Imaging characteristics of brain microstructure and cerebral perfusion in Crohn’s disease patients with anxiety: A prospective comparative study

BACKGROUND Anxiety is a common comorbidity in patients with Crohn’s disease(CD).Data on the imaging characteristics of brain microstructure and cerebral perfusion in CD with anxiety are limited.AIM To compare the imaging characteristics of brain microstructure and cerebral perfusion among CD patients with or without anxiety and healthy individuals.METHODS This prospective comparative study enrolled consecutive patients with active CD and healthy individuals who visited the study hospital between January 2022 and January 2023.Anxiety was measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety.The imaging characteristics of brain microstructure and cerebral perfusion were measured by diffusion kurtosis imaging and intravoxel incoherent motion.RESULTSA total of 57 participants were enrolled. Among the patients with active CD, 16 had anxiety. Compared withhealthy individuals, patients with active CD demonstrated significantly lower radial kurtosis values in the rightcerebellar region 6, lower axial kurtosis (AK) values in the right insula, left superior temporal gyrus, and rightthalamus, and higher slow and fast apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCslow and ADCfast) in the bilateral frontal lobe,bilateral temporal lobe, and bilateral insular lobe (all P < 0.05). Compared with patients with CD without anxiety,patients with CD and anxiety exhibited significantly higher ADCslow values in the left insular lobe and lower AKvalues in the right insula and right anterior cuneus (all P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONThere are variations in brain microstructure and perfusion among CD patients with/without anxiety and healthyindividuals, suggesting potential use in assessing anxiety-related changes in active CD.

The relationship between compartment models and their stochastic counterparts:A comparative study with examples of the COVID-19 epidemic modeling

Deterministic compartment models(CMs)and stochastic models,including stochastic CMs and agent-based models,are widely utilized in epidemic modeling.However,the relationship between CMs and their corresponding stochastic models is not well understood.The present study aimed to address this gap by conducting a comparative study using the susceptible,exposed,infectious,and recovered(SEIR)model and its extended CMs from the coronavirus disease 2019 modeling literature.We demonstrated the equivalence of the numerical solution of CMs using the Euler scheme and their stochastic counterparts through theoretical analysis and simulations.Based on this equivalence,we proposed an efficient model calibration method that could replicate the exact solution of CMs in the corresponding stochastic models through parameter adjustment.The advancement in calibration techniques enhanced the accuracy of stochastic modeling in capturing the dynamics of epidemics.However,it should be noted that discrete-time stochastic models cannot perfectly reproduce the exact solution of continuous-time CMs.Additionally,we proposed a new stochastic compartment and agent mixed model as an alternative to agent-based models for large-scale population simulations with a limited number of agents.This model offered a balance between computational efficiency and accuracy.The results of this research contributed to the comparison and unification of deterministic CMs and stochastic models in epidemic modeling.Furthermore,the results had implications for the development of hybrid models that integrated the strengths of both frameworks.Overall,the present study has provided valuable epidemic modeling techniques and their practical applications for understanding and controlling the spread of infectious diseases.

Comparative Study of the Reliability and Complexity of Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Cryptosystems for the Protection of Academic Data in the Democratic Republic of Congo

In the digital age, the data exchanged within a company is a wealth of knowledge. The survival, growth and influence of a company in the short, medium and long term depend on it. Indeed, it is the lifeblood of any modern company. A companys operational and historical data contains strategic and operational knowledge of ever-increasing added value. The emergence of a new paradigm: big data. Today, the value of the data scattered throughout this mother of knowledge is calculated in billions of dollars, depending on its size, scope and area of intervention. With the rise of computer networks and distributed systems, the threats to these sensitive resources have steadily increased, jeopardizing the existence of the company itself by drying up production and losing the interest of customers and suppliers. These threats range from sabotage to bankruptcy. For several decades now, most companies have been using encryption algorithms to protect and secure their information systems against the threats and dangers posed by the inherent vulnerabilities of their infrastructure and the current economic climate. This vulnerability requires companies to make the right choice of algorithms to implement in their management systems. For this reason, the present work aims to carry out a comparative study of the reliability and effectiveness of symmetrical and asymmetrical cryptosystems, in order to identify one or more suitable for securing academic data in the DRC. The analysis of the robustness of commonly used symmetric and asymmetric cryptosystems will be the subject of simulations in this article.

