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Hydropower plays a crucial role in electricity generation, contributing over 60% of total renewable energy output. Its ability to stabilize energy fluctuations makes it essential in green energy initiatives. Accurate prediction of hydropower production is vital, considering its dependence on various factors like weather, water storage, and electricity generation. Traditional methods struggle with the complexities involved. This study utilized Support Vector Regression (SVR) and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithms, both individually and in hybrid models enhanced by optimization techniques like Slime Mould Algorithm (SMA), Aquila Optimizer (AO), and Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO). XGBoost outperformed SVR in single model predictions with an R2 value of 0.8632 and RMSE of 40.90, and when optimized, the hybrid XGBoost models showed superior performance, with XGBoost-SMA achieving the highest accuracy. The results revealed that the XGBoost-SMA model achieved the most desired accuracy with an R2 value of 0.9713 and a root mean square error of 18.73 for the test dataset. This research highlights machine learning’s applicability in hydropower prediction and suggests hybrid models as a promising approach for better accuracy, emphasizing XGBoost’s potential in efficient hydropower forecasting to meet global electricity demands.

Summary: Background: In ORIENT-15 study, sintilimab plus chemotherapy demonstrated significant improvement on overall survival (OS) versus placebo plus chemotherapy in first-line treatment of advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Here, we report effect of sintilimab plus chemotherapy on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with advanced ESCC. Methods: From December 14, 2018 to August 28, 2022, HRQoL was evaluated in all randomized patients using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 items (QLQ-C30), EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire Oesophageal Cancer Module 18 items (QLQ-OES18), and visual analogue scale (VAS) of the EuroQol five-dimensional five-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). Mean scores of each scale were described by treatment group through week 60. Least-squares mean (LSM) score change from baseline through week 24 were analyzed using the mixed-model repeated-measures method. Time to the first onset of deterioration (TTD) and OS for each scale were estimated. Clinical Trials Registration: NCT03748134. Findings: As of August 28, 2022, 689 of 690 enrolled patients were assessed for HRQoL analysis (sintilimab group: 340, placebo group: 349). Median follow-up was 32.2 months. Differences in LSM favored sintilimab over placebo for QLQ-C30 social functioning (LSM difference: 3.06, 95% CI: 0.55 to 5.57; P = 0.0170), pain (−2.24, 95% CI: −4.30 to −0.17; P = 0.0337), fatigue (−2.24, 95% CI: −4.46 to −0.02; P = 0.0479), constipation (−3.27, 95% CI −5.49 to −1.05; P = 0.0039), QLQ-OES18 pain (−1.77, 95% CI −3.11 to −0.43; P = 0.0097), trouble swallowing saliva (−2.09, 95% CI: −3.77 to −0.42; P = 0.0146), and choked when swallowing (−3.23, 95% CI: −5.60 to −0.86; P = 0.0076). TTD favored sintilimab over placebo for QLQ-OES18 dysphagia (Hazard ratio [HR]: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.61–0.94, P = 0.0104), and trouble swallowing saliva (HR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.35–0.67, P

Objective: To investigate the utility of texture data based on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in determining intervertebral disc degeneration in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Materials and Methods：From October 2016 and March 2020, 122 patients with AIS and 40 volunteers who underwent 3.0T MRI were prospectively included. The following MRI texture data were generated: (1) mean, (2) standard deviation, (3) max, (4) min, (5) the fifth, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles; (6) skewness; (7) kurtosis; and (8) entropy. The Pfirrmann system was used to evaluate the intervertebral discs of all participants. Patients with Pm I were divided into groups 1 and 2. Volunteers were classified into 0. Differences and correlations between the groups were analyzed. Results: The mean, standard deviation, max, entropy and the 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles in group 2 were significantly lower than those in group 1 and group 0; the min in group 2 was significantly lower than in group 0; the skewness in group 2 was significantly higher than in group 1 and group 0; the kurtosis in group 2 was significantly lower than in group 1; the skewness in group 1 was significantly higher than in group 0 and the standard deviation, min, kurtosis and 5th, 10th, 25th, and 50th percentiles in group 1 were significantly lower than those in group 0. Conclusion: Texture analysis can be used to assess early degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs of patients with AIS.

