EHG-Based Preterm Delivery Prediction Algorithm Driven by Transfer Learning

Preterm delivery is currently a global concern of maternal and child health, which directly affects infants’ early morbidity, and even death in several severe cases. Therefore, it is particularly important to effectively monitor the uterine contraction of perinatal pregnant women, and to make effective prediction and timely treatment for the possibility of preterm delivery. Electromyography (EHG) signal, an important measurement to predict preterm delivery in clinical practice, shows obvious consistency and correlation with the frequency and intensity of uterine contraction. This paper proposed a deep convolution neural network (DCNN) model based on transfer learning. Specifically, it is based on the VGGNet model, combined with recurrence plot (RP) analysis and transfer learning techniques such as “Fine-tune”, marked as VGGNet19-I3. Optimized with the clinical measured term-preterm EHG database, it showed good auxiliary prediction performances in 78 training and test samples, and achieved a high accuracy of 97.00% in 100 validation samples.

Reliability Evaluation of the Joint Observation of Cloud Top Height by FY-4A and HIMAWARI-8

It is well known that the measurement of cloud top height (CTH) is important, and a geostationary satellite is an important measurement method. However, it is difficult for a single geostationary satellite to observe the global CTH, so joint observation by multiple satellites is imperative. We used both active and passive sensors to evaluate the reliability of joint observation of geostationary satellites, which includes consistency and accuracy. We analyzed the error of CTH of FY-4A and HIMAWARI-8 and the consistency between the two satellites and conducted research on the problem of missing measurement (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) has CTH data, but FY-4A/HIMAWARI-8 does not) of the two satellites. The results show that FY-4A and HIMAWARI-8 have good consistency and can be jointly observed, but the measurement of CTH of FY-4A and HIMAWARI-8 has large errors, and the error of FY-4A is greater than that of HIMAWIRI-8. The error of CTH is affected by the CTH, cloud optical thickness (COT) and cloud type, and the consistency between the two satellites is mainly affected by the cloud type. FY-4A and HIMAWARI-8 have the problem of missing measurement. The missing rate of HIMAWARI-8 is greater than that of FY-4A, and the missing rate is not affected by the CTH, COT and surface type. Therefore, although FY-4A and HIMAWARI-8 have good consistency, the error of CTH and the problem of missing measurement still limit the reliability of their joint observation.

Cancer-Nano-Interaction: From Cellular Uptake to Mechanobiological Responses

With the advancement of nanotechnology, the nano-bio-interaction field has emerged. It is essential to enhance our understanding of nano-bio-interaction in different aspects to design nanomedicines and improve their efficacy for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Many researchers have extensively studied the toxicological responses of cancer cells to nano-bio-interaction, while their mechanobiological responses have been less investigated. The mechanobiological properties of cells such as elasticity and adhesion play vital roles in cellular functions and cancer progression. Many studies have noticed the impacts of cellular uptake on the structural organization of cells and, in return, the mechanobiology of human cells. Mechanobiological changes induced by the interactions of nanomaterials and cells could alter cellular functions and influence cancer progression. Hence, in addition to biological responses, the possible mechanobiological responses of treated cells should be monitored as a standard methodology to evaluate the efficiency of nanomedicines. Studying the cancer-nano-interaction in the context of cell mechanics takes our knowledge one step closer to designing safe and intelligent nanomedicines. In this review, we briefly discuss how the characteristic properties of nanoparticles influence cellular uptake. Then, we provide insight into the mechanobiological responses that may occur during the nano-bio-interactions, and finally, the important measurement techniques for the mechanobiological characterizations of cells are summarized and compared. Understanding the unknown mechanobiological responses to nano-bio-interaction will help with developing the application of nanoparticles to modulate cell mechanics for controlling cancer progression.

How to Measure Intraocular Pressure: An Updated Review of Various Tonometers

Intraocular pressure (IOP) is an important measurement that needs to be taken during ophthalmic examinations, especially in ocular hypertension subjects, glaucoma patients and in patients with risk factors for developing glaucoma. The gold standard technique in measuring IOP is still Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT); however, this procedure requires local anesthetics, can be difficult in patients with scarce compliance, surgical patients and children, and is influenced by several corneal parameters. Numerous tonometers have been proposed in the past to address the problems related to GAT. The authors review the various devices currently in use for the measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP), highlighting the main advantages and limits of the various tools. The continuous monitoring of IOP, which is still under evaluation, will be an important step for a more complete and reliable management of patients affected by glaucoma.

Joint Deployment Strategy of Battery-Free Sensor Networks with Coverage Guarantee

The energy limitation of wireless sensors limits the lifetime of the traditional wireless sensor networks. The <b>Battery-Free Sensor Network (BF-WSN)</b> is a new network architecture proposed in recent years to address the limitation of wireless sensor networks. In a BF-WSN, the battery-free node can harvest energy from the ambient environment, and thus the lifetime of a BF-WSN is unlimited in terms of energy. The coverage quality is an important measurement of BF-WSNs. Considering the specific features of BF-WSNs, we propose a new deployment concept for BF-WSNs, named <i>Joint Deployment</i>. It aims to determine the locations and working schedules of sensor nodes to maximize network coverage quality. Based on the joint deployment concept, we propose a new deployment problem of battery-free sensor nodes. We prove that this problem is at least NP-Hard. We also analyze the upper bound of this problem. Furthermore, we propose an approximated algorithm to solve this problem and analyze the time complexity and the ratio bound of the algorithm. Extensive simulations are carried out to examine the performance of the proposed algorithm. The simulation results show that the algorithm is efficient and effective.

