Modified DS np Chart Using Generalized Multiple Dependent State Sampling under Time Truncated Life Test

This study presents the design of a modified attributed control chart based on a double sampling(DS)np chart applied in combination with generalized multiple dependent state(GMDS)sampling to monitor the mean life of the product based on the time truncated life test employing theWeibull distribution.The control chart developed supports the examination of the mean lifespan variation for a particular product in the process of manufacturing.Three control limit levels are used:the warning control limit,inner control limit,and outer control limit.Together,they enhance the capability for variation detection.A genetic algorithm can be used for optimization during the in-control process,whereby the optimal parameters can be established for the proposed control chart.The control chart performance is assessed using the average run length,while the influence of the model parameters upon the control chart solution is assessed via sensitivity analysis based on an orthogonal experimental design withmultiple linear regression.A comparative study was conducted based on the out-of-control average run length,in which the developed control chart offered greater sensitivity in the detection of process shifts while making use of smaller samples on average than is the case for existing control charts.Finally,to exhibit the utility of the developed control chart,this paper presents its application using simulated data with parameters drawn from the real set of data.

Topographic tear film trend and new parameters for noninvasive break up time test

AIM:To evaluate the quantitative and qualitative results of the noninvasive tear film break-up time(NI-BUT)test and investigate the predictive ability of the new NIBUT parameter in discriminating between normal Ocular Surface Disease Index(OSDI;scores≤12)and abnormal OSDI(scores≥13).METHODS:A total of 341 eyes of 341 volunteers who applied for routine eye outpatient control were included in the prospective study.All participants'noninvasive first tear film break-up time(NIF-BUT),noninvasive average tear film break-up time(NIAvg-BUT)and average value of the first three break-up time(A3F-BUT)were analyzed.A3F-BUT,the new NI-BUT parameter,is calculated by adding the NIF-BUT value to the 2^(nd )break-up time value that has a difference of at most 1 second from the NIF-BUT value and to the 3^(rd) break-up time and then dividing the respective sum by 3.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and forward logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the parameter that had the best predictive ability between the OSDI groups.RESULTS:The NI-BUT values of 255 eyes of 255 volunteers included in the study were analyzed statistically.The mean NIF-BUT,NIAvg-BUT,and A3F-BUT values were calculated as 5.3±3.0,8±3.1,and 5.8±3.0 seconds,respectively.All three parameters were found to be significantly lower in the abnormal OSDI group(P=0.014,0.034,and 0.011,respectively).The area under the curve(AUC)of the A3F-BUT to predict abnormal OSDI was AUC=0.625(0.529-0.720),P=0.011 and NIF-BUT was AUC=0.599(0.502-0.696),P=0.043.The A3F-BUT parameter and NIF-BUT parameters were found to be significantly efficient in discriminating abnormal OSDI.CONCLUSION:The new parameter for the NI-BUT test has more predictive ability in the discrimination of OSDI groups.

Shaking table tests and dynamic analyses of masonry wall buildings with frame-shear walls at lower stories

This paper describes shaking table tests of three eight-story building models： all are masonry structures in the upper stories, with or without frame-shear walls of one- or two- stories at the bottom. The test results of damage characteristics and seismic responses are provided and compared. Then, nonlinear response analyses are conducted to examine the reliability of the dynamic analysis. Finally, many nonlinear response analyses are performed and it is concluded that for relatively hard sites under a certain lateral stiffness ratio （i.e., the ratio of the stiffness of the lowest upper masonry story to that of the frame- shear wall story）, the masonry structure with one-story frame-shear wall at the bottom performs better than a structure built entirely of masonry, and a masonry structure with frame-shear wall of two stories performs better than with one-story frame- shear wall. In relatively soft soil conditions, all three structures have similar performane. In addition, some suggestions that could be helpful for design of masonry structures with ground story of frame-shear wall structure in seismic intensity region VII, such as the appropriate lateral stiffness ratio, shear force increase factor of the frame-shear wall story, and permissible maximum height of the building, are proposed.