BackgroundRhinitis is a complex condition characterized by various subtypes, including allergic rhinitis (AR), which involves inflammatory reactions. The objective of this research was to identify crucial genes associated with inflammatory response that are relevant for the treatment and diagnosis of AR.MethodsWe acquired the AR-related expression datasets (GSE75011 and GSE50223) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. In GSE75011, we compared the gene expression profiles between the HC and AR groups and identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs). By intersecting these DEGs with inflammatory response-related genes (IRGGs), resulting in the identification of differentially expressed inflammatory response-related genes (DIRRGs). Afterwards, we utilized the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, machine learning algorithms, namely least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and random forest, to identify the signature markers. We employed a nomogram to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of the method, which has been confirmed through validation using GSE50223. qRT-PCR was used to confirm the expression of diagnostic genes in clinical samples. In addition, a consensus clustering method was employed to categorize patients with AR. Subsequently, extensive investigation was conducted to explore the discrepancies in gene expression, enriched functions and pathways, as well as potential therapeutic drugs among these distinct subtypes.ResultsA total of 22 DIRRGs were acquired, which participated in pathways including chemokine and TNF signaling pathway. Additionally, machine learning algorithms identified NFKBIA, HIF1A, MYC, and CCRL2 as signature genes associated with AR’s inflammatory response, indicating their potential as AR biomarkers. The nomogram based on feature genes could offer clinical benefits to AR patients. We discovered two molecular subtypes, C1 and C2, and observed that the C2 subtype exhibited activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways.ConclusionsNFKBIA, HIF1A, MYC, and CCRL2 are the key genes involved in the inflammatory response and have the strongest association with the advancement of disease in AR. The proposed molecular subgroups could provide fresh insights for personalized treatment of AR.

An enhanced customer-user-account (eCUA) model was proposed.Based on the traditional three-household (customer, user, account) model in telecom industry, an enhanced customer-user-account model and its information framework was constructed by means of virtual digital human and decentralized identity technology, combined with the service demand of task-based computing power.With the globally unique identity, eCUA enables the traditional three-household model to have distributed and decentralized sharing capability.eCUA can solve the problem of information inconsistency in multi-account management, multi-source data synchronization, and multi-channel display of same-origin data.It can effectively support the closed-loop management of the whole process of computing power network business, such as computing power subscription, experience, ordering, and transaction operation.Therefore, the eCUA model proposed can be used as the main data reference frame of the integrated telecommunications service support system.

Objective: To explore the effect of CO2 laser combined with low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation on the early glottic laryngeal carcinoma. Methods: 70 patients with early glottic laryngeal carcinoma were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients (40 cases) in the control group were treated by CO2 laser. The patients in the combination group (30 cases) were treated by CO2 laser combined with low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation. Results: The postoperative recurrence rate in the combination group was notably decreased than the control group (P

