State-of-charge (SOC) estimation is one of the most challengeable tasks for battery management system (BMS) in electric vehicles. Since the external factors (voltage, current, temperature, ...arrangement of the batteries, etc.) are complicated, the formula of SOC is difficult to deduce and the existent SOC estimation methods are not generally suitable for the same vehicle running in different road conditions. In this paper, we propose a new SOC estimation based on an optimized support vector machine for regression (SVR) with double search optimization process. Our developed method is tested by simulation experiments in the ADVISOR, with a comparison of the estimations based on artificial neural network (ANN). It is demonstrated that our method is simpler and more accurate than that based on ANN to deal with the SOC estimation task.
Abstract Studies have suggested that maternal infection/inflammation maybe a major risk factor for neurodevelopmental brain damage. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of prenatal exposure ...to a low level of inflammatory stimulation lipopolysaccharide (LPS) repeatedly on spatial learning and memory performances in rat offspring's lifetime. Sixteen pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups. The rats in the LPS group were treated i.p. with LPS (0.79 mg/kg) at gestation day 8, 10 and 12; meanwhile the rats in the control group were treated with saline. After delivery, the rat offspring at 3- (young), 10- (adult) and 20-mon-old (aged) were allocated. Spatial learning and memory abilities were tested by Morris water maze. The structure of hippocampal CA1 region was observed by light microscopy. The expression of synaptophysin (SYP) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in hippocampal CA1 region were measured by immunohistochemistry. Results showed that the rat offspring of LPS group needed longer escape latency and path-length in the Morris water maze and presented a significant neuron loss, decreased expression of SYP, increased expression of GFAP in CA1 region in histological studies. All these changes were more significant with the age increasing. These findings support the hypothesis that maternal systemic inflammation may alter the state of astrocytes in rat offspring for a long time, the alteration may affect neurons and synapse development in neural system, increase the neurons' vulnerability to environment especially as the age increasing, at last result in distinct learning and memory impairment.
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•Exposure to a 22-psi blast increased response threshold in the auditory cortex.•Blast exposure resulted in broadened frequency tuning.•Blast exposure resulted in shortened response ...latency.•Blast exposure resulted in distorted cortical frequency map.
Blast exposure can cause various auditory disorders including tinnitus, hyperacusis, and other central auditory processing disorders. While this is suggestive of pathologies in the central auditory system, the impact of blast exposure on central auditory processing remains poorly understood. Here we examined the effects of blast shockwaves on acoustic response properties and the tonotopic frequency map in the auditory cortex. We found that multiunits recorded from the auditory cortex exhibited higher acoustic thresholds and broader frequency tuning in blast-exposed animals. Furthermore, the frequency map in the primary auditory cortex was distorted. These changes may contribute to central auditory processing disorders.
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been established as the best imaging modality for the detection, localization, and staging of prostate cancer on account of its high resolution of soft tissue and ...the possibilities of multiplanar and multiparameter scanning.
To evaluate T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), MR spectroscopy (MRS), and the combination of these three MR techniques in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, as correlated to histopathologic findings.
MR imaging, including T2WI, DWI, and MRS, was performed at 1.5T with a body coil combined with a spine coil in 42 cases. Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology through systematic transrectal prostate biopsy. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were obtained with two b values (0 and 1000 s/mm(2)). The metabolic maps of 3D-MRS imaging were analyzed for the ratio of (Cho+Cre)/Cit in each sextant. All cases were evaluated by T2WI, DWI, and MRS, and then by the three methods combined. The statistical indicators and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of each method were compared to the results of histopathology obtained by transrectal prostate biopsy.
