Malnutrition is described as a state of insufficient intake of energy,protein and other nutrients leading to changes in body composition(weight loss,reduced fat-free mass)as well as adverse functional and clinical out...Malnutrition is described as a state of insufficient intake of energy,protein and other nutrients leading to changes in body composition(weight loss,reduced fat-free mass)as well as adverse functional and clinical outcomes.[1]Depending on the assessments and definition used,the prevalence in older patients ranges between 12%in communitydwelling adults to 60%of patients in geriatric care facilities.[2–5]Older populations are at high risk of nutritional deficiencies because of risk factors such as multimorbidity,polypharmacy,cognitive and physical decline,poor appetite,depressive syndromes and socioeconomic changes.[4,6].展开更多
Introduction:Rotatory chair testing has been used to evaluate horizontal canal function.Frequently used tests include sinusoidal harmonic acceleration test(SHAT)and velocity step test(VST).Objectives:Assessment of age...Introduction:Rotatory chair testing has been used to evaluate horizontal canal function.Frequently used tests include sinusoidal harmonic acceleration test(SHAT)and velocity step test(VST).Objectives:Assessment of age effect on the SHAT and VST and assessment of test-retest reliability of the parameters of those two tests.Methods:A prospective study was performed on 100 subjects with no ear or vestibular complaints and normal vestibular evaluation.They were divided into two groups;Group A:below 50 years of age and Group B:50 years of age or above.SHAT was presented at frequencies 0.02,0.04,0.08,0.16,0.32,0.64 Hz with a peak velocity of 60°/s.VST was performed using a maximum velocity of 100°/s with acceleration and deceleration of 200°/s2.Thirty subjects were tested twice to assess reliability.Results:Study participants ranged in age from 20 to 67 years.Regarding group A,the mean age was30.92±7.31 and 55.36±4.61 for group B.No significant differences were found in SHAT parameters between the two groups.As well,there was no significant difference in VST per-rotatory time constant,however,post-rotatory time constant was significantly longer for Group B(P value<0.05).Intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC)values showed moderate to good reliability(ICC 0.5800.818)for SHAT parameters for the lower frequencies and indicated moderate reliability for VST time constant(ICC 0.5090.652).Conclusions:Age has no significant effect on the parameters of SHAT and VST.Test-retest reliability is generally good for both tests.展开更多
Vergence eye movements are the inward and outward rotation of the eyes responsible for binocular coordination.While studies have mapped and investigated the neural substrates of vergence,it is not well understood whet...Vergence eye movements are the inward and outward rotation of the eyes responsible for binocular coordination.While studies have mapped and investigated the neural substrates of vergence,it is not well understood whether vergence eye movements evoke the blood oxygen level-dependent signal reliably in separate experimental visits.The test-retest reliability of stimulus-induced vergence eye movement tasks during a functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI)experiment is important for future randomized clinical trials(RCTs).In this study,we established region of interest(ROI)masks for the vergence neural circuit.Twenty-seven binocularly normal young adults participated in two functional imaging sessions measured on different days on the same 3 T Siemens scanner.The fMRI experiments used a block design of sustained visual fixation and rest blocks interleaved between task blocks that stimulated eight or four vergence eye movements.The test-retest reliability of task-activation was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC),and that of spatial extent was assessed using the Dice coefficient.Functional activation during the vergence eye movement task of eight movements compared to rest was repeatable within the primary visual cortex(ICC=0.8),parietal eye fields(ICC=0.6),supplementary eye field(ICC=0.5),frontal eye fields(ICC=0.5),and oculomotor vermis(ICC=0.6).The results demonstrate significant test-retest reliability in the ROIs of the vergence neural substrates for functional activation magnitude and spatial extent using the stimulus protocol of a task block stimulating eight vergence eye movements compared to sustained fixation.These ROIs can be used in future longitudinal RCTs to study patient populations with vergence dysfunctions.展开更多
Functional hubs with disproportionately extensive connectivities play a crucial role in global information integration in human brain networks.However,most resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(R-fMRI)st...Functional hubs with disproportionately extensive connectivities play a crucial role in global information integration in human brain networks.However,most resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(R-fMRI)studies have identified functional hubs by examining spontaneous fluctuations of the blood oxygen level-dependent signal within a typical low-frequency band(e.g.,0.01–0.08 Hz or 0.01–0.1 Hz).Little is known about how the spatial distributions of functional hubs depend on frequency bands of interest.Here,we used repeatedly measured R-fMRI data from 53 healthy young adults and a degree centrality analysis to identify voxelwise frequency-resolved functional hubs and further examined their test-retest reliability across two sessions.We showed that a wide-range frequency band(0.01–0.24 Hz)accessible with a typical sampling rate(fsample=0.5 Hz)could be classified into three frequency bands with distinct patterns,namely,low-frequency(LF,0.01–0.06 Hz),middle-frequency(MF,0.06–0.16 Hz),and high-frequency(HF,0.16–0.24 Hz)bands.The functional hubs were mainly located in the medial and lateral frontal and parietal cortices in the LF band,and in the medial prefrontal cortex,superior temporal gyrus,parahippocampal gyrus,amygdala,and several cerebellar regions in the MF and HF bands.These hub regions exhibited fair to good test-retest reliability,regardless of the frequency band.The presence of the three frequency bands was well replicated using an independent R-fMRI dataset from 45 healthy young adults.Our findings demonstrate reliable frequency-resolved functional connectivity hubs in three categories,thus providing insights into the frequency-specific connectome organization in healthy and disordered brains.展开更多
This pilot study examined the psychometric properties and clinical utility of a brief neuropsychological instrument (Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). The test-retest reliabil...This pilot study examined the psychometric properties and clinical utility of a brief neuropsychological instrument (Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). The test-retest reliability, practice effects and convergent validity of RBANS were examined in participants without objective cognitive impairment. The tests were administered at two time points at approximately a two weeks’ interval, with 30 cognitively intact participants with a mean age of 63.3 ± 5.8 years. Adequate test-retest reliabilities were found for RBANS subtests, index and total scale scores with significant gain scores in immediate memory and visuospatial function. The RBANS showed good convergent validity and the RBANS supplemented with executive and language measures (Colour Trails Test and 30-item modified Boston Naming Test, respectively) demonstrated excellent convergent validity with a formal neuropsychological battery. This pilot study has provided the preliminary evidence of reliability and convergent validity of the RBANS. Additionally, it also provides insight on the practice effects so that clinicians may assess significant changes in RBANS subtests and domain indexes for clinical practice.展开更多
