Adaptive Robust Servo Control for Vertical Electric Stabilization System of Tank and Experimental Validation

A tracking stability control problem for the vertical electric stabilization system of moving tank based on adaptive robust servo control is addressed.This paper mainly focuses on two types of possibly fast timevarying but bounded uncertainty within the vertical electric stabilization system:model parameter uncertainty and uncertain nonlinearity.First,the vertical electric stabilization system is constructed as an uncertain nonlinear dynamic system that can reflect the practical mechanics transfer process of the system.Second,the dynamical equation in the form of state space is established by designing the angular tracking error.Third,the comprehensive parameter of system uncertainty is designed to estimate the most conservative effects of uncertainty.Finally,an adaptive robust servo control which can effectively handle the combined effects of complex nonlinearity and uncertainty is proposed.The feasibility of the proposed control strategy under the practical physical condition is validated through the tests on the experimental platform.This paper pioneers the introduction of the internal nonlinearity and uncertainty of the vertical electric stabilization system into the settlement of the tracking stability control problem,and validates the advanced servo control strategy through experiment for the first time.

Validity ranges of interfacial wave theories in a two-layer fluid system

In the present paper, we endeavor to accomplish a diagram, which demarcates the validity ranges for interfacial wave theories in a two-layer system, to meet the needs of design in ocean engineering. On the basis of the available solutions of periodic and solitary waves, we propose a guideline as principle to identify the validity regions of the interfacial wave theories in terms of wave period T, wave height H, upper layer thickness dl, and lower layer thick-ness d2, instead of only one parameter-water depth d as in the water surface wave circumstance. The diagram proposed here happens to be Le Mehaute＇s plot for free surface waves if water depth ratio r= d1/d2 approaches to infinity and the upper layer water density p1 to zero. On the contrary, the diagram for water surface waves can be used for two-layer interfacial waves if gravity acceleration g in it is replaced by the reduced gravity defined in this study under the condition of σ=（P2 - Pl）/P2 → 1.0 and r 〉 1.0. In the end, several figures of the validity ranges for various interfacial wavetheories in the two-layer fluid are given and compared with the results for surface waves.

An Adaptive Parameter-Free Optimal Number of Market Segments Estimation Algorithm Based on a New Internal Validity Index

An appropriate optimal number of market segments(ONS)estimation is essential for an enterprise to achieve successful market segmentation,but at present,there is a serious lack of attention to this issue in market segmentation.In our study,an independent adaptive ONS estimation method BWCON-NSDK-means++is proposed by integrating a newinternal validity index(IVI)Between-Within-Connectivity(BWCON)and a newstable clustering algorithmNatural-SDK-means++(NSDK-means++)in a novel way.First,to complete the evaluation dimensions of the existing IVIs,we designed a connectivity formula based on the neighbor relationship and proposed the BWCON by integrating the connectivity with other two commonly considered measures of compactness and separation.Then,considering the stability,number of parameters and clustering performance,we proposed the NSDK-means++to participate in the integrationwhere the natural neighbor was used to optimize the initial cluster centers(ICCs)determination strategy in the SDK-means++.At last,to ensure the objectivity of the estimatedONS,we designed a BWCON-based ONS estimation framework that does not require the user to set any parameters in advance and integrated the NSDK-means++into this framework forming a practical ONS estimation tool BWCON-NSDK-means++.The final experimental results showthat the proposed BWCONand NSDK-means++are significantlymore suitable than their respective existing models to participate in the integration for determining theONS,and the proposed BWCON-NSDK-means++is demonstrably superior to the BWCON-KMA,BWCONMBK,BWCON-KM++,BWCON-RKM++,BWCON-SDKM++,BWCON-Single linkage,BWCON-Complete linkage,BWCON-Average linkage and BWCON-Ward linkage in terms of the ONS estimation.Moreover,as an independentmarket segmentation tool,the BWCON-NSDK-means++also outperforms the existing models with respect to the inter-market differentiation and sub-market size.