Objective This study aims to determine outcomes and complications in functional reconstruction of soft tissue defects after surgical resection for soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) of extremities. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on patients with STSs of extremities from May 2015 to April 2019 who underwent radical resection of STSs and reconstruction of soft tissue defect with free vascularized anterolateral thigh flap (FVALTP). A minimum 3‐month follow‐up was required for all the patients. Patient demographics and comorbidities, flap characteristics, postoperative complications, and time to heal were recorded. The functional outcomes of the reconstructed limbs were assessed by the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society（MSTS） scoring system. Results A total of 11 patients (four males and seven females) were included in the study. The mean age was 62 years (range: 29–84 years). The mean surface area was 151.4 cm2 (range: from 64 cm2 to 418cm2). The mean operation time was 126 min (range: 95–296 min). The mean follow‐up was 17.5 months (range: 6–34 months). The mean score of MSTS at last follow‐up was 26.2 (range: 12–29). Incision healed by first intention in eight patients. Incision healed by second intention in three patients. A patient who had received preoperative radiotherapy experienced delayed union. After debridement, the patient successfully got union. Another two patients experienced marginal necrosis of flap due to vascular crisis. After 3‐week dressing changes, the patients also got satisfactory union. One case suffered from vascular crisis during surgery in which the procedure was changed into skin grafting to cover resection site. Conclusion FVALTP technique can be effectively applied to the reconstruction of soft tissue defect after STSs resection. The short‐term follow‐up indicated satisfactory functional outcome and low incidence of previously known complications. It was necessary to further validate its efficacy in reconstruction of soft tissue defect after malignant extremity soft tissue sarcoma resection.

P-Ehresmann semigroups introduced by Jones are natural generalizations of Ehresmann semigroups. The aim of this paper is to introduce and describe projection-primitive P-Ehresmann semigroups. More specifically, it is proved that a projection-primitive P-Ehresmann semigroup is either isomorphic to a Rees matrix semigroup over a monoid with some natural conditions or a generalized category with zero adjoined.

Objective To determine the clinical outcome and complications associated with use of free vascularized fibular graft (FVFG) in the resection and reconstruction of extremity osteosarcoma (OS). Methods This is a retrospective study recruiting a consecutive series of 18 patients who had undergone resection of extremity OS between May 2009 and June 2017 in our clinic center. Reconstruction of the bone defect with FVFG was performed for each patient. Surgery‐related complications and time of bone union were recorded at the follow‐up visit. The functional outcome of the reconstructed limb was assessed with the musculoskeletal tumor society (MSTS) scoring system. Patients were further classified into low extremity group and upper extremity group according to the tumor location. The Student t‐test was used to compare the surgical outcome between the two subgroups. Results There were 11 males and seven females with an average age of 25.9 ± 14.2 years. The mean length of the bone resection was 11.9 ± 4.1 cm. The mean follow‐up duration was 3.1 ± 1.2 years. As for tumor location, six cases were located in the femur, five in the tibia, four in the humerus, two in the ulna, and one in the radius. All the patients had successful graft healing at an average of 4.9 months after surgery. At the 2‐year follow‐up, an excellent functional outcome was observed in 88.9% of the patients (n = 16). The mean score of MSTS was 27.0 ± 4.6. Screw loosening and autograft fracture were observed in one patient with femur tumor, who had a low MSTS score of 11. Besides, there were three cases with delayed incision healing. Patients with lower extremity OS were found to have significantly longer duration of hospital stay and more blood loss than those with upper extremity OS. The incidence of postoperative complication was higher in the lower extremity group but with marginal significance (0% vs 36.3%, P = 0.1). There was no significant difference regarding time to bone union and the functional outcome as indicated by MSTS score. Conclusions FVFG technique can be effectively applied to the reconstruction of bone defects after OS resection with satisfactory functional outcome and low incidence of complications.

Considering the low indoor positioning accuracy and poor positioning stability of traditional machine-learning algorithms, an indoor-fingerprint-positioning algorithm based on weighted k-nearest neighbors (WKNN) and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) was proposed in this study. Firstly, the outliers in the dataset of established fingerprints were removed by Gaussian filtering to enhance the data reliability. Secondly, the sample set was divided into a training set and a test set, followed by modeling using the XGBoost algorithm with the received signal strength data at each access point (AP) in the training set as the feature, and the coordinates as the label. Meanwhile, such parameters as the learning rate in the XGBoost algorithm were dynamically adjusted via the genetic algorithm (GA), and the optimal value was searched based on a fitness function. Then, the nearest neighbor set searched by the WKNN algorithm was introduced into the XGBoost model, and the final predicted coordinates were acquired after weighted fusion. As indicated in the experimental results, the average positioning error of the proposed algorithm is 1.22 m, which is 20.26–45.58% lower than that of traditional indoor positioning algorithms. In addition, the cumulative distribution function (CDF) curve can converge faster, reflecting better positioning performance.

