Prediction of COVID-19 Data Using Hybrid Modeling Approaches.

A major emphasis is the dissemination of COVID-19 across the country's many regions and provinces. Using the present COVID-19 pandemic as a guide, the researchers suggest a hybrid model architecture for analyzing and optimizing COVID-19 data during the complete country. The analysis of COVID-19's exploration and death rate uses an ARIMA model with susceptible-infectious-removed and susceptible-exposed-infectious-removed (SEIR) models. The logistic model's failure to forecast the number of confirmed diagnoses and the snags of the SEIR model's too many tuning parameters are both addressed by a hybrid model method. Logistic regression (LR), Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average Model (ARIMA), support vector regression (SVR), multilayer perceptron (MLP), Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN), Gate Recurrent Unit (GRU), and long short-term memory (LSTM) are utilized for the same purpose. Root mean square error, mean absolute error, and mean absolute percentage error are used to show these models. New COVID-19 cases, the number of quarantines, mortality rates, and the deployment of public self-protection measures to reduce the epidemic are all outlined in the study's findings. Government officials can use the findings to guide future illness prevention and control choices.

COVID-19's Impact on China's Strategic Emerging Industries: An Observation of Policy Difficulties.

The study investigates the influence of the COVID-19 on the rate of R&D investment and foreign exchange development of China's most important emerging industry firms. From 2010 to 2020, data were collected from 26 locations across China, focusing on seven different types of critical creating companies. To analyze the data, we have applied Fourier Increased Unit Root Test, Granger causality assessments test, Pattern Assessment test, Poisson pseudo most excellent probability (PPML) approach, Wald test, and Regression analysis test. The results of the tests reveal a clear underlying association among COVID-19 relates Chinese exports and imports. COVID-19's instant effects on imports and exports lack working capital have been calculated, but the short-term, medium-to-long-term products are composite and unidentified. The article result main results are following: (i) The COVID-19 impacts the R&D investment is main industries like as high-end equipment industry, new materials industry, and new-era data innovation. (ii) The COVID-19 highly affects the imports and exports development network of Chinese strategic emerging industries which emphasizes cross-industry grouping features. The study provides the guidance to the future researchers to focus on COVID-19 affects on the strategic emerging industries of developed and underdeveloped countries to determine of foreign direct investment inflow and unemployment growth rates. JEL: G20, O10, O40.

Numerical modelling of magnetic characteristics of ferrite core taking account of both eddy current and displacement current.

In the magnetic field analysis of magnetic devices using a ferrite core, such as a pulse transformer, the frequency-domain analysis is often carried out using the measured complex permeability under different frequency range. However, the nonlinear magnetic characteristics cannot be considered in the frequency-domain analysis because of the harmonics caused by it cannot be represented. The nonlinear magnetic characteristics can be considered in the time-domain analysis, but suitable constant conductivity and permittivity taking account of the microstructure of ferrite core, which can represent the measured complex permeability under different frequencies, needs to be investigated for the time-domain analysis. In this paper, the effective permeability of a toroidal ferrite core is tried to be demonstrated by using the linear ac steady state magnetic field analysis taking account eddy currents and displacement currents. It is shown that the measured permeability can be realized roughly by using the modified constant conductivity and permittivity. The nonlinear time-domain magnetic field analysis can be carried out using the modified constant conductivity and permittivity obtained from this paper.

Erratum to "Numerical modelling of magnetic characteristics of ferrite core taking account of both eddy current and displacement current" [Heliyon Volume 5, Issue 8, August 2019, e02229].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02229.].