Validity and Reliability of the Preference for and Tolerance of the Intensity of Exercise Questionnaire among Chinese College Students

The rising prevalence of physical inactivity is in all age groups(e.g.,in college students)a major public health issue as not meeting the recommended minimum amount of regular physical activity is linked to adverse health events.Vice versa,there is mounting evidence that achieving the recommended amount of regular physical activity is a vital element to prevent chronic diseases,but there is often an insufficient adherence to planned and structured forms of physical activity(i.e.,physical exercises).In this context,there is a large body of evidence indicating that exercise adherence is,among other factors,influenced by exercise-related affective responses.The Preference for and Tolerance of the Intensity of Exer-cise Questionnaire(PRETIE-Q)has been developed to measure these affective responses(e.g.,to specific exercise inten-sities).So far,no validated Chinese version of the PRETIE-Q has been available in the literature.To address this gap in literature,the present study developed and validated a Chinese version of the PRETIE-Q in a large sample of Chinese college students.Data from a total of 1117 college students were collected for analyses concerning factorial validity and construct validity.The re-test reliability was established using a sample of 150 randomly selected participants.In addition,the level of regular physical activity(PA),cardiorespiratoryfitness(CRF),and resilience were used to examine possible links with two domains(preference and tolerance)of the PRETIE-Q.Our results showed that a Chinese version of the PRETIE-Q has a goodfit and reliability(Cronbach’sαof 0.72 to 0.85 for preference and tolerance,respectively;ICC:r=0.72 of preference and r=0.67 of tolerance;fit indices:χ^(2)=21.612,df=19,p>0.05,TLI=0.997,CFI=0.998,RMSEA=0.016,SRMR=0.024).Secondly,positive associations of intensity-tolerance with PA,CRF,and resilience were observed.In summary,this study indicates that the Chinese version of the PRETIE-Q has sound psychometric properties and can be used in Chinese college students.The adapted version of the PRETIE-Q paves the way for further research on exer-cise-related affective responses in Chinese-speaking samples,although the generalizability of ourfindings needs to be established for other cohorts such as adolescents and older people with and without chronic diseases.

Validity and reliability of the Polish version of the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument

BACKGROUND Diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy is an important risk factor for foot ulceration and amputation.Thus,patients with diabetes should be screened for this disorder according to local guidelines.An obstacle to the diagnosis of this disease may be the lack of unified diagnostic criteria due to the lack of properly validated scales used for assessment.AIM To validate both sections(A and B)of the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument(MNSI)in Polish(PL)patients with diabetes.METHODS A cross-sectional study using a test(A1,B1)and re-test(A2,B2)formula was performed in 80 patients with diabetes.The gold standard used for neuropathy detection was a nerve conduction study(NCS)which was performed in all participants.Reliability of the MNSI-PL was assessed using the Cronbach’s alpha,Kuder-Richardson formula 20(KR-20),split-half reliability,the Gottman split-half tests,and correlation between first and second half was accessed.Stability was assessed using an intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC).For external validation,we used simple linear correlation,binomial regression,and agreement between two different tools using a Bland-Altman plot analysis.RESULTS The scale was internally consistent(Cronbach’s alpha for the full scale:0.81 for A and 0.87 for B).MNSI-PL scores in test/retest showed high stability(ICC=0.73 for A and ICC=0.97 for B).The statistically important correlations between MNSI-PL and NCS were found for B1,B2,and A1(P<0.005).The cut-off points of≥3 for section A(sensitivity of 90%-100%;specificity of 33%-40%)and≥2 for section B(sensitivity of 81%-84%;specificity of 60%-70%)were obtained during neuropathy detection.CONCLUSION The MNSI-PL is a reliable and valid instrument in screening for diabetic neuropathy.

