scholarly journals The Average Environmental Efficiency Technique and its Application to Chinese Provincial Panel Data

Author(s):  
Jing Tang ◽  
Feng Yang ◽  
Fangqing Wei

Abstract In this study, we propose average environmental efficiency, a consistent and robust environmental efficiency measurement, and use it to evaluate the environmental efficiency of Chinese provinces. With the help of a nonparametric directional distance function approach, we can measure all possible environmental efficiency scores of the province by considering all projection directions to the efficient frontier. Then, the mean value of the environmental efficiency scores of a province in all possible projection directions is defined as the average environmental efficiency. Furthermore, we investigate the influencing factors of regional environmental efficiency via a feasible generalized least squares regression approach. The empirical results show that China’s national environmental efficiency has a high value of 0.803, and only nine provinces have average environmental efficiency greater than the average of the country. This implies that two-thirds of provinces still have much room for improvement. In addition, the east area achieved the best average environmental efficiency over the studied period, followed in order by the west area, central area, and northeast area. Moreover, we find that the energy consumption structure, government intervention, and economic openness negatively influence the regional environmental efficiency, while higher education positively influences this efficiency at the 1% significance level.

Author(s):  
Dhaval Solanki ◽  
Zeynab Rezaee ◽  
Anirban Dutta ◽  
Uttama Lahiri

Abstract Background Investigation of lobule-specific electric field effects of cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) on overground gait performance has not been performed, so this study aimed to investigate the feasibility of two lobule-specific bilateral ctDCS montages to facilitate overground walking in chronic stroke. Methods Ten chronic post-stroke male subjects participated in this repeated-measure single-blind crossover study, where we evaluated the single-session effects of two bilateral ctDCS montages that applied 2 mA via 3.14 cm2 disc electrodes for 15 min targeting (a) dentate nuclei (also, anterior and posterior lobes), and (b) lower-limb representations (lobules VIIb-IX). A two-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test was performed at a 5% significance level on the percent normalized change measures in the overground gait performance. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) analysis was performed on the quantitative gait parameters as response variables to the mean lobular electric field strength as the predictors. Clinical assessments were performed with the Ten-Meter walk test (TMWT), Timed Up & Go (TUG), and the Berg Balance Scale based on minimal clinically important differences (MCID). Results The ctDCS montage specific effect was found significant using a two-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test at a 5% significance level for 'Step Time Affected Leg' (p = 0.0257) and '%Stance Time Unaffected Leg' (p = 0.0376). The changes in the quantitative gait parameters were found to be correlated to the mean electric field strength in the lobules based on PLSR analysis (R2 statistic = 0.6574). Here, the mean electric field strength at the cerebellar lobules, Vermis VIIIb, Ipsi-lesional IX, Vermis IX, Ipsi-lesional X, had the most loading and were positively related to the 'Step Time Affected Leg' and '%Stance Time Unaffected Leg,' and negatively related to the '%Swing Time Unaffected Leg,' '%Single Support Time Affected Leg.' Clinical assessments found similar improvement in the TMWT (MCID: 0.10 m/s), TUG (MCID: 8 s), and BBS score (MCID: 12.5 points) for both the ctDCS montages. Conclusion Our feasibility study found an association between the lobular mean electric field strength and the changes in the quantitative gait parameters following a single ctDCS session in chronic stroke. Both the ctDCS montages improved the clinical outcome measures that should be investigated with a larger sample size for clinical validation. Trial registration: Being retrospectively registered.


Helia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (71) ◽  
pp. 221-228
Author(s):  
A. I. Soroka ◽  
V. A. Lyakh

Abstract Two inbreds of mutant origin, differing in the number of bracts, were crossed to obtain the F1 hybrid. One mutant line had 24.5 ± 1.01 bracts, while the other, 78.6 ± 1.69 bracts. The F1 hybrid had an average value between parents, which practically did not differ from the mean value in the F2 population. The variability of the trait under study in the F2 population was continuous, varying from 20 to 84 bracts. This indicated the probable participation of several genes with an additive effect in the control of the number of bracts. Assuming that the differences between the parental lines are due to two pairs of genes, the F2 plant population, grown in 2016, was divided into 5 classes. In that population the observed classes ratio turned out to be close to the theoretically expected ratio of 1 : 4 : 6 : 4 : 1. Over the next two years F2 populations were tested in a similar way. In all the cases, the calculated chi-square value did not exceed the critical value for 4 degrees of freedom and 5 % significance level. This gave reason to talk about the two-loci control of a such quantitative trait as the number of bracts. The participation of two non-allelic genes in the control of this trait is also proved by matching the actual number of plants in the parental classes to the theoretically expected number of plants. Thus, the number of bracts depends on the number of dominant alleles of two different genes in the genotype.


