The burden of upper motor neuron involvement is correlated with the bilateral limb involvement interval in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis:a retrospective observational study

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rare neurodegenerative disease characterized by the involvement of both upper and lower motor neurons.Early bilateral limb involvement significantly affects patients'daily lives and may lead them to be confined to bed.However,the effect of upper and lower motor neuron impairment and other risk factors on bilateral limb involvement is unclear.To address this issue,we retrospectively collected data from 586 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with limb onset diagnosed at Peking University Third Hospital between January 2020 and May 2022.A univariate analysis revealed no significant differences in the time intervals of spread in different directions between individuals with upper motor neuron-dominant amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and those with classic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.We used causal directed acyclic graphs for risk factor determination and Cox proportional hazards models to investigate the association between the duration of bilateral limb involvement and clinical baseline characteristics in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.Multiple factor analyses revealed that higher upper motor neuron scores(hazard ratio[HR]=1.05,95%confidence interval[CI]=1.01–1.09,P=0.018),onset in the left limb(HR=0.72,95%CI=0.58–0.89,P=0.002),and a horizontal pattern of progression(HR=0.46,95%CI=0.37–0.58,P<0.001)were risk factors for a shorter interval until bilateral limb involvement.The results demonstrated that a greater degree of upper motor neuron involvement might cause contralateral limb involvement to progress more quickly in limb-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.These findings may improve the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with limb onset and the prediction of patient prognosis.

Optimizing profile line interval for enhanced accuracy in rock joint morphology and shear strength assessments

2D profile lines play a critical role in cost-effectively evaluating rock joint properties and shear strength.However, the interval(ΔI_(L)) between these lines significantly impacts roughness and shear strength assessments. A detailed study of 45 joint samples using four statistical measures across 500 different ΔI_(L)values identified a clear line interval effect with two stages: stable and fluctuation-discrete.Further statistical analysis showed a linear relationship between the error bounds of four parameters,shear strength evaluation, and their corresponding maximum ΔI_(L)values, where the gradient k of this linear relationship was influenced by the basic friction angle and normal stress. Accounting for these factors,lower-limit linear models were employed to determine the optimal ΔI_(L)values that met error tolerances(1%–10%) for all metrics and shear strength. The study also explored the consistent size effect on joints regardless of ΔI_(L)changes, revealing three types of size effects based on morphological heterogeneity.Notably, larger joints required generally higher ΔI_(L)to maintain the predefined error limits, suggesting an increased interval for large joint analyses. Consequently, this research provides a basis for determining the optimal ΔI_(L), improving accuracy in 2D profile line assessments of joint characteristics.

Orthostatic Hypotension: QTc Interval Prolongation during Head-Up Tilt

Background: The QT interval shortens in response to sympathetic stimulation. Head-up tilt-table (HUT) testing is a straightforward way to achieve brisk sympathetic stimulation. There is not enough information about the response of the QT interval to HUT, particularly, in patients with orthostatic hypotension (OH). Objective: Analyse the response of the RR, QT and QTc intervals in patients with OH and reflex syncope (NM) during HUT and find differences between groups. Methods: We reviewed the electrocardiograms and compare the RR and QT/QTc intervals during 1) baseline;2) HUT plus hyperventilation;3) positive test. Results: We studied 137 patients, 62 control group (no syncope and negative HUT). On average, the RR HUT interval was shorter than the resting RR by −171 ± 110.4 ms in controls;−228.6 ± 119.4 ms (NM) and −194 ± (OH) (P Conclusion: Significant differences between the reflex group and the OH during a positive test, the QTc decreased in the NM group, but in the OH population increased. This observation has not been described. We hypothesize that QTc prolongation could reflect autonomic nervous system downregulation and could explain to a degree, the increased mortality in this group.

Effect of the interval between two shocks on ejecta formation from the grooved aluminum surface

This work focuses on the effect of the interval between two shocks on the ejecta formation from the grooved aluminum(Al_(1100))surface by using smoothed particle hydrodynamics numerical simulation.Two unsupported shocks are obtained by the plate-impact between sample and two flyers at interval,with a peak pressure of approximately 30 GPa for each shock.When the shock interval varies from 2.11 to 7.67 times the groove depth,the bubble velocity reduces to a constant,and the micro jetting factor R_(J) from spike to bubble exhibits a non-monotonic change that decreases initially and then increases.At a shock interval of 3.6 times the groove depth,micro jetting factor R_(J) from spike to bubble reaches its minimum value of approximately 0.6.While,the micro jetting factor R_(F) from spike to free surface decreases linearly at first,and stabilizes around 0.25 once the shock interval surpasses 4.18 times the groove depth.When the shock interval is less than 4.18 times the groove depth,the unloading wave generated by the breakout of the first shock wave is superimpose with the unloading part of the second shock wave to form a large tensile area.