Reliability and validity of the hidden hunger assessment scale in China-revised for high school students

Objective:Hidden hunger remains a severe public health problem that affects millions of people worldwide.In China,challenges related to dietary imbalance and hidden hunger persist.Micronutrient inadequacy deserves more attention among adolescents,given its vital role in their growth and development;however,this problem appears to have been largely ignored.High school students,in particular,are often at a high risk of hidden hunger but have limited assessment tools available.Therefore,this study aims to revise the hidden hunger assessment scale for high school students(HHAS-HSS)in China and assess its reliability and validity.Methods:Based on a literature review,expert consultation,pre-experiment,and formal survey,a hidden hunger assessment scale was revised for high school students.The formal survey involved 9336 high school students in 11 of the 16 cities in Anhui Province,China,and 9038 valid questionnaires were collected and included in the analysis.The item analysis,internal consistency reliability,test-retest reliability,content validity,exploratory factor analysis,and confirmatory factor analysis of the HHAS-HSS were examined.Results:The HHAS-HSS included a total of 4 dimensions and 12 items:"vegetables and food diversity"(three items),"fruits and dairy products"(three items),"micronutrient-dense foods"(four items),and"health condition and eating habits"(two items).The results showed a Cronbach's alpha of 0.758,a split-half reliability of 0.829,and a test-retest reliability of o.793,indicating good internal consistency.Using the Bartlett's test and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test(KMO)to test the exploratory factor analysis presented a four-factor model of the HHAS-HSS,the KMO0 value was 0.820(P<0.001),which indicated the possibility for factor confirmatory factor analysis.Using the maximum variance rotation method,four factors were obtained,and the cumulative variance explained rate was 57.974%.Confirmatory factor analysis also supported the division of the scale into four dimensions,and the fitting indices were x^(2)=1417.656,x^(2)/df=29.534,goodness-of-fit index=0.974,adjusted goodnessof-fit index=0.958,parsimonious goodness-of-fit index=0.600,normed fit index=0.938,incremental fit index=0.940,Tucker-Lewis index=0.917,comparative fit index=0.939,and root mean square error of approximation=0.056.Except for x^(2)/df,all the indices reached the fitting standard,and the above results showed that the construct validity of the scale reached an acceptable level.Conclusions:The HHAS-HSS has good validity and reliability for Chinese high school students.It is a convenient self-report measure of hidden hunger risk.

Psychological impact of cancer scale:Turkish validity and reliability study

BACKGROUND In the diagnosis and treatment of cancer,it is important to evaluate the components of psychological adjustment.Considering the key role of nurses in providing care to patients,it is important to evaluate patients,to determine highrisk patients and to use tools with acceptable validity and reliability to develop care plans.AIM To analyze the Turkish validity and reliability of The Psychological Impact of Cancer Scale(PICS).METHODS This methodological study was conducted with 257 cancer patients admitted to the oncology-haematology clinic and outpatient clinic of a University Hospital between February and October 2021.After the translation process of the scale,content and construct validity were conducted.Exploratory factor analysis(EFA)and confirmatory factor analysis(CFA)was examined with construct validity,while item analyses and internal consistency analysis were conducted for reliability.RESULTS Analyses and assessment results showed that the content validity index of the scale was 0.96.In the exploratory factor analysis of the Turkish adaptation study,total variance rate explained was found as 84.98%.Factor loads of all items were between 0.82 and 0.94.It was found that Cronbach Alpha values were between 0.860 and 0.930 and total scale Cronbach Alpha value was 0.844.EFA and CFA showed that Turkish form of 12-item and 4-factor.The Psychological Impact of Cancer Scale was confirmed with no changes to the original scale.CFA revealed good fit indices.CONCLUSION Turkish PICS is a valid and reliable measurement tool for the evaluation of individual’s psychological response to cancer diagnosis and treatment and for being used in clinical practice.