Validity of subjective assessment as screening tool for dry eye disease and its association with clinical tests

AIM: To determine the role of subjective assessment using Mc Monnies dry eye questionnaire in diagnosing dry eye disease and its association with clinical tests.METHODS: There were 500 patients screened for dry eye using Mc Monnies dry eye questionnaire between May to October 2013 at the outpatient Department of Ophthalmology of a medical college hospital. All 500 patients were subjected to clinical tests. Dry eye was defined as having one or more symptoms often or all the time. Positive signs were if one or both eyes revealed tear film breakup time(TBUT) of ≤10s, a Schirmer test score of ≤10 mm, a Rose Bengal staining score of ≥1, a Lissamine green staining score of ≥1 or existence of meibomian gland disease(≥grade 1). Statistical analysis was performed to describe the distribution of symptoms and signs, to assess the correlations between Mc Monnies score(MS) and variable clinical signs of dry eye, and to explore the association between dry eye symptoms and variable clinical signs. Analysis was performed using software package Epi info. A Probability(P) value using Chi-square test of 【0.005 was taken as significant.· RESULTS: Dry eye prevalence with symptoms(questionnaire), Schirmer test, TBUT, Rose Bengal staining and Lissamine green staining was 25.6%,15.20%, 20.80%, 23.60%, and 22.60% respectively. Among those with severe symptoms(MS】20), 75.86% had a low TBUT(【10s), 58.62% had a low Schirmer’s I test(≤10 mm),86.20% had Rose Bengal staining score of ≥1, 79.31%had Lissamine green staining score of ≥1. We found statistically significant associations between positive Schirmer test and arthritis(P 【0.002), dryness elsewhere(P 【0.001), contact lens use(P 【 0.002), systemic medication(P 【0.0001), sleeping with eyes partly open(P 【0.002), history of dry eyes treatment(P 【0.0001),environmental factors(P 【0.001), swimming(P 【0.001).· CONCLUSION: Subjective assessment plays an important role in diagnosing dry eye disease. There is strong correlation between MS and Schirmer test, TBUT,Rose Bengal staining and Lissamine green staining in normal as well as marginal and pathological dry eye.

Sensitivity Test and Data Analysis for Storage Reliability Assessment of Explosive Initiator

The explosive initiator is one kind of sensitivity products with long life and high reliability.In order to improve the storage reliability assessment,the method of storage reliability assessment for explosive initiator was proposed based on time series model using the sensitivity test data.In the method,the up and down test was used to estimate the distribution parameters of threshold.And an approach to design the up and down test was present to draw better estimations.Furthermore,the method of shrinkage estimation was introduced to get a better estimation of scale parameter by combining the sample information with prior information.The simulation result shows that the shrinkage estimation is better than traditional estimation under certain conditions.With the distribution parameters estimations,the time series models were used to describe the changing trends of distribution parameters along with storage time.Then for a fixed storage time,the distribution parameters were predicted based on the models.Finally,the confidence interval of storage reliability was obtained by fiducial inference.The illustrative example shows that the method is available for storage reliability assessment of the explosive initiator with high reliability.

Delayed Gastric Emptying in Anorexic Adolescents Measured with the ¹³C Octanoic Acid Breath Test

Many gastrointestinal complaints and motility disorders are described in patients suffering from different eating disorders. These have a negative impact on refeeding. This report evaluated–on admission-gastric emptying of a standardized solid meal with 13C octanoic acid breath test in anorexic adolescents. The results were compared with age and gender matched controls. Gastric emptying data were related to a subjective symptom score. 21 Anorexic girls and 3 boys (mean age: 15.6 y ± 1.3 y), body mass index (mean 15.6 kg/m2 ± 1.6 kg/m2), weight loss (mean: 22.2% ± 10.7%) were studied. T? of the gastric emptying time exceeded the P95 in 14/24 (58%) patients, classified as having delayed gastric emptying (DGE). One patient (4%) had a T? exceeding P75 and was classified as slow (SGE), whereas 9/24 (38%) patients had normal gastric emptying (NGE). In comparison to NGE, subjects with DGE had significantly higher symptom scores (p = 0.01) and more weight loss. The DGE and SGE patients lost 25.29% and 21.38% of weight respectively, whereas a weight loss of 17.64% was found in anorexics with NGE. In conclusion, gastric emptying is delayed in patients with anorexia. This is associated with more significant gastrointestinal symptoms and higher weight loss.

Changes in reaction time, coefficient of variance of reaction time, and autonomic nerve function in the mental fatigue state caused by long-term computerized Kraepelin test workload in healthy volunteers

