A Constrained Local Neighborhood Approach for Efficient Markov Blanket Discovery in Undirected Independent Graphs

When learning the structure of a Bayesian network,the search space expands significantly as the network size and the number of nodes increase,leading to a noticeable decrease in algorithm efficiency.Traditional constraint-based methods typically rely on the results of conditional independence tests.However,excessive reliance on these test results can lead to a series of problems,including increased computational complexity and inaccurate results,especially when dealing with large-scale networks where performance bottlenecks are particularly evident.To overcome these challenges,we propose a Markov blanket discovery algorithm based on constrained local neighborhoods for constructing undirected independence graphs.This method uses the Markov blanket discovery algorithm to refine the constraints in the initial search space,sets an appropriate constraint radius,thereby reducing the initial computational cost of the algorithm and effectively narrowing the initial solution range.Specifically,the method first determines the local neighborhood space to limit the search range,thereby reducing the number of possible graph structures that need to be considered.This process not only improves the accuracy of the search space constraints but also significantly reduces the number of conditional independence tests.By performing conditional independence tests within the local neighborhood of each node,the method avoids comprehensive tests across the entire network,greatly reducing computational complexity.At the same time,the setting of the constraint radius further improves computational efficiency while ensuring accuracy.Compared to other algorithms,this method can quickly and efficiently construct undirected independence graphs while maintaining high accuracy.Experimental simulation results show that,this method has significant advantages in obtaining the structure of undirected independence graphs,not only maintaining an accuracy of over 96%but also reducing the number of conditional independence tests by at least 50%.This significant performance improvement is due to the effective constraint on the search space and the fine control of computational costs.

Experimental Study of Primary School Students’Independent Reading Based on the Network Teaching Platform

The development of information technology, especially the rise of online teaching platforms, has changed the way people read and the methods they use. Under this influence, primary school students’ independent reading has also been changed. However, due to limited self-control and understanding, primary school students face certain difficulties when using online teaching platforms for independent reading. Advantages and disadvantages of distance learning based on the network teaching platform were summarized in this paper. A one-year experiment study was carried out on our school fifth-grade students in independent reading using WeChat campus platform considering their current situation and existing problems of independent reading. In experiment study an independent reading mode was introduced. The results show that this reading mode can significantly improve students’ independent reading ability.

Concerns Affecting Behaviors of Independent Directors

This paper tries to find out whether some individual concerns will affect the behaviors of independent directors, specifically voting against proposals during the board meeting.We analyze career concern,compensation concern,reputation concern and term concern.The results show that individual director with longer career horizon,who is better compensated,with less board seats in other firms,and whose term is earlier than that of the board chairman is more likely to dissent.

Does the system of independent directors help improve the quality of accounting information： From the perspective of earnings conservatism

Based on the sample data of the listed firms on the A stock market, we analyze how the system of independent directors influence the earning conservatism from 4 dimensions designed to measure the monitoring power of these independent directors： Percentage within BDs, professional capacities, stimulation and work conditions. From the empirical results, we conclude that the more powerful of the independent directors, the better the accounting conservatism, and that their positive impact increases along with the improvement on corporate governance, meanwhile the work conditions plays the most important role, and then are the percentage within BDs and their professional capacities, the stimulation and personal reputation appear the least importance.

Board of Directors, Independent Directors and Audit Fees： Based on the Empirical Data of the GEM of China

As one of the alternative variables of audit quality, audit fees have been researched widely in the Mainboard of China stock market, but empirical research based on the GEM （Growth Enterprise Market） of China is very few. From the perspective of GEM of China, this article observes and studies the impact of corporate governance structure represented by board of directors and independent directors on audit fees. This article selects the data of 348 listed companies in the GEM of China in 2012, proves that there is a positive correlation between the number of meetings, independent directors＇ salaries and audit fees through the use of multiple linear regression model, and accordingly proposed suggestions that improve the corporate governance structure of the GEM of China.

A maximum-independent-set-based channel allocation algorithm for multi-channel wireless networks

A channel allocation algorithm based on the maximum independent set is proposed to decrease network conflict and improve network performance. First, a channel allocation model is formulated and a series of the maximum independent sets （MISs） are obtained from a contention graph by the proposed approximation algorithm with low complexity. Then, a weighted contention graph is obtained using the number of contention vertices between two MISs as a weighted value. Links are allocated to channels by the weighted contention graph to minimize conflicts between independent sets. Finally, after channel allocation, each node allocates network interface cards （NICs） to links that are allocated channels according to the queue lengths of NICs. Simulations are conducted to evaluate the proposed algorithm. The results show that the proposed algorithm significantly improves the network throughput and decreases the end to end delay.

