Machine learning-enhanced Monte Carlo and subset simulations for advanced risk assessment in transportation infrastructure

The maintenance of safety and dependability in rail and road embankments is of utmost importance in order to facilitate the smooth operation of transportation networks.This study introduces a comprehensive methodology for soil slope stability evaluation,employing Monte Carlo Simulation(MCS)and Subset Simulation(SS)with the"UPSS 3.0 Add-in"in MS-Excel.Focused on an 11.693-meter embankment with a soil slope(inclination ratio of 2H:1V),the investigation considers earthquake coefficients(kh)and pore water pressure ratios(ru)following Indian zoning requirements.The chance of slope failure showed a considerable increase as the Coefficient of Variation(COV),seismic coefficients(kh),and pore water pressure ratios(ru)experienced an escalation.The SS approach showed exceptional efficacy in calculating odds of failure that are notably low.Within computational modeling,the study optimized the worst-case scenario using ANFIS-GA,ANFIS-GWO,ANFIS-PSO,and ANFIS-BBO models.The ANFIS-PSO model exhibits exceptional accuracy(training R2=0.9011,RMSE=0.0549;testing R2=0.8968,RMSE=0.0615),emerging as the most promising.This study highlights the significance of conducting thorough risk assessments and offers practical insights into evaluating and improving the stability of soil slopes in transportation infrastructure.These findings contribute to the enhancement of safety and reliability in real-world situations.

Comparison of Block Design Nonparametric Subset Selection Rules Based on Alternative Scoring Rules

This article compares the size of selected subsets using nonparametric subset selection rules with two different scoring rules for the observations. The scoring rules are based on the expected values of order statistics of the uniform distribution (yielding rank values) and of the normal distribution (yielding normal score values). The comparison is made using state motor vehicle traffic fatality rates, published in a 2016 article, with fifty-one states (including DC as a state) and over a nineteen-year period (1994 through 2012). The earlier study considered four block design selection rules—two for choosing a subset to contain the “best” population (i.e., state with lowest mean fatality rate) and two for the “worst” population (i.e., highest mean rate) with a probability of correct selection chosen to be 0.90. Two selection rules based on normal scores resulted in selected subset sizes substantially smaller than corresponding rules based on ranks (7 vs. 16 and 3 vs. 12). For two other selection rules, the subsets chosen were very close in size (within one). A comparison is also made using state homicide rates, published in a 2022 article, with fifty states and covering eight years. The results are qualitatively the same as those obtained with the motor vehicle traffic fatality rates.

SFSDA:Secure and Flexible Subset Data Aggregation with Fault Tolerance for Smart Grid

Smart grid(SG)brings convenience to users while facing great chal-lenges in protecting personal private data.Data aggregation plays a key role in protecting personal privacy by aggregating all personal data into a single value,preventing the leakage of personal data while ensuring its availability.Recently,a flexible subset data aggregation(FSDA)scheme based on the Pail-lier homomorphic encryption was first proposed by Zhang et al.Their scheme can dynamically adjust the size of each subset and obtain the aggregated data in the corresponding subset.In this paper,firstly,an efficient attack with both theorems proving and experimentative verification is launched.We find that in a specific scenario where the encrypted data constructed by a smart meter(SM)exceeds the size of one Paillier ciphertext,the malicious fog node(FN)may use the received ciphertext to obtain the reading of the SM.Secondly,to avoid the possibility of privacy disclosure under certain circumstances,additional hash functions are added to the individual encryption process.In addition,fault tolerance is very important to aggregation schemes in practical scenarios.In most of the current schemes,once some SMs failed,then they will not work.As far as we know,there is no multi-subset aggregation scheme both supports flexible subset data aggregation and fault tolerance.Finally,we construct the first secure flexible subset data aggregation(SFSDA)scheme with fault tolerance by combining the fault tolerance method with the flexible multi-subset aggregation,where FN enables the control server(CS)to finally decrypt the aggregated ciphertext by recovering equivalent ciphertexts when some SMs fail to submit their ciphertexts.Experiments show that our SFSDA scheme keeps the efficiency in implementing a flexible multi-subset aggregation function,and only has a small delay in implementing fault-tolerant data aggregation.