Sensory abnormalities are common in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) but are often difficult to assess using standard behavioral methods. Evoked potentials provide objective, non-invasive electrophysio...Sensory abnormalities are common in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) but are often difficult to assess using standard behavioral methods. Evoked potentials provide objective, non-invasive electrophysiological measures of neural sensory processing that could be useful for clinical and investigative studies of individuals with low-functioning autism who are unable to perform behavioral testing. Despite increased use, the reliability of sensory evoked potentials has not been established for individuals with low-functioning autism. Establishing reliability is important for validating the utility of sensory evoked potentials. In this study, we explored the feasibility of assessing the test-retest reliability of sensory evoked potentials using repeat recordings, acquired over 2.5- and 6-month intervals, from a minimally verbal adult with low-functioning autism. Repeat auditory and visual evoked potential recordings showed high test-retest reliability, with cross-correlation coefficients ≥ 0.80. This case demonstrates the feasibility of establishing test-retest reliability for individuals with low-functioning autism and supports the utility of sensory evoked potentials in clinical and investigative ASD studies.展开更多
Context： Balance is an important aspect of sports performance, which can be impaired following MHI （minor head injury） The BESS （balance error scoring system） is a tool commonly used for assessment of post-MHI re...Context： Balance is an important aspect of sports performance, which can be impaired following MHI （minor head injury） The BESS （balance error scoring system） is a tool commonly used for assessment of post-MHI recovery. Objective： This study aimed to ascertain test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change of the BESS in order to ensurem that it had appropriate clinical levels of reliability and sensitivity. Design： Test-retest reliability. Setting： University indoor sport facility. Participants： N = 36 sub-elite athletes. Interventions： The BESS was undertaken by the participants on two separate testing sessions, 1 week apart. Main Outcome Measures： Test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change. Results： Strong test-retest reliability of the total BESS score was identified （1CC （intraclass correlation coefficients） = 0.784） with a MDC （minimal detectable change） of 6-10 error points, dependent on confidence interval used. Conclusions： The strong reliability score and the relatively low MDC when using conservative measures would recommend the use of BESS in post-MHI assessment of young academy-level athletes. However, more research is required to further determine BESS MDC in both sub-elite and elite groups of athletic performers so as to provide clinicians with an accurate guideline regarding whether an athlete is presenting with post-MHI balance impairment.展开更多
This paper investigates the reliability of internal marine combustion engines using an integrated approach that combines Fault Tree Analysis(FTA)and Bayesian Networks(BN).FTA provides a structured,top-down method for ...This paper investigates the reliability of internal marine combustion engines using an integrated approach that combines Fault Tree Analysis(FTA)and Bayesian Networks(BN).FTA provides a structured,top-down method for identifying critical failure modes and their root causes,while BN introduces flexibility in probabilistic reasoning,enabling dynamic updates based on new evidence.This dual methodology overcomes the limitations of static FTA models,offering a comprehensive framework for system reliability analysis.Critical failures,including External Leakage(ELU),Failure to Start(FTS),and Overheating(OHE),were identified as key risks.By incorporating redundancy into high-risk components such as pumps and batteries,the likelihood of these failures was significantly reduced.For instance,redundant pumps reduced the probability of ELU by 31.88%,while additional batteries decreased the occurrence of FTS by 36.45%.The results underscore the practical benefits of combining FTA and BN for enhancing system reliability,particularly in maritime applications where operational safety and efficiency are critical.This research provides valuable insights for maintenance planning and highlights the importance of redundancy in critical systems,especially as the industry transitions toward more autonomous vessels.展开更多
To study the durability of concrete in harsh environments in Northwest China,concrete was prepared with various durability-improving materials such as concrete anti-erosion inhibitor(SBT-TIA),acrylate polymer(AP),supe...To study the durability of concrete in harsh environments in Northwest China,concrete was prepared with various durability-improving materials such as concrete anti-erosion inhibitor(SBT-TIA),acrylate polymer(AP),super absorbent resin(SAP).The erosion mode and internal deterioration mechanism under salt freeze-thaw cycle and dry-wet cycle were explored.The results show that the addition of enhancing materials can effectively improve the resistance of concrete to salt freezing and sulfate erosion:the relevant indexes of concrete added with X-AP and T-AP are improved after salt freeze-thaw cycles;concrete added with SBTTIA shows optimal sulfate corrosion resistance;and concrete added with AP displays the best resistance to salt freezing.Microanalysis shows that the increase in the number of cycles decreases the generation of internal hydration products and defects in concrete mixed with enhancing materials and improves the related indexes.Based on the Wiener model analysis,the reliability of concrete with different lithologies and enhancing materials is improved,which may provide a reference for the application of manufactured sand concrete and enhancing materials in Northwest China,especially for the study of the improvement effects and mechanism of enhancing materials on the performance of concrete.展开更多
Reliability-based design optimization （RBDO） is intrinsically a double-loop procedure since it involves an overall optimization and an iterative reliability assessment at each search point. Due to the double-loop pr...Reliability-based design optimization （RBDO） is intrinsically a double-loop procedure since it involves an overall optimization and an iterative reliability assessment at each search point. Due to the double-loop procedure, the computational expense of RBDO is normally very high. Current RBDO research focuses on problems with explicitly expressed performance functions and readily available gradients. This paper addresses a more challenging type of RBDO problem in which the performance functions are computation intensive. These computation intensive functions are often considered as a ＂black-box＂ and their gradients are not available or not reliable. On the basis of the reliable design space （RDS） concept proposed earlier by the authors, this paper proposes a Reliable Space Pursuing （RSP） approach, in which RDS is first identified and then gradually refined while optimization is performed. It fundamentally avoids the nested optimization and probabilistic assessment loop. Three well known RBDO problems from the literature are used for testing and demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed RSP method.展开更多