Validity and reliability of the evaluation tool of TCM confidence in students with TCM learning experience

Objective:This study aimed to design an evaluation scale of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)confidence and then evaluate its validity and reliability.Methods:Three parallel samples with TCM learning experience were included in this current study.Randomly selected 500 nursing students were included factor analysis and reliability and validity analyses.After 4 weeks,200 nursing students were recruited to retest the reliability.The evaluation tool of TCM confidence included 6 dimensions and 25 entries.Results:Cronbach's a coefficient of the evaluation scale was 0.95 and that of the 6 observed aspects were higher than 0.90,and splithalf reliability was 0.81.For the retest reliability,Cronbach's a coefficient of the evaluation scale was 0.93 and that of the 6 examined aspects was all over 0.80.The index of content validity Scale Content Validity Index(S-CVI)was 0.92 and Item Content Validity Index(I-CVI)was 0.83–1.00.Conclusions:Observed results may indicate that the designed tool can be used to assess the TCM confidence level of students with TCM studied experience and also can evaluate results of TCM education during studying TCM lectures.

Optimal edge-cloud collaboration based strategies for minimizing valid latency of railway environment monitoring system

Response speed is vital for the railway environment monitoring system,especially for the sudden-onset disasters.The edge-cloud collaboration scheme is proved efficient to reduce the latency.However,the data characteristics and communication demand of the tasks in the railway environment monitoring system are all different and changeable,and the latency contribution of each task to the system is discrepant.Hence,two valid latency minimization strategies based on the edge-cloud collaboration scheme is developed in this paper.First,the processing resources are allocated to the tasks based on the priorities,and the tasks are processed parallly with the allocated resources to minimize the system valid latency.Furthermore,considering the differences in the data volume of the tasks,which will induce the waste of the resources for the tasks finished in advance.Thus,the tasks with similar priorities are graded into the same group,and the serial and parallel processing strategies are performed intra-group and inter-group simultaneously.Compared with the other four strategies in four railway monitoring scenarios,the proposed strategies proved latency efficiency to the high-priority tasks,and the system valid latency is reduced synchronously.The performance of the railway environment monitoring system in security and efficiency will be promoted greatly with the proposed scheme and strategies.

Design of Traditional Chinese Medicine Extraction Workshop Process and Automation System

Objective: This paper takes the example of a Panax notoginseng extraction workshop and designs an automated production workshop with advanced domestic capabilities. Methods: 1) Based on the small-scale Panax notoginseng extraction process, the feasibility of the workshop production process is demonstrated. 2) The workshop process design for Panax Notoginseng saponin extraction is completed, including production organization plans and the selection of key equipment. 3) For the Panax notoginseng extraction workshop process, an automated production control system is designed. Conclusion: Through optimized design of the production process and automation system, continuous and automated production of traditional Chinese medicine extraction is achieved, leading to improvements in drug quality and production efficiency.

Development and validation of a novel questionnaire regarding vision screening among preschool teachers in Malaysia

AIM:To develop and evaluate the validity and reliability of a knowledge,attitude,and practice questionnaire related to vision screening(KAP-VST)among preschool teachers in Malaysia.METHODS:The questionnaire was developed through a literature review and discussions with experts.Content and face validation were conducted by a panel of experts(n=10)and preschool teachers(n=10),respectively.A pilot study was conducted for construct validation(n=161)and test-retest reliability(n=60)of the newly developed questionnaire.RESULTS:Based on the content and face validation,71 items were generated,and 68 items were selected after exploratory factor analysis.The content validity index for items(I-CVI)score ranged from 0.8-1.0,and the content validity index for scale(S-CVI)/Ave was 0.99.Internal consistency was KR^(2)0=0.93 for knowledge,Cronbach’s alpha=0.758 for attitude,and Cronbach’s alpha=0.856 for practice.CONCLUSION:The KAP-VST is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing knowledge,attitude,and practice in relation to vision screening among preschool teachers in Malaysia.

