Data-driven Preference Learning Methods for Multiple Criteria Sorting with Temporal Criteria

The advent of predictive methodologies has catalyzed the emergence of data-driven decision support across various domains. However, developing models capable of effectively handling input time series data presents an enduring challenge. This study presents novel preference learning approaches to multiple criteria sorting problems in the presence of temporal criteria. We first formulate a convex quadratic programming model characterized by fixed time discount factors, operating within a regularization framework. Additionally, we propose an ensemble learning algorithm designed to consolidate the outputs of multiple, potentially weaker, optimizers, a process executed efficiently through parallel computation. To enhance scalability and accommodate learnable time discount factors, we introduce a novel monotonic Recurrent Neural Network (mRNN). It is designed to capture the evolving dynamics of preferences over time while upholding critical properties inherent to MCS problems, including criteria monotonicity, preference independence, and the natural ordering of classes. The proposed mRNN can describe the preference dynamics by depicting marginal value functions and personalized time discount factors along with time, effectively amalgamating the interpretability of traditional MCS methods with the predictive potential offered by deep preference learning models. Comprehensive assessments of the proposed models are conducted, encompassing synthetic data scenarios and a real-case study centered on classifying valuable users within a mobile gaming app based on their historical in-app behavioral sequences. Empirical findings underscore the notable performance improvements achieved by the proposed models when compared to a spectrum of baseline methods, spanning machine learning, deep learning, and conventional multiple criteria sorting approaches

The Prognosis of Anti-Angiogenesis Treatments Combined with Standard Therapy for Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background and Purpose: Although bevacizumab (BV) has been approved as second-line therapy for recurrent glioblastoma (GB), the efficacy and safety of BV for patients with newly diagnosed GB remain unclear. Methodology/Principal Findings: We systematically searched electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, etc.) to identify related studies published from January 1966 and August 2016. Eight randomized controlled trials including a total of 2,185 patients with GB were included. We found that the median progression-free survival (PFS) was higher in the BV group than in the standard therapy (ST) group (pooled hazard ratio, 0.73;95% CI, 0.62-0.86;P = 0.0001). Compared with ST, BV improved the PFS rate at 6 months (OR 3.33, 95% CI 2.73-4.06, p<0.00001) and 12 months (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.74-2.54, p< 0.00001). There were no significant differences in median overall survival between the BV and ST groups (OR, 1.01;95% CI, 0.83-1.23;P = 0.95). The BV group had higher survival rates at 6 months (OR, 1.41;95% CI, 1.09-1.84;P = 0.01) and 12 months (OR, 1.23;95% CI, 1.02-1.48;P = 0.03), but a low survival rate at the 36-month follow-up (OR, 0.57;95% CI, 0.32-0.98;P = 0.04). For the incidence of adverse events, three adverse outcomes were found to be significantly different between BV and ST groups, including hypertension (8.37% vs. 1.62%, p<0.000001), proteinuria (7.65% vs. 0%, p<0.001), and fatigue (14.54% vs. 9.01%, p = 0.05). Conclusions/Significance: Our study indicates that combination of BV with ST for newly diagnosed GB did not improve the median overall survival but result in longer median PFS, maintaining the quality of life and functional status. However, the long-term use of BV is associated with a higher incidence of adverse events and mortality

TAMEP are brain tumor parenchymal cells controlling neoplastic angiogenesis and progression

Aggressive brain tumors like glioblastoma depend on support by their local environment and subsets of tumor parenchymal cells may promote specific phases of disease progression. We investigated the glioblastoma microenvironment with transgenic lineage-tracing models, intravital imaging, single-cell transcriptomics, immunofluorescence analysis as well as histopathology and characterized a previously unacknowledged population of tumor-associated cells with a myeloid-like expression profile (TAMEP) that transiently appeared during glioblastoma growth. TAMEP of mice and humans were identified with specific markers. Notably, TAMEP did not derive from microglia or peripheral monocytes but were generated by a fraction of CNS-resident, SOX2-positive progenitors. Abrogation of this progenitor cell population, by conditional Sox2-knockout, drastically reduced glioblastoma vascularization and size. Hence, TAMEP emerge as a tumor parenchymal component with a strong impact on glioblastoma progression

Individual or mixing extrusion of Tartary buckwheat and adzuki bean: Effect on quality properties and starch digestibility of instant powder

