Controllability analysis of directed networks in finite states based on pruning motif isomorph

The current driver nodes search methods are difficult to cope with large networks, and the solution process does not consider the node cost. In order to solve the practical control problem of networks with different node costs in finite states, this paper proposes a pruning and motif isomorph search method for driver node set. Firstly, we prove the sufficient conditions for the network to be strictly controllable under partial nodes control, then we classify the nodes and prove the equivalence controllability of the pruning network, and then we establish three models of maximum augmenting path search, local pruning and motif matching to form a complete driver nodes set search algorithm. Finally, the algorithm is validated by real networks. The results show that our method not only guarantee the accuracy of search results, but also has the low time complexity, which can efficiently handle large networks, and no more than 16.84% of the maximum driver nodes can control the whole network

Integrated calibration of a 3D attitude sensor in large-scale metrology

A novel calibration method is presented for a sensor fusion system in large-scale metrology, which improves the calibration efficiency and reliability. The attitude sensor is composed of a pinhole prism, a converging lens, an area-array camera and a biaxial inclinometer. A mathematical model is established to determine its three-dimensional attitude relative to a cooperative total station by using two vector observations from the imaging system and the inclinometer. The measurement model developed has two aspects to be calibrated: the intrinsic parameters of the imaging model; and the transformation matrix between the camera and the inclinometer. An integrated calibration method using a three-axis rotary table and a total station is then proposed. A single mounting position of the attitude sensor on the rotary table is sufficient to solve for all parameters of the measurement model. A correction technique for the reference laser beam of the total station removes the need for accurate positioning of the sensor on the rotary table. Calibration measurements are made at multiple angular positions of the rotary table in order to determine all the unknown parameters in the model. Experimental verification has verified the practicality and accuracy of this calibration method. Results show that the mean deviations of attitude angles using the proposed method are less than 0.01°

Epidemiological characteristics of noise-induced hearing loss among workers in five automobile manufacturing enterprises in Zhejiang Province

BackgroundNoise is the most common occupational hazard in the automobile manufacturing industry with the most workers exposed. Automobile manufacturing industry is a high-risk industry for noise-induced hearing loss. ObjectiveTo understand the epidemiological characteristics of noise-induced hearing loss among workers in automobile manufacturing industry and explore related influencing factors. MethodsA questionnaire survey, individual noise recording, and pure tone audiometry were conducted among workers (n=656) exposed to noise from five automobile manufacturing enterprises. The data on age, sex, exposure duration, noise intensity, kurtosis, and hearing loss were obtained. The positive rates of high-frequency noise-induced hearing loss (HFNIHL) and speech-frequency noise-induced hearing loss (SFNIHL) were calculated, and each factor was compared between workers with and without HFNIHL. Chi-square test and analysis of trend were conducted among different groups of age, sex, exposure duration, A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level normalized to a nominal 8-hour working day (LAeq,8h), and kurtosis. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the factors influencing the positive rates of HFNIHL and SFNIHL. ResultsThe exposure rates of non-Gaussian noise was 73.6%. The positive rates of HFNIHL and SFNIHL were 32.6% (214 workers) and 6.7% (44 workers), respectively. The HFNIHL workers showed older age, higher proportion of male, longer exposure duration, higher noise intensity (LAeq,8 h), and increased kurtosis than those without HFNIHL (P<0.05). The positive rates of HFNIHL increased with the increase of age, exposure duration, LAeq,8 h, and kurtosis (\begin{document}${\chi ^2}$\end{document}trend-age=49.25, P<0.001; \begin{document}${\chi ^2}$\end{document}trend-duration=22.19, P<0.001; \begin{document}${\chi ^2}$\end{document}trend-LAeq=6.91, P=0.009; \begin{document}${\chi ^2}$\end{document}trend-kurtosis=8.56, P=0.003). The results of logistic regression showed that age (OR=2.13, 95%CI: 1.67-2.71, P<0.001), sex (OR=2.29, 95%CI: 1.44-3.62, P<0.001), exposure duration (OR=1.43, 95%CI: 1.11-1.85, P=0.006), LAeq,8h (OR=1.37, 95%CI: 1.08~1.76, P=0.011), and kurtosis (OR=1.37, 95%CI: 1.14-1.63, P=0.001) were factors associated with the risk of HFNIHL, while only age was associated with the risk of SFNIHL (OR=2.15, 95%CI: 1.33-3.33, P=0.001). ConclusionWorkers exposed to noise in automobile manufacturing industry are at a high risk of hearing loss. Age, sex, exposure duration, LAeq,8 h, and kurtosis are key influencing factors of hearing loss

Characteristic analysis of lightning activities on the Yungui Plateau using ground-based remote sensing