An improved interval model updating method via adaptive Kriging models

Interval model updating(IMU)methods have been widely used in uncertain model updating due to their low requirements for sample data.However,the surrogate model in IMU methods mostly adopts the one-time construction method.This makes the accuracy of the surrogate model highly dependent on the experience of users and affects the accuracy of IMU methods.Therefore,an improved IMU method via the adaptive Kriging models is proposed.This method transforms the objective function of the IMU problem into two deterministic global optimization problems about the upper bound and the interval diameter through universal grey numbers.These optimization problems are addressed through the adaptive Kriging models and the particle swarm optimization(PSO)method to quantify the uncertain parameters,and the IMU is accomplished.During the construction of these adaptive Kriging models,the sample space is gridded according to sensitivity information.Local sampling is then performed in key subspaces based on the maximum mean square error(MMSE)criterion.The interval division coefficient and random sampling coefficient are adaptively adjusted without human interference until the model meets accuracy requirements.The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by a numerical example of a three-degree-of-freedom mass-spring system and an experimental example of a butted cylindrical shell.The results show that the updated results of the interval model are in good agreement with the experimental results.

Upper and Lower Bounds of the α-Universal Triple I Method for Unified Interval Implications

Theα-universal triple I(α-UTI)method is a recognized scheme in the field of fuzzy reasoning,whichwas proposed by our research group previously.The robustness of fuzzy reasoning determines the quality of reasoning algorithms to a large extent,which is quantified by calculating the disparity between the output of fuzzy reasoning with interference and the output without interference.Therefore,in this study,the interval robustness(embodied as the interval stability)of theα-UTI method is explored in the interval-valued fuzzy environment.To begin with,the stability of theα-UTI method is explored for the case of an individual rule,and the upper and lower bounds of its results are estimated,using four kinds of unified interval implications(including the R-interval implication,the S-interval implication,the QL-interval implication and the interval t-norm implication).Through analysis,it is found that theα-UTI method exhibits good interval stability for an individual rule.Moreover,the stability of theα-UTI method is revealed in the case of multiple rules,and the upper and lower bounds of its outcomes are estimated.The results show that theα-UTI method is stable for multiple rules when four kinds of unified interval implications are used,respectively.Lastly,theα-UTI reasoning chain method is presented,which contains a chain structure with multiple layers.The corresponding solutions and their interval perturbations are investigated.It is found that theα-UTI reasoning chain method is stable in the case of chain reasoning.Two application examples in affective computing are given to verify the stability of theα-UTImethod.In summary,through theoretical proof and example verification,it is found that theα-UTImethod has good interval robustness with four kinds of unified interval implications aiming at the situations of an individual rule,multi-rule and reasoning chain.

Low-Carbon Dispatch of an Integrated Energy System Considering Confidence Intervals for Renewable Energy Generation

Addressing the insufficiency in down-regulation leeway within integrated energy systems stemming from the erratic and volatile nature of wind and solar renewable energy generation,this study focuses on formulating a coordinated strategy involving the carbon capture unit of the integrated energy system and the resources on the load storage side.A scheduling model is devised that takes into account the confidence interval associated with renewable energy generation,with the overarching goal of optimizing the system for low-carbon operation.To begin with,an in-depth analysis is conducted on the temporal energy-shifting attributes and the low-carbon modulation mechanisms exhibited by the source-side carbon capture power plant within the context of integrated and adaptable operational paradigms.Drawing from this analysis,a model is devised to represent the adjustable resources on the charge-storage side,predicated on the principles of electro-thermal coupling within the energy system.Subsequently,the dissimilarities in the confidence intervals of renewable energy generation are considered,leading to the proposition of a flexible upper threshold for the confidence interval.Building on this,a low-carbon dispatch model is established for the integrated energy system,factoring in the margin allowed by the adjustable resources.In the final phase,a simulation is performed on a regional electric heating integrated energy system.This simulation seeks to assess the impact of source-load-storage coordination on the system’s low-carbon operation across various scenarios of reduction margin reserves.The findings underscore that the proactive scheduling model incorporating confidence interval considerations for reduction margin reserves effectively mitigates the uncertainties tied to renewable energy generation.Through harmonized orchestration of source,load,and storage elements,it expands the utilization scope for renewable energy,safeguards the economic efficiency of system operations under low-carbon emission conditions,and empirically validates the soundness and efficacy of the proposed approach.

