Search

Perception-based fidelity evaluation metrics are crucial in driving simulators, as they play a key role in the automatic tuning, assessment, and comparison of motion cueing algorithms. Nevertheless, there is presently no unified and effective evaluation framework for these algorithms. To tackle this challenge, our study initially establishes a model rooted in visual–vestibular interaction and head tilt angle perception systems. We then employ metrics like the Normalized Average Absolute Difference (NAAD), Normalized Pearson Correlation (NPC), and Estimated Delay (ED) to devise an evaluation index system. Furthermore, we use a combined approach incorporating CRITIC and gray relational analysis to ascertain the weights of these indicators. This allows us to consolidate them into a comprehensive evaluation metric that reflects the overall fidelity of motion cueing algorithms. Subjective evaluation experiments validate the reasonableness and efficacy of our proposed Perception Fidelity Evaluation (PFE) method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence of defects in the enclosure structure is the primary cause of water and sand leakage in foundation pits, as well as being a significant source of danger in pit construction, but current research lacks an in-depth investigation of the generation mechanism and gestation process. In this paper, which comprehensively considers the microscopic particles and macroscopic level, the development mechanism of a water and sand leakage disaster in a foundation pit with a water-rich sand layer was studied using the principle of computational fluid dynamics and discrete element method coupled analysis (CFD–DEM); moreover, based on the anisotropy of the particle force and fluid energy analysis, the deformation of the stratum and ground stress field were analyzed. The results show that the stress field will produce a plugging effect at a certain distance from the defect, and the strata exhibit a dominant displacement tendency in the vertical direction, resulting in the emergence of a gradually concave stress relaxation zone and an elliptical contour in the strata displacement map near the defect. The fluid energy describes the displacement of the sand layer very well, and it is separated into the sand layer's centralized loss region and the major loss area based on the high and low levels of the fluid energy class. The impact of fluid at the defect reaches the maximum kinetic energy, which penetrates the structural weakness and causes the loss of sand particles, and the cross-section of the water influx near the defect gradually expands with the loss of particles, indicating that there is a danger of further expansion of the defect under the impact of water flow. These results have technical implications for the management of water and sand leakage disasters in foundation pit engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A healthy lifestyle may ameliorate metabolic syndrome (MetS); however, it remains unclear if incorporating nuts or seeds into lifestyle counseling (LC) has additional benefit. A 3-arm, randomized, controlled trial was conducted among 283 participants screened for MetS using the updated National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel Ill criteria for Asian Americans. Participants were assigned to a LC on the AHA guidelines, LC + flaxseed (30 g/d) (LCF), or LC + walnuts (30 g/d) (LCW) group. After the 12-wk intervention, the prevalence of MetS decreased significantly in all groups: -16.9% (LC), - 20.2% (LCF), and -16.0% (LCW). The reversion rate of MetS, i.e. those no longer meeting the MetS criteria at 12 wk, was not significantly different among groups (LC group, 21.1%; LCF group, 26.6%; and LCW group, 25.5%). However, the reversion rate of central obesity was higher in the LCF (19.2%; P = 0.008) and LCW (16.0%; P = 0.04) groups than in the LC group (6.3%). Most of the metabolic variables (weight, waist circumference, serum glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein (Apo) B, ApoE, and blood pressure) were significantly reduced from baseline in all 3 groups. However, the severity of MetS, presented as the mean count of MetS components, was significantly reduced in the LCW group compared with the LC group among participants with confirmed MetS at baseline (P = 0.045). Our results suggest that a low-intensity lifestyle education program is effective in MetS management. Flaxseed and walnut supplementation may ameliorate central obesity. Further studies with larger sample sizes and of longer duration are needed to examine the role of these foods in the prevention and management of MetS. J. Nutr. 140: 1937-1942, 2010. doi: 10.3945/jn.110.126300.

