Optimizing Transportation Network of Recovering End-of-Life Vehicles by Compromising Program in Polymorphic Uncertain Environment

With rapid development of technology and improvement of living standards, the per capita holding of automobiles greatly increases, and the amount of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) becomes larger and larger such that it is valuable to investigate an effective strategy for recycling ELVs from the viewpoints of environmental protection and resource utilization. In this paper, an optimization model with fuzzy and stochastic parameters is built to formulate the transportation planning problems of recycling ELVs in polymorphic uncertain environment, where the unit processing and transportation costs, the selling price of reused items, and the fixed cost are all fuzzy, while the demand in secondary market and the production capacity are random owing to features underlying the practical data. For this complicated polymorphic uncertain optimization model, a unified compromising approach is proposed to hedge the uncertainty of this model such that some powerful optimization algorithms can be applied to make an optimal recycling plan. Then, an interactive algorithm is developed to find a compromising solution of the uncertain model. Numerical results show efficiency of the algorithm and a number of important managerial insights are revealed from the proposed model by scenario analysis and sensitivity analysis. Document type: Articl

An Initial Study on the Intensifying Enterprises Information Management

The information management has become an important base of developing an enterprise’s eBusiness. Although our country has spent abundant manpower, material resources and financial support on enterprise information management, most of the information systems were not so good to meet our need and they didn’t bring the effect into play sufficiently. Based on the two large questionnaires, this paper has made an initial study and analysis on the status and actual questions of Chinese information management. And then this paper studies the current status of information management of some of the dominant enterprises in Sichuan Province. At last this paper presents some suggestions of intensifying enterprises information management

An autonomous ultra-wide band-based attitude and position determination technique for indoor mobile laser scanning

Mobile laser scanning (MLS) has been widely used in three-dimensional (3D) city modelling data collection, such as Google cars for Google Map/Earth. Building Information Modelling (BIM) has recently emerged and become prominent. 3D models of buildings are essential for BIM. Static laser scanning is usually used to generate 3D models for BIM, but this method is inefficient if a building is very large, or it has many turns and narrow corridors. This paper proposes using MLS for BIM 3D data collection. The positions and attitudes of the mobile laser scanner are important for the correct georeferencing of the 3D models. This paper proposes using three high-precision ultra-wide band (UWB) tags to determine the positions and attitudes of the mobile laser scanner. The accuracy of UWB-based MLS 3D models is assessed by comparing the coordinates of target points, as measured by static laser scanning and a total station survey

Cognitive, language, and behavioral outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorders exposed to early comprehensive treatment models: A meta-analysis and meta-regression

Background: Early comprehensive treatment models (CTMs) have been developed as effective treatments for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Numerous studies have suggested that CTMs can improve short-term outcomes, but little is known about precise outcome information in childhood. The current meta-analysis reviewed studies reporting broader outcomes in children with ASD who had ever participated in a CTM and examined the predictors of developmental gains. Methods: We searched eight databases up to June 13, 2019, for relevant trials and natural experiments. Longitudinal studies were selected if they investigated the outcomes of CTMs. Two meta-analyses were undertaken to provide a summary estimate of change in treatment outcomes and to evaluate the effect of CTMs; one used the standardized mean change between the pretest and posttest, and the other was a classical meta-analysis. Stratified and random-effects meta-regression analyses were performed to search for outcome differences among studies. Results: Eighteen intervention studies (involving 495 children with ASD) met all the inclusion criteria: 12 used early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI), and two used the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). Outcomes were categorized into three parts: cognitive, language and behavioral (e.g., adaptive functioning and symptomatology). Overall, most children with ASD who had ever participated in an early CTM made gains in many areas of functioning, especially in terms of symptom- and language-related outcomes. Stratified analyses indicated that the ESDM displayed the largest effect on IQ improvement (ES = 1.37, 95% CI: 0.95 to 1.80), while EIBI was more effective for symptom reduction (ES = −1.27, 95% CI: −1.96 to −0.58). Further, meta-regression suggested that interventions with parent involvement, higher intensity, and longer treatment hours yielded greater improvements in IQ and social adaptive functioning, respectively. Conclusion: The results demonstrate a positive association between CTMs and better prognosis in childhood, especially regarding symptoms, and language. However, most extant research involves small, non-randomized studies, preventing definitive conclusions from being drawn. Clearly, the outcomes of children with ASD are still far from normal, especially with respect to adaptive functioning, and the four mediating variables pertaining to treatment elements can affect their gains, including approach, implementer, intensity, and total treatment hours