Fatigue is a common sense caused by crushing labor, stressful social events and various illnesses. It is usually judged by their subjective symptoms, but it should be evaluated in an objective perspective. Here we show that the decrease of working efficiency and sympathetic hyperactivity are associated with mental fatigue state caused by prolonged mental workload. Recently we made a new mental fatigue model of healthy volunteers caused by long-term computerized Kraepelin test (CKT) workload. CKT is our new software for automatically checking the calculation capability, with which it is easy to determine the reaction time (RT), coefficient of variance of reaction time (CV), and accuracy of the answers (AC) during tasks. We put 24 healthy volunteers into the fatigue state by subjecting them to 120 minutes’ CKT workload, and then studied the changes in fatigue sensation, RT, CV, and AC before and after the CKT workload. The fatigue sensation, RT, and CV were clearly increased by the fatigue-inducing task and recovered during the resting period. We also studied the changes in autonomic nerve activity by using heart rate variability analysis. The low/high frequency component ratio (LF/HF) was signifi-cantly increased by the fatigue-inducing task and decreased by resting, suggesting that mental stress causes a relatively sympathetic nerve activity-dominant state. Therefore, our new fatigue model involving a long-term CKT workload is a good mental fatigue model to provide much information about the fatigue state simultane-ously, and the increase of RT, CV, and proportion of sympathetic activity (LF/HF) are associated with mental fatigue state. These might be useful objective biomarkers or evaluating a mental fatigue state.

A Study of Visual Event-Related Potential and Reaction Time in Elderly People: Comparative Analysis of the Scores of Intelligence Test in 30 Subjects

The results of visual event-related potential(ERP)examinations and reactiontime(RT)tests were reported in 30 elders and compared with their performanceintellegence quotient(PIQ)scores.The subjects consisted of 18 males and 12 femalesaged 50-71(mean 61.4)years old.No history of central nervous system disease wasfound.The visual stimuli were randomly presented to the subject,including three sym-bols:E as target stimulus with 0.15 probability,and H and E as nontarget stimuliwith 0.15 and 0.70 probability respectively.The recording electrodes were placed on Fzand Pz.The duration from the subject seeing the target to touching a button immediatelywas considered as reaction time(RT).It was shown that the P3 latency at Pz was longer than that at Fz and the P3amplitude at Pz was larger than that at Fz,and that the RT was longer than P3 latencywith obvious effect of distribution(P【0.05 at Fz and P】0.05 at Pz)as well .The higherthe PIQ scores,the longer the RT and the P3 latency.It is suggested that the ERPmight reflect the differences of PIQ scores,and the P3 is an objective index.We considerthat the research of ERP is of great interest in the neuropsychological and neurological sci-ences.

Area-time associated test cost model for SoC and lower bound of test time

A novel test access mechanism （TAM） architecture with multi test-channel （TC） based on IEEE Standard 1500 is proposed instead of the traditional sub-TAM structure. The cost model of an area-time associated test and the corresponding lower bound of system-on-chip （SoC） test time are established based on this TAM architecture. The model provides a more reliable method to control the SoC scheduling and reduces the complexity in related algorithm research. The result based on the area time associated test cost model has been validated using the ITC02 test benchmark.

CORE-UNIFIED SOC TEST DATA COMPRESSION AND APPLICATION

The pattern run-length coding test data compression approach is extended by introducing don't care bit(x) propagation strategy into it.More than one core test sets for testing core-based System-on-Chip(SoC) are unified into a single one,which is compressed by the extended coding technique.A reconfigurable scan test application mechanism is presented,in which test data for multiple cores are scanned and captured jointly to make SoC test application more efficient with low hardware overhead added.The proposed union test technique is applied to an academic SoC embedded by six large ISCAS'89 benchmarks,and to an ITC' 02 benchmark circuit.Experiment results show that compared with the existing schemes in which a core test set is compressed and applied independently of other cores,the proposed scheme can not only improve test data compression/decompression,but also reduce the redundant shift and capture cycles during scan testing,decreasing SoC test application time effectively.

Detecting the Relationship Between Summer Rainfall Anomalies in Eastern China and the SSTA in the Global Domain with a New Significance Test Method

It is suggested that the multiple samples in a correlation map or a set of correlation maps should be examined with significance tests as per the Bernoulli probability model. Therefore, both the contemporaneous and lag correlations of summertime precipitation R in any one of the three regions of Northern China (NC), the Changjiang-Huaihe River Valley (CHRV), and Southern China (SC) with the SSTA in the global domain have been tested in the present article, using our significance test method and the method proposed by Livezey and Chen (1983) respectively. Our results demonstrate that the contemporaneous correlations of summer R in CHRV with the SSTA are larger than those in NC. Significant correlations of SSTA with CHRV R are found to be in some warm SST regions in the tropics, whereas those of SSTA with NC R, which are opposite in sign as compared to the SSTA-CHRV R correlations, are found to be in some regions where the mean SSTs are low. In comparison with the patterns of the contemporaneous correlations, the 1 to 12 month lag correlations between NC R and SSTA, and those between CHRV summer R and SSTA show similar patterns, including the magnitudes and signs, and the spatial distributions of the coefficients. However, the summer rainfall in SC is not well correlated with the SSTA, no matter how long the lag interval is. The results derived from the observations have set up a relationship frame connecting the precipitation anomalies in NC, CHRV, and SC with the SSTA in the global domain, which is critically useful for our understanding and predicting the climate variabilities in different parts of China. Both NC and CHRV summer R are connected with El Nio events, showing a ‘––’pattern in an El Nio year and a ‘+ +’ pattern in the subsequent year.