Quantitative Comparative Study of the Performance of Lossless Compression Methods Based on a Text Data Model

Data compression plays a key role in optimizing the use of memory storage space and also reducing latency in data transmission. In this paper, we are interested in lossless compression techniques because their performance is exploited with lossy compression techniques for images and videos generally using a mixed approach. To achieve our intended objective, which is to study the performance of lossless compression methods, we first carried out a literature review, a summary of which enabled us to select the most relevant, namely the following: arithmetic coding, LZW, Tunstall’s algorithm, RLE, BWT, Huffman coding and Shannon-Fano. Secondly, we designed a purposive text dataset with a repeating pattern in order to test the behavior and effectiveness of the selected compression techniques. Thirdly, we designed the compression algorithms and developed the programs (scripts) in Matlab in order to test their performance. Finally, following the tests conducted on relevant data that we constructed according to a deliberate model, the results show that these methods presented in order of performance are very satisfactory:- LZW- Arithmetic coding- Tunstall algorithm- BWT + RLELikewise, it appears that on the one hand, the performance of certain techniques relative to others is strongly linked to the sequencing and/or recurrence of symbols that make up the message, and on the other hand, to the cumulative time of encoding and decoding.

Comparative Study on the Development Levels of Cold Chain Logistics for Agricultural Products between China and Developed Countries Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process

By introducing the analytic hierarchy process （AHP）, a model is constructed to compare the logistics development level of cold chain for agricultural products between China and other developed countries such as United States, Japan and Euro- pean. The paper makes a comparative study on the development levels of agricultural cold chain logistics in China and developed countries from the aspects of the level of cold chain logistics facilities and equipments, the degree of cold chain logistics market-oriented and the capacity of cold chain logistics, then determines the problems of cold chain logistics in China. With the experiences learning from developed countries, some countermeasures are proposed to resolve those problems of cold chain logistics for agricultural products development combining with the national conditions in China.

The Comparative Study of the Structure of the Chinese and English Simile

Simile, as a kind of commonly used rhetoric, plays a vital role in people＇s daily life. The appropriate using of simile can make language much more refine, veracious, and lifelike, can vividly present the person, the thing, the scene and so on to achieve better effects. Simile makes the finishing point in Chinese and English. However, because of the differences on culture, history, geography, customs, expressing ways and so on, there are some structural differences between Chinese and English simile. This paper will carry out the comparative study on the structure of Chinese and English simile.

Comparative Study on Lin Yutang’s Translation Principle and Skopos Theory’s Three Rules of Translation

An review of the similarities and disparities on the ideas of translation between Lin Yutang’s translation principle and German Functional School’s Skopos Theory finds that,for the three rules in both theories,two rules which involve fidelity and smoothness/coherence share some similarities.Though both Lin and Skopos Theory argue that fidelity and smoothness/coher?ence are significant indicators for translation,their focus and priority are not identical.Lin stresses the importance of beauty while Skopos Theory focuses on the skopos of the translation.Lin’s translation rules are more suitable for literature translation,while Skopos Theory is more popular among those who conduct instrumental translation and documentary translation.

Exploring Nominalization in English Abstracts of Applied Linguistics Research Articles:A Comparative Study Between Chinese and International Journals

Researchers around the world strive to communicate new knowledge,primarily via publication,with the abstract being crucial in conveying core insights.Previous research has generally analyzed the discourse features of abstracts from a macro perspective and often employed either outdated texts,such as those over a decade old,or papers written by authors with lower English academic writing proficiency as research material.In this study,we analyzed forty abstracts from leading journals in applied linguistics,evenly split between Chinese and international journals.It revealed that the use of nominalization in abstracts by Chinese and international scholars showed similarities due to the universal academic requirement for conciseness.However,due to cultural and educational differences,each group differed in their respective language choices and nominalization usage.By analyzing the application of nominalization in different cultural contexts,the results of our study offered practical suggestions for crafting abstracts that effectively convey information,thereby,contributing to the broader academic community.

A Comparative Study on the Tense-Aspect of Auxiliary in English and Chinese

The aim of the paper is to give a general comparison about the structural composition of the AUX in English and Chinese mainly from the perspective of tense-aspect.Based on the basic construction of English AUX system,which includes such elements as Tense,Modal,Perfect aspect,Progressive aspect and Passive,the paper focuses on comparing the syntactic characteristics of tense element in the two languages.The final part of the paper briefly summarized predicted learning problems that Chinese learners of English as well as English learners of Chinese would have in learning English and Chinese respectively.

Comparative study of HFACS and the 24Model accident causation models

A comparative study is conducted to compare the theory and application effect of two accident causation models, the human factors analysis and classification system（HFACS） and the accident causation ＂2-4＂ model（24 Model）, as well as to provide a reference for safety researchers and accident investigators to select an appropriate accident analysis method. The two models are compared in terms of their theoretical foundations, cause classifications, accident analysis processes, application ranges, and accident prevention strategies. A coal and gas outburst accident is then analyzed using both models, and the application results are compared. This study shows that both the 24 Model and HFACS have strong theoretical foundations, and they can each be applied in various domains. In addition, the cause classification in HFACS is more practical, and its accident analysis process is more convenient. On the other hand, the 24 Model includes external factors, which makes the cause analysis more systematic and comprehensive. Moreover, the 24 Model puts forward more corresponding measures to prevent accidents.