Association of T lymphocyte subset counts with the clinical features of colorectal cancer

Background:Colorectal cancer(CRC)is a common gastrointestinal malignancy.The T lymphocyte subsets are important in the develop-ment,invasion and metastasis of tumors,including CRC.Nevertheless,limited research has explored the relationship between T cell subpopu-lations and the clinical characteristics of CRC.This study compared the T lymphocyte subsets in patients with CRC and healthy individuals,and assessed the relationship between these values and clinical characteristics.Methods:Peripheral blood was collected from 100 patients with CRC and 54 healthy individuals.The numbers of CD3^(+)T,CD4^(+)T,and CD8^(+)T lymphocytes,NK cells,and the CD4^(+)T/CD8^(+)T ratio in peripheral blood were measured using flow cytometry,and were compared between CRC patients and healthy individuals.Spearman's correlation analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between the T lymphocyte subsets in patients diagnosed with CRC and the levels of carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)and thymidine kinase 1(TK1).Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were utilized to evaluate the potential utility of the T lymphocyte counts in predicting lymph node metastasis,vas-cular infiltration,and high Ki-67 expression.Results:The CRC patients had lower counts of CD3^(+)T,CD4^(+)T,and CD8^(+)T lymphocytes compared to the healthy population(P<0.05).However,no significant differences were observed in the CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)ratio or NK cells(P>0.05).Notably,the CD3^(+)T,CD4^(+)T,and CD8^(+)T lym-phocyte counts were higher in patients with stageⅠ-Ⅱdisease,no lymph node metastasis,no vascular invasion,and low Ki-67 expression than in those with stageⅢ,lymph node metastasis,vascular invasion,and high Ki-67 expression(P<0.05).There was a negative association be-tween the CD3^(+)T,CD4^(+)T,and CD8^(+)T lymphocyte counts and CEA and TK1 levels in patients with CRC.The ROC curves demonstrated that CD3^(+)T,CD4^(+)T,and CD8^(+)T lymphocyte counts had significant predictive value for lymph node metastasis,vascular infiltration,and high Ki-67 expression.Conclusions:The peripheral blood CD3^(+)T,CD4^(+)T,and CD8^(+)T lymphocyte counts are related to the clinical traits of patients with CRC and can predict the prognosis of the disease.

NON-EMPTY CROSS-2-INTERSECTING FAMILIES OF SUBSETS

Let Cnk denote the set of all t -subsets of an n -set. Assume A ∈ Cnk and B∈Cn.b (A,B) is called a cross-2-intersecting family if |A∩B|≥2 for any A∈A, B∈B.In this paper, the best upper bounds of the cardinalities for non-empty cross-2-intersecting families of a- and i- subsets are obtained for some n and b . A new proof for a Frankl-Tokushige theorem [6] is also given.

Effects of Radiofrequency Ablation on Lymphocyte Subsets and Type 1/Type 2 T Cell Subpopulations in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective： To evaluate whether radiofrequency ablation （RFA） might have an influence on immune status in hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） patients. Methods： We measured the T lymphocytes, B lymphocyte and NK cells, and determined the population of Thl, Th2, Tcl and Tc2 of peripheral blood samples taken from 26 HCC patients before and after RFA. Results： The proportion of Typel cells （Thl and Tcl） and NK cells were significantly increased after RFA, especially in patients of the following subgroups： male, age〉55 years, pathological grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ tumor, clinical stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ or Child-Pugh A and B. Conclusion： TypeⅠ cells and NK cells in HCC patients were increased in a short period after RFA.

Distribution of natural killer cells and T-lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood,gallbladder cancer and surrounding tissue

