Evaluation Method and Application of Ecological Sensitivity of Intercity Railway Network Planning

In the planning stage of the intercity railway network, the ecological sensitivity evaluation of the planning scheme is not only the key content to explore the ecological environmental rationality of the planning scheme but also a scientific means to promote the sustainable development of intercity railway networks. The purpose of this study is to establish an evaluation method that can quantitatively evaluate the ecological sensitivity of intercity railway network planning to put forwards targeted optimization and adjustment suggestions for the planning scheme. Taking the intercity railway network planning of Guizhou Province as an example, its ecological sensitivity is predicted and evaluated. Six types of ecologically sensitive areas were selected as ecological sensitivity evaluation factors, including protected areas, drinking water sources, geological disaster-prone areas, soil erosion areas, cultivated land resource distribution areas and coal resource distribution areas. Based on the GIS overlay method, the quantitative measurement methods of each evaluation factor are established in turn, and the single factor sensitivity evaluation index is obtained. In addition, the weighted superposition model is used to quantitatively calculate the ecological sensitivity of the planned lines of the intercity railway network in Guizhou Province. Finally, the short board factor of each planned line is obtained, and targeted optimization and adjustment suggestions are put forwards. The research content of this paper can provide a theoretical reference for the practical evaluation of the ecological sensitivity of intercity railway network planning.

The Radial Synergy Test: An Aid to Diagnose de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

Background: Diagnosis of de Quervain’s tenosynovitis is made clinically. Finkelstein’s and Eichoff’s tests are commonly utilized examination maneuvers. Their specificity has been questioned due to a propensity to provoke pain in asymptomatic patients. Using the principle of synergism, the novel radial synergy test takes advantage of isometric contraction of the first dorsal compartment with resisted abduction of the small finger. Methods: Electromyography was performed on 3 authors and the first dorsal compartment sampled during the maneuver. Sensitivity evaluation was performed via retrospective chart review for patients diagnosed with de Quervain’s from 2013 to 2018. Inclusion criteria were documented radial synergy test, Eichoff’s test, and ≥90% pain relief after lidocaine/corticosteroid injection. We enrolled 222 patients with 254 affected extremities. Specificity evaluation was performed via a prospective cohort of volunteers undergoing radial synergy and Eichoff’s tests. Inclusion criterion was lack of preexisting wrist pain. Score > 0 on Visual Analog Scale was considered positive. We enrolled 48 volunteers with 93 tested extremities. Results: Electromyography revealed positive recruitment of the first dorsal compartment. Sensitivity of the radial synergy test was inferior to Eichoff’s test (97% vs 91%, relative risk [RR] = 0.93 [95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.89-0.97], P < .01). Specificity of the radial synergy test was superior to Eichoff’s test (99% vs 74%, RR = 1.33 [95% CI = 1.18-1.51], P < .001). Conclusions: We describe and evaluate the radial synergy test, a novel examination maneuver to aid the diagnosis of de Quervain’s. This serves as an adjunct for future diagnostic evaluations with its high specificity. Level of Evidence: Level II, diagnostic study.

Optimized Support Vector Machines Combined with Evolutionary Random Forest for Prediction of Back-Break Caused by Blasting Operation

Back-break is an adverse event in blasting works that causes the instability of mine walls, equipment collapsing, and reduction in effectiveness of drilling. Therefore, it boosts the total cost of mining operations. This investigation intends to develop optimized support vector machine models to forecast back-break caused by blasting. The Support Vector Machine (SVM) model was optimized using two advanced metaheuristic algorithms, including whale optimization algorithm (WOA) and moth–flame optimization (MFO). Before the models’ development, an evolutionary random forest (ERF) technique was used for input selection. This model selected five inputs out of 10 candidate inputs to be used to predict the back break. These two optimized SVM models were evaluated using various performance criteria. The performance of these two models was also compared with other hybridized SVM models. In addition, a sensitivity evaluation was made to find how the selected inputs influence the back-break magnitude. The outcomes of this study demonstrated that both the SVM–MFO and SVM–WOA improved the performance of the standard SVM. Additionally, the SVM–MFO showed a better performance than the SVM–WOA and other hybridized SVM models. The outcomes of this research recommend that the SVM–MFO can be considered as a powerful model to forecast the back-break induced by blasting.

