Reevaluating health metrics:Unraveling the limitations of disabilityadjusted life years as an indicator in disease burden assessment

In 1993,the World Bank released a global report on the efficacy of health promotion,introducing the disability-adjusted life years(DALY)as a novel indicator.The DALY,a composite metric incorporating temporal and qualitative data,is grounded in preferences regarding disability status.This review delineates the algorithm used to calculate the value of the proposed DALY synthetic indicator and elucidates key methodological challenges associated with its application.In contrast to the quality-adjusted life years approach,derived from multi-attribute utility theory,the DALY stands as an independent synthetic indicator that adopts the assumptions of the Time Trade Off utility technique to define Disability Weights.Claiming to rely on no mathematical or economic theory,DALY users appear to have exempted themselves from verifying whether this indicator meets the classical properties required of all indicators,notably content validity,reliability,specificity,and sensitivity.The DALY concept emerged primarily to facilitate comparisons of the health impacts of various diseases globally within the framework of the Global Burden of Disease initiative,leading to numerous publications in international literature.Despite widespread adoption,the DALY synthetic indicator has prompted significant methodological concerns since its inception,manifesting in inconsistent and non-reproducible results.Given the substantial diffusion of the DALY indicator and its critical role in health impact assessments,a reassessment is warranted.This reconsideration is imperative for enhancing the robustness and reliability of public health decisionmaking processes.

Improvement of Radar Quantitative Precipitation Estimation Based on Real-Time Adjustments to Z-R Relationships and Inverse Distance Weighting Correction Schemes

The errors in radar quantitative precipitation estimations consist not only of systematic biases caused by random noises but also spatially nonuniform biases in radar rainfall at individual rain-gauge stations. In this study, a real-time adjustment to the radar reflectivity rainfall rates （Z R） relationship scheme and the gauge-corrected, radar-based, estimation scheme with inverse distance weighting interpolation was devel- oped. Based on the characteristics of the two schemes, the two-step correction technique of radar quantitative precipitation estimation is proposed. To minimize the errors between radar quantitative precipitation es- timations and rain gauge observations, a real-time adjustment to the Z R relationship scheme is used to remove systematic bias on the time-domain. The gauge-corrected, radar-based, estimation scheme is then used to eliminate non-uniform errors in space. Based on radar data and rain gauge observations near the Huaihe River, the two-step correction technique was evaluated using two heavy-precipitation events. The results show that the proposed scheme improved not only in the underestimation of rainfall but also reduced the root-mean-square error and the mean relative error of radar-rain gauge pairs.

Adaptability of anticipatory postural adjustments associated with voluntary movement

The control of balance is crucial for efficiently performing most of our daily motor tasks, such as those involving goal-directed arm movements or whole body displacement. The purpose of this article is twofold. Firstly, it is to recall how balance can be maintained despite the different sources of postural perturbation arising during voluntary movement. The importance of the so-called "anticipatory postural adjustments"(APA), taken as a "line of defence" against the destabilizing effect induced by a predicted perturbation, is emphasized. Secondly, it is to report the results of recent studies that questioned the adaptability of APA to various constraints imposed on the postural system. The postural constraints envisaged here are classified into biomechanical(postural stability, superimposition of motor tasks),(neuro) physiological(fatigue), temporal(time pressure) and psychological(fear of falling, emotion). Overall, the results of these studies point out the capacity of the central nervous system(CNS) to adapt the spatio-temporal features of APA to each of theseconstraints. However, it seems that, depending on the constraint, the "priority" of the CNS was focused on postural stability maintenance, on body protection and/or on maintenance of focal movement performance.

Sap flow characteristics and physiological adjustments of two dominant tree species in pure and mixed plantations in the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China