Research on characters of surrounding rock in complex geology conditions and supporting time

The methods combined by test, field monitoring and theoretical analysis were adopted to do the systemic research on the rock mass from micro-structure to macro-deformation, and rheological model of Jinchuan rock mass was established to discuss the reasonable supporting time. Results show that supporting after suitable stress and displacement release can benefit for the long-term stability of surrounding rock.

Detection and attribution of abrupt climate changes in the last one hundred years

Based on physical backgrounds, the four time series of the Guliya （Tibetan plateau） ice core （GIC） 5180, and three natural factors, i.e. the rotation rate of earth, sunspots, and E1 Nino-Southern Oscillation （ENSO） signals, are decomposed into two hierarchies, i.e. more and less than 10-year hierarchies respectively, and then the running t-test is used to reanalyse the data before and after filtering with the purpose of investigating the contribution of natural factors to the abrupt climate changes in the last one hundred years. The results show that the GIC 5180 evolved with a quasi-period of 7-9 years, and the abrupt climate changes in the early 1960s and in the period from the end of the 1970s to the beginning of the 1980s resulted from the joint effect of the two hierarchies, in other words, the two interdecadal abrupt changes of climate in the last one hundred years were global. The interannual variations of ENSO and sunspots were the important triggering factors for the abrupt climate changes in the last one hundred years. At the same time, the method of Information Transfer （IT） is employed to estimate the contributions of ENSO signals and sunspots activities to the abrupt climate changes, and it is found that the contribution of the interannual variation of ENSO signals is relatively large.

Delay-dependent stability and added damping of SDOF real-time dynamic hybrid testing

It is well-recognized that a transfer system response delay that reduces the test stability inevitably exists in real-time dynamic hybrid testing （RTDHT）. This paper focuses on the delay-dependent stability and added damping of SDOF systems in RTDHT. The exponential delay term is transferred into a rational fraction by the Pad6 approximation, and the delay-dependent stability conditions and instability mechanism of SDOF RTDHT systems are investigated by the root locus technique. First, the stability conditions are discussed separately for the cases of stiffness, mass, and damping experimental substructure. The use of root locus plots shows that the added damping effect and instability mechanism for mass are different from those for stiffness. For the stiffness experimental substructure case, the instability results from the inherent mode because of an obvious negative damping effect of the delay. For the mass case, the delay introduces an equivalent positive damping into the inherent mode, and instability occurs at an added high frequency mode. Then, the compound stability condition is investigated for a general case and the results show that the mass ratio may have both upper and lower limits to remain stable. Finally, a high-emulational virtual shaking table model is built to validate the stability conclusions.

The effect of urine pregnancy testing on timing of accessing antenatal care and abortion services in Western Nigeria

Objective: Effective confirmation of pregnancy is a basic component of reproductive health services. It is a determinant for accessing antenatal care (ANC) if the pregnancy is wanted and abortion services if the pregnancy is unwanted. This study examined the effect of urine pregnancy testing in the timing of presentation for pregnancy care. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 320 women presenting for antenatal care and 300 women presenting for abortion at private sector clinics in Western Nigeria. Results: The median age at first presentation was 20 weeks for ANC clients and 8 weeks for abortion clients. Obtaining urine pregnancy test of one’s accord was associated with a decrease in the gestational age at presentation of 3.7 weeks and 1.5 weeks for antenatal and abortion clients, respectively, independent of all other factors. Conclusion: Bearing in mind that the clinical benefit and public health impact of early presentation for antenatal and abortion services are unequivocal, strategies aimed at decreasing gestational age at presentation for pregnancy care should be given priority. “Fast-track” urine pregnancy testing services should be promoted in the private and public clinics in Nigeria.