Efficacy and Safety of Transurethral Photoselective Greenlight(™) Laser Vaporization for the Treatment of Orthotopic Ureteroceles in Adults.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of transurethral photoselective Greenlight(™) laser vaporization in adult patients with orthotopic ureterocele. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty adult patients diagnosed with orthotopic urecterocele were recruited at our center. Transurethral photoselective Greenlight laser vaporization was used as the exclusive technique for endoscopic management during the study period. Information, including age, gender, mode of presentation, ureterocele size, vesicoureteral reflux, hydronephrosis status, and incidence of reoperation, were collected for evaluation. RESULTS: Our series included 12 men and 18 women. The mean patient age at presentation was 30.5 years (range, 18-62 years). The mean size of ureterocele was 18 mm (range, 10-41 mm). All patients successfully underwent transurethral photoselective Greenlight laser to vaporize the ureterocele. The operation ranged from 13 min to 38 min (mean 19.6 min). The average blood loss was <10 mL. No patient had intraoperative complications. The average postoperative hospital stay was 18.3 h. All patients were voided after postoperative catheter removal. None of the patients demonstrated any residual ureterocele and/or hydronephrosis when evaluated with ultrasonography after 3 months. Only one patient with a duplex collecting system presented asymptomatic low-grade reflux at 3 months, which was spontaneously resolved after 6 months of follow-up. All patients were free of any symptoms. No reoperative procedures were required at a mean follow-up of 14.2 months (range, 8-16). CONCLUSIONS: Transurethral photoselective Greenlight laser vaporization is safe, effective, and efficient for the management of orthotopic urecteroceles in adults. Therefore, this technique should be considered as the initial treatment in most patients.

Comparing the treatment outcomes of potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser vaporization and transurethral electroresection for primary nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer: A prospective, randomized study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In urology, potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser is mainly used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with a low rate of intraoperative and postoperative complications. A prospective, randomized study was undertaken to investigate the treatment outcomes of KTP laser vaporization for primary non-muscle-invasive bladder tumors (NMIBTs) as compared with conventional monopolar transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was designed as a prospective, randomized trial. After institutional review board approval, 229 consecutive patients with NMIBTs were randomized to 2 groups. Among them, 116 patients underwent KTP laser vaporization of a bladder tumor (laser group) and 113 patients underwent standard transurethral electroresection of the bladder tumors using monopolar loop electrode (TURBT group). According to the prognostic factors for recurrence, all patients were divided into low, intermediate or high risk subgroups. The clinical data were recorded and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients in laser group and 94 in TURBT group were evaluable for the study end points. The preoperative characteristics of the patients were comparable in the two groups. There was no statistical difference in operation time between the two groups. Patients in the laser group had fewer perioperative complications and more patients needed bladder irrigation in the TURBT group. Compared with laser group, patients in the TURBT group had longer catheterization time and hospitalization duration. There were no statistical differences in the oncologic results in term of 2-year recurrence rates as compared between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that using KTP laser, transurethral vaporization is an effective and safe treatment for the patients with primary NMIBT. Compared with traditional TURBT, the KTP laser surgery had fewer perioperative complications and similar oncological results.

Impact of 160 W Greenlight laser vaporization of the prostate on erectile function: a prospective randomized controlled trial with 1-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the impact of 160 W Greenlight laser vaporization of the prostate on erectile function by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) in 1-year follow-up in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BACKGROUND DATA: Although high-power Greenlight laser has greatly improved the efficiency of vaporization of the prostate, the impact of it on erectile function remains uncertain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 80 BPH patients with normal erectile function or mild erectile dysfunction (IIEF-5 ≥12) were included in this study. They were randomly assigned to two equal groups: 80 or 160 W. Both groups were compared regarding all relevant preoperative, operative, and postoperative parameters. Urinary function in terms of International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL) score, maximum flow rate (Qmax), and residual urinary volume (RUV) were evaluated at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Erectile function was evaluated by IIEF-5 at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of the two groups were comparable. Mean operative time was significantly shorter for the 160 W group. Urinary function in terms of IPSS, QOL, Qmax, and RUV were all significantly improved over baseline in both groups. There were no significant differences in these urinary functional parameters between the two groups at any point of follow-up. IIEF-5 scores of both groups significantly decreased at 3 months postoperatively compared with baseline, but at 6 and 12 months postoperatively, IIEF-5 score of either group increased to baseline, and was not different from baseline. At any point of follow-up, IIEF-5 scores of the two groups were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Greenlight laser (160 W) vaporization of the prostate will not increase the risk of impairing erectile function.