Integration Interval Determination and Decision Threshold Optimization for Improved TRPC-UWB Communication Systems

Integration interval and decision threshold issues were investigated for improved transmitted reference pulse cluster （iTRPC-） ultra-wideband （UWB） systems. Our analysis shows that the bit error rate （BER） performance of iTRPC-UWB systems can be significantly improved via integration interval determination （IID） and decision threshold optimization. For this purpose, two modifications can be made at the autocorrelation receiver as follows. Firstly, the liD processing is performed for autocorrelation operation to capture multi-path energy as much as possible. Secondly, adaptive decision threshold （ADT） instead of zero decision threshold （ZDT）, is used as estimated optimal decision threshold for symbol detection. Performance of iTRPCUWB systems using liD and ADT was evaluated in realistic IEEE 802.15.4a UWB channel models and the simulation results demonstrated our theoretical analysis.

Association between the Length of Interpregnancy Interval and Pregnancy Outcomes in Women with One Previous Caeserian Section Undergoing a Repeat Caeserian Delivery at Term at Pumwani Maternity Hospital between 2014 and 2018 a Cross-Sectional Study

Caesarean sections constitute major surgery, and are associated with immediate maternal and perinatal risks with implications on future pregnancies. After a caesarean delivery, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends an Inter-pregnancy Interval (IPI) of at least 24 months to lower the risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in the subsequent pregnancy. However, whether the recommendation confers obstetric benefits is unclear as there’s paucity of data in low- and medium-income countries (LMIC). The objective was to determine the association between IPI length and maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with one previous caesarian section undergoing a repeat caesarian delivery at term in Pumwani Maternity Hospital between 1st January 2014 and 31st December 2018. A cross-sectional study was done where patients who had delivered via repeat caesarean section at term between 1st January 2014 and 31st December 2018 were evaluated. The files of 625 patients were retrieved and IPI was determined from the time interval between a previous caesarean section delivery and the beginning of the subsequent pregnancy, established from the date of the last normal menstrual period as recorded or extrapolated from an early trimester obstetric scan. The files were allotted to study groups as follows: <24 months/short IPI (n = 170), 24 - 29 months/intermediate IPI (n = 384), and 60+ months/long IPI (n = 121) and data on sociodemographic/reproductive characteristics and maternal and neonatal outcomes abstracted and uploaded to SPSS (version 21) worksheet. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done and a p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The demographic and reproductive characteristics were comparable across the three IPI groups. Maternal outcomes such as uterine rupture, post-partum haemorrhage (PPH), blood transfusions, preeclampsia, and maternal mortality were comparable across short, intermediate, and long IPI. Some neonatal outcomes, however, showed evidence of an association with IPI. These were prematurity (p = 0.03) and developing congenital malformations (p = 0.01). Other neonatal outcomes (birth outcomes, birth weight, Apgar at 5, and NBU admission) were similar. In conclusion, maternal outcomes are comparable when the IPI after a repeat caesarean section at term is short, intermediate, and long. Congenital anomalies and premature births should be anticipated when the IPI is long (more than 59 months).

Highly Selective Photodynamic Therapy with a Short Drug-Light Interval Using a Cytotoxic Photosensitizer Porphyrus Envelope for Drug-Resistant Prostate Cancer Cells