Prevalence of Dry Eye and Its Association with Various Risk Factors in Rural Setup of Western Uttar Pradesh in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Purpose: To study the prevalence of dry eye in a hospital based population of rural setup and to evaluate its association with various risk factors. Material and Methods: In this cross sectional study, patients above 20 years of age were screened randomly for dry eye. An 8 points questionnaires, slit lamp examination of meibomian glands, tear film breakup time, fluorescein staining of cornea, schirmer test were used to diagnose dry eye. The diagnosis was made when three of the five parameters were positive. The role of various occupations as well as role of different exposure factors like sunlight, excessive wind, smoking, drugs, and air pollution as dry eye risk factors was accessed. Result: Out of 445, 45.39% patients had dry eye. Dry eye prevalence was higher in those above 70 years of age (74%). It was higher in male population (51.82%) compare to female population (37.37%), nearly equal in rural (46.04%) and urban population (44.31%) and highest among factory workers (90%). Correlation of dry eye with drugs (P = 0.0002), sunlight/high temperature (P = 0.0003) and smoking (P = 0.03) were significant. Conclusion: This is a hospital based study which provides prevalence of dry eye in rural region of western Uttar Pradesh. It is more common in old age male population and significantly higher in factory workers. Out of different modifiable risk factors most important are drugs, sunlight/high temperature and smoking.

Liver test abnormalities in asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 patients and their association with viral shedding time

BACKGROUND Asymptomatic infections and mild symptoms are common in patients infected with the Omicron variant,and data on liver test abnormalities are rare.AIM To evaluated the clinical characteristics of asymptomatic and mild coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)patients with abnormal liver test results.METHODS This retrospective study included 661 laboratory-confirmed asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 patients who were treated in two makeshift hospitals in Ningbo from April 5,2022 to April 29,2022.Clinical information and viral shedding time were collected,and univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were performed in statistical analyses.RESULTS Of the 661 patients,83(12.6%)had liver test abnormalities,and 6(0.9%)had liver injuries.Abnormal liver tests revealed a reliable correlation with a history of liver disease(P<0.001)and a potential correlation with male sex and obesity(P<0.05).Elevated alanine aminotransferase was reliably associated with obesity(P<0.05)and a history of liver disease(P<0.001).Elevated aspartate transaminase(AST)was reliably correlated with a history of liver disease(P<0.001),and potentially correlated with age over 30 years(P<0.05).There was a reliable correlation between AST≥2×the upper limit of normal and a longer viral shedding time,especially in mild cases.CONCLUSION Obesity and a history of liver disease are risk factors for liver test abnormalities.Being male and an older age are potential risk factors.Attention should be given to liver tests in asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 patients,which has crucial clinical significance for evaluating the viral shedding time.

Detecting Nonlinear Dynamics Using BDS Test and Surrogate Data in Financial Time Series

Physicists experimentalists use many observations of a phenomenon, which are the unknown equations that describe it, in order to understand the dynamics and obtain information on their future behavior. In this article we study the possibility of reproducing the dynamics of the phenomenon using only a measurement scale. The Whitney immersion theorem ideas are presented and generalization of Sauer for fractal sets to rebuild the asymptotic behavior of the phenomena and to investigate evidence of nonlinear dynamics in the reproduced dynamics using the Brock, Dechert, Scheinkman test (BDS). The applications are made in the financial market which are only known stock prices.

Research on Time-Synchronization-Based Test and Control System of Aeroengine

This paper presents a method of NTP-based time synchronization and a strategy of master-slave server structured time synchronization to ensure the test and control system of aeroengine to be time-synchronized. Based on time synchronization, the hierarchy and the integration of the measurement and control system of aeroengine are investigated. In result, our method is successfully applied for multiple front-end tests in a simulative altitude test facility of aeroengine.

Analyzing Effect of Demand Rate on Safety of Systems with Periodic Proof-tests

Quantitative safety assessment of safety systems plays an important role in decision making at all stages of system lifecycle, i.e., design, deployment and phase out. Most safety assessment methods consider only system parameters, such as configuration, hazard rate, coverage, repair rate, etc. along with periodic proof-tests （or inspection）. Not considering demand rate will give a pessimistic safety estimate for an application with low demand rate such as nuclear power plants, chemical plants, etc. In this paper, a basic model of IEC 61508 is used. The basic model is extended to incorporate process demand and behavior of electronic- and/or computer-based system following diagnosis or proof-test. A new safety index, probability of failure on actual demand （PFAD） based on extended model and demand rate is proposed. Periodic proof-test makes the model semi-Markovian, so a piece-wise continuous time Markov chain （CTMC） based method is used to derive mean state probabilities of elementary or aggregated state. Method to determine probability of failure on demand （PFD） （IEC 61508） and PFAD based on these state probabilities are described. In example, safety indices of PFD and PFAD are compared.