2018 ◽  
pp. 65-71
Author(s):  
Joko Tri Haryanto ◽  
Ardan Purwanto Nugroho ◽  
Wahyu Eka H

ABSTRAK Myalgia atau disebut juga Nyeri otot merupakan gejala dari banyak penyakit dan gangguan pada tubuh. Penyebab umum Myalgia adalah penggunaan otot yang salah atau otot yang terlalu tegang. Myalgia yang terjadi tanpa riwayat trauma mungkin disebabkan oleh infeksi virus. Myalgia yang berlangsung dalam waktu yang lama menunjukkan myopati metabolik, defisiensi nutrisi atau sindrom fatigue kronik. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui pengaruh terapi akupunktur pada titik Bl 56 (Chengjin) dan Sp 6 (Sanyinjiao) terhadap penurunan nyeri di otot gastrocnemius. Penelitian ini dilakukan pada Bulan Febuari – Maret 2017 di sekitar Pusat Grosir Solo, Kedung Lumbu Kecamatan Pasar Kliwon, Surakarta. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian Pre-eksperimental dengan rancangan penelitian one group pretest- postest design dengan sampel 20 orang yang didapat secara total sampling. Data dianalisis dengan uji Paired T-Test dengan taraf signifikasi 0,05. Nilai rata-rata skala nyeri di otot gastrocnemius sebelum terapi akupunktur adalah sebesar 5,70 dan sesudah 10x terapi akupunktur nilai rata-rata skala nyeri di otot gastrocnemius adalah sebesar 2,40. Nilai rata-rata penurunan skala nyeri secara umum pre dan post terapi sebesar 3,30 (p < 0,05). Sehingga dapat disimpulkan ada pengaruh terapi akupunktur pada titik Bl 56 Chengjin dan Sp 6 Sanyinjiao terhadap penurunan nyeri di otot gastrocnemius.   Kata Kunci : Akupunktur, Bl 56 (Chengjin) , Nyeri, Otot gastrocnemius, Sp 6 (Sanyinjiao)     ABSTRACT Myalgia or muscle pain is also referred to as a symptomof many diseases and disorders on the body. Common causes of Myalgia is the use of the wrong muscle or muscles that are too tense. Myalgia happens without a history of trauma may be caused by viral infections. Myalgia thata long time shows the myopati metabolic, nutritional deficiency or chronic fatigue syndrome.This purpose of this study was to know the influence of acupuncture therapy on point Bl 56 (Chengjin) and Sp 6 (Sanyinjiao) against a decrease in pain in gastrocnemius muscle.This research was conducted on a February-March 2017 around in Pusat Grosir Solo, Kedung Lumbu Subdistrict Pasar Kliwon, Surakarta.This is research Pre-experimental designswith one group pretest-postest design with a sample of 20 people who result by in total sampling. Data were analyzed with Paired T-test with significance level 0.05. The results of this study is mean value of pain scale in gastrocnemius muscle pre acupuncture therapy was 5.70 and after 10x acupuncture therapy the mean value of pain scale in the gastrocnemius muscle was 2.40. The mean value of pain scale reduction in general pre and post therapy was 3.30 (p <0.05). So it can be conclusion there is influence of acupuncture therapy at point Bl 56 Chengjin and Sp 6 Sanyinjiao against the decrease of pain in gastrocnemius muscle.   Keywords :acupuncture, Bl 56 (Chengjin), pain, muscle gastrocnemius, Sp 6 (Sanyinjiao)


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dhaval Solanki ◽  
Zeynab Rezaee ◽  
Anirban Dutta ◽  
Uttama Lahiri

