bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of metabolic syndrome with risk of cardiovascular disease mortality and all-cause mortality among Malaysian adults: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chee Cheong Kee , Lim Kuang Hock , Ghazali Sumarni Mohd , Teh Chien Huey , Cheah Yong Kang , Baharudin Azli , Lim Hui Li , Abdul Hamid Abdul Muneer , Mustapha Feisul Idzwan , Omar Mohd Azahadi
Published: August 2021

Objectives

This study is aimed at determining the association between metabolic syndrome and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and all-cause mortality among Malaysian adults.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

The Malaysian Non-Communicable Disease Surveillance (MyNCDS-1) 2005/2006.

Participants

A total of 2525 adults (1013 men and 1512 women), aged 24–64 years, who participated in the MyNCDS-1 2005/2006.

Methods

Participants’ anthropometric indices, blood pressure, fasting lipid profile and fasting blood glucose levels were evaluated to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome by the Harmonized criteria. Participants’ mortality status were followed up for 13 years from 2006 to 2018. Mortality data were obtained via record linkage with the Malaysian National Registration Department. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was applied to determine association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and risk of CVD mortality and all-cause mortality with adjustment for selected sociodemographic and lifestyle behavioural factors.

Results

The overall point prevalence of MetS was 30.6% (95% CI: 28.0 to 33.3). Total follow-up time was 31 668 person-years with 213 deaths (111 (11.3%) in MetS subjects and 102 (6.1%) in non-MetS subjects) from all-causes, and 50 deaths (33 (2.9%) in MetS group and 17 (1.2%) in non-MetS group) from CVD. Metabolic syndrome was associated with a significantly increased hazard of CVD mortality (adjusted HR: 2.18 (95% CI: 1.03 to 4.61), p=0.041) and all-cause mortality (adjusted HR: 1.47 (95% CI: 1.00 to 2.14), p=0.048). These associations remained significant after excluding mortalities in the first 2 years.

Conclusions

Our study shows that individuals with MetS have a higher hazard of death from all-causes and CVD compared with those without MetS. It is thus imperative to prescribe individuals with MetS, a lifestyle intervention along with pharmacological intervention to improve the individual components of MetS and reduce this risk.
Effects of short birth interval on neonatal, infant and under-five child mortality in Ethiopia: a nationally representative observational study using inverse probability of treatment weighting
Authors: Shifti Desalegn Markos , Chojenta Catherine , Holliday Elizabeth , Loxton Deborah
Published: August 2021

Objective

To assess the effect of short birth interval (SBI) on neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality in Ethiopia.

Design

A nationally representative cross-sectional survey.

Setting

This study used data from the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2016.

Participants

A total of 8448 women who had at least two live births during the 5 years preceding the survey were included in the analysis.

Outcome measures

Neonatal mortality (death of the child within 28 days of birth), infant mortality (death between birth and 11 months) and under-five mortality (death between birth and 59 months) were the outcome variables.

Methods

Weighted logistic regression analysis based on inverse probability of treatment weights was used to estimate exposure effects adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

The adjusted ORs (AORs) of neonatal mortality were about 85% higher among women with SBI (AOR=1.85, 95% CI=1.19 to 2.89) than those without. The odds of infant mortality were twofold higher (AOR=2.16, 95% CI=1.49 to 3.11) among women with SBI. The odds of under-five child mortality were also about two times (AOR=2.26, 95% CI=1.60 to 3.17) higher among women with SBI.

Conclusion

SBI has a significant effect on neonatal, infant and under-five mortality in Ethiopia. Interventions targeting SBI are warranted to reduce neonatal, infant and under-five mortality.
Luteinising hormone-based protocol versus traditional flexible gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol in women with normal ovarian response: study protocol for a non-inferiority trial
Authors: Lv Ya-su , Li Yuan , Liu Shan
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Many patients demonstrate an insufficient endogenous luteinising hormone (LH) concentration during ovarian stimulation. With traditional fixed or flexible gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocols, antagonist administration may further reduce LH activity. Previously, we proved that LH can be used as an indicator for the timing and dosage of antagonist. Patients with a persistently low LH concentration during ovarian stimulation may not require antagonists, whereas antagonist administration can affect reproductive outcomes. To further explore this hypothesis, we designed a randomised clinical trial to compare the LH-based flexible GnRH antagonist protocol with traditional flexible GnRH antagonist protocol in women with normal ovarian response.

Methods and analysis

This study was a multicentre, parallel, prospective, randomised, non-inferiority study. The primary efficacy endpoint was cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate per cycle. The study aimed to prove the non-inferiority of cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate per cycle with an LH-based flexible GnRH antagonist protocol versus traditional flexible GnRH antagonist protocol. Secondary endpoints were the high-quality embryo rate, clinical pregnancy rate and cancellation rate. Differences in cost-effectiveness and adverse events were evaluated. The cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate per cycle in women with normal ovarian response was 70%. Considering that a non-inferiority threshold should retain 80% of the clinical effect of a control treatment, a minimal clinical difference of 14% (one-sided: α, 2.5%; β, 20%) and a total of 338 patients were needed. Anticipating a 10% drop-out rate, the total number of patients required was 372.

