The diagnostic value of liver stiffness measurement combined with S index in the degree of hepatitis B liver fibrosis

Objective:To investigate the value of liver stiffness measurement(LSM)combined with S index in predicting the degree of liver fibrosis in hepatitis B patients.Methods:A total of 187 chronic hepatitis B patients who were admitted to the Department of Infection,the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College from January 2019 to December 2021 were selected.General data were collected,blood routine,liver function,liver fibrosis and liver stiffness measurement were tested,and S index,APRI and FIB-4 index were calculated,and liver biopsy was performed.Results:According to the pathological results of liver puncture,The patients were divided into no significant fibrosis group(n=86),significant fibrosis group(n=71)and cirrhosis group(n=30).There were significant differences in age,PLT,GGT,ALB,S index,HA,LN and LSM levels among the three groups(P<0.05).There was a good correlation between S index and the degree of hepatic fibrosis(rs=0.738,P<0.001).The AUC of S index and LSM for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis in hepatitis B were 0.873 and 0.792,respectively.And the AUC of S index and LSM for the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis were 0.966 and 0.879,respectively.The AUC for the combined diagnosis of significant fibrosis and cirrhosis were 0.908 and 0.988,respectively.The AUROC of combined detection in the diagnosis of cirrhosis was higher than that of LSM,APRI and FIB-4(P<0.05).Conclusion:LSM combined with S index has certain application value in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis/cirrhosis in hepatitis B patients.

A Discrimination Index Based on Jain's Fairness Index to Differentiate Researchers with Identical H-index Values

Purpose:This paper proposes a discrimination index method based on the Jain’s fairness index to distinguish researchers with the same H-index.Design/methodology/approach:A validity test is used to measure the correlation of D-offset with the parameters,i.e.H-index,the number of cited papers,the total number of citations,the number of indexed papers,and the number of uncited papers.The correlation test is based on the Saphiro-Wilk method and Pearson’s product-moment correlation.Findings:The result from the discrimination index calculation is a two-digit decimal value called the discrimination-offset(D-offset),with a range of D-offset from 0.00 to 0.99.The result of the correlation value between the D-offset and the number of uncited papers is 0.35,D-offset with the number of indexed papers is 0.24,and the number of cited papers is 0.27.The test provides the result that it is very unlikely that there exists no relationship between the parameters.Practical implications:For this reason,D-offset is proposed as an additional parameter for H-index to differentiate researchers with the same H-index.The H-index for researchers can be written with the format of“H-index:D-offset”.Originality/value:D-offset is worthy to be considered as a complement value to add the H-index value.If the D-offset is added in the H-index value,the H-index will have more discrimination power to differentiate the rank of the researchers who have the same H-index.

Whittle’s Index Based Sensor Scheduling for Multiprocess Systems Under DoS Attacks

In this paper,the authors consider how to design defensive countermeasures against DoS attacks for remote state estimation of multiprocess systems.For each system,a sensor will measure its state and transmits the data packets through an unreliable channel which is vulnerable to be jammed by an attacker.Under limited communication bandwidth,only a subset of sensors are allowed for data transmission,and how to select the optimal one to maximize the accuracy of remote state estimation is the focus of the proposed work.The authors first formulate this problem as a Markov decision process and investigate the existence of optimal policy.Moreover,the authors demonstrate the piecewise monotonicity structure of optimal policy.Given the difficulty of obtaining an optimal policy of large-scale problems,the authors develop a suboptimal heuristic policy based on the aforementioned policy structure and Whittle’s index.Moreover,a closed form of the indices is derived in order to reduce implementation complexity of proposed scheduling policy and numerical examples are provided to illustrate the proposed developed results.

