Interval-valued pre-aggregation functions are a hot topic in the research of aggregation functions and have received considerable attention in recent years.As a special class of interval-valued pre-aggregation functio...Interval-valued pre-aggregation functions are a hot topic in the research of aggregation functions and have received considerable attention in recent years.As a special class of interval-valued pre-aggregation functions,(light)interval-valued pre-t-norms were initially proposed by Wang and Hu,but their properties were not further discussed by the authors.The main purpose of this paper is to study in depth the properties and generation of(light)intervalvalued pre-t-norms.Firstly,several properties of(light)interval-valued pre-t-norms and their relationship with(light)pre-t-norms are presented.Then,two different generation methods for(light)interval-valued pre-t-norms are introduced.Finally,it demonstrates a specific application of(light)interval-valued pre-t-norms in constructing interval-valued directional monotonic fuzzy implications,namely,using the(light)interval-valued pre-t-norm IT,interval-valued fuzzy negations IN,and(light)interval-valued pre-t-conorm IS to construct interval-valued QL-directional monotonic operations.展开更多
BACKGROUND Pepsinogen(PG)and the PG I/II ratio(PGR)are critical indicators for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection and chronic atrophic gastritis,and assessing gastric cancer risk.Existing reference intervals(RIs...BACKGROUND Pepsinogen(PG)and the PG I/II ratio(PGR)are critical indicators for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection and chronic atrophic gastritis,and assessing gastric cancer risk.Existing reference intervals(RIs)often overlook age,sex,and demographic variations.Partitioned RIs,while considering these factors,fail to capture the gradual age-related physiological changes.Next-generation RIs offer a solution to this limitation.AIM To investigate age-and sex-specific dynamics of PG and establish next-generation RIs for adults and the elderly in northern China.METHODS After screening,708 healthy individuals were included in this observational study.Serum PG was measured using chemiluminescence immunoassay.Age-and sex-related effects on PG were analyzed with a two-way analysis of variance.RI partitioning was determined by the standard deviation ratio(SDR).Traditional RIs were established using a non-parametric approach.Generalized Additive Models for Location,Scale,and Shape(GAMLSS)modeled age-related trends and continuous reference percentiles for PG I and PG II.Reference limit flagging rates for both RI types were compared.RESULTS PG I and PG II levels were influenced by age(P<0.001)and sex(P<0.001),while PGR remained stable.Age-specific RIs were required for PG I(SDR=0.366)and PG II(SDR=0.424).Partitioned RIs were established for PG I and PG II,with a single RI for PGR.GAMLSS modeling revealed distinct age-dependent trajectories:PG I increased from a median of 39.75μg/L at age 20 years to 49.75μg/L at age 60 years,a 25.16%increase,after which it plateaued through age 80 years.In contrast,PG II showed a continuous rise throughout the age range,with the median value increasing from 5.07μg/L at age 20 years to 8.36μg/L at age 80 years,corresponding to a 64.89%increase.Continuous reference percentiles intuitively reflected these trends and were detailed in this study.Next-generation RIs demonstrated superior accuracy compared to partitioned RIs when applied to specific age subgroups.CONCLUSION This study elucidates the age-and sex-specific dynamics of PG and,to our knowledge,is the first to establish next-generation RIs for PG,supporting more individualized interpretation in laboratory medicine.展开更多
To analyze the complexity of interval-valued time series(ITSs),a novel interval multiscale sample entropy(IMSE)methodology is proposed in this paper.To validate the effectiveness and feasibility of IMSE in characteriz...To analyze the complexity of interval-valued time series(ITSs),a novel interval multiscale sample entropy(IMSE)methodology is proposed in this paper.To validate the effectiveness and feasibility of IMSE in characterizing ITS complexity,the method is initially implemented on simulated time series.The experimental results demonstrate that IMSE not only successfully identifies series complexity and long-range autocorrelation patterns but also effectively captures the intrinsic relationships between interval boundaries.Furthermore,the test results show that IMSE can also be applied to measure the complexity of multivariate time series of equal length.Subsequently,IMSE is applied to investigate interval temperature series(2000–2023)from four Chinese cities:Shanghai,Kunming,Chongqing,and Nagqu.The results show that IMSE not only distinctly differentiates temperature patterns across cities but also effectively quantifies complexity and long-term autocorrelation in ITSs.All the results indicate that IMSE is an alternative and effective method for studying the complexity of ITSs.展开更多
This paper deals with the calculation of a vector of reliable weights of decision alternatives on the basis of interval pairwise comparison judgments of experts. These weights are used to construct the ranking of deci...This paper deals with the calculation of a vector of reliable weights of decision alternatives on the basis of interval pairwise comparison judgments of experts. These weights are used to construct the ranking of decision alternatives and to solve selection problems, problems of ratings construction, resources allocation problems, scenarios evaluation problems, and other decision making problems. A comparative analysis of several popular models, which calculate interval weights on the basis of interval pairwise comparison matrices (IPCMs), was performed. The features of these models when they are applied to IPCMs with different inconsistency levels were identified. An algorithm is proposed which contains the stages for analyzing and increasing the IPCM inconsistency, calculating normalized interval weights, and calculating the ranking of decision alternatives on the basis of the resulting interval weights. It was found that the property of weak order preservation usually allowed identifying order-related intransitive expert pairwise comparison judgments. The correction of these elements leads to the removal of contradictions in resulting weights and increases the accuracy and reliability of results.展开更多
Uncertainties are unavoidable in practical engineering,and phononic crystals are no exception.In this paper,the uncertainties are treated as the interval parameters,and an interval phononic crystal beam model is estab...Uncertainties are unavoidable in practical engineering,and phononic crystals are no exception.In this paper,the uncertainties are treated as the interval parameters,and an interval phononic crystal beam model is established.A perturbation-based interval finite element method(P-IFEM)and an affine-based interval finite element method(A-IFEM)are proposed to study the dynamic response of this interval phononic crystal beam,based on which an interval vibration transmission analysis can be easily implemented and the safe bandgap can be defined.Finally,two numerical examples are investigated to demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the P-IFEM and A-IFEM.Results show that the safe bandgap range may even decrease by 10%compared with the deterministic bandgap without considering the uncertainties.展开更多