BACKGROUND: The patient with malignant tumor always show immunologic function drawback and ingravescent with tumor development, especially in the aspect of cell-mediated immunity. This study was undertaken to define the relationship between the immune function of local cells and cancer development by investigating the distribution of natural killer (NK) cells and T-lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood, the cancer tissue and the tissue surrounding gallbladder carcinoma. METHODS: The numbers of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-lymphocytes and NK cells were measured by flow cytometry in samples taken from gallbladder cancer tissue, the surrounding tissues and peripheral blood of 38 patients, and compared with the numbers in the peripheral blood and gallbladder tissue of 30 patients with cholecystitis as controls. RESULTS: The numbers of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cells and NK cells in gallbladder cancer tissues were significantly higher than those in the surrounding tissue and gallbladder with gallstone. However, the ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) was lower in the cancer tissue than that in the surrounding tissue and tissue from gallbladders with gallstones. The distribution of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cells and NK cells in mucous membrane of cholecystitis gallbladder and that in the tissue surrounding gallbladder cancer were significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Disproportionate and imbalanced distribution of NK cells and subsets of T-lymphocytes occurs in the mucous membrane proper of gallbladder cancer and surrounding tissue. Although gallbladder cancer tissue has higher expressions of CD4(+), CD8(+) and NK cells, the immune function is low or in an inhibited state. In gallbladder cancer immunization therapy, local cellular immunological function should be enhanced and the protective barrier improved.

Changes in T lymphocyte subsets after severe traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND： Besides local changes of cranial parenchymal cells, hemorrhage, etc., severe traumatic brain injuries also cause the changes of total body fluid and various functions, and the changes of lymphocytes and T lymphocyte subsets should be paid more attention to. OBJECTIVE： To reveal the changing laws of T lymphocyte subsets after severe traumatic brain injury, and compare with mild to moderate brain injury. DESIGN： A comparative observation. SETTINGS： Department of Neurosurgery, Longgang District Buji People＇s Hospital of Shenzhen City; Central Laboratory of Shenzhen Hospital of Prevention and Cure for Chronic Disease. PARTICIPANTS： All the subjects were selected from the Department of Neurosurgery, Longgang District Buji People＇s Hospital of Shenzhen City from August 2002 to August 2005. Thirty patients with severe brain injury, whose Glasgow coma score （GCS） was ≤ 8 points, were taken as the experimental group, including 21 males and 9 females, aging 16 - 62 years. Meanwhile, 30 patients with mild traumatic brain injury were taken as the control group （GCS ranged 14- 15 points）, including 18 males and 12 females, aging 15 -58 years. All the subjects were in admission at 6 hours after injury, without disease of major organs before injury Informed consents were obtained from all the patients or their relatives. METHODS： （1） The T lymphocytes and the subsets in peripheral blood were detected with immunofluorescent tricolor flow cytometry at l, 3, 7 and 14 days after injury in both groups. （2） The conditions of pulmonary infections were observed at 4 days after injury. The differences of measurement data were compared with the t test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Changes of T lymphocytes subsets at 1 - 14 days after severe and mild or moderate traumatic injury. RESULTS： Finally, 28 and 25 patients with mild to moderate traumatic brain injury, whereas 25 and 21 patients with severe traumatic brain injury were analyzed at 7 and 14 days respectively, and the missed ones died due to the development of disease. （1） Changes of T lymphocyte subsets： At 1 and 3 days after injury, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 began to decrease, whereas CD8 increased in the experimental group, which were very significantly different from those in the control group （t =2.77 - 3.26, P 〈 0.01）, and began to recover at 7 days, which were significantly different from those in the control group （t = 2.06 - 2.24, P 〈 0.05）, and generally recovered to the normal levels at 14 days （P 〉 0.05）. （2） Conditions of pulmonary infections： At 4 days after injury, the rate of pulmonary infection was significantly different between the experimental group and control group [73% （22/30）, 0, x2=37.29, P 〈 0.01]. CONCLUSION： Patients with severe traumatic brain injury suffer from damages of cellular immune function at early period （within 7 days）, and they are easily to be accompanied by pulmonary infections.

Lymphocyte Subsets and Sister-chromatid Exchanges in the Students Exposed to Formaldehyde Vapor

The present report evaluates the effects of formaldehyde (FA) exposure on peripheral lymphocytes by using heth genetic and immunological parameters. Twenty-three non-smoking students in the study had inhalation exposure to 0.508 ±0. 299 mg/m3 of FA for a Period of 8 weeks (3h × 3 times each week) during anatomy classes. As for composition of lymphocyte subsets after FA exposare,significant increase was found in the percentage of CD19(B cells), while sighficant decrease was observed in CD3(total T cells), CD4(T helper-inducer cells), and CD8(T cytotoxic-suppressior cells) with a P<0 .01. Increase in the ratio of T-helper-inducer cells to T-cytotoxic-suppressor cells (T4 / T8) was also observed with statistical sighcance after exposure (P < 0.001). In the meanwhile,no significant difference (P > 0 .05) was reported between lymphocyte prolifendion rate and sisterchromatid exchange (SCE) at the exposure level and duration. It is suggested that the lymphocyte subsets may be most susceptible to the effects of FA, though a single immunological endpoint is rarely related with pathophysiological interpretation.