15 of 42 cases were confirmed to be cancerous, and 27 of 42 cases were noncancerous. All the 252 sextants were confirmed by biopsies, including 201 benign sextants and 51 malignant sextants. The sensitivity and the specificity for the detection of prostate cancer were 88.2% and 67.2% for T2WI, as the cutoff was 3; 82.4% and 81.6% for DWI, as the cutoff was 4; 84.3% and 98.0% for MRS, as the cutoff was 5; and 96.1% and 96.5% for the combined T2WI+DWI+MRS, as the cutoff was 4. In the ROC analysis, the correlative areas under the ROC curves (Az) were 0.848+/-0.030, 0.860+/-0.033, and 0.961+/-0.016 for T2WI, DWI, and MRS, respectively, and 0.978+/-0.009 for the combination of T2WI+DWI+MRS.
The accuracy of the detection of prostate cancer is increased through a combination of the three techniques. Moreover, MRS demonstrated higher accuracy compared with T2WI or DWI.
This study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum (Lp) and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis (Ba) in co-cultures with Streptococcus thermophilus (St) on changes in the acidification ...profile, proteolytic activity, peptide production, in vitro antioxidant activity, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory properties of fermented milks during 21 d of storage at 4°C. The pH values and proteolysis in all batches showed a gradual decrease and increase during storage, respectively. The ACE-inhibitory activity and total antioxidant capacity of all co-fermented milk samples followed a similar pattern, with maximum values on d 6 of storage. The St starter, in conjunction with Ba or Lp or both, enhanced proteolysis, peptide generation, and ACE-inhibitory and antioxidant activity, but decreased pH values compared with St alone. The St-Ba-Lp samples showed higher DPPH• (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and total antioxidant capacity, but similar superoxide anion scavenging activity compared to St-Ba or St-Lp samples. The St-Ba samples showed higher DPPH• radical scavenging activity but lower hydroxyl radical scavenging activity than St-Lp samples. In the ACE-inhibitory assays, the St-Lp samples exhibited relatively low activity among the co-fermented milks, digested or not. The presence of Ba and Lp in fermentation together did not affect ACE-inhibitory activity in undigested fermented milks compared with the presence of Ba alone, and St-Ba-Lp fermented milks demonstrated an increase in ACE-inhibitory activity after simulated gastrointestinal digestion in storage. Pepsin digestion largely improved ACE-inhibitory activity, except in St-Lp samples, in which the activity was reduced. Further hydrolysis by trypsin reduced final activity in digestion. This study suggests that co-cultured fermentation with probiotics improves in vitro antioxidant and ACE inhibition activity in fermented milks, and this effect is partly due to the higher proteolytic activity of probiotics.
This paper aims to provide some useful guidance for the design of parameters in bolt-grouting support and stabilize the surrounding rock in deep coal seam. A grouting reinforcement effect evaluation ...test instrument for fractured rock mass was developed. A laboratory test was carried out, the results show that the influence of water cement ratios on the grouting reinforcement effect was different, and the engineering proposals were put forward for the selection of water cement ratios. A field test was conducted for the selection of length and inter-row spacing of grouting bolt, the results show that the overall increase trend of pullout forces of common bolts was “Below>Right side>Above” under the condition of the same distance from grouting bolt, and the effective reinforcement range of grouting bolt had an important significance for the selection of parameters of grouting bolt. A successful field application was implemented, and the field test was verified as a good solution in the design of bolt-grouting parameters.
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•A test instrument was developed.•A test on grouting effect was carried out.•A field test on grouting bolt was conducted.
Whether the robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) has any advantages over the video-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (VAMIE) remains controversial. In this study, we tried ...to compare the short-term outcomes of RAMIE with that of VAMIE in treating middle thoracic esophageal cancer from a single medical center. Consecutive patients undergoing RAMIE or VAMIE for middle thoracic esophageal cancer from April 2016 to April 2017 were prospectively included for analysis. Baseline data and pathological findings as well as short-term outcomes of these two group (RAMIE group and VAMIE group) patients were collected and compared. A total of 84 patients (RAMIE group: 42 patients; VAMIE group: 42 patients) were included for analysis. The baseline characteristics between the two groups were comparable. RAMIE yielded significantly larger numbers of total dissected lymph nodes (21.9 and 17.8, respectively; P = 0.042) and the right recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) lymph nodes (2.1 and 1.2, respectively; P = 0.033) as well as abdominal lymph nodes (10.8 and 7.7, respectively; P = 0.041) than VAMIE. Even though RAMIE may consume more overall operation time, it could significantly decrease total blood loss compared to VAMIE (97 and 161 mL, respectively; P = 0.015). Postoperatively, no difference of the risk of major complications or hospital stay was observed between the two groups. In conclusion, RAMIE had significant advantage of lymphadenectomy especially for dissecting RLN lymph nodes over VAMIE with a comparable rate of postoperative complications. Further randomized controlled trials are badly needed to confirm and update our conclusions.