With the increasing integration of large-scale distributed energy resources into the grid,traditional distribution network optimization and dispatch methods struggle to address the challenges posed by both generation ...With the increasing integration of large-scale distributed energy resources into the grid,traditional distribution network optimization and dispatch methods struggle to address the challenges posed by both generation and load.Accounting for these issues,this paper proposes a multi-timescale coordinated optimization dispatch method for distribution networks.First,the probability box theory was employed to determine the uncertainty intervals of generation and load forecasts,based on which,the requirements for flexibility dispatch and capacity constraints of the grid were calculated and analyzed.Subsequently,a multi-timescale optimization framework was constructed,incorporating the generation and load forecast uncertainties.This framework included optimization models for dayahead scheduling,intra-day optimization,and real-time adjustments,aiming to meet flexibility needs across different timescales and improve the economic efficiency of the grid.Furthermore,an improved soft actor-critic algorithm was introduced to enhance the uncertainty exploration capability.Utilizing a centralized training and decentralized execution framework,a multi-agent SAC network model was developed to improve the decision-making efficiency of the agents.Finally,the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method were validated using a modified IEEE-33 bus test system.展开更多
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rare neurodegenerative disease characterized by the involvement of both upper and lower motor neurons.Early bilateral limb involvement significantly affects patients'daily lives ...Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rare neurodegenerative disease characterized by the involvement of both upper and lower motor neurons.Early bilateral limb involvement significantly affects patients'daily lives and may lead them to be confined to bed.However,the effect of upper and lower motor neuron impairment and other risk factors on bilateral limb involvement is unclear.To address this issue,we retrospectively collected data from 586 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with limb onset diagnosed at Peking University Third Hospital between January 2020 and May 2022.A univariate analysis revealed no significant differences in the time intervals of spread in different directions between individuals with upper motor neuron-dominant amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and those with classic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.We used causal directed acyclic graphs for risk factor determination and Cox proportional hazards models to investigate the association between the duration of bilateral limb involvement and clinical baseline characteristics in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.Multiple factor analyses revealed that higher upper motor neuron scores(hazard ratio[HR]=1.05,95%confidence interval[CI]=1.01–1.09,P=0.018),onset in the left limb(HR=0.72,95%CI=0.58–0.89,P=0.002),and a horizontal pattern of progression(HR=0.46,95%CI=0.37–0.58,P<0.001)were risk factors for a shorter interval until bilateral limb involvement.The results demonstrated that a greater degree of upper motor neuron involvement might cause contralateral limb involvement to progress more quickly in limb-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.These findings may improve the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with limb onset and the prediction of patient prognosis.展开更多
An interval optimization method for the dynamic response of structures with inter- val parameters is presented.The matrices of structures with interval parameters are given.Com- bining the interval extension with the ...An interval optimization method for the dynamic response of structures with inter- val parameters is presented.The matrices of structures with interval parameters are given.Com- bining the interval extension with the perturbation,the method for interval dynamic response analysis is derived.The interval optimization problem is transformed into a corresponding de- terministic one.Because the mean values and the uncertainties of the interval parameters can be elected design variables,more information of the optimization results can be obtained by the present method than that obtained by the deterministic one.The present method is implemented for a truss structure.The numerical results show that the method is effective.展开更多
To tackle the difficulties of the point prediction in quantifying the reliability of landslide displacement prediction,a data-driven combination-interval prediction method(CIPM)based on copula and variational-mode-dec...To tackle the difficulties of the point prediction in quantifying the reliability of landslide displacement prediction,a data-driven combination-interval prediction method(CIPM)based on copula and variational-mode-decomposition associated with kernel-based-extreme-learningmachine optimized by the whale optimization algorithm(VMD-WOA-KELM)is proposed in this paper.Firstly,the displacement is decomposed by VMD to three IMF components and a residual component of different fluctuation characteristics.The key impact factors of each IMF component are selected according to Copula model,and the corresponding WOA-KELM is established to conduct point prediction.Subsequently,the parametric method(PM)and non-parametric method(NPM)are used to estimate the prediction error probability density distribution(PDF)of each component,whose prediction interval(PI)under the 95%confidence level is also obtained.By means of the differential evolution algorithm(DE),a weighted combination model based on the PIs is built to construct the combination-interval(CI).Finally,the CIs of each component are added to generate the total PI.A comparative case study shows that the CIPM performs better in constructing landslide displacement PI with high performance.展开更多
Climate warming is reshaping the phenology of plants in recent decades,with potential implications for forest productivity,carbon sequestration,and ecosystem functioning.While the effects of warming on secondary growt...Climate warming is reshaping the phenology of plants in recent decades,with potential implications for forest productivity,carbon sequestration,and ecosystem functioning.While the effects of warming on secondary growth phenology is becoming increasingly clear,the influenceof environmental factors on different developmental phases of xylem remains to be quantified.In this study,we investigated the temporal dynamics of xylem cell enlargement,wall-thickening,and the interval between these events in twelve temperate tree species from Northeast China over the period 2019–2024.We found that both cell enlargement and wall-thickening advanced significantlyin response to climate warming,with species-specific variations in the rate of advancement.Importantly,the advancing rate of wallthickening was greater than that of cell enlargement,leading to a shortening of the interval between these two events.Linear mixed-effects models revealed that photoperiod,forcing temperature,and precipitation were the primary environmental drivers influencingthe timing of both cell enlargement and wall-thickening,with photoperiod emerging as the most important factor.These results suggest that climate warming accelerates the heat accumulation required for the transition from xylem cell enlargement to wall-thickening,thereby shortening the time interval between these two developmental stages.Beyond contributing valuable multi-year xylem phenological data,our results provide mechanistic insights that enhance predictions of wood formation dynamics under future climate scenarios and improve the accuracy of forest carbon models.展开更多
