Performance of the walking trail making test in older adults with white matter hyperintensities

BACKGROUND Several studies have reported that the walking trail making test(WTMT)completion time is significantly higher in patients with developmental coordination disorders and mild cognitive impairments.We hypothesized that WTMT performance would be altered in older adults with white matter hyperintensities(WMH).AIM To explore the performance in the WTMT in older people with WMH.METHODS In this single-center,observational study,25 elderly WMH patients admitted to our hospital from June 2019 to June 2020 served as the WMH group and 20 participants matched for age,gender,and educational level who were undergoing physical examination in our hospital during the same period served as the control group.The participants completed the WTMT-A and WTMT-B to obtain their gait parameters,including WTMT-A completion time,WTMT-B completion time,speed,step length,cadence,and stance phase percent.White matter lesions were scored according to the Fazekas scale.Multiple neuropsychological assessments were carried out to assess cognitive function.The relationships between WTMT performance and cognition and motion in elderly patients with WMH were analyzed by partial Pearson correlation analysis.RESULTS Patients with WMH performed significantly worse on the choice reaction test(CRT)(0.51±0.09 s vs 0.44±0.06 s,P=0.007),verbal fluency test(VFT,14.2±2.75 vs 16.65±3.54,P=0.012),and digit symbol substitution test(16.00±2.75 vs 18.40±3.27,P=0.010)than participants in the control group.The WMH group also required significantly more time to complete the WTMT-A(93.00±10.76 s vs 70.55±11.28 s,P<0.001)and WTMT-B(109.72±12.26 s vs 82.85±7.90 s,P<0.001).WTMT-A completion time was positively correlated with CRT time(r=0.460,P=0.001),while WTMT-B completion time was negatively correlated with VFT(r=-0.391,P=0.008).On the WTMT-A,only speed was found to statistically differ between the WMH and control groups(0.803±0.096 vs 0.975±0.050 m/s,P<0.001),whereas on the WTMT-B,the WMH group exhibited a significantly lower speed(0.778±0.111 vs 0.970±0.053 m/s,P<0.001)and cadence(82.600±4.140 vs 85.500±5.020 steps/m,P=0.039),as well as a higher stance phase percentage(65.061±1.813%vs 63.513±2.465%,P=0.019)relative to controls.CONCLUSION Older adults with WMH showed obviously poorer WTMT performance.WTMT could be a potential indicator for cognitive and motor deficits in patients with WMH.

A swirling jet from a nozzle with tangential inlets and its characteristics in breaking-up rocks

In order to apply a swirling jet to a PDC drill bit, the nozzle performance influenced by nozzle inlet geometric parameters and rock breaking tests under submerged conditions were studied. Numerical simulation was used to study the influence of the nozzle structure on the swirling intensity and nozzle discharge coefficient. Simulation results indicate that spreading angle of the swirling jet is greater than that of＂ the non-swirling jet, and the swirling intensity of the jet is strongly influenced by the length of the nozzle body but weakly by the number of tangential inlets. Rock breaking tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of the swirling jet. It is found that the swirling jet shows a lower threshold pressure to break the rock samples and could break rock more efficiently compared with the non-swirling jet.

The Trail Making Test in Morocco: Normative Data Stratified by Age and Level of Education

The purpose of this study is to design a Moroccan Trail Making Test B;explore the effects of age, education and gender on the performance of the Trail Making Test (TMT);and provide normative information in Moroccan subjects. Our normalization study was conducted on 348 subjects (156 female and 192 male). The subjects were classified into four groups based on age (18 - 39 years, 40 - 59 years, 60 - 69 years and ≥70 years), and three groups based on educational level (3 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years and ≥11 years). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics through SPSS. The results displayed that increasing age and decreasing levels of education significantly result in a decreased performance on the Trail A, Moroccan Trail B and English Trail B. Only 229 bilingual subjects among the 348 initial subjects completed both versions of Trail B. There was no significant difference on performance between Moroccan Trail B and English Trail B for these subjects.

Design of a Control Device for Synthetic Making Test Based on Pre-Arcing Current Detection and Phase Control

The synthetic making test has been widely used in evaluating the break ability of high-voltage circuit breaker. However, the test research and application are still inadequate, especially in the condition of rated voltage. According to the realistic conditions of test stations in China, a control device based on pre-arcing current detection and phase control is proposed in this paper. A sample of the control device made up of DSP TMS320LF2407A is fabricated, in which the CPLD MAX7064 is used to transmit signals for EMC design. It can be applied in full voltage synthetic making test at a level of 126kV/63kA. The test results show that, it is accurate to control the making phase of the applied voltage, whether the closing is demanded at voltage peak or zero.

