Authors: Ma, Chao | Zhao, Yanzhen | Ma, Xikui
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: In this paper, we propose several approaches to improve the efficiency of the optimization design for dry-type air-core reactors. Above all, by virtue of the empirical formula of the inductance of short solenoids, a neat formula for the inner diameter corresponding to the minimum mass of the reactor, termed optimal inner diameter, is presented, and a favorable range of the inner diameter is determined accordingly. Then, an efficient optimization model is established without frequently and repeatedly adjusting the design variables. In addition, genetic algorithm for the optimization design of the reactor is improved by introducing linear scaling and a dynamic …mutation operator. The proposed approaches are tested on the single-phase dry-type air-core reactor of 50 kVar with round conductors. An economic and qualified result can be obtained in a short period of time after the application of the approaches. The merits of these approaches could be more obvious for the large-capacity reactors. Show more
Keywords: Optimization model, dry-type air-core reactor, genetic algorithm
DOI: 10.3233/JAE-170067
Citation: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 55, no. 2, pp. 235-242, 2017
Authors: Zhang, Fanshuang | Wei, Jing | Li, Xundou | Ma, Chao | Gao, Youhe
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an incurable age-associated neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by irreversible progressive cognitive deficits and extensive brain damage. The identification of candidate biomarkers before amyloid-β plaque deposition occurs is therefore of great importance for the early intervention of AD. Urine, which is not regulated by homeostatic mechanisms, theoretically accumulates changes associated with AD earlier than cerebrospinal fluid and blood. In this study, an APP (swe)/PSEN1dE9 transgenic mouse model was used to identify candidate biomarkers for early AD. Urine samples were collected from 4-, 6-, and 8-month-old transgenic mouse models, and the urinary proteomes were profiled using liquid …chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The levels of 29 proteins differed significantly between wild type and 4-month-old mice, which had not started to accumulate amyloid-β plaques. Among these proteins, 13 have been associated with the mechanisms of AD, while 9 have been suggested as AD biomarkers. Our results indicated that urine proteins enable detection of AD before amyloid-β plaque deposition, which may present an opportunity for intervention. Show more
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, APP (swe)/PSEN1dE9, early diagnosis, urine proteome
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-180412
Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 66, no. 2, pp. 613-637, 2018
Authors: Cong, Cong | Zhang, Wanying | Qian, Xiaojing | Qiu, Wenying | Ma, Chao
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: Background: Lewy-related pathology (LRP), primarily comprised of α-synuclein, is a typical neuropathological change that has been identified in many neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), PD with dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies. Objective: To investigate the distribution of LRP in the China Human Brain Bank, the co-occurrence of neuropathologic features of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in LRP cases, and LRP-related cognitive dysfunction. Methods: LRP neuropathological diagnosis was performed in 180 postmortem brains. AD neuropathological diagnosis was then performed in the 21 neuropathologically-diagnosed LRP cases. Antemortem cognitive functioning evaluation (Everyday Cognitive, ECog) was assessed for brain donors by the immediate …kin of the donor within 24 hours after death. Results: 12% (21 in 180) postmortem brains were neuropathologically diagnosed as LRP cases. 86% (18 in 21) aged above 80, 81% (17 in 21) LRP cases combined with AD neuropathology, and 62% (13 in 21) combined with both the intermediate or high-level amyloid-β and phospho-tau pathologies. ECog scores showed significant differences between the groups of LRP brainstem-predominant type and LRP diffuse neocortical type, and between groups of AD and the combined LRP (diffuse neocortical type)-AD. Conclusion: The overlap of neocortical α-synuclein, amyloid-β, phospho-tau, and neuritic plaques in LRP suggested the potential interplay among the common characteristics of proteinopathies in the late stage of neuropathological development of LRP in human brains. The anatomic progression of LRP, the process of α-synuclein spreading from the brainstem to limbic and neocortical regions, might aggravate the deterioration of cognitive function in addition to that effect of AD. Show more
