Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) is one of the key technologies of the future 5G network. By deploying edge computing centers at the edge of wireless access network, the computation tasks can be ...offloaded to edge servers rather than the remote cloud server to meet the requirements of 5G low-latency and high-reliability application scenarios. Meanwhile, with the development of IOV (Internet of Vehicles) technology, various delay-sensitive and compute-intensive in-vehicle applications continue to appear. Compared with traditional Internet business, these computation tasks have higher processing priority and lower delay requirements. In this paper, we design a 5G-based vehicle-aware Multi-access Edge Computing network (VAMECN) and propose a joint optimization problem of minimizing total system cost. In view of the problem, a deep reinforcement learning-based joint computation offloading and task migration optimization (JCOTM) algorithm is proposed, considering the influences of multiple factors such as concurrent multiple computation tasks, system computing resources distribution, and network communication bandwidth. And, the mixed integer nonlinear programming problem is described as a Markov Decision Process. Experiments show that our proposed algorithm can effectively reduce task processing delay and equipment energy consumption, optimize computing offloading and resource allocation schemes, and improve system resource utilization, compared with other computing offloading policies.
Physical distancing measures taken to contain COVID-19 transmission may substantially reduce physical activity levels and cause individuals to adopt a more sedentary lifestyle.
The objective of this ...study is to determine if there was any change in daily steps, an important component of daily physical activity, and examine risk factors for frequent low daily steps during the COVID-19 epidemic.
We used data collected from the Step Study, a population-based longitudinal study of walking activity among residents aged ≥40 years in Changsha, China. Daily steps were collected via a smartphone linked to WeChat, a social networking platform. We plotted mean daily steps and the prevalence of low daily steps (≤1500 steps/day) 30 days before (reference period) and 30 days after (epidemic period) January 21, 2020 (date of the first COVID-19 case diagnosed in Changsha), and compared it with the same corresponding period from 2019. We examined the association of risk factors with the prevalence of frequent low daily steps (≤1500 steps/day for ≥14 days) using logistic regression.
Among 3544 participants (mean age 51.6 years; n=1226 females, 34.6%), mean daily steps dropped from 8097 to 5440 and the prevalence of low daily steps increased from 3% (2287/76,136 person-day) to 18.5% (12,951/70,183 person-day) during the reference and epidemic periods, respectively. No such phenomenon was observed during the corresponding period in 2019. Older age (P for interaction=.001) and female sex (P for interaction<.001) were both associated with a higher prevalence of frequent low daily steps and were more pronounced during the epidemic period. More education was associated with a lower prevalence of frequent low daily steps during the reference period but not the epidemic period (P for interaction=.34). Body mass index or comorbidity were not associated with frequent low daily steps during either period.
Daily steps of Changsha residents aged ≥40 years dropped significantly during the COVID-19 period, especially among older adults and females. Although successful physical distancing, measured by the rapid downward trend in daily step counts of residents, played a critical role in the containment of the COVID-19 epidemic, our findings of an increase in the prevalence of frequent low daily steps raise concerns about unintended effects on physical activity.
To examine the correlation between dietary selenium (Se) intake and the prevalence of osteoporosis (OP) in the general middle-aged and older population in China.
Data for analyses were collected from ...a population based cross-sectional study performed at the Xiangya Hospital Health Management Centre. Dietary Se intake was evaluated using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. OP was diagnosed on the basis of bone mineral density scans using a compact radiographic absorptiometry system. The correlation between dietary Se intake and the prevalence of OP was primarily examined by multivariable logistic regression.