A review of rock macro-indentation:Theories,experiments,simulations,and applications

Rock macro-indentation plays a fundamental role in mechanical rock breaking for various rock engineering application,such as drilling,tunneling,cutting,and sawing.Over the past decades,extensive research has been conducted to understand the indentation mechanisms and responses through various approaches.This review aims to provide an overview of the current status and recent advancements in theories,experiments,numerical simulations,and applications of macro-indentation in rock engineering.It starts with elaborating on the mechanisms of macro-indentation,followed by a discussion of the merits and limitations of commonly used models.Influence factors and their effects on indentation test results are then summarized.Various numerical simulation methods for rock macro-indentation are highlighted,along with their advantages and disadvantages.Subsequently,the applications of indentation tests and indentation indices in characterizing rock properties are explored.It reveals that compression-tension,compression-shear,and composite models are widely employed in rock macroindentation.While the compression-tension model is straightforward to use,it may overlook the anisotropic properties of rocks.On the other hand,the composite model provides a more comprehensive description of rock indentation but requires complex calculations.Additionally,factors,such as indentation rate,indenter geometry,rock type,specimen size,and confining pressure,can significantly influence the indentation results.Simulation methods for macro-indentation encompass continuous medium,discontinuous medium,and continuous-discontinuous medium methods,with selection based on their differences in principle.Furthermore,rock macro-indentation can be practically applied to mining engineering,tunneling engineering,and petroleum drilling engineering.Indentation indices serve as valuable tools for characterizing rock strength,brittleness,and drillability.This review sheds light on the development of rock macro-indentation and its extensive application in engineering practice.Specialists in the field can gain a comprehensive understanding of the indentation process and its potential in various rock engineering endeavors.

Impact pressure of waves generated by landslides on bank slopes

Impulse waves that are generated by landslides in narrow reservoir areas threaten the stability of buildings and bank slopes.To discuss the action process and evolution law of the wave pressure on bank slopes,a three-dimensional physical model test that considers impulse waves generated by landslides was performed,and factors including landslide width,thickness,slope angles of the sliding surface,and bank slope angle were considered.Based on wave forms on the bank slopes,wave pressure curve characteristics,and peak value,the action process of wave pressure could be divided into the following stages:maximum pulsating pressure stage,wave impact stage(when waves break),and stationary pulsation stage.It was found that wave breaking is dependent on the value of the surf similarity parameterξ.The distribution pattern of impact pressure decays linearly on both sides of the maximum impact pressure point,and the attenuation degree decreases when it attains 40%of the maximum value.Thus,it is proposed that the prediction formula for the maximum effective impact pressure of the bank slope be related to the reciprocal of wave steepness,relative water depth,and slope rate.The prediction formula provides strong theoretical support for early safety warning and for predicting the bank slope under impulse waves generated by landslides.

PSA-based prostate cancer screening： the role of active surveillance and informed and shared decision making

Since the first publication describing the identification of prostate-specific antigen （PSA） in the 1960s, much progress has been made. The PSA test changed from being initially a monitoring tool to being also used as a diagnostic tool. Over time, the test has been heavily debated due to its lack of sensitivity and specificity. However, up to now the PSA test is still the only biomarker for the detection and monitoring of prostate cancer. PSA-based screening for prostate cancer is associated with a high proportion of unnecessary testing and overdiagnosis with subsequent overtreatment. In the early years of screening for prostate cancer, high rates of uptake were very important. However, over time the opinion on PSA-based screening has shifted towards the notion of informed choice. Nowadays, it is thought to be unethical to screen men without them being aware of the pros and cons of PSA testing, as well as the fact that an informed choice is related to better patient outcomes. Now, as the results of three major screening studies have been presented and the downsides of screening are becoming better understood, informed choice is becoming more relevant.