Objectives:This study aimed to explore the perceptions and recommendations of multiparas and health-related professionals regarding appropriate birth intervals(Bis)and key determinants.Methods:In-depth semi-structured...Objectives:This study aimed to explore the perceptions and recommendations of multiparas and health-related professionals regarding appropriate birth intervals(Bis)and key determinants.Methods:In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted between April 1 and June 30,2022.Nine multiparas and thirteen health-related professionals were purposefully sampled until data saturation was reached.A thematic analysis approach was applied to the interview transcripts,utilizing dual independent coding and consensus validation in NVivo 12.0.Results:The data generated two overarching categories:1)balanced decision-making on the appropriate birth intervals and 2)internal and external determinants integrated with health and societal considerations.Four key themes emerged following the two categories:1)consistency and discrepancy between the actual and recommended birth intervals of multiparas;2)health-and developmentoriented professional recommendations;3)internal determinants related to individual-level factors;and 4)external determinants related to child-related factors,family support,and social security.Weighing women's reproductive health and career development,multiparas and health-related professionals perceived a length between 18 and 36 months as the appropriate Bl.Conclusion:Multiparas and health-related professionals shaped their balanced recommendations on a relatively appropriate birth interval ranging from 18 to 36 months,which was influenced by women's individual-level factors,child-related factors,family support,and social security.Targeted social and healthcare services should be offered to women and their families during the Bls.展开更多
BACKGROUND The reference ranges for biochemical parameters can fluctuate due to factors like altitude,age,gender,and socioeconomic conditions.These values are crucial for interpreting laboratory data and guide clinica...BACKGROUND The reference ranges for biochemical parameters can fluctuate due to factors like altitude,age,gender,and socioeconomic conditions.These values are crucial for interpreting laboratory data and guide clinical treatment decisions.Currently,there is no established set of reference intervals for cord blood biochemical parameters of newborns in India,particularly in Mumbai.AIM To create cord blood biochemical parameters reference intervals specifically for Mumbai,India.METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in an Indian tertiary care hospital.This study focused on healthy newborns with normal birth weight,born to pregnant mothers without health issues.Cord blood samples,approximately 2-3 mL in volume,were collected from 210 term neonates.These samples were divided into fluoride(glucose)and clot activator(serum)tubes and were subsequently analyzed in the institute's biochemical laboratory.The data obtained from the analysis was then subjected to statistical analysis.The result of the Shapiro-Wilk test suggested non-normality in the data distribution.Consequently,nonparametric statistics were utilized for analysis.The Mann-Whitney U test was utilized to compare parameter distributions among different factors,including the infant’s sex,delivery method,maternal age,and obstetric history.A significance level of P<0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.RESULTS The following represent the median figures and central 95 percentile reference intervals for biochemical parameters in umbilical cord blood of newborns:Serum direct bilirubin=(0.1-0.55)mg/dL,indirect bilirubin=(0.64-2.26)mg/dL,total bilirubin=(0.62-3.14)mg/dL,creatinine=(0.27-0.76)mg/dL,sodium=(128.19-143.26)mmol/L,chloride=(100.19-111.68)mmol/L,potassium=(1.62-9.98)mmol/L and plasma glucose=(24.75-94.23)mg/dL.Statistically significant differences were observed in serum sodium,potassium,and plasma glucose levels when comparing delivery modes.CONCLUSION This is the pioneering study in which first time,the biochemical reference intervals in cord blood for newborns are established in western India.The values are applicable for newborns from this area.Larger study throughout the country is required.展开更多
This paper presents the dynamical properties of a discrete-time prey-predator model with refuge in prey under imprecise biological parameters.We consider the refuge concept of prey,which is proportional to the density...This paper presents the dynamical properties of a discrete-time prey-predator model with refuge in prey under imprecise biological parameters.We consider the refuge concept of prey,which is proportional to the density of prey species with interval parameters.The model develops with natural interval parameters since the uncertainties of parameters of any ecological system are a widespread phenomenon in nature.The equilibria of the model are obtained,and the dynamic behaviours of the proposed system are examined.Simulations of the model are performed for different parameters of the model.Numerical simulations show that the proposed discrete model exhibits rich dynamics of a chaotic and complex nature.Our study,through analytical derivation and numerical example,presents the effect of refuge on population dynamics under imprecise biological parameters.展开更多
Most reliability studies assume large samples or independence among components,but these assump-tions often fail in practice,leading to imprecise inference.We address this issue by constructing confidence intervals(CI...Most reliability studies assume large samples or independence among components,but these assump-tions often fail in practice,leading to imprecise inference.We address this issue by constructing confidence intervals(CIs)for the reliability of two-component systems with Weibull distributed failure times under a copula-frailty framework.Our construction integrates gamma-distributed frailties to capture unobserved heterogeneity and a copula-based dependence structure for correlated failures.The main contribution of this work is to derive adjusted CIs that explicitly incorporate the copula parameter in the variance-covariance matrix,achieving near-nominal coverage probabilities even in small samples or highly dependent settings.Through simulation studies,we show that,although traditional methods may suffice with moderate dependence and large samples,the proposed CIs offer notable benefits when dependence is strong or data are sparse.We further illustrate our construction with a synthetic example illustrating how penalized estimation can mitigate the issue of a degenerate Hessian matrix under high dependence and limited observations,so enabling uncertainty quantification despite deviations from nominal assumptions.Overall,our results fill a gap in reliability modeling for systems prone to correlated failures,and contribute to more robust inference in engineering,industrial,and biomedical applications.展开更多