New indices to balanceα-diversity against tree size inequality

The number and composition of species in a community can be quantified withα-diversity indices,including species richness(R),Simpson’s index(D),and the Shannon-Wiener index(H΄).In forest communities,there are large variations in tree size among species and individu-als of the same species,which result in differences in eco-logical processes and ecosystem functions.However,tree size inequality(TSI)has been largely neglected in studies using the available diversity indices.The TSI in the diameter at breast height(DBH)data for each of 99920 m×20 m forest census quadrats was quantified using the Gini index(GI),a measure of the inequality of size distribution.The generalized performance equation was used to describe the rotated and right-shifted Lorenz curve of the cumulative proportion of DBH and the cumulative proportion of number of trees per quadrat.We also examined the relationships ofα-diversity indices with the GI using correlation tests.The generalized performance equation effectively described the rotated and right-shifted Lorenz curve of DBH distributions,with most root-mean-square errors(990 out of 999 quadrats)being<0.0030.There were significant positive correlations between each of threeα-diversity indices(i.e.,R,D,and H’)and the GI.Nevertheless,the total abundance of trees in each quadrat did not significantly influence the GI.This means that the TSI increased with increasing spe-cies diversity.Thus,two new indices are proposed that can balanceα-diversity against the extent of TSI in the com-munity:(1−GI)×D,and(1−GI)×H’.These new indices were significantly correlated with the original D and H΄,and did not increase the extent of variation within each group of indices.This study presents a useful tool for quantifying both species diversity and the variation in tree sizes in forest communities,especially in the face of cumulative species loss under global climate change.

Did weekly economic index and volatility index impact US food sales during the first year of the pandemic?

We explore the impacts of economic and financial dislocations caused by COVID-19 pandemic shocks on food sales in the United States from January 2020 to January 2021.We use the US weekly economic index(WEI)to measure economic dislocations and the Chicago Board Options Exchange volatility index(VIX)to capture the broader stock market dislocations.We validate the NARDL model by testing a battery of models using the autoregressive distributed lags(ARDL)methodology(ARDL,NARDL,and QARDL specifications).Our study postulates that an increase in WEI has a significant negative long-term effect on food sales,whereas a decrease in WEI has no statistically significant(long-run)effect.Thus,policy responses that ignore asymmetric effects and hidden cointegration may fail to promote food security during pandemics.

基于CSLE的泛第三极地区土壤侵蚀强度空间分布特征

[目的]定量评估泛第三极地区的土壤侵蚀状况,明确土壤侵蚀的分布特征,以期为土壤侵蚀的科学防治提供依据。[方法]基于分层不等概系统抽样方法,共布设31 406个调查单元。利用中国土壤流失方程CSLE计算泛第三极地区土壤侵蚀速率,并利用莫兰指数(I)探讨其分布特征。[结果](1)泛第三极地区平均土壤侵蚀速率为162.73 t/(km^(2)·a),水土流失面积比例为7.75%,土壤侵蚀速率超过500 t/(km^(2)·a)的地区主要位于西亚、东亚和南亚;(2)土壤侵蚀存在明显的空间聚集性(I=0.920 9),以高高型和低低型聚集为主,高高型聚集主要分布在西亚北部、南亚北部和西南部以及中国的东北、黄土高原和西藏南部;(3)草地、灌丛和耕地是土壤侵蚀较严重的土地利用类型,其中>1 000 m的草地、>500 m的灌丛和耕地的土壤侵蚀更严重,超过25%的土地都发生了水土流失,平均土壤侵蚀速率变化于426.85~683.72 t/(km^(2)·a)。[结论]海拔介于1 000~6 000 m的草地、500~4 000 m的灌丛以及1 000~4 000 m的耕地是泛第三极地区土壤侵蚀发生的重点区域,需特别关注。

Elevation transition of aquatic insects closely matches a thermal feature in the Yungas of Northwestern Argentina