A Study on Visual Search during the Trail Making Test: Analysis Using an Eye Tracker

The Trail Making Test A (TMT-A) is a task related to visual search. Therefore, performance in the TMT-A has a high possibility of being influenced by visual information, such as the arrangement of numbers. The purpose of this study was to measure eye movements during the TMT-A using an eye tracker, to analyze differences in enforcement and trace execution, and to examine appropriate inspection drawings as visual search tasks. Study 1 was performed in 14 young healthy subjects and Study 2 was performed in 6 young healthy subjects. The English and Japanese versions of the TMT-A were administered as usual and the subjects performed the traces in a sitting position. The eye movements of the subjects were measured during the task. We analyzed the combined motion angles of both eyes. We compared the average values (30 Hz/s) of movement in the horizontal (X-axis) and vertical (Y-axis) directions during the normal administration of the English and Japanese version of the TMT-A. We also compared the traces performed by the subjects. There were no differences in tracing or enforcement in the English version of the TMT-A. Especially in the vertical visualization operation, it was shown that the normal enforcement was fewer than the tracing, and almost no up-to-down search was performed. In contrast, the subjects performed visual searches in all directions during the Japanese version of the TMT-A.

Does a combined intervention program of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and intensive occupational therapy affect cognitive function in patients with post-stroke upper limb hemiparesis?

Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation（LF-r TMS） to the contralesional hemisphere and intensive occupational therapy（i OT） have been shown to contribute to a significant improvement in upper limb hemiparesis in patients with chronic stroke. However, the effect of the combined intervention program of LF-r TMS and i OT on cognitive function is unknown. We retrospectively investigated whether the combined treatment influence patient＇s Trail-Making Test part B（TMT-B） performance, which is a group of easy and inexpensive neuropsychological tests that evaluate several cognitive functions. Twenty-five patients received 11 sessions of LF-r TMS to the contralesional hemisphere and 2 sessions of i OT per day over 15 successive days. Patients with right- and left-sided hemiparesis demonstrated significant improvements in upper limb motor function following the combined intervention program. Only patients with right-sided hemiparesis exhibited improved TMT-B performance following the combined intervention program, and there was a significant negative correlation between Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale total score change and TMT-B performance. The results indicate the possibility that LF-r TMS to the contralesional hemisphere combined with i OT improves the upper limb motor function and cognitive function of patients with right-sided hemiparesis. However, further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanism of improved cognitive function.

The Effects of Task Order Administration on Test Scores from the Trail Making Test: Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Investigations

This research examines the effects of task administration on Trail Making Test performance. The TMT consists of two parts, TMT Part A and TMT Part B. Generally, it has been believed that the order the two parts are completed does not influence test results;however, there is one previous study that has suggested that the order is indeed an influential factor on test scores. To measure frontal lobe function, the present study used near-infrared spectroscopy to measure changes in oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) in 48 young, healthy Japanese subjects as they completed Parts A and B. We subtracted the change in oxy-Hb while completing Part A from that while completing Part B (B-A Oxy-Hb) for a comparison to facilitate an investigation of how, or if, the order in which the TMT is taken influences test success. We found that when Part A was completed first, there were only small changes in the B-A oxy-Hb, but when Part B was completed first, there were larger changes. This study indicates that the order the tests are completed in may influence outcomes, thus assessments using the TMT must follow a consistent task order.

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.

Innovation and Validation of Neuropsychopharmacological Testing Methods for the Assessment of Memory, Attention and Cognition in Human Participants

