It is well established the complex exponential and logarithm are multivalued functions, both failing to maintain most identities originally valid over the positive integers domain. Moreover the general case of complex logarithm, with a complex base, is hardly mentionned in mathematic litterature. We study the exponentiation and logarithm as binary operations where all operands are complex. In a redefined complex number system using an extension of the C field, hereafter named E, we prove both operations always produce single value results and maintain the validity of identities such as log_u (w v) = log_u (w) + log_u (v) where u, v, w in E. There is a cost as some algebraic properties of the addition and subtraction will be diminished, though remaining valid to a certain extent. In order to handle formulas in a C and E dual number system, we introduce the notion of set precision and set truncation. We show complex numbers as defined in C are insufficiently precise to grasp all subtleties of some complex operations, as a result multivaluation, identity failures and, in specific cases, wrong results are obtained when computing exclusively in C. A geometric representation of the new complex number system is proposed, in which the complex plane appears as an orthogonal projection, and where the complex logarithm and exponentiation can be simply represented. Finally we attempt an algebraic formalization of E.

In this work we develop a new algorithm for efficient computation of the Voigt/complex error function. In particular, in this approach we propose a two-domain scheme where number of the grid-points is dependent on the input parameter $y$. The error analysis we performed shows that the MATLAB implementation meets the requirements for radiative transfer applications involving the HITRAN spectroscopic database. The run-time test shows that this MATLAB implementation provides rapid computation especially at smaller range of the parameter x.

We explore the field equations in a 4-d complex space-time, in the same way, that general relativity does for our usual 4-d real space-time, forming this way, a new "general relativity" in C⁴ space-time, free of sources. Afterwards, by embedding our usual 4-d real space-time in C⁴ space-time, we describe geometrically the energy-momentum tensor T_μν as the lost geometric information of this embedding. We further give possible explanation of dark eld and dark energy.

We explore the possibility to nd the usual quantum theories, within the formulation of a classic theory of mechanics in C⁴. Specically, by releasing the end-point of the integral of the action derived in C⁴, we derive the dynamic path length of the geodesic equation in C⁴. In the at case, the derived Hamilton-Jacobi equations, were identied as the usual Klein-Gordon equation, where the complex functional action S(z_i), is identied as the usual complex scalar field φ. Afterwards, we study the energy-momentum 4-d complex vector, in order to re-establish the usual covariant derivative of gauge theories.

Maxwell equation for the electric field has been solved for any medium by suggesting the wavenumber and angular frequency be complex quantities. This accounts for the field decay by interaction with the medium.This expression for the time and special decay of the electric field in a medium is used to construct a new wave function sensitive to the medium physical properties. This new wave function, unlike the conventional one, differentiates between a beam of particles in a vacuum and that enters a medium which is an attenuated due to the scattering effect.Another expression for time decaying electric field was obtained using Newton’s laws for frictional medium. This expression shows that the electric field diminishes due to friction.Fortunately, this time decaying part of the electric field is typical to that derived from Maxwell’s equations. Finally, a new Schrodinger equation sensitive to the medium properties was derived. This equation, fortunately, describes some scattering processes for Protein scattering, scattering of x-rays, opto-acoustic phonons, and Raman scattering for some materials successfully .

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is an enigmatic condition characterized by exacerbation of symptoms after exertion (post-exertional malaise or “PEM”), and by fatigue whose severity and associated requirement for rest are excessive and disproportionate to the fatigue-inducing activity. There is no definitive molecular marker or known underlying pathological mechanism for the condition. Increasing evidence for aberrant energy metabolism suggests a role for mitochondrial dysfunction in ME/CFS. Our objective was therefore to measure mitochondrial function and cellular stress sensing in actively metabolising patient blood cells. We immortalized lymphoblasts isolated from 51 ME/CFS patients diagnosed according to the Canadian Consensus Criteria and an age- and gender-matched control group. Parameters of mitochondrial function and energy stress sensing were assessed by Seahorse extracellular flux analysis, proteomics, and an array of additional biochemical assays. As a proportion of the basal oxygen consumption rate (OCR), the rate of ATP synthesis by Complex V was significantly reduced in ME/CFS lymphoblasts, while significant elevations were observed in Complex I OCR, maximum OCR, spare respiratory capacity, nonmitochondrial OCR and “proton leak” as a proportion of the basal OCR. This was accompanied by a reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, chronically hyperactivated TOR Complex I stress signalling and upregulated expression of mitochondrial respiratory complexes, fatty acid transporters and enzymes of the β-oxidation and TCA cycles. By contrast, mitochondrial mass and genome copy number, as well as glycolytic rates and steady state ATP levels were unchanged. Our results suggest a model in which ME/CFS lymphoblasts have a Complex V defect accompanied by compensatory upregulation of their respiratory capacity that includes the mitochondrial respiratory complexes, membrane transporters and enzymes involved in fatty acid β-oxidation. This homeostatically returns ATP synthesis and steady state levels to “normal” in the resting cells, but may leave them unable to adequately respond to acute increases in energy demand as the relevant homeostatic pathways are already activated.

Matrices and their inverses allow accurate calculations to be produced quickly and compactly and can be used to control any process represented by a system of equations. Singular matrices require extensive workarounds (costing time and money) to solve these systems of equations because they have no inverse. Finding their inverse involves division by zero. Nevertheless, recently a new number set called semi-structured complex numbers was developed to enable division by zero in algebraic equations. The aim of this research was to demonstrate that the inverse of a singular matrix can be found using semi-structured complex numbers. This research reveals (1) Singular matrices and their inverses can be used to find a unique solution to a pair of simultaneous equations that appear to have infinitely many solutions or appear to have no solution; (2) Singular matrices map coordinates in projective space to coordinates in Euclidean space and their inverse maps coordinates in Euclidean space to coordinates in projective space; (3) the inverse of a singular matrix proves that parallel lines in Euclidean space do not intersect but in projective space intersect at a “point at infinity” and (4) collinear lines that intersect at infinitely many points in Euclidean space only intersect at one point in projective space.

The bipartite entanglement is comprehensively investigated in the mononuclear molecular complex (Et3NH)[Ni(hfac)2L], where HL denotes 2-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-nitrophenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-3-oxide-1-oxyl and hfacH stands for hexafluoroacetylacetone. From the magnetic point of view, the molecular compound (Et3NH)[Ni(hfac)2L] consists of an exchange-coupled spin-1 Ni2+ magnetic ion and a spin-12 nitronyl-nitroxide radical substituted nitrophenol. The nickel-radical molecular complex affords an experimental realization of a mixed spin-(12, 1) Heisenberg dimer with a strong antiferromagnetic exchange coupling J/kB= 505 K and two distinct g-factors gRad=2.005 and gNi=2.275. By adopting this set of magnetic parameters we demonstrate that the Zeeman splitting of a quantum ferrimagnetic ground-state doublet due to a weak magnetic field may substantially reinforce the strength of bipartite entanglement at low temperatures. The molecular compound (Et3NH)[Ni(hfac)2L] maintains sufficiently strong thermal entanglement even at room temperature, vanishing only above 546 K. Specifically, the thermal entanglement in the nickel-radical molecular complex retains approximately 40% of the maximum value corresponding to perfectly entangled Bell states at room temperature, which implies that this magnetic compound provides suitable platform of a molecular qubit with potential implications for room-temperature quantum computation and quantum information processing.

Real and complex analytic functions are largely studied in the field of complex analysis and are seen as very useful tools in solving problems in mathematics, physics and engineering. Real and complex numbers are a subset of semi-structured complex numbers (a new number set created to algebraically solve division by zero). Nevertheless, the properties of analytic functions made up of semi-structured complex variables (called semi-structured complex analytic functions) is yet to be explored. This limits the range of possible problems that can be resolved using analytic functions). In this regard, the aim of this paper was to expound upon the properties of semi-structured complex analytic functions and show their application in solving engineering problems. The results of this paper included (1) developing a full set of Cauchy–Riemann Equations for the semi-structured complex -space; (2) define sufficient and necessary conditions for a semi-structured complex function to be analytic; (3) determine the relationship between semi-structured complex analytic functions, Laplace’s Equations and Poisson’s Equations; and (5) provide an example of the use of these functions.

The complex adaptive systems (CAS) research study investigates into the theoretical link of a sustained economic growth as a critical pathway to lift people out of poverty and improve their quality of life. The results show a left-skewed global behavior of an economy-driven human development of 189 countries with 20% or 27 countries obtaining low human development; 80% or 162 countries obtaining medium to very high human development of which 21.16% or 39 countries with medium HDI, 53 or 28.04% or 53 countries with high HDI, and 31.22% or 59 countries with very high HDI. Using the Log (GDP) for visual transformation, closer investigation into the scatterplot diagram reveals that there are also bimodal patterns where countries in the high amplitude and low amplitude groups obtained different human development outcomes despite less or more on economic growth variances mirror on the government policy priorities resulting in four differentiating conditions. Very few countries experience virtuous cycles where both growth and human development are successful; few countries with vicious cycles where both are weak; and many countries with lopsided conditions where the economy is strong but human development is weak, or conversely ones where human development is strong but the economy is weak. The global pattern of economy and human development illustrated by an upward sinusoid or sine wave refutes the conventional linear approach. Uniquely and most importantly, the sinusoidal wave illustrates a decreasing amplitude and decreasing periods as countries manifest apparently complex behaviors that emerge as a result of often nonlinear spatio-temporal interactions among a large number of component systems at different levels of organizations and governments leading to an emergence of a behavior characterizing of a complex adaptive system.

In this paper we explore how we can use catchment resilience as a unifying concept to manage and regulate catchments, using structured reviews to support our perspective. River catchments are physical boundaries which delineate where all surface water (e.g. precipitation, snow, meltwater) falling on a piece of land runs off or flows to a single point at a lower elevation, where the river meets a larger body of water (e.g. sea, lake). Catchments are complex systems with interrelated natural, social, and technical aspects. The exposure, vulnerability, and resilience of these aspects (separately and in combination) are the latent conditions which when triggered by a specific hazard, result in catchment impacts. In complex catchment systems, resilience is the ability to bounce-back, the ability to absorb, and the ability to transform. When all three abilities are accounted for, we are forced to consider the interactions of the catchment system. Six main complexity concepts can be used to frame how we approach evaluating catchment resilience. These concepts are: natural-social-technical aspects, interactions, spatial scales, time scales, multiple forms of evidence, and uncertainty. In analysing these complexity concepts we have found that there are several gaps in current practice. For example critical interactions which need further methodological study are the linkages between the natural-social-technical realms, as well as across spatial scales (e.g. households or communities) and time scales (e.g. days or years). Requirements for future methodological approaches are suggested. Central to these is (1) the study of interactions linking the short- to medium-term time scales (2) better integration of bottom-up and top-down approaches, to link local context with higher-level decision-making, and (3) developing ‘hazard-agnostic’ methods which can address the impacts of floods, droughts – even acknowledging dormant ‘socio-technical hazards’. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to catchment resilience. Mixed method approaches are required and their selection will depend on contextual issues identified early in the process for specific catchments. Central to any effective approach is the incorporation of a linking systems or interaction analysis, which draws together the natural-social-technical system in a meaningful way. If our approaches do not begin to acknowledge the interdependencies and interactions, we may miss substantial opportunities to enhance catchment resilience.