Temperature is a key factor that shapes the distribution of organisms.Having knowledge about how species respond to temperature is relevant to devise strategies for addressing the impacts of climate change.Aquatic insects are particularly vulnerable to climate change,yet there is still much to learn about their ecology and distribution.In the Yungas ecoregion of Northwestern Argentina,cold-and warm-adapted species of the orders Ephemeroptera,Plecoptera,and Trichoptera(EPT)are segregated by elevation.We modeled the ecological niche of South American EPT species in this region using available data and projected their potential distribution in geographic space.Species were grouped based on their ecogeographic similarity,and we analyzed their replacement pattern along elevation gradients,focusing on the ecotone where opposing thermal preferences converge.Along this interface,we identified critical points where the combined incidence of cold and warm assemblages maximizes,indicating a significant transition zone.We found that the Montane Cloud Forest holds the interface,with a particularly greater suitability at its lower boundary.The main axis of the interface runs in a N-S direction and falls between 14°C-16°C mean annual isotherms.The probability of a particular location within a basin being classified as part of the interface increases as Kira’s warmth index approaches a score around 150.Understanding the interface is critical for defining the thermal limits of species distribution and designing biomonitoring programs.Changes in the location of thermal constants related to mountainous ecotones may cause vertical displacement of aquatic insects and vegetation communities.We have recognized significant temperature thresholds that serve as indicators of suitability for the interface.As global warming is anticipated to shift these indicators,we suggest using them to monitor the imprints of climate change on mountain ecosystems.

BPS对金鲫鱼中肾抗氧化指标的影响

为研究作为双酚A替代物的双酚S(BPS)对金鲫鱼中肾抗氧化指标的影响,将提前驯养适应1周的金鲫鱼随机分为5组,每组10尾鱼。在安全浓度的基础上,设置1个对照组和以等对数浓度差设置1、10、100、1 000μg/L 4个BPS质量浓度组,进行为期15 d的急性暴露。试验结束后分别从每组取3尾鱼进行采样,测定金鲫鱼中肾中总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)及过氧化氢酶(CAT)含量,分析不同BPS浓度对于金鲫鱼中肾抗氧化指标的影响。经试验得出,在安全浓度的基础上,随着BPS浓度的升高,金鲫鱼中肾中的CAT活力与总SOD活力显著降低;MDA含量明显增加。

阿富汗地震R/S分形特征及地震活动性分析

地震的发生具有非线性特征,分形理论能够刻画地震时空分布特征及其变化过程。本文基于R/S分析方法确定阿富汗主要地震带的分形特征,利用ARIMA模型对兴都—库什山地震带可能发生的年度最大震级进行预测。R/S分析表明,兴都—库什山地震带Hurst指数为0.9125,地震活动记忆周期为8年;苏莱曼山地震带Hurst指数为0.7281,地震活动记忆周期为9年。兴都—库什山和苏莱曼山地震带地震活动的变化趋势与历史变化一致,且兴都—库什山地震带的趋势延续性比苏莱曼山地震带更为显著。ARIMA模型预测结果显示,2022—2026年兴都—库什山地震带可能发生的年度最大震级分别为M_(b)6.2、M_(b)6.1、M_(b)5.8、M_(b)5.8和M_(b)6.1。

Relationship of Parental Indica-Japonica Indexes with Yield and Grain Quality Traits of Japonica Hybrid Rice in Northern China

Taking the main parents （10 male sterile lines and 10 restorer lines） and their 100 combinations of japonica hybrid rice in northern China as materials, the relationships of parental indica-japonica indexes determined by the methods of the Cheng’s index as well as simple sequence repeat （SSR） markers with yield and grain quality traits of hybrid rice were studied. For the parents, the Cheng’s index （Chi） ranged from 13.5 to 19.3 and the indica index in SSR markers （ADi） were from 0.12 to 0.38. The classification of parents by Chi was not completely consistent with that by ADi. The Chi of male parent was more closely related to hybrid traits than that of female parent, as contrasted to ADi. At the same time, the difference between parents （PD） in Chi was more closely related to hybrid traits than that in ADi. The indica-japonica indexes of parents and their difference between parents appeared quadratic relationship to hybrid traits with the critical extremum. The directions of the correlation of indica-japonica indexes of parents and their differences with hybrid yield traits were on the opposition to those with hybrid grain quality traits. Therefore, the female parent should match the male parent moderately in indica-japonica index to obtain the optimum of hybrid traits, high yield as well as good quality.