[Objectives]To synthesize evidence on HIIT versus moderate-intensity continuous training(MICT)or routine rehabilitation in stroke survivors.[Methods]We systematically searched 8 databases(PubMed,EMBASE,CENTRAL,Web of ...[Objectives]To synthesize evidence on HIIT versus moderate-intensity continuous training(MICT)or routine rehabilitation in stroke survivors.[Methods]We systematically searched 8 databases(PubMed,EMBASE,CENTRAL,Web of Science,SPORTSDiscus,PsycINFO,SCOPUS,CINAHL)up to May 2025.Seventeen randomized controlled trials(RCTs;total n=1142)met inclusion criteria:adults with stroke,device-based HIIT(≥70%HRR/VO 2peak),and outcomes assessing VO_(2)peak,6-min walk distance(6MWD),or Berg Balance Scale(BBS).Methodological quality was evaluated using the PEDro scale.Pooled effect sizes(Hedges'g)were calculated via random-effects models,with heterogeneity quantified by I^(2).[Results]HIIT significantly improved peak oxygen uptake(VO_(2)peak)versus controls(g=0.59,95%CI:0.44-0.75,p<0.001;I^(2)=16.29%).Low heterogeneity and symmetrical funnel plots supported robustness.HIIT also enhanced walking endurance(6MWD:g=0.32,95%CI:0.16-0.48,p<0.01;I^(2)=30%).In contrast,no significant benefit was observed for balance function(BBS:g=0.07,95%CI:-0.13-0.26,p=0.50;I^(2)=0%).[Conclusions]HIIT is a safe and highly effective intervention for enhancing aerobic capacity and walking function post-stroke.Its benefits are maximized at higher intensities and longer durations but do not extend to balance improvement.Integrating HIIT into stroke rehabilitation protocols is strongly recommended to promote functional independence.展开更多
Background Vibrotactile feedback systems are widely used in assistive technology,wearable devices,and virtual environments to deliver precise tactile information.The timing of interstimulus intervals(ISIs)plays a crit...Background Vibrotactile feedback systems are widely used in assistive technology,wearable devices,and virtual environments to deliver precise tactile information.The timing of interstimulus intervals(ISIs)plays a critical role in determining how accurately users perceive and interpret vibrotactile patterns.The optimal use of ISIs can increase the effectiveness of these systems,improve user interaction,and enable reliable,intuitive feedback in diverse applications.We examined how different interstimulus intervals ISIs impact the accuracy of vibrotactile pattern recognition.Methods Participants wore a forearm-mounted device with six voice coil actuators arranged in a 3×2 grid,delivering Braille-based vibrotactile patterns sequentially at ISIs ranging from 10 to 2500 ms.Eight participants performed identification tasks involving Icelandic Braille patterns categorized as either short(2-3 actuators)or long(4-5 actuators).A repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to assess the effects of ISI,pattern type,and practice(across two testing blocks)on pattern recognition accuracy.Results For short patterns,accuracy was highest(92%-98%)at ISIs of 50-700 ms,with peak performance at 300 ms.For long patterns,accuracy reached 86%-94%at ISIs of 100-500 ms,peaking at 400 ms.Participants were more accurate with short patterns,and performance improved significantly over time for both short and long patterns,highlighting the importance of training for vibrotactile pattern recognition.Conclusions These results underscore the importance of careful selection of ISIs in vibrotactile feedback systems for accurate pattern identification.The findings provide valuable insights for conveying tactile information using wearable devices,contributing to better tactile feedback and performance in applications requiring precise vibrotactile information delivery.展开更多
In the present paper,we obtain the converse results of approximation of a newly introduced genuine Bernstein-Durrmeyer operators in movable interval.We also get the moments properties of an auxiliary operator which ha...In the present paper,we obtain the converse results of approximation of a newly introduced genuine Bernstein-Durrmeyer operators in movable interval.We also get the moments properties of an auxiliary operator which has its own independent values.The moments of the auxiliary operators play important roles in establishing the main result(Theorem 4).展开更多
Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of DTwP-HB-Hib vaccination dosing intervals at eight weeks versus four weeks on the immunogenicity of the diphtheria component.Methods:This is a randomized,open-label,parallel,c...Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of DTwP-HB-Hib vaccination dosing intervals at eight weeks versus four weeks on the immunogenicity of the diphtheria component.Methods:This is a randomized,open-label,parallel,controlled trial on healthy two-month-old infants who had not received DTwP-HB-Hib vaccinations.The infants received three doses of the vaccine either at an eight-week or four-week interval.The anti-diphtheria toxoid IgG antibody levels before and after three doses of the vaccination were measured using ELISA.Results:Eighty infants were enrolled in this study,with 64 fulfilling the study requirements and randomized into two groups.All study participants exhibited uncertain protection against diphtheria antibodies(0.01-0.99 IU/mL)at the beginning of the study with an average of(0.023±0.009)IU/mL and(0.026±0.009)IU/mL in eight weeks and four weeks groups.Following three doses of the vaccination,the antibody level rose to an average of(1.320±0.234)IU/mL in the eight-week group and(1.307±0.186)IU/mL in the four-week group,with no statistically significant difference in the antibody levels observed(P=0.814).Conclusions:DTwP-HB-Hib vaccinations can be administered at an eight-week or four-week interval,as they do not significantly affect the level of anti-diphtheria IgG antibodies.展开更多
High-intensity interval training(HIIT),a highly efficient and distinctive exercise format,has sparked growing academic interest in sports performance training.This article synthesizes theoretical and applied evidence ...High-intensity interval training(HIIT),a highly efficient and distinctive exercise format,has sparked growing academic interest in sports performance training.This article synthesizes theoretical and applied evidence to analyze mechanisms of HIIT in neuromuscular activation,hormonal responses,muscle fiber adaptation,and metabolic pathway effects.It focuses on its effectiveness in enhancing explosive power,maximum strength,and strength endurance,while also examining the integration of HIIT with traditional resistance training,periodized programming,and personalized prescription.Scientific implementation of HIIT can effectively diversify or even replace conventional strength training,not only offering positive directional changes for strength development but also introducing innovative approaches to sports performance training practices.展开更多
Purpose–The deformation of the roadbed is easily influenced by the external environment to improve the accuracy of high-speed railway subgrade settlement prediction.Design/methodology/approach–A high-speed railway s...Purpose–The deformation of the roadbed is easily influenced by the external environment to improve the accuracy of high-speed railway subgrade settlement prediction.Design/methodology/approach–A high-speed railway subgrade settlement interval prediction method using the secretary bird optimization(SBOA)algorithm to optimize the BP neural network under the premise of gray relational analysis is proposed.Findings–Using the SBOA algorithm to optimize the BP neural network,the optimal weights and thresholds are obtained,and the best parameter prediction model is combined.The data were collected from the sensors deployed through the subgrade settlement monitoring system,and the gray relational analysis is used to verify that all four influencing factors had a great correlation to the subgrade settlement,and the collected data are verified using the model.Originality/value–The experimental results show that the SBOA-BP model has higher prediction accuracy than the BP model,and the SBOA-BP model has a wider range of prediction intervals for a given confidence level,which can provide higher guiding value for practical engineering applications.展开更多