AIM: To assess the inter-observer agreement and reliability as well as intra-observer repeatability for lacrimal scintigraphy(LS) reports with and without considering the irrigation test results.METHODS: A prospective...AIM: To assess the inter-observer agreement and reliability as well as intra-observer repeatability for lacrimal scintigraphy(LS) reports with and without considering the irrigation test results.METHODS: A prospective, observational, cross sectional study. Two masked clinicians(lacrimal surgeon and nuclear medicine specialist) independently reported 100 LS images(50 patients of >6 years of age with unilateral anophthalmic socket) in a university hospital. The lacrimal surgeon performed a diagnostic irrigation test and repeated the report of the same LS images 2 y after the first report(intra-observer agreement). A weighted Kappa analysis was performed to determine inter-observer agreement and reliability as well as intra-observer repeatability for the type(normal, partial and complete obstruction) and location(presac, preduct, and intraduct) of the obstruction. Subgroup analysis was also performed with consideration of irrigation test results. RESULTS: A significantly moderate agreement was found between lacrimal surgeon and nuclear medicine specialist for both the type(Kappa=0.55) and location(Kappa=0.48) of obstruction. Agreement values were higher for the type(Kappa=0.61 vs 0.41) and location(Kappa=0.56 vs 0.31) of obstruction in cases with normal than abnormal irrigation test. Strong and significant intraobserver(lacrimal surgeon) repeatability was found for both the type(Kappa=0.66) and location(Kappa=0.69) of obstruction. LS showed no to slight reliability based on irrigation test.CONCLUSION: A moderate agreement is found between lacrimal surgeon and nuclear medicine specialist regarding the interpretation of LS suggesting the importance ofconsensus groups among nuclear medicine specialists and lacrimal surgeons to create a common language for interpretation of LS. Intra-observer repeatability is strong for the lacrimal surgeon.展开更多
Background: Test-retest strength reliability of the Electronic Push/Pull Dynamometer (EPPD) in the measurement of the extensor and flexor muscles on a new constructed chair. The objective of the study was to assess re...Background: Test-retest strength reliability of the Electronic Push/Pull Dynamometer (EPPD) in the measurement of the extensor and flexor muscles on a new constructed chair. The objective of the study was to assess reliability of Electronic Push/Pull Dynamometer in the measurement of the knee flexion and extension at 90° and 60° on a new constructed chair. The aims of the author: To assess reliability of Electronic Push/Pull Dynamometer in the measurement of the knee flexion and extension at 90° and 60° on a new constructed chair. Design: A test-retest reliability study. Subjects: One hundred healthy students male and female (mean age, 21y). Methods: Maximum isometric strength of the quadriceps and hamstring muscle groups was measured using the EPPD were recorded at 60° and 90° for 3 trials on 2 occasions. Reliability was assessed with the Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), mean and standard deviation (SD) of measurements, and smallest real differences were calculated for the maximum and for the mean and work of the 3 repetitions. Results: Mean strength ranged from 50.44 kg for knee flexion to 55.76 kg for knee extension 50.44 kg to 61.98 kg at 90° hip flexion. Test-retest reliability Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranged from 0.85 to 0.99. ICCs for test-retest reliability ranged from 0.780 to 0.998. Conclusions: The results of the reliability study indicate that the EPPD in reliable dynamometer to use in determining lower limb muscle force production. It can be used to measure disease progression and to evaluate changes in knee extension and flexion strength at the individual patient level.展开更多
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles(AUVs)are pivotal for deep-sea exploration and resource exploitation,yet their reliability in extreme underwater environments remains a critical barrier to widespread deployment.Through s...Autonomous Underwater Vehicles(AUVs)are pivotal for deep-sea exploration and resource exploitation,yet their reliability in extreme underwater environments remains a critical barrier to widespread deployment.Through systematic analysis of 150 peer-reviewed studies employing mixed-methods research,this review yields three principal advancements to the reliability analysis of AUVs.First,based on the hierarchical functional division of AUVs into six subsystems(propulsion system,navigation system,communication system,power system,environmental detection system,and emergency system),this study systematically identifies the primary failure modes and potential failure causes of each subsystem,providing theoretical support for fault diagnosis and reliability optimization.Subsequently,a comprehensive review of AUV reliability analysis methods is conducted from three perspectives:analytical methods,simulated methods,and surrogate model methods.The applicability and limitations of each method are critically analyzed to offer insights into their suitability for engineering applications.Finally,the study highlights key challenges and research hotpots in AUV reliability analysis,including reliability analysis under limited data,AI-driven reliability analysis,and human reliability analysis.Furthermore,the potential of multi-sensor data fusion,edge computing,and advanced materials in enhancing AUV environmental adaptability and reliability is explored.展开更多
BACKGROUND During the gradual decline of physical and social functioning associated with end-stage renal disease,patients might experience a premonition of impending death,resulting in a series of pre-mourning grief r...BACKGROUND During the gradual decline of physical and social functioning associated with end-stage renal disease,patients might experience a premonition of impending death,resulting in a series of pre-mourning grief responses called preparatory grief.The preparatory grief in advanced cancer patients(PGAC)scale is the most widely used preparatory grief scale for patients on hemodialysis in China.AIM To verify the reliability and validity of the PGAC scale in patients on hemodialysis.METHODS In total,327 patients undergoing regular hemodialysis in the blood purification center of three grade-A tertiary hospitals in Guangdong and Guizhou provinces were selected by convenience sampling.The assessment was administered using the general information questionnaire and the Chinese version of PGAC.SPSS 25.0 and Amos 24.0 were used for item analysis,confirmatory factor analysis(CFA),convergent validity,and internal consistency reliability estimation.RESULTS In the modified Chinese version of PGAC,7 dimensions covering 27 total items were retained.CFA revealed a good fit of the factor model(chi-square degree of freedom=2.056,standardized root mean square residual=0.0479,root mean square error of approximation=0.0570,GFI=0.872,AGFI=0.841,IFI=0.931,CFI=0.930,TLI=0.919).The factor loadings of the items ranged 0.503-0.884.The composite reliability ranged 0.664-0.914,and the average variance extracted ranged 0.366-0.747.Cronbach’sαof the scale was 0.945,and Cronbach’sαfor various dimensions ranged 0.662-0.914.CONCLUSION The modified PGAC has good reliability and validity,and it can effectively measure preparatory grief in patients on hemodialysis.展开更多