A prospective, randomized controlled trial of circumcision in adult males using the CO2 laser: modified technique compared with the conventional dorsal-slit technique.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of a modified CO2 laser technique for circumcision in adult males as compared with the conventional dorsal-slit method. BACKGROUND DATA: Circumcision is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the world. Although present techniques produce a good long-term result, there is a continuing need to improve the safety and efficacy of the circumcision procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were analyzed from a prospective randomized controlled clinical study comparing two different operative techniques for adult circumcision: the modified CO2 laser circumcision technique, and the conventional dorsal-slit technique. A total of 300 patients >18 years of age were recruited in this study. Several perioperative data, including age, indications, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, complications, and postoperative pain were analyzed. Differences between the CO2 laser technique and the conventional technique were compared. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in age distribution and indications between the two groups. Compared with the conventional group, there were shorter operative time, less blood loss and lower postoperative complication rate in the laser group. The CO2 laser technique was associated with much less pain, as quantitated by a 10 point visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score at both 1 day and 7 days postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The modified CO2 laser technique that we introduced offers a simple, safe, faster, and effective alternative method to the conventional technique in adult male circumcision, with decreased blood loss, pain, and complications.

[Follow-up observation of photoselective vaporization of prostate for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia within five years].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safty of photoselective vaporization of prostate (PVP) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with obstruction within 5 years. METHODS: From December 2004 to December 2009, there were 782 cases have been except for neurogenic bladder dysfunction and prostate cancer, who received PVP surgical treatment of BPH. The surgical conditions and postoperative follow-up data were recorded and the follow-up cut-off time for surgery after 5 years. RESULTS: A total of 782 patients with BPH who underwent PVP were included in this retrospective study. The operation in 740 cases was successfully completed at one time. But in other 42 cases, the twice operation was performed. The mean operation time was (85 ± 38) minutes, and the mean energy delivery was (355 ± 124) kJ. The mean catheterization and postoperative hospitalization time was (2.3 ± 1.7) days and (5.2 ± 2.6) days, respectively. No severe intraoperative complications were observed. The mean follow-up was (44.1 ± 19.3) months. The shortest follow-up was 6 months. The longest follow-up was 5 years. Complete follow-up data were available for 398 of the 782 patients. Of the 398 patients followed up for 5 years, the mean international prostate symptom score after 5 years was 12.8 ± 6.9, quality of life score was 2.2 ± 1.6, maximal flow rate was (14.5 ± 2.4) ml/s, and residual urine volume was 58 ml (M50). The retreatment rate because of BPH was 2.3% (9/398). Urethral stricture and bladder neck contracture were observed in 1.5% and 0.5% of the patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PVP has demonstrated remarkably consistent results for objective and subjective voiding parameters. Its late complication is rare and retreatment rate is low.

Synthesis of chitosan-stabilized gold nanoparticles by atmospheric plasma.

We report a facile method to prepare gold nanoparticles by atmospheric plasma. Chitosan, was used as a stabilizing agent and gold precursor. In chitosan solution was reduced by atmospheric plasma at room temperature. We find the plasma treatment is effective for reducing the gold precursor and the process only takes minutes. The obtained gold nanoparticles were characterized with UV-vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that the morphology and size distribution of gold nanoparticles prepared varied with treatment time and the ratio of chitosan to precursor metal salts. Additionally, a preliminary study on air component analysis indicated that the moisture in air plays an important role in producing the active ingredient for the production of gold nanoparticles.

[Endourethral surgery for 46 cases of the complicated urethra stenosis and urethratresia].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the endourethral surgery for the complicated urethra stenosis and urethratresia. METHODS: The endourethral surgery, such as internal urethrotomy transurethral scar electrosectomy or transurethral scar plasmakinetic bipolar electrocautery (PKR) or transurethral laser cicatrectomy, were carried out in 46 cases suffering from the complicated urethra stenosis and urethratresia. RESULTS: The curative rate in this series being achieved by once and twice or three times'operation were 80.43% (39/46) and 13.04% (6/46) respectively. Three cases of treatment failure were caused by long-segment stricture and urethratresia or severe malposition of the urethral proximal and distal to a narrow-caliber area or post-operation infection. Thirty-nine cases have been followed up for 6 to 84 months. Satisfactory voiding has been achieved in all patients. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic surgery was believed to be a safe and efficient therapeutic choice for the complicated urethra stenosis and urethratresia. The success of the treatment depends on understanding the length of the stricture before operation, resecting completely the scar tissue with electric or PKR or laser technique during the process, preventing infection and managing appropriately the urethral catheterization after operation.