IntroductionTartary buckwheat and adzuki bean, which are classified as coarse grain, has attracted increasing attention as potential functional ingredient or food source because of their high levels of bioactive components and various health benefits.MethodsThis work investigated the effect of two different extrusion modes including individual extrusion and mixing extrusion on the phytochemical compositions, physicochemical properties and in vitro starch digestibility of instant powder which consists mainly of Tartary buckwheat and adzuki bean flour.ResultsCompared to mixing extrusion, instant powder obtained with individual extrusion retained higher levels of protein, resistant starch, polyphenols, flavonoids and lower gelatinization degree and estimated glycemic index. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (35.45%) of the instant powder obtained with individual extrusion was stronger than that obtained with mixing extrusion (26.58%). Lower levels of digestibility (39.65%) and slower digestion rate coefficient (0.25 min−1) were observed in the instant powder obtained with individual extrusion than in mixing extrusion (50.40%, 0.40 min−1) by logarithm-of-slope analysis. Moreover, two extrusion modes had no significant impact on the sensory quality of instant powder. Correlation analysis showed that the flavonoids were significantly correlated with physicochemical properties and starch digestibility of the instant powder.DiscussionThese findings suggest that the instant powder obtained with individual extrusion could be used as an ideal functional food resource with anti-diabetic potential

Examining Vegetation Change and Associated Spatial Patterns in Wuyishan National Park at Different Protection Levels

Examining the characteristics of vegetation change and associated spatial patterns under different protection levels can provide a scientific basis for national park protection and management. Based on the dense time-series Landsat enhanced vegetation index (EVI) data between 1986 and 2020, we utilized the Wild Binary Segmentation (WBS) approach to detect spatial and temporal characteristics of abrupt, gradual, and total changes in Wuyishan National Park. The differences in vegetation change in three protection-level areas (strictly protected [Prots], generally protected [Prot], and non-protected [NP]) were examined, and the contributions to their spatial patterns were evaluated through Geodetector. The results showed the following: (1) The highest percentage of area without abrupt change was in Prots (39.89%), and the lowest percentage was in NP (17.44%). The percentage of abrupt change frequency (larger than three times) increased from 4.40% to 9.10% and 12.49% with the decreases in protection. The significance test showed that the difference in changed frequencies was not significant among these regions, but the interannual variation of abrupt change in Prots was significantly different from other areas. (2) The vegetation coverage of the Wuyishan National Park generally improved. The total EVI change (TEVI) showed that the positive percentage of Prots and Prot was 90.43% and 91.71%, respectively, slightly higher than that of NP (88.44%). However, the mean greenness change of NP was higher than that of Prots and Prot. (3) The park&rsquo;s EVI spatial pattern in 1986 was the strongest factor determining the EVI spatial pattern in 2020; the explanatory power reduced as the protection level decreased. The explanation power (q value) of abrupt vegetation change was lower and increased as the protection level decreased. The interaction detection showed that EVI1986 and TEVI had the strongest explanatory powers, but the explanatory ability gradually weakened from 0.713 to 0.672 to 0.581 in Prots, Prot, and NP, respectively. This study provided a systematic analysis of vegetation changes and their impacts on spatial patterns

Examining Vegetation Change and Associated Spatial Patterns in Wuyishan National Park at Different Protection Levels

Examining the characteristics of vegetation change and associated spatial patterns under different protection levels can provide a scientific basis for national park protection and management. Based on the dense time-series Landsat enhanced vegetation index (EVI) data between 1986 and 2020, we utilized the Wild Binary Segmentation (WBS) approach to detect spatial and temporal characteristics of abrupt, gradual, and total changes in Wuyishan National Park. The differences in vegetation change in three protection-level areas (strictly protected [Prots], generally protected [Prot], and non-protected [NP]) were examined, and the contributions to their spatial patterns were evaluated through Geodetector. The results showed the following: (1) The highest percentage of area without abrupt change was in Prots (39.89%), and the lowest percentage was in NP (17.44%). The percentage of abrupt change frequency (larger than three times) increased from 4.40% to 9.10% and 12.49% with the decreases in protection. The significance test showed that the difference in changed frequencies was not significant among these regions, but the interannual variation of abrupt change in Prots was significantly different from other areas. (2) The vegetation coverage of the Wuyishan National Park generally improved. The total EVI change (TEVI) showed that the positive percentage of Prots and Prot was 90.43% and 91.71%, respectively, slightly higher than that of NP (88.44%). However, the mean greenness change of NP was higher than that of Prots and Prot. (3) The park’s EVI spatial pattern in 1986 was the strongest factor determining the EVI spatial pattern in 2020; the explanatory power reduced as the protection level decreased. The explanation power (q value) of abrupt vegetation change was lower and increased as the protection level decreased. The interaction detection showed that EVI1986 and TEVI had the strongest explanatory powers, but the explanatory ability gradually weakened from 0.713 to 0.672 to 0.581 in Prots, Prot, and NP, respectively. This study provided a systematic analysis of vegetation changes and their impacts on spatial patterns

The Green and Adaptable Development Paths of Provincial Characteristic Towns in Taihu Lake Basin: A Synergy Perspective on Face Value and Resilience