Association of systemic immune-inflammation index with insulin resistance and prediabetes: a cross-sectional study

Background and ObjectivePrevious research suggested a relationship between the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) and multiple adverse health conditions. However, the role of SII in prediabetes and insulin resistance (IR) remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study aims to explore the potential relationship between SII and prediabetes and IR, providing data support for effective diabetes prevention by reducing systemic inflammation.MethodsLinear regression models were used to assess the correlation between continuous SII and risk markers for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Subsequently, multivariate logistic regression models and subgroup analyses were employed to evaluate the association between SII tertiles and prediabetes and IR, controlling for various confounding factors. Finally, restricted cubic spline graphs were used to analyze the nonlinear relationship between SII and IR and prediabetes.ResultsAfter controlling for multiple potential confounders, SII was positively correlated with fasting blood glucose (FBG) (β: 0.100; 95% CI: 0.040 to 0.160), fasting serum insulin (FSI) (β: 1.042; 95% CI: 0.200 to 1.885), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (β: 0.273; 95% CI: 0.022 to 0.523). Compared to participants with lower SII, those in the highest tertile had increased odds of prediabetes (OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.02-1.34; p for trend < 0.05) and IR (OR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.18 to 1.51; p for trend<0.001).ConclusionsOur study results demonstrate an elevated association between SII levels and both IR and prediabetes, indicating SII as a straightforward and cost-effective method identifying individuals with IR and prediabetes

Engineered Near-Infrared Fluorescent Protein Assemblies for Robust Bioimaging and Therapeutic Applications

Fluorescent proteins are investigated extensively as markers for the imaging of cells and tissues that are treated by gene transfection. However, limited transfection efficiency and lack of targeting restrict the clinical application of this method rooted in the challenging development of robust fluorescent proteins for in vivo bioimaging. To address this, a new type of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent protein assemblies manufactured by genetic engineering is presented. Due to the formation of well-defined nanoparticles and spectral operation within the phototherapeutic window, the NIR protein aggregates allow stable and specific tumor imaging via simple exogenous injection. Importantly, in vivo tumor metastases are tracked and this overcomes the limitations of in vivo imaging that can only be implemented relying on the gene transfection of fluorescent proteins. Concomitantly, the efficient loading of hydrophobic drugs into the protein nanoparticles is demonstrated facilitating the therapy of tumors in a mouse model. It is believed that these theranostic NIR fluorescent protein assemblies, hence, show great potential for the in vivo detection and therapy of cancer

Minimum node degree of k-connected vehicular ad hoc networks in highway scenarios

A vehicular ad hoc network (VANET) is a specific type of mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs); it can provide direct or multi-hop vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-roadside (V2R), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), and vehicle-to-internet (V2I)communications based on the pre-existing road layouts. The emerging and promising VANET technologies have drawn tremendous attention from the government, academics, and industry over the past few years and have been increasingly available for a large number of cutting edge applications that can be classified into road safety, traffic efficiency, and infotainment categories. Due to the unique characteristics of VANETs, such as high mobility with an organized but constrained pattern, and diverse radio propagation conditions, the conventional researches dedicated for general MANETs cannot be directly applied to VANETs. This paper presents an analytical framework to investigate the minimum node degree of k-connected VANETs, with a homogeneous range assignment in highway scenarios. We simulate the mobility patterns with realistic vehicular traces, model the network topology as a two-path fading geometric random graph, and conduct extensive experiments on the derived analytical results. Through a combination of mathematical modeling and simulations, we derive a probabilistic bound for the minimum node degree of a homogeneous vehicular ad hoc network in highway scenarios. The analytical framework is useful in the study of connectivity and estimation of performance in one-dimensional vehicular ad hoc networks

