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The classical distributed hybrid flow shop scheduling problem (DHFSP) only considers static production settings while ignores operation inspection and reprocessing. However, in the actual production, the manufacturing environment is usually dynamic; and the operation inspection and reprocessing are very necessary to avoid unqualified jobs from being transported to other production units and to make reasonable arrangements for unqualified and unprocessed jobs. In this paper, we propose a DHFSP with operation inspection and reprocessing (DHFSPR) for the first time, in which the operation inspection and reprocessing as well as the processing time and energy consumption are considered simultaneously. An improved memetic algorithm (IMA) is then designed to solve the DHFSPR, where some effective crossover and mutation operators, a new dynamic rescheduling method (DRM) and local search operator (LSO) are integrated. A total 60 DHFSPR benchmark instances are constructed to verify the performance of our IMA. Extensive experiments carried out demonstrate that the DRM and LSO can effectively improve the performance of IMA, and the IMA has obvious superiority to solve the DHFSPR problem compared with other three well-known algorithms. Our proposed model and algorithm here will be beneficial for the production managers who work with distributed hybrid shop systems in scheduling their production activities by considering operation inspection and reprocessing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rodents severely damage the ecological environment of grasslands, and rodent mounds of different ages require distinct management strategies. Understanding the age of these mounds aids in formulating targeted restoration measures, which can enhance grassland productivity and biodiversity. Current surveys of rodent mounds rely on ground exposure and mound height to determine their age, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Remote sensing methods can quickly and easily identify the distribution of rodent mounds. Existing remote sensing images use ground exposure and mound height for identification but do not distinguish between mounds of different ages, such as one-year-old and two-year-old mounds. According to the existing literature, rodent mounds of different ages exhibit significant differences in vegetation structure, soil background, and plant diversity. Utilizing a combination of vegetation indices and hyperspectral data to determine the age of rodent mounds aims to provide a better method for extracting rodent hazard information. This experiment investigates and analyzes the age, distribution, and vegetation characteristics of rodent mounds, including total coverage, height, biomass, and diversity indices such as Patrick, Shannon–Wiener, and Pielou. Spectral data of rodent mounds of different ages were collected using an Analytical Spectral Devices field spectrometer. Correlation analysis was conducted between vegetation characteristics and spectral vegetation indices to select key indices, including NDVI670, NDVI705, EVI, TCARI, Ant, and SR. Multiple stepwise regression and Random Forest (RF) inversion models were established using vegetation indices, and the most suitable model was selected through comparison. Random Forest modeling was conducted to classify plateau zokor rat mounds of different ages, using both vegetation characteristic indicators and vegetation indices for comparison. The rodent mound classification models established using vegetation characteristic indicators and vegetation indices through Random Forest could distinguish rodent mounds of different ages, with out-of-bag error rates of 36.96% and 21.74%, respectively. The model using vegetation indices performed better. Conclusions: (1) Rodent mounds play a crucial ecological role in alpine meadow ecosystems by enhancing plant diversity, biomass, and the stability and vitality of the ecosystem. (2) The vegetation indices SR and TCARI are the most influential in classifying rodent mounds. (3) Incorporating vegetation indices into Random Forest modeling facilitates a precise and robust remote sensing interpretation of rodent mound ages, which is instrumental for devising targeted restoration strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic NK-cell lymphoproliferative disease (CLPD-NK) is a very rare lymphoproliferative disorder in which patients often have an elevated lymphocyte population without clinical symptoms. Methods: In this particular case, a middle-aged woman presented with a consistent elevation in her lymphocyte proportion over a span of four consecutive years during physical examinations, without manifesting any other notable clinical symptoms. The underlying cause of this phenomenon was ultimately identified through a comprehensive evaluation that encompassed peripheral blood cell morphology analysis, lymphocyte subset profiling, and peripheral blood immunophenotyping. These diagnostic tools collectively provided crucial insights into the nature of the disease. Results: The patient was finally diagnosed with CLPD-NK. As part of her management plan, the patient was advised to undergo regular annual physical examinations to monitor the progression of the disease and any potential changes in her health status. Conclusions: CLPD-NK is a chronic progressive lymphoproliferative disease, which can be followed up regularly if there are no clinical symptoms. Severe reductions in neutrophils, red blood cells, and platelets or other complications may require chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effectiveness and scalability of site-directed mutagenesis are constrained by the limited number of mutations and the intricate cloning process required for isolation of the target sequence. Here, we present a method for precise introduction of multiple non-contiguous mutations. The mutant strands are collected through one specially designed magnetic bead separation in alkaline conditions, efficiently removing their complementary partner strands with the original sequences. In a proof-of-concept test, a green fluorescent protein (GFP) was simultaneously mutated in 1–3 specific amino acids, successfully shifting its fluorescence spectrum. The precise mutation rates for single-, double- and triple-site mutations reached 100%, 76% and 70%, respectively. This multiple non-contiguous mutagenesis method may offer a fast and cost-effective approach for customizable construction of gene library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing body of research on the platform economy provides a variety of interpretations of platform labor. Nevertheless, current studies have either placed exchange rather than production at the core of their interpretations or overlooked the historical continuity of the type of labor to which platform labor belongs. Employing a historical-comparative approach, this article introduces the concept of "cross-boundary subsumption" to illuminate the characteristics of platform labor. Drawing insights from investigations and interviews conducted on ride-hailing platforms in China from 2018 to 2020, this article delves into how cross-boundary subsumption works in reality. The goal is to improve the understanding of platform labor and uncover the limits of the current models of the platform economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Upper extremity (UE) dynamic balance is a significant physical fitness ability, which includes high-level neuromuscular proprioception, joint mobility, force, and coordination. The evaluation methods of UE dynamic balance are insufficient and lack experimental support. The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) is a reliable assessment of dynamic balance and injury risk of the lower extremity. Hypothesis: The UE-SEBT is a reliable and reproducible approach for evaluating dynamic balance of UEs. Study Design: Observational study. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 65 healthy adults. All participants were required to complete UE-SEBT, UE Y-balance test (UE-YBT), maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of UE, closed kinetic chain UE stability test (CKCUEST), trunk flexor endurance test (TFET), trunk extensor endurance test (TEET), and lateral trunk endurance test (LTET). Intra- and inter-rater reliability and the correlation of UE-SEBT with other outcomes were measured. Results: Among the participants, the intra- and interoperator reliability of UE-SEBT in all directions and composite score achieved a moderate-to-excellent (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC], 0.729-0.946) reliability. For validity, the UE-SEBT had a moderate to very strong correlation with UE-YBT (r = 0.315-0.755, P < 0.01) and a strong correlation with CKCUEST (r = 0.4-0.67, P < 0.01). Furthermore, the UE-SEBT performance showed weak-to-strong correlations with MVIC (r = 0.26-0.43, P < 0.05). UE-SEBT was also correlated with LTET, TEET, and TFET to varying degrees. Conclusion: UE-SEBT has good reliability and validity to assess UE dynamic balance compared with other tests. Clinical Relevance: UE-SEBT can be used as a clinical assessment method to evaluate UE dynamic balance and injury prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This umbrella review aimed to summarize and provide a general evaluation of the effectiveness of current treatments for male infertility and assess the quality of evidence and possible biases. An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses available in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, covering studies published up to October 2023, was conducted. Sperm concentration, morphology, and motility were used as endpoints to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatments. Of 2998 studies, 18 published meta-analyses were extracted, yielding 90 summary effects on sperm concentration (n = 36), sperm morphology (n = 26), and sperm motility (n = 28) on 28 interventions. None of the meta-analyses were classified as having low methodological quality, whereas 12 (66.7%) and 6 (33.3%) had high and moderate quality, respectively. Of the 90 summary effects, none were rated high-evidence quality, whereas 53.3% (n = 48), 25.6% (n = 23), and 21.1% (n = 19) were rated moderate, low, and very low, respectively. Significant improvements in sperm concentration, morphology, and motility were observed with pharmacological interventions (N-acetyl-cysteine, antioxidant therapy, aromatase inhibitors, selective estrogen receptor modulators, hormones, supplements, and alpha-lipoic acid) and nonpharmacological interventions (varicocele repair and redo varicocelectomy). In addition, vitamin supplementation had no significant positive effects on sperm concentration, motility, or morphology. Treatments for male infertility are increasingly diverse; however, the current evidence is poor because of the limited number of patients. Further well-designed studies on single treatment and high-quality meta-analysis of intertreatment comparisons are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]