Altered intra- and inter-network brain functional connectivity in upper-limb amputees revealed through independent component analysis

Although cerebral neuroplasticity following amputation has been observed, little is understood about how network-level functional reorganization occurs in the brain following upper-limb amputation. The objective of this study was to analyze alterations in brain network functional connectivity(FC) in upper-limb amputees(ULAs). This observational study included 40 ULAs and 40 healthy control subjects;all participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Changes in intra-and inter-network FC in ULAs were quantified using independent component analysis and brain network FC analysis. We also analyzed the correlation between FC and clinical manifestations, such as pain. We identified 11 independent components using independent component analysis from all subjects. In ULAs, intra-network FC was decreased in the left precuneus(precuneus gyrus) within the dorsal attention network and left precentral(precentral gyrus) within the auditory network;but increased in the left Parietal_Inf(inferior parietal, but supramarginal and angular gyri) within the ventral sensorimotor network, right Cerebelum_Crus2(crus Ⅱ of cerebellum) and left Temporal_Mid(middle temporal gyrus) within the ventral attention network, and left Rolandic_Oper(rolandic operculum) within the auditory network. ULAs also showed decreased inter-network FCs between the dorsal sensorimotor network and ventral sensorimotor network, the dorsal sensorimotor network and right frontoparietal network, and the dorsal sensorimotor network and dorsal attention network. Correlation analyses revealed negative correlations between inter-network FC changes and residual limb pain and phantom limb pain scores, but positive correlations between inter-network FC changes and daily activity hours of stump limb. These results show that post-amputation plasticity in ULAs is not restricted to local remapping;rather, it also occurs at a network level across several cortical regions. This observation provides additional insights into the plasticity of brain networks after upper-limb amputation, and could contribute to identification of the mechanisms underlying post-amputation pain.

The Criterion of weighting the independence of non-executive directors

Non-executive directors are now very well established in Chinese business. The uniform and final criterion of weighting the independence of non-executive directors is not available. It will be valuable to draw an analogy with the criterion of weighting the independence of non-executive directors in the UK, where over a dozen different criterions are applied.

Coping strategy of independent directors for job-fulfillment risk under different ownership types and enforced legal environments

Ownership type,legal system evolution and their interaction significantly affect the incentives and behaviors of independent directors.We use the 2019 Securities Law revision as an exogenous shock to examine how state-owned enterprises(SOEs)versus non-SOEs and their independent directors respond to variations in regulatory compliance risk.Following the revision,SOEs are more likely to purchase directors’and officers’liability insurance to provide job security for independent directors.Non-SOEs are more likely to compensate for independent directors’fulfillment risk by increasing salaries and their independent directors are more likely to resign to avoid litigation risk.The coping strategies for SOEs,non-SOEs and independent directors are dynamic under different compliance risk stages and are affected by firm-level and director-level characteristics.

Voluntary resignation of independent directors and auditor responses:Empirical evidence from Chinese A-share listed firms

We examine auditor responses to the voluntary resignation of independent directors.We show that auditors respond by increasing audit fees or rescinding engagement with their clients,but not by increasing their audit effort.Mechanism tests reveal that independent directors’voluntary resignation leads to increased regulatory sanctions and negative media coverage,these relationships are more pronounced after the New Securities Law.Auditor response strategies follow an order of priority:at an acceptable level of perceived risk,auditors increase audit fees;when perceived risk exceeds this level,auditors will discontinue the client relationship.Auditors associate greater risk with firms that have(vs.have not)experienced consecutive voluntary resignations by independent directors.Mandatory resignation has no such effect.