Background
Children with intellectual disabilities (ID) typically master walking skills much later than typically developing (TD) children and have poor postural control ability. This study aimed to ...explore the gait ability and characteristics of children with ID and whether there is any difference in walking ability between them and TD children.
Method
In this study, integrating kinematic–biomechanic–dynamic measurement methods and corresponding analysis methods (video analysis, three‐dimensional force analysis and electromyography test analysis) were used to characterise and compare the gait patterns between ID children and TD children.
Results
ID children's step length/leg length ratio was lower than TD children. The left‐leg single‐leg support time and step length of ID children were shorter than TD children. While walking, ID children touched the ground with the whole foot pad and could not powerfully thrust against the ground with their toes. Their left legs had obvious disadvantages compared with their right legs. ID children's lower limb muscle strength was lower than TD children, and their thigh muscles had an obvious compensation function.
Conclusions
Correcting ID children's gait should be an important teaching goal for physical education institutors and teachers. Muscle‐strength and flexibility training can help ID children reinforce core strength and better coordinate lower limbs.
This study investigated the effect of prepartum diets differing in energy density on growth performance, immunity, and antioxidation capability of neonatal calves. Thirty Holstein dairy cows were ...allocated at random into 3 groups: low energy group L; net energy of lactation (NEL)=5.25MJ/kg of dry matter (DM); medium energy group (M; NEL=5.88MJ/kg of DM); and high energy group (H; NEL=6.48MJ/kg of DM) at d 21 prepartum. Plasma was sampled for analysis of glucose, total protein, β-hydroxybutyrate, and nonesterified fatty acids at 21, 14, and 7 d before parturition. After calving, birth weight and measurements of the calves in each group were recorded, and blood samples were collected for analysis of CD4, CD8, CD21, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and maleic dialdehyde. The results indicated that although maternal weight did not differ among L, M, and H groups at 21, 14, and 7 d before parturition, the concentrations of glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate at 14 and 7 d in the L group were decreased compared with that in the H group. In addition, nonesterified fatty acids concentrations increased significantly in the L group at 14 and 7 d before parturition compared with that in the M and H groups. Birth weight, body height, body length, abdominal circumference, thoracic girth, umbilical girth, and levels of CD4, CD4:CD8, IL-2, IL-4, total antioxidant capacity, and superoxide dismutase were decreased in calves of the L group compared with those of the H group. For the M group, CD4, CD4:CD8, and superoxide dismutase were decreased; and in the L group glutathione peroxidase and maleic dialdehyde levels were significantly increased compared with those of the H group. Reducing the maternal energy density during the last 21 d before parturition had a negative effect on growth and development, immunity, and antioxidation capability of neonatal calves.
Abstract
As an important historical relic of human being, masonry pagoda is the great significance in the eastern and western architectural cultures. Most of the existing masonry pagodas in China ...which have been seriously damaged urgently need detailed structural safety assessment, repair and reinforcement. The paper choose a Chinese masonry pagoda as a case, conducted a series simulation analysis with Abauqs. Through numerical simulation, the seismic performance of the pagoda can be evaluated, which can not only predict the hidden danger and weak link in its structure, but also provide useful reference for the reinforcement and repair of the pagoda. It also adopts a very convenient 3D CAD method to quickly assess the seismic vulnerability of existing masonry pagoda according the reference.
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