The Effectof BCG-PSN on T-cell Subsets and Cytokines in Vernal Conjunctiviti

The effects of BCG PSN on T cell subsets and cytokines in vernal conjunctivitis were observed. The level of total IgE was quantitatively determined before and after treatment with BCG PSN by allergen diagnostic instrument in vitro . The content of T cell subsets of peripheral blood and cytokine were determined by using indirect immune fluorescence method, and IL 4 and INF γ were quantified by ELISA. The results showed that the level of total IgE was substantially reduced ( P <0.01) after treatment in the BCG PSN group. Meanwhile, CD + 8 was decreased, CD + 4 and CD + 4/CD + 8 ratio elevated with significant differences ( P <0.05) as compared with pre treatment results. The changes in total IgE, CD + 8 ,CD + 4 and CD + 4/CD + 8 ratio after treatment also presented significant differences ( P <0.05) between BCG PSN group and routine treatment group. The level of IL 4 in serum declined ( P <0.05) after treatment in the BCG PSN group, and INF γ went up ( P <0 05). IL 4 and INF γ in serum showed significant differences ( P <0.05) between two groups after treatment. It is concluded that BCG PSN has a bi directional immunoregulating effect. It can bring CD + 4 and CD + 8 into homeostasis, thereby preventing the occurrence of anaphylaxis. At the same time, BCG PSN can restrain Th 2, decrease the synthesis of IL 4, switch the balance of Th l/Th 2 to Th 1 side, boost up the predominance of Th 1 relatively, which is propitious to perennial stabilization and recovery of vernal conjunctivitis.