Enhancing the synergistic development level of face value and resilience is the key to achieving green and high-quality development of characteristic towns. This study takes 83 characteristic towns in Taihu Lake Basin as research samples, constructs a systematic evaluation index system of the face value and resilience, and scientifically classifies the face value and resilience of Taihu Lake Basin into high level, medium–high level, medium level, and low level, respectively, and explores the intrinsic influence mechanism of the deviation between the face value and resilience via the deviation index and synergy development degree model. The results show that (1) the face value of about 60% of the characteristic towns is above average, which is distributed in the northern and southeast regions of Taihu Lake Basin. In terms of the industry type, the face value level of characteristic towns of tourism, digital economy, information, and finance is high. (2) The number of characteristic towns with moderate resilience is the largest, accounting for 36.1%. Spatially, the characteristic towns with medium–high and high levels are mainly concentrated in Hangzhou, Kunshan, Wuxi, and Shanghai. In terms of the industry type, the resilience levels of tourism towns, digital economy towns, and modern service towns with distinctive industrial characteristics are higher. (3) The face value and resilience of most characteristic towns in Taihu Lake Basin are not synchronized, and 67.5% of the towns have a large deviation. We classify 83 characteristic towns into four categories: high robustness (Hj > 4.80), medium–high robustness (4.02 ≤ Hj ≥ 4.79), medium robustness (4.03 ≤ Hj ≥ 3.11), and low robustness (Hj < 3.10); the high robustness areas are concentrated in Suzhou–Wuxi–Changzhou and the northern part of Zhejiang. (4) We propose the differentiated development paths of synergistic development between face value and resilience, and the synergistic cooperation and governance mechanism of multiple subjects for the achievement of balanced development in characteristic towns. The conclusions of this study have important research value and practical significance for the sustainable development of similar characteristic towns

The Classification of Reflectance Anisotropy and Its Application in Albedo Retrieval

The land surface albedo reflects the ability of the surface to reflect solar radiation and is a critical physical variable in the study of the Earth&rsquo;s energy budget and global climate change. Algorithms for the retrieval of albedo usually require multi-angle measurements due to surface anisotropy. However, most of the satellites cannot currently provide sufficient and well-distributed observations; therefore, the accuracy of remotely sensed albedo is constrained. Based on the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and albedo product (MCD43A1), this study proposed a method to further subdivide reflectance anisotropy and build an updated database of BRDF archetype, using both the Anisotropic Flat Index (AFX) and Perpendicular Anisotropic Flat Index (PAFX). The BRDF archetypes were used to fit the corresponding MODIS BRDF, and the optimal number of BRDF archetype categories was determined according to the tendency of fitting error. The effect of surface anisotropy and observation noise on albedo retrieval were explored based on simulated MODIS reflectance. Finally, the BRDF archetype A2P2 was taken as prior knowledge to retrieve albedo from a different number of MODIS observations, and the result was validated by the high-quality MODIS albedo product. The results show that the fitting error between BRDF archetypes and MODIS BRDF shows a rapid decline when introducing the PAFX in the classification process. A 3-by-3 matrix of BRDF archetypes, which occupy 73.44% and 70.13% of the total decline in the red and NIR band, can be used to represent the characteristics of reflectance anisotropy. The archetype A2P2 may be used as prior knowledge to improve the albedo retrieval from insufficient observations. The validation results based on MODIS observations show that the archetype A2P2-based albedo can reach root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) of no more than 0.03

Micro-nano hierarchical micropattern-enhanced antifogging surface inspired by tree frogs

Fogging on glass is common but can also be dangerous when it occurs on eyeglasses, camera lenses, mirrors, and windshields of automobiles and airplanes. Inspired by the toe pads of tree frogs in nature, biomimetic structures in the form of regular arrays of micro-hexagonal prisms were fabricated. Common UV lithography, ion-beam etching, and neutral loop discharge were used to construct these arrayed microstructures. Chemical etching was then used to create various scale nanostructures to provide better wettability in the microchannel between the micro-hexagonal prisms and optical properties on the top surface of the micro-hexagonal prisms. The wettability, optical characteristics, and antifogging performance of the biomimetic antifogging gradient (BAFG) surface were tested experimentally. The BAFG surface exhibited excellent antifogging and optical properties; this stimulated the preferential formation of a water film network in the microchannel and facilitated the spreading of a stable water film on the surface. Remarkably, the transmittance of the BAFG surface reached 99% of the transmittance of the bare glass. The average transmittance for the bare glass (68.7%) under fog conditions improved to approximately 94.4% for the BAFG surface. Three stages for the condensation of vapor and the formation of the water film were described according to thermodynamic theories, which elucidate the internal mechanism