Abstract Background: Cerebellar transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (ctDCS) has been shown to be promising as an adjuvant treatment to facilitate post-stroke gait rehabilitation; however, investigation of lobule-specific electric field effects on overground gait performance has not been performed. Methods: Ten chronic post-stroke male subjects participated in this repeated-measure single-blind crossover study, where we evaluated the single-session effects of two bilateral ctDCS montages that applied 2mA via 3.14cm 2 disc electrodes for 15 minutes targeting a) dentate nuclei (also, anterior and posterior lobes), and b) lower-limb representations (lobules VIIb-IX). A two-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test was performed at 5% significance level on the percent normalized change measures in the overground gait performance. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) analysis was performed on the quantitative gait parameters as response variables to the mean lobular electric field strength as the predictors. Clinical assessments were performed with the Ten-Meter walk test (TMWT), Timed Up & Go (TUG), and the Berg Balance Scale based on minimal clinically important differences (MCID). Results: The ctDCS montage specific effect was found significant using a two-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test at a 5% significance level for 'Step Time Affected Leg' (p=0.0257) and '%Stance Time Unaffected Leg' (p=0.0376). The changes in the quantitative gait parameters were found to be correlated to the mean electric field strength in the lobules based on PLSR analysis ( R 2 statistic = 0.6574). Here, the mean electric field strength at the cerebellar lobules, Vermis VIIIb, Ipsi-lesional IX, Vermis IX, Ipsi-lesional X, had the most loading, and were positively related to the 'Step Time Affected Leg' and '%Stance Time Unaffected Leg,' and negatively related to the '%Swing Time Unaffected Leg,' '%Single Support Time Affected Leg.' Clinical assessments found similar improvement in the TMWT (MCID: 0.10m/sec), TUG (MCID: 8sec), and BBS score (MCID: 12.5 points) for both the ctDCS montages. Conclusion: Our feasibility study found an association between the lobular mean electric field strength and the changes in the quantitative gait parameters following a single ctDCS session in chronic stroke. Both the ctDCS montages improved the clinical outcome measures that should be investigated with a larger sample size for clinical validation.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dhaval Solanki ◽  
Zeynab Rezaee ◽  
Anirban Dutta ◽  
Uttama Lahiri

Abstract Background: Investigation of lobule-specific electric field effects of cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) on overground gait performance has not been performed, so this study aimed to investigate the feasibility of two lobule-specific bilateral ctDCS montages to facilitate overground walking in chronic stroke. Methods: Ten chronic post-stroke male subjects participated in this repeated-measure single-blind crossover study, where we evaluated the single-session effects of two bilateral ctDCS montages that applied 2mA via 3.14cm2 disc electrodes for 15 minutes targeting a) dentate nuclei (also, anterior and posterior lobes), and b) lower-limb representations (lobules VIIb-IX). A two-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test was performed at a 5% significance level on the percent normalized change measures in the overground gait performance. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) analysis was performed on the quantitative gait parameters as response variables to the mean lobular electric field strength as the predictors. Clinical assessments were performed with the Ten-Meter walk test (TMWT), Timed Up & Go (TUG), and the Berg Balance Scale based on minimal clinically important differences (MCID).Results: The ctDCS montage specific effect was found significant using a two-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test at a 5% significance level for 'Step Time Affected Leg' (p=0.0257) and '%Stance Time Unaffected Leg' (p=0.0376). The changes in the quantitative gait parameters were found to be correlated to the mean electric field strength in the lobules based on PLSR analysis (R2 statistic = 0.6574). Here, the mean electric field strength at the cerebellar lobules, Vermis VIIIb, Ipsi-lesional IX, Vermis IX, Ipsi-lesional X, had the most loading and were positively related to the 'Step Time Affected Leg' and '%Stance Time Unaffected Leg,' and negatively related to the '%Swing Time Unaffected Leg,' '%Single Support Time Affected Leg.' Clinical assessments found similar improvement in the TMWT (MCID: 0.10m/sec), TUG (MCID: 8sec), and BBS score (MCID: 12.5 points) for both the ctDCS montages. Conclusion: Our feasibility study found an association between the lobular mean electric field strength and the changes in the quantitative gait parameters following a single ctDCS session in chronic stroke. Both the ctDCS montages improved the clinical outcome measures that should be investigated with a larger sample size for clinical validation.


2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (04) ◽  
pp. 279-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Isola ◽  
V. Ferrari ◽  
F. Stabile ◽  
D. Bernardini ◽  
P. Carnier ◽  
...  

