adequate facilities should be made available in primary and secondary health centres to tackle obstetric emergencies.

Temporal and spatial evolution of global major grain trade patterns

The complex and volatile international landscape has significantly impacted global grain supply security. This study uses a complex network analysis model to examine the evolution and trends of the global major grain trade from 1990 to 2020, focusing on network topology, centrality ranking, and community structure. There are three major findings. First, the global major grain trade network has expanded in scale, with a growing emphasis on diversification and balance. During the study period, the United States, Canada, China, and Brazil were the core nodes of the network. Grain-exporting countries were mainly situated in Asia, the Americas, and Europe, and importing countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Second, a significant increase in the number of high centrality countries with high export capacity occurred, benefiting from natural advantages such as fertile land and favorable climates. Third, the main global grain trade network is divided into four communities, with the Americas-Europe community being the largest and most widespread. The formation of the community pattern was influenced by geographic proximity, driven by the core exporting countries. Therefore, the world needs to enhance the existing trade model, promote the multi-polarization of the grain trade network, and establish a global vision for the future community. Countries and regions should participate actively in global grain trade security governance and institutional reform, expand trade links with other countries, and optimize import and export policies to reduce trade risks.

Dissolvable temporary barrier:a novel paradigm for flexible hydrogel patterning in organ-on-a-chip models

A combination of hydrogels and microfluidics allows the construction of biomimetic three-dimensional(3D)tissue models in vitro,which are also known as organ-on-a-chipmodels.The hydrogel patterningwith awell-controlled spatial distribution is typically achieved by embedding sophisticated microstructures to act as a boundary.However,these physical barriers inevitably expose cells/tissues to a less physiologically relevant microenvironment than in vivo conditions.Herein,we present a novel dissolvable temporary barrier(DTB)strategy that allows robust and flexible hydrogel patterning with great freedom of design and desirable flow stimuli for cellular hydrogels.The key aspect of this approach is the patterning of a water-soluble rigid barrier as a guiding path for the hydrogel using stencil printing technology,followed by a barrier-free medium perfusion after the dissolution of the DTB.Single and multiple tissue compartments with different geometries can be established using either straight or curved DTB structures.The effectiveness of this strategy is further validated by generating a 3D vascular network through vasculogenesis and angiogenesis using a vascularized microtumor model.As a new proof-of-concept in vasculature-on-a-chip,DTB enables seamless contact between the hydrogel and the culture medium in closed microdevices,which is an improved protocol for the fabrication ofmultiorgan chips.Therefore,we expect it to serve as a promising paradigm for organ-on-a-chip devices for the development of tumor vascularization and drug evaluation in the future preclinical studies.

Recent Advances in Patterning Strategies for Full‑Color Perovskite Light‑Emitting Diodes

Metal halide perovskites have emerged as promising light-emitting materials for next-generation displays owing to their remarkable material characteristics including broad color tunability,pure color emission with remarkably narrow bandwidths,high quantum yield,and solution processability.Despite recent advances have pushed the luminance efficiency of monochromic perovskite light-emitting diodes(PeLEDs)to their theoretical limits,their current fabrication using the spincoating process poses limitations for fabrication of full-color displays.To integrate PeLEDs into full-color display panels,it is crucial to pattern red–green–blue(RGB)perovskite pixels,while mitigating issues such as cross-contamination and reductions in luminous efficiency.Herein,we present state-of-the-art patterning technologies for the development of full-color PeLEDs.First,we highlight recent advances in the development of efficient PeLEDs.Second,we discuss various patterning techniques of MPHs(i.e.,photolithography,inkjet printing,electron beam lithography and laserassisted lithography,electrohydrodynamic jet printing,thermal evaporation,and transfer printing)for fabrication of RGB pixelated displays.These patterning techniques can be classified into two distinct approaches:in situ crystallization patterning using perovskite precursors and patterning of colloidal perovskite nanocrystals.This review highlights advancements and limitations in patterning techniques for PeLEDs,paving the way for integrating PeLEDs into full-color panels.

Spatiotemporal pattern of climate change in the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor from 1901 to 2018

The China-Myanmar Economic Corridor(CMEC) is an important part of China's Belt and Road Initiative and an important area for global ecology and biodiversity. In this study, the annual and seasonal spatiotemporal patterns of temperature and precipitation in the CMEC over the past century were investigated using linear tendency estimation, the Mann-Kendall mutation test, the T-test, and wavelet analysis based on the monthly mean climatic data from 1901 to 2018 released by the Climatic Research Unit(CRU) of the University of East Anglia, UK. The results show that the CMEC demonstrated a trend of warming and drying over the past 100 years, and the rate of change in Myanmar was stronger than that in Yunnan Province of China. The warming rate was 0.039 ℃/10a. Precipitation decreased at a rate of -6.1 mm/10a. From the perspective of spatial distribution, temperature was high in the central and southern, low in the north of the CMEC, and the high-temperature centers were mainly distributed in the southern plain and river valley. Precipitation decreased from west to east and from south to north of the CMEC. From the perspective of the rate of change, warming was stronger in central and northern CMEC than in southern and northeastern CMEC. The rate of precipitation decline was stronger in the central and western regions than in the eastern region. This study provides a scientific reference for the CMEC to address climate change and ensure sustainable social and economic development and ecological security.