Antarctic telescopes,especially those located at Dome A,face significant reliability challenges owing to the extremely harsh working environment,among which the reliability of the control system is critical in ensurin...Antarctic telescopes,especially those located at Dome A,face significant reliability challenges owing to the extremely harsh working environment,among which the reliability of the control system is critical in ensuring stable operation.This paper describes various factors affecting the reliability of Antarctic telescopes,as well as the challenges of reliability improvement.Combined with the development of Antarctic telescopes and the experience of Antarctic scientific expeditions,we introduce,in detail,the optimization strategy for reliability enhancement,including the hardware layer,software layer,modular design to facilitate maintenance,and reliability management.The current status of the Antarctic Survey Telescope(AST3)is also briefly introduced,along with future development plans.We aim to provide ideas for the reliability design of Antarctic telescopes and provide technical support for the development of future Antarctic telescopes.展开更多
Reliability analysis of soil slopes under rainfall is an important task for landslide risk assessment.Previous studies rarely contribute to the probabilistic analysis of slope stability under rainfall with reinforceme...Reliability analysis of soil slopes under rainfall is an important task for landslide risk assessment.Previous studies rarely contribute to the probabilistic analysis of slope stability under rainfall with reinforcement.A new method is suggested for reliability analysis of soil slopes stabilized with piles under rainfall.First,an efficient numerical model is exploited for slope stability analysis,where two types of slope failure modes,i.e.,plastic flow and local failure are considered.To address the blocking effect of piles during seepage analysis,the equivalent hydraulic conductivity of the pile area is estimated according to the effective medium theory.The stabilizing force of piles is investigated by an analytical approach.For saving computational effort,the response surface is established based on a multi-class classification model to predict two types of slope failure modes.Finally,uncertainties in soil parameters and rainfall events are both modelled,and the failure probability of soil slopes within a given time period is assessed through Monte Carlo simulation.An illustrative example is used to demonstrate the performance of the suggested method.It is found that the slope is mainly controlled by local failure.As the pile spacing increases,the likelihood of plastic flow significantly increases.As the piles are located near the slope crest,plastic flow is effectively prevented and the slope is better stabilized against rainfall.If rainfall uncertainties are not considered,the slope failure probability is significantly overestimated.Overall,this study can provide a useful guidance for the design of pile-stabilized slopes against rainfall infiltration.展开更多
The published article titled“Comparison of Structural Probabilistic and Non-Probabilistic Reliability Computational Methods under Big Data Condition”[1]has been retracted from Structural Durability&Health Monito...The published article titled“Comparison of Structural Probabilistic and Non-Probabilistic Reliability Computational Methods under Big Data Condition”[1]has been retracted from Structural Durability&Health Monitoring(SDHM),Vol.16,No.2,2022,pp.129–143.展开更多
The dynamic avalanche effect is a critical factor influencing the performance and reliability of the field-stop insulated gate bipolar transistors(FS-IGBT).Unclamped inductive switching(UIS)is the primary method for t...The dynamic avalanche effect is a critical factor influencing the performance and reliability of the field-stop insulated gate bipolar transistors(FS-IGBT).Unclamped inductive switching(UIS)is the primary method for testing the dynamic avalanche capability of FS-IGBTs.Numerous studies have demonstrated that factors such as device structure,avalanche-generating current filaments,and electrical parameters influence the dynamic avalanche effect of the FS-IGBT.However,few studies have focused on enhancing the avalanche reliability of the FS-IGBT by adjusting circuit parameters during operation.In this paper,the dynamic avalanche effect of the FS-IGBT under UIS conditions is comprehensively investigated through a series of comparative experiments with varying circuit parameters,including bus voltage V_(DC),gate voltage V_(G),gate resistance R_(g),load inductance L,and temperature TC.Furthermore,a method to enhance the dynamic avalanche reliability of the FS-IGBT under UIS by optimizing circuit parameters is proposed.In practical applications,reducing gate voltage,increasing load inductance,and lowering temperature can effectively improve the dynamic avalanche capability of the FS-IGBT.展开更多
Continuously increasing inflation is a major challenge in presenting reliable and relevant financial reports,especially in developing countries like Indonesia.This study aims to analyze the role of inflation accountin...Continuously increasing inflation is a major challenge in presenting reliable and relevant financial reports,especially in developing countries like Indonesia.This study aims to analyze the role of inflation accounting in increasing the reliability of financial reports during times of high inflation.With a qualitative-descriptive approach,this research examines two main methods in inflation accounting,namely General Price Level Accounting(GPLA)and Current Cost Accounting(CCA),and their impact on the value of assets,liabilities,income,and costs.The analysis results show that historical cost-based financial reports do not reflect actual economic conditions during inflation,so they can be misleading in decision making.The application of inflation accounting,through adjustments to purchasing power and current prices,has been proven to be able to increase the relevance and reliability of financial information.However,limitations in implementation in Indonesia are due to the lack of regulations and practical understanding regarding this method.Therefore,the application of inflation accounting is important in supporting the quality of financial reports and more accurate decision making amidst economic instability.展开更多
In this paper,an improved error-rate sliding window decoder is proposed for spatially coupled low-density parity-check(SC-LDPC)codes.For the conventional sliding window decoder,the message retention mechanism causes u...In this paper,an improved error-rate sliding window decoder is proposed for spatially coupled low-density parity-check(SC-LDPC)codes.For the conventional sliding window decoder,the message retention mechanism causes unreliable messages along the edges of belief propagation(BP)decoding in the current window to be kept for subsequent window decoding.To improve the reliability of the retained messages during the window transition,a reliable termination method is embedded,where the retained messages undergo more reliable parity checks.Additionally,decoding failure is unavoidable and even causes error propagation when the number of errors exceeds the error-correcting capability of the window.To mitigate this problem,a channel value reuse mechanism is designed,where the received channel values are utilized to reinitialize the window.Furthermore,considering the complexity and performance of decoding,a feasible sliding optimized window decoding(SOWD)scheme is introduced.Finally,simulation results confirm the superior performance of the proposed SOWD scheme in both the waterfall and error floor regions.This work has great potential in the applications of wireless optical communication and fiber optic communication.展开更多
基金The study had been approved by the ethics committee of the University of Potsdam(No.39/2018).