Background: Acute injuries of the hamstring muscle complex (HMC) Type 3b (interfascicle / bundle-tear) are frequently observed in various sports disciplines both in elite and recreational sport. The treatment of choice of acute HMC injuries Type 3b is a progressive physiotherapeutic exercise program. Besides this, there is currently only insufficient scientific evidence to support other treatment methods, including local infiltrations and injections of platelet-rich-plasma. Very recently it was demonstrated that extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) may accelerate regeneration after acute skeletal muscle injury. The aim of the present study is to test the hypothesis that the combination of radial ESWT (rESWT) and a specific rehabilitation program (RP) is effective and safe in treatment of acute HMC injury Type 3b in athletes, and is statistically significantly more effective than the combination of sham-rESWT and RP. Methods/Design: We will perform a double blind, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial at the clinic KinEf Kinesiología Deportiva, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Fourty patients with acute HMC injury Type 3b will be randomly allocated to receive either rESWT (nine rESWT sessions; three sessions per week; 2500 radial extracorporeal shock waves (rESWs) per session; energy density depending on what the patient tolerates) or sham-rESWT. In addition, all patients will receive a specific rehabilitation program that will last for eight weeks. The primary outcome measure will be the individual time (days) necessary to return to play. Secondary outcomes will include the presence or absence of reinjury during a time period of six months after inclusion into the study. Discussion: Because of the lack of adequate treatment options for acute HMC injury Type 3b in athletes and particularly the high reinjury rate, we hypothesize that the results of this trial will be of importance and have impact on clinical practice. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT03473899. Registered March 22, 2018.

This study delves into the atmospheric corrosion behavior of chromium-free complex-phase steel (CP), specifically investigating the influence of wet/dry frequency and ratio in cyclic corrosion tests (CCT). The study employs a modified ISO 14993 standard CCT method, which involves salt spray, dry, and wet stages. After 15 and 30 CCT cycles, mass loss, maximum corrosion depth, and corrosion products were analyzed to gain insights into corrosion mechanisms. In general, increasing the frequency and wet/dry stage ratio in CCT extends the time for autocatalytic reactions to occur, leading to accelerated localized CP corrosion and increased pitting factors. However, as the rust layer thickens, uniform corrosion may also intensify, so careful considerations are necessary. This study underscores the importance of controlling the frequency and ratio of wet/dry stages in CCT for effectively analyzing localized corrosion behavior in specimens.

Low-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is used to extract the EPR parameter A-mid and support the approximate X-band value of g-mid for Ba(Co_yZn_1/3-yTa_2/3)O₃. Although cobalt hyperfine structure for the [+/−1/2> state is often unresolved at X-band or S-band, it is resolved in measurements on this compound. This allows for detailed analysis of the molecular orbital for the [+/−1/2> state, which is often the ground state. Moreover, this work shows that the EPR parameters for Co substituted into Zn compounds gives important insight into the properties of zinc binding sites.

Probability is an open question in the ontological interpretation of quantum mechanics. It has been discussed in some trajectory interpretations such as Bohmian mechanics and stochastic mechanics. New questions arise when the domain of probability extends to the complex space, including the generation of complex trajectories, the definition of the complex probability, the relation of the complex probability to the real quantum probability, and so on. The complex treatment proposed here applies the optimal quantum guidance law to derive the stochastic differential (SD) equation governing the particle’s random motions in the complex plane. The ensemble of the complex quantum random trajectories (CQRTs) solved from the complex SD equation is used to construct the probability distribution ρc(t,x,y) of the particle’s position over the complex plane z=x+iy. The correctness of the obtained complex probability is confirmed by the solution of the complex Fokker-Planck equation. The significant contribution of the complex probability is that it can be used to reconstruct both quantum probability and classical probability, and to clarify their relationship. Although quantum probability and classical probability are both defined on the real axis, they are obtained by projecting complex probability onto the real axis in different ways. This difference explains why the quantum probability cannot exactly converge to the classical probability when the quantum number is large.

With the development of higher voltage power grid, the high and low voltage parallel loops are emerging, which lead to energy losses, even threaten the security and stability of power system. The multi-infeed HVDC configurations widely appearing in AC/DC interconnected power system make this situation even worse. Aimed at energy saving and system security, a decision optimization method for power grid operating condition with high and low voltage parallel loops is proposed in this paper. Firstly, considering hub substation distribution and power grid structure, parallel loop opening schemes are generated with GN algorithm. Then, candidate opening schemes are preliminarily selected from all these generated schemes based on a filtering index. Finally, with the influence on power system security, stability and operation economy in consideration, an evaluation model for candidate opening schemes is founded based on analytic hierarchy process (AHP). And a fuzzy evaluation algorithm is used to find the optimal scheme. Simulation results of New England 39-bus system and an actual power system validate the effectiveness and superiority of this proposed method.

For a subject suffering from complex post-traumatic stress disorder, a psychological intervention program was designed, monitored in real-time during psychotherapy, and evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively after psychotherapy. One male subject participated in this program under consent. The proposed intervention program was designed using cognitive behavioral therapy and stabilization treatments for body-based sensory processes in four sessions of 90 min each. During psychotherapy, a wearable heart sensor and a communication application were utilized to determine the subject’s current psychological state. After the intervention, the effect of the proposed program was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using the Impact of Event Scale–Revised (IES-R-K), Athens insomnia scale (AIS), and heart rate variability (HRV). After the intervention program was conducted, the subject reconstructed his traumatic events and trained himself with certain psychological techniques to decrease his negative thoughts and emotions induced by his previous traumatic events. The IES-R-K and AIS ten months after the last session were changed positively by approximately 25% compared with the subject’s state before the first session. During psychotherapy, the HRV exhibited a significant correlation with the subject’s emotional state. The proposed intervention program induced a positive change in the subject. Although the HRV was well utilized in this investigation, more sophisticated statistical analysis will be required for clinical trials.

Scientific theories on the functioning and dysfunction of the human brain require a good understanding of both its development — before and after birth, and through maturation to adulthood — and its evolution from the ancestral primate brain. Adopting a complex-systems approach, here we propose that the apparent uniqueness of humans’ cognitive capacities might best be understood as emerging from multiple nested “virtuous cycles.” In particular, we propose that the intimate link that exists between oxygen metabolic loops, cortical expansion, and ultimately cognitive and social demands is a key driver of genetic developmental programs for the human brain. Overall, our proposed evolutionary model makes explicit mechanistic links between metabolism, molecular and cellular brain heterogeneity, and behaviour that may in time provide a clearer understanding of brain developmental trajectories and their disorders.

A good recommender system can infer customers’ preferences based on their historical purchase records, and recommend products that the customers may be interested in, saving them a lot of time and energy. For enterprises, it is difficult to recommend accurately to each customer, and the bad recommendation may be counterproductive. Customer loyalty is an indicator that measures the preference relationship between customers and products in the field of marketing. A hypothesis is proposed in this study: if companies can divide customers into different groups based on customer loyalty, the recommendation effect on certain groups is better than that on overall customers. In this study, customer loyalty is measured by four features of the RFML model. All customers are viewed as points on a four-dimensional space, which are clustered by the k-means model. Two recommendation algorithms based on complex networks are tested: recommendation algorithm based on bipartite graph and PersonalRank (BGPR), and recommendation algorithm based on a single vertex set network and DeepWalk (SVDW). The experimental results show that customer loyalty has improved the effectiveness of the two algorithms over 14%, and the recommendation effect is the best on customer groups with a loyalty level of 4 (the highest level is 5). The recommendation algorithms with customer loyalty are better than using them alone.

Interactions of different factors in differently tilled faba bean agrosystem is still insufficiently studied and evaluated. For these reasons we studied the results of long-term field experiment, which was carried out in the Research Station of Vytautas Magnus University, Agriculture Academy (Lithuania). The aim of this study is comprehensively evaluating the effect of the deep and shallow ploughing, deep cultivation-chiseling, shallow cultivation-disking, and no-tillage systems for faba bean cultivation on the much-interacted factors, relations between them and strength of impact by the integrated evaluation method using complex evaluation index (CEI). Calculations showed that the influence of the no-tillage system was the greatest on the faba bean agrosystem than other system used. Shallow cultivation was more efficient than deep and shallow ploughing and deep cultivation systems. In the deep ploughing system, there were calculated more minimal, i.e. close to 1 as the CEI value, which showed DP ineffectiveness.

Bacteria currently included in Rhizobium leguminosarum are too diverse to be considered a single species, so we can refer to this as a species complex (the Rlc). We have found 429 publicly available genome sequences that fall within the Rlc and these show that the Rlc is a distinct entity, well separated from other species in the genus. Its sister taxon is R. anhuiense. We constructed a phylogeny based on concatenated sequences of 120 universal (core) genes, and calculated pairwise average nucleotide identity (ANI) between all genomes. From these analyses, we concluded that the Rlc includes 18 distinct genospecies, plus 7 unique strains that are not placed in these genospecies. Each genospecies is separated by a distinct gap in ANI values, usually at around 96% ANI, implying that it is a 'natural' unit. Five of the genospecies include the type strains of named species: R. laguerreae, R. sophorae, R. ruizarguesonis, "R. indicum" and R. leguminosarum itself. The 16S ribosomal RNA sequence is remarkably diverse within the Rlc, but does not distinguish the genospecies. Partial sequences of housekeeping genes, which have frequently been used to characterise isolate collections, can mostly be assigned unambiguously to a genospecies, but alleles within a genospecies do not always form a clade, so single genes are not a reliable guide to the true phylogeny of the strains. We conclude that access to a large number of genome sequences is a powerful tool for characterising the diversity of bacteria, and that taxonomic conclusions should be based on all available genome sequences, not just those of type strains.

What is a complex system? The definition of a complex system remains somewhat ambiguous. A complex system can be defined as a system consisting of many interacting parts exhibiting emergent behaviors. The emerging field of complexity science entails a change in the language of scientific research and thinking. As such, the general properties, tools and definitions pertaining to complex systems must be made accessible to multi-disciplinary systems scientists and thinkers. With this intention, this literary survey presents the development and glossary of essential concepts steering complex systems.

This paper introduces a Unified Field Theory through the generalization of General Relativity, following the methodology outlined by Einstein for incorporating complex metrics in the pursuit of a comprehensive Unified Field Theory.

Current artificial intelligence (AI) technology is still considered weak AI. However, the progression towards strong AI unavoidably involves grappling with concerns surrounding consciousness, the mind, and creativity. This paper focuses on analyzing consciousness, creativity, and the generation of emotions to explore the possibility of machine-based consciousness, creativity, and emotion. We believe that the emergence of consciousness relies on the complex interplay at different layers within a complex system, rather than wholly relying on the underlying substrates of the system. Thus, it is plausible to consider the existence of machine-based consciousness, creativity, and emotion. Furthermore, swarm intelligence should be recognized as a distinct form of intelligence. Human individuals serve as the foundational substrate enabling the realization of swarm intelligence, with individual intelligence reflecting the projection of swarm intelligence at the individual level. The advanced state of human civilization is primarily attributable to the effect of swarm intelligence. Building upon basic emotions to adapt to environmental conditions, advanced human emotions are a product of the evolutionary process by swarm intelligence. Emotions serve as a pivotal impetus for the formation and development of societies grounded in swarm intelligence. In pursuit of super-AI that surpasses human civilization in the future, nurturing swarm intelligence represents an inevitable trajectory.

Analyzing network robustness against random failures or malicious attacks is a critical research issue in network science as it helps to enhance the robustness of beneficial networks or efficiently disintegrate harmful networks. Most studies commonly neglect the impact of the attack success rate (ASR) and assume that attacks on the network will always be successful. However, in real-world scenarios, an attack may not always succeed. This paper proposes a novel robustness measure called Robustness-ASR (RASR), which utilizes mathematical expectations to assess network robustness when considering the ASR of each node. To efficiently compute the RASR for large-scale networks, a parallel algorithm named PRQMC is presented, which leverages randomized quasi-Monte Carlo integration to approximate the RASR with a faster convergence rate. Additionally, a new attack strategy named HBnnsAGP is introduced to better assess the lower bound of network RASR. Finally, the experimental results on 6 representative real-world complex networks demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods compared with the state-of-the-art baselines.