SummaryObjective: To measure the concentrations of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the synovial fluid from normal dogs and dogs with osteoarthritis (OA) secondary to common joint disorders.Methods: Nerve growth factor synovial concentrations were measured by ELISA assay in 50 dogs divided into three groups: 12 healthy, 16 affected by acute lameness within seven days before enrolment, and 22 with chronic lameness persisting by more than one month before enrolment and accompanied by radiological signs of OA. Both acute and chronic lameness were secondary to orthopaedic diseases involving the shoulder, elbow and stifle joints. Nerve growth factor synovial concentrations were compared between means for healthy and acute groups and between the three groups using an F-test. Significance level was set at p ±0.05.Results: Nerve growth factor was detected in all canine synovial fluid samples. However, the mean synovial NGF concentration of healthy dogs (3.65 ± 2.18 pg/ml) was not significantly different from the mean value in dogs with acute lameness (6.45 ± 2.45 pg/ml) (p ± 0.79). Conversely, the mean synovial NGF concentration in dogs with chronic lameness (20.19 ± 17.51 pg/ml) was found to be significantly higher than that found in healthy dogs (p ±0.01).Clinical significance: This study demonstrates for the first time the presence of NGF in canine synovial fluid and its increased concentrations in dogs with chronic lameness compared to healthy dogs and dogs with acute lameness. The association between chronic lameness and raised synovial concentrations may suggest an involvement of NGF in OA inflammation and chronic pain.


2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 2123-2141 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. E. Dahlke ◽  
S. W. Lyon ◽  
J. R. Stedinger ◽  
G. Rosqvist ◽  
P. Jansson

Abstract. Our understanding is limited to how transient changes in glacier response to climate warming will influence the catchment hydrology in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic. This understanding is particularly incomplete for flooding extremes because understanding the frequency of such unusual events requires long records of observation not often available for the Arctic and Sub-Arctic. This study presents a statistical analysis of trends in the magnitude and timing of flood extremes and the mean summer discharge in two sub-arctic catchments, Tarfala and Abisko, in northern Sweden. The catchments have different glacier covers (30% and 1%, respectively). Statistically significant trends (at the 5% level) were identified for both catchments on an annual and on a seasonal scale (3-months averages) using the Mann-Kendall trend test. Stationarity of flood records was tested by analyzing trends in the flood quantiles, using generalized least squares regression. Hydrologic trends were related to observed changes in the precipitation and air temperature, and were correlated with 3-months averaged climate pattern indices (e.g. North Atlantic oscillation). Both catchments showed a statistically significant increase in the annual mean air temperature over the comparison time period of 1985–2009 (Tarfala and Abisko p<0.01), but did not show significant trends in the total precipitation (Tarfala p = 0.91, Abisko p = 0.44). Despite the similar climate evolution over the studied period in the two catchments, data showed contrasting trends in the magnitude and timing of flood peaks and the mean summer discharge. Hydrologic trends indicated an amplification of the streamflow and flood response in the highly glacierized catchment and a dampening of the response in the non-glacierized catchment. The glacierized mountain catchment showed a statistically significant increasing trend in the flood magnitudes (p = 0.04) that is clearly correlated to the occurrence of extreme precipitation events. It also showed a significant increase in mean summer discharge (p = 0.0002), which is significantly correlated to the decrease in glacier mass balance and the increase in air temperature (p = 0.08). Conversely, the non-glacierized catchment showed a significant decrease in the mean summer discharge (p = 0.01), the flood magnitudes (p = 0.07) and an insignificant trend towards earlier flood occurrences (p = 0.53). These trends are explained by a reduction of the winter snow pack due to higher temperatures in the winter and spring and an increasing soil water storage capacity or catchment storage due to progressively thawing permafrost.


Author(s):  
Dhaval Solanki ◽  
Zeynab Rezaee ◽  
Anirban Dutta ◽  
Uttama Lahiri