Background: The role of Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in the efficacy and toxicity of MTX-based therapy remains uncertain. Our purpose was to clarify whether these two polymorphisms are associated with the outcome of chemotherapy in a cohort of Chinese osteosarcoma (OS) patients treated by high-dose MTX. Methods: 109 OS patients who had sequentially received high-dose MTX therapy were included in this study. Plasma MTX level was measured routinely at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h after the administration of MTX. Two variants of MTHFR were genotyped using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assay, including rs1801133 (C667T) and rs1801131 (A1298C). The extent of toxicity induced by MTX, including hematological toxicity, hepatic toxicity, renal toxicity and mucositis, was scored from grade 1 to 4. Severe toxicity was defined as a grade score of ≥3. Patients were dichotomized as follows: grade 0.2 µmol/L for plasma MTX level at 72 h. The frequencies of genotypes and allele were compared between the dichotomized groups with the Chi-square test. Results: 24.8% (27/109) of the patients were found to have significantly high plasma MTX level at the 72 h. Patients with high MTX level at 72 h were found to have significantly higher frequency of genotype TT of rs1801133 (p = 0.002). As for rs1801131, no significant association was found with plasma MTX level. Patients with severe hepatic toxicity or mucositis were found to have remarkably higher incidence of genotype TT of rs1801133 than those with mild toxicity (33.3% vs. 14.8%, p = 0.04 for hepatic toxicity; 34.8% vs. 19.8%, p = 0.05 for mucositis). Conclusions: Variant rs1801133 was confirmed to have remarkable influence on the MTX-induced toxicity. We recommend identification of the genotype of MTHFR variant prior to the application of high-dose MTX to OS patients, which could be an important predictor to screen severe toxicities and thus improve treatment outcomes. Keywords: Osteosarcoma, MTX, Variants, MTHFR, Toxicity

Objectives: Previous pharmacogenetics studies showed that genetic variants could be indicative of the response to chemotherapy. We aimed to investigate whether variants of FasL, MSH2, ABCC5, CASP3 and CYP3A4 are associated with the outcome after chemotherapy-based treatment in osteosarcoma. Methods: 132 osteosarcoma patients who had completed the neoadjuvant chemotherapy in our center were included. 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) was assessed from the initial treatment to the earliest sign of disease progression or death from any cause. 5 SNPs were genotyped using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assay, including rs763110 of FasL, rs4638843 of MSH2, rs939338 of ABCC5, rs2720376 of CASP3 and rs4646437 of CYP3A4. Patients were classified into two groups according to the 5-year PFS (event/no event). The chi-square test was used to analyze difference of genotype frequency. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of the PFS rate. Results: The overall 5-year PFS was 61.4% (81/132). Genotype TT/CT of rs763110 and genotype GG/AG of rs939338 were significantly associated with the event of 5-year PFS (p = 0.028 for rs763110; p = 0.039 for rs939338). Patients with no risk allele showed a 5-year PFS of 73.7% (42/57), which was significantly higher than a PFS of 54.2% (26/48) for patients with one risk allele and 48.1% (13/27) for patients with two different risk alleles (p = 0.03). Logistic regression analysis showed that allele T of FasL rs763110 and allele G of ABCC5 rs939338 were independent risk factors of the 5-year PFS. The ORs were 2.14 (95%CI = 1.13–3.35, p = 0.01) for rs763110 and 1.73 (95%CI = 1.05–2.52, p = 0.03) for rs939338, respectively. Conclusions: The association of variants of FASL and ABCC5 with survival outcome after chemotherapy was validated in patients with osteosarcoma. Our findings may provide a new insight into a more personalized treatment for patients with osteosarcoma. Keywords: Pharmacogenetics, Osteosarcoma, Variants, FASL, ABCC5