It is essential to understand the water consumption characteristics and physiological adjustments of tree species under drought conditions,as well as the effects of pure and mixed plantations on these characteristics in semi-arid regions.In this study,the normalized sap flow(SFn),leaf water potential,stomatal conductance(gs),and photosynthetic rate(Pr)were monitored for two dominant species,i.e.,Pinus tabuliformis and Hippophae rhamnoides,in both pure and mixed plantations in a semi-arid region of Chinese Loess Plateau.A threshold-delay model showed that the lower rainfall thresholds(RL)for P.tabuliformis and H.rhamnoides in pure plantations were 9.6 and 11.0 mm,respectively,and the time lags(τ)after rainfall were 1.15 and 1.76 d for corresponding species,respectively.The results indicated that P.tabuliformis was more sensitive to rainfall pulse than H.rhamnoides.In addition,strong stomatal control allowed P.tabuliformis to experience low gsand Prin response to drought,while maintaining a high midday leaf water potential(Ψm).However,H.rhamnoides maintained high gsand Prat a lowΨmexpense.Therefore,P.tabuliformis and H.rhamnoides can be considered as isohydric and anisohydric species,respectively.In mixed plantation,the values of RLfor P.tabuliformis and H.rhamnoides were 6.5 and 8.9 mm,respectively;and the values ofτwere 0.86 and 1.61 d for corresponding species,respectively,which implied that mixed afforestation enhanced the rainfall pulse sensitivity for both two species,especially for P.tabuliformis.In addition,mixed afforestation significantly reduced SFn,gs,and Prfor P.tabuliformis(P<0.05),while maintaining a high leaf water potential status.However,no significant effect of mixed afforestation of H.rhamnoides was observed at the expense of leaf water potential status in response to drought.Although inconsistent physiological responses were adopted by these species,the altered water consumption characteristics,especially for P.tabuliformis indicated that the mixed afforestation requires further investigation.

BUNDLE ADJUSTMENTS CCD CAMERA CALIBRATION BASED ON COLLI NEARITY EQUATION

The solid template CCD camera calibration method of bundle adjustments basedon collinearity equation is presented considering the characteristics of space large-dimensionon-line measurement. In the method, a more comprehensive camera model is adopted which is based onthe pinhole model extended with distortions corrections. In the process of calibration, calibrationprecision is improved by imaging at different locations in the whole measurement space,multi-imaging at the same location and bundle adjustments optimization. The calibration experimentproves that the calibration method is able to fulfill calibration requirement of CCD camera appliedto vision measurement.

Discussion on Adjustments of Redundancies in C-E Interpretation

Information redundancy is one of the important factors of successful language communication.It makes the implications more obvious and clearly,which helps the receiver get enough information,making the interpreters complete the task successfully.However,if an interpreter just translates the Information redundancy without any adjustment in C-E interpretation,it will cause the overloads or loss of information which will affect a successful communication.The article discussed the ways to adjust Information redundancy in C-E interpretation in order to achieve dynamic redundancy equivalence through practices and examples.

A Methodology for Introducing M&V Adjustments during an Energy Retrofit Impact Assessment

The assessment of an energy retrofit necessarily requires an energy measurement campaign before (base year energy consumption) and after (post retrofit energy consumption) the retrofit. Only in this way is it possible to reach a safe conclusion, on the true retrofit impact. In addition, a number of adjustments are necessary to secure that the retrofit impact on energy consumption is effectively isolated, i.e., which we report on the true retrofit impact and not, for example, on external variations, such as a more mild winter. This paper introduces a conceptual framework for taking account, in the retrofit impact assessment, of three external parameters: weather, indoor comfort and space occupancy. The broader strategy behind this work is to develop a comprehensive methodology that would allow a cost efficient, fast and accurate assessment of energy retrofits in buildings. This would allow insight, on the investor side, as to the prudence of his investment and, and in this way, could help the proliferation of the practice of energy retrofits. The adjustment methodology, introduced here, is a first step in this direction.

Proposing Adjustments to the Dry Season Inter-Reservoir Operation Rules of the Red River System to Improve Water Use Efficiency of the Reservoirs

The Red-Thai Binh River system is an important water resource to the Northern Delta, serving the development of agriculture, people’s livelihood and other economic sectors through its upstream reservoirs and a system of water abstraction works along the rivers. However, due to the impact of climate change and pressure from socio-economic development, the operation of the reservoir system according to Decision No. 740/QD-TTg was issued on June 17, 2019 by the Prime Minister of Government promulgating the Red-Thai Binh River system inter-reservoir operation rules (Operation rules 740) has some shortcomings that need adjustments for higher water use efficiency, meeting downstream water demand and power generation benefits. Through the results of water balance calculation and analysis of economic benefits from water use scenarios, this research proposed adjustment to the inter-reservoir operation during dry season in the Red River system. The result showed that an average water level of 1.0 - 1.7 m should be maintained at Hanoi during the increased release period.