Ethics and dissemination

This trial has been approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee of Beijing Chao-Yang hospital. All participants in the trial will provide written informed consent. The study will be conducted according to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki and its amendments. Results of this study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR1800018077.
Tenofovir alafenamide fumarate therapy in subjects with positive HBV-DNA and normal levels of alanine transaminase: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wang Lu , Wu Lina , Li Xuejun , Zhang Ying , Lai Jing , Zhu Xiang , Xie Chan , Peng Liang
Published: August 2021

Introduction

The current clinical guidelines do not recommend antiviral therapy for subjects with positive hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA and normal alanine transaminase (ALT). In this study, we will assess the safety and efficacy of tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) in the treatment of adults with positive HBV-DNA and normal ALT, including long-term prognosis.

Methods and analysis

This study is a non-double-blind randomised controlled trial. Study participants will be randomised into the treatment group and the control group. In the treatment group, subjects will receive TAF monotherapy, while those in the control group will receive no antiviral treatment. Subjects will be followed up at the beginning of the study and every 12 or 24 weeks thereafter for review of laboratory findings and to record adverse events. The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients with serum hepatitis B surface antigen loss.

Ethics and dissemination

This study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University for Human Study (reference number [2019]02-599-01). The results of this study will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

NCT04231565.
Status, use and impact of sharing individual participant data from clinical trials: a scoping review
Authors: Ohmann Christian , Moher David , Siebert Maximilian , Motschall Edith , Naudet Florian
Published: August 2021

Objectives

To explore the impact of data-sharing initiatives on the intent to share data, on actual data sharing, on the use of shared data and on research output and impact of shared data.

Eligibility criteria

All studies investigating data-sharing practices for individual participant data (IPD) from clinical trials.

Sources of evidence

We searched the Medline database, the Cochrane Library, the Science Citation Index Expanded and the Social Sciences Citation Index via Web of Science, and preprints and proceedings of the International Congress on Peer Review and Scientific Publication. In addition, we inspected major clinical trial data-sharing platforms, contacted major journals/publishers, editorial groups and some funders.

Charting methods

Two reviewers independently extracted information on methods and results from resources identified using a standardised questionnaire. A map of the extracted data was constructed and accompanied by a narrative summary for each outcome domain.

Results

93 studies identified in the literature search (published between 2001 and 2020, median: 2018) and 5 from additional information sources were included in the scoping review. Most studies were descriptive and focused on early phases of the data-sharing process. While the willingness to share IPD from clinical trials is extremely high, actual data-sharing rates are suboptimal. A survey of journal data suggests poor to moderate enforcement of the policies by publishers. Metrics provided by platforms suggest that a large majority of data remains unrequested. When requested, the purpose of the reuse is more often secondary analyses and meta-analyses, rarely re-analyses. Finally, studies focused on the real impact of data-sharing were rare and used surrogates such as citation metrics.

Conclusions

There is currently a gap in the evidence base for the impact of IPD sharing, which entails uncertainties in the implementation of current data-sharing policies. High level evidence is needed to assess whether the value of medical research increases with data-sharing practices.
Solution Focused Brief Therapy in Post-Stroke Aphasia (SOFIA): feasibility and acceptability results of a feasibility randomised wait-list controlled trial
Authors: Northcott Sarah , Thomas Shirley , James Kirsty , Simpson Alan , Hirani Shashivadan , Barnard Rachel , Hilari Katerina
Published: August 2021

Objectives

The Solution Focused Brief Therapy in Post-Stroke Aphasia feasibility trial had four primary aims: to assess (1) acceptability of the intervention to people with aphasia, including severe aphasia, (2) feasibility of recruitment and retention, (3) acceptability of research procedures and outcome measures, and (4) feasibility of delivering the intervention by speech and language therapists.

Design

Two-group randomised controlled feasibility trial with wait-list design, blinded outcome assessors and nested qualitative research.

Setting

Participants identified via two community NHS Speech and Language Therapy London services and through community routes (eg, voluntary-sector stroke groups).

Participants

People with aphasia at least 6 months post stroke.

Intervention

Solution-focused brief therapy, a psychological intervention, adapted to be linguistically accessible. Participants offered up to six sessions over 3 months, either immediately postrandomisation or after a delay of 6 months.

Outcome measures

Primary endpoints related to feasibility and acceptability. Clinical outcomes were collected at baseline, 3 and 6 months postrandomisation, and at 9 months (wait-list group only). The candidate primary outcome measure was the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale. Participants and therapists also took part in in-depth interviews.