Risk factors for community-acquired pneumonia among inpatients with mental disorders in a tertiary general hospital

IntroductionCommunity-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is an important cause of hospitalization and death in patients with mental disorders. It is critical to understand the risk factors of CAP and determine prevention strategies to reduce CAP. The aim of this study is to explore the characteristics of inpatients with mental disorders who have CAP and analyze the risk factors.MethodsThis retrospective study included 16,934 inpatients with mental disorders who were admitted for the first time to a tertiary general hospital between January 2017 and July 2021 (excluding January 2020–May 2020). Risk factors for CAP were identified by logistic regression analysis after propensity score matching (PSM, 1:4) for age, gender, and BMI.ResultsThe CAP rate of inpatients with mental disorders was 1.78%. Inpatients who had CAP had a significantly prolonged hospital stay, and were more often admitted to a closed ward or the ICU. After PSM, the multivariable analysis revealed that clozapine use (OR = 3.212, 95% CI = 1.744–5.915, P < 0.001), schizophrenia spectrum disorder (OR = 2.785, 95% CI = 1.684–4.607, P < 0.001), alcohol consumption (OR = 2.549, 95% CI = 1.586–4.096, P < 0.001), cardiovascular disease (OR = 2.299, 95% CI = 1.362–3.879, P = 0.002), Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) ≥ 3 (OR = 2.092, 95% CI = 1.342–3.260, P = 0.001), organic mental disorder (OR = 1.941, 95% CI = 1.194–3.156, P = 0.007), antipsychotic drug use (OR = 1.886, 95% CI = 1.312–2.711, P = 0.001), unmarried status (OR = 1.720, 95% CI = 1.164–2.541, P = 0.006) and junior high school education (OR = 1.591, 95%CI = 1.010–2.508, P = 0.045) were independent risk factors for CAP in inpatients with mental disorders.ConclusionCAP was common in inpatients with mental disorders. Patients with mental disorders have unique risk factors for CAP. Further research is required to explore the relationship and mechanism between different mental disorders, antipsychotic drugs and CAP

Arabidopsis blue light receptor phototropin 1 undergoes blue light-induced activation in membrane microdomains

Phototropin (phot)-mediated signaling initiated by blue light (BL) plays a critical role in optimizing photosynthetic light capture at the plasma membrane (PM) in plants. However, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of phot activity at the PM in response to BL remain largely unclear. In this study, by single-particle tracking and step-wise photobleaching analysis we demonstrated that in the dark phot1-GFP proteins remain in an inactive state and mostly present as a monomer. The phot1-GFP diffusion rate and its dimerization increased in a dose-dependent manner in response to BL. In contrast, BL did not affect the lateral diffusion of kinase-inactive phot1 -GFP, whereas it did enhance its dimerization, suggesting that phot1 dimerization is independent of its phosphorylation. Förster resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FRET-FLIM) analysis revealed that the interaction between phot1-GFP and AtRem1.3-mCherry was enhanced along with increased time of BL treatment. However, the BL-dependent interaction was not obvious in plants co-expressing phot1 -GFP and AtRem1.3-mCherry, implicating that BL facilitated the translocation of functional phot1-GFP into AtRem1.3-labeled microdomains to activate phot-mediated signaling. Conversely, sterol depletion attenuated phot1-GFP dynamics, dimerization, and phosphorylation. Taken together, these results indicate that membrane microdomains act as an organizing platform essential for proper function of activated phot1 at the PM