Research on Book Recommendation Algorithm Based on Collaborative Filtering and Interest Degree

With the increase of library collections, it is difficult for readers to quickly find the books they want when choosing books. Book recommendation system is becoming more and more important. Based on the previous research, this paper proposes a book recommendation algorithm based on collaborative filtering and interest. Take the interest of the book itself as an important measurement index, including the number of searches, borrowing time, borrowing times, borrowing interval, and renewal times. Through the analysis of MAE and RMSE experiments, the results show that the method proposed in this paper converges faster than the traditional method.

Examining Auxiliary Verbs in a Salient Belief Elicitation

Objective: Salient belief elicitations (SBEs) measure beliefs toward a health behavior through open-ended questions, with the purpose of developing close-ended survey questions. Auxiliary verbs used in SBE questions often differ (eg, What are the top 3 reasons you would/should decide to have an abortion?). We tested how 2 auxiliary verbs function in a SBE assessing abortion in English and Spanish: would/decidíra and should/debería. Methods: We administered a SBE survey online (N = 175) and in-person (N = 72); in-person participants also participated in cognitive interviews to assess question interpretation. Participants were assigned to survey versions that included identical SBE questions aside from auxiliary verbs—would/decidíra versus should/debería. Data analysis included: (1) content analysis of survey responses to assess differences in responses by version and (2) thematic analysis of interview data focused on interpretations of would/decidíra and should/ debería. Results: Would/decidíra surveys generated more response categories. Similarly, cognitive interview findings suggest participants conceptualized would/decidíra as allowing for more options, while should/debería was thought to include only the most significant reasons/circumstances for abortion, potentially restricting participants’ responses. Conclusion: These findings have important measurement implications for researchers administering SBEs

A record of vapour pressure deficit preserved in wood and soil across biomes

The drying power of air, or vapour pressure deficit (VPD), is an important measurement of potential plant stress and productivity. Estimates of VPD values of the past are integral for understanding the link between rising modern atmospheric carbon dioxide (pCO2) and global water balance. A geological record of VPD is needed for paleoclimate studies of past greenhouse spikes which attempt to constrain future climate, but at present there are few quantitative atmospheric moisture proxies that can be applied to fossil material. Here we show that VPD leaves a permanent record in the slope (S) of least-squares regressions between stable isotope ratios of carbon and oxygen (13C and 18O) found in cellulose and pedogenic carbonate. Using previously published data collected across four continents we show that S can be used to reconstruct VPD within and across biomes. As one application, we used S to estimate VPD of 0.46 kPa ± 0.26 kPa for cellulose preserved tens of millions of years ago—in the Eocene (45 Ma) Metasequoia from Axel Heiberg Island, Canada—and 0.82 kPa ± 0.52 kPa—in the Oligocene (26 Ma) for pedogenic carbonate from Oregon, USA—both of which are consistent with existing records at those locations. Finally, we discuss mechanisms that contribute to the positive correlation observed between VPD and S, which could help reconstruct past climatic conditions and constrain future alterations of global carbon and water cycles resulting from modern climate change.

The psychometric properties of the professionalism at work questionnaire for paramedicine students

PurposeIn the past several decades, there has been rapid advancement and improvement in Australasian paramedicine education and clinical standards. These advancements have also seen improvements in the professionalism of Australasian paramedicine. Therefore, having a valid and reliable paramedicine professionalism measure is important. This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the modified Professionalism at Work Questionnaire (PWQ) with Australasian paramedicine studentsDesign/methodology/approachData from the PWQ were analysed using a principal component analysis (PCA) followed by orthogonal varimax rotation.FindingsA total of 479 paramedicine students from three Australasian universities completed the modified PWQ. PCA of the 72-items revealed 11 factors with eigenvalues above 1.5, accounting for 50.99% of the total variance. A total of 64 items were found with loadings greater than 0.40 and were used to describe the 11 factors: Professional attitude and behaviour, communication with others, professional identity, professional development, appearance and flexibility, organisational support, comparable professional status, pride in occupation, adherence to rules, responsibility in the workforce and concerns about appropriate use of resources.Practical implicationsResults from this study suggest that the modified 64-item PWQ can be used to measure professionalism in Australasian paramedicine student cohorts. The instrument encompassed many and varied aspects of the attributes and features that have been described as being essential to being a profession. The instrument provides an important measurement tool for the paramedicine profession.Originality/valueResults from this study suggest that the modified 64-item PWQ can be used to measure professionalism in Australasian paramedicine student cohorts. The instrument encompassed many and varied aspects of the attributes and features that have been described as being essential to being a profession. The instrument provides a critical measurement tool for the paramedicine profession.

Model for Industrial Business Relocation in Eastern Europe

Relocation of production is an operation by which a company transfers part or all of its production capacity from one country to another or from one city to another. It is a current problem for industrial and other business, a visible consequence of the globalization of the world economy. Moving the company is an activity that involves a high consumption of resources over a long period of time so it must be treated with great responsibility. Being a long-term decision, it must be supported by research to determine all the factors involved and the effect they, individually or in groups, have on relocation. The article aims to identify, group and eliminate overlaps between the criteria considered in the literature. The paper presents a different approach compared to other research. The factors that determine the relocation based on a large number of researches have been identified. Subsequently, the factors were synthesized into 8 groups. For each group the most important measurement indicator was selected taking into account a large number of variants. 12 Eastern European countries were selected for which data were accessed on the 8 criteria used from international databases. Statistical data processing led to a multiple regression equation that allows the determination of the score obtained by each state analysed. The scores thus obtained were statistically processed and a cubic equation was established. Such relationships allow the identification of solutions that states must undertake to attract investors. The results can be used by companies, regardless of their size, as a large number of scientifically proven factors have been taken into account.