This cross-sectional study included a total of 6267 subjects (mean age: 52.2 ± 7.4 years; 42% women), and the prevalence of OP among the included subjects was 9.6% (2.3% in men and 19.7% in women). Compared with the lowest quartile, the energy intake, age, gender and body mass index (BMI)-adjusted odds ratios of OP were 0.72 (95% confidence interval CI 0.55-0.94), 0.72 (95% CI 0.51-1.01) and 0.47 (95% CI 0.31-0.73) for the second, third and fourth quartiles of dietary Se intake, respectively (P for trend = 0.001). The results remained consistent in male and female subjects. Adjustment for additional potential confounders (i.e., smoking status, drinking status, physical activity level, nutritional supplements, diabetes, hypertension, fibre intake, and calcium intake) did not cause substantial changes to the results.
In the middle-aged and older humans, participants with lower levels of dietary Se intake have a higher prevalence of OP in a dose-response manner.
Adipokines gene polymorphisms are speculated to be associated with the risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA), but evidence remains conflicting. This study therefore aimed to examine whether associations ...exist between adipokines gene polymorphisms and knee OA by considering the evidence collected from eligible studies through a meta-analysis.
A systematic search was performed on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang up to March 31, 2020. Meta-analysis was carried out by focusing on the associations between adipokines gene polymorphisms and knee OA with the allele model, dominant model, and recessive model.
The present meta-analysis included 5 eligible studies for ADIPOQ rs1501299 with 1,021 cases and 1,097 controls, 3 eligible studies for ADIPOQ rs2241766 with 549 cases and 544 controls, 3 eligible studies for LEPR rs1137101 with 808 cases and 856 controls, 2 eligible studies for VISFATIN rs4730153 with 339 cases and 680 controls and 2 eligible studies for VISFATIN rs16872158 with 339 cases and 680 controls. Significant association was observed between LEPR rs1137101 and knee OA in the overall population (recessive: OR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.21-0.79). Limited data revealed that associations may exist between ADIPOQ rs2241766 and knee OA in Asians (dominant: OR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.03-1.78), between VISFATIN rs4730153 and knee OA in Asians (allele: OR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.41-0.83; dominant: OR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.39-0.83), and between VISFATIN rs16872158 and knee OA in Asians (allele: OR = 1.84, 95% CI 1.26-2.68; dominant: OR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.31-2.89).
Adipokines gene polymorphisms may be associated with knee OA. The association was observed in LEPR rs1137101 in the present study. In addition, limited data revealed that associations may also exist in ADIPOQ rs2241766, VISFATIN rs4730153 and VISFATIN rs16872158.
CRD42020187664.
Evidence suggested that dietary inflammatory potential may be associated with age-related skeletal muscle decline, but the results remained controversial. To summarize the evidence for the ...relationships between dietary inflammatory potential and skeletal muscle strength, mass, and sarcopenia in adults we conducted this meta-analysis.
Embase, Pubmed, and Web of Science were searched from inception up to 12 March 2023 for studies that evaluated the associations of dietary inflammatory potential estimated by the Dietary inflammatory index (DII) with skeletal muscle strength, mass, and sarcopenia. A meta-analysis was then performed to calculate the pooled regression coefficient (β) and odds ratio (OR). The non-linear dose-response relation between DII and sarcopenia was assessed using random-effects dose-response meta-analysis.
This meta-analysis included 24 studies involving 56,536 participants. It was found that high DII was associated with low skeletal muscle strength OR 1.435, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.247-1.651,
< 0.001,
= 4.97%. There was a negative association of DII with skeletal muscle strength (β-0.031, 95% CI -0.056 to -0.006,
= 0.017,
= 72.69%). High DII was also associated with low skeletal muscle mass (OR 1.106, 95% CI 1.058-1.157,
< 0.001,
= 0%). DII had a negative relationship with skeletal muscle mass with high heterogeneity (β-0.099, 95% CI -0.145 to -0.053,
< 0.001,
= 88.67%); we downgraded the inconsistency in the subgroup analysis of overweight/obese participants (β-0.042, 95% CI -0.065 to -0.019,
= 12.54%). Finally, the pooled results suggested that high DII was significantly associated with sarcopenia with significant heterogeneity (OR 1.530, 95% CI 1.245-1.880,
< 0.001,
= 69.46%); age and BMI may contribute partially to the heterogeneity since heterogeneity was decreased in the subgroup of older age (OR 1.939, 95% CI 1.232-3.051,
= 0%) and the group of overweight/obesity (OR 1.853, 95% CI 1.398-2.456,
= 0%). There was a non-linear dose-response association between DII and sarcopenia (
= 0.012 for non-linearity).