文摘Malnutrition is described as a state of insufficient intake of energy,protein and other nutrients leading to changes in body composition(weight loss,reduced fat-free mass)as well as adverse functional and clinical outcomes.[1]Depending on the assessments and definition used,the prevalence in older patients ranges between 12%in communitydwelling adults to 60%of patients in geriatric care facilities.[2–5]Older populations are at high risk of nutritional deficiencies because of risk factors such as multimorbidity,polypharmacy,cognitive and physical decline,poor appetite,depressive syndromes and socioeconomic changes.[4,6].
文摘Introduction:Rotatory chair testing has been used to evaluate horizontal canal function.Frequently used tests include sinusoidal harmonic acceleration test(SHAT)and velocity step test(VST).Objectives:Assessment of age effect on the SHAT and VST and assessment of test-retest reliability of the parameters of those two tests.Methods:A prospective study was performed on 100 subjects with no ear or vestibular complaints and normal vestibular evaluation.They were divided into two groups;Group A:below 50 years of age and Group B:50 years of age or above.SHAT was presented at frequencies 0.02,0.04,0.08,0.16,0.32,0.64 Hz with a peak velocity of 60°/s.VST was performed using a maximum velocity of 100°/s with acceleration and deceleration of 200°/s2.Thirty subjects were tested twice to assess reliability.Results:Study participants ranged in age from 20 to 67 years.Regarding group A,the mean age was30.92±7.31 and 55.36±4.61 for group B.No significant differences were found in SHAT parameters between the two groups.As well,there was no significant difference in VST per-rotatory time constant,however,post-rotatory time constant was significantly longer for Group B(P value<0.05).Intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC)values showed moderate to good reliability(ICC 0.5800.818)for SHAT parameters for the lower frequencies and indicated moderate reliability for VST time constant(ICC 0.5090.652).Conclusions:Age has no significant effect on the parameters of SHAT and VST.Test-retest reliability is generally good for both tests.
基金supported by the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health,Department of Health and Human Services,Bethesda,MD,USA(NEI ROIEY023261 to TLA)。
文摘Vergence eye movements are the inward and outward rotation of the eyes responsible for binocular coordination.While studies have mapped and investigated the neural substrates of vergence,it is not well understood whether vergence eye movements evoke the blood oxygen level-dependent signal reliably in separate experimental visits.The test-retest reliability of stimulus-induced vergence eye movement tasks during a functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI)experiment is important for future randomized clinical trials(RCTs).In this study,we established region of interest(ROI)masks for the vergence neural circuit.Twenty-seven binocularly normal young adults participated in two functional imaging sessions measured on different days on the same 3 T Siemens scanner.The fMRI experiments used a block design of sustained visual fixation and rest blocks interleaved between task blocks that stimulated eight or four vergence eye movements.The test-retest reliability of task-activation was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC),and that of spatial extent was assessed using the Dice coefficient.Functional activation during the vergence eye movement task of eight movements compared to rest was repeatable within the primary visual cortex(ICC=0.8),parietal eye fields(ICC=0.6),supplementary eye field(ICC=0.5),frontal eye fields(ICC=0.5),and oculomotor vermis(ICC=0.6).The results demonstrate significant test-retest reliability in the ROIs of the vergence neural substrates for functional activation magnitude and spatial extent using the stimulus protocol of a task block stimulating eight vergence eye movements compared to sustained fixation.These ROIs can be used in future longitudinal RCTs to study patient populations with vergence dysfunctions.
基金The study was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2018YFA0701402)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82021004,81971690,81620108016,and 11835003)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China(2019NTST24).
文摘Functional hubs with disproportionately extensive connectivities play a crucial role in global information integration in human brain networks.However,most resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(R-fMRI)studies have identified functional hubs by examining spontaneous fluctuations of the blood oxygen level-dependent signal within a typical low-frequency band(e.g.,0.01–0.08 Hz or 0.01–0.1 Hz).Little is known about how the spatial distributions of functional hubs depend on frequency bands of interest.Here,we used repeatedly measured R-fMRI data from 53 healthy young adults and a degree centrality analysis to identify voxelwise frequency-resolved functional hubs and further examined their test-retest reliability across two sessions.We showed that a wide-range frequency band(0.01–0.24 Hz)accessible with a typical sampling rate(fsample=0.5 Hz)could be classified into three frequency bands with distinct patterns,namely,low-frequency(LF,0.01–0.06 Hz),middle-frequency(MF,0.06–0.16 Hz),and high-frequency(HF,0.16–0.24 Hz)bands.The functional hubs were mainly located in the medial and lateral frontal and parietal cortices in the LF band,and in the medial prefrontal cortex,superior temporal gyrus,parahippocampal gyrus,amygdala,and several cerebellar regions in the MF and HF bands.These hub regions exhibited fair to good test-retest reliability,regardless of the frequency band.The presence of the three frequency bands was well replicated using an independent R-fMRI dataset from 45 healthy young adults.Our findings demonstrate reliable frequency-resolved functional connectivity hubs in three categories,thus providing insights into the frequency-specific connectome organization in healthy and disordered brains.