Background: Previous studies showed that genetic variant rs145204276 in the promoter region of GAS5 was associated with the development of human cancer including colorectal cancer and hepatocellular cancer. This study aimed to investigate the role of rs145204276 in the development of osteosarcoma (OS). Methods: 132 OS patients and 1270 healthy controls were recruited for the genotyping analysis of rs145204276. Promoter methylation level of GAS5 was determined for all patients. The tumor tissues and the adjacent normal tissue were collected from 42 patients during surgery and the relative expression of GAS5 was then quantified by Real-time PCR. The Chi-square test was used to determine the difference of genotype and allele frequency between the patients and the controls. The gene expression and the percentage of methylation alleles were compared among different genotypes of rs145204276 with One-way ANOVA test. Results: Compared with the controls, patients were found to have significantly lower rate of genotype del/del (7.6% vs. 8.7%, p = 0.024). The frequency of allele del was significantly lower in the patients than in the controls (23.5% vs. 30.1%, p = 0.021). Compared with than patients with genotype ins/ins, those with genotype del/del had remarkably higher expression of GAS5 (0.0033 ± 0.0019 vs. 0.0018 ± 0.0006, p

Aim: Recurrence of giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) in the soft tissue is rarely seen in the clinical practice. This study aims to determine the prevalence of soft tissue recurrence of GCTB, and to characterize its radiographic features. Methods: A total of 291 patients treated by intralesional curettage for histologically diagnosed GCTB were reviewed. 6 patients were identified to have the recurrence of GCTB in the soft tissue, all of whom had undergone marginal resection of the lesion. Based on the x-ray, CT and MRI imaging, the radiographic features of soft tissue recurrence were classified into 3 types. Type I was defined as soft tissue recurrence with peripheral ossification, type II was defined as soft tissue recurrence with central ossification, and type III was defined as pure soft tissue recurrence without ossification. Demographic data including period of recurrence and follow-up duration after the second surgery were recorded for these 6 patients. Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scoring system was used to evaluate functional outcomes. Results: The overall recurrence rate was 2.1% (6/291). The mean interval between initial surgery and recurrence was 11.3 ± 4.1 months (range, 5â17). The recurrence lesions were located in the thigh of 2 patients, in the forearm of 2 patients and in the leg of the other 2 patients. According to the classification system mentioned above, 2 patients were classified with type I, 1 as type II and 3 as type III. After the marginal excision surgery, all patients were consistently followed up for a mean period of 13.4 ± 5.3 months (range, 6â19), with no recurrence observed at the final visit. All the patients were satisfied with the surgical outcome. According to the MSTS scale, the mean postoperative functional score was 28.0 ± 1.2 (range, 26â29). Conclusions: The classification of soft tissue recurrence of GCTB may be helpful for the surgeon to select the appropriate imaging procedure to detect the recurrence. In addition, the marginal resection can produce a favorable outcome for the patients. Keywords: Giant cell tumor of bone, Recurrence, Prevalence, Radiographic features