Keywords: α-synuclein, Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid-β, Everyday Cognitive (ECog), Lewy-related pathology, LRP-AD neuropathology, phospho-tau
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-201548
Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 80, no. 1, pp. 447-458, 2021
Authors: Xue, Youdi | Xia, Jihua | Ma, Chao | Dai, Weixiang | Zhang, Zhaochuan
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is the most common disease in postmenopausal women and the elderly, which can lead to vertebral compression fracture. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the related factors of severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (SOVCF) and evaluate the long-term outcomes of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for treating SOVCF through comparison with mild OVCF (MOVCF). METHODS: From September 2015 to March 2019, 294 osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) patients treated with PKP were analyzed. Compression of the anterior margin of the fractured vertebral body beyond 2/3 of the original height was defined as SOVCF. Baseline data, clinical and imaging findings before and after surgery …and at the last follow-up were recorded. Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) was used to evaluate low back pain, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used to evaluate activity of daily life. Anterior vertebral height (AVH) and local kyphosis angle (LKA) was used to evaluate radiographic outcomes. During the follow-up, patients with recurrent back pain were examined by MRI to identify new fractures and the incidence of adjacent vertebral fracture (AVF) was recorded. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), dual energy X-ray absorptiometry based T value, duration of symptom, history of trauma, steroid use, and fracture site were collected for univariate logistic regression analysis Variables with a P -value of less than 0.05 were then included in multivariate analysis to determine the related factors for SOVCF. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis indicated that longer duration of symptom (OR = 1.109, 95%CI: 1.038–1.185, P = 0.002), lower T value (OR = 0.332, 95%CI: 0.139–0.763, P = 0.001), and steroid use (OR = 31.294, 95%CI: 1.020–960.449, P = 0.049) were related factors of SOVCF. Compared with the MOVCF group, the SOVCF group had longer operation time (57.3 ± 13.51 minutes vs 44.9 ± 8.13 minutes, P < 0.001), more radiation exposure (39.9 ± 7.98 times vs 25.5 ± 4.01 times, P < 0.001), and higher cement leakage rate (55.81% vs 18.73%, P < 0.001). At the last follow-up, the SOVCF group had higher NRS (2.28 ± 0.85 vs 1.30 ± 0.71, P < 0.001), and ODI (16.23 ± 4.43 vs 12.88 ± 3.34, P < 0.001). After operation and at the last follow-up, the SOVCF group had higher LKA and lower AVH (all P < 0.05). The AVF rate at the last follow-up was higher in the SOVCF group at the last follow-up (4.78% vs 18.60%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Lower T value, longer duration of disease, and steroid use were related factors of SOVCF. Compared with MOVCF, PKP for SOVCF had longer operation time, more radiation exposure, and higher cement leakage rate, and the long-term outcomes were worsen. Show more
Keywords: Kyphoplasty, bone mineral density, bone cement
DOI: 10.3233/BMR-230324
Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 37, no. 5, pp. 1231-1240, 2024
Authors: Zhang, Zhenhua | Hu, Yong | Ma, Chao | Xu, Jinhui | Yuan, Shenguo | Chen, Zhao
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: Some novel concave and convex risk functions with interval valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IVIFS) information are proposed. By analyzing the factors of outsourced software project risk, we provide some risk functions with IVIFS information for outsourced software project. All these risk functions are classified into three types: incentive function, punitive function and equilibrium function, and some useful mathematical properties of these risk functions are proved. Finally, a practical risk assessment example to outsourced software project is given to illustrate the application of this decision making method. The simulation results show the effectiveness of these functions compared with that of some …conventional functions. Show more
Keywords: Interval valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets, risk assessment, incentive risk function, penalty risk function, equilibrium risk function, outsourced software project
DOI: 10.3233/JIFS-169196
Citation: Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems, vol. 31, no. 6, pp. 3103-3111, 2016
Authors: Zhang, Zhenhua | Hu, Yong | Ma, Chao | Xu, Jinhui | Yuan, Shenguo | Chen, Zhao