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a less invasive cancer treatment using photochemical reactions induced by light irradiation to a photosensitizer (PS). Highly selective PDT with fast accumulation of the PS in target site might be a promising treatment option for drug-resistant prostate cancer facing high incidence rate of elderly men who have no effective treatment options and require a minimally invasive treatment. Hemagglutinating virus of Japan envelope (HVJ-E) allows selective and fast drug delivery to the drug-resistant prostate cancer cells via rapid cell membrane fusion. PS named porphyrus envelope (PE) has been developed by insertion of lipidated protoporphyrin IX (PpIX lipid) into HVJ-E. In this study, we investigated the optimal conditions for PE preparation and laser irradiation for highly selective PDT using PE with a short drug-light interval. Materials and Methods: Human hormon refractory prostate cancer cell line PC-3 and human normal prostate epithelial cell line PNT2 were cultured. PpIX lipid uptake and cytotoxicity of PDT in the cells incubated with PE for 10 min were evaluated by measuring fluorescence intensity and by using a cell counting reagent 24 h after PDT, respectively. Results: PpIX lipid uptake and cytotoxicity of PDT were increased with PpIX lipid concentration. Cytotoxicity of PDT using PE was more than 9 times as strong as that with PpIX lipid and PpIX induced by 5-aminolevulinic acid. Much stronger cytotoxicity was induced in PC-3 cells than PNT2 cells with the ratio of cell death rate for cancer to normal cells up to 4.64 ± 0.09. Conclusions: Fast PS delivery with HVJ-E allows highly selective PDT with a short drug-light interval. Therefore, PDT using PE has a potential to shorten treatment period and reduce side effects of PDT.

ON PL TYPE WEIGHTED LACUNARY (0,2;0)-INTERPOLATION ON INFINITE INTERVAL (-∞,+∞)

In this paper, we study the weighted (0,2;0)-interpolation on infinite interval, which means to determine a polynomial of degree ≤3n-1 when the function values are prescribed at two sets of points namely the zeros of H n(x) and H ′ n(x) and the wieghted second derivative at the zeros of H n(x).

Using a 3D Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Interpolation System to Improve Modeless Robots Measurement and Calibration Accuracy

This paper is an extended research for a novel technique used in the pose error compensations of the robot and manipulator calibration process based on an IT2FEI （interval type-2 fuzzy error interpolation） method. Robot calibrations can be classified into model-based and modeless methods. A model-based calibration method normally requires that the practitioners understand the kinematics of the robot therefore may pose a challenger for field engineers. An alternative yet effective means for robot calibration is to use a modeless method; however with such a method there is a conflict between the calibration accuracy of the robot and the number of grid points used in the calibration task. In this paper, an interval type-2 fuzzy interpolation system is applied to improve the compensation accuracy of the robot in its 3D workspace. An on-line type-2 fuzzy inference system is implemented to meet the needs of on-line robot trajectory planning and control. The simulated results given in this paper show that not only robot compensation accuracy can be greatly improved, but also the calibration process can be significantly simplified, and it is more suitable for practical applications.

Interval Finite Element Analysis of Wing Flutter

The influences of uncertainties in structural parameters on the flutter speed of wing are studied. On the basis of the deterministic flutter analysis model of wing, the uncertainties in structural parameters are considered and described by interval numbers. By virtue of first-order Taylor series expansion, the lower and upper bound curves of the transient decay rate coefficient versus wind velocity are given. So the interval estimation of the flutter critical wind speed of wing can be obtained, which is more reasonable than the point esti- mation obtained by the deterministic flutter analysis and provides the basis for the further non-probabilistic interval reliability analysis of wing flutter. The flow chart for interval fmite element model of flutter analysis of wing is given. The proposed interval finite element model and the stochastic finite element model for wing flutter analysis are compared by the examples of a three degrees of freedom airfoil and fuselage and a 15° sweptback wing, and the results have shown the effectiveness and feasibility of the presented model. The prominent advantage of the proposed interval finite element model is that only the bounds of uncertain parameters are required, and the probabilistic distribution densities or other statistical characteristics are not needed.

Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci for Anthesis-Silking Interval and Yield Components Under Drought Stress in Maize

A genetic linkage map with 89 SSR marker loci was constructed based on a maize (Zea mays L.) population consisting of 184 F-2 individuals from the cross, Huangzao 4 X Ye 107. The 184 F-3 families were evaluated in the field under well-watered and drought-stressed regimes in Shanxi Province of China. The objectives of the study were to identify genetic segments responsible for the expression of anthesis-silking interval (ASI), ear setting and grain yield, and to examine if the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for ASI or yield components can be used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) to improve grain yield under drought conditions. Results showed that under well-watered and drought-stressed regimes, three and two QTLs involved in the expression of ASI were detected on chromosomes 1, 2 and 3, and 2 and 5, respectively. Under well-watered regime, two QTLs for ear setting were detected on chromosomes 3 and 6, explaining about 19.9% of the phenotypic variance, and displayed additive and partial dominant effects, respectively. Under drought-stressed condition, four QTLs for ear setting were detected on chromosomes 3, 7 and 10, which were responsible for interpreting 60.4% of the phenotypic variance, and showed dominant or partial dominant effects. Under well-watered condition, four QTLs controlling grain yield were identified on chromosomes 3, 6 and 7, while five QTLs were identified under drought stress on chromosomes 1, 2, 4 and 8. The gene action was of additive or partial dominant effects, and each QTL could explain 7.3% to 22.0% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. Under drought conditions, ASI and ear setting percentage were highly correlated with grain yield, which can be used as secondary traits for grain yield selection. Based on linked markers detected and gene action analyzed, an MAS strategy for yield improvement under drought condition could be established, which consists of QTLs contributing to decreased ASI and to increased ear setting and grain yield, respectively.