Resting-state brain network remodeling after different nerve reconstruction surgeries:a functional magnetic resonance imaging study in brachial plexus injury rats

Distinct brain remodeling has been found after different nerve reconstruction strategies,including motor representation of the affected limb.However,differences among reconstruction strategies at the brain network level have not been elucidated.This study aimed to explore intranetwork changes related to altered peripheral neural pathways after different nerve reconstruction surgeries,including nerve repair,endto-end nerve transfer,and end-to-side nerve transfer.Sprague–Dawley rats underwent complete left brachial plexus transection and were divided into four equal groups of eight:no nerve repair,grafted nerve repair,phrenic nerve end-to-end transfer,and end-to-side transfer with a graft sutured to the anterior upper trunk.Resting-state brain functional magnetic resonance imaging was obtained 7 months after surgery.The independent component analysis algorithm was utilized to identify group-level network components of interest and extract resting-state functional connectivity values of each voxel within the component.Alterations in intra-network resting-state functional connectivity were compared among the groups.Target muscle reinnervation was assessed by behavioral observation(elbow flexion)and electromyography.The results showed that alterations in the sensorimotor and interoception networks were mostly related to changes in the peripheral neural pathway.Nerve repair was related to enhanced connectivity within the sensorimotor network,while end-to-side nerve transfer might be more beneficial for restoring control over the affected limb by the original motor representation.The thalamic-cortical pathway was enhanced within the interoception network after nerve repair and end-to-end nerve transfer.Brain areas related to cognition and emotion were enhanced after end-to-side nerve transfer.Our study revealed important brain networks related to different nerve reconstructions.These networks may be potential targets for enhancing motor recovery.

Study on the Current Implementation Situation of the Independent Director System in China＇s Listed Companies

The independent director system, as an effective measure to improve the corporation governance structure of China＇ s listed companies, is focused by more and more people at the capital market. In this paper, the proportion of independent directors in the board of directors, and the actual condition, compensation, and duties performing of independent directors are analyzed by taking A-share listed companies in Shanghai Stock Exchange as an example, so that the current implementation situation of the independent director system in China＇ s listed companies is analyzed deeply through the empirical method. Finally, suggestions for its imorovement are orooosed.

Independent Source Separation of Multichannel Electroencephalogram Based on Neural Network

A neural network method for independent source separation (ISS) of multichannel electroencephalogram (EEG) is proposed in this paper.Using the denoising function of wavelet multiscale decomposition,the high-frequency noises are removed from the original (raw) EEGs.Then the multichannel EEGs are treated as the weighted mixtures and the expression of weight vector is obtained by seeking the local extrema of the fourth-order cumulants (i.e.kurtosis coefficients) of the mixtures.After these process steps,the weighted mixtures are used as the input of neural network,so the independent source of EEGs can be separated one by one.The experimental results show that our method is effective for ISS of multichannel EEGs.

MART(Splitting-Merging Assisted Reliable)Independent Component Analysis for Extracting Accurate Brain Functional Networks

Functional networks(FNs)hold significant promise in understanding brain function.Independent component analysis(ICA)has been applied in estimating FNs from functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI).However,determining an optimal model order for ICA remains challenging,leading to criticism about the reliability of FN estimation.Here,we propose a SMART(splitting-merging assisted reliable)ICA method that automatically extracts reliable FNs by clustering independent components(ICs)obtained from multi-model-order ICA using a simplified graph while providing linkages among FNs deduced from different-model orders.We extend SMART ICA to multi-subject fMRI analysis,validating its effectiveness using simulated and real fMRI data.Based on simulated data,the method accurately estimates both group-common and group-unique components and demonstrates robustness to parameters.Using two age-matched cohorts of resting fMRI data comprising 1,950 healthy subjects,the resulting reliable group-level FNs are greatly similar between the two cohorts,and interestingly the subject-specific FNs show progressive changes while age increases.Furthermore,both small-scale and large-scale brain FN templates are provided as benchmarks for future studies.Taken together,SMART ICA can automatically obtain reliable FNs in analyzing multi-subject fMRI data,while also providing linkages between different FNs.

Efficient Selection of Linearly Independent Atomic Features for Accurate Machine Learning Potentials

Machine learning potentials are promising in atomistic simulations due to their comparable accuracy to first-principles theory but much lower computational cost.However,the reliability,speed,and transferability of atomistic machine learning potentials depend strongly on the way atomic configurations are represented.A wise choice of descriptors used as input for the machine learning program is the key for a successful machine learning representation.Here we develop a simple and efficient strategy to automatically select an optimal set of linearly-independent atomic features out of a large pool of candidates,based on the correlations that are intrinsic to the training data.Through applications to the construction of embedded atom neural network potentials for several benchmark molecules with less redundant linearly-independent embedded density descriptors,we demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of this new strategy.The proposed algorithm can greatly simplify the initial selection of atomic features and vastly improve the performance of the atomistic machine learning potentials.