A comparative study of the main factors controlling geohazards induced by 10 strong earthquakes in Western China since the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008

Determining the main controlling factors of earthquake-triggered geohazards is a prerequisite for studying earthquake geohazards and post-disaster emergency response.By studying these factors,the geomorphic and geological factors controlling the nature,condition,and distribution of earthquake-induced geohazards can be analyzed.Such insights facilitate earthquake disaster prediction and emergency response planning.The authors combined field investigations and spatial data analysis to examine geohazards induced by seismic events,examining ten earthquakes including the Wenchuan,Yushu,Lushan events,to elucidate the main control factors of seismic geohazard.The authors observed that seismic geohazard occurrence is usually affected by many factors,among which active nature of the seismogenic fault,seismic peak ground acceleration(PGA),topographic slope and geomorphic height differences,and distance from the fault zone and river system are the most important.Compared with strike-slip earthquakes,thrust earthquakes induce more high-altitude and high-speed remote landslides,which can cause great harm.Slopes of 0°–40°are prone to secondary seismic geohazards,which are mainly concentrated 0–6 km from the river system.Secondary geohazards are not only related to seismogenic fault but also influenced by the associated faults in the earthquake area.The maximum seismic PGA and secondary seismic geohazard number are positively correlated,and the horizontal and vertical ground motions play leading and promoting roles in secondary geohazard formation,respectively.Through the research,the spatial distribution of seismic geohazards is predicted,providing a basis for the formulation of emergency response plans following disasters.

Comparative Study on Spatial Forms of Ancient Waterside Towns Based on Google Earth Pro-Taking the Example of Qingmuchuan,Fenghuang and Houliu in Southern Shaanxi,China

The purpose of this study is to address the problem of ancient towns dying out in developing countries,particularly China.Intensifying conflicts between human settlements and the natural environment are described,and guidelines are proposed for the development of waterside ancient towns in China’s southern Shaanxi Province in the interest of conserving cultural and natural heritage.The towns of Qingmuchuan,Fenghuang and Houliu were selected as representative examples due to their strong reputation among tourists.They have the characteristics of traditional southern Shaanxi towns,but each has a completely different layout,space and structure.The comparative findings of this research provide a point of reference for establishing guidelines to preserve the integrity of ancient towns worldwide.In this paper,we compare the geographical conditions with the layout and texture of the streets by Google Earth Pro.And we analyze the details of spaces along the river zones,architectural styles and building decorations in order to research the relationship between the natural environment and the human settlement conditions.We note the unfortunate common trend of commercial development steadily taking over the natural environment,particularly the rivers and unique elements of the old towns.Finally,we summarize the similarities and differences of the spatial forms among these towns and put forward proposals for the further development of ancient towns.This research is important for all regions which stand to lose their national treasures.Consequently,measures should be to taken to curtail hyper development before we lose our historicscenery.

A comparative study on the performances of synthetic diamond made by belt press & cubic press

There are mainly two kinds of equipment to produce synthetic diamond,namely belt press & cubic press.It has been customary in the industry to regard synthetic diamond produced by cubic press is inferior to that made by belt press.With the on-going improvement in technology,know-how & accumulated experiences, perhaps it’ s time for us to review the qualities & performances of synthetic diamond made by the cubic press more objectively.Studies were carried out on the performances of the two kinds of diamond by choosing from top brands & top qualities,with coarser mesh sizes 20/30 & 30/40.Comparisons were made on parameters, such as TI,TTI,PPC,bulk density,compact,roughness and arealight.And the diamonds chosen were used to produce the relevant diamond core drill bits and saw blades,their respective cutting performances such as cutting efficiency,segments consumption were measured and reported in this paper.The report demonstrates that producing the high quality diamond does not depend on the type of presses(Belt or Cubic) but rather on the know-how,technology and what it is made.

A Comparative Study of Genetic Algorithm Parameters for the Inverse Problem-based Fault Diagnosis of Liquid Rocket Propulsion Systems

Fault diagnosis of liquid rocket propulsion systems （LRPSs） is a very important issue in space launch activities particularly when manned space missions are accompanied, since the safety and reliability can be significantly enhanced by exploiting an efficient fault diagnosis system. Currently, inverse problem-based diagnosis has attracted a great deal of research attention in fault diagnosis domain. This methodology provides a new strategy to model-based fault diagnosis for monitoring the health of propulsion systems. To solve the inverse problems arising from the fault diagnosis of LRPSs, GAs have been adopted in recent years as the first and effective choice of available numerical optimization tools. However, the GA has many control parameters to be chosen in advance and there still lack sound theoretical tools to analyze the effects of these parameters on diagnostic performance analytically. In this paper a comparative study of the influence of GA parameters on diagnostic results is conducted by performing a series of numerical experiments. The objective of this study is to investigate the contribution of individual algorithm parameter to final diagnostic result and provide reasonable estimates for choosing GA parameters in the inverse problem-based fault diagnosis of LRPSs. Some constructive remarks are made in conclusion and will be helpful for the implementation of GA to the fault diagnosis practice of LRPSs in the future.

