Multi-Symptom Relief for Cough & Cold: Benefits of Adding Vicks VapoRub to the Treatment Regimen

Background: The common cold is inarguably a multi-symptom syndrome. Thus, patients commonly use several medicinal products simultaneously to treat a range of co-existing clinical manifestations. Topical ointments with medicated vapours are a popular and effective treatment for the relief of various respiratory tract symptoms. Vicks VapoRub (VVR), a paraffin-based therapeutic ointment containing levomenthol, eucalyptus oil, turpentine oil and camphor, is frequently combined with other cough and cold treatments. However, little is known about which medications are commonly taken together and how patients experience the combined efficacy. Methods: A 20-question online survey to assess habits and beliefs amongst cold sufferers was conducted using the Toluna Start platform. A total of 1513 adults that had suffered from a cold or mild COVID-19 infection in the preceding 12 months were recruited from five European countries. Results: Most cold sufferers combined VVR with other cold medicines, such as paracetamol (75.9%), multi-symptom relief (MSR) products (64.0%) or nasal decongestants (57.0%) to treat their symptoms. VVR was mainly used topically, at night, and on days 3 - 4 of the disease. The addition of VVR to the treatment regimen was perceived as highly effective at relieving multiple cold symptoms. Furthermore, improved sleep and a free breathing sensation were attributed to VVR when used in combination with other cold remedies. Statements on VVR regarding effectiveness, sleep, sleep + effectiveness, speed of action and user satisfaction were agreed upon by a total of 74.8% to 88.3% of panellists. Conclusion: Our survey confirms that in Europe, VVR is commonly used as part of a regimen to manage cold symptoms, and contributes to better overall perceived relief as part of a multi-facetted treatment approach. Prospective clinical data are needed to further confirm these results.

Rationale for Treatment of Common Cold and Flu with Multi-Ingredient Combination Products for Multi-Symptom Relief in Adults

This up-to-date overview will look at the rationale for the recommendation of combination products for multi-symptom relief of common cold and flu. Common cold and flu are defined by their multi-symptom nature with data showing a variety of symptoms reported simultaneously each day over the first six days of illness. Multi-ingredient combination products for multi-symptom relief are formulated to safely, simply, and simultaneously treat multiple symptoms when used as directed. The rationale for the formulation combination products for common cold and flu is therefore practical, logical and reasonable. No evidence has been found that multi-symptom relief medicines are inherently less safe than single-active ingredient medicines. Multi-symptom relief combination products containing several active ingredients provide a safe, effective, cost-effective, and convenient way of treating the multiple symptoms of common cold and flu, when used as directed. This therapy requires some special information for the patient to be provided by the physician and the pharmacist.

Electric-controlled pressure relief valve for enhanced safety in liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery packs

The liquid-cooled battery energy sto rage system(LCBESS) has gained significant attention due to its superior thermal management capacity.However,liquid-cooled battery pack(LCBP) usually has a high sealing level above IP65,which can trap flammable and explosive gases from battery thermal runaway and cause explosions.This poses serious safety risks and challenges for LCBESS.In this study,we tested overcharged battery inside a commercial LCBP and found that the conventionally mechanical pressure relief valve(PRV) on the LCBP had a delayed response and low-pressure relief efficiency.A realistic 20-foot model of an energy storage cabin was constructed using the Flacs finite element simulation software.Comparative studies were conducted to evaluate the pressure relief efficiency and the influence on neighboring battery packs in case of internal explosions,considering different sizes and installation positions of the PRV.Here,a newly developed electric-controlled PRV integrated with battery fault detection is introduced,capable of starting within 50 ms of the battery safety valve opening.Furthermore,the PRV was integrated with the battery management system and changed the battery charging and discharging strategy after the PRV was opened.Experimental tests confirmed the efficacy of this method in preventing explosions.This paper addresses the safety concerns associated with LCBPs and proposes an effective solution for explosion relief.