This study investigates the effects of R&D subsidies on firms' innovation using panel data of Chinese listed firms from 2008 to 2013. Through propensity score matching method, we determine that recurrent, high-tech firms are more likely to receive public grants. Moreover, firms affiliated with higher-level governments and located in minimally marketised regions have a higher probability of receiving government financial support. China's state intervention to correct market failure related to firms' R&D activity is confirmed to be reasonable in an observable time given an instantaneous additionality effect. However, the stimulation effect of R&D subsidies on innovation outputs has not been verified. Results obtained through a continuous matching method show no optimal amount of R&D subsidies for firms in China, but a declining yet a positive marginal effect of treatment has been identified given an increase in the amount of R&D subsidies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This present paper studies the relationship between the industrial development environment (IDE) and the innovation efficiency (IE) of China’s high-tech industry. First, drawing upon insights from research on regional innovation systems and sectoral innovation systems, the paper proposes a definition of the IDE within which China’s high-tech industry exists. Then, by a factorial analysis, three main components reflecting the IDE are obtained: regional development conditions, regional consumption potential, and interactions between innovation actors. Furthermore, the impacts of various facets of the IDE on three kinds of IE are investigated through the DEA-Tobit regression approach. Based on the results, our analysis can provide information for policymakers to create a favourable environment for China’s high-tech industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6 and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) levels are associated with insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. Phytoestrogens (including lignans and isoflavones) may enhance the management of diabetes and are hypothesized to act through inflammation pathways. The present study explored the effects of flaxseed-derived lignan on inflammatory factors and RBP4 concentrations in type 2 diabetics, who have higher levels of these biomarkers. Seventy community-dwelling diabetic patients (twenty-six men and forty-four post-menopausal women) with mild hypercholesterolaemia completed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial of supplementation with flaxseed-derived lignan capsules (360 mg/d) or placebo for 12 weeks, separated by an 8-week wash-out period. The participants maintained their habitual diets and levels of physical activity. Baseline to follow-up concentrations of CRP increased significantly within the placebo group (1·42 (sem 0·19) v. 1·96 (sem 0·22) mg/l, P < 0·001), but were comparatively unchanged in the lignan-supplemented group (1·67 (sem 0·19) v. 1·90 (sem 0·26) mg/l, P = 0·94); a significant difference was observed between treatments ( − 0·45 (95 % CI − 0·76, − 0·08) mg/l, P = 0·021). This effect was confined to women (P = 0·016), but not observed in men (P = 0·49). No between-treatment differences were found with regard to IL-6 or RBP4; though IL-6 concentrations increased significantly from baseline to follow-up in both groups (P = 0·004 and P < 0·001 following lignan and placebo treatments, respectively). The study suggests that lignan might modulate CRP levels in type 2 diabetics. These results need to be confirmed by further large clinical trials of longer duration. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study evaluated a structured and integrated intervention program on diabetes management in individuals with type 2 diabetes in Shanghai, China. Men and women with type 2 diabetes and body mass index > 23 kg/m2 were randomized into a 24-week, prospective, randomized clinical trial. The Reference Group (n=50) received diabetes education including diet and physical activity instruction only; the Intervention Group (n=100) received more intensive intervention, including diabetes education with frequent blood glucose monitoring, nutritional counseling, meal plans with diabetes-specific nutritional meal replacement, and weekly progress updates with study staff. Major study assessments were obtained at baseline, and after 12 and/or 24 weeks of intervention. The Intervention Group improved fasting blood glucose, insulin, systolic and diastolic blood pressures compared to Reference Group ( p <0.05). Importantly, HbA1c was lower ( p <0.001) in the Intervention Group at 12 weeks (-0.6 +/- 0.1%) and 24 weeks (-0.8 +/- 0.1%). Weight loss was modest, but significant differences were observed between groups ( p <0.05). Weight change from baseline after 12 and 24 weeks was -2.8 +/- 0.2% and -3.7 +/- 0.3%, respectively, in the Intervention Group vs -1.8 +/- 0.4% and -2.5 +/- 0.4% in the Reference Group. Additionally, waist and hip circumferences and waist:hip ratio decreased in the Intervention compared to the Reference Group ( p <0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that Chinese men and women with type 2 diabetes following an integrated intervention program including diabetes education, frequent blood glucose monitoring and daily use of a diabetes-specific meal replacement, can achieve significant improvements in glycemic control and markers of cardiovascular health.