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: By analyzing three parts of interval valued intuition fuzzy sets (IVIFS), we provide a novel framework constructing risk function with IVIFS information for risk analysis of outsourced software project. First, we introduced some risk factors of outsourced software project according to their hierarchical levels, and present a general risk function model. And then, some useful mathematical properties of this risk function are proved. Based on the mathematical properties of general risk function, all these presented specific risk functions are classified into four types: incentive function, punitive function, incentive-punitive function and equilibrium function. Especially, two kinds of incentive-punitive risk functions are …focused on and a construction method for them is proposed. Finally, an application example for the risk assessment of outsourced software project illustrates the use of this decision making method. The simulation results show that these functions are effective in risk prediction. Show more
Keywords: Interval valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets, risk assessment, incentive-punitive risk function, equilibrium risk function, outsourced software project
DOI: 10.3233/JIFS-169307
Citation: Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems, vol. 32, no. 5, pp. 3749-3760, 2017
Authors: Yan, Xiao-Xin | Ma, Chao | Gai, Wei-Ping | Cai, Huaibin | Luo, Xue-Gang
Article Type: Review Article
Abstract: β-Secretase-1 (BACE1) is the rate-limiting enzyme for the genesis of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, the main constituents of the amyloid plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. BACE1 is being evaluated as an anti-Aβ target for AD therapy. Recent studies indicate that BACE1 elevation is associated with axonal and presynaptic pathology during plaque development. Evidence also points to a biological role for BACE1 in axonal outgrowth and synapse formation during development. Axonal, including presynaptic, pathology exists in AD as well as many other neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, stroke, and trauma. In this review, we discuss pharmaceutical …BACE1 inhibition as a therapeutic option for axonal pathogenesis, in addition to amyloid pathology. We first introduce the amyloidogenic processing of amyloid-β protein precursor and describe the normal expression pattern of the amyloidogenic proteins in the brain, with an emphasis on BACE1. We then address BACE1 elevation relative to amyloid plaque development, followed by updating recent understanding of a neurotrophic role of BACE1 in axon and synapse development. We further elaborate the occurrence of axonal pathology in some other neurological conditions. Finally, we propose pharmacological inhibition of excessive BACE1 activity as an option to mitigate early axonal pathology occurring in AD and other neurological disorders. Show more
Keywords: Aging, Alzheimer's disease, anti-amyloid therapy, dementia, dystrophic neurites, neurodegenerative disorders, neuroplasticity, senile plaques, synaptic dysfunction
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-131400
Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 38, no. 4, pp. 705-718, 2014
Authors: Zhang, Li | Sun, Caixian | Jin, Yaxi | Gao, Kai | Shi, Xudong | Qiu, Wenying | Ma, Chao | Zhang, Lianfeng
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: Dysfunctional Wnt signaling is associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and activation of the Wnt signaling pathway inhibits AD development. Dickkopf 3 (Dkk3) is a modulator of the Wnt signaling pathway and is physiologically expressed in the brain. The role of Dkk3 in the pathogenesis of AD has not been evaluated. In the present study, we determined that Dkk3 expression was significantly decreased in brain tissue from AD patients and the AD transgenic mouse model APPswe/PS1dE9 (AD mice). Transgenic mice with brain tissue-specific Dkk3 expression were generated or crossed with AD mice to study the effects of Dkk3 on AD. In …AD mice, transgenic expression of Dkk3 improved abnormalities in learning, memory, and locomotor activity, reduced the accumulation of amyloid-β, and ameliorated glucose uptake deficits. Furthermore, we determined that Dkk3 downregulated GSK-3β, a central negative regulator in canonical Wnt signaling, and upregulated PKCβ1, a factor implicated in noncanonical Wnt signaling. This indicates that increased activation of GSK-3β and the inhibition of PKCβ1 in AD patients may be responsible for the dysfunctional Wnt signaling in AD. In summary, our data suggest that Dkk3 is an agonist of Wnt signaling, and the ability of transgenic expression of Dkk3 to compensate for the decrease in Dkk3 expression in AD mice, reverse dysfunctional Wnt signaling, and partially inhibit the pathological development of AD suggests that Dkk3 could serve as a therapeutic target for the treatment of AD. Show more