Impacts of radiation therapy on quality of life and pain relief in patients with bone metastases

Bone metastases(BM)are a common complication in advanced cancer patients,significantly contributing to morbidity and mortality due to their ability to cause pain,fractures,and spinal cord compression.Radiation therapy(RT)is vital in managing these complications by targeting metastatic lesions to ease pain,improve mobility,and reduce the risk of skeletal-related events such as fractures.Evidence supports the effectiveness of RT in pain relief,showing its ability to provide significant palliation and lessen the need for opioid painkillers,thereby enhancing the overall quality of life(QoL)for patients with BM.However,optimizing RT outcomes involves considerations such as the choice of radiation technique,dose fractionation schedules,and the integration of supportive care measures to mitigate treatment-related side effects like fatigue and skin reactions.These factors highlight the importance of personalized treatment planning tailored to individual patient needs and tumor characteristics.This mini-review aims to provide comprehensive insights into the multifaceted impacts of RT on pain management and QoL enhancement in BM patients,with implications for refining clinical practices and advancing patient care through the synthesis of findings from various studies.

Stress Relief Measurements in Young Adults and Adolescents—A Comparative Pilot Study with Different Relaxation Programs

Background: Chronic stress is a emotional challenge. Constant pressure presents a serious risk of damage to mental and physical health and hence is associated with increased incidence of various diseases. The ability to cope with chronic stress may be a function of psychological resilience including intellectual capacities, but more so of external factors such as life experience and education. Adolescents are more vulnerable to chronic stress than adults. The measures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic brought up major societal problems. As both children and adolescents lost their life anchors, the prevalence of stress in adolescents increased from 20% to 45%. Chronic psychological stress can impede the normal development of schoolchildren. It may cause anxiety, social withdrawal, interpersonal conflicts and aggression. This applies particularly to those in puberty, with the adolescent already facing unstable social bonds and elevated fear about the future. It is likely that the puberty cohort accounts for the dramatic increase in the prevalence of stress. Since it impacts public health, chronic stress among school-age children is increasingly taking on a socio-political dimension. Non-clinical stress intervention studies can investigate how to achieve stress reduction in school children. Methods: In a small pilot study, we analysed the effects of a training program with four different standard interventions, i.e. mindfulness training, progressive muscle reflection, autogenic training, and sound meditation. We obtained baseline scores of 10 stress-indicators, and re-tested after the interventions were performed. Results: The four applied interventions resulted in a reduction of 8 (out of 10) stress-indicators, such as “feeling stressed” or stress related symptoms (headaches, dizziness, sweating). This positive impact of the interventions significantly reduced “Fears about the future” (p Discussion: School children recognise the positive potential of stress reducing training or interventions. Our results provide evidence in support of integrating the training of relaxation techniques in the school curriculum. We propose that a larger study be undertaken to determine which methods would be most effective.

基于Relief-F算法的心血管介入患者术后死亡风险预测

针对心血管介入患者全周期病理数据普遍存在缺失、不连续、非结构化等问题,建立了心血管介入专病数据库,并采用基于Relief-F算法的预测方法,对心血管介入患者术后死亡风险进行预测。首先参照HL7、CDISC等国际心血管疾病统一标准对各数据源进行标准化处理,建立研究数据集,并对数据进行清洗和预处理;其次采用Relief-F算法对特征进行选择,最终保留30个特征变量;再次选择逻辑回归、支持向量机、随机森林等3种机器学习方法进行建模分析,并采用10折交叉验证方法对分类器进行训练;最后引入准确率等模型评价指标来评估各算法在数据集上的分类预测效果。实验结果表明:随机森林的分类效果在该研究数据集上的表现最佳,准确率达到81.97%,精确率为86.90%,召回率为82.14%,F1值为0.8441。该研究提出的方法能够客观反映患者术后死亡风险,为心血管介入患者术后死亡风险预测提供了一种有效的解决方案。

Palliative care with adequate pain relief challenges the need for euthanasia legislation