Influences of Border Carbon Adjustments on China's Foreign Trade

The EU, the United States and other economies, with the intention to implement unilateral trade measures Border Carbon Adjustments, impose emission reduction pressure on developing countries. Once implemented, the measures will have great impact on China's foreign trade. Using the input-output table in 2007, this paper had analyzed the influences on China's foreign trade as a whole and sub-sectors in three tax rates scenarios. The results showed that the tariff level of China's exports will increase by 3.6%-6.3% if the tax was levied on exports embodied emissions, and by 1.0%-1.7% if levied on export direct emissions. In 2007, the former total amount of carbon tax was about US$42.6-73.0 billion, 4 times that of the latter. Based on export embodied emissions, sectors largely influenced were non-traditional energy intensive ones, such as textile, et al. These sectors should be encour-aged to carry out industrial upgrading, raising the value-added of export goods, and reducing their embodied emissions by reduction of energy intensity. Taking into account of the complexity of data collection, the tax levied on products direct emission is more operational. The results showed that the five top sectors most affected were other chemical materials, processing of petroleum and nuclear fuel, coking, smelting and rolling of ferrous metal and textile. Most of them were energy intensive sectors. Therefore, adjusting export products structure, and controlling too fast development of energy intensive industries are also important strategies in China.

Frequent Crises Usher in Deepgoing Adjustments

The past year witnessed an extremely complicated world scene characterised byemergence of frequent crises accompanied by deepgoing adjustments as well asof fierce competition coupled with strengthening cooperation. The dangers of finan-cial storms, economic recession, political turmoils and military jeopardies emergingat the turn of the century bring to the world both big-scale tensions on the negativeside and unusual early warnings on the positive side. The tendencies toward glob-alization, multi-polarization and a new-type relationship among nations have

Study on the Spatial Characteristics and Adjustments of the Tourist Demands in China

With the development of the social economy, Chinese tourism will surely change from medium scale to massive scale. As people are more and more focusing on the inner values of life style, new types of tourist demands will emerge at anytime, and the spatial structure of tourist demands will show new characteristics as well Until now there is few study on tourist demand, especially on its spatial pattern. Study on spatial characteristics of tourist demand will contribute to spatial optimization and adjustments of tourist flow and supply. So this article has put forward the spatial pattern of tourist demand in China and measures of spatial adjustments and grade system of the spatial adjustment of tourists demand.

The Value Relevance of Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments （FCTAs） in the Italian Stock Exchange

The main aim of this paper is to test whether the foreign currency translation adjustments （FCTAs）, the largest components of other comprehensive income （OCI） for most firms, are incrementally value-relevant for investors with respect to the net income （NI）. Previous archival research on the value relevance of FCTAs has documented a weak or non-existent link between FCTAs and firm valuation （Pinto, 2005）. The hypothesized reasons could reside in the econometric method employed, in the use of as-if numbers, and in the missing consideration of the differential effect that exchange rate changes have on firms of varying levels of capital intensiveness. This study adds to the existing literature by empirically testing the value relevance of as-reported FCTAs numbers in the earnings and book value model the Ohlson-like interacted model through panel data techniques. The main finding of this study is that as-reported FCTAs are significantly and incrementally value-relevant, when their parameter estimates are allowed to vary in the cross-section.

Ultrafast Response and Threshold Adjustable Intelligent Thermoelectric Systems for Next‑Generation Self‑Powered Remote IoT Fire Warning

Fire warning is vital to human life,economy and ecology.However,the development of effective warning systems faces great challenges of fast response,adjustable threshold and remote detecting.Here,we propose an intelligent self-powered remote IoT fire warning system,by employing single-walled carbon nanotube/titanium carbide thermoelectric composite films.The flexible films,prepared by a convenient solution mixing,display p-type characteristic with excellent high-temperature stability,flame retardancy and TE(power factor of 239.7±15.8μW m^(-1) K^(-2))performances.The comprehensive morphology and structural analyses shed light on the underlying mechanisms.And the assembled TE devices(TEDs)exhibit fast fire warning with adjustable warning threshold voltages(1–10 mV).Excitingly,an ultrafast fire warning response time of~0.1 s at 1 mV threshold voltage is achieved,rivaling many state-of-the-art systems.Furthermore,TE fire warning systems reveal outstanding stability after 50 repeated cycles and desired durability even undergoing 180 days of air exposure.Finally,a TED-based wireless intelligent fire warning system has been developed by coupling an amplifier,analogto-digital converter and Bluetooth module.By combining TE characteristics,high-temperature stability and flame retardancy with wireless IoT signal transmission,TE-based hybrid system developed here is promising for next-generation self-powered remote IoT fire warning applications.