Abstract Background The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scoring system is a disease-specific instrument to determine the physical and mental health for patients with extremity sarcoma. This study aims to investigate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the MSTS, and to evaluate functional outcomes of the surgical treatment of lower extremity sarcoma using the Chinese MSTS. Methods A cohort of 98 patients who had undergone surgery for lower extremity sarcoma were included. All the patients completed the clinical assessment with the Chinese MSTS and the Chinese Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS). Assessment of psychometric properties was carried out through reliability and validity test. The reliability of Chinese MSTS was evaluated through test-retest analysis, inter-observer analysis and internal consistency. The inter-observer and test-retest reliability was analyzed with intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). The internal consistency was evaluated by Cronbach’s α, with a value >0.70 considered acceptable. The discriminant validity was evaluated through comparison of the MSTS score between patients undergoing amputation surgeries and those undergoing limb-salvage surgeries. The construct validity was evaluated with the factor analysis. Results The mean MSTS score was 21.5 ± 7.1. The ICC was 0.91 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.85–0.96) for the test-retest reliability and 0.90 (95% CI = 0.86–0.93) for the inter-observer analysis. The test for internal consistency showed a Cronbach’s α of 0.86 for the MSTS. Patients undergoing amputation surgery had remarkably lower MSTS score than patients undergoing limb-salvage surgeries (18.8 ± 5.4 vs. 23.5 ± 6.3, p = 0.005), which indicated a good discrinimant validity of the Chinese MSTS. The factor analysis indicated a 1-factor model with acceptable goodness of fit. Conclusions The Chinese MSTS scoring system is a reliable and valid instrument with well-accepted psychometric properties. Through application of the Chinese MSTS, we demonstrated that patients receiving limb-salvage surgeries may have better functional outcome and QoL than those undergoing amputation surgeries.

Objectives: Previous genome-wide association study showed that GLDC/IL33 loci were associated with overall survival in patients with osteosarcoma (OS). We performed a replication study to explore whether variants of GLDC/IL33 are associated with the survival of OS patients and to further verify their functional role in the gene expression. Methods: A total of 216 patients with OS were enrolled. The overall survival time was calculated from the date of diagnosis till the date of last follow-up or mortality. Two SNPs were genotyped, including rs55933544 and rs74438701. OS specimens were obtained from 72 patients during surgery. The gene expression level of IL33 and GLDC was evaluated by qPCR. Patients were classified into two groups according to the 5-year overall survival (death/survival). The chi-square test was used to analyze difference of genotype frequency. The Student t-test was used to compare the gene expression level between different genotypes. Cumulative survival time was calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method and analyzed by the log-rank test. Results: Genotype TT of rs55933544 was significantly associated with the event of death (0.176 vs. 0.061, p

For a long time, the development of maritime communication has been restricted by the low data rate, high-latency and high cost of the current communication systems. The upgrade of new generation mobile communication technologies is attracting more and more attention to conduct a shore-based broadband mobile communication network with high-latency and high reliability to serve the maritime industries. This paper presents a solution by means of building a ship-to-infrastructure (S2I) and a ship-to-ship (S2S) wireless communication networks for an offshore region. We characterize the S2I and S2S channels at 5.9 GHz band based on the channel measurements in realistic environments. The channel characteristics, including power delay profile, delay spread, propagation path loss, are extracted and analyzed. In view of the difference between marine and terrestrial communications, we analyze the influencing factors of the offshore water, including effective reflection, divergence and shadowing from the water surface, and diffraction loss caused by the earth curvature. We also predict the power coverage range and the channel capacity for S2I and S2S wireless communications. Finally, the communication performance is evaluated according to the channel measurement and characterization analysis. The research results can be a reference for the construction of maritime communication networks.

The aim of this paper is to investigate the lattices of group fuzzy congruences and normal fuzzy subsemigroups on E-inversive semigroups. We prove that group fuzzy congruences and normal fuzzy subsemigroups determined each other in E-inversive semigroups. Moreover, we show that the set of group t-fuzzy congruences and the set of normal subsemigroups with tip t in a given E-inversive semigroup form two mutually isomorphic modular lattices for every t∈0,1.

A *-band is a triple (B,.,°) in which (B,.) is an idempotent semigroup and o : S→S is a map satisfying the axioms: xx°x = x, x°° = x, (xy)° = y°x°. A *-band is called a normal -band if it also satisfies the axiom zyzwxzyw. For a given -band (B,.,°), one can obtain its Hall semigroup WB and Jones semigroир Тв. In this note, we show that WB≅TB for any normal -band (B,.,°). This partially solves a problem raised by Shoufeng Wang and Kar Ping Shum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]