Optimal parameter selection problem with application to the synchronization of delivery cycles in a supply chain with Wiener process

In this paper, we use optimal parameter selection technique to develop two models involving single‐vendor–multiple‐buyer supply chain, which are called the dynamic independent optimization (DIO) model and the dynamic synchronized cycles (DSC) model, respectively. These models are, respectively, similar to the traditional static independent policy model and the traditional static synchronized cycle model, except that the deterministic demands of the buyers in the above two static models are now being replaced by the stochastic demands satisfying a Wiener process, which have more real‐life applications. Similar to the above static synchronized cycles model, the synchronization of the supply chain in our DSC model is also achieved by scheduling the delivery days of the buyers and coordinating them with the vendor's production cycle. Finding the optimal expected system costs of the DIO model and the DSC model involves solving optimal parameter selection problems governed by ordinary differential equations, whose final times are continuous decision variables and discrete decision variables, respectively. Computational methods have been developed for solving these problems. Numerical results show that the coordinated policy is better than the independent optimization policy, in terms of minimizing the expected system cost of the entire supply chain. Sensitivity analysis is performed to test the effect of changing the cost coefficients and the value on the performances of these models, where is the ratio of the total mean demand rate of all the buyers over the vendor's production rate.     

Changes in knee extensor strengths before and after medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction

Objective: Quadriceps dysfunction has been suggested as a complication after medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in knee extensor strength before and after MPFL reconstruction.

Methods: Twenty patients who underwent MPFL reconstruction for unilateral recurrent patellar dislocation (18 females and 2 males; mean age 20.8 ± 7.6 years) were examined. The peak isometric torque at 60° and 90° of knee flexion and isokinetic knee extensor strength at speeds of 60°/s and 90°/s in operated and non-operated legs were measured using a dynamometer preoperatively and 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. The following parameters were evaluated: (1) body weight-adjusted muscle strength, (2) improvement index (post-/preoperative value × 100) (%), and (3) extensor strength ratio (operated/non-operated value × 100) (%).

Results: The mean knee extensor strength in both operated and non-operated legs significantly increased 2 years after surgery compared with that before surgery. At 2 years postoperatively, the improvement indexes of the isometric knee extensor strength at 60° and 90° and of the isokinetic knee extensor strength at 60°/s and 90°/s were 237%, 192%, 318%, and 186%, respectively, in the operated legs and 144%, 124%, 140%, and 140%, respectively, in the non-operated legs. At 2 years postoperatively, the mean isometric knee extensor strength ratios at 60° and 90° and the isokinetic knee extensor strength ratios at 60°/s and 180°/s were 81%, 84%, 81%, and 82%, respectively.

Conclusions: Knee extensor strength was improved in most patients after MPFL reconstruction, at least compared with that before surgery, although an approximately 20% deficit against the non-operated legs remained even 2 years after surgery.     

重复经颅磁刺激在孤独症谱系障碍中的应用进展

孤独症谱系障碍是一种患病率日益增长的神经发育综合征，可出现多种行为障碍。近年来，重复经颅磁刺激在孤独症谱系障碍治疗中取得了一些研究成果，但关于刺激参数选择、安全性及可行性评估方面仍存在一定争议。本文就其关于诱导长时程增强/抑制、调节皮质抑制的治疗机制、低频和高频经颅磁刺激的临床应用及目前涉及的安全性、道德伦理问题等局限性进行综述，从而为今后的研究与临床应用提供一定的参考依据。     

Early axonal loss predicts long-term disability in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy

ObjectiveTo investigate early pre-treatment nerve fiber loss as a predictor of long-term clinical outcome in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).MethodsIn 14 patients, motor and sensory conduction studies of the median, fibular, and sural nerves were performed at pre-treatment and follow-up 11–28 years later. Z-scores of amplitudes were combined as biomarkers of axonal loss and Z-scores of conduction properties as demyelination scores. The axonal loss was further examined by electromyography (EMG) and motor unit number estimation. Axonal and demyelination scores were compared to clinical outcomes in the Inflammatory Rasch-built Overall Disability Scale, the Neuropathy Impairment Score, and dynamometry.ResultsAt follow-up 12 patients walked independently, one needed support and one could not walk. The initial and follow-up axonal and demyelination scores were markedly abnormal. The initial axonal loss but not demyelination was strongly associated with both the follow-up axonal loss and the clinical measures. Moreover, delay of treatment initiation negatively influenced the axonal scores and clinical outcomes.ConclusionIn this hypothesis generating limited study, we found that axonal loss at early CIDP was highly predictive for long-term nerve fiber loss and disability.SignificanceThe study indicates that prompt initiation of treatment to prevent nerve fiber loss is necessary for outcome in CIDP.     