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.12171294)。
文摘Interval-valued pre-aggregation functions are a hot topic in the research of aggregation functions and have received considerable attention in recent years.As a special class of interval-valued pre-aggregation functions,(light)interval-valued pre-t-norms were initially proposed by Wang and Hu,but their properties were not further discussed by the authors.The main purpose of this paper is to study in depth the properties and generation of(light)intervalvalued pre-t-norms.Firstly,several properties of(light)interval-valued pre-t-norms and their relationship with(light)pre-t-norms are presented.Then,two different generation methods for(light)interval-valued pre-t-norms are introduced.Finally,it demonstrates a specific application of(light)interval-valued pre-t-norms in constructing interval-valued directional monotonic fuzzy implications,namely,using the(light)interval-valued pre-t-norm IT,interval-valued fuzzy negations IN,and(light)interval-valued pre-t-conorm IS to construct interval-valued QL-directional monotonic operations.
文摘BACKGROUND Pepsinogen(PG)and the PG I/II ratio(PGR)are critical indicators for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection and chronic atrophic gastritis,and assessing gastric cancer risk.Existing reference intervals(RIs)often overlook age,sex,and demographic variations.Partitioned RIs,while considering these factors,fail to capture the gradual age-related physiological changes.Next-generation RIs offer a solution to this limitation.AIM To investigate age-and sex-specific dynamics of PG and establish next-generation RIs for adults and the elderly in northern China.METHODS After screening,708 healthy individuals were included in this observational study.Serum PG was measured using chemiluminescence immunoassay.Age-and sex-related effects on PG were analyzed with a two-way analysis of variance.RI partitioning was determined by the standard deviation ratio(SDR).Traditional RIs were established using a non-parametric approach.Generalized Additive Models for Location,Scale,and Shape(GAMLSS)modeled age-related trends and continuous reference percentiles for PG I and PG II.Reference limit flagging rates for both RI types were compared.RESULTS PG I and PG II levels were influenced by age(P<0.001)and sex(P<0.001),while PGR remained stable.Age-specific RIs were required for PG I(SDR=0.366)and PG II(SDR=0.424).Partitioned RIs were established for PG I and PG II,with a single RI for PGR.GAMLSS modeling revealed distinct age-dependent trajectories:PG I increased from a median of 39.75μg/L at age 20 years to 49.75μg/L at age 60 years,a 25.16%increase,after which it plateaued through age 80 years.In contrast,PG II showed a continuous rise throughout the age range,with the median value increasing from 5.07μg/L at age 20 years to 8.36μg/L at age 80 years,corresponding to a 64.89%increase.Continuous reference percentiles intuitively reflected these trends and were detailed in this study.Next-generation RIs demonstrated superior accuracy compared to partitioned RIs when applied to specific age subgroups.CONCLUSION This study elucidates the age-and sex-specific dynamics of PG and,to our knowledge,is the first to establish next-generation RIs for PG,supporting more individualized interpretation in laboratory medicine.
基金supported by Hubei Provincial Department of Education Science and Technology Plan Project(Grant No.B2022165)。
文摘To analyze the complexity of interval-valued time series(ITSs),a novel interval multiscale sample entropy(IMSE)methodology is proposed in this paper.To validate the effectiveness and feasibility of IMSE in characterizing ITS complexity,the method is initially implemented on simulated time series.The experimental results demonstrate that IMSE not only successfully identifies series complexity and long-range autocorrelation patterns but also effectively captures the intrinsic relationships between interval boundaries.Furthermore,the test results show that IMSE can also be applied to measure the complexity of multivariate time series of equal length.Subsequently,IMSE is applied to investigate interval temperature series(2000–2023)from four Chinese cities:Shanghai,Kunming,Chongqing,and Nagqu.The results show that IMSE not only distinctly differentiates temperature patterns across cities but also effectively quantifies complexity and long-term autocorrelation in ITSs.All the results indicate that IMSE is an alternative and effective method for studying the complexity of ITSs.
文摘This paper deals with the calculation of a vector of reliable weights of decision alternatives on the basis of interval pairwise comparison judgments of experts. These weights are used to construct the ranking of decision alternatives and to solve selection problems, problems of ratings construction, resources allocation problems, scenarios evaluation problems, and other decision making problems. A comparative analysis of several popular models, which calculate interval weights on the basis of interval pairwise comparison matrices (IPCMs), was performed. The features of these models when they are applied to IPCMs with different inconsistency levels were identified. An algorithm is proposed which contains the stages for analyzing and increasing the IPCM inconsistency, calculating normalized interval weights, and calculating the ranking of decision alternatives on the basis of the resulting interval weights. It was found that the property of weak order preservation usually allowed identifying order-related intransitive expert pairwise comparison judgments. The correction of these elements leads to the removal of contradictions in resulting weights and increases the accuracy and reliability of results.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.12272172 and 11847009)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China(No.22KJB580005)+1 种基金the Youth Talent Promotion Project from China Association for Science and Technology(No.2022QNRC001)the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China。
文摘Uncertainties are unavoidable in practical engineering,and phononic crystals are no exception.In this paper,the uncertainties are treated as the interval parameters,and an interval phononic crystal beam model is established.A perturbation-based interval finite element method(P-IFEM)and an affine-based interval finite element method(A-IFEM)are proposed to study the dynamic response of this interval phononic crystal beam,based on which an interval vibration transmission analysis can be easily implemented and the safe bandgap can be defined.Finally,two numerical examples are investigated to demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the P-IFEM and A-IFEM.Results show that the safe bandgap range may even decrease by 10%compared with the deterministic bandgap without considering the uncertainties.