Results

Thirty-two participants were recruited, including 43.8% with severe aphasia. Acceptability endpoints: therapy was perceived as valuable and acceptable by both participants (n=30 interviews) and therapists (n=3 interviews); 93.8% of participants had ≥2 therapy sessions (90.6% had 6/6 sessions). Feasibility endpoints: recruitment target was reached within the prespecified 13-month recruitment window; 82.1% of eligible participants consented; 96.9% were followed up at 6 months; missing data <0.01%. All five prespecified feasibility progression criteria were met.

Conclusion

The high retention and adherence rates, alongside the qualitative data, suggest the study design was feasible and therapy approach acceptable even to people with severe aphasia. These results indicate a definitive randomised controlled trial of the intervention would be feasible.

Trial registration number

NCT03245060.
Associations between state scope of practice laws and US physician assistant wages from 1997 to 2017: a longitudinal analysis
Authors: Valentin Virginia L , Najmabadi Shahpar , Honda Trenton J
Published: August 2021

Objective

The purpose of this study is to determine whether, and to what degree, variations in physician assistant (PA) state scope of practice (SOP) laws across states are associated with (1) PA median wage over time and (2) if a specific SOP key element has greater impact on PA median wage than others. We hypothesise that expanded SOP laws will be associated with higher PA wage.

Design

Longitudinal analysis from 1997 to 2017.

Setting

Fifty states and the District of Columbia (US capital region).

Participants

Employed PAs from 1997 to 2017.

Methods

Four national data sets were combined to allow for longitudinal analysis of state-level annual PA wage and state SOP laws. We used linear regression models to explore the associations of SOP elements with PA wage in 5-year intervals and individual growth models to assess the change in PA annual wage over the study period.

Results

There was a 220% increase in weighted PA annual wage over two decades. There was a positive linear correlation between annual wage and age in 2012 and 2017 (r=0.52, p<0.01; r=0.29, p=0.04, respectively). The adjusted R2for individual SOP elements in the selected years were all small (range: 0.0–0.29), with no appreciable pattern across time for any SOP element. In 1997, several SOP laws show association with median wage but this impact disappears over time.

Conclusions

PA median wage has risen over twofold in the past two decades, with the rise in PA wage mainly explained by time and provider age. In 1997 some SOP elements were associated with increased average wage; however, the impact of this increase diminished over time in all such instances. As the PA profession moves towards Optimal Team Practice, future research should examine if this move towards greater autonomy impacts wage.
Interventions targeted at reducing diagnostic error: systematic review
Authors: Dave Neha , Bui Sandy , Morgan Corey , Hickey Simon , Paul Christine L
Published: August 2021

Background

Incorrect, delayed and missed diagnoses can contribute to significant adverse health outcomes. Intervention options have proliferated in recent years necessitating an update to McDonaldet al’s 2013 systematic review of interventions to reduce diagnostic error.

Objectives

(1) To describe the types of published interventions for reducing diagnostic error that have been evaluated in terms of an objective patient outcome; (2) to assess the risk of bias in the included interventions and perform a sensitivity analysis of the findings; and (3) to determine the effectiveness of included interventions with respect to their intervention type.

Methods

MEDLINE, CINAHL and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2019. Publications were included if they delivered patient-related outcomes relating to diagnostic accuracy, management outcomes and/or morbidity and mortality. The interventions in each included study were categorised and analysed using the six intervention types described by McDonaldet al(technique, technology-based system interventions, educational interventions, personnel changes, structured process changes and additional review methods).

Results

Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. Eighteen of the 20 included studies (including three randomised controlled trials (RCTs)) demonstrated improvements in objective patient outcomes following the intervention. These three RCTs individually evaluated a technique-based intervention, a technology-based system intervention and a structured process change. The inclusion or exclusion of two higher risk of bias studies did not affect the results.

Conclusion

Technique-based interventions, technology-based system interventions and structured process changes have been the most studied interventions over the time period of this review and hence are seen to be effective in reducing diagnostic error. However, more high-quality RCTs are required, particularly evaluating educational interventions and personnel changes, to demonstrate the value of these interventions in diverse settings.
Serum ammonia use: unnecessary, frequent and costly
Authors: Aby Elizabeth , Olson Andrew P J , Lim Nicholas
Published: August 2021

Background/objective

While ammonia plays a role in the complex pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), serum ammonia is unreliable for both diagnosis of, and correlation with, neurological symptoms in patients with cirrhosis. We aimed to quantify ordering, cost and appropriate use of serum ammonia in a major Midwestern healthcare system.

Design/method

Serum ammonia ordering in adult patients presenting to a large Midwestern health system was evaluated from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2019.