文摘This pilot study examined the psychometric properties and clinical utility of a brief neuropsychological instrument (Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). The test-retest reliability, practice effects and convergent validity of RBANS were examined in participants without objective cognitive impairment. The tests were administered at two time points at approximately a two weeks’ interval, with 30 cognitively intact participants with a mean age of 63.3 ± 5.8 years. Adequate test-retest reliabilities were found for RBANS subtests, index and total scale scores with significant gain scores in immediate memory and visuospatial function. The RBANS showed good convergent validity and the RBANS supplemented with executive and language measures (Colour Trails Test and 30-item modified Boston Naming Test, respectively) demonstrated excellent convergent validity with a formal neuropsychological battery. This pilot study has provided the preliminary evidence of reliability and convergent validity of the RBANS. Additionally, it also provides insight on the practice effects so that clinicians may assess significant changes in RBANS subtests and domain indexes for clinical practice.
文摘Sensory abnormalities are common in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) but are often difficult to assess using standard behavioral methods. Evoked potentials provide objective, non-invasive electrophysiological measures of neural sensory processing that could be useful for clinical and investigative studies of individuals with low-functioning autism who are unable to perform behavioral testing. Despite increased use, the reliability of sensory evoked potentials has not been established for individuals with low-functioning autism. Establishing reliability is important for validating the utility of sensory evoked potentials. In this study, we explored the feasibility of assessing the test-retest reliability of sensory evoked potentials using repeat recordings, acquired over 2.5- and 6-month intervals, from a minimally verbal adult with low-functioning autism. Repeat auditory and visual evoked potential recordings showed high test-retest reliability, with cross-correlation coefficients ≥ 0.80. This case demonstrates the feasibility of establishing test-retest reliability for individuals with low-functioning autism and supports the utility of sensory evoked potentials in clinical and investigative ASD studies.
文摘Context： Balance is an important aspect of sports performance, which can be impaired following MHI （minor head injury） The BESS （balance error scoring system） is a tool commonly used for assessment of post-MHI recovery. Objective： This study aimed to ascertain test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change of the BESS in order to ensurem that it had appropriate clinical levels of reliability and sensitivity. Design： Test-retest reliability. Setting： University indoor sport facility. Participants： N = 36 sub-elite athletes. Interventions： The BESS was undertaken by the participants on two separate testing sessions, 1 week apart. Main Outcome Measures： Test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change. Results： Strong test-retest reliability of the total BESS score was identified （1CC （intraclass correlation coefficients） = 0.784） with a MDC （minimal detectable change） of 6-10 error points, dependent on confidence interval used. Conclusions： The strong reliability score and the relatively low MDC when using conservative measures would recommend the use of BESS in post-MHI assessment of young academy-level athletes. However, more research is required to further determine BESS MDC in both sub-elite and elite groups of athletic performers so as to provide clinicians with an accurate guideline regarding whether an athlete is presenting with post-MHI balance impairment.
基金supported by Istanbul Technical University(Project No.45698)supported through the“Young Researchers’Career Development Project-training of doctoral students”of the Croatian Science Foundation.
文摘This paper investigates the reliability of internal marine combustion engines using an integrated approach that combines Fault Tree Analysis(FTA)and Bayesian Networks(BN).FTA provides a structured,top-down method for identifying critical failure modes and their root causes,while BN introduces flexibility in probabilistic reasoning,enabling dynamic updates based on new evidence.This dual methodology overcomes the limitations of static FTA models,offering a comprehensive framework for system reliability analysis.Critical failures,including External Leakage(ELU),Failure to Start(FTS),and Overheating(OHE),were identified as key risks.By incorporating redundancy into high-risk components such as pumps and batteries,the likelihood of these failures was significantly reduced.For instance,redundant pumps reduced the probability of ELU by 31.88%,while additional batteries decreased the occurrence of FTS by 36.45%.The results underscore the practical benefits of combining FTA and BN for enhancing system reliability,particularly in maritime applications where operational safety and efficiency are critical.This research provides valuable insights for maintenance planning and highlights the importance of redundancy in critical systems,especially as the industry transitions toward more autonomous vessels.
基金Funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52178216)the Research on the Durability and Application of High-performance Concrete for Highway Engineering in the Cold and Arid Salt Areas of Northwest China(No.2022-24)the Construction Project of the Scientific Research Platform of Provincial Enterprises Supported by the Capital Operating Budget of Gansu Province(No.2023GZ018)。
文摘To study the durability of concrete in harsh environments in Northwest China,concrete was prepared with various durability-improving materials such as concrete anti-erosion inhibitor(SBT-TIA),acrylate polymer(AP),super absorbent resin(SAP).The erosion mode and internal deterioration mechanism under salt freeze-thaw cycle and dry-wet cycle were explored.The results show that the addition of enhancing materials can effectively improve the resistance of concrete to salt freezing and sulfate erosion:the relevant indexes of concrete added with X-AP and T-AP are improved after salt freeze-thaw cycles;concrete added with SBTTIA shows optimal sulfate corrosion resistance;and concrete added with AP displays the best resistance to salt freezing.Microanalysis shows that the increase in the number of cycles decreases the generation of internal hydration products and defects in concrete mixed with enhancing materials and improves the related indexes.Based on the Wiener model analysis,the reliability of concrete with different lithologies and enhancing materials is improved,which may provide a reference for the application of manufactured sand concrete and enhancing materials in Northwest China,especially for the study of the improvement effects and mechanism of enhancing materials on the performance of concrete.
