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Energy-intensive enterprises lack a scientific and effective energy efficiency assessment framework and methodology. This lack leads to an inaccurate understanding of energy usage and its benefits. As a result, there is energy wastage and loss. This wastage and loss negatively affect product costs. They also present a challenge to effective energy management. To address these issues, this paper introduces a novel, comprehensive energy efficiency evaluation system. This system integrates both qualitative and quantitative measures. It proposes an evaluation model based on the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) combined with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation (FCE), wherein PSO is employed to optimize the weights determined by AHP, ensuring that the significance attributed to various indicators is scientific, objective, and rational. The FCE method is utilized to convert diverse factors affecting corporate energy efficiency, across different types and scales, into standardized 0–1 values, enabling a comparative analysis of the impact of each process and indicator on energy efficiency. Furthermore, the paper introduces an energy efficiency prediction model employing a multivariate linear regression algorithm, which demonstrates a good fit, facilitating the transition from retrospective energy efficiency evaluation to proactive improvements. Utilizing data on actual consumption of water, electricity, and steam from an enterprise, along with expert assessments on the implementation levels of new processes, technologies, equipment, personnel scheduling proficiency, steam recovery rates, and adherence to policies and assessments, a simulation experiment of the proposed model was conducted using Python. The evaluation yielded an energy efficiency score of 0.68; this is consistent with the real-world scenario of the studied enterprise. The predicted mean square error of 9.035416039503998 ×   10 − 9 indicates a high model accuracy, validating the practical applicability and effectiveness of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Panax ginseng, a traditional Chinese medicine with a history spanning thousands of years, faces overexploitation and challenges related to extended growth periods. Tissue-cultured adventitious roots and stem cells are alternatives to wild and field-cultivated ginseng. In this study, we assessed the in vitro xanthine oxidase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of saponin extracts among cultured cambial meristematic cells (CMC), adventitious ginseng roots (AGR), and field-cultivated ginseng roots (CGR). The xanthine oxidase (XO) and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were determined by uric acid estimation and the p-NPG method, respectively. Spectrophotometry and the Folin–Ciocalteu, aluminum nitrate, and Bradford methods were employed to ascertain the total saponins and phenolic, flavonoid, and protein contents. The calculated IC50 values for total saponin extracts against XO and α-glucosidase were 0.665, 0.844, and >1.6 mg/mL and 0.332, 0.745, and 0.042 mg/mL for AGR, CMC, CGR, respectively. Comparing the total saponin, crude protein, and total phenolic contents revealed that AGR > CMC > CGR. To the best of our knowledge, this study presents the first report on the in vitro comparison of xanthine oxidase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities among AGR, CMC, and CGR. The findings offer valuable insights into the development of hypoglycemic and antihyperuricemic medicinal, nutraceutical, and functional products utilizing AGR and CMC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Left hemisphere injury can cause right spastic arm paralysis and aphasia, and recovery of both motor and language functions shares similar compensatory mechanisms and processes. Contralateral cervical seventh cross transfer (CC7) surgery can provide motor recovery for spastic arm paralysis by triggering interhemispheric plasticity, and self‐reports from patients indicate spontaneous improvement in language function but still need to be verified. To explore the improvements in motor and language function after CC7 surgery, we performed this prospective observational cohort study. The Upper Extremity part of Fugl‐Meyer scale (UEFM) and Modified Ashworth Scale were used to evaluate motor function, and Aphasia Quotient calculated by Mandarin version of the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB‐AQ, larger score indicates better language function) was assessed for language function. In 20 patients included, the average scores of UEFM increased by .40 and 3.70 points from baseline to 1‐week and 6‐month post‐surgery, respectively. The spasticity of the elbow and fingers decreased significantly at 1‐week post‐surgery, although partially recurred at 6‐month follow‐up. The average scores of WAB‐AQ were increased by 9.14 and 10.69 points at 1‐week and 6‐month post‐surgery (P < .001 for both), respectively. Post‐surgical fMRI scans revealed increased activity in the bilateral hemispheres related to language centrals, including the right precentral cortex and right gyrus rectus. These findings suggest that CC7 surgery not only enhances motor function but may also improve the aphasia quotient in patients with right arm paralysis and aphasia due to left hemisphere injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Central nervous system (CNS) disorders, such as stroke, often lead to spasticity, which result in limb deformities and significant reduction in quality of life. Spasticity arises from disruptions in the normal functioning of cortical and descending inhibitory pathways in the brainstem, leading to abnormal muscle contractions. Contralateral seventh cervical nerve cross transfer (CC7) surgery has been proven to effectively reduce spasticity, but the specific mechanism for its effectiveness is unclear., Methods: This study aimed to investigate the changes in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) following CC7 surgery. A comprehensive anatomical analysis was conducted through cadaveric study and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study, to accurately measure the regional anatomy of the C7 DRG. DRG perfusion changes were quantitatively assessed by comparing pre- and postoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI., Results: In CC7 surgery, the C7 nerve root on the affected side is cut close to the DRG (3.6 ± 1.0 mm), while the C7 nerve root on the healthy side is cut further away from the DRG (65.0 ± 10.0 mm). MRI studies revealed that after C7 proximal neurotomy on the affected side, there was an increase in DRG volume, vascular permeability, and perfusion; after C7 distal neurotomy on the healthy side, there was a decrease in DRG volume, with no significant changes in vascular permeability and perfusion., Conclusion: This study provides preliminary insights into the mechanisms of spasticity reduction following CC7 surgery, indicating that changes in the DRG, such as increased vascular permeability and perfusion, could disrupt abnormal spinal γ-circuits. The resulting high-perfusion state of DRG, possibly due to heightened neuronal activity and metabolic demands, necessitating further research to verify this hypothesis., (© 2024 The Author(s). Brain and Behavior published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)