Results

Serum ammonia ordering was prevalent, with 20 338 tests ordered over 5 years. There were no differences in the number of inappropriate serum ammonia tests per 100 000 admissions for chronic liver disease over time (Pearson’s correlation coefficient=−0.24, p=0.70). As a proportion of total ammonia tests ordered, inappropriate tests increased over time (Pearson’s correlation coefficient=0.91, p=0.03). Inappropriate ordering was more common at community hospitals compared with the academic medical centre (99.3% vs 87.6%, p<0.001).

Conclusion

Despite evidence that serum ammonia levels are unreliable for the diagnosis of HE and are not associated with severity of HE in individuals with cirrhosis, ordering remains prevalent, contributing to waste and potential harm.
Heaps’ law and vocabulary richness in the history of classical music harmony
Authors: Serra-Peralta Marc , Serrà Joan , Corral Álvaro
Published: August 2021

Music is a fundamental human construct, and harmony provides the building blocks of musical language. Using theKunstderfugecorpus of classical music, we analyze the historical evolution of the richness of harmonic vocabulary of 76 classical composers, covering almost 6 centuries. Such corpus comprises about 9500 pieces, resulting in more than 5 million tokens of music codewords. The fulfilment of Heaps’ law for the relation between the size of the harmonic vocabulary of a composer (in codeword types) and the total length of his works (in codeword tokens), with an exponent around 0.35, allows us to define a relative measure of vocabulary richness that has a transparent interpretation. When coupled with the considered corpus, this measure allows us to quantify harmony richness across centuries, unveiling a clear increasing linear trend. In this way, we are able to rank the composers in terms of richness of vocabulary, in the same way as for other related metrics, such as entropy. We find that the latter is particularly highly correlated with our measure of richness. Our approach is not specific for music and can be applied to other systems built by tokens of different types, as for instance natural language.
Development of a 20MeV proton particle-induced X-ray emission analysis method in a helium atmosphere
Authors: Ishii Keizo , Terakawa Atsuki , Hitomi Keitaro , Nogami Mitsuhiro
Published: August 2021

We developed a 20[Formula: see text]MeV particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis method using a medical cyclotron, which is conventionally used for positron emission tomography analysis performed in vacuo, during which the target sample is damaged. For non-destructive analysis and ease of switching between target samples, we developed a technique allowing 20[Formula: see text]MeV proton PIXE analysis to be performed at the atmospheric pressure. We filled the PIXE analysis chamber with helium and checked that the continuous background of the Compton tails of nuclear reaction [Formula: see text]-rays increased only minimally, and that the quasi-free electron bremsstrahlung (QFEB) did not increase at all, in the X-ray energy spectrum.
The analysis of conservation laws, symmetries and solitary wave solutions of Burgers–Fisher equation
Authors: Akbulut Arzu , Kaplan Melike , Kumar Dipankar , Taşcan Filiz
Published: August 2021

In this paper, the conservation laws, significant symmetries’ application, and traveling wave solutions are obtained for Burger–Fisher equation (BFE). Conservation laws have a great importance for partial and fractional differential equations and their solutions, especially in physics implementations. The conservation theorem and partial Noether approach are implemented for conservation laws for this equation, and the extended sinh-Gordon expansion method (esGEM) is presented for new solitary wave solutions. All obtained conservation laws are trivial conservation laws. The new and comprehensive solitary wave solutions of the equation by the esGEM are also obtained.
Impact of effective mass changes with mole-fraction on the analog/radio frequency benchmarking parameters in junctionless GaxIn1−xAs/GaAs field-effect transistor
Authors: Vadizadeh Mahdi , Fallahnejad Mohammad
Published: August 2021

In this paper, for the first time, changes in the effective mass (EM) of electron and hole with mole fraction are taken into account for extracting the benchmarking parameters of analog/radio frequency (RF) and high-frequency noise performance of junctionless (JL)-Ga[Formula: see text]In[Formula: see text]As/GaAs via simulation. In the JL-Ga[Formula: see text]In[Formula: see text]As/GaAs structure, considering changes in the effective mass with mole fraction is called a with-EM state, while the JL-Ga[Formula: see text]In[Formula: see text]As/GaAs structure without considering the changes in effective mass with mole fraction is called a without-EM state. The simulation results show that, per [Formula: see text], the maximum transconductance in the with-effective mass (EM) state is [Formula: see text] mS/[Formula: see text]m, which is reduced by 8% compared to the without-EM state. The JL-Ga[Formula: see text]In[Formula: see text]As/GaAs device in the with-EM state has the unity gain cutoff frequency of [Formula: see text] GHz, minimum noise figure of [Formula: see text] db, and available associated gain of [Formula: see text] db. The [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] parameters in the with-EM state decreased by 10% and 38%, respectively, compared to the without-EM state. Moreover, [Formula: see text] in the with-EM state increased by 65% compared to the without-EM state. Our simulation results indicated that an increase in electron effective mass with the increased [Formula: see text] can limit the analog/RF frequency and high-frequency noise performance of the JL-Ga[Formula: see text]In[Formula: see text]As/GaAs device.
On the supersolvability of a finite group by the sum of subgroup orders
Authors: Tărnăuceanu Marius
Published: August 2021