Background:In today’s society the ongoing discussion about euthanasia triggers emotionally charged debates surrounding the delicate balance between valuing life and respecting an individual’s autonomy.With the persistence of this debate,there has been the emergence of the concept of the so-called alternative:palliative care.Positioned as a substitute for euthanasia,palliative care aims to alleviate suffering in terminally ill patients without engaging in the ethical dilemmas associated with euthanasia.Methods:This paper explores the facets of palliative care highlighting its core objectives such as providing adequate pain relief as a compassionate alternative to euthanasia.Results:By examining palliative care as a comprehensive approach to end of life support,this study challenges the perceived necessity of euthanasia and advocates,for compassionate and dignified end of life experiences.Conclusion:In conclusion,palliative care emerges as a viable and ethically sound alternative to euthanasia,emphasizing the importance of compassionate end-of-life care and pain management.

Application of STEEP and Interpretive Structural Modeling in the Design Imagery of Taiwan Public Ceramic Relief Murals

Ceramic relief mural is a contemporary landscape art that is carefully designed based on human nature,culture,and architectural wall space,combined with social customs,visual sensibility,and art.It may also become the main axis of ceramic art in the future.Taiwan public ceramic relief murals(PCRM)are most distinctive with the PCRM pioneered by Pan-Hsiung Chu of Meinong Kiln in 1987.In addition to breaking through the limitations of traditional public ceramic murals,Chu leveraged local culture and sensibility.The theme of art gives PCRM its unique style and innovative value throughout the Taiwan region.This study mainly analyzes and understands the design image of public ceramic murals,taking Taiwan PCRM’s design and creation as the scope,and applies STEEP analysis,that is,the social,technological,economic,ecological,and political-legal environments are analyzed as core factors;eight main important factors in the artistic design image of ceramic murals are evaluated.Then,interpretive structural modeling(ISM)is used to establish five levels,analyze the four main problems in the main core factor area and the four main target results in the affected factor area;and analyze the problem points and target points as well as their causal relationships.It is expected to sort out the relationship between these factors,obtain the hierarchical relationship of each factor,and provide a reference basis and research methods.

半监督Relief-F特征选择算法

数据规模的不断增加,使得为数据库中全部样本做标记变得尤为困难,数据集也因此呈现出了明显的弱标记性.为此,针对大规模少数标记数据集的特征选择问题,基于经典的Relief-F算法,通过综合考虑有标记样本与无标记样本对数据样本近邻的影响,重新定义样本近邻的搜索策略,提出了一种面向符号数据的半监督特征选择算法.为进一步分析新算法的有效性,仿真实验中选取了5组UCI数据集,并引入机器学习中3个常用分类器对新算法和对比算法的特征选择结果的分类性能作了分析和比较,实验结果很好地验证了本文中提出的新算法的有效性和可行性.

Investigating the Physiological Mechanisms between Resistance Training and Pain Relief in the Cancer Population: A Literature Review

This literature review examines the mechanisms of how exercise, specifically in the form of resistance training, may lead to pain relief in the cancer population. Primary data from three different cancer populations: breast, prostate, and lung, will be examined. A number of experimental studies have been conducted to confirm the effectiveness of resistance training on pain relief as well as the biochemical pathways that relate to this process. In this review, we will examine 5 randomized controlled trials. For the purposes of this review, pain is defined as physical suffering or discomfort associated with illness. Pain is the body’s natural signal, bringing attention to damage that has been sustained by tissues. However, chronic pain is common in the cancer population, and often serves no good purpose but instead will negatively impact both physical and mental health. The three types of pain: nociceptive, neuropathic, and inflammatory pathways have been investigated, and the knowledge of pain mechanisms allows for the understanding of how it is associated with pain. The purpose of this exploratory literature review is to give insight on how to maximize pain-relieving effects of resistance training. Research has indicated that resistance training modulates pain pathways by upregulating the release of pain-relieving substances including beta-endorphins, anti-inflammatory cytokines, and endocannabinoids. Understanding of the benefits of resistance training may be useful in relieving cancer pain, and reproducing effects of pain-relieving strategies while minimizing the symptoms related to cancer and its treatment.