A Systematic Review of Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement for Psoriasis in Chinese Population

Objective To review the development of patient-reported outcome measurement(PROM)for patients with psoriasis in China,and to analyze the main results and methodology.Methods The systematic review method of COSMIN(consensus-based standards for the selection of health measurement instruments)was adopted,and the domestic and foreign databases were searched to find the patient-reported outcome scales based on Chinese psoriasis patients.Then,the included studies were evaluated by using COSMIN risk of bias checklist.Results and Conclusion A total of 3 studies were included,involving 3 scales.We found that the quality evaluation of the development process of the 3 scales was not high,and there were large methodological loopholes in the whole cycle of scale development and verification.The included studies have many problems such as low extrapolation,poor quality,and lack of validation,which can provide more insights for the quality control requirements of the whole cycle of scale development in the future.

Assessing the Performance of a Dynamical Downscaling Simulation Driven by a Bias-Corrected CMIP6 Dataset for Asian Climate

In this study,we aim to assess dynamical downscaling simulations by utilizing a novel bias-corrected global climate model(GCM)data to drive a regional climate model(RCM)over the Asia-western North Pacific region.Three simulations were conducted with a 25-km grid spacing for the period 1980–2014.The first simulation(WRF_ERA5)was driven by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis 5(ERA5)dataset and served as the validation dataset.The original GCM dataset(MPI-ESM1-2-HR model)was used to drive the second simulation(WRF_GCM),while the third simulation(WRF_GCMbc)was driven by the bias-corrected GCM dataset.The bias-corrected GCM data has an ERA5-based mean and interannual variance and long-term trends derived from the ensemble mean of 18 CMIP6 models.Results demonstrate that the WRF_GCMbc significantly reduced the root-mean-square errors(RMSEs)of the climatological mean of downscaled variables,including temperature,precipitation,snow,wind,relative humidity,and planetary boundary layer height by 50%–90%compared to the WRF_GCM.Similarly,the RMSEs of interannual-tointerdecadal variances of downscaled variables were reduced by 30%–60%.Furthermore,the WRF_GCMbc better captured the annual cycle of the monsoon circulation and intraseasonal and day-to-day variabilities.The leading empirical orthogonal function(EOF)shows a monopole precipitation mode in the WRF_GCM.In contrast,the WRF_GCMbc successfully reproduced the observed tri-pole mode of summer precipitation over eastern China.This improvement could be attributed to a better-simulated location of the western North Pacific subtropical high in the WRF_GCMbc after GCM bias correction.

A Survey on an Emerging Safety Challenge for Autonomous Vehicles:Safety of the Intended Functionality

As the complexity of autonomous vehicles(AVs)continues to increase and artificial intelligence algorithms are becoming increasingly ubiquitous,a novel safety concern known as the safety of the intended functionality(SOTIF)has emerged,presenting significant challenges to the widespread deployment of AVs.SOTIF focuses on issues arising from the functional insufficiencies of the AVs’intended functionality or its implementation,apart from conventional safety considerations.From the systems engineering standpoint,this study offers a comprehensive exploration of the SOTIF landscape by reviewing academic research,practical activities,challenges,and perspectives across the development,verification,validation,and operation phases.Academic research encompasses system-level SOTIF studies and algorithm-related SOTIF issues and solutions.Moreover,it encapsulates practical SOTIF activities undertaken by corporations,government entities,and academic institutions spanning international and Chinese contexts,focusing on the overarching methodologies and practices in different phases.Finally,the paper presents future challenges and outlook pertaining to the development,verification,validation,and operation phases,motivating stakeholders to address the remaining obstacles and challenges.

An internal ballistic model of electromagnetic railgun based on PFN coupled with multi-physical field and experimental validation

To accelerate the practicality of electromagnetic railguns,it is necessary to use a combination of threedimensional numerical simulation and experiments to study the mechanism of bore damage.In this paper,a three-dimensional numerical model of the augmented railgun with four parallel unconventional rails is introduced to simulate the internal ballistic process and realize the multi-physics field coupling calculation of the rail gun,and a test experiment of a medium-caliber electromagnetic launcher powered by pulse formation network(PFN)is carried out.Various test methods such as spectrometer,fiber grating and high-speed camera are used to test several parameters such as muzzle initial velocity,transient magnetic field strength and stress-strain of rail.Combining the simulation results and experimental data,the damage condition of the contact surface is analyzed.