基金supported by Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada
文摘Reliability-based design optimization （RBDO） is intrinsically a double-loop procedure since it involves an overall optimization and an iterative reliability assessment at each search point. Due to the double-loop procedure, the computational expense of RBDO is normally very high. Current RBDO research focuses on problems with explicitly expressed performance functions and readily available gradients. This paper addresses a more challenging type of RBDO problem in which the performance functions are computation intensive. These computation intensive functions are often considered as a ＂black-box＂ and their gradients are not available or not reliable. On the basis of the reliable design space （RDS） concept proposed earlier by the authors, this paper proposes a Reliable Space Pursuing （RSP） approach, in which RDS is first identified and then gradually refined while optimization is performed. It fundamentally avoids the nested optimization and probabilistic assessment loop. Three well known RBDO problems from the literature are used for testing and demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed RSP method.
文摘AIM: To assess the inter-observer agreement and reliability as well as intra-observer repeatability for lacrimal scintigraphy(LS) reports with and without considering the irrigation test results.METHODS: A prospective, observational, cross sectional study. Two masked clinicians(lacrimal surgeon and nuclear medicine specialist) independently reported 100 LS images(50 patients of >6 years of age with unilateral anophthalmic socket) in a university hospital. The lacrimal surgeon performed a diagnostic irrigation test and repeated the report of the same LS images 2 y after the first report(intra-observer agreement). A weighted Kappa analysis was performed to determine inter-observer agreement and reliability as well as intra-observer repeatability for the type(normal, partial and complete obstruction) and location(presac, preduct, and intraduct) of the obstruction. Subgroup analysis was also performed with consideration of irrigation test results. RESULTS: A significantly moderate agreement was found between lacrimal surgeon and nuclear medicine specialist for both the type(Kappa=0.55) and location(Kappa=0.48) of obstruction. Agreement values were higher for the type(Kappa=0.61 vs 0.41) and location(Kappa=0.56 vs 0.31) of obstruction in cases with normal than abnormal irrigation test. Strong and significant intraobserver(lacrimal surgeon) repeatability was found for both the type(Kappa=0.66) and location(Kappa=0.69) of obstruction. LS showed no to slight reliability based on irrigation test.CONCLUSION: A moderate agreement is found between lacrimal surgeon and nuclear medicine specialist regarding the interpretation of LS suggesting the importance ofconsensus groups among nuclear medicine specialists and lacrimal surgeons to create a common language for interpretation of LS. Intra-observer repeatability is strong for the lacrimal surgeon.
文摘Background: Test-retest strength reliability of the Electronic Push/Pull Dynamometer (EPPD) in the measurement of the extensor and flexor muscles on a new constructed chair. The objective of the study was to assess reliability of Electronic Push/Pull Dynamometer in the measurement of the knee flexion and extension at 90° and 60° on a new constructed chair. The aims of the author: To assess reliability of Electronic Push/Pull Dynamometer in the measurement of the knee flexion and extension at 90° and 60° on a new constructed chair. Design: A test-retest reliability study. Subjects: One hundred healthy students male and female (mean age, 21y). Methods: Maximum isometric strength of the quadriceps and hamstring muscle groups was measured using the EPPD were recorded at 60° and 90° for 3 trials on 2 occasions. Reliability was assessed with the Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), mean and standard deviation (SD) of measurements, and smallest real differences were calculated for the maximum and for the mean and work of the 3 repetitions. Results: Mean strength ranged from 50.44 kg for knee flexion to 55.76 kg for knee extension 50.44 kg to 61.98 kg at 90° hip flexion. Test-retest reliability Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranged from 0.85 to 0.99. ICCs for test-retest reliability ranged from 0.780 to 0.998. Conclusions: The results of the reliability study indicate that the EPPD in reliable dynamometer to use in determining lower limb muscle force production. It can be used to measure disease progression and to evaluate changes in knee extension and flexion strength at the individual patient level.
基金The National Key R&D Program Projects(Grant No.2022YFC2803601)the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(Grant No.ZR2021YQ29)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province(Grant No.YQ2024E036)the Taishan Scholars Project(Grant No.tsqn202312317).
文摘Autonomous Underwater Vehicles(AUVs)are pivotal for deep-sea exploration and resource exploitation,yet their reliability in extreme underwater environments remains a critical barrier to widespread deployment.Through systematic analysis of 150 peer-reviewed studies employing mixed-methods research,this review yields three principal advancements to the reliability analysis of AUVs.First,based on the hierarchical functional division of AUVs into six subsystems(propulsion system,navigation system,communication system,power system,environmental detection system,and emergency system),this study systematically identifies the primary failure modes and potential failure causes of each subsystem,providing theoretical support for fault diagnosis and reliability optimization.Subsequently,a comprehensive review of AUV reliability analysis methods is conducted from three perspectives:analytical methods,simulated methods,and surrogate model methods.The applicability and limitations of each method are critically analyzed to offer insights into their suitability for engineering applications.Finally,the study highlights key challenges and research hotpots in AUV reliability analysis,including reliability analysis under limited data,AI-driven reliability analysis,and human reliability analysis.Furthermore,the potential of multi-sensor data fusion,edge computing,and advanced materials in enhancing AUV environmental adaptability and reliability is explored.