In the paper it is demonstrated that a valid path to a contradiction in complex number theory exists. In the path use is made of Euler’s identity and simple trigonometry. Each step can be easily verified.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of the establishment of a nursing practice for micropigmentation of the nipple-areola complex at the San Cecilio University Hospital in Granada on women who have undergone unilateral or bilateral mastectomies. Micropigmentation is a procedure for decorating the human body by implanting pigments and dyes at the sub-epidermal level for a temporary duration of several months or years. Methodology: Retrospective descriptive study conducted in the micropigmentation clinic of HUSC-Granada (Spain). The sample consisted of 167 patients: 24 declined the treatment, 3 had second thoughts and cancelled the appointment, and 135 were accepted. Results: The mean age of the women was 53 years (range:35–75 years). Of the patients, 64.1% came from San Cecilio University Hospital in Granada, the rest from Virgen de las Nieves Hospital in Granada (19.6 %), hospitals in the province of Almería (7.2 %), and private hospitals and clinics (9.2 %). In the last two years, 36.4 % of the women had undergone surgery in the last 2 years. Complications arising from this technique are almost nonexistent. Conclusions: A very high number of women accepted the technique, with the highest proportion being those under 48 years of age. It is a technique that has not presented complications; therefore, it would be interesting to study how the application of the technique would affect women's self-esteem and quality of life

This paper discusses the concept of fractional derivative with complex order from the application point of view. It is shown that a fractional derivative is hermitian, if and only if the order is real. The hermitian part of complex order derivatives behave like allpass filters with almost logarithmic phase.

Evolutionary convergence provides natural opportunities to investigate how, when, and why novel traits evolve. Many convergent traits are complex, highlighting the importance of explicitly considering convergence at different levels of biological organization, or ‘multi‐level convergent evolution’. To investigate multi‐level convergent evolution, we propose a holistic and hierarchical framework that emphasizes breaking down traits into several functional modules. We begin by identifying long‐standing questions on the origins of complexity and the diverse evolutionary processes underlying phenotypic convergence to discuss how they can be addressed by examining convergent systems. We argue that bioluminescence, a complex trait that evolved dozens of times through either novel mechanisms or conserved toolkits, is particularly well suited for these studies. We present an updated estimate of at least 94 independent origins of bioluminescence across the tree of life, which we calculated by reviewing and summarizing all estimates of independent origins. Then, we use our framework to review the biology, chemistry, and evolution of bioluminescence, and for each biological level identify questions that arise from our systematic review. We focus on luminous organisms that use the shared luciferin substrates coelenterazine or vargulin to produce light because these organisms convergently evolved bioluminescent proteins that use the same luciferins to produce bioluminescence. Evolutionary convergence does not necessarily extend across biological levels, as exemplified by cases of conservation and disparity in biological functions, organs, cells, and molecules associated with bioluminescence systems. Investigating differences across bioluminescent organisms will address fundamental questions on predictability and contingency in convergent evolution. Lastly, we highlight unexplored areas of bioluminescence research and advances in sequencing and chemical techniques useful for developing bioluminescence as a model system for studying multi‐level convergent evolution.

Quantum tunneling in a two-dimensional integrable map is studied. The orbits of the map are all confined to the curves specified by the one-dimensional Hamiltonian. It is found that the behavior of tunneling splitting for the integrable map and the associated Hamiltonian system is qualitatively the same, with only a slight difference in magnitude. However, the tunneling tails of the wave functions, obtained by superposing the eigenfunctions that form the doublet, exhibit significant difference. To explore the origin of the difference, we observe the classical dynamics in the complex plane and find that the existence of branch points appearing in the potential function of the integrable map could play the role for yielding non-trivial behavior in the tunneling tail. The result highlights the subtlety of quantum tunneling, which cannot be captured in nature only by the dynamics in the real plane.

We consider that the relationship between entropy in statistical mechanics, which is the Boltzmann principle, and the complex velocity potential in complex fluid dynamics. We define the generalized complex entropy which expanded entropy from real space to complex space. We show that the complex entropy can be expressed by the composition of sources, sinks and laminar flows of the complex velocity potential. Therefore, the complex entropy is considered a special case of the complex fluid dynamics,that is, the complex velocity potential. In other words, we show that the complex entropy is expressed by the complex velocity potential. Moreover, we show that a complex number is expressed by the complex entropy. Thus, we show that the complex velocity potential is expressed by the complex entropy. Namely, we will expand entropy to complex space and see that the complex entropy is expressed by the complex velocity potential. Furthermore, we examine the possibility that it is an expansion of Boltzmann's principle and Planck distribution.

In our latest studies with the help of the self-similar Ansatz we derived new type of 1 solutions for the regular diffusion equation which are much more complex than the well-known 2 Gaussian and error functions. These solutions contain additional Kummer’s M and Kummer’s U 3 functions with quadratic argument. In the present treaties we perform an analogous analysis for the 4 regular diffusion equation which has a complex diffusion coefficient. Formally, it is equivalent to 5 the free Schrödinger equation however it is far from being trivial how the solutions can be given 6 quantum mechanical interpretation. We investigate both the one dimensional Cartesian and the 7 spherical symmetric equations. We find solutions which fulfill the L2 integrability criteria therefore 8 might have quantum mechanical relevance in the future.

In this paper we establish a topological framework of τ-structures to quantify the evolutionary transitions between two RNA sequence-structure pairs. τ-structures developed here consist of a pair of RNA secondary structures together with a non-crossing partial matching between the two backbones. The loop complex of a τ-structure captures the intersections of loops in both secondary structures. We compute the loop homology of τ-structures. We show that only the zeroth, first and second homology groups are free. In particular, we prove that the rank of the second homology group equals the number γ of certain arc-components in a τ-structure, and the rank of the first homology is given by γ−χ+1, where χ is the Euler characteristic of the loop complex.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is characterized by lung cysts that cause lung deterioration, changes in the lymphatic system, and tumors in the kidneys. It mainly affects women of reproductive age and is a progressive disease. LAM can occur as an isolated disease or coexist with tuberous sclerosis (TSC). The source of LAM cells is unknown. Patients with confirmed LAM should be treated with an mTOR inhibitor, sirolimus, or everolimus. We present a case of LAM with TSC in a patient whose symptoms, including lymph nodes and chyaloperitoneum, mainly concern the abdominal cavity.

Motivated by results on the location of zeros of a complex polynomial with monotonicity conditions on the coefficients (such as the classical Eneström-Kakeya Theorem, and its recent generalizations), we impose similar conditions and give bounds on the number of zeros in certain regions. We do so by introducing a reversal in monotonicity conditions on the real and imaginary parts of the coefficients, and also on their moduli. The results presented naturally apply to certain classes of lacunary polynomials.

This communication explores the transition from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to a more holistic model, named Complex Therapy, developed by Tullio Scrimali for explaining and treating mental disorders. The Author delves into the limitations of traditional CBT and introduces an innovative framework that integrates multiple therapeutic modalities. While CBT is based on the study and modification of behaviour and cognition, Complex Therapy includes, in its focus, the theory of human relationships, the attachment theory, neuroscience, applied neuroscience, complex systems theory and ecology.Complex Therapy addresses the multifaceted nature of mental health issues by combining evidence-based techniques with personalized care strategies. The goal is to enhance patient outcomes through a tailored, comprehensive treatment plan that adapts to the evolving needs of individuals facing mental health challenges.Two innovative and original items which Scrimali has developed, which are a device for Applied Neuroscience MindLAB Set and a new botanical drug, NegEnt, are presented and discussed.The topic also describes, an original and integrated protocol, named Negative Entropy, the author has developed for treating a challenging disorder, such as schizophrenia, he renamed Entropy of Mind.

We propose a promising model of discrete spacetime based on nonassociative geometry and complex networks. Our approach treats space as a simplicial 3-complex (or complex network), built from "atoms" of spacetime and entangled states forming n-dimensional simplices (n=1,2,3). At large scales, a highly connected network is a coarse, discrete representation of a smooth spacetime. We show that for high temperatures, the network describes disconnected discrete space. At the Planck temperature, the system experiences the phase transition, and for low temperatures, the space becomes a triangulated discrete space. We show that the cosmological constant depends on the universe’s topology. The "foamy" structure, analogous to Wheeler’s "spacetime foam," significantly contributes to the effective cosmological constant, which is determined by the Euler characteristic of the universe.

We explores the relational, dynamic elements of Complex Buildings, a type of architecture designed to incubate uses, located in urban areas with high housing density. The uses of Complex Buildings concern different elements, including the network of agents using or managing them, the environment, and the activities and functions that take place occasionally, temporarily or permanently. Data was gathered through ethnographic research lasting 6 months and a chronotopian approach was used to describe time and space. We analyzed and discussed the interaction of the elements of Complex Buildings through a cellular automaton model, a computational method that simulates the growth of complex systems. It was used here to generate patterns that suggest configurations of uses that can optimize management and therefore increase economic and social capital. The cellular automaton model was also used to develop an abstraction of the Centquatre, a public cultural center in Paris. This center is a good example of a Complex Building, being based on a public-private partnership and having an architectural configuration designed to host a wide range of art, social and productive activities. The building includes a large central space used as an urban public area open to different types of people. The importance of this case study lies in its capacity to produce economic value by combining different uses, and also by welcoming different people to the public space. Regarding the building as a living organism, the cellular automaton model reveals the determinant nature of the concepts of configuration, compatibility of uses and economic value generated by the presence of people. We argue that this approach makes it possible to show that the space-time design and public space dimensions are determinant factors in Complex Buildings.

When presenting special relativity, it is customary to single out the so-called paradoxes. One of these paradoxes is the formal occurrence of speeds exceeding the speed of light. An essential part of such paradoxes arises from the incompleteness of the relativistic calculus of velocities. In special relativity, the additive group is used for velocities. However, the use of only group operations imposes artificial restrictions on possible computations. Naive expansion to vector space is usually done by using non-relativistic operations. We propose to consider arithmetic operations in the special theory of relativity in the framework of the Cayley–Klein model for projective spaces. We show that such paradoxes do not arise in the framework of the proposed relativistic extension of algebraic operations.

The synthesis and structural characterization of a new triangular Cu3-3OH pyrazolato complex of formula, [Cu3(μ3-OH)(pz)3(Hpz)3][BF4]2 (1-Cu3), Hpz = pyrazole, is presented. The triangular unit forms a quasi-isosceles triangle with Cu-Cu distances of 3.3739(9), 3.3571(9), and 3.370(1) Å. This complex is isostructural to the hexanuclear complex [Cu3(μ3-OH)(pz)3(Hpz)3](ClO4)2]2 (QOPJIP). A comparative structural analysis with other reported triangular Cu3-3OH pyrazolato complexes has been done, showing that, depending on the pyrazolato derivative, auxiliary ligand or counter-anion can affect the nuclearity and/or the dimensionality of the system. The magnetic properties of 1-Cu3 are analyzed by experimental data and DFT calculation. A detailed analysis is done on the magnetic properties comparing experimental and theoretical data of other molecular triangular Cu3-3OH complexes, showing that the displacement of the μ3-OH- from the Cu3 plane, together with the type of organic ligands, influences the nature of the magnetic exchange interaction between the spin-carrier centers, since it affects the overlap of the magnetic orbitals involved in the exchange pathways. Finally, a detailed comparison of the magnetic properties of 1-Cu3 and QOPJIP was done, which allowed us to understand the differences in their magnetic properties.