基于Relief算法的智能车辆牌照模糊识别方法

由于当前已有方法未能对车牌照进行降维处理,导致车牌照识别结果不准确,为此,提出一种基于Relief算法的智能车辆牌照模糊识别方法。采用Relief算法计算不同车牌图像特征的权重系数,对特征集进行降维处理。通过序列视频图像对智能车牌进行增强处理,利用全卷积网络对车牌照显著区域进行检测,粗略提取图像中的显著区域,使用滑动窗方法对候选区域车牌进行精准检测,定位车牌准确位置,加入字符的上下文信息,对字符进行精确检测和识别,最终实现智能车辆牌照模糊识别。仿真实验结果表明,所提方法可获取高精度的车牌照识别结果。

Effect of Dynamic Pressure Feedback Orifice on Stability of Cartridge-Type Hydraulic Pilot-Operated Relief Valve

Current research on pilot-operated relief valve stability is primarily conducted from the perspective of system dynamics or stability criteria,and most of the existing conclusions focus on the spool shape,damping hole size,and pulsation frequency of the pump.However,the essential factors pertaining to the unstable vibration of relief valves remain ambiguous.In this study,the dynamic behavior of a pilot-operated relief valve is investigated using the frequency-domain method.The result suggests that the dynamic pressure feedback orifice is vital to the dynamic characteristics of the valve.A large orifice has a low flow resistance.In this case,the fluid in the main spring chamber flows freely,which is not conducive to the stability of the relief valve.However,a small orifice may create significant flow resistance,thus restricting fluid flow.In this case,the oil inside the main valve spring chamber is equivalent to a high-stiffness liquid spring.The main mass-spring vibration system has a natural frequency that differs significantly from the operating frequency of the relief valve,which is conducive to the stability of the relief valve.Good agreement is obtained between the theoretical analysis and experiments.The results indicate that designing a dynamic pressure feedback orifice of an appropriate size is beneficial to improving the stability of hydraulic pilot-operated relief valves.In addition,the dynamic pressure feedback orifice reduces the response speed of the relief valve.This study comprehensively considers the stability,rapidity,and immunity of relief valves and expands current investigations into the dynamic characteristics of relief valves from the perspective of classical control theory,thus revealing the importance of different parameters.

基于Relief-PGS优化算法的数据分类

【目的】在选取图像特征对图像进行分类时,选取的特征属性是否冗余会影响到图像分类的正确率。为提高分类的准确率,使用Relief-PGS优化算法对特征子集和支持向量机参数同步进行优化。【方法】首先使用Relief算法对特征数据集进行筛选,其次将筛选出的特征子集数目和支持向量机参数一起编码到粒子群-遗传算法中进行同步优化,最后对处理后的数据集进行分类,能有效提高分类的准确率。【结果】选取UCI数据库中的5种数据集进行分类,与传统的SVM算法、PGS算法和Relief-SVM算法相比,Relief-PGS优化算法对图像分类的准确率分别提高了22.53%、6.05%和11.16%。【结论】研究结果表明,Relief-PGS算法在去掉不重要特征的同时,对支持向量机参数进行优化,能有效提高分类的准确率。

New Challenges For International Disaster Relief

The Türkiye-Syria earthquake is pushing global search and rescue capacity to the limit On February 6,a powerful earthquake and a series of strong aftershocks struck southern Türkiye near the Syrian border.International assistance has since poured into the disaster-hit areas.According to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu,as of February 18,102 countries had offered humanitarian aid and rescue teams from 88 countries participated in search and rescue operations in Türkiye.

Rapturous Relief

China has cancelled Rwanda’s $7.1-million loan used for building a road Residents in the Masaka and Kabuga suburbs of Rwanda’s capital Kigali were happy to learn that the Chinese government has decided to cancel the debt used for the construction of a road in their locality.