Stroke often results in impaired gait, which can limit community ambulation and the quality of life. Recent works have shown the feasibility of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) as an adjuvant treatment to facilitate gait rehabilitation. Since the cerebellum plays an essential role in balance and movement coordination, which is crucial for independent overground ambulation, so, we investigated the effects of cerebellar tDCS (ctDCS) on the post-stroke overground gait performance in chronic stroke survivors. Fourteen chronic post-stroke male subjects were recruited based on convenience sampling at the collaborating hospitals where ten subjects finally participated in the ctDCS study. We evaluated the effects of two ctDCS montages with 2mA direct current, a) optimized configuration for dentate stimulation with 3.14cm2 disc anode at PO10h (10/5 EEG system) and 3.14cm2 disc cathode at PO9h (10/5 EEG system), and b) optimized configuration for leg lobules VII-IX stimulation with 3.14cm2 disc anode at Exx8 (electrodes defined by ROAST) and 3.14cm2 disc cathode at Exx7. We found ctDCS to be acceptable by all the exposed subjects. The ctDCS intervention had an effect on the 'Normalised Step length Affected side' (p=0.1) and 'Gait Stability Ratio' (p=0.0569), which was found using Wilcoxon signed-rank test at 10% significance level. Also, ctDCS montage specific effect was found using a two-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test at a 5% significance level for 'Step Time Affected Leg' (p=0.0257) and '%Stance Time Unaffected Leg' (p=0.0376). Moreover, the changes in the quantitative gait parameters across both the montages were found to be correlated to the mean electric field strength in the lobules based on partial least squares regression analysis (R2 statistic = 0.6574) where the mean electric field strength at the cerebellar lobules, Vermis VIIIb, Ipsilesional IX, Vermis IX, Ipsilesional X, had the most loading. In conclusion, our feasibility study indicated the potential of a single session of ctDCS to contribute to the immediate improvement in the balance and gait performance in terms of gait-related indices and clinical gait measures.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dhaval Solanki ◽  
Zeynab Rezaee ◽  
Anirban Dutta ◽  
Uttama Lahiri

Abstract Background Stroke often results in impaired gait, which can limit community ambulation and the quality of life. Recent works have shown the feasibility of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) as an adjuvant treatment to facilitate gait rehabilitation. Since the cerebellum plays an essential role in balance and movement coordination, which is crucial for independent overground ambulation, so, we investigated the effects of cerebellar tDCS (ctDCS) on the post-stroke overground gait performance in chronic stroke survivors. Methods Fourteen chronic post-stroke male subjects were recruited based on convenience sampling at the collaborating hospitals where ten subjects finally participated in the ctDCS gait study. We evaluated the effects of two ctDCS montages with 2 mA direct current, a) optimized configuration for dentate stimulation with 3.14 cm2 disc anode at PO10h (10/5 EEG system) and 3.14 cm2 disc cathode at PO9h (10/5 EEG system), and b) optimized configuration for leg lobules VII-IX stimulation with 3.14 cm2 disc anode at Exx8 (electrodes defined by ROAST) and 3.14 cm2 disc cathode at Exx7. Two-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test was performed at the 5% significance level on the percent normalized change measures in the overground gait performance. Results We found ctDCS to be acceptable by all the exposed subjects. The ctDCS intervention had an effect on the 'Normalised Step length Affected side' (p = 0.1) and 'Gait Stability Ratio' (p = 0.0569), which was found using Wilcoxon signed-rank test at 10% significance level. Also, ctDCS montage specific effect was found using a two-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test at a 5% significance level for 'Step Time Affected Leg' (p = 0.0257) and '%Stance Time Unaffected Leg' (p = 0.0376). Moreover, the changes in the quantitative gait parameters across both the montages were found to be correlated to the mean electric field strength in the lobules based on partial least squares regression analysis (R2 statistic = 0.6574) where the mean electric field strength at the cerebellar lobules, Vermis VIIIb, Ipsilesional IX, Vermis IX, Ipsilesional X, had the most loading. Conclusion Our feasibility study indicated the potential of a single session of ctDCS to contribute to the immediate improvement in the balance and gait performance in terms of gait-related indices and clinical gait measures.


Author(s):  
Noriyuki Kuwano ◽  
Masaru Itakura ◽  
Kensuke Oki

Pd-Ce alloys exhibit various anomalies in physical properties due to mixed valences of Ce, and the anomalies are thought to be strongly related with the crystal structures. Since Pd and Ce are both heavy elements, relative magnitudes of (fcc-fpd) are so small compared with <f> that superlattice reflections, even if any, sometimes cannot be detected in conventional x-ray powder patterns, where fee and fpd are atomic scattering factors of Ce and Pd, and <f> the mean value in the crystal. However, superlattices in Pd-Ce alloys can be analyzed by electron microscopy, thanks to the high detectability of electron diffraction. In this work, we investigated modulated superstructures in alloys with 12.5 and 15.0 at.%Ce.Ingots of Pd-Ce alloys were prepared in an arc furnace under atmosphere of ultra high purity argon. The disc specimens cut out from the ingots were heat-treated in vacuum and electrothinned to electron transparency by a jet method.


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