The basic pattern of MHC variation in fish, with MHC class I versus class II, and polymorphic classical versus nonpolymorphic nonclassical, is similar in fish and mammals. Nevertheless, in many or all teleost fishes, important differences with mammalian or human MHC were observed: (1) The allelic/haplotype diversification levels of classical MHC class I genes tend to be much higher than in mammals; (2) Teleost fish classical MHC class I and class II loci are not linked. The present article summarizes previous studies that performed quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis for mapping differences in teleost fish disease resistance, and discusses them from MHC point of view. Overall, those studies suggest the possible importance of genomic regions including classical MHC class II and nonclassical MHC class I genes, whereas similar observations were not made for the genomic regions with the highly diversified classical MHC class I alleles. The present study is a review and discussion of the fish MHC situation.

As a complex system, our body acts as a whole system connected to the environmental incitements. It is ordered, coherent, and tries to maintain the least possible entropy, saving the greatest amount of energy. In order to explain the dynamics of the systemic regulative network, a theoretical and speculative model is proposed, with a comprehensive approach that allows seeing the entire regulative system as a continuous unicuum. This paper covers two themes: 1) the connections between the quantum level and the classical one, through some principles of the QFT and through the Coherence Domains. The system is modeled as a field described by the wave function, with synchronous and consistent events, driven in a global computing by the quantum potential Q. The quantum potential implies the non-locality, and it needs only ultra-weak waves to occur, so it may explain how the rapid and global activation of the organism in response to perturbation/punctiform information works. The initial hypothesis is that some consistent quantum phenomena are amplified through the systemic regulative network until they become macroscopic observable. This is possible because of Coherence Domains. 2) The reactions of the different systemic networks to perturbations/punctiform information, with the attempt to model and measure information in biology, going beyond the Shannon and Turing theories. Hopfield Networks and an informational point of view are used to address the crucial informational and organizational role of proteins and nucleic acids.

In his Cynefin classification of system behaviours, Snowden (2007), posits that his Simple (Clear ) and even Complicated system categories are sufficiently understandable to be amenable to the traditional methods of system analysis and modelling. Here, relationships between entities in the system are clear and unambiguous and they behave predictably. So, we can build mathematical “models” to describe how the system is expected to function in different situations. Leaving aside his fourth category, Chaotic, as too hard for the moment, this paper focusses on the third category, Complex systems. Yaneer Bar-Yam [1998] defined "complex systems" as systems that "have multiple interacting components, whose collective behaviour cannot be simply inferred from the behaviour of components." So, the traditional system modelling approach of decomposition into components and attempting to build up a picture of system performance from individual pieces, alone, is no longer appropriate for this class. The problem is that most of the methods we currently employ, and particularly the methods that attempt to make the case that these systems are safe, (such as Fault trees, FMEA. and Root Cause Analysis), rely on this decomposition into components and attempt to make the parts more reliable individually. Even the more systemic approaches, such as Reason’s (1990) Swiss Cheese Model, and Leveson’s System Theoretic Analysis (STPA) (2004), encourage adding layers of protection, barriers, strengthened control loops and better safety critical systems, in the hope that they are making the systems safer. But without a valid model to test the effectiveness of these add-ons, we cannot be sure that they will not have an opposite effect, of making the systems even more complex, unreliable and unpredictable. For complex systems, the careful gathering and documentation of system components and their relationships is still a necessary first step, but we need an additional capacity to model these complex systems to test out and prove they work safely and successfully in the real world. (not just draw fixed component relationships as system “models” (wiring diagrams)) In the last 10 years, an original approach developed by Hollnagel, (2012), to model systems as sets of interactive, interdependent “functions”, (abstracted from and independent of component details), has now been developed to the point where it can take the basic data and structures from the current component focussed system engineering “models”, such as MBSE( Goldberg (1994)), and can pull it all together in a dynamic system model from which analysts can discern how it really works in practice, and predict the emergent behaviours characteristic of complex systems. The paper describes how this methodology developed and how it is currently used to model real situations, to analyse incidents and anticipate events.

The poor water-solubility and instability of Ru(II) carbonyl complex hamper the therapeutic application as CO releasing materials (CO-RMs). To enhance the hydrophilicity and bio-utility of CO, a robust Ru(I) carbonyl sawhorse skeleton were grafted with water-soluble PEGlyated sidearms. Twelve PEGlyted sawhorse Ru2(CO)4 complexes were prepared with satisfactory yields and characterized by IR and 1H- and 13C- NMR. X-ray diffraction analysis of CO-RM 8, 13 and 14 revealed the featured diruthenium sawhorse skeleton and PEGylated axial ligands. The flask-shaking method measures the hydrophilicity of CO-RMs, indicating that both bridging carboxylate ligand and PEGlyated axial ligands regulate the hydrophilicity of these CO-RMs. Under photolysis conditions, CO-RM 4-13 sustainable released therapeutic amounts of CO in myoglobin assay. The correlation of the CO release kinetics and hydrophilicity of CO-RMs demonstrated that the more hydrophilic CO-RM released CO faster. The biological test found the low cytotoxic CO-RM 4 showed a specific anticancer activity toward HT-29 tumour cells.

In the paper, the author finds bounds of the sine and cosine along a circle on the complex plane in terms of two double inequalities for the norms of the sine and cosine along a circle on the complex plane.

The study of complex systems deals with emergent behaviour that arises as a result of nonlinear spatio-temporal interactions between a large number of components both within the system, as well as between the system and its environment. There is a strong case to be made that neural systems as well as their emergent behaviour and disorders, can be studied within the framework of complexity science. In particular, the field of neuroimaging has begun to apply both theoretical and experimental procedures originating in complexity science – usually in parallel with traditional methodologies. Here, we demonstrate that the use of such traditional models may distort the outcomes of neuroimaging experiments – hence affecting their interpretability and raising questions about their reliability.Therefore, we argue in favor of adopting a complex systems-based methodology in the study of neuroimaging, alongside appropriate experimental paradigms, and with minimal influences from non-complex systems approaches. Our exposition includes a review of the fundamental mathematical concepts, combined with practical examples and a compilation of results from the literature.

Background: Traumatic events adversely affect the clinical course of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Our investigation explores the correlation between prolonged interpersonal trauma and the severity of symptoms related to obsessive-compulsive and anxiety disorders. Methods: The study follows a cross-sectional and observational design, employing the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) to examine areas linked to interpersonal trauma, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) to assess anxious and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, respectively. Descriptive analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: We recruited 107 OCD-diagnosed patients, categorizing them into subgroups based on the presence or absence of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD). The ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups in the onset age of OCD (p=0.083), psychiatric familial history (p=0.023), HAM-A, and Y-BOCS (p=0.000). Logistic regression indicated a statistically significant association between the presence of cPTSD and Y-BOCS scores (p=0.000). Conclusion: The coexistence of cPTSD in OCD exacerbates obsessive-compulsive symptoms and increases the burden of anxiety. Further advancements in this field are crucial for mitigating the impact of early trauma on the trajectory of OCD and associated anxious symptoms.

In the paper, the author discusses and computes bounds of the sine and cosine along straight lines on the complex plane.

The High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) detection and diagnosis of diffuse lung disease is primarily based on the recognition of a limited number of specific abnormal findings, pattern combinations or their distributions, as well as anamnesis and clinical information. Since texture recognition has a very high accuracy percentage if a complex network approach is used, this paper aims to implement such a technique customized for diffuse interstitial lung diseases (DILD). The proposed procedure translates HRCT lung imaging into complex networks by taking samples containing a secondary lobule, converting them into complex networks and analyzing them in 3 dimensions: emphysema, ground glass opacity and consolidation. This method was evaluated on a 60 patient lot and the results show a clear quantifiable difference between healthy and affected lungs. By deconstructing the image on three pathological axes, the method offers an objective way to quantify DILD details which, so far, have only been analyzed subjectively.

Complex diseases are prevalent medical conditions which are characterized by strong inter-patient differences in symptom profiles, disease trajectory and treatment response. The challenges in understanding and managing these diseases are due to their complex pathophysiology, comprising of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The traditional model of disease assumes a clear distinction between health and disease, as well as between different diagnoses, but recent findings with regards to diseasomes and network pleiotrophy suggest that this dogma is not useful in understanding complex diseases. This paper presents a novel model, in which the individual disease burden is determined as a function of molecular, physiological and pathological factors simultaneously: disease(symptoms(traits(genes AND environment))). From this a high-dimensional space is defined which includes all individual disease burdens, ranging from healthy (i.e. low disease burden) to multi-morbidity (i.e. high disease burden), termed the disease landscape. This model provides a novel way to conceptualize human physiology and pathophysiology in the context of complex diseases and may present a useful concept to simultaneously address the strong interindividual heterogeneity of diagnose cohorts as well as the lack of clear distinction between diagnoses and health and disease, thus facilitating the progression towards personalized medicine.

Long-range radio transmissions open new sensor application fields, in particular for environment monitoring. As an example, the {\sl LoRa} radio protocol enables to connect remote sensors at distance as long as ten kilometers in line-of-sight. However, the large area covered also bring several difficulties, such as the placement of sensing devices in regard to geography topology, or the variability of communication latency. Sensing the environment also carries constraints related to the interest of sensing points in relation with a physical phenomenon. Criteria for designs are thus evolving a lot from the existing methods, especially in complex terrains. This article describes simulation techniques based on geography analysis to compute long-range radio coverages and radio characteristics in these situations. As radio propagation is just a particular case of physical phenomena, it is shown how a unified approach also allows to characterize the behavior of potential physical risks. The case of heavy rainfall and flooding is investigated. Geography analysis is achieved using segmentation tools to produce cellular systems which are in turn translated into code for high-performance computations. The paper provides results from practical complex terrain experiments using LoRa, that confirm the accuracy of the simulation, scheduling characteristics for sample networks, and performance tables for simulations on middle range Graphics Processing Units (GPUs).

A recent paper demonstrates the importance of the linker region joining the two SNARE motifs of the neuronal t-SNARE SNAP25 for maintaining rates of secretion with roles for distinct segments in speeding fusion pore expansion (Shaaban et al., 2019, Elife. 8). Remarkably, lipid perturbing agents rescue a palmitoylation-deficient phenotype that includes slow fusion pore expansion, suggesting that protein-protein interactions have a role not only in bringing together the granule or vesicle membrane with the plasma membrane but also in orchestrating protein-lipid interactions leading to the fusion reaction. Furthermore, biochemical investigations demonstrate the importance of the C-terminal domain of the linker in the formation of the plasma membrane t-SNARE acceptor complex for synaptobrevin2 (Jiang, et al., 2019, FASEB J. 33:7985-7994;Shaaban et al., 2019, Elife. 8). This insight, together with biophysical and optical studies from other laboratories (Wang, et al., 2008, Molecular Biology of the Cell. 19:3944-3955; Zhao, et al., 2013, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 110:14249-14254) suggests that the plasma membrane SNARE acceptor complex between SNAP25 and syntaxin and the resulting trans SNARE complex with the v-SNARE synaptobrevin form just milliseconds before fusion.

Complex illumination condition is one of the most critical challenging problems for practical face recognition. In this paper, we propose a novel method to improve the illumination invariants for solving this challenge. Firstly, a new method based on the Lambert reflectance model is proposed to extract illumination invariant, which is less insensitive to complex illumination variations. Secondly, in order to repair the defects caused by process of illumination invariants extraction, Fast Mean Filter is utilized to smooth and remove noise. Lastly, for raising the richness of information in output image, a nonlinear normalization transformation is proposed. Compared with the state-of-the-arts, experimental results show that the proposed method can extract more robust illumination invariants. Apart from it, the richness of information in processed image is greater and superior performance in face recognition rate is superior.