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, cognition, Dkk3, transgenic mice, Wnt signaling pathway
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-161254
Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 60, no. 2, pp. 733-746, 2017
Authors: Liu, Jing | Zhang, ErZi | Ma, Chao | Yager, Ronald R. | Senapati, Tapan | Yatsalo, Boris | Jin, LeSheng
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: In many multi criteria group decision making problems, the individual evaluation values offered by experts are with uncertainties. Therefore, when assigning weights to those experts using preferences induced weights allocation, we can have two types of bi-polar preferences. The first one is the optimism-pessimism preference over evaluation values; the second one is the uncertainty aversion preference over the attached numerical certainty/uncertainty degrees. When performing preferences induced weights allocation, the certainty/uncertainty degrees will affect the optimism-pessimism preference induced weights allocation because the magnitudes of those evaluation values might not be the exact ones. Moreover, the importance of those experts in multi …criteria group decision making can also have influence over the two types of preference induced weights allocation processes, and the importance can also be with uncertainties and can be expressed using basic uncertain information. Therefore, to handle this situation with multiple inducing variables and uncertainties, we simultaneously consider the influence of the uncertainties attached to evaluation values and the influence of uncertain importance of experts, and thus we at the same time adopt the method of confidence threshold and the method of uncertain importance level function to propose some synthesized method to adjust the induced weights allocation processes. We also propose a complete multi criteria group decision making problems to show the feasibility and reasonability of the proposed decision model for the complex situation where both evaluation values and expert importance are expressed by basic uncertain information. Show more
Keywords: Aggregation operators, basic uncertain information, induced ordered weighted averaging operators, information fusion, multi criteria group decision making, uncertain decision making
DOI: 10.3233/JIFS-222590
Citation: Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems, vol. 44, no. 5, pp. 8573-8583, 2023
Authors: Ma, Chao | Yager, Ronald R. | Liu, Jing | Yatsalo, Boris | Garg, Harish | Senapati, Tapan | Jin, LeSheng
Article Type: Research Article
Abstract: Uncertainty exists in numerous evaluation and decision making problems and therefore it also provides space for the subjective preferences of decision makers to affect the aggregation and evaluation results. Recently, relative basic uncertain information is proposed to further generalize basic uncertain information, but currently there is no research on how to apply this type of uncertainty in both theory and practices. There is also a paucity of decision methodology about how to build systematic preference involved decision model considering this new type of uncertainty. The relative basic uncertain information can serve as a general frame to enable the possibility for …simultaneously handling heterogeneous uncertain information including interval information, basic uncertain information, and relative basic uncertain information. Different types of bipolar subjective preferences commonly should be taken into consideration in practical decision making. With the individual heterogeneous uncertain information and the involved two types of subjective preferences, namely bipolar preferences for uncertainties and bipolar optimism-pessimism preferences, the evaluation and decision making become more complex. This work proposes a systematic intersubjective decision model which can effectively and reasonably deal with the decision scenario with such complex uncertainty, in which Yager preference induced weights allocation is applied. Some novel preference conversion and transformation functions, specified techniques, and the related decision making procedures and sub-modules are proposed and analyzed. An application is also presented to showthe practicality of the proposed decision models and related conversion and transformation functions. Show more
Keywords: Basic uncertain information, decision making, information fusion, relative basic uncertain information, uncertain decision making, Yager induced weights allocation
DOI: 10.3233/JIFS-231395
Citation: Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems, vol. 45, no. 6, pp. 11535-11547, 2023