基金funded by Jilin Province Science and Technology Development Plan Project,grant number 20220203163SF.
文摘With the increasing integration of large-scale distributed energy resources into the grid,traditional distribution network optimization and dispatch methods struggle to address the challenges posed by both generation and load.Accounting for these issues,this paper proposes a multi-timescale coordinated optimization dispatch method for distribution networks.First,the probability box theory was employed to determine the uncertainty intervals of generation and load forecasts,based on which,the requirements for flexibility dispatch and capacity constraints of the grid were calculated and analyzed.Subsequently,a multi-timescale optimization framework was constructed,incorporating the generation and load forecast uncertainties.This framework included optimization models for dayahead scheduling,intra-day optimization,and real-time adjustments,aiming to meet flexibility needs across different timescales and improve the economic efficiency of the grid.Furthermore,an improved soft actor-critic algorithm was introduced to enhance the uncertainty exploration capability.Utilizing a centralized training and decentralized execution framework,a multi-agent SAC network model was developed to improve the decision-making efficiency of the agents.Finally,the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method were validated using a modified IEEE-33 bus test system.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82071426,81873784Clinical Cohort Construction Program of Peking University Third Hospital,No.BYSYDL2019002(all to DF)。
文摘Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rare neurodegenerative disease characterized by the involvement of both upper and lower motor neurons.Early bilateral limb involvement significantly affects patients'daily lives and may lead them to be confined to bed.However,the effect of upper and lower motor neuron impairment and other risk factors on bilateral limb involvement is unclear.To address this issue,we retrospectively collected data from 586 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with limb onset diagnosed at Peking University Third Hospital between January 2020 and May 2022.A univariate analysis revealed no significant differences in the time intervals of spread in different directions between individuals with upper motor neuron-dominant amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and those with classic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.We used causal directed acyclic graphs for risk factor determination and Cox proportional hazards models to investigate the association between the duration of bilateral limb involvement and clinical baseline characteristics in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.Multiple factor analyses revealed that higher upper motor neuron scores(hazard ratio[HR]=1.05,95%confidence interval[CI]=1.01–1.09,P=0.018),onset in the left limb(HR=0.72,95%CI=0.58–0.89,P=0.002),and a horizontal pattern of progression(HR=0.46,95%CI=0.37–0.58,P<0.001)were risk factors for a shorter interval until bilateral limb involvement.The results demonstrated that a greater degree of upper motor neuron involvement might cause contralateral limb involvement to progress more quickly in limb-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.These findings may improve the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with limb onset and the prediction of patient prognosis.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.10202006).
文摘An interval optimization method for the dynamic response of structures with inter- val parameters is presented.The matrices of structures with interval parameters are given.Com- bining the interval extension with the perturbation,the method for interval dynamic response analysis is derived.The interval optimization problem is transformed into a corresponding de- terministic one.Because the mean values and the uncertainties of the interval parameters can be elected design variables,more information of the optimization results can be obtained by the present method than that obtained by the deterministic one.The present method is implemented for a truss structure.The numerical results show that the method is effective.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.42277149,41502299,41372306)the Research Planning of Sichuan Education Department,China(No.16ZB0105)+3 种基金the State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection Independent Research Project(Nos.SKLGP2016Z007,SKLGP2018Z017,SKLGP2020Z009)Chengdu University of Technology Young and Middle Aged Backbone Program(No.KYGG201720)Sichuan Provincial Science and Technology Department Program(No.19YYJC2087)China Scholarship Council。
文摘To tackle the difficulties of the point prediction in quantifying the reliability of landslide displacement prediction,a data-driven combination-interval prediction method(CIPM)based on copula and variational-mode-decomposition associated with kernel-based-extreme-learningmachine optimized by the whale optimization algorithm(VMD-WOA-KELM)is proposed in this paper.Firstly,the displacement is decomposed by VMD to three IMF components and a residual component of different fluctuation characteristics.The key impact factors of each IMF component are selected according to Copula model,and the corresponding WOA-KELM is established to conduct point prediction.Subsequently,the parametric method(PM)and non-parametric method(NPM)are used to estimate the prediction error probability density distribution(PDF)of each component,whose prediction interval(PI)under the 95%confidence level is also obtained.By means of the differential evolution algorithm(DE),a weighted combination model based on the PIs is built to construct the combination-interval(CI).Finally,the CIs of each component are added to generate the total PI.A comparative case study shows that the CIPM performs better in constructing landslide displacement PI with high performance.
基金supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology(No:2019FY101602).
文摘Climate warming is reshaping the phenology of plants in recent decades,with potential implications for forest productivity,carbon sequestration,and ecosystem functioning.While the effects of warming on secondary growth phenology is becoming increasingly clear,the influenceof environmental factors on different developmental phases of xylem remains to be quantified.In this study,we investigated the temporal dynamics of xylem cell enlargement,wall-thickening,and the interval between these events in twelve temperate tree species from Northeast China over the period 2019–2024.We found that both cell enlargement and wall-thickening advanced significantlyin response to climate warming,with species-specific variations in the rate of advancement.Importantly,the advancing rate of wallthickening was greater than that of cell enlargement,leading to a shortening of the interval between these two events.Linear mixed-effects models revealed that photoperiod,forcing temperature,and precipitation were the primary environmental drivers influencingthe timing of both cell enlargement and wall-thickening,with photoperiod emerging as the most important factor.These results suggest that climate warming accelerates the heat accumulation required for the transition from xylem cell enlargement to wall-thickening,thereby shortening the time interval between these two developmental stages.Beyond contributing valuable multi-year xylem phenological data,our results provide mechanistic insights that enhance predictions of wood formation dynamics under future climate scenarios and improve the accuracy of forest carbon models.