This meta-analysis suggested that higher dietary inflammatory potential was significantly associated with lower skeletal muscle strength, mass, and risk of sarcopenia. Future studies with consistent assessment and standardized methodology are needed for further analysis.
Various extraordinary textiles were excavated from a graveyard at Yingpan, Xinjiang, on the middle route of the ancient Silk Road. Applications of western motifs and designs to traditional Chinese ...textiles led to the emergence of compound woven textiles with central Asian characters. For a better understanding of the cultural exchanges and textile trade between the West and the East in ancient times, identifications of archaeological fibres and dyes were carried out for various funerary textile objects by using multiple analytical techniques, such as high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode detection, optical microscopy, scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Fibre identifications were performed for 35 archaeological textile samples, and the results showed that the ancient textiles were mostly made from
Bombyx mori silk and wool. The SEM and FT-IR experimental results revealed that these ancient textiles remained morphologically intact due to the special (very dry) climate in Xinjiang, but noticeably degraded at the molecular level due to long time thermo-ageing and/or biodegradation. The principal colouring matters, such as alizarin, purpurin, indigotin and luteolin, were respectively characterised for nine archaeological textile samples. The yellow dyestuffs derived from luteolin-based plants were assumed to have been imported to China from the Middle East and Western Asia through the Silk Road.
► Fibre and dye identifications were achieved for archaeological textiles from Xinjiang. ► Most of the ancient textiles were made from
B. mori silk and wool. ► The ancient silk textiles were intact in morphology but degraded at the molecular level. ► The major components of the dyestuffs were alizarin, purpurin, indigotin and luteolin. ► Some yellow dyestuffs were imported to China from Middle East or Western Asia.
Excessive amount of higher alcohols in alcoholic beverages causes unwell and side-effect for consumers although adequate consumption offers joy and pleasure. Therefore, reducing higher alcohols in ...alcoholic beverages is necessary. We used nitrogen compensation to reduce higher alcohols with Chinese rice wine as an experimental model. Higher alcohols including isobutyl alcohols, isoamyl alcohols, and
β
-phenethyl alcohols were significantly decreased by 19.27, 23.03 and 19.43%, respectively, when 200 mg/L (NH
4
)
2
HPO
4
, 5% (w/v) yeast, and 11% wheat Koji were added to fermentation broth. Meanwhile, important quality parameters remained unchanged including free amino acids, organic acids, biogenic amines, and esters. The expression of glutamate dehydrogenase 1 gene (
GDH1
) and glutamine synthetase gene (
GLN1
) was significantly enhanced, 26.9- and 1.9-folds respectively. These results suggest that ammonium compensation could effectively decrease higher alcohols in Chinese rice wine by activating glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) pathway in ammonium assimilation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to accelerate another pandemic: physical inactivity. Daily steps, a proxy of physical activity, are closely related to health. Recent studies indicate that ...over 7000 steps per day is the critical physical activity standard for minimizing the risk of all-cause mortality. Moreover, the risk of cardiovascular events has been found to increase by 8% for every 2000 steps per day decrement.
To quantify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily steps in the general adult population.
This study follows the guidelines of the MOOSE (Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) checklist. PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched from inception to February 11, 2023. Eligible studies were observational studies reporting monitor-assessed daily steps before and during the confinement period of the COVID-19 pandemic in the general adult population. Two reviewers performed study selection and data extraction independently. The modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the study quality. A random effects meta-analysis was conducted. The primary outcome of interest was the number of daily steps before (ie, January 2019 to February 2020) and during (ie, after January 2020) the confinement period of COVID-19. Publication bias was assessed with a funnel plot and further evaluated with the Egger test. Sensitivity analyses were performed by excluding studies with low methodological quality or small sample sizes to test the robustness of the findings. Other outcomes included subgroup analyses by geographic location and gender.