The spatiotemporal distribution of cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning activities on the Yungui Plateau is investigated in this study by using a 5-year dataset (2016–2020) from the ground-based National Lightning Detection Network (CNLDN). The correlations between the lightning activities and different meteorological factors in the region are also analyzed. The results show that there is an obvious difference in the spatial distribution of lightning activities on the Yungui Plateau during the 5 years, with high lightning density in the east and low lightning density in the west. The lightning activities shift and gather more towards the eastern plateau especially after 2019. Affected by the quasi-stationary front in Kunming, the spatial distributions of lightning flashes in cold and warm seasons are different. On the other hand, the frequency of the lightning activities varies from year to year, such as the surge in 2019. But in general, 62% of the lightning activities are produced in summer and the lightning flashes occur more often in the afternoon and evening on the Yungui Plateau. Additionally, it is found that lightning activities in the 5 years are closely related to precipitation and temperature, while there is a weak correlation with relative humidity and almost no correlation with sensible heat flux. The analysis also indicates that the CAPE×P (convective available potential energy times precipitation rate) proxy can be effectively used to describe and predict lightning activities on the Yungui Plateau as the lightning flashes corresponds well to CAPE×P, especially of the spatial distribution

Involvement of Fenton chemistry in rice straw degradation by the lignocellulolytic bacterium Pantoea ananatis Sd-1

Additional file 7: Table S2. Primers used for quantitative real time-PCR

An Internally Validated Nomogram for Predicting the Likelihood of Improvement of Clinical Global Impression in Patients With Lifelong Premature Ejaculation Treated With Dapoxetine

Background: Although the introduction of dapoxetine has ushered in a new era in the treatment of premature ejaculation, many patients with lifelong premature ejaculation (LPE) exhibit an unimproved clinical global impression even after treatment with dapoxetine. Aim: To investigate independent predictors of the improvement of Clinical Global Impression (iCGI) in patients with LPE treated with dapoxetine and develop a nomogram to predict a patient's likelihood of achieving iCGI. Methods: Data of 243 patients with LPE diagnosed at Xijing Hospital (Xi'an, China) and Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital (Xi'an, China) from January 2019 to May 2020 were analyzed. Independent predictors of iCGI were identified, and a nomogram was developed using R software based on a multivariate logistic regression model. The predictive accuracy of the nomogram was measured using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. The nomogram was calibrated by comparing predictions with observations. Main outcome measures: The primary outcome was the patient-rated Clinical Global Impression of Change scale score after a 4-week course of dapoxetine treatment, which was collected via an online questionnaire. A Clinical Global Impression of Change score of ≥1 was defined as iCGI in this study. Results: Patients with LPE with at least a bachelor's degree, a self-reported intravaginal ejaculation latency time of &gt;1 minute, and an International Index of Erectile Function question 5 score of ≥3 were independent factors associated with achieving iCGI, whereas a Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool question 1 score of ≥2 was an independent factor negatively associated with achieving iCGI. The predictive accuracy of the nomogram, which was developed by integrating all variables with independent predictive significance, was 0.710 (95% confidence interval: 0.702-0.718). In addition, the calibration plot demonstrated excellent agreement between predictions and observations. Clinical implications: If the predictive performance of our nomogram is further proven in multiple external validations, it can be used to select suitable patients for dapoxetine treatment, thereby reducing the number of patients discontinuing treatment. Strengths &amp; limitations: This study developed the first nomogram for predicting the likelihood of achieving iCGI in patients with LPE treated with dapoxetine. However, our nomogram was not externally validated using independent cohorts from other institutions. Conclusion: This study identified several independent predictors of iCGI in patients with LPE treated with dapoxetine. An effective nomogram was developed to predict their likelihood of achieving iCGI. External validations using data of Western patients with LPE are required to test the broader applicability of this Chinese patient-based tool. Hou G, Gao M, Zhang L, et al. An Internally Validated Nomogram for Predicting the Likelihood of Improvement of Clinical Global Impression in Patients With Lifelong Premature Ejaculation Treated With Dapoxetine

Updating systematic reviews can improve the precision of outcomes: a comparative study

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the main characteristics and the precision of outcomes between updated and original systematic reviews (SRs). Study Design and Setting: We searched PubMed and Embase.com on 31 March 2019 and included 30 pairs of updated and original SRs. We calculated changes in outcomes and the precision of effect size estimates in updated SRs, compared with original SRs. Review Manager 5.3 software was adopted to create forest plots showing comparable outcomes. Results: The average update time was 56.0 months, and incorporating new trials (23 SRs, 76.7%) was the main reason for the update. Compared with original SRs, 24 (80.0%) updated SRs included more randomized controlled trials and 22 (73.3%) updated SRs involved a larger number of patients. Of the 130 comparable outcomes, only three (2.3%) outcomes were observed with a significant change in three SR updates. No new data from randomized controlled trials were added to 36 (27.7%) outcomes during the update process. Of the 94 outcomes including new evidence, 83 (88.3%) showed an improvement in precision, 5 (5.3%) showed a decrease in precision, and 6 (6.4%) did not exhibit changes in precision. Conclusion: Updating SRs could increase the precision of most comparable outcomes, although the conclusions of almost all updated SRs were similar to original SRs