The definition of a Smart-complex of educational discipline and its technology is given. Attention is focused on the form of the Smart-complex and constructive elements: the creative educational environment, the author's environment, the non-verbal environment, the encyclopedia, the creative / self-realization environment, the monitoring / self-evaluation environment.A feature of the Smart-complex of the academic discipline is the integration into it of the structural equalization block. Constructive alignment (alignment) is based on the design of the student's own learning participation in educational projects. Alignment refers to creating an appropriate learning environment and involves selecting the most appropriate training activities and evaluating each learning outcome. If the result of the training is to develop analytical skills, then for the assessment it is necessary to build questions and scenarios for their development.Two main components of the structural alignment are considered: 1) the first component is based on cognitive psychology and constructivist theory, recognizes the importance of linking new material with the concepts and experiences of students and extrapolation to possible future scenarios in the process of mission activity - they comprehend what they are doing during training; 2) the second component is based on the declaration by the teacher of the correspondence between the planned educational activities and the results of the training of students. This makes planning of educational activities and development of self-assessment criteria for organizing feedback. It is necessary to take into account the impact of Smart-complexes of educational disciplines on three think-tank training networks: 1) effective networks (why learn) - several ways of presenting to give students different ways of obtaining information and knowledge; 2) recognition networks (learning outcomes) - several ways of expressing them to provide them with an alternative for demonstrating what they know; 3) strategic exercises (how to learn) - several ways to increase the motivation for learning to attract their attention to both their own learning project and its technical and historical decision. Smart-complexes of educational disciplines should be: 1) scientific; 2) with user-friendly interface; 3) have a connection with LMS; 4) structured; 5) with visual material; 6) working in Off-line mode; 7) used on various devices in an educational institution, as well as at home.

In an increasingly complex world there is a real, urgent need for methodologies to enable engineers to model complex sociotechnical systems, as these now seem to describe the majority of systems in use today. This is of course exacerbated by the increasing involvement and augmentation with “black box” AI contributions. Hollnagel produced a methodology, (FRAM) which did allow the analyst in-sights into these systems’ behaviour, but the model-based system engineering applications demand numbers and a quantitative ap-proach. In the last 10 years, this original approach developed to model systems as sets of interactive, interdependent “functions”, (abstracted from agent or component details), has been further developed to the point where it can take the basic data and structures from the current component focussed system engineering “models”, and can pull it all together into dynamic models, (as opposed to static, fixed System Theoretic Process Accimaps), from which analysts can discern how they really work in practice, and predict the emergent behaviours characteristic of complex systems. This paper describes how the FRAM methodology has now been extended to provide these extra, essential attributes. It also describes its implementation using an open-source software, freely available for use and verification on the GitHub site.

The study shows that the volumes and surfaces of $n$-balls, $n$-simplices, and $n$-orthoplices are holomorphic functions of $n$, which makes those objects omnidimensional, that is well defined in any complex dimension. Applications of these formulas to the omnidimensional polytopes inscribed in and circumscribed about $n$-balls reveal previously unknown properties of these geometric objects. In particular, for $0 < n < 1$, the volumes of the omnidimensional polytopes are larger than those of circumscribing $n$-balls, and both their volumes and surfaces are smaller than those of inscribed $n$-balls. The surface of an $n$-simplex circumscribing unit diameter $n$-ball is spirally convergent to zero with real $n$ approaching negative infinity but first has a local maximum at $n=-3.5$. The surface of an $n$-orthoplex circumscribing unit diameter $n$-ball is spirally divergent with real $n$ approaching negative infinity but first has a local minimum at $n=-1.5$, where its real and imaginary parts are equal to each other; similarly, as its volume, where the similar local minimum occurs at $n=-3.5$. Reflection functions for volumes and surfaces of these polytopes inscribed in and circumscribed about $n$-balls are proposed. symmetries of products and quotients of volumes in complex dimensions $n$ and $-n$ and of surfaces in complex dimensions $n$ and $2-n$ are shown to be independent of the metric factor and the gamma function. Specific symmetries also hold between volumes and surfaces in dimensions $n = -1/2$ and $n = 1/2$.

Few clinical factors can help predict spontaneous culture conversion (SCC) in patients with Mycobacterium avium complex-pulmonary disease (MAC-PD). We retrospectively classified 373 MPD patients who had undergone watchful waiting without antibiotics according to the so-called ‘body mass index (BMI), age, cavity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and sex (BACES)’ severity. We evaluated whether lower severity is associated with a higher rate of SCC. Of 373 patients, 153 (41%) achieved SCC without antibiotics during a median follow-up of 48.1 months. There was a trend toward a higher SCC rate in patients with lower BACES severity: 48% (87/183), 37% (58/157), and 24% (8/33) in the mild, moderate, and severe BACES groups, respectively. In addition, a favorable outcome, defined as maintaining SCC or having two consecutive negative sputum cultures until the last follow-up date, was also more common in patients with lower BACES severity with 53% (97/183), 34% (54/157), and 18% (6/33) in the mild, moderate, and severe BACES groups, respectively. In multivariate analysis, moderate (hazard ratio [HR]=0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.44 – 0.91; p = 0.013) and severe BACES (HR 0.37; 95% CI 0.16 – 0.90; p = 0.028) had a significantly negative impact on favorable outcomes compared to mild BACES. Lower BACES severity may be associated with SCC in MAC-PD patients.

This article introduces a new fractional approach to the concept of information dimension of complex networks, based on a (q,q′)-entropy proposed in the literature. The q parameter measures how far is the number of subsystems (for a given size ε) from the mean number of overall sizes. The q′ (interaction index) measures when the interactions between subsystems are greater (q′&gt;1), lesser (q′&lt;1) or equal to the interactions into these subsystems. The computations of the proposed information dimension are carried out on several real-world and synthetic complex networks. The results from the proposed information dimension are compared with those from the information dimension based on the Shannon entropy.

This work introduces an approach to investigate the existence of zeros for holomorphic complex functions, defined on open and simply connected subdomains of C, in a systematic and direct way. This is achieved by means of the theory of dynamical systems (Poincar\'e index) and the perception that a zero of a specific complex function is an equilibtium for the associated dynamical system. The logical basis of proof is to find the mathematical expression for the Poincaré index of the vector field associated to the function under study, assuming the existence of a zero, and investigating the consequences. Depending on the value of the index, an inconsistency may occur, establishing a contradiction.

Meiosis is a specialized cell division that produces haploid gametes from diploid germ cells, and the phosphorylation activity of cyclin-CDK complexes and Polo-like kinase is required for synaptonemal complex (SC) disassembly and metaphase I exit. Here, we identified a novel protein MSCDK (meiotic substrate of cyclin dependent kinase) that functions as a substrate of CDK1 in initiating SC disassembly and metaphase I transition during meiosis prophase I in mice. Deletion of MSCDK caused germ cell death and infertility in males but not females. Mechanistically, we show that MSCDK is sparsely localized as discrete foci along synaptic homologous chromosomes from the early zygotene to the early diplotene, and we confirm that MSCDK can be phosphorylated by CDK1 and dephosphorylated by the cell cycle exit regulator phosphatase PP1α. We also provide evidence that MSCDK is essential for SC disassembly based on its dephosphorylation-related function, which apparently promotes HSPA2 nuclear recruitment.

Semi-structured complex numbers H was a number set developed to enable division by zero in ordinary algebraic equations. Its utility has been shown in mathematics and engineering. However, very little has been done to show its usefulness in computer science. Consequently, the aim of this paper was to show the utility of semi-structured complex numbers in computer science by developing a division by zero calculator. First two computer programs were written, one for a standard (STD) calculator and the other for a division by zero (DBZ) calculator. The programs were fed 20000 randomly generated arithmetic equations of varying lengths and the space and time complexity associated with processing these equations were measured and compared to determine the efficiency of each calculator. In the process, three major contributions were made: (1) A representation for semi-structured complex numbers that enables it to be easily used by a computer was developed; (2) It was demonstrated that the DBZ calculator outperforms the STD calculator in terms of efficiency; and, (3) It was shown that the number set H reduced the amount of error handling required to run a computer program. These results provide a firm foundation to advance the number set as a useful tool in computer science.

Mistrust between scientists and non-scientist stakeholders is a key challenge in fishery management. This problem is exacerbated with the use of complex models to support management: these models suffer from difficulties in communicating their results and a lack of confidence from end users. The European eel is an illustrative example; its complex life cycle raises problems of coordination and discussion among the multiple actors involved in the management of the species. The GEREM model has been proposed as a tool for estimating recruitment, but its complexity, which is essential for addressing the characteristics of the species, makes it difficult to understand and accept by all stakeholders. In the context of the SUDOANG project, we proposed a co-parametrization of this assessment model to tackle this mistrust. Through the use of various questionnaires and appropriate statistical analyses, stakeholders were involved in two important choices for the model (zone definition and prior construction). Regular workshops and presentations were organised to explain the model rationales and to gather feedback and expectations. The results show that stakeholders have very similar perceptions of the potential definitions of sub-areas of recruitment in south-western Europe, and these perceptions are consistent with the underlying environmental conditions. On the other hand, the stakeholders have contrasting opinions about the exploitation rates of fisheries in different river basins, and the use of their knowledge currently has little effect on GEREM estimates. More importantly, the overall approach of this study is thought to have reconstructed the trust and confidence among participants.

ESBL-producing E. coli is a growing public problem in healthcare settings and the community. Between 2009 and 2018, a total of 187 ESBL-producing pathogenic E. coli isolates were confirmed, and clonal complex (CC) 10 was the predominant clone. This study aimed to characterize ESBL-producing pathogenic E. coli CC10 strains obtained from diarrheal patients to improve the understanding of CC10 distribution in the Republic of Korea. A total of 57 CC10 strains were selected for molecular characterizations, such as the identification of serotype, antibiotic resistance genes, genetic environments, plasmid profiles, and the genetic correlation between CC10 strains. In the CC10 isolates, the most prevalent serotype was O25:H16, followed by O6:H16. ESBL genes were identified as blaCTX-M, and the most dominant ESBL gene was blaCTX-M-15 (56%) and blaCTX-M-14 (30%). Most blaCTX-M genes were located on plasmids, and these plasmid profiles were confirmed as IncB/O/K/Z, IncF, IncI1 and IncX1. The mobile elements located up-and down-stream mainly included ISEcp1 (complete or incomplete) and IS903 or orf477 were found, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the CC10 strains were genetically diverse and divided into several distinct lineages. In this study, we found that CC10 ESBL-producing pathogenic E. coli has been steadily isolated; particularly, CTX-M-15-producing E. coli O25:H16 isolates were the major type related with distribution in CC10 clones during the last decade. Identification of ESBL-producing pathogenic E. coli CC10 isolates highlights the possibility of the emergence of resistant isolates with epidemic potential within this CC. Therefore, continuous monitoring will be conducted to prevent further spread of resistant ESBL-producing E. coli CC10 strains.