NOVEL GENERALIZED GREY INCIDENCE MODEL BASED ON INTERVAL GREY NUMBERS

To extend the traditional generalized grey incidence model, a novel grey incidence model based on inter- val grey numbers is constructed. Considering the numerical information of indexes cannot be accurately obtained and can be defined as interval grey numbers, the interval grey numbers are defined as standard interval grey num- bers which are split in white part and grey part. The absolute degree of incidence and relative degree of incidence based on the interval grey numbers are constructed and their arithmetic are given. Finally, an example about commercial aircraft index selection illuminates the effectiveness of the model. The results show that the model can sort indexes better and can extend the grey incidence models significantly.

THEOREMS OF INTERVAL FUZZY SET AND ITS OPERATION RULES

Although the concept of interval fuzzy set and its properties have been defined, its three theorems and their effectiveness are not proved. Therefore, the knowledge presentation and its operation rules of interval fuzzy set are studied firstly, and then the cut set of interval fuzzy set is proposed. Moreover, the decomposition theo- rem, the representation theorem and the extension theorem of interval fuzzy set are presented. Finally, examples are given to demonstrate that the classical fuzzy set is a special case of interval fuzzy set and interval fuzzy set is an effective expansion of the classical fuzzy set.

Interval Q inversion based on zero-offset VSP data and applications

In order to obtain stable interval Q factor, by analyzing the spectrum of monitoring wavelet and down-going wavelet of zero-offset VSP data and referring the spectrum expression of Ricker wavelet, we propose a new expression of source wavelet spectrum. Basing on the new expression, we present improved amplitude spectral fitting and spectral ratio methods for interval Q inversion based on zero-offset VSP data, and the sequence for processing the zero-offset VSP data. Subsequently, we apply the proposed methods to real zero-offset VSP data, and carry out prestack inverse Q filtering to zero-offset VSP data and surface seismic data for amplitude compensation with the estimated Q value.

New criterion for delay-dependent absolute stability of Lurie system with interval time-varying delay

The delay-dependent absolute stability for a class of Lurie systems with interval time-varying delay is studied. By employing an augmented Lyapunov functional and combining a free-weighting matrix approach and the reciprocal convex technique, an improved stability condition is derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities （LMIs）. By retaining some useful terms that are usually ignored in the derivative of the Lyapunov function, the proposed sufficient condition depends not only on the lower and upper bounds of both the delay and its derivative, but it also depends on their differences, which has wider application fields than those of present results. Moreover, a new type of equality expression is developed to handle the sector bounds of the nonlinear function, which achieves fewer LMIs in the derived condition, compared with those based on the convex representation. Therefore, the proposed method is less conservative than the existing ones. Simulation examples are given to demonstrate the validity of the approach.

Interval^+——一种基于区间树的压缩XML索引结构1,222

XML在数据交换中的应用越来越广泛,但由于标记引入而使其空间膨胀较大,对传输及存储资源耗费严重.压缩后的XML数据容量明显减少,但怎样基于压缩后的XML数据直接进行查询及处理,仍然是需要深入研究的问题.以反向算术压缩为基本压缩算法,提出针对XML数据库中压缩XML文件的索引结构Interval+,基于该索引结构,可高效实现对类似element1element2…elmentm的查询处理.

ENTROPY MEASUREMENT OF INTERVAL GREY SEQUENCE AND ITS APPLICATION

The uncertainty measurement method for grey information theory and the metric formula are established, and its application in decision-making is researched. The entropy measurement of grey sequence based on the limited interval grey number sequence is different from the Shannon probability entropy. The measurement formula of grey number and its properties are studied, such as the invariance, the applicable conditions, and the grey entropy of union and intersection of two grey numbers, and so on. Finally, the algorithm for interval grey sequence and an example are given to show the effectiveness of the method.