Integrative Self-Organizing Map—A Mean Pattern Model

We propose an integrative self-organizing map (iSOM) for exploring differential expression patterns across multiple microarray experiments. The algorithm is based on the assumption that observed differential expressions are random samples of a mean pattern model which is unknowna priori. The learning mechanism of iSOM is similar to the conventional SOM. The mean pattern model which underlies the proposed iSOM models mean differential expressions using a one-dimension of mean differential expressions for the mean differential expressions. The feature map of an iSOM model can be used to reveal correlation between multiple medically/biologically related disease types or multiple platform experiments for one disease. We illustrate applications of iSOM using simulated data and real data.

Dynamic Signature Verification Using Pattern Recognition

Dynamic signature is a biometric modality that recognizes an individual’s anatomic and behavioural characteristics when signing their name. The rampant case of signature falsification (Identity Theft) was the key motivating factor for embarking on this study. This study was necessitated by the damages and dangers posed by signature forgery coupled with the intractable nature of the problem. The aim and objectives of this study is to design a proactive and responsive system that could compare two signature samples and detect the correct signature against the forged one. Dynamic Signature verification is an important biometric technique that aims to detect whether a given signature is genuine or forged. In this research work, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNsor ConvNet) which is a class of deep, feed forward artificial neural networks that has successfully been applied to analysing visual imagery was used to train the model. The signature images are stored in a file directory structure which the Keras Python library can work with. Then the CNN was implemented in python using the Keras with the TensorFlow backend to learn the patterns associated with the signature. The result showed that for the same CNNs-based network experimental result of average accuracy, the larger the training dataset, the higher the test accuracy. However, when the training dataset are insufficient, better results can be obtained. The paper concluded that by training datasets using CNNs network, 98% accuracy in the result was recorded, in the experimental part, the model achieved a high degree of accuracy in the classification of the biometric parameters used.

Plant-based dietary patterns and risk of esophageal cancer:A prospective cohort study spanning 17 years

Objective: Plant-based diets have multiple health benefits for cancers;however, little is known about the association between plant-based dietary patterns and esophageal cancer(EC).This study presents an investigation of the prospective associations among three predefined indices of plant-based dietary patterns and the risk of EC.Methods: We performed endoscopic screening for 15,709 participants aged 40-69 years from two high-risk areas of China from January 2005 to December 2009 and followed the cohort until December 31, 2022. The overall plant-based diet index(PDI), healthful plant-based diet index(h PDI), and unhealthful plant-based diet index(u PDI), were calculated using survey responses to assess dietary patterns. We applied Cox proportional hazard regression to estimate the multivariable hazard ratios(HRs) and 95% confidence intervals(95% CIs) of EC across 3plant-based diet indices and further stratified the analysis by subgroups.Results: The final study sample included 15,184 participants in the cohort. During a follow-up of 219,365person-years, 176 patients with EC were identified. When the highest quartile was compared with the lowest quartile, the pooled multivariable-adjusted HR of EC was 0.50(95% CI, 0.32-0.77) for h PDI. In addition, the HR per 10-point increase in the h PDI score was 0.42(95% CI, 0.27-0.66) for ECs. Conversely, u PDI was positively associated with the risk of EC, and the HR was 1.80(95% CI, 1.16-2.82). The HR per 10-point increase in the u PDI score was 1.90(95% CI, 1.26-2.88) for ECs. The associations between these scores and the risk of EC were consistent in most subgroups. These results remained robust in sensitivity analyses.Conclusions: A healthy plant-based dietary pattern was associated with a reduced risk of EC. Emphasizing the healthiness and quality of plant-based diets may be important for preventing the development of EC.

Leading Pattern of Spring Drought Variability over East Asia and Associated Drivers

Drought events have become more frequent and intense over East Asia in recent decades,leading to huge socioeconomic impacts.Although the droughts have been studied extensively by cases or for individual regions,their leading variability and associated causes remain unclear.Based on the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index(SPEI)and ERA5 reanalysis product from 1979 to 2020,this study evealuates the severity of spring droughts in East Asia and investigates their variations and associated drivers.The results indicate that North China and Mongolia have experienced remarkable trends toward dryness during spring in recent decades,while southwestern China has witnessed an opposite trend toward wetness.The first Empirical Orthogonal Function mode of SPEI variability reveals a similar seesawing pattern,with more severe dryness in northwestern China,Mongolia,North China,South Korea,and Japan but increased wetness in Southwestern China and southeast Asia.Further investigation reveals that the anomalously dry(wet)surface in North(Southwestern)China is significantly associated with anomalously high(low)temperature,less(more)precipitation,and reduced(increased)soil moisture during the previous winter and early spring,regulated by an anomalous anticyclone(cyclone)and thus reduced(increased)water vapor convergence.The spring dry-wet pattern in East Asia is also linked to cold sea surface temperature anomalies in the central-eastern Pacific.The findings of this study have important implications for improving the prediction of spring drought events in East Asia.

Design and tailoring of patterned ZnO nanostructures for perovskite light absorption modulation

Lithography is a pivotal micro/nanomanufacturing technique,facilitating performance enhancements in an extensive array of devices,encompassing sensors,transistors,and photovoltaic devices.The key to creating highly precise,multiscale-distributed patterned structures is the precise control of the lithography process.Herein,high-quality patterned ZnO nanostructures are constructed by systematically tuning the exposure and development times during lithography.By optimizing these parameters,ZnO nanorod arrays with line/hole arrangements are successfully prepared.Patterned ZnO nanostructures with highly controllable morphology and structure possess discrete three-dimensional space structure,enlarged surface area,and improved light capture ability,which achieve highly efficient energy conversion in perovskite solar cells.The lithography process management for these patterned ZnO nanostructures provides important guidance for the design and construction of complex nanostructures and devices with excellent performance.

Clinical manifestation,lifestyle,and treatment patterns of chronic erosive gastritis:A multicenter real-world study in China

BACKGROUND Although chronic erosive gastritis(CEG)is common,its clinical characteristics have not been fully elucidated.The lack of consensus regarding its treatment has resulted in varied treatment regimens.AIM To explore the clinical characteristics,treatment patterns,and short-term outcomes in CEG patients in China.METHODS We recruited patients with chronic non-atrophic or mild-to-moderate atrophic gastritis with erosion based on endoscopy and pathology.Patients and treating physicians completed a questionnaire regarding history,endoscopic findings,and treatment plans as well as a follow-up questionnaire to investigate changes in symptoms after 4 wk of treatment.RESULTS Three thousand five hundred sixty-three patients from 42 centers across 24 cities in China were included.Epigastric pain(68.0%),abdominal distension(62.6%),and postprandial fullness(47.5%)were the most common presenting symptoms.Gastritis was classified as chronic non-atrophic in 69.9%of patients.Among those with erosive lesions,72.1%of patients had lesions in the antrum,51.0%had multiple lesions,and 67.3%had superficial flat lesions.In patients with epigastric pain,the combination of a mucosal protective agent(MPA)and proton pump inhibitor was more effective.For those with postprandial fullness,acid regurgitation,early satiety,or nausea,a MPA appeared more promising.CONCLUSION CEG is a multifactorial disease which is common in Asian patients and has non-specific symptoms.Gastroscopy may play a major role in its detection and diagnosis.Treatment should be individualized based on symptom profile.

Migration Networks Pattern of China’s Floating Population from the Perspective of Complex Network

Since China’s reform and opening-up,the growing disparity between urban and rural areas and regions has led to massive migration.With China’s Rural Revitalization Strategy and the industrial transfer from the eastern coastal areas to the inland,the migration direction and pattern of the floating population have undergone certain changes.Using the 2017 China Migrants Dynamic Survey(CMDS),excluding Hong Kong,Macao,and Taiwan regions of China,organized by China’s National Health Commission,the relationship matrix of the floating population is constructed according to the inflow place of the interviewees and their outflow place(the location of the registered residence)in the questionnaire survey.We then apply the complex network model to analyze the migration direction and network pattern of China’s floating population from the city scale.The migration network shows an obvious hierarchical agglomeration.The first-,second-,third-and fourth-tier distribution cities are municipalities directly under the central government,provincial capital cities,major cities in the central and western regions and ordinary cities in all provinces,respectively.The migration trend is from the central and western regions to the eastern coastal areas.The migration network has‘small world’characteristics,forming nine communities.It shows that most node cities in the same community are closely linked and geographically close,indicating that the migration network of floating population is still affected by geographical proximity.Narrowing the urban-rural and regional differences will promote the rational distribution this population.It is necessary to strengthen the reform of the registered residence system,so that the floating population can enjoy urban public services comparable to other populations,and allow migrants to live and work in peace.