The real systems are often complex, nonlinear, and noisy in various areas including mathematics, natural science, and social science. We present the symplectic entropy (SymEn) measure as well as an analysis method based on SymEn to estimate the nonlinearity of the complex system by analyzing the given time series. The SymEn estimation is a kind of entropy based on symplectic principal component analysis (SPCA) which represent organized but unpredictable behaviors of systems. The key to SPCA is to preserve the global submanifold geometrical properties of the systems through symplectic transform in the phase space, which is a kind of the measure-preserving transforms. The capability of preserving the global geometrical characteristics makes the SymEn a test statistic to detect the nonlinear characteristics in several typical chaotic time series and the stochastic characteristic in the Gaussian white noise. The results are in agreement with findings in the approximate entropy (ApEn), the sample entropy (SampEn) and the fuzzy entropy (FuzzyEn). Moreover, the SymEn method is also used to analyze the nonlinearities of the real signals (including the EEG signals for ASD and healthy subjects, and the sound and vibration signals for the mechanical systems). The results indicate that the SymEn estimation can be taken as a measure for describing the nonlinear characteristics in the data collected from the natural complex systems.

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) has garnered attention to access sustainable energy generation with a pollutant-free combustion product in the form of H2 gas. Despite the utility of this pathway in the context of growing climate concerns, stable HER electrocatalysts which avoid the use of rare-earth platinum while retaining high catalytic performance and efficiency remains a challenge. In this work, we present the application of a binuclear nickel (II/III) Schiff base complex [Ni]2[L]2 2 for HER electrocatalysis. The design of the electrocatalyst provides optimal HER activity as the presence of electronegative heteroatoms in proximity to the metal centers augments proton affinity. As a result, the catalyst displays excellent HER activity with 100% faradaic efficiency (FE) at an onset potential of 0.4 V vs. reverse hydrogen electrode (RHE), sustained catalytic activity during prolonged electrolysis for greater than 17 hours, and provided a turn over number (TON) of 0.0006 s-1.

Factory safety inspections are crucial for ensuring safe production. However, manual inspections present issues such as low efficiency and high workload. Inspection robots provide an efficient and reliable solution for completing patrol tasks. The development of robot localization and path planning technologies provides guarantees for factory inspection robots to autonomously complete inspection tasks in complex environments. This paper studies mapping and localization, as well as path planning methods for robots in order to meet the application requirements of factory inspections. Two SLAM application systems based on multiple-line laser radar and vision are designed for different scenarios in consideration of the limitations of cameras and laser sensors in terms of their own characteristics and applicability in different environments. To address the issue of low efficiency in inspection tasks, a hybrid path planning algorithm that integrates the A-star algorithm and time elasticity band algorithm is proposed. This algorithm effectively solves the problem of path planning in complex environments that is prone to falling into local optimal solutions, thereby improving the inspection efficiency of robots. Experimental tests show that the designed SLAM and path planning methods can meet the needs of robot inspection in complex scenes and have good reliability and stability. The code used in this article is open source and can be accessed at https://github.com/Mxiii99/RSPP_CS.git.

Many complex networks have a connectivity that might be only partially detected or that tends to grow over time, hence the prediction of non-observed links is a fundamental problem in network science. The aim of topological link prediction is to forecast these non-observed links by only exploiting features intrinsic to the network topology. It has a wide range of real applications, like suggesting friendships in social networks or predicting interactions in biological networks.The Cannistraci-Hebb theory is a recent achievement in network science that includes a theoretical framework to understand local-based link prediction on paths of length n. In this study we introduce two innovations: theory of modelling (science) and theory of realization (engineering). For the theory of modelling we first recall a definition of network automata as a general framework for modelling the growth of connectivity in complex networks. We then show that several deterministic models previously developed fall within this framework and we introduce novel network automata following the Cannistraci-Hebb rule. For the theory of realization, we present how to build adaptive network automata for link prediction, which incorporate multiple deterministic models of self-organization and automatically choose the rule that better explains the patterns of connectivity in the network under investigation. We compare Cannistraci-Hebb adaptive (CHA) network automaton against state-of-the-art link prediction methods such as structural perturbation method (SPM), stochastic block models (SBM) and artificial intelligence algorithms for graph embedding. CHA displays an overall higher link prediction performance across different evaluation frameworks on 1386 networks. Finally, we highlight that CHA offers the key advantage to explicitly explain the mechanistic rule of self-organization which leads to the link prediction performance, whereas SPM and graph embedding not. In comparison to CHA, SBM unfortunately shows irrelevant and unsatisfactory performance demonstrating that SBM modelling is not adequate for link prediction in real networks.

Introduction: Weighting is widely used in applied statistics especially while dealing with survey data. In recent years, multilevel modeling under complex survey designs has increased, resulting into demand for level weights. However, survey data that are accessible to the public for use usually do not contain level weights that are useful in multilevel modeling, but final survey weights that are only appropriate for single level analyses. In this paper, we demonstrate how the final survey weights can be used to estimate level weights for multilevel data analysis, and compare a model that applied level weights with one that applied the final survey weights. Methods: A framework for approximating level weights proposed by the Demographic Health Survey (DHS) program was used to estimate the level weights. Models were fitted using a multilevel mixed effects logistic regression method. Estimates from a model that applied survey weights was compared to those from a model that applied level weights. Results: Application of final survey weights instead of level weights underestimated standard errors and led to loss of precision of model estimates. Conclusions: Use of level weights produces estimates with high precision and yields correct values of standard errors hence appropriately informing inference.

Mitochondrial functions are essential for life, critical for development, maintenance of stem cells, adaptation to physiological changes, responses to stress and aging. The complexity of mitochondrial biogenesis requires coordinated nuclear and mitochondrial gene expression, owing to the need of stoichiometrically assemble the OXPHOS system for ATP production. It requires, in addition, the import of thousands of proteins from the cytosol to keep optimal mitochondrial function and metabolism. Moreover, mitochondria require lipid supply for membrane biogenesis, while it is itself essential for the synthesis of membrane lipids. To achieve mitochondrial homeostasis, multiple mechanisms of quality control have evolved to ensure that mitochondrial function meets cell, tissue and organismal demands. Herein, we give an overview of mitochondrial mechanisms that are activated in response to stress, including mitochondrial dynamics, mitophagy and the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR^mt). We then discuss the role of these stress responses in aging, with particular focus on Caenorhabditis elegans. Finally, we review observations that point to the mitochondrial PHB (prohibitin) complex as a key player in mitochondrial homeostasis, being essential for mitochondrial biogenesis and degradation, and responding to mitochondrial stress. Understanding how mitochondria responds to stress and how such responses are regulated is pivotal to combat aging and disease.

Background: Stress among prison inmates is a neglected psychological health issues, but this phenomenon seems worse in Ghana’s prisons. This study examined the stress levels, predictors and management strategies utilized among inmates at Ankaful Prison Complex. Method: This survey sampled 1,160 inmates using the census approach at the Ankaful Prison Complex with a self-developed questionnaire for the data collection. Frequency counts, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis were applied to the data. Results: The findings indicate that more than half of the inmates were moderately or highly stressed. Specifically, inmates at the Maximum-Security Prison were the most stressed, followed by Annex Prison, Communicable Disease Prison, and the least, Main Camp Prison inmates. Inmate engagement in exercises, sporting activities, visit and chat with colleagues, and family connectedness outside the prison were stress management strategies. Inmates’ self-reported stress levels were influenced by the prison of custody and state of depression. Conclusion: The moderate to high stress levels identified among inmates of Ankaful Prison Complex are influenced by person-environment factors. Management of Ankaful Prisons Complex is encouraged to initiate health screening services for inmates on common mental health challenges like stress and promote functional stress reduction interventions to improve prisoners’ mental health and overall wellbeing

Iloperidone (ILO) is a second-generation antipsychotic drug and a first-line treatment approved by USFDA in May 2009. Iloperidone belongs to Biopharmaceutical Classification Systems (BCS) class II; thus, it is poorly water-soluble, highly permeable, and has pH-dependent solubility. Cyclodextrins and their derivatives have a wide range of applications in different formulations due to their complexation ability, which improves the solubility, stability, safety, and bioavailability of a drug. We have tried the complexation of iloperidone with sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin (SEβCD) to improve its solubility and dissolution. Complexation was done by the kneading method. The characterization of the SEβCD complexes with Iloperidone was done by FTIR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), saturation solubility, etc. A multimedia dissolution of the complex was carried out and compared with the plain drug. A significant improvement in drug release was found from SEβCD complexes in all media when compared with the drug alone.

Wind energy is a rapidly expanding renewable energy technique. Wind farm developers need to understand the interaction between wind farms and the atmospheric flow over complex terrain. Large-eddy simulations provide valuable data for gaining further insight into the impact of rough topography on wind-farm performance. In this research, we investigate the influence of spatial heterogeneity on wind turbine performance. We conducted numerical simulations of a 12×5 wind-turbine array on various rough topographies. First, we evaluated our LES method through mesh convergence analysis, using mean vertical profiles, vertical friction velocity, and resolved and subgrid-scale kinetic energy. Next, we analyze the effects of surface roughness and dispersive stresses on the performance of fully developed large wind farms. Our results demonstrate that the ground roughness element’s flow resistance boosts large wind-farm power production by almost 68% in fully aerodynamic rough surface compared to flat terrain. Dispersive stress analysis revealed that the primary degree of spatial heterogeneity in the wind farm is in the streamwise direction, which is the “wake-occupied” region, and the relative contribution of dispersive shear stress is almost 45% to the overall drag. We also observed that the power performance of the wind farm in complex terrain outperforms the drag. Our study has implications for improving the design of wind turbines and wind farms in complex terrain to increase their efficiency and energy output.

Recently, a paper was written to reformulate and strengthen the theory of semi-structured complex numbers H (a new number set invented to enable division by zero). Whilst the paper had profound results, the application of this number set in many areas of engineering and science has not been fully explored. Consequently, the aim of this paper was to establish the number set H as a useful mathematical tool by providing an amalgam of results arising from its application in several areas of engineering and science. In the process, this paper makes four major contributions: these are (1) determining the product of the gradients of a horizontal and vertical line; (2) developing new Euler formulas relating exponential, trigonometric and hyperbolic functions in the 3D semi-structured complex number Euclidean space; (3) establishing semi-structured complex numbers as a better extension of the complex number set than quaternions; (4) resolving singularities that may arise in engineering and science equations (because of division by zero) to develop reasonable conclusions in the absence of experimental data. These results and their applications provide a firm foundation to advance the number set H as a useful mathematical tool.

A significant number and range of challenges besetting sustainability can be traced to the actions and interactions of multiple autonomous agents (people mostly) and the entities they create (e.g., institutions, policies, social network) in the corresponding social-environmental systems (SES). To address these challenges, we need to understand decisions made and actions taken by agents, the outcomes of their actions, including the feedbacks on the corresponding agents and environment. The science of Agent-based Complex Systems—ACS science—has a significant potential to handle such challenges. The advantages of ACS science for sustainability are addressed by way of identifying the key elements and challenges in sustainability science, the generic features of ACS, and the key advances and challenges in modeling ACS. Artificial intelligence and data science promise to improve understanding of agents’ behaviors, detect SES structures, and formulate SES mechanisms.

The stability and optimal control for an SIS epidemic model with demographics and heterogeneous control strategies (immunization and quarantine) on complex networks are investigated. The epidemic threshold, disease-free and endemic equilibria are derived. Then, global asymptotical stability about the two equilibria are studied based on different methods. Furthermore, the optimal control issue about the system is also considered. We obtain the existence and uniqueness of the optimal control and optimal control tactics. Some numerical simulations were conducted to illustrate and supplement the theoretical results. Meanwhile, the effects of the combination of various immunization and quarantine schemes are studied and also compared with the optimal control strategies.

A new photocatalytic hydroxyapatite (HA) synthesis method has been developed. This method is based on the unique ability of the TiO2 photocatalyst to decompose the Ca(EDTA) complex under UV illumination. As a result, released Ca2+ ions react with PO43- ions forming the HA particles. The photocatalytic formation of hydroxyapatite is found to have a fractional order, which may indicate the complex reaction mechanism and the presence of several limiting stages. The TNT-HA samples were studied by XRD, FTIR, SEM, GDOES, and biocompatibility study. High biocompatibility of the surfaces is proven by pre-osteoblast cell growth.