Cameroon Climate Predictions Using the SARIMA-LSTM Machine Learning Model: Adjustment of a Climate Model for the Sudano-Sahelian Zone of Cameroon

It is acknowledged today within the scientific community that two types of actions must be considered to limit global warming: mitigation actions by reducing GHG emissions, to contain the rate of global warming, and adaptation actions to adapt societies to Climate Change, to limit losses and damages [1] [2]. As far as adaptation actions are concerned, numerical simulation, due to its results, its costs which require less investment than tests carried out on complex mechanical structures, and its implementation facilities, appears to be a major step in the design and prediction of complex mechanical systems. However, despite the quality of the results obtained, biases and inaccuracies related to the structure of the models do exist. Therefore, there is a need to validate the results of this SARIMA-LSTM-digital learning model adjusted by a matching approach, “calculating-test”, in order to assess the quality of the results and the performance of the model. The methodology consists of exploiting two climatic databases (temperature and precipitation), one of which is in-situ and the other spatial, all derived from grid points. Data from the dot grids are processed and stored in specific formats and, through machine learning approaches, complex mathematical equations are worked out and interconnections within the climate system established. Through this mathematical approach, it is possible to predict the future climate of the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon and to propose adaptation strategies.

Adjustment mechanism of blasting dynamic-static action in the water decoupling charge

Water decoupling charge blasting excels in rock breaking,relying on its uniform pressure transmission and low energy dissipation.The water decoupling coefficients can adjust the contributions of the stress wave and quasi-static pressure.However,the quantitative relationship between the two contributions is unclear,and it is difficult to provide reasonable theoretical support for the design of water decoupling blasting.In this study,a theoretical model of blasting fracturing partitioning is established.The mechanical mechanism and determination method of the optimal decoupling coefficient are obtained.The reliability is verified through model experiments and a field test.The results show that with the increasing of decoupling coefficient,the rock breaking ability of blasting dynamic action decreases,while quasi-static action increases and then decreases.The ability of quasi-static action to wedge into cracks changes due to the spatial adjustment of the blast hole and crushed zone.The quasi-static action plays a leading role in the fracturing range,determining an optimal decoupling coefficient.The optimal water decoupling coefficient is not a fixed value,which can be obtained by the proposed theoretical model.Compared with the theoretical results,the maximum error in the model experiment results is 8.03%,and the error in the field test result is 3.04%.

On calculating glacial isostatic adjustment

Modeling the earth's fluid and elastic response to the melting of the glaciers of the last ice age is the most direct way to infer the earth's radial viscosity profile.Here,we compare two methods for calculating the viscoelastic response to surface loading.In one,the elastic equation of motion is converted to a viscoelastic equation using the Correspondence Principle.In the other,elastic deformation is added to the viscous flow as isostatic adjustment proceeds.The two modeling methods predict adjustment histories that are different enough to potentially impact the interpretation of the observed glacial isostatic adjustment(GIA).The differences arise from buoyancy and whether fluid displacements are subjected to hydrostatic pre-stress.The methods agree if they use the same equations and boundary conditions.The origin of the differences is determined by varying the boundary conditions and pre-stress application.

Rigidloop Adjustable可调袢钢板治疗踝关节骨折并下胫腓联合损伤

目的比较Rigidloop Adjustable(RLA)可调袢钢板与螺钉治疗踝关节骨折合并下胫腓联合损伤的临床效果。方法回顾性分析2019年9月至2022年5月武汉市第三医院收治的44例踝关节骨折合并下胫腓联合损伤的患者。踝关节骨折行切开复位内固定后,下胫腓联合采用RLA可调袢钢板固定22例,2枚皮质骨螺钉三皮质骨固定22例。应用AOFAS踝与后足功能评分、术侧与健侧踝关节活动度平均差值及术前、术后随访时正位X线片下胫腓间隙(tibiofibular bottom clear space,TBCS)、下胫腓重叠距离(tibiofibular bottom overlap,TBOL)比较两组临床效果。结果患者均获得随访,随访时间12~18个月,平均(16.41±1.66)个月。患者踝关节功能满意,无伤口感染、皮肤激惹等并发症。术后3、6、12个月时,RLA可调袢钢板组双侧踝关节活动度差值均显著小于螺钉组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);术后3、6、12个月时,两组的AOFAS评分比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);TBCS、TBOL术前、术后即刻、术后3个月及末次随访时,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论RLA可调袢钢板和螺钉均可有效固定下胫腓联合,与螺钉固定相比,RLA可调袢钢板组可早期功能锻炼,获得更好的踝关节活动度。