基金supported by the Key Discipline Program of the Fifth Round of the Three-Year Public Health Action Plan(2020-2022 Year)of Shanghai,China(GWV-10.1-XK08).
文摘Objectives:This study aimed to explore the perceptions and recommendations of multiparas and health-related professionals regarding appropriate birth intervals(Bis)and key determinants.Methods:In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted between April 1 and June 30,2022.Nine multiparas and thirteen health-related professionals were purposefully sampled until data saturation was reached.A thematic analysis approach was applied to the interview transcripts,utilizing dual independent coding and consensus validation in NVivo 12.0.Results:The data generated two overarching categories:1)balanced decision-making on the appropriate birth intervals and 2)internal and external determinants integrated with health and societal considerations.Four key themes emerged following the two categories:1)consistency and discrepancy between the actual and recommended birth intervals of multiparas;2)health-and developmentoriented professional recommendations;3)internal determinants related to individual-level factors;and 4)external determinants related to child-related factors,family support,and social security.Weighing women's reproductive health and career development,multiparas and health-related professionals perceived a length between 18 and 36 months as the appropriate Bl.Conclusion:Multiparas and health-related professionals shaped their balanced recommendations on a relatively appropriate birth interval ranging from 18 to 36 months,which was influenced by women's individual-level factors,child-related factors,family support,and social security.Targeted social and healthcare services should be offered to women and their families during the Bls.
文摘BACKGROUND The reference ranges for biochemical parameters can fluctuate due to factors like altitude,age,gender,and socioeconomic conditions.These values are crucial for interpreting laboratory data and guide clinical treatment decisions.Currently,there is no established set of reference intervals for cord blood biochemical parameters of newborns in India,particularly in Mumbai.AIM To create cord blood biochemical parameters reference intervals specifically for Mumbai,India.METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in an Indian tertiary care hospital.This study focused on healthy newborns with normal birth weight,born to pregnant mothers without health issues.Cord blood samples,approximately 2-3 mL in volume,were collected from 210 term neonates.These samples were divided into fluoride(glucose)and clot activator(serum)tubes and were subsequently analyzed in the institute's biochemical laboratory.The data obtained from the analysis was then subjected to statistical analysis.The result of the Shapiro-Wilk test suggested non-normality in the data distribution.Consequently,nonparametric statistics were utilized for analysis.The Mann-Whitney U test was utilized to compare parameter distributions among different factors,including the infant’s sex,delivery method,maternal age,and obstetric history.A significance level of P<0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.RESULTS The following represent the median figures and central 95 percentile reference intervals for biochemical parameters in umbilical cord blood of newborns:Serum direct bilirubin=(0.1-0.55)mg/dL,indirect bilirubin=(0.64-2.26)mg/dL,total bilirubin=(0.62-3.14)mg/dL,creatinine=(0.27-0.76)mg/dL,sodium=(128.19-143.26)mmol/L,chloride=(100.19-111.68)mmol/L,potassium=(1.62-9.98)mmol/L and plasma glucose=(24.75-94.23)mg/dL.Statistically significant differences were observed in serum sodium,potassium,and plasma glucose levels when comparing delivery modes.CONCLUSION This is the pioneering study in which first time,the biochemical reference intervals in cord blood for newborns are established in western India.The values are applicable for newborns from this area.Larger study throughout the country is required.
文摘This paper presents the dynamical properties of a discrete-time prey-predator model with refuge in prey under imprecise biological parameters.We consider the refuge concept of prey,which is proportional to the density of prey species with interval parameters.The model develops with natural interval parameters since the uncertainties of parameters of any ecological system are a widespread phenomenon in nature.The equilibria of the model are obtained,and the dynamic behaviours of the proposed system are examined.Simulations of the model are performed for different parameters of the model.Numerical simulations show that the proposed discrete model exhibits rich dynamics of a chaotic and complex nature.Our study,through analytical derivation and numerical example,presents the effect of refuge on population dynamics under imprecise biological parameters.
基金supported by the Colombian government through COLCIENCIA scholarships,National Doctoral Program,Call 727 of 2015C.Castro gratefully acknowledges partial financial support from the Centro de Matematica da Universidade do Minho(CMAT/UM),through UID/00013V.Leiva acknowledges funding from the Agencia Nacional de Investigacion y Desarrollo(ANID)of the Chilean Ministry of Science,Technology,Knowledge and Innovation,through FONDECYT project grant 1200525.
文摘Most reliability studies assume large samples or independence among components,but these assump-tions often fail in practice,leading to imprecise inference.We address this issue by constructing confidence intervals(CIs)for the reliability of two-component systems with Weibull distributed failure times under a copula-frailty framework.Our construction integrates gamma-distributed frailties to capture unobserved heterogeneity and a copula-based dependence structure for correlated failures.The main contribution of this work is to derive adjusted CIs that explicitly incorporate the copula parameter in the variance-covariance matrix,achieving near-nominal coverage probabilities even in small samples or highly dependent settings.Through simulation studies,we show that,although traditional methods may suffice with moderate dependence and large samples,the proposed CIs offer notable benefits when dependence is strong or data are sparse.We further illustrate our construction with a synthetic example illustrating how penalized estimation can mitigate the issue of a degenerate Hessian matrix under high dependence and limited observations,so enabling uncertainty quantification despite deviations from nominal assumptions.Overall,our results fill a gap in reliability modeling for systems prone to correlated failures,and contribute to more robust inference in engineering,industrial,and biomedical applications.