A total of 20 studies (19,253 participants) were included. The proportion of studies with subjects with optimal daily steps (ie, ≥7000 steps/day) declined from 70% before the pandemic to 25% during the confinement period. The change in daily steps between the 2 periods ranged from -5771 to -683 across studies, and the pooled mean difference was -2012 (95% CI -2805 to -1218). The asymmetry in the funnel plot and Egger test results did not indicate any significant publication bias. Results remained stable in sensitivity analyses, suggesting that the observed differences were robust. Subgroup analyses revealed that the decline in daily steps clearly varied by region worldwide but that there was no apparent difference between men and women.
Our findings indicate that daily steps declined substantially during the confinement period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic further exacerbated the ever-increasing prevalence of low levels of physical activity, emphasizing the necessity of adopting appropriate measures to reverse this trend. Further research is required to monitor the consequence of long-term physical inactivity.
PROSPERO CRD42021291684; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=291684.
A model of a bistable speed bump vibration energy harvester (BSVEH) is designed by combining the buckling beam, rack and pinion, one-way clutch and speed bump with rotor alternator. One-way clutches ...are used to ensure the input shaft of rotor alternator to rotate unidirectionally during the up-and-down vibration of the speed bump. The coupled mechanical model of the speed bump energy harvester is established to study the power generation performance subjected to various structural parameters, that is, types of speed bump, types of vehicles, geometrical parameters of the buckling beam, speed increasing ratio and moment of inertia. Simulations show that the output power of the BSVEH (such as 148 J in 1 second) is larger than that of the speed bump energy harvester with linear spring (86 J in 1 second). Compared with the vehicle passing over speed bump energy harvester with linear spring, the vertical and pitch accelerations of a vehicle are decreased 9.3% and 16.5%, respectively when it passes over the BSVEH. Riding quality is also improved. The effect laws of the type and speed of the vehicle speed on the output power of the BSVEH are obtained. The maximum output power of SBVEH is 14.8 W at the vehicle speed 24 km/h. The maximum energy-efficiency of the BSVEH can reach 43.9%. And the maximum average electrical power can arrive at 12.7 W. The optimal parameters favoring the output power of BSVEH are determined. The advantages of power generation and riding quality, correctness of mechanical models and effectiveness of BSVEH are verified by simulation results.
Purpose. To compare the biomechanical properties of 3 suture-bridge techniques for rotator cuff repair. Methods. Twelve pair-matched fresh-frozen shoulder specimens were randomized to 3 groups of ...different repair types: the medially Knotted Suture Bridge (KSB), the medially Untied Suture Bridge (USB), and the Modified Suture Bridge (MSB). Cyclic loading and load-to-failure test were performed. Parameters of elongation, stiffness, load at failure, and mode of failure were recorded. Results. The MSB technique had the significantly greatest load to failure (515.6±78.0 N, P=0.04 for KSB group; P<0.001 for USB group), stiffness (58.0±10.7 N/mm, P=0.005 for KSB group; P<0.001 for USB group), and lowest elongation (1.49±0.39 mm, P=0.009 for KSB group; P=0.001 for USB group) among 3 groups. The KSB repair had significantly higher ultimate load (443.5±65.0 N) than USB repair (363.5±52.3 N, P=0.024). However, there was no statistical difference in stiffness and elongation between KSB and USB technique (P=0.396 for stiffness and P=0.242 for elongation, resp.). The failure mode for all specimens was suture pulling through the cuff tendon. Conclusions. Our modified suture bridge technique (MSB) may provide enhanced biomechanical properties when compared with medially knotted or knotless repair. Clinical Relevance. Our modified technique may represent a promising alternative in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
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