Study on simulation and scheduling algorithm of CAN control for independently driving electric vehicle

Safety-critical applications such as the independently driving systems of electric vehicle （EV） require a high degree of reliability. The controller area network （CAN） is used extensively in the control sectors. A new real-time and reliable scheduling algorithm based on time-triggered scheduler with a focus on the CAN-based distributed control systems for independently driving EV is exploited. A distributed control network model for a dual-wheel independendy driving EV is established. The timing and reliabili- ty analysis in the worst case with the algorithm is used to evaluate the predictability and dependability and the simulation based on the algorithm with CANoe software is designed. The results indicate the algorithm is more predicable and dependable.

The Effect of the Board of Directors and Audit Quality on Disclosure of Internal Control Practices: Evidence from European Companies

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of the board of directors,namely board size,board independence,and CEO duality,as well as audit quality on the disclosure of internal control information.The sample consists of 164 European companies listed in the STOXX Europe 600.Based on positive agency theory,the authors posit that board of directors and audit quality influence corporate internal control disclosure practice.The content analysis and the design of the evaluation criterion were used to calculate the disclosure index of internal control.Thus,multiple regression analysis is utilized to analyze the results of this paper.The average internal control information disclosure index was 0.285,indicating that most of the companies in our sample do not disclose enough information about the internal control.This low level of forward-looking information disclosure makes it very difficult for corporate stakeholders to determine the future performance of the company.Multivariate results indicate that internal control disclosure is positively and significantly associated with board independence,CEO duality,and audit quality.This study contributes to the literature on the various governance characteristics and disclosure by showing that the disclosure of internal control information in European countries is positively and significantly associated with board independence,separation of duties,and audit quality.Our study was based on a sample of European companies including countries regulating IC disclosure as well as unregulated settings.As noted by Bedard and Graham(2014),regulatory differences in countries can contribute insights on the costs and benefits of disclosure.Findings also have policy implications for investors,managers,and regulators.

Does the reputation mechanism apply to independent directors in emerging markets?Evidence from China

We examine whether reputable independent directors improve firm performance and governance quality in emerging markets,using data from China.Firms with such directors,measured as the number of directorships in other listed firms,have higher profitability,operating efficiency and productivity.They suffer from fewer agency problems,pay more cash dividends and have lower likelihoods of receiving modified audit opinions and participating in financial disclosure-related irregularities than their counterparts.In China’s unique institutional context,the reputation mechanism for independent directors applies to firms in regions with weak marketization environments,nonstate-owned enterprises and firms without political connections;it also applies when external governance is weak.Overall,reputable independent directors appear to occupy valuable advising and monitoring roles and compensate for weak institutions and governance in China.

基于独立成分分析重症肌无力患者的静息态默认网络的功能连接改变及其与认知障碍的相关性

目的研究重症肌无力(myasthenia gravis,MG)患者大脑默认网络(default mode network,DMN)功能连接的改变,以及DMN和认知功能的关系。方法前瞻性纳入2020年1月至2022年12月就诊于苏州大学附属第一医院神经内科的MG患者39例,另选取同期性别、年龄、受教育年限、种族与MG患者匹配的40名健康志愿者作为健康对照组。对所有受试者进行神经心理学测试、情绪评估及静息态磁共振功能扫描。采用独立成分分析技术评估受试者大脑DMN的功能连接变化。采用Spearman相关性分析MG患者差异脑区的DMN的功能连接值与认知功能的相关性。结果MG组整体认知功能〔简易精神状态量表(MMSE)和蒙特利尔认知评估量表(MoCA)评分〕、言语学习和记忆能力(Rey听觉词语学习测验、词语流畅性测试)、视空间功能(钟表测试)评分均较对照组降低(均P<0.01);在执行能力测试方面,MG组连线功能测试完成时间长于对照组(P<0.01);MG组汉密尔顿焦虑量表和汉密尔顿抑郁量表评分均高于对照组(P<0.01)。独立成分分析结果显示,MG患者的DMN内功能连接在左后扣带回比对照组减弱(P<0.05,经过FDR校正)。MG患者的DMN内左后扣带回功能连接值与MMSE评分、数字符号转换测验评分呈正相关(P<0.05),而与连线测验A和B时间呈负相关(P<0.05)。结论MG患者在整体认知功能、言语学习和记忆力、视空间功能和执行功能方面下降,在左后扣带回的DMN内功能连接减弱,差异脑区在DMN内功能连接值与认知评分存在相关性,提示MG患者的认知功能损害可能与中枢神经系统受累有关。