Lymphocyte subsets in alcoholic liver disease

AIM:To compare lymphocyte subsets between healthy controls and alcoholics with liver disease.METHODS:The patient cohort for this study included individuals who were suspected to have alcoholic liver disease(ALD) and who had undergone liver biopsy(for disease grading and staging,doubts about diagnosis,or concurrent liver disease;n = 56).Normal controls included patients who were admitted for elective cholecystectomy due to non-complicated gallstones(n = 27).Formalin-fixed,paraffin-embedded liver biopsy specimens were sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Perls' Prussian blue.The non-alcoholic steatohepatitis score was used to assess markers of ALD.Lymphocyte population subsets were determined by flow cytometry.T lymphocytes were identified(CD3+),and then further subdivided into CD4+ or CD8+ populations.B lymphocytes(CD19+) and natural killer(NK) cell numbers were also measured.In addition to assessing lymphocyte subpopulation differences between ALD patients and controls,we also compared subsets of alcoholic patients without cirrhosis or abstinent cirrhotic patients to normal controls.RESULTS:The patient cohort primarily consisted of older men.Active alcoholism was present in 66.1%.Reported average daily alcohol intake was 164.9 g and the average lifetime cumulative intake was 2211.6 kg.Cirrhosis was present in 39.3% of the patients and 66.1% had significant fibrosis(perisinusoidal and portal/periportal fibrosis,bridging fibrosis,or cirrhosis) in their liver samples.The average Mayo end-stage liver disease score was 7.6.No hereditary hemochromatosis genotypes were found.ALD patients(n = 56) presented with significant lymphopenia(1.5 × 109/L ± 0.5 × 109/L vs 2.1 × 109/L ± 0.5 × 109/L,P < 0.0001),due to a decrease in all lymphocyte subpopulations,except for NK lymphocytes:CD3+(1013.0 ± 406.2/mm3 vs 1523.0 ± 364.6/mm3,P < 0.0001),CD4+(713.5 ± 284.7/mm3 vs 992.4 ± 274.7/mm3,P < 0.0001),CD8+(262.3 ± 140.4/mm3 vs 478.9 ± 164.6/mm3,P < 0.0001),and CD19+(120.6 ± 76.1/mm3 vs 264.6 ± 88.0/mm3,P < 0.0001).CD8+ lymphocytes suffered the greatest reduction,as evidenced by an increase in the CD4+/CD8+ ratio(3.1 ± 1.3 vs 2.3 ± 0.9,P = 0.013).This ratio was associated with the stage of fibrosis on liver biopsy(rs = 0.342,P = 0.01) and with Child-Pugh score(rs = 0.482,P = 0.02).The number of CD8+ lymphocytes also had a positive association with serum ferritin levels(rs = 0.345,P = 0.009).Considering only patients with active alcoholism but not cirrhosis(n = 27),we found similar reductions in total lymphocyte counts(1.8 × 109/L ± 0.3 × 109/L vs 2.1 × 109/L ± 0.5 × 109/L,P = 0.018),and in populations of CD3+(1164.7 ± 376.6/mm3 vs 1523.0 ± 364.6/mm3,P = 0.001),CD4+(759.8 ± 265.0/mm3 vs 992.4 ± 274.7/mm3,P = 0.003),CD8+(330.9 ± 156.3/mm3 vs 478.9 ± 164.6/mm3,P = 0.002),and CD19+(108.8 ± 64.2/mm3 vs 264.6 ± 88.0/mm3,P < 0.0001).In these patients,the CD4+/CD8+ ratio and the number of NK lymphocytes was not significantly different,compared to controls.Comparing patients with liver cirrhosis but without active alcohol consumption(n = 11),we also found significant lymphopenia(1.3 × 109/L ± 0.6 × 109/L vs 2.1 × 109/L ± 0.5 × 109/L,P < 0.0001) and decreases in populations of CD3+(945.5 ± 547.4/mm3 vs 1523.0 ± 364.6/mm3,P = 0.003),CD4+(745.2 ± 389.0/mm3 vs 992.4 ± 274.7/mm3,P = 0.032),CD8+(233.9 ± 120.0/mm3 vs 478.9 ± 164.6/mm3,P < 0.0001),and CD19+(150.8 ± 76.1/mm3 vs 264.6 ± 88.0/mm3,P = 0.001).The NK lymphocyte count was not significantly different,but,in this group,there was a significant increase in the CD4+/CD8+ ratio(3.5 ± 1.3 vs 2.3 ± 0.9,P = 0.01).CONCLUSION:All patient subsets presented with decreased lymphocyte counts,but only patients with advanced fibrosis presented with a significant increase in the CD4+/CD8+ ratio.

Dynamic analysis of lymphocyte subsets of peripheral blood in patients with acute self-limited hepatitis B

Purpose: To investigate dynamic changes and significance of lymphocyte subsets (T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, NK cells and T cell subsets) of peripheral blood in patients with acute self-limited hepatitis B (AHB). Methods: Immune cells of peripheral blood were compared among 17 cases of self-limited acute hepatitis B patients, 36 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 32 healthy controls by flow cytometry (FCM). CD4+/CD8+ was monitored dynamically, meanwhile relations between T lymphocyte subsets and ALT and clearance of HBV DNA were explored. Results: Dynamic changes of lymphocyte subsets were found in AHB, the level of CD3+T cells was significantly higher compared to CHB group and healthy control group. Frequencies of CD3+CD4+ T cells in the third and fourth week and CD4+/CD8+ in the second week were higher compared to other groups. Frequ- ency of NK cells was low and was significantly lower compared to other groups in the third week specially. It was showed that CD4+/CD8+ was low followed by high abnormal ALT during early stage by dynamic monitoring of CD4+/CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+ was increasing accompanied by normal ALT set by set, but CD4+/CD8+ had no significant relation to ALT and HBV DNA. Conclusion: Immune status of AHB, compared to CHB and healthy controls, was significantly different and dynamic changes of lymphocyte sub- sets may be related to progress of disease.

Effects of Intraoperative Administration of Dexmedetomidine on the Percentage of T-Lymphocyte Subsets and Natural Killer Cells in Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Study Objective: To observe the effect of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on T-lymphocyte subsets and natural killer (NK) cells in the peripheral blood of perioperative patients with colorectal cancer. Design: A random double-blind control clinical study. Setting: A university hospital. Patients: Forty patients with colorectal cancer, ASA I-П. Interventions: All patients were randomly divided into a DEX group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). Before induction of anesthesia, epidural catheters were placed in the L1-L2 or T12-L1 intervertebral spaces. The DEX group received 1 μg/kg of DEX (200 μg/50 ml) intravenously for 15 min prior to the surgery, which was then infused at a rate of 0.5 μg/kg/h until 30 min before the end of the surgery. The control group received an intravenous infusion of saline (50 ml) instead of DEX during the same periods as the DEX group. All patients received routine anesthesia and postoperative analgesia. Measurements: Blood samples from all patients were collected at the following time points: before anesthesia (T0), 24 h after surgery (T1), 48 h after surgery (T2) and 72 h after surgery (T3). Changes in T-lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+) and NK cells were determined by flow cytometry. Main Results: Compared with the control group, the percentages of CD3+ and CD4+ cells and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the DEX group increased significantly from T1 to T3

Random dynamic analysis of vertical train–bridge systems under small probability by surrogate model and subset simulation with splitting

The response of the train–bridge system has an obvious random behavior.A high traffic density and a long maintenance period of a track will result in a substantial increase in the number of trains running on a bridge,and there is small likelihood that the maximum responses of the train and bridge happen in the total maintenance period of the track.Firstly,the coupling model of train–bridge systems is reviewed.Then,an ensemble method is presented,which can estimate the small probabilities of a dynamic system with stochastic excitations.The main idea of the ensemble method is to use the NARX(nonlinear autoregressive with exogenous input)model to replace the physical model and apply subset simulation with splitting to obtain the extreme distribution.Finally,the efficiency of the suggested method is compared with the direct Monte Carlo simulation method,and the probability exceedance of train responses under the vertical track irregularity is discussed.The results show that when the small probability of train responses under vertical track irregularity is estimated,the ensemble method can reduce both the calculation time of a single sample and the required number of samples.

BcpLH organizes a specific subset of microRNAs to form a leafy head in Chinese cabbage(Brassica rapa ssp.pekinensis)

HYL1(HYPONASTIC LEAVES 1)in Arabidopsis thaliana encodes a double-stranded RNA-binding protein needed for proper miRNA maturation,and its null mutant hyl1 shows a typical leaf-incurvature phenotype.In Chinese cabbage,BcpLH(Brassica rapa ssp.pekinensis LEAFY HEADS),a close homolog of HYL1,is differentially expressed in juvenile leaves,which are flat,and in adult leaves,which display extreme incurvature.BcpLH lacks protein–protein interaction domains and is much shorter than HYL1.To test whether BcpLH is associated with defects in microRNA(miRNA)biogenesis and leaf flatness,we enhanced and repressed the activity of BcpLH by transgenics and investigated BcpLH-dependent miRNAs and plant morphology.BcpLH promoted miRNA biogenesis by the proper processing of primary miRNAs.BcpLH downregulation via antisense decreased a specific subset of miRNAs and increased the activities of their target genes,causing upward curvature of rosette leaves and early leaf incurvature,concurrent with the enlargement,earliness,and round-to-oval shape transition of leafy heads.Moreover,BcpLH-dependent miRNAs in Chinese cabbage are not the same as HYL1-dependent miRNAs in Arabidopsis.We suggest that BcpLH controls a specific subset of miRNAs in Chinese cabbage and coordinates the direction,extent,and timing of leaf curvature during head formation in Brassica rapa.

Mining Representative Subset Based on Fuzzy Clustering

Two new concepts-fuzzy mutuality and average fuzzy entropy are presented. Then based on these concepts, a new algorithm-RSMA （representative subset mining algorithm） is proposed, which can abstract representative subset from massive data. To accelerate the speed of producing representative subset, an improved algorithm-ARSMA（accelerated representative subset mining algorithm） is advanced, which adopt combining putting forward with backward strategies. In this way, the performance of the algorithm is improved. Finally we make experiments on real datasets and evaluate the representative subset. The experiment shows that ARSMA algorithm is more excellent than RandomPick algorithm either on effectiveness or efficiency.

Feature subset selection based on mahalanobis distance: a statistical rough set method

In order to select effective feature subsets for pattern classification, a novel statistics rough set method is presented based on generalized attribute reduction. Unlike classical reduction approaches, the objects in universe of discourse are signs of training sample sets and values of attributes are taken as statistical parameters. The binary relation and discernibility matrix for the reduction are induced by distance function. Furthermore, based on the monotony of the distance function defined by Mahalanobis distance, the effective feature subsets are obtained as generalized attribute reducts. Experiment result shows that the classification performance can be improved by using the selected feature subsets.