Quantifyingα-diversity as a continuous function of location——a case study of a temperate forest

α-diversity describes species diversity at local scales.The Simpson’s and Shannon-Wiener indices are widely used to characterizeα-diversity based on species abundances within a fixed study site(e.g.,a quadrat or plot).Although such indices provide overall diversity estimates that can be analyzed,their values are not spatially continuous nor applicable in theory to any point within the study region,and thus they cannot be treated as spatial covariates for analyses of other variables.Herein,we extended the Simpson’s and Shannon-Wiener indices to create point estimates ofα-diversity for any location based on spatially explicit species occurrences within different bandwidths(i.e.,radii,with the location of interest as the center).For an arbitrary point in the study region,species occurrences within the circle plotting the bandwidth were weighted according to their distance from the center using a tri-cube kernel function,with occurrences closer to the center having greater weight than more distant ones.These novel kernel-basedα-diversity indices were tested using a tree dataset from a 400 m×400 m study region comprising a 200 m×200 m core region surrounded by a 100-m width buffer zone.Our newly extendedα-diversity indices did not disagree qualitatively with the traditional indices,and the former were slightly lower than the latter by<2%at medium and large band widths.The present work demonstrates the feasibility of using kernel-basedα-diversity indices to estimate diversity at any location in the study region and allows them to be used as quantifiable spatial covariates or predictors for other dependent variables of interest in future ecological studies.Spatially continuousα-diversity indices are useful to compare and monitor species trends in space and time,which is valuable for conservation practitioners.

The Relation between Genetic Difference for Parents of Hybrid Rice and Heterosis

Exploring the indica-japonica differentiation in parents of hybridization can provide theoretical bases for utilizing inter-subspecific heterosis. In this study, 5 sterile lines and 18 self-bred restorer lines were used as female parents and male parents respectively. Then 90 combinations were constructed by incomplete diallel cross followed by relationship analysis between parental Cheng’s index difference value and Euclidean distance and heterosis. The results showed a significant correlation between several phenotype values, super male parent heterosis and control heterosis and Euclidean distance or Cheng’s index difference value. However, it was no significant correlation for yield. Further analysis found a common interval, 3.41 - 3.46 for Euclidean distance and 3 - 4 for cheng’s index difference value of parents, which was significant or high significant positive correlated with phenotype value, super male parent and control heterosis of main yield traits. This illustrates that the larger the genetic difference of parents was, the stronger the heterosis combinations were, when the genetic differences of parents were in an appropriate range.

RAPD Markers and Genetic Information Entropy in Environmental Monitoring: A Case Study with Wild Mushrooms

Mushrooms have a remarkable scientific value due to their nutritional, medicinal properties and industrial applications in enzyme production, so that effort in the maintenance of native wild mushroom varieties is increasing. The present study focuses on the use of Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers for biodiversity measure of wild mushroom species of the Northwest mountainous region of Greece. Data mining of similarity matrices from RAPD analysis was used to extract measurable entropy parameters for mushroom biodiversity monitoring based on Shannon’s information entropy. Shannon information index provides an easy assessment of the entropy of the genetic information of the germplasm per mushroom species while the total equitability index (EH) = 0.871 offers an overall estimation of the genetic variation evenness of all species in the population of the studied mushrooms. Application of RAPDs with parallel entropy analysis is an easily applicable and low-cost valuable technology in environmental monitoring, using genetic information of wild mushroom species as an indicator that can lead to future actions in biodiversity maintenance and germplasm protection. The provided methodology can serve as a pilot procedure enriched with other environmental factors to monitor and protect wild mushroom communities native to the Greek countryside or in any part of the world and provide comparable results about biodiversity from different regions using common entropy indices.

Use of the Crohn's disease activity index in clinical trials of biological agents

The Crohn＇s disease activity index （CDAI） has been commonly used to assess the effects of treatment with different agents in Crohn＇s disease （CD）. However, these studies may be compromised, if the results compared to a placebo or standard therapy group （in the absence of a placebo） substantially differ from the expected response. In addition, significant concerns have been raised regarding the reliability and validity of the CDAI. Reproducibility of the CDAI may be limited as significant inter-observer error has been recorded, even if measurements are done by experienced clinicians with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of CD. Finally, many CDAI endpoints are open to subjective interpretation and have the potential for manipulation. This is worrisome as there is the potential for significant financial gain, if the results of a clinical trial appear to provide a positive result. Physicians caring for patients should be concerned about the positive results in clinical trials that are sponsored by industry, even if the trials involve respected centers and the results appear in highly ranked medical journals.