文摘BACKGROUND During the gradual decline of physical and social functioning associated with end-stage renal disease,patients might experience a premonition of impending death,resulting in a series of pre-mourning grief responses called preparatory grief.The preparatory grief in advanced cancer patients(PGAC)scale is the most widely used preparatory grief scale for patients on hemodialysis in China.AIM To verify the reliability and validity of the PGAC scale in patients on hemodialysis.METHODS In total,327 patients undergoing regular hemodialysis in the blood purification center of three grade-A tertiary hospitals in Guangdong and Guizhou provinces were selected by convenience sampling.The assessment was administered using the general information questionnaire and the Chinese version of PGAC.SPSS 25.0 and Amos 24.0 were used for item analysis,confirmatory factor analysis(CFA),convergent validity,and internal consistency reliability estimation.RESULTS In the modified Chinese version of PGAC,7 dimensions covering 27 total items were retained.CFA revealed a good fit of the factor model(chi-square degree of freedom=2.056,standardized root mean square residual=0.0479,root mean square error of approximation=0.0570,GFI=0.872,AGFI=0.841,IFI=0.931,CFI=0.930,TLI=0.919).The factor loadings of the items ranged 0.503-0.884.The composite reliability ranged 0.664-0.914,and the average variance extracted ranged 0.366-0.747.Cronbach’sαof the scale was 0.945,and Cronbach’sαfor various dimensions ranged 0.662-0.914.CONCLUSION The modified PGAC has good reliability and validity,and it can effectively measure preparatory grief in patients on hemodialysis.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (12303089, 11973065)the Jiangsu Funding Program for Excellent Postdoctoral Talent (2022ZB449)the Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC) for their support and help with the Antarctic telescope project
文摘Antarctic telescopes,especially those located at Dome A,face significant reliability challenges owing to the extremely harsh working environment,among which the reliability of the control system is critical in ensuring stable operation.This paper describes various factors affecting the reliability of Antarctic telescopes,as well as the challenges of reliability improvement.Combined with the development of Antarctic telescopes and the experience of Antarctic scientific expeditions,we introduce,in detail,the optimization strategy for reliability enhancement,including the hardware layer,software layer,modular design to facilitate maintenance,and reliability management.The current status of the Antarctic Survey Telescope(AST3)is also briefly introduced,along with future development plans.We aim to provide ideas for the reliability design of Antarctic telescopes and provide technical support for the development of future Antarctic telescopes.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2021YFB2600504)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42072302)the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of CPSF(Grant No.GZB20240533).
文摘Reliability analysis of soil slopes under rainfall is an important task for landslide risk assessment.Previous studies rarely contribute to the probabilistic analysis of slope stability under rainfall with reinforcement.A new method is suggested for reliability analysis of soil slopes stabilized with piles under rainfall.First,an efficient numerical model is exploited for slope stability analysis,where two types of slope failure modes,i.e.,plastic flow and local failure are considered.To address the blocking effect of piles during seepage analysis,the equivalent hydraulic conductivity of the pile area is estimated according to the effective medium theory.The stabilizing force of piles is investigated by an analytical approach.For saving computational effort,the response surface is established based on a multi-class classification model to predict two types of slope failure modes.Finally,uncertainties in soil parameters and rainfall events are both modelled,and the failure probability of soil slopes within a given time period is assessed through Monte Carlo simulation.An illustrative example is used to demonstrate the performance of the suggested method.It is found that the slope is mainly controlled by local failure.As the pile spacing increases,the likelihood of plastic flow significantly increases.As the piles are located near the slope crest,plastic flow is effectively prevented and the slope is better stabilized against rainfall.If rainfall uncertainties are not considered,the slope failure probability is significantly overestimated.Overall,this study can provide a useful guidance for the design of pile-stabilized slopes against rainfall infiltration.
文摘The published article titled“Comparison of Structural Probabilistic and Non-Probabilistic Reliability Computational Methods under Big Data Condition”[1]has been retracted from Structural Durability&Health Monitoring(SDHM),Vol.16,No.2,2022,pp.129–143.
基金supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 62071073in part by the Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities under Grant 2023CDJXY-041in part by the Foundation from Guangxi Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Information Processing under Grant GD20201.
文摘The dynamic avalanche effect is a critical factor influencing the performance and reliability of the field-stop insulated gate bipolar transistors(FS-IGBT).Unclamped inductive switching(UIS)is the primary method for testing the dynamic avalanche capability of FS-IGBTs.Numerous studies have demonstrated that factors such as device structure,avalanche-generating current filaments,and electrical parameters influence the dynamic avalanche effect of the FS-IGBT.However,few studies have focused on enhancing the avalanche reliability of the FS-IGBT by adjusting circuit parameters during operation.In this paper,the dynamic avalanche effect of the FS-IGBT under UIS conditions is comprehensively investigated through a series of comparative experiments with varying circuit parameters,including bus voltage V_(DC),gate voltage V_(G),gate resistance R_(g),load inductance L,and temperature TC.Furthermore,a method to enhance the dynamic avalanche reliability of the FS-IGBT under UIS by optimizing circuit parameters is proposed.In practical applications,reducing gate voltage,increasing load inductance,and lowering temperature can effectively improve the dynamic avalanche capability of the FS-IGBT.
文摘Continuously increasing inflation is a major challenge in presenting reliable and relevant financial reports,especially in developing countries like Indonesia.This study aims to analyze the role of inflation accounting in increasing the reliability of financial reports during times of high inflation.With a qualitative-descriptive approach,this research examines two main methods in inflation accounting,namely General Price Level Accounting(GPLA)and Current Cost Accounting(CCA),and their impact on the value of assets,liabilities,income,and costs.The analysis results show that historical cost-based financial reports do not reflect actual economic conditions during inflation,so they can be misleading in decision making.The application of inflation accounting,through adjustments to purchasing power and current prices,has been proven to be able to increase the relevance and reliability of financial information.However,limitations in implementation in Indonesia are due to the lack of regulations and practical understanding regarding this method.Therefore,the application of inflation accounting is important in supporting the quality of financial reports and more accurate decision making amidst economic instability.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.62275193)。
文摘In this paper,an improved error-rate sliding window decoder is proposed for spatially coupled low-density parity-check(SC-LDPC)codes.For the conventional sliding window decoder,the message retention mechanism causes unreliable messages along the edges of belief propagation(BP)decoding in the current window to be kept for subsequent window decoding.To improve the reliability of the retained messages during the window transition,a reliable termination method is embedded,where the retained messages undergo more reliable parity checks.Additionally,decoding failure is unavoidable and even causes error propagation when the number of errors exceeds the error-correcting capability of the window.To mitigate this problem,a channel value reuse mechanism is designed,where the received channel values are utilized to reinitialize the window.Furthermore,considering the complexity and performance of decoding,a feasible sliding optimized window decoding(SOWD)scheme is introduced.Finally,simulation results confirm the superior performance of the proposed SOWD scheme in both the waterfall and error floor regions.This work has great potential in the applications of wireless optical communication and fiber optic communication.