Let [Formula: see text] be a finite group and [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we prove that if [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] is supersolvable. In particular, some new characterizations of the well-known groups [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are obtained. We also show that [Formula: see text] does not imply the supersolvability of [Formula: see text] for no constant [Formula: see text].
Innovation Capabilities, Environmentally Sustainable Practices and Export Competitiveness: An Exploratory Study of Firms From India
Authors: Adhikari Padmanav , Momaya Kirankumar S.
Published: August 2021

India — the land of frugal innovation — is striving hard to catch up on its innovation capabilities. However, its inability to achieve balances on multiple fronts even 74 years after its independence indicates the presence of some underlying problems of competitiveness —both at the macro- as well as micro-levels. In this study, we build upon and extend the competitiveness Assets–Processes–Performance (APP) framework and try to diagnose such problems at the micro-level (i.e. firm level). We specifically try to understand the effect of environmentally sustainable practices (ESPs) on the relationship between innovation capabilities and export competitiveness (EC) of firms. Methodologically, we draw insights from both the theoretical (extant literature) as well as the observational (comprised of a purposive sample of select firms) realms. Our findings indicate that firms of Indian origin (FIOs) which are ahead of the rest in terms of their ESPs, fare better in terms of their EC. We propose a conceptual framework, wherein we posit that ESPs can moderate the relationship between innovation capabilities and EC. We also draw implications for theory and practice and discuss the avenues for future research.
Is Our Archiving Reliable? Multiobjective Archiving Methods on “Simple” Artificial Input Sequences
Authors: Li Miqing
Published: August 2021

In
evolutionary multiobjective optimisation
(
EMO
), archiving is a common component that maintains an (external or internal) set during the search process, typically with a fixed size, in order to provide a good representation of high-quality solutions produced. Such an archive set can be used solely to store the final results shown to the decision maker, but in many cases may participate in the process of producing solutions (e.g., as a solution pool where the parental solutions are selected). Over the last three decades, archiving stands as an important issue in EMO, leading to the emergence of various methods such as those based on Pareto, indicator, or decomposition criteria. Such methods have demonstrated their effectiveness in literature and have been believed to be good options to many problems, particularly those having a regular Pareto front shape, e.g., a simplex shape.

In this article, we challenge this belief. We do this through artificially constructing several sequences with extremely simple shapes, i.e., 1D/2D simplex Pareto front. We show the struggle of predominantly used archiving methods which have been deemed to well handle such shapes. This reveals that the order of solutions entering the archive matters, and that current EMO algorithms may not be fully capable of maintaining a representative population on problems with linear Pareto fronts even in the case that all of their optimal solutions can be found.
Optimizing the Performance of Containerized Cloud Software Systems Using Adaptive PID Controllers
Authors: Sabuhi Mikael , Mahmoudi Nima , Khazaei Hamzeh
Published: August 2021

Control theory has proven to be a practical approach for the design and implementation of controllers, which does not inherit the problems of non-control theoretic controllers due to its strong mathematical background. State-of-the-art auto-scaling controllers suffer from one or more of the following limitations: (1) lack of a reliable performance model, (2) using a performance model with low scalability, tractability, or fidelity, (3) being application- or architecture-specific leading to low extendability, and (4) no guarantee on their efficiency. Consequently, in this article, we strive to mitigate these problems by leveraging an adaptive controller, which is composed of a neural network as the performance model and a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller as the scaling engine. More specifically, we design, implement, and analyze different flavours of these adaptive and non-adaptive controllers, and we compare and contrast them against each other to find the most suitable one for managing containerized cloud software systems at runtime. The controller’s objective is to maintain the response time of the controlled software system in a pre-defined range, and meeting the Service-level Agreements, while leading to efficient resource provisioning.
A Comparison of Learning Classifier Systems’ Rule Compaction Algorithms for Knowledge Visualization
Authors: Liu Yi , Browne Will N. , Xue Bing
Published: August 2021