Observation of T Lymphocyte Subsets in the Liver of Patients with Advanced Schistosomiasis and Advanced Schistosomiasis Accompanied with Hepatitis B

T lymphocyte subsets in the liver were detected by Avidin-Biotin Complex (ABC) assay in 22 patients with advanced schistosomiasis (AS) and 5 cases of AS accompanied with hepatitis B. T lymphocytes in the liver of AS patients were distributed in the peripheral layer of egg granuloma or the area near eggs in non-granuloma. No infiltrative T lymphocytes were observed in area with extensive fibrosis. There was infiltration of many T cells in the portal tract, piecemeal and focal necro- sis area as well as in hepatic sinus in AS patients accompanied with hepatitis B. CD8+ T cells (sup pressor/cytotoxic T cells, Ts/Tc) in the liver were predominant in the two groups. In AS patients, marked hepatic fibrosis, a small number of T cell infiltration and slight hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis were observed. However, obvious hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis were seen in AS patients accompanied with hepatitis B, and 3 cases of them developed active liver cirrhosis. The results indicated immune response was weak in the liver in AS patients and T. cells might be predominant in the subset of CDS+ T lymphocytes. Cellular immune response was relatively strong in AS patients accompanied with hepatitis B and the infiltrative CD8+ T lymphocytes might be mainly Tc cells.

Therapeutic Effect of Integrative Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on 51 SARS Patients and Its Influence on Their TLymphocyte Subsets

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of integrative Chinese a nd western medicine (ICWM) in treatment of patients with severe acute respirator y syndrome (SARS) and its influence on their T lymphocyte subsets.Methods: Fifty one patients with SARS of severe type were obser ved with synchronous non randomized controlled method. They were divided into the ICWM group (29 patients) and the western medicine (WM) group (22 patients). Western medical treatment was applied to both groups, but to the ICWM group, Ch inese medicine was given additionally. The therapeutic course was 2-3 weeks for both groups. Clinical effect and changes of T lymphocyte subsets (CD4 +) aft er treatment were observed.Results: In the ICWM group, 26 patients (89.66%) were cured and 3 (10.34%) died, while in the WM group, 12 (54.55%) cur ed and 10 (45.45%) died, thus comparison of the cure rate between the two groups showing significant difference ( P <0.01). The score of clinical symptoms in the ICWM group was decreased from 7.14±5.20 scores before treatment to 1.82±3. 75 scores after treatment, while in the WM group, it lowered from 7.36±3.84 sco res before treatment to 5.17±4.17 scores after treatment, significant diffe rence shown in the comparison of the values between the two groups after treatme nt (P<0.01). Immunological function test showed that CD4 + T lymphocyte in the ICWM group rose from 361±278 cells/mm 3 before treatment to 630±454 c ells/mm 3 after treatment, showing significant difference( P <0.01 );bu t in the WM group, it merely rose from 288±186 cells/mm 3 to 376±285 cells/mm 3 in the corresponding period (P>0.05). Conclusion: ICWM could improve the clinical symptoms of SARS pa tients markedly, enhance their T lymphocyte immune function, and reduce their mortality.

Subset-based local vs.finite element-based global digital image correlation:A comparison study

Being the two primary approaches for full-field kinematics measurements, both subset-based local digital image correlation （DIC） and finite element-based global DIC have been extensively studied. Nowadays, most commercial DIC systems employ local DIC algorithm because of its advantages of straight forward principle and higher efficiency. However, several researchers argue that global DIC can provide better displacement results due to the displacement continuity constraint among adjacent elements. As such, thoroughly examining the performance of these two different DIC methods seems to be highly necessary. Here, the random errors associated with local DIC and two global DIC methods are theoretically analyzed at first. Subsequently, based on the same algorithmic details and parameters during analyses of numerical and real experiments, the performance of the different DIC approaches is fairly compared. Theoretical and experimental results reveal that local DIC outperforms its global counterpart in terms of both displacement results and computational efficiency when element （subset） size is no less than 11 pixels.