中青年缓解期精神分裂症患者社会疏离体验的质性研究

背景精神分裂症患者在整个生存期常感知到的较为严重的社会歧视,出现自我疏离或者社会性疏离。目前针对中青年缓解期精神分裂症患者社会疏离方面的研究较少。目的描述中青年缓解期精神分裂症患者社会疏离的体验,旨在为缓解该人群社会疏离体验制订支持干预方案提供一定的借鉴和参考。方法采用目的抽样法选取18~59岁,曾在新乡医学院第二附属医院住院且出院后愿意继续接受随访的中青年缓解期精神分裂症患者为研究对象,于2022年5—12月通过对受访者进行面对面半结构式深入访谈,并以内容分析法归纳和提炼主题。结果共纳入18名中青年缓解期精神分裂症患者。通过对访谈资料进行分析,共提炼出3个主题和8个亚主题:中青年缓解期精神分裂症患者社会疏离的表现(包括2个亚主题:负性情感体验、期待与行为之间的退缩);中青年缓解期精神分裂症患者社会疏离的主观原因(包括2个亚主题:自我疏离、自我歧视)、中青年缓解期精神分裂症患者社会疏离的客观原因(包括4个亚主题:社会歧视和被动疏离、药物不良反应的影响、精神疾病引起的生活和照护负担加重、缺乏社会支持)。结论中青年缓解期精神分裂症患者由于生理健康受损、心理状况不良、社会支持不足等存在社会疏离,医护人员应加强对该人群的症状管理和心理疏导,政府及社会各界应积极引导对精神疾病的正向认知并给予一定的社会支持;同时强化家庭内部支持,以帮助其重返和适应社会。

电力系统暂态电压稳定评估的混合智能特征双重筛选方法

含高比例新能源与直流接入的电力系统暂态电压稳定特征呈高维冗余性,影响基于数据驱动评估模型的效率和性能。为此,在构建一组适应含高比例新能源和直流接入场景的完备特征集合基础上,提出一种基于改进Relief算法和改进群智能优化算法双重筛选的混合智能特征选择方法,以降低原始特征维度,提高模型稳定评估的效率和准确率。首先,通过时序分层处理对原始Relief算法进行时序改进,并利用该改进算法进行特征的有效性度量,以消除分类低效特征,得到降维后的初筛特征子集;随后,融合特征有效性度量值对群智能优化算法进行搜索性能增强。再以此增强算法为寻优策略,并以时序分类模型卷积门控循环单元(convolution gated recurrent unit,ConvGRU)为分类器,构成基于群智能优化算法的封装式特征选择方案,进一步实现特征子集寻优。最后,通过算例对比分析,该方法下高维特征维度能压缩80%以上,且所选特征子集能有效提高评估模型的准确率,验证该方法对于高维时序特征筛选处理的有效性及必要性。

基于环境因子优化TSES法选择负样本及其在滑坡易发性评价中的应用

滑坡易发性评价是滑坡灾害防治的重要手段之一,而不合理的滑坡负样本会影响滑坡易发性评价,从而影响到滑坡灾害的防治,因此提供一种合理的负样本选取方法变得尤为关键。以西藏米林市的古滑坡为例,选择高程、坡度、坡向、坡位、距道路距离、距断层距离、距水系距离、地形起伏度、地层岩性、土地利用类型10类环境因子,使用Relief算法计算环境因子的贡献值并依据贡献值优化选择环境因子;基于环境因子优化的目标空间外向化采样法(target space exteriorization sampling,简称TSES)选择负样本,作为性能优异的随机森林模型的输入变量;之后结合优化的环境因子和正或负样本预测米林市的滑坡易发性,并用混淆矩阵和ROC曲线评价构建模型的性能。为检验环境因子优化的TSES法的有效性和先进性,采用耦合信息量法和TSES法选择滑坡负样本并构建随机森林模型,与环境因子优化的TSES法构建的随机森林模型进行对比研究。结果表明,环境因子优化的TSES法构建的随机森林模型的评价效果较好,其ACC为93.7%、AUC为0.987,均高于耦合信息量、TSES法构成的模型。环境因子优化的TSES法能够提高模型的精度,解决多因子作为约束条件取样中因子选取的问题,为滑坡易发性评价采集负样本提供了新的思路。