Direct Pointwise Comparison of FE Predictions to StereoDIC Measurements:Developments and Validation Using Double Edge-Notched Tensile Specimen

To compare finite element analysis(FEA)predictions and stereovision digital image correlation(StereoDIC)strain measurements at the same spatial positions throughout a region of interest,a field comparison procedure is developed.The procedure includes(a)conversion of the finite element data into a triangular mesh,(b)selection of a common coordinate system,(c)determination of the rigid body transformation to place both measurements and FEA data in the same system and(d)interpolation of the FEA nodal information to the same spatial locations as the StereoDIC measurements using barycentric coordinates.For an aluminum Al-6061 double edge notched tensile specimen,FEA results are obtained using both the von Mises isotropic yield criterion and Hill’s quadratic anisotropic yield criterion,with the unknown Hill model parameters determined using full-field specimen strain measurements for the nominally plane stress specimen.Using Hill’s quadratic anisotropic yield criterion,the point-by-point comparison of experimentally based full-field strains and stresses to finite element predictions are shown to be in excellent agreement,confirming the effectiveness of the field comparison process.

Development and validation of a circulating tumor DNA-based optimization-prediction model for short-term postoperative recurrence of endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND Endometrial cancer(EC)is a common gynecological malignancy that typically requires prompt surgical intervention;however,the advantage of surgical management is limited by the high postoperative recurrence rates and adverse outcomes.Previous studies have highlighted the prognostic potential of circulating tumor DNA(ctDNA)monitoring for minimal residual disease in patients with EC.AIM To develop and validate an optimized ctDNA-based model for predicting shortterm postoperative EC recurrence.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 294 EC patients treated surgically from 2015-2019 to devise a short-term recurrence prediction model,which was validated on 143 EC patients operated between 2020 and 2021.Prognostic factors were identified using univariate Cox,Lasso,and multivariate Cox regressions.A nomogram was created to predict the 1,1.5,and 2-year recurrence-free survival(RFS).Model performance was assessed via receiver operating characteristic(ROC),calibration,and decision curve analyses(DCA),leading to a recurrence risk stratification system.RESULTS Based on the regression analysis and the nomogram created,patients with postoperative ctDNA-negativity,postoperative carcinoembryonic antigen 125(CA125)levels of<19 U/mL,and grade G1 tumors had improved RFS after surgery.The nomogram’s efficacy for recurrence prediction was confirmed through ROC analysis,calibration curves,and DCA methods,highlighting its high accuracy and clinical utility.Furthermore,using the nomogram,the patients were successfully classified into three risk subgroups.CONCLUSION The nomogram accurately predicted RFS after EC surgery at 1,1.5,and 2 years.This model will help clinicians personalize treatments,stratify risks,and enhance clinical outcomes for patients with EC.

Potential application of Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma-Rhubarb for the treatment of diabetic kidney disease based on network pharmacology and cell culture experimental verification