To meet the challenges of time searching for the new method for neuropsychopharmacology is still an ongoing process. In this experiment, we proposed and validated three neuropsychopharmacological testing methods, which are Matching Capacity (MC), Dissimilarity Identification (DI) and Sense Making (SM) tests for the estimation of memory, attention and cognition respectively in healthy aged human participants. The purpose of this experiment was to generate more effective testing methods for the determination of memory, attention and cognition in human. To endorse proposed methods a randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical trial was conducted among healthy aged human participants between the period of December 2015 and February 2016. The experiment was conducted at Gazipur Sadar, Gazipur-1703, Dhaka, Bangladesh and the experiment center was the Department of Pharmacy, Southeast University, Dhaka-1213, Bangladesh. In this experiment, 60 healthy male participants between the age of 42 to 50 years were selected and divided into 4 groups with 15 participants in each by simple randomization process. Ginkgo biloba standardized extract’s capsule (Giloba?) and Bacopa monnieri standardized extract’s syrup (Monera?) were used as standard. Psyllium seed husk (i.e., seed of the Plantago ovata) was incorporated in the hard gelatin capsule shell (size 0) to prepare capsule and used as a placebo control of the capsule (PCC). Excipients of oral liquid preparation of vitamin were used to prepare syrup and used as a placebo control of the syrup (PCS). The treatment procedure for group 1 was Ginkgo biloba standardized extract’s capsule (120 mg/capsule), 3 times daily for 21 days;group 2 was treated with Bacopa monnieri standardized extract’s syrup (1.21 g/5 ml), 2 teaspoonfuls, 3 times daily for 21 days. Psyllium seed husk’s capsule and excipients of oral liquid vitamin’s syrup were used as placebo control (PC) for group 3 and group 4 and administered in the similar manner of group 1 and group 2, respectively. Administration of Ginkgo biloba (GB) and Bacopa monnieri (BM) standardized extracts for successive days significantly increased the memory, attention and cognition of the participants with respect to PC groups. In the MC test, treatment with GB extract markedly (P < 0.05) increased the memory of the participants on 21st day with respect to PCC group. On the other hand administration of BM extract remarkably (P < 0.01) increased the memory of the participants on 14th day in comparison with PCS group. For DI test, administration of GB extract noticeably (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) increased the attention of the participants on 14th and 21st day as compared to that of PCC group. Conversely BM extract significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) increased the attention of the participants on 7th, 14th and 21st day with regard to PCS group. In the SM test, administration of GB extract noticeably (P < 0.05) increased the cognition of the participants on 7th and 21st day in comparison with PCC group. BM extract administration considerably (P < 0.01) increased cognition of the participants on 14th and 21st day related to the PCS groups. The experiment demonstrates that MC, DI and SM tests clearly exposed the memory, attention and cognition enhancing activity of the GB and BM standardized extracts in healthful aged human participants respectively. Therefore, the proposed method can be used for the fortitude of memory, attention and cognition in human and will generate a landmark in the sphere of neuroscience.

沙滩椅体位及控制性降压下肩关节手术病人脑氧饱和度与脑部血流速度改变及其对术后神经认知的影响

目的分析沙滩椅体位及控制性降压下肩关节手术中脑氧饱和度(rScO_(2))与脑部血流速度的变化,及其对病人术后神经认知的影响。方法选取拟于本院以沙滩椅体位接受肩关节手术治疗的病人60例,均为美国麻醉医师协会(ASA)分级Ⅰ、Ⅱ级,在静脉全身麻醉及控制性降压干预下,于麻醉前、麻醉并转入沙滩椅体位后5 min、手术开始时以及手术开始后每隔20 min直至手术结束进行rScO_(2)、大脑中动脉血流速度(VMCA)和有创血压(心脏水平和耳道水平)的检测,并记录脑氧欠饱和事件(CDE)的发生。同时,于术前和术后24 h对病人进行神经认知能力测试。结果转入沙滩椅体位后所有病人的rScO_(2)和VMCA相比麻醉前都有所下降。经历CDE的病人耳道水平平均动脉压、rScO_(2)和VMCA均显著低于未经历CDE的病人,并且术后24 h时连线测试成绩也更低,组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论对于ASA分级Ⅰ、Ⅱ级病人,沙滩椅体位及控制性降压下肩关节手术中部分病人的rScO_(2)和VMCA较麻醉前显著下降并发生CDE,进而对术后神经认知产生不利影响。

基于装置运行平稳性的石油化工安全管理策略研究

为了找出并评价石化装置支配性风险因素,实现安全生产风险源头控制和管理,满足石化装置安全生产风险控制的高效性要求,通过建立石化装置事故风险影响模型,运用决策试验与评估实验室方法(DEMATEL)从“现代事故因果连锁理论”视角分析发现人、机(物)等风险因素都受管理因素支配。进而,基于工艺稳定性、工艺稳定性修正、非计划停工3个指标建立石化装置平稳性模型,对装置运行平稳率进行追踪统计,并通过实例对该模型进行了分析和验证。结果表明:该石化装置运行平稳性模型可以量化追踪事故风险支配性因素的控制效果,可展示石化装置不同阶段下的风险特点,可作为装置事故风险预警指标和安全管理绩效指标,可提高装置的安全管理水平。