文摘[Objectives]To synthesize evidence on HIIT versus moderate-intensity continuous training(MICT)or routine rehabilitation in stroke survivors.[Methods]We systematically searched 8 databases(PubMed,EMBASE,CENTRAL,Web of Science,SPORTSDiscus,PsycINFO,SCOPUS,CINAHL)up to May 2025.Seventeen randomized controlled trials(RCTs;total n=1142)met inclusion criteria:adults with stroke,device-based HIIT(≥70%HRR/VO 2peak),and outcomes assessing VO_(2)peak,6-min walk distance(6MWD),or Berg Balance Scale(BBS).Methodological quality was evaluated using the PEDro scale.Pooled effect sizes(Hedges'g)were calculated via random-effects models,with heterogeneity quantified by I^(2).[Results]HIIT significantly improved peak oxygen uptake(VO_(2)peak)versus controls(g=0.59,95%CI:0.44-0.75,p<0.001;I^(2)=16.29%).Low heterogeneity and symmetrical funnel plots supported robustness.HIIT also enhanced walking endurance(6MWD:g=0.32,95%CI:0.16-0.48,p<0.01;I^(2)=30%).In contrast,no significant benefit was observed for balance function(BBS:g=0.07,95%CI:-0.13-0.26,p=0.50;I^(2)=0%).[Conclusions]HIIT is a safe and highly effective intervention for enhancing aerobic capacity and walking function post-stroke.Its benefits are maximized at higher intensities and longer durations but do not extend to balance improvement.Integrating HIIT into stroke rehabilitation protocols is strongly recommended to promote functional independence.
基金Supported by the Icelandic Technological Development Fund(Project No.1910271).
文摘Background Vibrotactile feedback systems are widely used in assistive technology,wearable devices,and virtual environments to deliver precise tactile information.The timing of interstimulus intervals(ISIs)plays a critical role in determining how accurately users perceive and interpret vibrotactile patterns.The optimal use of ISIs can increase the effectiveness of these systems,improve user interaction,and enable reliable,intuitive feedback in diverse applications.We examined how different interstimulus intervals ISIs impact the accuracy of vibrotactile pattern recognition.Methods Participants wore a forearm-mounted device with six voice coil actuators arranged in a 3×2 grid,delivering Braille-based vibrotactile patterns sequentially at ISIs ranging from 10 to 2500 ms.Eight participants performed identification tasks involving Icelandic Braille patterns categorized as either short(2-3 actuators)or long(4-5 actuators).A repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to assess the effects of ISI,pattern type,and practice(across two testing blocks)on pattern recognition accuracy.Results For short patterns,accuracy was highest(92%-98%)at ISIs of 50-700 ms,with peak performance at 300 ms.For long patterns,accuracy reached 86%-94%at ISIs of 100-500 ms,peaking at 400 ms.Participants were more accurate with short patterns,and performance improved significantly over time for both short and long patterns,highlighting the importance of training for vibrotactile pattern recognition.Conclusions These results underscore the importance of careful selection of ISIs in vibrotactile feedback systems for accurate pattern identification.The findings provide valuable insights for conveying tactile information using wearable devices,contributing to better tactile feedback and performance in applications requiring precise vibrotactile information delivery.
文摘In the present paper,we obtain the converse results of approximation of a newly introduced genuine Bernstein-Durrmeyer operators in movable interval.We also get the moments properties of an auxiliary operator which has its own independent values.The moments of the auxiliary operators play important roles in establishing the main result(Theorem 4).
文摘Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of DTwP-HB-Hib vaccination dosing intervals at eight weeks versus four weeks on the immunogenicity of the diphtheria component.Methods:This is a randomized,open-label,parallel,controlled trial on healthy two-month-old infants who had not received DTwP-HB-Hib vaccinations.The infants received three doses of the vaccine either at an eight-week or four-week interval.The anti-diphtheria toxoid IgG antibody levels before and after three doses of the vaccination were measured using ELISA.Results:Eighty infants were enrolled in this study,with 64 fulfilling the study requirements and randomized into two groups.All study participants exhibited uncertain protection against diphtheria antibodies(0.01-0.99 IU/mL)at the beginning of the study with an average of(0.023±0.009)IU/mL and(0.026±0.009)IU/mL in eight weeks and four weeks groups.Following three doses of the vaccination,the antibody level rose to an average of(1.320±0.234)IU/mL in the eight-week group and(1.307±0.186)IU/mL in the four-week group,with no statistically significant difference in the antibody levels observed(P=0.814).Conclusions:DTwP-HB-Hib vaccinations can be administered at an eight-week or four-week interval,as they do not significantly affect the level of anti-diphtheria IgG antibodies.
文摘High-intensity interval training(HIIT),a highly efficient and distinctive exercise format,has sparked growing academic interest in sports performance training.This article synthesizes theoretical and applied evidence to analyze mechanisms of HIIT in neuromuscular activation,hormonal responses,muscle fiber adaptation,and metabolic pathway effects.It focuses on its effectiveness in enhancing explosive power,maximum strength,and strength endurance,while also examining the integration of HIIT with traditional resistance training,periodized programming,and personalized prescription.Scientific implementation of HIIT can effectively diversify or even replace conventional strength training,not only offering positive directional changes for strength development but also introducing innovative approaches to sports performance training practices.
文摘Purpose–The deformation of the roadbed is easily influenced by the external environment to improve the accuracy of high-speed railway subgrade settlement prediction.Design/methodology/approach–A high-speed railway subgrade settlement interval prediction method using the secretary bird optimization(SBOA)algorithm to optimize the BP neural network under the premise of gray relational analysis is proposed.Findings–Using the SBOA algorithm to optimize the BP neural network,the optimal weights and thresholds are obtained,and the best parameter prediction model is combined.The data were collected from the sensors deployed through the subgrade settlement monitoring system,and the gray relational analysis is used to verify that all four influencing factors had a great correlation to the subgrade settlement,and the collected data are verified using the model.Originality/value–The experimental results show that the SBOA-BP model has higher prediction accuracy than the BP model,and the SBOA-BP model has a wider range of prediction intervals for a given confidence level,which can provide higher guiding value for practical engineering applications.