高瓦斯煤层大直径钻孔卸压增透瓦斯渗流时空演化机理

矿井瓦斯抽采面临抽采率低、有效抽采周期短、瓦斯预抽体积分数不达标等困境。为实现高瓦斯低透气性煤层的精准卸压增透,以顺和煤矿2404典型深井高瓦斯低透气性煤层工作面为研究对象,基于长时力学效应理论建模、COMSOL数值分析和现场试验等方法,构建了大直径钻孔卸压煤层瓦斯运移多场耦合模型,提出了大直径钻孔瓦斯有效抽采半径的判定指标——残余瓦斯压力不超过0.22 MPa,揭示了大直径煤层钻孔卸压增透机理及瓦斯运移规律:单一大直径钻孔煤层瓦斯压力呈以钻孔圆心为对称中心的椭圆分布,即由钻孔圆心向外瓦斯压力逐渐增加,随着抽采时间延长,抽采达标区域逐渐扩大。钻孔周边应力转移特征为:随着抽采时间增加,单一大直径钻孔周边点的垂直应力呈现先增后降趋势。进一步提出了高瓦斯低透气性煤层大直径钻孔卸压增透抽采技术。模拟确定了钻孔有效抽采半径,孔间距6.0 m、直径300 mm钻孔卸压增透效果最好,其两侧3.0 m内平均渗透率为1.58×10^(-15)m^(2),远大于初始值1.15×10^(-17)m^(2)。现场应用表明,大直径钻孔瓦斯抽采远优于普通钻孔,300 mm大直径钻孔瓦斯体积分数最大值为47.2%,75 mm原钻孔最大瓦斯体积分数最大值仅为10.6%,且大直径钻孔5.0%以上高瓦斯体积分数抽采天数提高了40.2%,有效解决了小直径瓦斯钻孔治理难题,为高瓦斯煤层高效精准卸压增透强化抽采提供了有效途径。

上木江坪高陡斜坡危岩特征与定量风险评估

青藏高原东缘高陡斜坡危岩体严重威胁山区交通廊道的建设、运营与维护。本文以青藏高原东缘上木江坪高陡斜坡为研究对象,研究斜坡危岩体的崩塌落石对都四铁路和G350国道的危险性与定量风险,对山区交通廊道崩塌落石的防灾减灾具有重要意义。联合现场调查与无人机航空摄影技术,重建了高陡斜坡高精度三维地形,获取危岩体节理面产状,基于赤平投影明确了斜坡危岩体的破坏模式和稳定性。采用三维落石模拟软件RockyFor3D模拟了斜坡崩塌落石的运动轨迹,定量评估了落石危害范围、危险性分区与对道路车辆的定量风险。研究结果表明:斜坡后壁存在3处危岩体(A、B、C),分别且受3组节理控制,斜坡破坏为楔形破坏为主,斜坡危岩体处于基本稳定-不稳定状态。通过落石三维运动模拟可知,落石的运动轨迹受地形控制,在坡降较大位置,最大弹跳高度、最大速度与最大动能呈陡增趋势。危岩体A和B不会对都四铁路与G350国道产生威胁,仅使G350国道服务区西边和西南边缘处于极低危险区,其车辆风险均处于可接受风险区。危岩体C将使G350国道服务区、G350国道和都四铁路隧道口均处于极低-低危险区,对都四铁路和G350国道的车辆遇到落石的定量风险位于风险警告区,应对危岩体C的崩塌落石制定相应防灾减灾对策。