We have developed an unsteady and non-linear wind synopsis simulator called RIAM-COMPACT (Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, Kyushu University, COMputational Prediction of Airflow over Complex Terrain) in order to simulate the airflow on a microscale, i.e., a few tens of km or less. In RIAM-COMPACT, the large-eddy simulation (LES) has been adopted for turbulence modeling. LES is a technique in which the structures of relatively large eddies are directly simulated and smaller eddies are modeled using a sub-grid scale model. In the present study, we have conducted the numerical wind diagnoses for Taikoyama Wind Farm nacelle separation accident in Japan. The simulation results suggest that all six wind turbines at the Taikoyama Wind Farm are subject to significant influence from separated flow (terrain-induced turbulence) which is generated due to the topographic irregularities in the vicinity of the wind turbines. A proposal has been also made on reconstruction of the wind farm.

This work is a top-level summary of several contributions published in the last three decades. It makes the case that complex dynamics of nonlinear systems lies at the heart of foundational physics.

Immune complexes (ICs) made of antibody-bound antigens exhibit immunomodulatory activities exploitable in a vaccination strategy to optimize vaccine efficacy. The modulatory effects of ICs are typically attributed to the Fc fragments of the antibody components, which engage Fc receptors, complement and complement receptors on various immune cells. These Fc-mediated functions facilitate the critical interplay between innate and adaptive immune systems to impact the quality and quantity of the elicited adaptive responses. In addition to the Fc contribution, the Fab fragment also plays an immunoregulation role. The antigen-binding domains of the Fab fragment can bind their specific epitopes at high affinity to sterically occlude these antigenic sites from recognition by other antibodies. Moreover, the Fab-mediated binding have been demonstrated to induce allosteric alterations at nearby or distant antigenic sites. In this review article, we survey published studies to illuminate how the immunomodulatory functions of ICs have been investigated or utilized in a vaccination strategy to fight against an array of infectious pathogens, culminating with IC vaccine designs aimed at preventing HIV-1 infection. In particular, we highlight IC vaccine candidates that exploit Fab-mediated steric and allosteric effects to direct antibody responses away or toward the V1V2 domain, the V3 loop, and other antigenic sites on the HIV-1 envelope gp120 glycoprotein. Like other HIV-1 vaccine approaches, the path for IC-based vaccines to reach the clinic faces major hurdles yet to be overcome; however, investigations into this vaccine strategy have provided insights into the multifaceted activities of antibodies beyond their conventional roles in the host defense against HIV-1 and other microbial pathogens.

The fusion of "innovation theory" and "ecology" gave birth to a large number of studies on "innovation ecology", which mainly studies how to build an industrial ecological chain at the regional level, focusing on self-evolution, achieving ecological balance, and enabling the regional economy to take the path of sustainable innovation. This type of research borrows a lot of concepts from ecology, and very vividly describes the competition and cooperation relationships formed by various agents in the innovation system, laying a good foundation for qualitative analysis of the inherent dynamics of innovation development. However, many studies focus on the analogous description of ecosystems and economic systems, lacking scientifically and rigorously quantitative empirical research as a support. This paper uses network-based indicators such as degree, cluster coefficient, and betweenness centrality to measure the function and position of high-tech enterprises in the Z-Park in a business environment, so as to clarify the socio-economic meaning of the topological structure of the regional innovation system. On this basis, it provides theoretical references for regional innovation development and sustainable development policy formulation.

In the present study, field observation wind data from the time of the wind turbine blade damage accident on Shiratakiyama Wind Farm were analyzed in detail. In parallel, high-resolution LES turbulence simulations were performed in order to examine the model’s ability to numerically reproduce terrain-induced turbulence. The comparison of the observed and simulated time series (1 second average values) from a 10 minute period from the time of the accident led to the conclusion that the settings of the horizontal grid resolution and time increment are important to numerically reproduce the terrain-induced turbulence that caused the wind turbine blade damage accident on Shiratakiyama Wind Farm. A spectral analysis of the same set of observed and simulated data revealed that the simulated data reproduced the energy cascade of the actual terrain-induced turbulence well.

Formaldehyde, sulfuric acid and salicylic acid were combined to create 3,3’-methylenebis[2-hydroxybenzoic acid] (MHB) ligand, which was subsequently permitted to bind with zinc ions. The ligand and its zinc (II) complex (Zn-MHB) have been described by a combination of elemental analyses, spectral (UV-Vis, IR, MS, NMR), XRD, TEM as well as TGA measurement. The ligand has been suggested to coordinate to the zinc center in tetradentate manner forming binuclear tetrahedral complex. An X-ray analysis indicated a considerable difference between MHB (crystalline) and Zn-MHB (amorphous). UV-Vis spectra were used to determine the optical properties such as bandgap, refractive index, optical conductivity and penetration depth. Possibility of employing the samples for optoelectronic applications was indicated from the band gap values which underlie the range of semiconductors. TEM revealed spherical shapes and mutation of ligand particles into nano-scale by complexation. The antimicrobial potential of the MHB towards gram-positive and negative bacterial growths has been investigated. The results suggested that it would be possible to employ MHB to stop bacterial development, particularly salmonella typhimurium. Cytotoxicity of the MHB was assessed against two types of mammalian cells: VERO (the kidney of an African green monkey) and HFB4 (human skin melanocytes). Lower sensitivity was observed in VERO cells.

This paper proposes a procedure for predicting the actual wind speed for flow over complex terrain with CFD. It converts a time-series of wind speed data acquired from field observations into a time-series of actual scalar wind speed by using non-dimensional wind speed parameters which are determined beforehand with the use of CFD output. The accuracy and reproducibility of the prediction procedure were examined by simulating the flow with CFD with the use of high resolution (5 m) surface elevation data for the Noma Wind Park in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The errors of the predicted average monthly wind speeds relative to the observed values were less than approximately 20%.

Weight gain affects about 10-20% of patients after bariatric surgery. It is a phenomenon that is difficult to understand and to intervene due to its complexity and etiological heterogeneity. In the present study, we investigated, from a network analysis perspective, the associations between weight regain, psychological, sociodemographic factors and physical activity in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The sample consisted of 124 patients, of both sexes, aged 39 ± 9.1 years, who had undergone surgical intervention for more than 18 months. After voluntary consent, respondents answered questionnaires and instruments directly on the Google Forms platform. The results indicated that weight gain was negatively associated with the items of depression, anxiety and stress, binge eating and with the dimensions of the personality questionnaire (negative affectivity -0.182; detachment -0.078; antagonism -0.107; disinterest - 0.198 and psychoticism -0.158). The centrality indicators revealed that the characteristics of disinterest and negative affectivity and most of the items on the depression, anxiety and stress scale had a greater expected influence (values ​​from 1,043 to 1,502), indicating that these are the most sensitive variables to intervention and who need more attention from health professionals.

This proposed research explores a novel approach to image classification by deploying a complex-valued neural network (CVNN) on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), specifically for classifying 2D images transformed into polar form. The aim of this research is to address the limitations of existing neural network models in terms of energy and resource efficiency, by exploring the potential of FPGA-based hardware acceleration in conjunction with advanced neural network architectures like CVNNs. The methodological innovation of this research lies in the Cartesian to polar transformation of 2D images, effectively reducing the input data volume required for neural network processing. Subsequent efforts focused on constructing a CVNN model optimized for FPGA implementation, emphasizing the enhancement of computational efficiency and overall performance. The experimental findings provide empirical evidence supporting the efficacy of the image classification system developed in this study. One of the developed models, CVNN_128, achieves an accuracy of 88.3% with an inference time of just 1.6ms and a power consumption of 4.66mW for the classification of the MNIST test dataset consists of 10,000 frames. While there is a slight concession in accuracy compared to recent FPGA implementations that achieve 94.43%, our model significantly excels in classification speed and power efficiency—surpassing existing models by more than a factor of 100. In conclusion, the paper demonstrates the substantial advantages of FPGA-implementation of CVNNs for image classification tasks, particularly in scenarios where speed, resource, and power consumption are critical. The study’s reproducible results and corresponding code are available on GitHub at the following link: https://github.com/mahmad2005/CVNNonFPGA

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has garnered significant attention in the fields of cancer treatment and drug-resistant bacteria eradication due to its non-invasive nature and spatiotemporal controllability. Iridium complexes have captivated researchers owing to their tunable structure, exceptional optical properties, and substantial Stokes displacement. However, most of these complexes suffer from aggregation-induced quenching, leading to diminished luminous efficiency. In contrast to conventional photosensitizers, photosensitizers exhibiting aggregation-induced luminescence (AIE) properties retain the ability to generate a large number of reactive oxygen species when aggregated. To overcome these limitations, we designed and synthesized a novel iridium complex named Ir-TPA in this study. It incorporates quinoline triphenylamine cyclomethylated ligands that confer AIE characteristics for Ir-TPA. We systematically investigated the photophysical properties, AIE behavior, spectral features, and reactive oxygen generation capacity of Ir-TPA. The results demonstrate that Ir-TPA exhibits excellent optical properties with pronounced AIE phenomenon and robust capability for producing singlet oxygen species. This work not only introduces a new class of metal iridium complex photosensitizer with AIE attributes but also holds promise for achieving remarkable photodynamic therapeutic effects in future cellular experiments and biological studies.

The aim of this study is to introduce a novel method which can separate sand or gravel dominated bed load transport in rivers with mixed-size bed material. In engineering practice, the Shields-Parker diagram could be used for such purposes, however, the method has certain applicability limits, due to the fact that it is based on uniform bed material and provides information rather on river-scale, instead of reach or local scale. When dealing with large rivers with complex hydrodynamics and morphodynamics the bed load transport modes can also indicate strong variation even locally, which requires a more suitable approach to estimate the locally unique behavior of the sediment transport. Here, we suggest that the decision criteria utilizes the shear Reynolds number (Re*). The method was verified against field and laboratory measurement data, both performed at non-uniform bed material compositions. The comparative assessment of the results show that the shear Reynolds number based method operates more reliably than the Shields-Parker diagram and it is expected to predict the sand or gravel transport domination with a < 5% uncertainty. The introduced results can greatly contribute to the improvement of numerical sediment transport modeling as well as to the field implementation of bed load transport measurements.

The strong couplings among ecological, economic, social and technological processes explains the complexification of human-made systems, and phenomena such as globalization, climate change, the increased urbanization and inequality of human societies, the power of information, and the COVID-19 syndemics. Among complexification’s essential features are non-decomposability, asynchronous behavior, components with many degrees of freedom, increased likelihood of catastrophic events, irreversibility, nonlinear phase spaces with immense combinatorial sizes, and the impossibility of long-term, detailed prediction. Sustainability for complex systems implies enough efficiency to explore and exploit their dynamic phase spaces and enough flexibility to coevolve with their environments. This in turn means solving intractable nonlinear semi-structured dynamic multi-objective optimization problems, with conflicting, incommensurable, non-cooperative objectives and purposes, under dynamic uncertainty, restricted access to materials, energy and information, and a given time horizon, aiming at enhancing the co-evolutionary power of the Biosphere and its human subsystems. Giving the high-stakes, the need for effective, efficient, diverse solutions, their local-global, present-future effects, and their unforeseen short, medium and long-term impacts, achieving sustainable complex systems implies the need for Sustainability-designed Universal Intelligent Agents, harnessing the strong functional coupling between human, artificial and nonhuman biological intelligence in a no-zero-sum game to achieve sustainability.