Learning Classifier Systems (LCSs) are a paradigm of rule-based evolutionary computation (EC). LCSs excel in data-mining tasks regarding helping humans to understand the explored problem, often through visualizing the discovered patterns linking features to classes. Due to the stochastic nature of EC, LCSs unavoidably produce and keep redundant rules, which obscure the patterns. Thus, rule compaction methods are invoked to produce a better population by removing problematic rules. Previously, compaction methods have neither been tested on large-scale problems nor been assessed on the performance of capturing patterns. We review and test the most popular compaction algorithms, finding that across multiple LCSs’ populations for the same task, although the redundant rules can be different, the accurate rules are common. Furthermore, the patterns contained consistently refer to the nature of the explored domain, e.g., the data distribution or the importance of features for determining actions. This extends the [
O
] set hypothesis proposed by Butz et al. [1], in which an LCS is expected to evolve a minimal number of non-overlapped rules to represent an addressed domain. Two new compaction algorithms are introduced to search at the rule level and the population level by compacting multiple LCSs’ populations. Two visualization methods are employed for verifying the interpretability of these populations. Successful compaction is demonstrated on complex and real problems with clean datasets, e.g., the 11-bits Majority-On problem that requires 924 different interacting rules in the optimal solution to be uniquely identified to enable correct visualization. For the first time, the patterns contained in learned models for the large-scale 70-bits Multiplexer problem are visualized successfully.
Constraint-Objective Cooperative Coevolution for Large-scale Constrained Optimization
Authors: Xu Peilan , Luo Wenjian , Lin Xin , Zhang Jiajia , Qiao Yingying , Wang Xuan
Published: August 2021

Large-scale optimization problems and constrained optimization problems have attracted considerable attention in the swarm and evolutionary intelligence communities and exemplify two common features of real problems, i.e., a large scale and constraint limitations. However, only a little work on solving large-scale continuous constrained optimization problems exists. Moreover, the types of benchmarks proposed for large-scale continuous constrained optimization algorithms are not comprehensive at present.

In this article, first, a constraint-objective cooperative coevolution (COCC) framework is proposed for large-scale continuous constrained optimization problems, which is based on the dual nature of the objective and constraint functions: modular and imbalanced components. The COCC framework allocates the computing resources to different components according to the impact of objective values and constraint violations. Second, a benchmark for large-scale continuous constrained optimization is presented, which takes into account the modular nature, as well as both imbalanced and overlapping characteristics of components. Finally, three different evolutionary algorithms are embedded into the COCC framework for experiments, and the experimental results show that COCC performs competitively.
Applying Machine Learning in Self-adaptive Systems
Authors: Gheibi Omid , Weyns Danny , Quin Federico
Published: August 2021

Recently, we have been witnessing a rapid increase in the use of machine learning techniques in self-adaptive systems. Machine learning has been used for a variety of reasons, ranging from learning a model of the environment of a system during operation to filtering large sets of possible configurations before analyzing them. While a body of work on the use of machine learning in self-adaptive systems exists, there is currently no systematic overview of this area. Such an overview is important for researchers to understand the state of the art and direct future research efforts. This article reports the results of a systematic literature review that aims at providing such an overview. We focus on self-adaptive systems that are based on a traditional Monitor-Analyze-Plan-Execute (MAPE)-based feedback loop. The research questions are centered on the problems that motivate the use of machine learning in self-adaptive systems, the key engineering aspects of learning in self-adaptation, and open challenges in this area. The search resulted in 6,709 papers, of which 109 were retained for data collection. Analysis of the collected data shows that machine learning is mostly used for updating adaptation rules and policies to improve system qualities, and managing resources to better balance qualities and resources. These problems are primarily solved using supervised and interactive learning with classification, regression, and reinforcement learning as the dominant methods. Surprisingly, unsupervised learning that naturally fits automation is only applied in a small number of studies. Key open challenges in this area include the performance of learning, managing the effects of learning, and dealing with more complex types of goals. From the insights derived from this systematic literature review, we outline an initial design process for applying machine learning in self-adaptive systems that are based on MAPE feedback loops.
Mixed Convection and Thermally Radiative Flow of MHD Williamson Nanofluid with Arrhenius Activation Energy and Cattaneo–Christov Heat-Mass Flux
Authors: Eswaramoorthi S. , Alessa Nazek , Sangeethavaanee M. , Kayikci Safak , Namgyel Ngawang
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we explored the impact of thermally radiative MHD flow of Williamson nanofluid over a stretchy plate. The flow in a stretchy plate is saturated via Darcy–Forchheimer relation. Cattaneo–Christov heat-mass flux theory is adopted to frame the energy and nanoparticle concentration equations. Additionally, the mass transfer analysis is made by activation energy and binary chemical reaction. Activation energy is invoked through the modified Arrhenius function. The intention of the current investigation is to enhance the heat transfer rate in industrial processes. The non-Newtonian nanofluids have more prominent thermal characteristics compared to ordinary working fluids. The governing models are altered into ODE models, and these models are numerically solved by applying the MATLAB bvp4c algorithm. The graphical and tabular interpretations have scrutinized the impact of sundry distinct parameters. The fluid speed escalates for enhancing the Richardson number, and it falls off for higher values of the Weissenberg number. It is noticed that the fluid temperature declines for higher values of the Brownian motion parameter and it grows for larger values of the thermophoresis parameter. The activation energy enriches the heat transfer gradient and suppresses the local Sherwood number. Additionally, the more significant heat transfer gradient occurs in heat-absorbing nonradiative viscous nanofluid and a smaller heat transfer gradient occurs in heat-generating radiative Williamson nanofluid. Also, we noticed that a higher heat transfer gradient appears in the Fourier model than in the Catteneo–Christov model. In addition, the comparative results are confirmed and reached an outstanding accord.
Research on Location Selection Strategy for Airlines Spare Parts Central Warehouse Based on METRIC
Authors: Wang Rui , Qin Yicong , Sun Hui
Published: August 2021