Onodera's Prognostic Nutritional Index is a novel and useful prognostic marker for gastrointestinal stromal tumors

BACKGROUND Immunoinflammatory markers such as the peripheral blood neutrophil-tolymphocyte ratio(NLR)and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR)have gained considerable attention as prognostic markers in gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs).AIM To assess the prognostic value of Onodera’s Prognostic Nutritional Index(OPNI)for GISTs.METHODS All patients who had undergone surgical resection for a primary,localized GIST from 2009 to 2016 at our cancer center were initially and retrospectively identified.Recurrence-free survival(RFS)was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test.We used multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models to identify associations with outcome variables.RESULTS A total of 235 GISTs were identified and included for analysis under our inclusion criteria.Univariate and multivariate analyses both identified the OPNI as an independent prognostic marker,and the OPNI was associated with the primary site,tumor size,mitotic index,tumor rupture,necrosis,and modified NIH risk classification.Low OPNI(<51.30;hazard ratio=5.852;95% confidence interval:1.072–31.964;P=0.0414)was associated with worse RFS.The 2-and 5-year RFS rates of the patients with a low OPNI were 92.83% and 76.22%,respectively,whereas 100% and 98.41% were achieved by the patients with a high OPNI.CONCLUSION The preoperative OPNI is a novel and useful prognostic marker for GISTs.

Assessing disease activity using the pediatric Crohn’s disease activity index:Can we use subjective or objective parameters alone?

BACKGROUND The pediatric Crohn’s disease activity index(PCDAI)is used as a standard tool to assess disease activity in clinical trials for pediatric Crohn’s disease.AIM To examine which items on the PCDAI drive assessment of disease activity,and how subgroups of subjective and objective items reflect change in disease state over time.METHODS Selective raw data from three prospectively collected datasets were combined,including 703 children with full PCDAI data at baseline,at 3-mo(Q1,n=670),and 1-year(Q4,n=474).Change in individual PCDAI scores from baseline to Q1 and to Q4 were examined using the non-weighted PCDAI.RESULTS Abdominal pain,well-being,weight,and stooling had the highest change scores over time.Objective indicators including albumin,abdominal exam,and height velocity followed.Change scores for well-being and abdominal exam did not explain significant variance at Q1 but were significant predictors at Q4(P<0.001 and P<0.05).Subjective and objective subgroups of items predicted less variance(18%and 22%)on total PCDAI scores at Q1 and Q4 compared to the full PCDAI,or a composite scale(both 32%)containing significant predictors.CONCLUSION Although subjective items on the PCDAI change the most over time,the full PCDAI or a smaller composite of items including a combination of subjective and objective components classifies disease activity better than a subgroup of either subjective or objective items alone.Reliance on subjective or objective items as stand-alone proxies for disease activity measurement could result in misclassification of disease state.

An entirely new approach based on remote sensing data to calculate the nitrogen nutrition index of winter wheat

The nitrogen nutrition index(NNI)is a reliable indicator for diagnosing crop nitrogen(N)status.However,there is currently no specific vegetation index for the NNI inversion across multiple growth periods.To overcome the limitations of the traditional direct NNI inversion method(NNI_(T1))of the vegetation index and traditional indirect NNI inversion method(NNI_(T2))by inverting intermediate variables including the aboveground dry biomass(AGB)and plant N concentration(PNC),this study proposed a new NNI remote sensing index(NNI_(RS)).A remote-sensing-based critical N dilution curve(Nc_(_RS))was set up directly from two vegetation indices and then used to calculate NNI_(RS).Field data including AGB,PNC,and canopy hyperspectral data were collected over four growing seasons(2012–2013(Exp.1),2013–2014(Exp.2),2014–2015(Exp.3),2015–2016(Exp.4))in Beijing,China.All experimental datasets were cross-validated to each of the NNI models(NNI_(T1),NNI_(T2)and NNI_(RS)).The results showed that:(1)the NNI_(RS)models were represented by the standardized leaf area index determining index(sLAIDI)and the red-edge chlorophyll index(CI_(red edge))in the form of NNI_(RS)=CI_(red edge)/(a×sLAIDI~b),where"a"equals 2.06,2.10,2.08 and 2.02 and"b"equals 0.66,0.73,0.67 and 0.62 when the modeling set data came from Exp.1/2/4,Exp.1/2/3,Exp.1/3/4,and Exp.2/3/4,respectively;(2)the NNI_(RS)models achieved better performance than the other two NNI revised methods,and the ranges of R2 and RMSE were 0.50–0.82 and 0.12–0.14,respectively;(3)when the remaining data were used for verification,the NNI_(RS)models also showed good stability,with RMSE values of 0.09,0.18,0.13 and 0.10,respectively.Therefore,it is concluded that the NNI_(RS)method is promising for the remote assessment of crop N status.