Comparative sensitivity evaluation for 122 CE-marked rapid diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2 antigen, Germany, September 2020 to April 2021

Introduction Numerous CE-marked SARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag RDT) are offered in Europe, several of them with unconfirmed quality claims. Aim We performed an independent head-to-head evaluation of the sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 Ag RDT offered in Germany. Methods We addressed the sensitivity of 122 Ag RDT in direct comparison using a common evaluation panel comprised of 50 specimens. Minimum sensitivity of 75% for panel specimens with a PCR quantification cycle (Cq) ≤ 25 was used to identify Ag RDT eligible for reimbursement in the German healthcare system. Results The sensitivity of different SARS-CoV-2 Ag RDT varied over a wide range. The sensitivity limit of 75% for panel members with Cq ≤ 25 was met by 96 of the 122 tests evaluated; 26 tests exhibited lower sensitivity, few of which failed completely. Some RDT exhibited high sensitivity, e.g. 97.5 % for Cq < 30. Conclusions This comparative evaluation succeeded in distinguishing less sensitive from better performing Ag RDT. Most of the evaluated Ag RDT appeared to be suitable for fast identification of acute infections associated with high viral loads. Market access of SARS-CoV-2 Ag RDT should be based on minimal requirements for sensitivity and specificity.

Modification of Variance-Based Sensitivity Indices for Stochastic Evaluation of Monitoring Measures

In complex engineering models, various uncertain parameters affect the computational results. Most of them can only be estimated or assumed quite generally. In such a context, measurements are interesting to determine the most decisive parameters accurately. While measurements can reduce parameters’ variance, structural monitoring might improve general assumptions on distributions and their characteristics. The decision on variables being measured often relies on experts’ practical experience. This paper introduces a method to stochastically estimate the potential benefits of measurements by modified sensitivity indices. They extend the established variance-based sensitivity indices originally suggested by Sobol’. They do not quantify the importance of a variable but the importance of its variance reduction. The numerical computation is presented and exemplified on a reference structure, a 50-year-old pre-stressed concrete bridge in Germany, where the prediction of the fatigue lifetime of the pre-stressing steel is of concern. Sensitivity evaluation yields six important parameters (e.g., shape of the S–N curve, temperature loads, creep, and shrinkage). However, taking into account individual monitoring measures and suited measurements identified by the modified sensitivity indices, creep and shrinkage, temperature loads, and the residual pre-strain of the tendons turn out to be most efficient. They grant the highest gains of accuracy with respect to the lifetime prediction.

Analysis of comprehensive sensitivity evaluation of aircraft system based on FTA-AHP

Aiming at the lack of unified evaluation index for the sensitivity analysis of fault tree of the system, the Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP) is introduced into Fault Tree Analysis(FTA), and an FTA-AHP method is proposed to generate the comprehensive sensitivity evaluation index of the system. Firstly, the reliability analysis model of the system fault tree is established, and three indexes including probabilistic sensitivity, relative sensitivity and structural sensitivity, are calculated by using the traditional sensitivity analysis method. Then, combined with the analytic hierarchy process, the weight coefficients were determined according to the sensitivity analysis results above and the type of the minimum cut set, and the comprehensive sensitivity evaluation and analysis of the system fault tree were carried out. Finally, the case verification shows that compared with the traditional method, the comprehensive sensitivity ranking results have less repeatability, and the factors are considered comprehensively, which is convenient for decision makers to make judgment. The synthetic sensitivity evaluation model developed provides support for system reliability analysis.

Numerical Optimization of an Open-Ended Coaxial Slot Applicator for the Detection and Microwave Ablation of Tumors

A multiobjective optimization method for a dual-mode microwave applicator is proposed. Dual-modality means that microwaves are used apart from the treatment, and also for the monitoring of the microwave ablation intervention. (1) The use of computational models to develop and improve microwave ablation applicator geometries is essential for further advances in this field. (2) Numerical electromagnetic–thermal coupled simulation models are used to analyze the performance of the dual-mode applicator in liver tissue; the sensitivity evaluation of the dual-mode applicator’s sensing mode constrains the set of optimal solutions. (3) Three Pareto-optimal design parameter sets are derived that are optimal in terms of applicator efficiency as well as volume and sphericity of the ablation zone. The resulting designs of the dual-mode applicator provide a suitable sensitivity to distinguish between healthy and tumorous liver tissue. (4) The optimized designs are presented and numerically characterized. An improvement on the performance of previously proposed dual-mode applicator designs is achieved. The multiphysical simulation model of electromagnetic and thermal properties of the applicator is applicable for future comprehensive design procedures.