直流断路器全工况串联型合成等效试验方法

混合式高压直流断路器作为直流电网的关键设备之一,完备的型式试验是保证其挂网运行时快速、可靠清除故障电流和故障恢复的重要手段。为了更好地等效混合式直流断路器分断及故障恢复过程中的高电压与大电流工况,研究了混合式直流断路器开断大电流和故障清除失败情况下的重合闸全过程等效性评价指标,提出了一种新型串联式的全压全流合成等效试验方法,通过适当的控制方式,方案可以在不过多增加控制复杂度,实现试验全工况等效,并通过对电容器组的高效复用,降低了试验的成本。在该方案中,试验回路由大电流回路和高电压回路串联,通过大电流回路单独提供开断电流,在断路器开断结束后投入高压试验回路,两个回路共同作用提供开断后稳态电压和重合闸的二次电流。通过对4 kV/8 kA断路器进行开断及重合闸实验,验证了该试验回路的可行性,并针对500 kV/25 kA工况下的断路器对比了该试验回路与现有并联合成试验回路,结果表明串联式的全压全流合成试验方法在等效性、二次控制简易性和经济性方面存在优势,为直流断路器全工况等效试验提供另一种可选择方案。

伸缩式自动化井口上卸扣装置的设计与分析

随着修井作业朝着自动化方向发展,国内外均致力于研究自动化修井作业设备。文章结合自动化修井机特点,设计出一种伸缩式自动化井口上卸扣装置,分析了自动液压钳、扶正对中装置等主要结构,系统阐述了该装置的工作原理,计算得出液压钳钳牙与油管之间的防打滑条件,对背钳夹紧液压缸进行选型计算,设计出合适的自动液压钳以及整个装置的液压回路,保证该装置在工作时的安全性与稳定性。现场试验结果表明,伸缩式自动化井口上卸扣装置能够实现精准对中,快速平稳完成上卸扣作业,大大减轻了工人的工作强度,节省井口操作平台空间,提升工作效率,并提高了工人的安全性。

110 kV复合绝缘横担结构设计及工程应用研究

为在输电线路中推广复合绝缘横担,以110 kV输电线路改造工程为背景,提出了一种线路用复合绝缘横担设计方法。从复合绝缘横担的大风、覆冰、安装及断线四种工况荷载计算着手,对复合绝缘横担开展结构设计。采用有限元软件建立两拉-两压结构形式的力学分析模型,在四种工况下对横担进行力学计算,通过力学真型实验验证了复合绝缘横担结构的稳定性和安全性。该方法设计的复合绝缘横担满足该线路安全运行要求,并成功挂网多条110 kV输电线路;针对不同线路塔型设计工作量大、生产周期长的问题,开展典型化设计工作是未来发展的趋势。

基于交流电磁场的高铁钢轨表面裂纹无损检测研究及展望

针对高铁钢轨表面产生滚动接触疲劳(RCF)裂纹导致对钢轨带来危害的问题,本文分析了钢轨表面滚动接触疲劳裂纹的形成机理及扩展规律,系统归纳了高铁裂纹的无损检测与表征方法。聚焦于交流电磁场检测(ACFM)技术,重点研究了ACFM技术发展及研究现状、理论研究成果以及存在的问题,综述了ACFM技术的特点及应用,通过与其他无损检测方法进行分析比较,阐述了ACFM测量法对钢轨表面裂纹的精准量化表征的优势。结果表明:ACFM探针传感器沿45°方向扫描,通过结合ACFM信号补偿量算法可将非均匀裂纹口袋深度误差降到5.5%,垂直深度误差降到7.1%,裂纹簇误差减小到7.1%;经过人工神经网络训练对钢轨RCF裂纹尺寸进行精准表征,最终计算的误差在10%以内。进一步讨论了融合人工智能技术的钢轨表面裂纹无损检测技术的发展趋势,为后续ACFM技术对钢轨表面RCF裂纹的检测和表征研究提出相关建议和展望。

推摇组合式造波的波流循环水槽设计与研究

针对海工实验波流水槽中的造流装置与造波装置间存在的干扰问题,研发了推摇组合式造波的波流循环水槽,并分别从造流和造波两个方面进行了设计和验证.综合设计循环流道、造流驱动装置及稳流出水口,保障实验区域水流稳定性及可控性;采用倒挂式摇摆结构,结合平行四边形结构运动特点,实现倒挂推摇组合式造波,在保证波形质量的同时减小对流道的影响;建立数学模型分析推块运动与波浪要素间的关系;基于西门子PLC开发实验测试平台测控系统搭建整个实验平台,完成水槽各项性能测试.结果表明,实验平台能够实现最大流速1.5 m∙s^(–1),且同时满足造波周期1~4 s,波高范围0.1~0.6 m的单独造波及所需要的波流海况耦合,能满足相关科教应用要求.