BACKGROUND Diabetic kidney disease(DKD)is one of the serious complications of diabetes mellitus,and the existing treatments cannot meet the needs of today's patients.Traditional Chinese medicine has been validated for its efficacy in DKD after many years of clinical application.However,the specific mechanism by which it works is still unclear.Elucidating the molecular mechanism of the Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma-rhubarb drug pair(NRDP)for the treatment of DKD will provide a new way of thinking for the research and development of new drugs.AIM To investigate the mechanism of the NRDP in DKD by network pharmacology combined with molecular docking,and then verify the initial findings by in vitro experiments.METHODS The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology(TCMSP)database was used to screen active ingredient targets of NRDP.Targets for DKD were obtained based on the Genecards,OMIM,and TTD databases.The VENNY 2.1 database was used to obtain DKD and NRDP intersection targets and their Venn diagram,and Cytoscape 3.9.0 was used to build a"drug-component-target-disease"network.The String database was used to construct protein interaction networks.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis and Gene Ontology analysis were performed based on the DAVID database.After selecting the targets and the active ingredients,Autodock software was used to perform molecular docking.In experimental validation using renal tubular epithelial cells(TCMK-1),we used the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay to detect the effect of NRDP on cell viability,with glucose solution used to mimic a hyperglycemic environment.Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle progression and apoptosis.Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of STAT3,p-STAT3,BAX,BCL-2,Caspase9,and Caspase3.RESULTS A total of 10 active ingredients and 85 targets with 111 disease-related signaling pathways were obtained for NRDP.Enrichment analysis of KEGG pathways was performed to determine advanced glycation end products(AGEs)-receptor for AGEs(RAGE)signaling as the core pathway.Molecular docking showed good binding between each active ingredient and its core targets.In vitro experiments showed that NRDP inhibited the viability of TCMK-1 cells,blocked cell cycle progression in the G0/G1 phase,and reduced apoptosis in a concentrationdependent manner.Based on the results of Western blot analysis,NRDP differentially downregulated p-STAT3,BAX,Caspase3,and Caspase9 protein levels(P<0.01 or P<0.05).In addition,BAX/BCL-2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 ratios were reduced,while BCL-2 and STAT3 protein expression was upregulated(P<0.01).CONCLUSION NRDP may upregulate BCL-2 and STAT3 protein expression,and downregulate BAX,Caspase3,and Caspase9 protein expression,thus activating the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway,inhibiting the vitality of TCMK-1 cells,reducing their apoptosis.and arresting them in the G0/G1 phase to protect them from damage by high glucose.

Method Development and Validation of the Simultaneous Analysis of Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Benzisothiazolinone and Bronopol in Washing-Up Liquid

A method of analysis for the simultaneous determination of methylisothiazolinone (MI), methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMI), benzisothiazolinone (BIT) and Bronopol (BNP) in washing-up liquid was established. The method consisted of a gradient HPLC analysis at three different wavelengths. The four compounds could be analyzed with good precision and accuracy.

Testing Reliability and Validity of the Oulu Patient Classification Instrument—The First Step in Evaluating the RAFAELA System in Norway

Objective: To study reliability and validity of the Finnish Oulu Patient Classification instrument in Norway. Background: The Finnish patient classification system RAFAELA consists of three parts: 1) daily patient classification of nursing intensity using the Oulu Patient Classification instrument, 2) calculation of nursing resources providing bed side care per 24 hours, and 3) Professional Assessment of Optimal Nursing Care Intensity Level. The RAFAELA system has not been tested outside of Finland. Methods: A prospective, descriptive study was performed at 5 clinical units at Oslo University Hospital during 2011-2012. The interrater reliability of the Oulu Patient Classification instrument was tested by parallel classification including 100-167 patient classifications pr. unit, and analyzed by consensus in % and using Cohen’s Kappa. Convergent validity was tested by using the average Oulu Patient Classification instrument value to predict the average Professional Assessment of Optimal Nursing Care Intensity Level for the same calendar day by linear regression analysis. Results: The Oulu Patient Classification instrument consensus of parallel classifications varied between 70.1%-89%. Cohen’s Kappa within patient classes varied between 0.57 and 0.81, representing substantial interrater reliability. The Oulu Patient Classification instrument was valid as the instrument in average explained about 38% of the variation of the Professional Assessment of Optimal Nursing Care Intensity Level. Conclusions: Patient classification systems tested for psychometric properties are needed and this study provides evidence of satisfactory reliability and validity of the Oulu Patient Classification instrument as tested outside Finland, demonstrating that this instrument has international relevance within nursing.