A multicenter clinical comparative study of domestically produced implant contraceptive No. I and No. II with Norplant (Three years' follow-up)

Objective: To compare the efficacy, side-effects and acceptability of domestic produced implant No. I and No. II with Norplant. Method: A multicentered randomized prospective clinical trial was conducted in ten centers in Chi na since 1993. Every center have recruited 100 cases for each of the three types of implants. Results: Altogether l, 001 cases of No. I, 1, 000 cases of No. II and 998 cases of Norplant were recruited. The follow--up rate was 99. 2% at the end of 24 months and 99. 1% at the end of 36 months. One pregnancy in No. I implant occurred & months after insertion and the net cumulative pregnancy rate was 0. 1 per 100 women. Total discontinuation rates were 15. 1, 14. 1, and 12. 9 per 100 women in NO. I, No. II and Norplant groups respectively. Among them about 75% of discontinuation was due to the menstrual problems. The incidence of side-effects were 22. 6%, 19. 0% and 19. 7% respectively at 36 months follow--up. There was no significant differences in efficacy and side effects among these three types of implant. Conclusion: The result of this three-years’ follow--up indicated that the domestic products implant No. I and No. II just as Norplant are long term, highly effective contraceptive and have been accepted in different area by different people. It will be widely selected by women of reproductive age in China.

Comparative study of different theories on active earth pressure

Determination of distribution and magnitude of active earth pressure is crucial in retaining wall designs. A number of analytical theories on active earth pressure were presented. Yet, there are limited studies on comparison between the theories. In this work, comparison between the theories with finite element analysis is done using the PLAXIS software. The comparative results show that in terms of distribution and magnitude of active earth pressure, RANKINE＇s theory possesses the highest match to the PLAXIS analysis. Parametric studies were also done to study the responses of active earth pressure distribution to varying parameters Increasing soil friction angle and wall friction causes decrease in active earth pressure. In contrast, active earth pressure increases with increasing soil unit weight and height of wall. RANK/NE＇s theory has the highest compatibility to finite element analysis among all theories, and utilization of this theory leads to proficient retaining wall design.

The Research on the Current Situation of English Interpreting Studies in Three Northeastern Provinces of China

Since the Master of Translation and Interpreting has been established under the approval of the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council and the Chinese Ministry of Education, translation discipline stepped into a rapid development period in China as well as the research of interpreting studies. This paper aimed at providing a brief introduction of the current situation and existing problems of English interpreting studies in Three Northeastern Provinces of China under the comparative analysis of literature in CNKI China Academic Journal Network Publishing Database from 2004 to 2013.

Comparative study on industry agglomeration of the five E＆I industrial parks in Shaanxi Province

As the significant regional development driving, industry agglomeration has become one of the most interested for industrial economist and regional economist. This paper chooses the main five E＆I industrial parks in Shaanxi Province as the research object, and systematically compares their industry agglomerations, such as the situations, patterns, development approaches, and so on. Finally, based on the situation of the five E＆I industrial parks, combined with the power and the attraction of sub-sectors industry, some suggestions on the formation and consolidation of agglomeration effect for each park are proposed.

A Comparative Study of Teacher Autonomy Between Novice Teachers and Proficient Teachers in the Context of University English Teaching Reform in China

Teacher autonomy has become a popular focus in the field of teacher education at present. The development of learner autonomy depends largely on teacher autonomy. Teacher autonomy is also one of the most effective ways to support teachers in their classroom practice, as well as to improve and expand their professional preparation and practices. Apart from that, the research of teacher autonomy at different phases of teachers＇ professional development may provide insight into how to strengthen their autonomy capability and to better understand the differences in teachers＇ development at different stages. The current study aims to explore the different level of how university novice and proficient English teachers see themselves as autonomous practitioners on the five dimensions of teacher autonomy： teaching autonomy, assessment autonomy, school management autonomy, professional development autonomy, and curriculum development autonomy. In addition, it proposes coping strategies to facilitate the development of teacher autonomy, which may shed some light on cultivating teacher autonomy for teachers at different developing stages, development of expertise, and teacher education.

Comparative study on the two translations of The Analects

Introduction:The Analects, recording Confucius and his disciples’ talking andteaching, was written in the period of Spring and Autumn