基于案例分析的S-CAD政策评估方法理论研究初探

为突破传统S-CAD政策评估方法的思维限制,借鉴公共政策评估标准,从价值/政策、事实相融合的维度,采用理论分析法、文献检索法尝试构建S-CAD政策评估框架的定量评估指标体系。结果表明:(1)通过公共政策评估理论的学习,尝试构建基于“二维”的S-CAD政策评估框架;(2)结合实证分析,以内蒙古鄂尔多斯市露天矿采矿用地方式改革试点政策为例,从政策评估事实维度与价值维度出发构建了包括5个指标单元、23个单项指标在内的合理、可行的采矿临时用地政策评估指标体系。在“二维”融合视角下构建的S-CAD政策评估思路可行,且具有可操作性,可为进一步完善S-CAD政策评估方法的理论及量化研究提供参考。

肝硬度值联合S指数对乙型肝炎患者肝纤维化程度的诊断价值

目的:研究肝硬度值(LSM)联合S指数预测乙型肝炎患者的肝纤维化程度。方法:选取2019年1月至2021年12月在海南医学院第一附属医院感染科住院的187例慢性乙型肝炎患者。采集一般资料,进行血常规、肝功能、肝纤维化四项、LSM检测,计算S指数、APRI和FIB-4指数,并进行肝穿刺活检。绘制各模型诊断显著肝纤维化和肝硬化的ROC曲线,比较各模型之间的AUROC。结果:根据肝穿刺病理结果,将患者分为无显著纤维化组(n=86)、显著纤维化组(n=71)、肝硬化组(n=30),3组间年龄、PLT、GGT、ALB、S指数、HA、LN、LSM水平均具有统计学差异(P<0.05)。S指数与肝纤维化程度有较好的相关性(rs=0.738,P<0.001)。S指数和LSM诊断显著纤维化的AUC分别为0.873和0.792,诊断肝硬化的AUC分别为0.966和0.879。两者联合诊断显著纤维化和肝硬化的AUC分别为0.908和0.988。联合检测诊断显著肝纤维化的AUROC显著高于LSM、APRI和FIB-4(P<0.001),但与S指数的AUROC无明显差异(P=0.070)。联合检测诊断肝硬化的AUROC均高于LSM、APRI和FIB-4(P<0.05)。结论:瞬时弹性成像技术联合S指数在乙型肝炎患者肝纤维化/肝硬化的诊断中有一定的应用价值。

基于180s劲度模量的低温开裂指数预测

提出了一种通过材料性能测试,预测5~10年状况下沥青路面实际开裂的方法。依托开裂指数同沥青材料低温性能的关系,利用CAM模型(一种数学模型)拟合得到了5类常用沥青的180 s劲度模量值,预测并提出了PAV(压力老化)状态下各类沥青的开裂指数。通过数据分析,验证了该种模拟方式预测的准确性。借助长吉高速实地芯样开裂情况调研,验证CI值(低温开裂指数)对沥青路面实际开裂水平的预测效果。结果表明,CAM模型下得到的沥青梁180 s模量计算方法简单,数据置信度高,预测得到的SBS改性沥青开裂指数与路面实际开裂水平一致,证明了利用沥青材料性能预测路面实际抗裂能力这一方法的可行性。依据规范提法,给出了五类北方常用沥青的CI值参考区间。