With the increased demands of airlines, it is important to study the location selection strategy for spare parts central warehouse in order to improve the allocation capacity of spare parts maintenance resources and reduce the operating costs of airlines. Based on the M/M/s/∞/∞ multiservice desk model and Multi‐Echelon Technique for Recoverable Item Control (METRIC) theory, this paper proposes a spare parts supply strategy based on the spare parts pool network and establishes a location selection model for spare parts central warehouse. The particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is used to iteratively optimize the location for spare parts central warehouse and adjust the location area of the central warehouse combining transportation facilities and geographical environment factors. Finally, the paper compares the operating results for multiple airlines in pooling and off‐pooling states and verifies the effectiveness of the spare parts supply model and the advantages of cost control for airlines.
Universal Method for Constructing Fault‐Tolerant Optical Routers Using RRW
Authors: Fadhel Meaad , Huang Lei , Gu Huaxi
Published: August 2021

High‐speed data transmission enabled by photonic network‐on‐chip (PNoC) has been regarded as a significant technology to overcome the power and bandwidth constraints of electrical network‐on‐Chip (ENoC). This has given rise to an exciting new research area, which has piqued the public’s attention. Current on‐chip architectures cannot guarantee the reliability of PNoC, due to component failures or breakdowns occurring, mainly, in active components such as optical routers (ORs). When such faults manifest, the optical router will not function properly, and the whole network will ultimately collapse. Moreover, essential phenomena such as insertion loss, crosstalk noise, and optical signal‐to‐noise ratio (OSNR) must be considered to provide fault‐tolerant PNoC architectures with low‐power consumption. The main purpose of this manuscript is to improve the reliability of PNoCs without exposing the network to further blocking or contention by taking the effect of backup paths on signals sent over the default paths into consideration. Thus, we propose a universal method that can be applied to any optical router in order to increase the reliability by using a reliable ring waveguide (RRW) to provide backup paths for each transmitted signal within the same router, without the need to change the route of the signal within the network. Moreover, we proposed a simultaneous transmission probability analysis for optical routers to show the feasibility of this proposed method. This probability analyzes all the possible signals that can be transmitted at the same time within the default and the backup paths of the router. Our research work shows that the simultaneous transmission probability is improved by 10% to 46% compared to other fault‐tolerant optical routers. Furthermore, the worst‐case insertion loss of our scheme can be reduced by 46.34% compared to others. The worst‐case crosstalk noise is also reduced by 24.55%, at least, for the default path and 15.7%, at least, for the backup path. Finally, in the network level, the OSNR is increased by an average of 68.5% for the default path and an average of 15.9% for the backup path, for different sizes of the network.
Modifying the Mini-Cog to Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Nonliterate Individuals
Authors: Adhikari Shambhu P. , Dev Rubee , Borson Soo
Published: August 2021

Objectives. The Mini-Cog, a rapid, valid, and reliable screening tool for cognitive impairment, consists of 3-word recall and an executive clock drawing test (CDT). However, CDT requires at least basic literacy and cultural exposure to analog clocks, conditions not met in many population groups around the world. We developed a modification of the Mini-Cog (MMC) for use with nonliterate and literate individuals. Methods. Participants were adults (≥60 years) with no neurological diagnosis, with known cognitive impairment due to stroke, Parkinsonism, traumatic brain injury, or Alzheimer’s disease, and whose family members were able to read and write. We replaced the CDT with two tasks of everyday life: a serial subtraction task or a multistep performance task. Family members rated the acceptability and feasibility of the Mini-Cog versions using a 6-point scale and completed a proxy-rated cognitive staging tool, the Dementia Severity Rating Scale (DSRS). Spearman’s rho, Mann-Whitney

U

, and chi-square tests were used to evaluate group differences and associations between measures. Results. Data were collected from 63 participants (

75
%
≥
60
 
years

, 67% nonliterate). Literacy was associated with CDT (chi-square strength 0.9,

p
<
0.001

). Both MMC versions correlated with DSRS in healthy adults and patients (rho 0.6-0.7,

p
<
0.05

). In literate individuals, the acceptability and feasibility of CDT and both alternate distractors were similarly high (5/6). Conclusions. Two alternate distractor tasks may successfully replace CDT in the Mini-Cog. The MMC versions are promising and deserve further study as screening tools for cognitive impairment in larger and more fully characterized samples.
Optimal Sizing of Isolated Microgrid Containing Photovoltaic/Photothermal/Wind/Diesel/Battery
Authors: Zhao Guo , Cao Tianhua , Wang Yudan , Zhou Huirui , Zhang Chi , Wan Chenxi
Published: August 2021

The establishment of isolated microgrid is of great significance in solving power supply problems in offshore islands or remote mountainous areas. Aiming at the isolated microgrid containing photovoltaic, photothermal, wind, diesel, and energy storage, a three-objective sizing optimization model of the microgrid is proposed considering comprehensive economy cost, deficiency of power supply probability (DPSP), and renewable energy discard rate (REDR). The three-objective sizing optimization model was solved by the improved multiobjective grey wolf optimization algorithm. An island was taken as an example to optimize the sizing of the microgrid, and the rationality of the proposed three-objective model was verified. The feasibility of the improved multiobjective grey wolf optimization (IMOGWO) was verified by comparing with the multiobjective grey wolf optimization (MOGWO). Three representative solution sets and a set of compromise solution sets are obtained by simulation, and the results satisfied the load demand. And the DPSP and the REDR are reduced by 7.55% and 6.29% by using the IMOGWO. The designed and analyzed hybrid renewable energy system model might be applicable to around the world having similar climate conditions.
Fulminant Vasculitis Complicated by ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Stroke
Authors: Pham Vy A. , Kovach Christopher P. , Gordon Patti Karl , Manning Evan S. , Slade Stephen J. , Pollard Rebecca , Weinstein Elena , Simpson Jennifer , Carter James E.
Published: August 2021

Acute coronary syndrome is a rare complication of vasculitis. We present a case of fulminant medium-vessel vasculitis, most likely PAN, complicated by STEMI and stroke, that was successfully treated with percutaneous revascularization, high-quality stroke care, and immunosuppression. This case highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment of vasculitis and the recognition of coronary and cerebral ischemia as potentially serious complications.
Analysis Methods for Aerodynamic Instability Detection on a Multistage Axial Compressor
Authors: Tu Baofeng , Zhang Xinyu , Hu Jun , Zhong Ming , Xiong Bing
Published: August 2021

In order to detect the aerodynamic instability of a multistage axial compressor more accurately and earlier, the harmonic Fourier mean amplitude analysis method and heterotopic variance analysis method are developed. The dynamic instability prediction performance of the two methods is studied on a low-speed and a high-speed two-stage axial compressor. The harmonic Fourier mean amplitude analysis method is suitable for predicting the aerodynamic instability of a multistage axial compressor in the form of a rotating stall. Compared with the traditional harmonic Fourier analysis methods, the harmonic Fourier mean amplitude analysis method can capture the detail of the pressure signal more accurately and it can effectively prevent instability misjudgment. The heterotopic variance analysis method is developed based on the conventional variance analysis method, and it can be used to distinguish whether the compressor is in the rotating stall or the surge state. The heterotopic variance analysis method can predict the aerodynamic instability ahead of the harmonic Fourier mean amplitude analysis method, and fewer circumferential measuring points were employed. The layout of the measuring points also influences the detection of the aerodynamic instability of the compressor. The aerodynamic instability of the high-speed axial compressor can be predicted earlier by employing measuring points at the compressor outlet.
Ultrasonographic Assessment of the Normal Femoral Articular Cartilage of the Knee Joint: Comparison with 3D MRI
Authors: Kauppinen Kyösti , Casula Victor , Zbýň Štefan , Blanco Sequeiros Roberto , Saarakkala Simo S. , Nevalainen Mika T.
Published: August 2021

Objective. Ultrasonography (US) has a promising role in evaluating the knee joint, but capability to visualize the femoral articular cartilage needs systematic evaluation. We measured the extent of this acoustic window by comparing standardized US images with the corresponding MRI views of the femoral cartilage. Design. Ten healthy volunteers without knee pathology underwent systematic US and MRI evaluation of both knees. The femoral cartilage was assessed on the oblique transverse axial plane with US and with 3D MRI. The acoustic window on US was compared to the corresponding views of the femoral sulcus and both condyles on MRI. The mean imaging coverage of the femoral cartilage and the cartilage thickness measurements on US and MRI were compared. Results. Mean imaging coverage of the cartilage of the medial femoral condyle was 66% (range 54%–80%) and on the lateral femoral condyle 37% (range 25%–51%) compared with MRI. Mean cartilage thickness measurement in the femoral sulcus was 3.17 mm with US and 3.61 mm with MRI (14.0% difference). The corresponding measurements in the medial femoral condyle were 1.95 mm with US and 2.35 mm with MRI (21.0% difference), and in the lateral femoral condyle, they were 2.17 mm and 2.73 mm (25.6% difference), respectively. Conclusion. Two-thirds of the articular cartilage of the medial femoral condyle, and one-third in the lateral femoral condyle, can be assessed with US. The cartilage thickness measurements seem to be underestimated by US. These results show promise for the evaluation of the weight-bearing cartilage of the medial femoral condyle with US.