H型高血压患者舌面诊图像颜色特征参数分析＊

目的 分析H型高血压患者的舌面诊图像颜色参数特征，探讨H型高血压患者的舌诊、面诊变化规律。方法 运用上海中医药大学自行研制的Smart TCM-1型中医舌面一体仪，采集高血压患者舌面诊图像，提取特征参数，分析健康对照组、H型高血压组与非H型高血压组患者舌面颜色参数特征。结果 ①在舌色各项参数中，H型高血压组舌尖部R值、B值、V值均显著小于健康对照组（P < 0.01）；非H型高血压组舌尖部B值显著小于健康对照组（P < 0.01），S值较健康对照组显著增大（P < 0.05）；H型高血压组舌尖部R、V值均明显小于非H型高血压组（P < 0.05）。在舌苔各项参数中，H型高血压组舌中H值、V值均明显小于健康对照组（P < 0.05）；非H型高血压组舌中V值、舌右V值均显著小于健康对照组（P < 0.01）；H型高血压组舌中H值明显小于非H型高血压组（P < 0.05），右侧舌苔S值明显大于非H型高血压组（P < 0.05）。②H型高血压组面色参数鼻G值、下颌G值、口唇R值、口唇V值均明显小于健康对照组（P < 0.05）；非H型高血压组前额H值、目眶H值、脸颊H值、鼻H值、下颌H值、整体H值均明显大于健康对照组（P < 0.05）；H型高血压组前额H值、目眶G值、目眶H值、脸颊H值、鼻G值、鼻H值、下颌R值、下颌G值、下颌H值、下颌V值、口唇R值、口唇G值、口唇V值、整体R值、整体G值、整体H值、整体V值均明显小于非H型高血压组（P < 0.05）。结论 H型高血压患者苔色偏黄，以舌中部为主，且舌右侧黄苔积聚较明显；H型高血压患者面色为黄中带红，口唇、下颌部更为晦暗。H型高血压患者的舌、面诊特征参数的变化，与高血压病阳亢湿盛病机相符。     

内收型痉挛性发音障碍患者动态喉镜表现及嗓音学特点

目的探讨内收型痉挛性发音障碍（SD）患者的动态喉镜下表现、嗓音学特点以及病因，并与正常人对比分析，为临床诊断及进一步治疗提供参考依据。方法收集61例内收型SD患者的嗓音参数以及30例正常对照者的嗓音参数，对比分析。结果61例患者中51例为女性患者；61例患者中35例（57.4%）患者的反流体征评分量表（RFS）的分值>7；有明显心理因素或心理创伤的患者7例（11.5%）。患者发音时存在一些颈部及全身肌肉过度紧张的表现，动态喉镜下所有患者均无器质性病变，主要表现为双侧声带紧张并过度内收、喉部震颤，部分患者可见声门上结构向中间挤压靠拢。嗓音测试时所有患者在朗读过程中存在紧张性发音，基频(F0)及响度瞬间起伏，语音颤抖、嗓音挤卡、失去韵律，42例（68.9%）患者出现嗓音中断：患者读一段话的嗓音平均中断次数（1.9±2.0）次显著高于正常人（0.0±0.0）次（P<0.01）；所有患者读一段话的朗读时间均值（21.5±4.8）s较常对照组的朗读时间均值（16.2±3.7）s显著延长，差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01)；患者的振幅微扰(shimmer)均值及基频微扰(jitter)均值为显著高于正常对照组 (P<0.01)；患者的嗓音障碍指数(DSI)均值显著低于正常对照组 (P<0.05)；患者的最长发音时间(MPT)较正常对照组显著缩短(P<0.01)。结论内收型SD患者大部分为女性，患者动态喉镜下会有一些特征性表现，患者的音质、音韵和流畅性较正常人有一定改变；患者的shimmer、jitter、DSI、MPT较正常人有显著差异。该疾病可能与胃酸反流有一定关系,少部分患者可能存在心理因素。     

Neurophysiology of motor skill learning in chronic stroke

ObjectiveMotor learning is relevant in chronic stroke for acquiring compensatory strategies to motor control deficits. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying motor skill acquisition with the paretic upper limb have received little systematic investigation. The aim of this study was to assess the modulation of corticomotor excitability and intracortical inhibition within ipsilesional primary motor cortex (M1) during motor skill learning.MethodsTen people at the chronic stage after stroke and twelve healthy controls trained on a sequential visuomotor isometric wrist extension task. Skill was quantified before, immediately after, 24 hours and 7 days post-training. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to examine corticomotor excitability and short- and long-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI and LICI) pre- and post-training.ResultsThe patient group exhibited successful skill acquisition and retention, although absolute skill level was lower compared with controls. In contrast to controls, patients’ ipsilesional corticomotor excitability was not modulated during skill acquisition, which may be attributed to excessive ipsilesional LICI relative to controls. SICI decreased after training for both patient and control groups.ConclusionsOur findings indicate distinct inhibitory networks within M1 that may be relevant for motor learning after stroke.SignificanceThese findings have potential clinical relevance for neurorehabilitation adjuvants aimed at augmenting the recovery of motor function.