In the paper, the authors survey integral representations (including the Lévy--Khintchine representations) and applications of some bivariate means (including the logarithmic mean, the identric mean, Stolarsky's mean, the harmonic mean, the (weighted) geometric means and their reciprocals, and the Toader--Qi mean) and the multivariate (weighted) geometric means and their reciprocals, derive integral representations of bivariate complex geometric mean and its reciprocal, and apply these newly-derived integral representations to establish integral representations of Heronian mean of power 2 and its reciprocal.

A Pt(II) complex featuring chelating tridentate bis-aryloxide tetrahydropyrimidinium based N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) was synthesized and characterized by using different techniques. The electrochemical properties of the complex were investigated by cyclic voltammetry as well as differential pulse voltammetry, which revealed two reversible one-electron oxidation processes. The chemical generation and isolation of one-electron-oxidized species were performed oxidizing the initial complex by means of AgBF4. The combined UV-Vis/NIR- and EPR-spectroscopy studies supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest the formation of Pt(II)-phenoxyl radical complex. The latter open-shell derivative was structurally characterized by means of X-ray diffraction analysis. Finally, the neutral platinum complex was tested as a mediator in the process of electrocatalytic oxidation of 2-(methylamino)ethanol (MEA).

The natural compounds of boron have many applications, including as dietary supplement. Communication is based on the discovery that diester chlorogenoborate complex can be detected and quantified from green coffee bean. The study reports that such diester molecule can also be synthesized in stable form by direct reaction of boric acid and chlorogenic acid, in a mixture of acetonitrile–water (1:1, v/v), left to evaporate over a period of 48 hours, at room temperature, resulting a spirocyclic form (diester complex). The diester complex, with its molecular structure and digestibility attributes has potential application as prebiotic in gut health, oral health and as micronutrient essential for microbiota to human and animals.

To prevent CO2 leakage and ensure the safety of long-term CO2 storage, it is essential to investigate the flow mechanism of CO2 in complex pore structures at the pore scale. This study focuses on reviewing the experimental, theoretical, and numerical simulation studies on the microscopic flow of CO2 in complex pore structures during the last decade. For example, advanced imaging techniques, such as X-ray computed tomography (CT) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), are used to reconstruct the complex pore structures of rocks. Mathematical methods, such as Darcy's law, Young–Laplace’s law, and the Navier-Stokes equation, are used to describe the microscopic flow of CO2. Numerical methods, such as the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) and pore network (PN) model, are used for numerical simulation. The application of these experimental and theoretical models and numerical simulation studies is discussed, considering the effect of complex pore structures. Finally, future research is suggested to focus on: (1) Conducting real-time CT scanning experiments of CO2 displacement combined with the developed real-time CT scanning clamping device to realize real-time visualization and provide quantitative description of the flow behavior of CO2 in complex pore structures; (2) The effect of pore structures change on the CO2 flow mechanism caused by the chemical reaction between CO2 and the pore surface, the flow theory of CO2 considering wettability and damage theory in a complex pore structures; (3) The flow mechanism of multi-phase CO2 in complex pore structures; (4) The flow mechanism of CO2 in the pore structures at multiscale and the scale upgrade from microscopic to mesoscopic to macroscopic. Generally, this study focuses on reviewing the research progress of CO2 flow mechanisms in complex pore structures at the pore scale and affords an overview of potential advanced developments to enhance the current understanding of CO2 microscopic flow mechanisms.

Craniofacial neuropathic pain affects millions of people worldwide and is often difficult to treat. Two key mechanisms underlying this condition are a loss of the negative control exerted by inhibitory interneurons and an early microglial reaction. Basic features of these mechanisms, however, are still poorly understood. Using the chronic constriction injury of the infraorbital nerve (CCI-IoN) model of neuropathic pain in mice, we have examined the changes in the expression of GAD, the synthetic enzyme of GABA, and GlyT2, the membrane transporter of glycine, as well as the microgliosis that occur at early (5 days) and late (21 days) stages post-CCI in the medullary and upper spinal dorsal horn. Our results show that CCI-IoN induces a down-regulation of GAD at both postinjury survival times, uniformly across the superficial laminae. The expression of GlyT2 showed a more discrete and heterogeneous reduction due to the basal presence in lamina III of ‘patches’ of higher expression, interspersed within a less immunoreactive ‘matrix’, which showed a more substantial reduction in the expression of GlyT2. These patches coincided with foci lacking any perceptible microglial reaction, which stood out against a more diffuse areas of strong microgliosis. These findings may provide clues to better understand the neural mechanisms underlying allodynia in neuropathic pain syndromes.

Burkholderia are a group of Gram-negative bacteria that can cause a variety of diseases in at-risk populations. B. pseudomallei and B. mallei, the etiological agents of melioidosis and glanders, respectively, are the two clinically relevant members of the B. pseudomallei complex (Bpc). The development of vaccines against Bpc species has been accelerated in recent years, resulting in numerous promising subunits and glycoconjugate vaccines incorporating a variety of antigens. However, a second group of pathogenic Burkholderia species exists known as the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc), a group of opportunistic bacteria which tend to affect individuals with weakened immunity or cystic fibrosis. To date there have been few attempts to develop vaccines to Bcc species. Therefore, the primary goal of this review is to provide a broad overview of the various subunit antigens that have been tested in Bpc species, their protective efficacy, study limitations, and known or suspected mechanisms of protection. Then, we assess the reviewed Bpc antigens for their amino acid sequence conservation to homologous proteins found in Bcc species. We propose that protective Bpc antigens with a high degree of Bpc-to-Bcc sequence conservation could serve as components of a pan-Burkholderia vaccine capable of protecting against both disease-causing groups.

Four models of Ce(III) complexes with four ligands based on a 1,2,3-triazole derivatives were studied at four DFT levels. The effect of different ligands on the atomic charge value on the cerium ion was analyzed. Several relationships were clearly established between this atomic charge and that of the surrounding atoms, as well as with several geometric parameters of the ligand and with the molecular properties of the Ce(III) complex. The experimental IR and Raman spectra of the newly obtained Ce(III) complex with the (pyrrolidin-1-yl)-2H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate ligand were interpreted based on their comparison to the theoretical scaled ones using the scaling equations determined by two procedures and four DFT levels. Therefore, the structure predicted for the synthesized Ce(III) complex was clearly characterized and confirmed. The potential antioxidant action of Ce(III) complex was elucidated and compared with other Ln(III) complexes in order to find out the differences in their biological activity profiles.

. This article presents, for the first time, the kinetics and the general conversion features of a 3-component system (A/B/N), based on proposed mechanism of Mau et al, for both free radical polymerization (FRP) of acrylates and the free radical promoted cationic polymerization (CP) of epoxides using various new copper complex (G2) as the initiator. Higher FRP and CP conversion can be achieved by co-additive of [B] and N, via the dual function of (i) regeneration [A], and (ii) generation of extra radicals. The FRP and CP conversion efficacy (CE) are proportional to the nonlinear power of bI[A][B], where b and I are the effective absorption coefficient and the light intensity, respectively. In the interpenetrated polymer network (IPN) capable of initiating both FRP and CP in a blend of TMPTA and EPOX, (as the monomer for FRP and CP, respectively), the synergic effects due to CP include:: (i) CP can increase viscosity limiting the diffusional oxygen replenishment, such that oxygen inhibition effects are reduced; (ii) the cationic monomer also acts as a diluting agent for the IPN network , and (iii) the exothermic property of the CP. Many new findings are explored via our analytical formuals include: (i) the CE of FRP is about twice of the CE of CP, due to the extra radicals involved in FRP; (ii) the catalytic cycle enhancing the efficacy is mainly due to the regenaration of the initiator, and (iii) the nonlinear dependence of light intensity of the CE (in both FRP and CP). For the first time, the catalytic cycle, synergic effects, and the oxygen inhibition are theoretically confirmed to support the experimental hypothesis. The measured results of Mau et al are well analyzed and matching the predicted features of our modeling. .

The spatial formation of coherent random laser modes in strongly scattering disordered random media is a central feature in the understanding of the physics of random lasers. We derive a quantum field theoretical method for random lasing in disordered samples of complex amplifying Mie resonators which is able to provide self-consistently and free of any fit parameter the full set of transport characteristics at and above the laser phase transition. The coherence length and the correlation volume respectively is derived as an experimentally measurable scale of the phase transition at the laser threshold. We find that the process of stimulated emission in extended disordered arrangements of active Mie resonators is ultimately connected to time-reversal symmetric multiple scattering in the sense of photonic transport while the diffusion coefficient is finite. A power law is found for the random laser mode diameters in stationary state with increasing pump intensity.

A developed six-port reflectometry (SPR) system was integrated to measure the relative permittivity of tumor and normal breast tissue for medical diagnostic purpose. In order to obtain an accurate and precise measurement, the calibration process was done to the SPR using the well-known three-standard technique. Next, the studied dielectric probe was connected to the calibrated measurement-port of the SPR. The open end of the probe aperture was dibbed into the normal and tumor synthetic breast tissue samples to measure the synthetic breast tissues dielectric constant, ɛrʹ, and loss factor, ɛrʺ in the frequency range of 1.5 GHz to 3.3 GHz. Finally, the comparative studies were conducted between commercial VNA with Keysight 85070E dielectric probe and the studied SPR-probe system based on the measured magnitude of the reflection coefficient, phase shift, dielectric constant, and loss factor of the synthetic breast samples. The maximum absolute errors of the measured reflection coefficient magnitude, phase shift, dielectric constant, and loss factor were found to be 0.01, 1.07°, 1.12, and 0.75, respectively. It was ascertained that the predicted dielectric constant, ɛrʹ, is able to differentiate between normal, (ɛrʹ &lt; 50) and tumor, (ɛrʹ &gt; 50) breast tissues.

To enhance system reliability and mitigate vulnerabilities of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), it is common to fuse the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and visual sensors with the GNSS receiver in the navigation system design, effectively enabling compensations with absolute position and reducing data gaps. To address shortcomings of traditional Kalman Filter (KF) such as sensor error, imperfect nonlinear system model, and KF estimation error, a GRU-aided ESKF architecture is proposed to enhance positioning performance. This study conducts Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) to priories and identify the potential faults in the urban environment facilitating the design of improved fault-tolerant system architecture. The identified primary fault events are data association error and navigation environment error during fault conditions of feature mismatch, especially in the presence of multiple failure modes. A hybrid federated navigation system architecture is employed using a Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) to predict state increments for updating the state vector in the Error Estate Kalman Filter (ESKF) measurement step. The proposed algorithm’s performance is evaluated in a simulation environment in MATLAB under multiple visually degraded conditions. Comparative results provide evidence that the GRU-aided ESKF outperforms standard ESKF and state-of-the-art solutions like VINS-Mono, End-to-End VIO, and Self-Supervised VIO, exhibiting higher efficiency in complex environments.

Sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition with an incidence of 26:100,000 in the United States. However, its etiology and optimal treatment remain controversial. We included 129 and 74 patients with simple and complex sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease, respectively. The primary outcome was pilonidal sinus recurrence after unroofing curettage. Secondary outcomes were pain scores, time to return to work/school, and time to complete recovery. At a median follow-up of 53 months, the recurrence rate was 4.9% in all patients, not significantly higher in subjects with the complex disease. Duration of surgery (15.4 vs. 12.2 min), time to return to school/work (9.8 vs. 7.7 days), and complete healing time (44 vs. 36 days) were longer in patients with the complex disease. Postoperative complication rates, pain scores, and quality of life scores between the two groups did not differ. Unroofing curettage may be a good first-choice treatment for both simple and complex sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease.