The determination of the non-loading condition of the rail cable shifting (RCS) system, which consists of main cables, hangers and rail cables, is the premise of the girder erection for the long-span suspension bridges. An analytical form-finding analysis model of shifting system is established according to the basic assumptions of flexible cable structures. Herein, the rail cable is discretized into segmental linear cable elements and the main cable is discretized into segmental catenary elements. Moreover, the calculation and analysis equation of each member and their iterative solutions are derived by taking the elastic elongation of the sling into account. In addition, by taking the girder construction of Aizhai suspension bridge as engineering background, a global scale model of the RCS system is designed and manufactured; also the test system and working conditions are established. The comparison between the test results and analytical results shows the presented analytical method is correct and effective. The process is simplified in the analytical method, and the computational results and precision can satisfy the practical engineering requirements. In addition, the proposed method is suitable to apply to the computation analysis of similar structures.

The fundamental challenge for the structural design of complicated shapes and lightweight structures such as Tensile Membrane Structures (TMS) is a reliable estimation of lateral loading such as wind load. Wind pressure coefficients can’t be correctly calculated by standards for a large range of intricate forms of structures. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), a strong computational technique for evaluating wind pressure distribution on complicated geometry, can be used to determine wind-related parameters. The average wind related-distributions for the tensile membrane surface are validated with a few contributions from prior studies, which are important to validate with benchmarks in experimental wind tunnel experiments. For the double-curved surface, the results show good agreement between experimental tests and CFD simulations. In this study, CFD simulation was used to calculate the mean surface pressure coefficient (Cp) for generic shapes and tensile membrane forms using the steady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) technique. Wind force coefficients and the effect of wind directions are also explored across a wide range of classical and tensile forms. The purpose of the current research is to look at the effect of wind assault angle on the Cp distribution for tensile membrane structures and general shapes.

Pure-compression shells have been the central topic in the form-finding of shells. This paper studies tension-compression mixed type shells by utilizing a NURBS-based isogeometric form-finding approach that analyzes Airy stress functions to expand the possible plan geometry. A complete set of smooth version graphic statics tools is provided to support the analyses. The method is validated using examples with known solutions, and a further example demonstrates the possible forms of shells that the proposed method permits. Additionally, a guideline to configure a proper set of boundary conditions is presented through the lens of asymptotic lines of the stress functions.

After industrialization and the baby boom, many houses have been left vacant in many cities worldwide due to changes in the economy, socie-ty, and urban composition. The increase in vacant houses causes social problems, like the collapse of village communities, damage to urban aes-thetics, risk of crime due to vacant houses, and decrease in the value of real estate. Accordingly, policy attempts and studies to reduce and utilize vacant houses are in progress in various countries. In South Korea, the ratio of vacant houses was 6.4% of all houses as of 2021, and in Jeolla-buk-do, it was 11.6%, which is higher than the national average. Jeollabuk-do conducted a fact-finding survey on countermeasures against va-cant houses; 17,732 vacant houses (2.4%) were surveyed. The urbanization, population, and terrain of Jeollabuk-do, consisting of 14 cities and counties, were considered. The ratios, types, grades, and spatial autocorrelations of vacant houses were analyzed after classification into city (fo-cus, small, and medium) and county (plains and mountains) areas. There were significant differences in the averages of the ratios, grades, and spatial autocorrelations between city and county areas. Therefore, policy establishment for vacant house management and countermeasures re-quires consideration of the areas and types of vacant houses.Keywords: : vacant house; spatial autocorrelation; fact-finding survey

Purpose: We assessed if a CXR AI algorithm can detect missed or mislabeled chest radiographs (CXRs) findings in radiology reports. Methods: We queried multi-institutional radiology reports search database of 13-million reports to identify all CXRs reports with addendums from 1999-2021. Of the 3469 CXR reports with an addendum, a thoracic radiologist excluded reports where addendum was created for typographic errors, wrong report template, missing sections, or uninterpreted signoffs. The remaining reports with addendum (279 patients) with errors related to side-discrepancy or missed findings such as pulmonary nodules, consolidation, pleural effusions, pneumothorax, and rib fractures. All CXRs were processed with an AI algorithm. Descriptive statistics were performed to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of AI to detect missed or mislabeled findings. Results: AI had high sensitivity (96%), specificity (100%), and accuracy (96%) for detecting all missed and mislabeled CXR findings. The corresponding finding-specific statistics for AI were nodules (96%, 100%, 96%), pneumothorax (84%, 100%, 85%), pleural effusion (100%, 17%, 67%), consolidation (98%, 100%, 98%), and rib fractures (87%, 100%, 94%). Conclusion: The CXR AI could accurately detect mislabeled and missed findings. Clinical Relevance: The CXR AI can reduce the frequency of errors in detection and side-labeling of radiographic findings.

Active-case finding (ACF) using chest X-ray is an essential method of finding and diagnosing TB cases that may be missed in Indonesia's routine TB case finding. This study compares active and passive TB case-finding strategies. A retrospective study of TB case notification was conducted. Data between January 1 and December 31, 2021, was used. The population in this study were TB cases notified from Kulon Progo District health facilities, including those found through routine activities or active-case finding. A total of 255 TB cases were diagnosed in Kulon Progo in 2021, and 106 (41.6%) were bacteriologically confirmed. The TB patients' mean age was 46.3 (SD 21.4, range 0-85 years). The majority of cases were male (58.8%) and mostly among people aged 16-60 years old (63.5%). ACF diagnosed 91 TB cases (35.7% total cases, 91/255). The proportion of clinical TB cases (n=68, 74.7%) among those found through ACF was higher than found through passive-case finding. Use of chest X-ray in ACF likely contributed to the detection of a higher proportion of clinical TB than bacteriologically confirmed.

In the note, the authors find several simple and explicit forms for a family of inhomogeneous linear ordinary differential equations studied in "D. Lim, Differential equations for Daehee polynomials and their applications, J. Nonlinear Sci. Appl. 10 (2017), no. 4, 1303-1315; Available online at http://dx.doi.org/10.22436/jnsa.010.04.02".

Dredging is a common technique for managing eutrophication problems in waters, reducing the accumulation of pollutants by removing sediments from the bottom of water bodies. However, dredging can cause complex impacts on lake ecosystems, and it is crucial to understand benefits and mechanisms for environments. In this paper, the dredged and undredged areas in the Caohai portion of Dianchi Lake were studied to analyze the effects of dredging on nitrogen-phosphorus transport and conversion and changes in nitrogen-phosphorus morphology content and its mechanisms by comparing the nitrogen-phosphorus morphology content, percentage; nitro-gen-phosphorus ratio, and release contribution of the two areas. It was found that the ratio of sta-bilized nitrogen (SN) to stabilized phosphorus (SP) in the dredged area was lower than that in the non-dredged area; the BD-P and TOC contents had a large turnaround at the 16-20 cm position of the sediment in the dredged area; and the main conclusions were that the dredging would disrupt the internal equilibrium of the lake system for many years, and in particular, it would have the greatest effect on the balance of the BD-P in the phosphorus forms of the sediment, and that the column cores of the dredged area from 0 to 16 cm might be newly accumulated sediments after the dredging project. However, with time, the distribution of nitrogen and phosphorus forms in the newly accumulated sediments will gradually reach a new equilibrium. In addition, dredging will also cause significant changes in the retention efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus in the sediment, and the stable nitrogen and phosphorus forms will be released and transformed into unstable ni-trogen and phosphorus forms.

This research work uses a simplified approach to combine location information from beacons propagation signal interaction with a mobile device with local building information to give real-time location and guidance to a user inside a building. This is an interactive process with visualisation information that can help user’s orientation inside unknown buildings and the data stored from different users can provide useful information about users movements inside a public building. Beacons installed on the building at specific pre-defined position emit signals that give a geographic position with an associated imprecision, related with Bluetooth’s range. This uncertainty is handled by building layout and users’ movement in a developed system that maps users’ position, gives guidance and store user movements. This system is based on an App (Find Me!) for Android OS (Operating System) which captures the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signal coming from the beacon(s) and shows, through a map, the location of the user ‘s smartphone and guide him to the desired destination. Also, the beacons can deliver relevant context information. The application was tested by a panel of new and habitual campus users against traditional wayfinding alternatives yielding navigation times about 30% smaller, respectively.

The current scenario of radioactive waste management requires innovative and automated solutions to ensure effectiveness and safety. In response to this need, the PI3SO (Proximity Imaging System for Sort and Segregate Operations) project was proposed. It is a gamma radiation proximity scanner system for radioactive waste with the primary goal of speeding up some aspects of the waste management cycle while reducing direct human operations. The system will provide proximity imaging for hot spot finding and spectral analysis for radiological characterization, enabling semiautomatic recognition, sorting and separation of radioactive waste. The core of the proposed scanning system consists of an array of 128 CsI(Tl) scintillators, 1 cm3 size, coupled with silicon photomultipliers (SiPM), installed on a motorized bridge sliding along a suitable table in order to scan the materials under investigation.

Alternative splicing is an essential regulatory mechanism for gene expression in mammalian cells contributing to protein, cellular, and species diversity. Isoform switching, the process where cells alter the expression of various splice forms (isoforms) of a gene, plays a critical role in cellular function and adaptation. Our study provides a comprehensive analysis of splice forms prevailing across ten of the most studied human cell lines using public RNAseq data. We analyzed the occurrence of splice forms and found substantial justification for revising the canonical sequences for 56 genes, suggesting that these alternative splice forms should be recognized as canonical. Additionally, distinct profiles of splice form prevalence across these cell lines offer new insights into their specific biological roles. Our findings reinforce and expand upon previous insights into the link between isoform expression and oncological processes. Notably, we identified three genes exhibiting statistically significant changes between cancerous and normal tissues. Moreover, a comparative analysis of prevailing isoforms across diverse cell lines with prior research unveiled 140 common splice variants associated with cancer, highlighting their importance for prognostication and understanding oncogenesis. We revealed unique patterns and variations in isoform switching of these lines that provide new insights into the importance of selecting specific ones for research.

Climate change is expected to result in rising temperatures, leading to increased occurrences of extreme weather events like heat waves and cold spells. Urban planning responses are crucial for improving the adaptive capacity of cities and communities in dealing with significant temperature variations across seasons. This study aims to investigate the relationship between urban temperature fluctuations and urban morphology throughout the four seasons. Through quadrant and statistical analyses, the study identifies built-environment factors that contribute to moderate seasonal land surface temperatures (LST). The research focuses on Seoul, South Korea as a case study and calculates seasonal LST values at both the grid level (100m×100m) and street-block level, incorporating factors such as vegetation density, land use patterns, albedo, two- and three-dimensional building forms, and gravity indices for natural reserves. The quadrant analysis reveals spatial segregation between areas demonstrating high LST adaptability (cooler summers and warmer winters) and those displaying LST vulnerability (hotter summers and colder winters), with significant differences in vegetation and building forms. The spatial regression analysis demonstrates that higher vegetation density and proximity to water bodies play key roles in moderating LST, leading to cooler summers and warmer winters. Building characteristics have an invariant impact on LST across all seasons, where horizontal expansion contributes to higher LST, while vertical expansion reduces LST. These findings are consistent for both grid- and block-level analyses. The study emphasizes the flexible role of the natural environment in moderating temperatures.

With the growing demand for positioning services, angle-of-arrival (AoA) estimation or direction-finding (DF) has been widely investigated for applications in fifth-generation (5G) technologies. Many existing AoA estimation algorithms only require the measurement of the direction of the incident wave at the transmitter to obtain correct results. However, for most of the cellular systems such as Bluetooth indoor positioning system due to multipath and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) propagation, the indoor positioning accuracy is severely affected. In this paper a comprehensive algorithm is investigated that combines radio measurements from Bluetooth AoA local navigation systems with indoor position estimates obtained using particle filtering, which allows us to explore new optimised methods to reduce estimation errors in indoor positioning. First, particle filtering is used to predict the rough position of a moving target. Then, an algorithm with robust beam weighting is used to estimate the AoA of the multipath components. Based on this, a system of pseudo-linear equations for target positioning based on the probabilistic framework of PF and AoA measurement is derived. Theoretical analysis and simulation results show that the algorithm can improve the positioning accuracy by about 25.7% on average.

IMPORTANCE: On December 10, 2021, the FDA published a Determination Letter, along with a Statistical Review and Evaluation Report, and concluded that under the non-informative prior, the local Bayesian optimal interval design (BOIN) design, in its revised form, can be designated fit-for-purpose for identifying the maximum tolerated dose of a new drug, assuming that dose-toxicity relationship is monotonically increasing. Although setting the BOIN design parameter p.tox = 1.4 * target.DLT.rate is recommended in almost all BOIN methodology articles and is the default value in the R package BOIN, it's unclear if the choice of p.tox should only depend on the target DLT rate and if certain range of p.tox could produce the same BOIN boundary table. DESIGN: In this simulation study, following parameters were varied one at a time, using R package BOIN, to explore their effects on the equivalence intervals of p.saf and p.tox: 1) target DLT rate, 2) n.earlystop, 3) cutoff.eli, 4) cohortsize, and 5) ncohort. And a simple 3+3 design was used as an example to explore equivalent sets of BOIN design parameters that can generate the same boundary table. RESULTS: When the early stopping parameter n.earlystop is relatively small or the cohortsize value is not optimized via simulation, it might be better to use p.tox < 1.4 * target.DLT.rate, or try out different cohort sizes, or increase n.earlystop, whichever is both feasible and provides better operating characteristics. This is because if the cohortsize was not optimized via simulation, even when n.earlystop = 12 and cohortsize > 3, the BOIN escalation/de-escalation rules generated using p.tox = 1.4 * target.DLT.rate could be exactly the same as those calculated using p.tox > 3 * target.DLT.rate, which might not be acceptable for some pediatric trials targeting 10% DLT rate. The traditional 3+3 design stops the dose finding process when 3 patients have been treated at the current dose level, 0 DLT has been observed, and the next higher dose has already been eliminated. If additional 3 patients were required to be treated at the current dose in the situation described above, the decision rules of this commonly used 3+3 design could be generated using BOIN design with target DLT rates ranging from 18% to 29%, p.saf ranging from 8% to 26%, and different p.tox values ranging from 39% to 99%. These BOIN parameters also need to satisfy a set of conditions. Meaning: This study demonstrates the importance of interpreting BOIN design parameter p.tox as an interval of toxicity rates that are considered too toxic, rather than one prespecified value that corresponds to the lowest toxicity probability that is deemed overly toxic. When designing a dose-finding trial using BOIN, it is important to perform simulation studies to identify equivalent sets of BOIN design parameters that can generate the same boundary table so that we can better compare the safety properties of different boundary tables.

A simple protocol for preparation of O-acylated enol form - (R/S)-ethyl-2-acetoxy-4-phenyl-4H-chromene-3-carboxylate 5 was presented. The compound was characterized by 1H-, 13C-and DEPT135 NMR spectra, including {1H,1H} COSY, {1H,13C} HSQC, {1H,13C} HMBC and 2D-NOESY spectra. The preferred regioselectivity for O-acylation of 3,4-dihydrocoumarin 5 in the presence of substituent in 4-th position in the chroman ring and accounting the steric hindrance of the ester group in 3-th place was confirmed.

Here, we report the synthesis and experimental characterization of three drug-drug eutectic mixtures of drug aminoglutethimide (AMG) with caffeine (CAF), nicotinamide (NIC) and ethenzamide (ZMD). The eutectic mixtures (AMG-CAF, AMG-NIC and AMG-ZMD) demonstrate significant melting point depressions ranging from 99.2 to 127.2 °C compared to the melting point of the drug AMG (151°C) and also show significantly higher aqueous solubilities than that of the AMG. The results presented include the determination of the binary melt phase diagrams and accompanying analytical characterization via X-ray powder diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy and Scanning electron microscopy.

In this paper, the author derives an explicit form of Heaviside Step Function, which evidently constitutes a fundamental concept of Operational Calculus and is also involved in many other fields of applied and engineering mathematics.In particular, this special function is exhibited in a very simple manner as a summation of four inverse tangent functions. The novelty of this work is that the proposed exact formulae are not performed in terms of miscellaneous special functions, e.g. Bessel functions, Error function, Beta function etc and also are neither the limit of a function, nor the limit of a sequence of functions with point – wise or uniform convergence.Hence, this formula may be much more appropriate and useful in the computational procedures which are inserted into Operational Calculus techniques and other engineering practices.

New q-series in the spirit of Jacobi have been found in a publication rst published in 1884 written in Russian and translated into English in 1928. This work was found by chance and appears to be almost totally unknown. From these entirely new q-series, fresh lattice sums have been discovered and are presented here.

Aiming at solving difficulties related to aero-engine classification and identification, the infrared spectra of aero-engine hot jets are measured by telemetry Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, and a six types aero-engine hot jet spectrum data set is generated. The spectrum data set were randomly sampled at a ratio of 8:1:1 to generate training set, validation set and prediction set. In this paper, a Peak Finding Siamese Convolutional Neural Network (PF-SCNN) is designed to match and classify spectrum data. In the first place, the matching pairs of training set and validation set are made independently with the labels of positive and negative samples creating. The spectrum feature extraction and distance similarity calculation are carried out by the Siamese convolutional neural network (SCNN). When entering the prediction phase, the prediction set and training set are integrated to predict in the trained model. The prediction set labels are ultimately determined by matching them with the training set labels having the highest similarities to ensure accurate predictions. To improve the operation efficiency of the SCNN, a peak finding method is introduced to extract the spectrum peaks. Peak positions of high frequency are counted, while the peak data are extracted. The peak data are used to take the place of the original data for training and prediction. The performance measures are defined as Accuracy, Precision, Recall, Confusion matrix and F1-score, and the prediction accuracy was up to 99%. The experimental results indicate that the proposed PF-SCNN is suitable for our spectral dataset and can complete the task of infrared spectrum classification of aero-engine hot jets.

In analogy with entanglement in physics, the concept of entanglement has been developed in mathematics as a symmetry to build upon as a tool to study 'proximity' relations between different number sequences and series in a unifying way. Examples of entanglement are shown. A general algorithm for detecting entangled sequences/series is given in the appendix. The novelty of this paper is to propose the concept of entanglement as a tool to study different sequences and se-ries-series phenomena. To enable useful treatment suggested by Poincaré.

While in the past, especially numerical approaches such as regression models and p-values were utilized to investigate whether the functional form between age and happiness is linear or U-shaped in a given country, recent advances have shown that such approaches can be misleading, and graphical analyses should amend the analyses. However, these have the downside that they rely to some extent on subjective interpretations and are hardly quantifiable. If applied carelessly, they can be misleading as well. We suggest two easily computed statistics to combine graphical and numerical approaches. We demonstrate their usage with ESS data (N > 440,000) and show how they enable a more nuanced investigation of functional forms. Furthermore, we discuss how statistical uncertainty can be handled in the age-happiness debate and emphasize practical significance, which needs to be kept in mind.

When profit-driven renewal is difficult to implement, many historic districts are “frozen protected” in China. In the social context of “building cities for the people” in recent years, the public value-oriented renewal of urban historic areas plays an important role in the transformation of cities. This study investigates the strategies of historic district regeneration in China by integrating spatial form, urban governance, and public value. We propose a novel framework to analyze the regeneration of historic districts, using Taiyuan Bell Tower Street as a case study. The framework distinguishes between two dimensions: spatial and economic-social. In the spatial dimension, we focus on the transformation of spatial form to regenerate public value, emphasizing the attribute of "publicness" as central to urban regeneration efforts. This involves a tiered approach of excavating and upgrading historic districts at macro, meso, and micro levels. In the economic-social dimension, we explore urban governance to strengthen public value, involving government, market, and societal actors in a collaborative renewal process. The analysis highlights that a public value-oriented approach to heritage regeneration offers greater sustainability and could serve as a model for other cities seeking similar outcomes.

For adolescents, high aggression is often associated with suicide, physical injury, worse academic performance, and crime. Therefore, there is a need for early identification and intervention for highly aggressive adolescents. The Buss-Warren Aggression Questionnaire (BWAQ) consists of 34 items, and the longer the scale, the more likely participants are to make an insufficient effort response (IER), which reduces the credibility of the results and increases the cost of implementation. The study aimed to develop a shorter BWAQ using machine learning (ML) techniques to reduce the frequency of IER and decrease implementation costs meantime. First, an initial version of the short-form questionnaire was determined using Stepwise Regression and ANOVA F-test. Then, a machine learning algorithm determined the optimal short-form questionnaire (BWAQ-ML). Finally, the reliability and validity of the optimal short-form questionnaire were tested using independent samples. The BWAQ-ML has 88% fewer items than the BWAQ. It has AUC, accuracy, recall, precision, and F1 scores of 0.85, 0.85, 0.89, 0.83, and 0.86, respectively, and good psychometric properties. The BWAQ-ML can effectively measure individual aggression and can be used as a simplified version of BWAQ.

We study the divisibility properties of the constant terms of certain meromorphic modular forms for Hecke groups. We relate those properties to those of some sequences that have already appeared in the literature. For possible use in later drafts, we show how to invert the map taking a Laurent series $f(x) = 1/x + \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_{n+1} x^n$ to the sequence of constant terms of its positive powers. At the end of the article, we construct from elementary arithmetic functions some meromorphic but not necessarily modular functions and study their constant terms.

We give a simple proof of the Chen inequality for the Chen invariant $\underbrace{\delta (2,...,2)}_{k\mbox{ terms}}$ of submanifolds in Riemannian space forms.

The Japanese city presents a certain number of peculiarities in the organization of its physical space (weak zoning regulations, fast piecemeal destruction/reconstruction of buildings and blocks, high compacity, incremental reorganization). Compared to countries where urban fabrics are more perennial and easily distinguishable (old centers, modern planned projects, residential areas, etc.), in Japanese metropolitan areas we often observe higher heterogeneity and more complex spatial patterns. Even within such a model, it should be possible to recognize the internal organization of the physical city. The aim of this paper is thus to study the spatial structure of the contemporary Japanese city, generalizing on the case study of Osaka and Kobe. In order to achieve this goal, we will need to identify urban forms at different local scales (building types, urban fabrics) and to analyze them at a wider scale to delineate morphological regions and their structuring of the overall layout of the contemporary Japanese city. Several analytical protocols are used together with field observations and literature. The results, and more particularly the building and urban fabrics types and their location within the Osaka-Kobe metropolitan area, are interpreted in the light of Japanese history and model of urbanization. A synoptic graphical model of an urban morphological structure based upon Osaka is produced and proposed as an interpretative pattern for the Japanese metropolitan city in general.

According to the fact that the low convergence level on the complete elliptic integral of the first kind for the modulus which having values approach to one. In this paper we propose novelty of the complete elliptic integral consists of the new infinite series. We apply the scheme of iteration by substituting the common modulus with own modulus function into the new infinite series. We obtained so many new exact formulas of the complete elliptic integral derived from this method correspond to the number of iteration order. On the other hand, it has been also obtained a lot of new modulus functions rather than common used previously. The calculation results show that the number of significant figures of the new infinite series of the complete elliptic integral of the first kind is increased more and more. It means more fastly convergent would be obtained comparison values with the previous infinite series.

This is a shortened and revised version of the article: A. Tyszka, Statements and open problems on decidable sets X⊆N, Pi Mu Epsilon J. 15 (2023), no. 8, 493-504. The main results were presented at the 25th Conference Applications of Logic in Philosophy and the Foundations of Mathematics, see http://applications-of-logic.uni.wroc.pl/XXV-Konferencja-Zastosowania-Logiki-w-Filozofii-i-Podstawach-Matematyki. We assume that the current mathematical knowledge is a finite set of statements which is time-dependent. In every branch of mathematics, the set of all knowable truths is the set of all theorems. This set exists independently of our current scientific knowledge. Nicolas D. Goodman observed in Synthese that epistemic notions increase the understanding of mathematics without changing its content. We explain the distinction between algorithms whose existence is provable in ZFC and constructively defined algorithms which are currently known. By using this distinction, we obtain non-trivial statements on decidable sets X⊆N that belong to constructive mathematics and refer to the current mathematical knowledge on X. This and the next sentence justify the article title. For any empirical science, we can identify the current knowledge with that science because truths from the empirical sciences are not necessary truths but working models of truth from a particular context.

Today’s urban spaces face precipitous challenges and complications, which include the COVID-19 pandemic, urbanization, population growth, and climate change. Proximity plays an essential role in influencing the integrity of public spaces and urban environments, while proxemics studies people’s experience, and the benefits, of urban space, and is based on a behavioral system of activities that includes ‘territoriality’. There is a need to study the behavioural patterns of people in given situations with proxemic dimensions in order to sustain both human beings and the quality of urban space. However, people behave spontaneously within environmental settings and reflect each other’s responses, meaning it is important to distinguish between different cultures, which tend to respond in particular ways to the meaning of proximity. This suggests there is no universal indicator for phenomena such as crowding. The aim of this paper is to highlight the interrelationship between urban form and urban life. This study focuses on two patterns of activity - street life and social life - by adopting a descriptive-analytical approach to documentary and desk research. The findings reveal a vital distinction between social and public patterns of proximity, while other proximities, although critical, are not observed within interactions between people.

This short paper reveals a simple methodology to create local-correlation models suitable for the closed-form pricing of multi-asset financial derivatives. The multivariate models are built to ensure two conditions, first, marginals follow desirable processes, e.g. we choose the Geometric Brownian Motion (GBM), popular for stock prices. Second, the payoff of the derivative should follow a desired one dimensional process. These conditions lead to a specific choice of the dependence structure, in the form of a local-correlation model. Two popular multi-asset options are entertained, a spread option and a basket option.

In this paper, an analytical form of the Unit Step Function (or Heaviside Step function) is presented. This important function constitutes a fundamental concept of Operational Calculus and is also involved in many other fields of applied and engineering mathematics. In particular, Heaviside Step Function is performed in a very simple manner by the use of a finite number of standard operations, as the summation of six inverse tangent functions. The novelty of this work when compared with other analytical expressions, is that the proposed exact formula contains two arbitrary single - valued continuous functions which satisfy only one restriction. In addition, the proposed representation is not exhibited in terms of miscellaneous special functions, e.g. Bessel functions, Beta function, Logistic function. Besides, it is neither the limit of a function, nor the limit of a sequence of functions with point – wise or uniform convergence. Hence, this formula may be much more practical, flexible and useful in the computational procedures which are inserted into Operational Calculus techniques and other engineering practices.

The measurements of the proton electromagnetic form factors in the time-like region using the initial state radiation technique are reviewed. Recent experimental studies have shown that initial state radiation processes at high luminosity electron-positron colliders can be effectively used to probe the electromagnetic structure of hadrons. The BABAR experiment at the B-factory PEP-II in Stanford and the BESIII experiment at the $\tau$-charm factory BEPC-II in Beijing have measured the time-like form factors of the proton using the initial state radiation process $e^{+}e^{-}\to pbar{p}\gamma$. The two kinematical regions where the photon is emitted from the initial state at small and large polar angles have been investigated. In the first case the photon is in the region not covered by the detector acceptance and is not detected. The Born cross section and the proton effective form factor have been measured over a wide and continuous range of the the momentum transfer squared $q^2$ from threshold up to ~42 (GeV/c)$^2$. The ratio of electric and magnetic form factors of the proton has been also determined. In this report, the theoretical aspect and the experimental studies of the initial state radiation process $e^{+}e^{-}\to p\bar{p}\gamma$ are described. The measurements of the Born cross section and the proton form factors obtained in these analyses near the threshold region and in the relatively large $q^2$ region are examined. The experimental results are compared to the predictions from theory and models. Their impact on our understanding of the nucleon structure is discussed.

Deep learning has achieved remarkable success in diverse computer science applications, however, its use in other traditional engineering fields has emerged only recently. In this project, we solved several mechanics problems governed by differential equations, using physics informed neural networks (PINN). The PINN embeds the differential equations into the loss of the neural network using automatic differentiation. We present our developments in the context of solving two main classes of problems: data-driven solutions and data-driven discoveries, and we compare the results with either analytical solutions or numerical solutions using the finite element method. The remarkable achievements of the PINN model shown in this report suggest the bright prospect of the physics-informed surrogate models that are fully differentiable with respect to all input coordinates and free parameters. More broadly, this study shows that PINN provides an attractive alternative to solve traditional engineering problems.

This paper presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research on form and typology in architectural publications, spanning from 1999 to 2024. Utilizing the Web of Science database and the bibliometrix package in R, the study examines trends, influential works, and thematic evolution in the field. The findings reveal a progression from foundational themes such as "architecture," "culture," and "planning" to more specialized and diverse topics, including "sustainability," "parametric design," and "digital fabrication." Key influential works by authors like Jane Jacobs, Kevin Lynch, and Bill Hillier are highlighted. The study also underscores the collaborative nature of contemporary architectural research, with significant international co-authorship. While providing valuable insights into the research landscape, the study acknowledges limitations, such as database reliance and the need for qualitative analysis. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research, emphasizing the exploration of emerging technologies, interdisciplinary collaborations, and regional research dynamics.

We investigate regular damped oscillatory structures appearing in the "effective" form factor of various hadrons. The behavior of this form factor can be extracted from the experimental information on total cross sections, the processes $\sigma_{tot}(e^+e^- \to h \bar h)$, $h=\pi^{\pm}, K^{\pm}, K^0, p, n $ are examined. The apparent oscillations have been observed for the first time for the proton and we show, taking also other hadrons into the consideration, that they are an arbitrary artifact resulting from a very simplistic theoretical description based on an elementary three-parametric model. If the data are described by a more appropriate and well physically funded U\&A model, then the oscillations disappear. In addition, if the simple model is used to describe the data, one observes that the oscillations are opposite for particles which form an isospin dublet. We show, by using the U\&A model, that this feature is explained by the transformation properties of the corresponding states in the isotopic space.

“Energy” is probably the most important term in science and technology. The reason is energy can be converted while it is overall conserved, and thereby correlates changes of a wide variety. Despite its successful use in many areas over more than a century, an analysis of current literature shows that definitions of what energy is and explanations why it is conserved are inconsistent. With regard to energy forms not even a definition was found, and examples given are often wrong. Looking at two interacting objects in the most simple situations, with energy conservation but without conversion, a consistent understanding of energy and its conservation can be derived. Based on it, the systematic set of energy forms with a clear definition of each is then presented.

The Langmuir isotherm is a widely used model for analyzing adsorption equilibrium data. This study evaluated the efficiency and accuracy of all four linear forms of the Langmuir isotherm and its non-linear form using 67 experimental data sets selected from the literature. The results showed that only if all four linear forms simultaneously show high accuracy, then the non-linear form also shows high accuracy, and therefore it can be said that the process probably follows the Langmuir isotherm. On the contrary, when at least one of the four linear forms of the Langmuir isotherm has low accuracy, it means that the non-linear form also has low accuracy, and it can be concluded that this process does not follow the Langmuir isotherm. This research suggests that all four linear forms of the Langmuir isotherm should be evaluated simultaneously to conclude whether the studied system follows the Langmuir isotherm or not. In other words, relying on only one of the four linear forms of the Langmuir isotherm to model adsorption and calculate the Langmuir constant and maximum adsorption capacity is an incomplete approach, contrary to the conventional approach.

Capsizing accidents are regarded as marine accidents with a high rate of casualties per accident. Approximately 89% of all such accidents occur in small ships (vessels with gross tonnage less than 10 tons). Stability calculations are critical for assessing the risk of capsizing incidents and evaluating a ship's seaworthiness. Despite the high frequency of capsizing accidents involving small ships, they are generally exempt from adhering to stability regulations, thus remaining systemically exposed to the risk of capsizing. Moreover, the absence of essential design documents complicates direct ship stability calculations. This study utilizes hull form feature data—obtained from the general arrangement of small ships—as input for a deep learning model. The model is structured as a multilayer neural network and aims to infer hydrostatic curves, which is required data for stability calculations.

With the rapid development of China's economy, construction industrialization has become the main development trend of China's construction industry, and the convenient, efficient, environmental protection has become the new fashion, therefore the application of prefabricated building is more and more common. Stair serves as the weak link in prefab type building, the connecting node has an important influence on its failure. In this paper, pseudo-static tests are carried out on the joints in different forms of ladder holes to study the mechanical properties of flexible hinge points filled with flexible materials, and the hysteresis curve, skeleton curve and bearing capacity of each specimen are analyzed. The test results show that the flexible hinge can give full play to its flexible characteristics to ease the stress of ladder beam, pin bolt reinforcement and ladder hole, and the bearing capacity of flexible hinge points is moderate, which can not only mitigate the inclined bracing effect under the action of small and medium earthquakes, but also ensure the stair does not fall off under the action of large earthquakes. Through the experiment comparison, the ladder hole adopts node form 2, which can give full play to the advantage of flexible material.

This paper aims to search for lump waves in a spatial symmetric (2+1)-dimensional dispersive wave model. Through an ansatz on positive quadratic functions, we conduct symbolic computations with Maple to generate lump waves for the proposed nonlinear model. A line of critical points of the lump waves is computed, whose two spatial coordinates travel at constant speeds. The corresponding maximum and minimum values are evaluated in terms of the wave numbers, and interestingly, all those extreme values do not change with time, either. The last section is the conclusion.

Parametric form findings of free-form space structures and qualitative assessment of their aesthetics are among the concerns of architects. This study aims to evaluate the aesthetic aspect of these structures using ML algorithms based on the expert's experiences. First, various datasets of forms were produced using a parametric algorithm of free-form space structures written in Grasshopper. Then, three multilayer perceptron ANN models were adjusted in their most optimal modes using the results of the preference test based on the aesthetic criteria including simplicity, complexity, and practicality. The results indicate that the ANN models can quantitatively evaluate the aesthetic value of free-form space structures.

: We evaluated the pharmaceutical properties of levofloxacin (LV) in the form of an orally disintegrating tablet (LVODT) to find a new usefulness of low frequency (LF) Raman spectroscopy. LVODT contained dispersed granules with diameters in the order of several hundred micrometers, which were composed of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), as confirmed by infrared (IR) microspectroscopy. On the contrary, the API and inactive pharmaceutical ingredients (non-APIs) were homogeneously distributed in LV tablet (LVT) formulations. Microscopic IR spectroscopy and thermal analyses showed that LVODT and LVT contained the API in different crystalline forms or environment around the API each other. Furthermore, powder X-ray diffraction showed that LVT contained a hemihydrate of the API, while LVODT showed a partial transition to the monohydrate form. This result was confirmed by microscopic LF Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, this method confirmed the presence of thin layers coating the outer edges of the granules that contained the API. Spectra obtained from these thin layers indicated the presence of titanium dioxide, suggesting that the layers coexisted with a polymer that masks the bitterness of API. The microscopic LF Raman spectroscopy results in this study indicated new applications of this method in pharmaceutical science.

Today, buildings are increasingly designed with transparent materials, with glass paneling being especially popular as an installation material for its architectural allure. However, its major drawback is admitting impractical amounts of sunlight to interior spaces. Office buildings with excessive sunlight in indoor areas result in worker inefficiency. This article studied kinetic façades as means to providing suitable sunlight for interior spaces integrated with a triple identity of DNA structure, photosynthetic behavior, and the twist used, which was divided into generation and evaluation. The generating phase first used an evolutionary engine to produce potential strip patterns. The kinetic façade was subsequently evaluated by Climate Studio software to validate daylight admission in an indoor space with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) version 4.1 criteria. To analyze the kinetic façade system, the building envelope was divided into four types: glass panels, static façades, kinetic façade (version 1, rotating movement), and kinetic façades (version 2, twisting movement). In addition, for kinetic façades, degrees of simulation for versions 1 and 2 were 20, 50, 80, and 100 degrees, in order to ascertain potential for both façades to the same degree. Comparing all façades receiving the daylight factor (DF) into the space from more or less sunlight resulted in the decreasing order of potential as follows: entirely glass façade, kinetic façade version 2, kinetic façade version 1, and static façade. By receiving daylight factor (DF), the façade filtered appropriate amounts of daylight into the working space moderately and beneficially. Daylight simulation results indicated that the newly designed kinetic façade (version 2) had more potential than other building envelope types in terms of filtering beneficial daylight in indoor areas. This article also experimented with the kinetic façade prototype in an actual situation to test conditional environmental potential. The kinetic façade (version 2) was explored in the building envelope with varied adaptability in order to provide sunlight and for private-to-public, public-to-private, or semi-public working areas.

Shell-like, double curved and thus above-average performance structures, are usually produced monolithically on site. For industrial advancement, however, they must be divided into transportable modules which can be assembled on the construction site (design for assembly). Models are lattice shells made of steel and glass, in which predominantly flat sub-surfaces (modules) are used. Therefore, the main question is: Which modularizations are suitable for flow production with mineral building materials? In this paper designed free-form surface is going to be discretized as PQ circular mesh system, suitable modules for 3D concrete printing. Moreover, the multi-criteria optimization is done with Response Surface Methodology (RSM) in order to get optimal final shape. The goal is to start from the arbitrary shape, that can be generated from two curves, with possible two-way division into modules and compare it with the resulted discretized PQ circular mesh system, realized with new algorithm. The comparison can be defined through two main criteria: geometrical and structural.

As an emerging discipline, Design Morphology, with the advantage of "Form Study", has been integrated with many disciplines, and gradually formed its collaborative innovation paradigm. The inclusion of "Ecology" into Design Morphology is expected to promote the research of Design Morphology with the help of the systematic thinking and methods of ecology. The ecosystem of Design Morphology includes the natural ecosystem and the quasi-ecosystem closely related to human beings, and also put forward the concept of "Form Community" for the first time in the design field. In fact, this is exactly the research scope of Design Morphology. Advocating the ecological view of Design Morphology, can not only help to design researchers improve their values and world view, with new thinking and method to engage in "Form Study", but also contribute to the theoretical construction and thinking expansion of Design Morphology, and play a positive role in promoting interdisciplinary collaborative innovation led by Design Morphology. In addition, it can be used to evaluate the overall research and future development trend of Design Morphology, and provide the new research ideas and approaches for the development of design.

We establish a Gröbner-Shirshov bases theory for trialgebras and show that every ideal of a free trialgebra has a unique reduced Gröbner-Shirshov basis. As applications, we give a method for the construction of normal forms of elements of an arbitrary trisemigroup, in particular, A.V. Zhuchok’s (2019) normal forms of the free commutative trisemigroups are rediscovered and some normal forms of the free abelian trisemigroups are first constructed. Moreover, the Gelfand-Kirillov dimension of finitely generated free commutative trialgebra and free abelian trialgebra are calculated respectively.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of healthcare professionals regarding adverse drug reaction [ADR] monitoring and pharmacovigilance [PV] in India. Materials and Methods: It was a questionnaire based cross sectional observational study. Data was collected with the help of data collection Google form that included the demographics and twenty two survey based questions. Data were analysed by using Microsoft Excel sheet, further analysed for results, including frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Result: The questionnaire was filled by two hundred ten healthcare professionals in which 52.9 % were male and 47.10% of female. Most of the respondents were pharm d students (50.47%). Out of the total 91.4% responded to the definition of pharmacovigilance correctly. 87.6% participants said all ADR should be reported. 86.20% participants think Pharmacovigilance should be taught in detail to healthcare professionals. Most of the respondents (43.8%) always informed the patients about ADR while prescribing the medicines. Conclusion: Study revealed most of the participants have good knowledge about ADR and pharmacovigilance. Difficult to decide whether ADR occur or not and extra work load being major factors responsible for under reporting.

This research aims to introduce a new technique, off-site and self-form segmental concrete masonry arches fabrication, without the need of construction formwork or centering. The innovative construction method in the current study encompasses two construction materials forms the self-form masonry arches, wedge-shape plain concrete voussoirs, and Carbon Fibers Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) composites. The employment of CFRP fabrics was for two main reasons; bond the voussoirs and forming the masonry arches. However, CFRP proved to be efficient for strengthening the extrados of the arch rings under service loadings. An experimental test conducted on four sophisticated masonry arch specimens. Research parameters were using thicker keystone as well as the partial strengthening of the self-form arch ring at the intrados. Major test finding was the use of thicker Keystone, alter the behavior of the self-form arch, considerably increased the load carrying capacity by 79%. Partial strengthening of the intrados with CFRP fabrics of typical arch ring Keystone resulted considerable increased the debonding load of fabrication CFRP sheets by 81%, increase the localized crushing load by 13%, and considerably increase voussoir sliding load by 107%.

Parallel manipulators with multiple end-effectors bring us interesting advantages over conventional parallel manipulators such as improved manipulability, workspace and avoidance of singularities. In this work the kinematics of a five-bar planar parallel manipulator equipped with two end-effectors is approached by means of the theory of screws. As an intermediate step the displacement analysis of the robot is also investigated. The input-output equations of velocity and acceleration are systematically obtained by resorting to reciprocal-screw theory. In that regard the Klein form of the Lie algebra se(3) of the Euclidean group SE(3) plays a central role. In order to exemplify the method of kinematic analysis, a case study is included. Furthermore, the numerical results obtained by means of the theory of screws are confirmed with the aid of special software like ADAMS.^TM

Significant advancements have been made in controlled drug delivery systems in recent years, especially for oral administration. Conventional methods, although groundbreaking, encounter significant constraints when handling drugs with weak acidity or alkalinity because of their solubility being influenced by pH. The release rates of these ionizable drugs are subject to variability, which is influenced by factors such as the pH of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), patient-specific conditions, and whether the patient is in a fed or fasted state. As a result, there is often a lack of correlation between in vitro and in vivo data. Therefore, it is imperative to develop drug delivery systems that are not affected by changes in pH in order to address these limitations. This review delves into different strategies that have been developed to achieve drug release that is not affected by changes in pH. These strategies include the utilisation of Diffucaps technology, the incorporation of pH modifiers and surfactants, the combination of non-ionic and ionic polymers, the implementation of supersaturating techniques with nucleation inhibitors, and the utilisation of osmotic drug delivery systems. We assess the efficacy of these methods in reducing the influence of pH fluctuations on the solubility and release rates of drugs. In addition, we explore the potential of these innovative techniques to enhance the reliability and predictability of drug delivery, ultimately leading to better therapeutic results. This review provides an in-depth information of various pH independent controlled drug delivery based formulation and By summarizing the existing technologies and looking into the future, the importance of innovation in pH independent delivery systems is emphasised, laying a good foundation for the future design of simple drug delivery systems, which will be conducive to achieving a wider range of applications in oral drug delivery system.

Trees, often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth," hold immense significance for both the natural world and human society. Their contributions span a multitude of ecological, environmental, economic, and social domains, making them essential components of a healthy and thriving planet. Phytoplasma association not only compromise tree aesthetics but also reduce photosynthetic capacity and overall vigour. Phytoplasma diseases also lead to increased tree mortality, altering ecosystem dynamics.This review article provides an in-depth exploration of phytoplasma diseases affecting trees worldwide, encompassing their epidemiology, symptomatology, impact and management strategies.

Urban vitality is an important reflection of a city's development potential and urban quality. This study uses exploratory spatio-temporal big data such as social media check-ins to portray the spatio-temporal evolution of urban vitality at the subdistrict scale in Changsha, a city in central China, from 2013-2021, and finds that urban vitality in Changsha exhibits central agglomeration and outward circling expansion over time; and then use Geodetector and spatial regression analyses are used to explain the interactive effects and spatio-temporal heterogeneity of the spa-tial elements of subdistrict form, subdistrict function and subdistrict economy on urban vi-tality. The results show the following: (1) The subdistrict form and subdistrict function dimen-sions have a significant effect on urban vitality, and the effect of the economic dimension of the subdistrict is not significant. (2) The interaction effect of the density of entertainment and leisure facilities and the density of business office facilities in subdistrict function is the dominant factor in the change of urban vitality. (3) Under the spatio-temporal effect, land use diversity and park facility density have the strongest positive effect on urban vitality; road density and shopping facility density have the weakest effect. The study aims to provide a reference for the optimization and allocation of spatial elements of subdistricts in sustainable urban development and urban renewal, to achieve the purpose of urban vitality creation and enhancement.

The detection of temporary color steel buildings and the analysis of their spatiotemporal patterns and characteristics are of great importance in many developing cities, because areas densely distributed with color steel buildings are usually problematic regions with high population density, sustainable development and risk level, which are challenging for local governments. Using the high-resolution satellite images of the Anning District, Lanzhou City, China as the case study, this paper first extracts the information of the color steel buildings for two different periods. Then the spatiotemporal distributional characteristics of the color steel buildings are analyzed, both at small scale (temporary buildings) and large scale (planthouses, warehouses, etc.). Finally, this paper utilizes kernel density estimation, Delaunay triangulation and Voronoi diagrams to examine the spatial distribution, aggregation and proximity characteristics of the color steel buildings. Our experiments show that the temporal and spatial differences of urban development, the phased characteristics and urban space are represented by various types of color steel buildings. Thus, there are some robust coupling relationship between color steel buildings, urban spatial form and urban development.

This study analyzed the structural changes of semicrystalline polylactide (PLA) in the form of spun-bonded mulching nonwoven, during outdoor composting. The investigation was carried out at the microstructural, supramolecular and molecular levels using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and the viscosity method, respectively. The results showed the varying degree of influence of the climatic condition, prepared compost mixtures and time on the molecular, supramolecular and micromorphological structure of PLA spun-bonded mulching nonwoven and its degradation rate. The obtained experimental results revealed how the popular outdoor composting method, realized under two different European climatic conditions (in Poland and in Bulgary), affects the degradation of PLA nonwoven, designed for agriculture use.

Objective: The Covid-19 pandemic has raised significant concerns about public health, particularly in terms of mental well-being due to heightened fear and uncertainty. The findings of this study are based on a survey conducted to evaluate the mental health status of the general population in Croatia during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: A survey conducted randomly and cross-sectionally included 588 respondents from all 21 counties in Croatia. The survey gathered demographic data and assessed various factors related to pandemic response measures and mental health using the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) scale. Results: Despite feeling adequately informed about Covid-19 (76.0%), most respondents (60.8%) expressed concerns about their loved ones during the pandemic. There were significant numbers who felt there was no risk of infection (50.9%) or believed they would not get infected (40.2%), while 72.4% were content with government measures. Statistical analysis indicated that mental health was not significantly different between genders, but age-related differences were evident, with those under 21 experiencing the most distress. The lowest level of psychological and social well-being was observed in respondents who were unemployed. Conclusions: The study identifies vulnerable groups in the Croatian population during the pandemic, including younger individuals, those on parental leave, students, and the unemployed, who exhibited worse mental health. The importance of implementing targeted mental health interventions to support these vulnerable groups is highlighted by these findings.

Sharding shows great potential for extending the blockchain. The current challenge facing sharded blockchain technology lies in addressing the extended transaction confirmation times caused by isolated states between shards and unbalanced transaction allocation strategies. These factors contribute to an increase in cross-shard transactions and disproportionate shard workload, ultimately resulting in indefinite confirmation delays for cross-shard transactions. A critical priority for sharded blockchain systems is to conduct a comprehensive qualitative analysis to better understand and mitigate the prolonged transaction confirmation times. We introduce a Product-Form Queue Network (PFQN) model to address the transaction confirmation time problem in sharded blockchains and incorporate a new confirmation queue to more accurately simulate the actual transaction confirmation process in the blockchain. In addition, we provide a detailed quantitative analysis of the relationship between network load, consensus efficiency, and security in sharded blockchains, laying a theoretical foundation for achieving robustness and efficiency in sharded blockchains. This research not only contributes to addressing the scalability issues in sharded blockchains but also offers a new perspective for future research directions.

Our starting point is the covariant coordinate transformation equation of a relativistic positioning system in Minkowski space-time, which maps the receiver’s emission coordinates (proper times broadcast by the emitters) to its coordinates in some inertial reference frame. Bancroft’s analytical (closed-form) solution to the basic pseudorange navigation equations with four emitters is recovered and the subjacent elements are geometrically interpreted. The case of four static beacons is analized as a clarifying situation.

We consider the Dirac field in polar formulation, showing that when torsion is taken in effective approximation the theory has the thermodynamic properties of a van der Waals gas, that when the limit of zero chiral angle is taken the theory reduces to that of a Weyssenhoff fluid, and that under the spinless condition it gives the Newtonian particle. This nesting of approximations will allow us to interpret the various objects pertaining to the spinor, with torsion providing a form of negative pressure, and the chiral angle being related to a type of internal dynamics.

The increased global incidence of myopia requires the establishment of therapeutic approaches. Previous studies have suggested that inflammation plays an important role in the development and progression of myopia. We used human retinal pigment epithelial cell to study the molecular mechanisms on how FJE and PVE lowering the inflammation of the eye. The effect of FJE and PVE in MFD induced hamster model and explore the role of inflammation cytokines in myopia. Expression levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were upregulated in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells treated with IL-6 and TNF-α. FJ extract (FJE) + PV extract (PVE) reduced IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α expression in RPE cells. Furthermore, FJE and PVE inhibited inflammation by attenuating the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT), and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B (NF-κB) pathway. In addition, we report two resveratrol + ursolic acid compounds from FJ and PV and their inhibitory activities against IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α expression levels in RPE cells treated with IL-6 and TNF-α. FJE, PVE, and FJE + PVE were applied to MFD hamsters and their axial length was measured after 21 days. The axial length showed statistically significant differences between phosphate-buffered saline- and FJE-, PVE-, and FJE + PVE-treated MFD eyes. FJE + PVE suppressed expressions of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α. They also inhibited myopia-related transforming growth factor-beta (TGF)-β1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and NF-κB expression while increasing type Ⅰ collagen expression. Overall, these results suggest that FJE + PVE may have a therapeutic effect on myopia and be used as a potential treatment option.

This paper deals with the form, the stability character, the periodicity and the global behavior of solutions of the following four rational difference equations x_{n+1} = ((±1)/(x_{n}(x_{n-1}±1)-1)) x_{n+1} = ((±1)/(x_{n}(x_{n-1}∓1)+1)).

Free axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric vibration analysis of the unsaturated porous functionally graded circular plates has been presented on the basis of classical plate theory. The defined coupled equations of motion for the porous functionally graded circular plate were decoupled based on the properties of the physical neutral surface. The one general solution of the decoupled equation of motion was obtained as linear combinations of the multiparametric special Bessel functions for the functionally graded circular plate with even and uneven porosity distributions. The influences of the even and uneven distributions of porosity, gradient index, diverse boundary conditions and the negligible effect of the coupling in-plane and transverse displacements on the dimensionless frequencies of the circular plate were comprehensively studied. The obtained numerical results show the differences and significant effect of considered types of distributions of porosities, values of the gradient index and the porosity volume fraction on the distribution of eigenfrequencies of the circular plates. Additionally, the obtained multiparametric general solution of the defined differential equation will allow to study the influences of diverse additional complicating effects such as stepped thickness, cracks, additional mounted elements expressed by only additional boundary conditions on the dynamic behavior of the porous functionally graded circular/annular plates. The formulated boundary value problem, the method of solution and the obtained numerical results for the perfect and imperfect functionally graded circular plates have not yet been reported. The present paper fills this void in the literature.

Based on the elasticity theory, this paper deals with the static analysis of a cracked double beam system in presence of a Winkler medium. The double-beam system is also supposed to be constrained at both ends by elastically flexible springs, with transverse and rotational stiffness. Using a variational formulation, the static governing equations are derived and solved by using analytical and numerical approaches. In the first approach, the closed-form solutions for the displacements functions are obtained based on the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. In the second approach, the Cell-Discretization Method (CDM) is performed, according to which the two beams are reduced to a set of rigid bars linked together by means of elastic constraints, where the bending stiffness of the bars is concentrated. The resulting stiffness matrix is easily deduced, and the governing equations of the static problem can be immediately solved. A comparative analysis is performed in order to verify the accuracy and validity of the proposed method. This study focuses on the effect of various parameters including the crack depth and position, boundary conditions, elastic medium and slenderness. The validity of the proposed analysis is confirmed by comparing the present results with those obtained from the other approach. In particular, the results obtained by closed-form solution and Cell-discretization method (CDM) are compared by Finite element method (FEM). Accuracy of the results has been evaluated by making comparisons with the results in literature and reported in bibliography. It is demonstrated that the proposed algorithm provides a simple and powerful tool in dealing with the static analysis of a double-beam system. Finally, some concluding remarks are made.

For a long time, there has been interest in the relationship between personality traits and life satisfaction. However, many previous studies suffer from small sample sizes or selective sampling, sometimes leading to biased or imprecise results. The current study, which focuses on the trait of extraversion, attempts to overcome these limitations by using a large-scale German survey of more than 40,000 individuals aged 10 to 72. As the descriptive and regression results clearly show, there is a statistically significant relationship between extraversion and several dimensions of current life satisfaction. Depending on the type of satisfaction, the unstandardized regression coefficients range from 0.18 to 0.33. To gain further insight, age is added as an explanatory variable to test whether these associations change as a person ages. The results show that the effect sizes sometimes differ by age but remain robust and statistically significant. In conclusion, the study adds to the literature by providing convincing evidence that extraversion and life satisfaction are positively associated, at least in Western and industrialized countries, and that there are interaction effects with age.

The current work aims to develop an approximation of the slice of Minkowski sum of finite number of ellipsoids, sliced up by an arbitrarily oriented plane in Euclidean space $\mathbb{R}^3$ that, to the best of the author's knowledge, has not been addressed yet. This approximation of the actual slice is in a closed form of an explicit parametric equation in the case that the slice is not passing through those zones of the Minkowski surface with high curvatures, namely the "corners". At corners with high curvatures an alternative computational algorithm is introduced in which a family of ellipsoidal inner and outer bounds of the Minkowski's sum are used to construct a "narrow strip" for the actual slice of Minkowski sum. This strip can narrow persistently for a few more number of constructing bounds to precisely coincide on the actual slice of Minkowski sum. This algorithm is also applicable to the cases of slice of Minkowski sum of ellipsoids with high aspect ratio. In line with the main goal, some ellipsoidal inner and outer bounds of the Minkowski sum are reviewed, including the so called "Kurzhanski's" bounds. Also some ellipsoidal approximations are suggested for the Minkowski sum, which they can be used, as well as the inner and outer bounds, in calculation of the suggested parametric approximation of the slice of Minkowski sum.

Urban form is associated with both socio-economic and urban physical properties. This study explores the differences among urban forms in the Seoul Metropolitan Region with a comparison between census-based socioeconomic variables and landscape metrics computed from remotely sensed data. To accomplish this, factor analysis and multi-dimensional scaling were used with the selected variables and metrics. When all of the measures are considered together, four types of cities and towns emerged: 1) exurban-fragmented high growth, 2) exurban-fragmented low growth, 3) compact-extensive urban core and 4) sub-urban compact-high growth. The results indicate that the fusion of knowledge of the physical urban layout and that of socio-economic characteristics is beneficial for a better understanding of urban spatial patterns. However, there remain challenges in delineating each urbanized area and with indicator selection for comparing urban form across cities and towns.

The article is devoted to infinitesimal transformations. We have obtained that LCK-manifolds do not admit nontrivial infinitesimal projective transformations. Then we study infinitesimal conformal transformations of LCK-manifolds. We have found the expression for the Lie derivative of a Lee form. Also we have obtained the system of partial differential equations for the transformations, and explored its integrability conditions. Hence we have got the necessary and sufficient conditions in order that the an LCK-manifold admits a group of conformal motions. Also we have calculated the number of parameters which the group depends on. We have proved that a group of conformal motions admitted by an LCK-manifold is isomorphic to a homothetic group admitted by corresponding K\"{a}hlerian metric. We also established that an isometric group of an LCK-manifold is isomorphic to a some subgroup of homothetic group of the coresponding local K\"{a}hlerian metric.

In the paper, the authors find closed forms for derangement numbers in terms of the Hessenberg determinants, discover a recurrence relation of derangement numbers, present a formula for any higher order derivative of the exponential generating function of derangement numbers, and compute some related Hessenberg and tridiagonal determinants.

Estimating the parameters of statistical distributions generally involves solving a system of nonlinear equations or a nonlinear equation, being a technical difficulty in their usual application in hydrology. This article presents improved approximations and, in some cases, new approximations for the estimation with the method of ordinary moments and the method of linear moments, which are useful for the direct calculation of the parameters, because the errors in the approximate estimation are similar to the use of iterative numerical methods. Thirteen statistical distributions of two and three parameters frequently used in hydrology are presented, for which parameter estimation was laborious. Thus, the approximate estimation of the parameters by the two methods is simple but also precise and easily applicable by hydrology researchers. The approximate forms characterized by very small errors are the result of the research conducted within the Faculty of Hydrotechnics to update the romanian normative standards in the hydrotechnical field.

In the paper, by virtue of the Faá di Bruno formula and two identities for the Bell polynomial of the second kind, the authors find a closed form for the Stirling polynomials in terms of the Stirling numbers of the first and second kinds.

Let {$\Gamma(k)$} denote {$(k-1)!$}, and let {$\Gamma_{n}(k)$} denote {$(k-1)!$}, where {$n \in \{3,\ldots,16\}$} and {$k \in \{2\} \cup [2^{\textstyle 2^{n-3}}+1,\infty) \cap \mathbb N$}. For an integer {$n \in \{3,\ldots,16\}$}, let $\Sigma_n$ denote the following statement: if a system of equations {${\mathcal S} \subseteq \{\Gamma_{n}(x_i)=x_k:~i,k \in \{1,\ldots,n\}\} \cup \{x_i \cdot x_j=x_k:~i,j,k \in \{1,\ldots,n\}\}$} with $\Gamma$ instead of $\Gamma_{n}$ has only finitely many solutions in positive integers {$x_1,\ldots,x_n$}, then every tuple {$(x_1,\ldots,x_n) \in (\mathbb N \setminus \{0\})^n$} that solves the original system ${\mathcal S}$ satisfies {$x_1,\ldots,x_n \leqslant 2^{\textstyle 2^{n-2}}$}. Our hypothesis claims that the statements {$\Sigma_{3},\ldots,\Sigma_{16}$} are true. The statement {$\Sigma_6$} proves the following implication: if the equation {$x(x+1)=y!$} has only finitely many solutions in positive integers $x$ and $y$, then each such solution {$(x,y)$} belongs to the set {$\{(1,2),(2,3)\}$}. The statement {$\Sigma_6$} proves the following implication: if the equation {$x!+1=y^2$} has only finitely many solutions in positive integers $x$ and $y$, then each such solution {$(x,y)$} belongs to the set {$\{(4,5),(5,11),(7,71)\}$}. The statement {$\Sigma_9$} implies the infinitude of primes of the form {$n^2+1$}. The statement {$\Sigma_9$} implies that any prime of the form {$n!+1$} with {$n \geqslant 2^{\textstyle 2^{9-3}}$} proves the infinitude of primes of the form {$n!+1$}. The statement {$\Sigma_{14}$} implies the infinitude of twin primes. The statement {$\Sigma_{16}$} implies the infinitude of Sophie Germain primes.

We propose a wave-like design on the surface of cathode channels (wave form cathode channels) to improve oxidant delivery to gas diffusion layers (GDLs) [1-2]. We performed experiments using PEMFCs combined with wave form surface design on cathodes. We varied the factors of the distance between wave-bumps (the Adhesive distance, AD), and the size of the wave-bumps (the Expansion ratio, ER). The ADs are 3, 4, and 5 times the size of the half-circle bump’s radius, and the ERs are 1/1.5, 1/2, and 1/3 times the channel’s height. We evaluated the performances of the fuel cells, and compared the current-voltage (I-V) relations. For comparison, we prepared PEMFCs with conventional flat-surfaced oxygen channels. Our aim in this work is to identify fuel cell operation by modifying the surface design of channels, and ultimately to find the optimal design of cathode channels that will maximize fuel cell performance.

Shafts with a stepped shoulder are particularly well known in the field of drive technology. In combination with a form-fit shaft–hub connection, the shaft shoulder fixes the hub on the shaft as well as the absorption of the axial forces. With profiled shafts, there is a notch overlay in the shaft shoulder, involving the shaft shoulder and profile. If the hub is also connected with the profiled shaft, the hub edge acts as an additional notch in the shaft shoulder area. The multiple resulting notches have not previously been part of research activities in the field of innovative trochoidal profile connections. Compared to conventional positive-locking connections, such as the keyway connection or the involute splined shaft profile, the favourable features of trochoidal profiles have only been based on connections with smooth shafts without a shoulder in previous studies. Accordingly, this article addresses the numerical and experimental investigations of trochoidal profile connections with offset shafts for pure torsional loading. Focusing on a hybrid trochoid with four eccentricities and six drivers, a well-founded numerical and experimental investigation was carried out with numerous fatigue tests. In addition, the influence of a shaft shoulder was also demonstrated on simple epi- and hypotrochoidal profiles.

Deep learning is based on matrix computing with a large amount of hidden parameters that is not visible outside the computing module. Deep learning is a non-linear system and a linear approach is not possible. It is natural for people to visualize the algorithm and to follow some hidden parameters. In this paper, we propose a simple graphical programming of a nonlinear system based on drawing the simplest unit, such as a single neuron model. A more complex scheme of a classical neural network is obtained by commands copy-move-place of one neuron. The number of neurons and layers can be chosen arbitrarily. Once the scheme is complete, the implementation code is evaluated with symbolic parameters and nonlinear activation functions. This cannot be done manually. With the symbolic expression of outputs in terms of inputs and symbolic parameters, including symbolic activation pure functions, some other properties can be derived in closed form. This unique original approach can help scientists and developers and design numerical algorithms for machine learning and to understand how deep learning algorithms work.

The purpose of this study is to apply the convergence-confinement method (CCM) based on the assumption of hydrostatic stress to the surrounding rock excavated in a circular tunnel whose rock mass characteristics meet the requirements of the non-linear Hoek-Brown failure criterion. Based on a consistent and rigorous method of theoretical analysis, a closed-form analytical solution for the stress/displacement of the ground reaction induced by the advancing excavation of the tunnel, especially in the elastic and plastic regions, is derived and investigated under the condition of an isotropic stress state. By taking the value of a confinement loss as an explicit analysis process in an incremental manner, not only is the computationally executable analytical solution achieved, but it can also be performed using a simple spreadsheet. The validity of the analytical solution implemented by the incremental procedure was examined with published data to study the effect of nonlinear failure criteria on the ground reaction curve; in particular the mechanical behavior at the intrados of the tunnel, and the distribution of stress/displacement on the cross-section of the tunnel. A comparison between the published results and the solution proposed in this study, which interprets the closed-form by the incremental procedure, shows consistent and favorable trends.

Different hypotheses of carcinogenesis have been proposed based on local genetic factors and physiologic mechanisms. It is assumed that changes of the metric invariants of a biologic system (BS) determine general mechanisms of cancer development. Numerous data demonstrate an existence of three invariant feedback patterns of BS: negative feedback (NFB), positive feedback (PFB) and reciprocal links (RL). These base patterns represent basis elements of a Lie algebra sl(2,R) and imaginary part of coquaternion. Considering coquaternion as a model of a functional core of a BS, conditions of the system can be identified with the points of three families of hypersurfaces in R42: hyperboloids of one sheet, hyperboloids of two sheets and double-cones. Corresponding quadratic form relates negative and positive entropy contributions of base elements to the energy level of the system, so that anabolic states of the system will correspond to the points of a hyperboloid of one sheet, while catabolic conditions to the points of a hyperboloid of two sheets. Equilibrium states will lie in a double cone. Hypothetically anabolic and catabolic states dominate intermittently oscillating around the equilibrium. Deterioration of base elements increases positive entropy and causes domination of catabolic states which is the main metabolic determinant of cancer. Corresponding trajectory of a malfunctioning system will have a tendency to remain inside the double cone.

Different hypotheses of carcinogenesis have been proposed based on local genetic factors and physiologic mechanisms. It is assumed that changes of the metric invariants of a biologic system (BS) determine general mechanisms of cancer development. Numerous data demonstrate an existence of three invariant feedback patterns of BS: negative feedback (NFB), positive feedback (PFB) and reciprocal links (RL). These base patterns represent basis elements of a Lie algebra and imaginary part of coquaternion. Considering coquaternion as a model of a functional core of a BS, conditions of the system can be identified with the points of three families of hypersurfaces in R⁴₂: hyperboloids of one sheet, hyperboloids of two sheets and double-cones. Corresponding quadratic form relates negative and positive entropy contributions of base elements to the energy level of the system, so that anabolic states of the system will correspond to the points of a hyperboloid of one sheet, while catabolic conditions to the points of a hyperboloid of two sheets. Equilibrium states will lie in a double cone. Hypothetically anabolic and catabolic states dominate intermittently oscillating around the equilibrium. Deterioration of base elements increases positive entropy and causes domination of catabolic states which is the main metabolic determinant of cancer. Corresponding trajectory of a malfunctioning system will have a tendency to remain inside the double cone.

This paper presents an exact solution to the Timoshenko beam theory (TBT) for first-order analysis, second-order analysis, and stability. The TBT covers cases associated with small deflections based on shear deformation considerations, whereas the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory (EBBT) neglects shear deformations. Thus, the Euler–Bernoulli beam is a special case of the Timoshenko beam. The moment-curvature relationship is one of the governing equations of the EBBT, and closed-form expressions of efforts and deformations are available in the literature. However, neither an equivalent to the moment-curvature relationship of EBBT nor closed-form expressions of efforts and deformations can be found in the TBT. In this paper, a moment-shear force-curvature relationship, the equivalent in TBT of the moment-curvature relationship of EBBT, was presented. Based on this relationship, first-order and second-order analyses were conducted, and closed-form expressions of efforts and deformations were derived for various load cases. Furthermore, beam stability was analyzed and buckling loads were calculated. Finally, first-order and second-order element stiffness matrices were determined.

The residential built form, including open space, provides the physical environment for social interaction. Understanding urban open space, including semi-public and public domains, through the lens of physical accessibility and visual permeability can potentially facilitate the building of a sense of community contributing to a better quality of life. Using an inner-city suburb in Perth, Western Australia as a case study, this research explores the importance of physical accessibility patterns and visual permeability for socialising in semi-public and public domains, such as the front yard and the residential streets. It argues that maintaining a balance between public and private inter-relationship in inner city residential neighbourhoods is important for creating and maintaining a sense of community.

Background: Lower limb length discrepancy (LLD) in children and adolescents, often due to congenital or acquired conditions, is treated to achieve limb equality and alignment, optimizing function and minimizing cosmetic concerns for an active adulthood. This study evaluated the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and physical functioning of adults who underwent unilateral limb lengthening with circular external fixators (EFs) in childhood. Methods: Fifty patients treated at a median age of 14.9 years completed the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and Stanmore Limb Reconstruction Score (SLRS) questionnaires in adulthood, with a median follow-up of 8.9 years. Results: Among the 50 patients, 38 underwent a single limb lengthening (21 tibia, 12 femur, 5 both), while 12 required multiple cycles. The median residual LLD was 0.4 cm, with 12 patients (24%) having over 2 cm. Complications occurred in 67% of procedures, mainly due to prolonged healing. Physical and mental health scores were significantly lower than normative data. The mean Physical Component Summary was 52.2 ± 7.2 (p = 0.20). The mean Mental Component Summary was 43.9 ± 8.6 (p = 0.001), notably lower in congenital LLD cases. Many SLRS items (Pain, Social, Physical Function, Work, and Emotions) strongly correlated with SF-36 items. Conclusions: The study highlights the challenges in treating LLD, emphasizing the significant mental health impact, especially in congenital cases, and the necessity for comprehensive long-term care strategies. These findings suggest that future therapeutic strategies should focus on both physical and psychological outcomes to improve overall recovery in LLD treatment.

The study aims to utilize the convergence-confinement method (CCM) by considering non-hydrostatic stress assumptions in the analysis of the surrounding rock in a circular tunnel. The rock mass properties should adhere to the criteria of the non-linear Hoek-Brown failure criterion. Through a thorough theoretical analysis approach, an analytical solution is derived to determine the stress and displacement induced by tunnel excavation, particularly in the elastic and plastic zones. This solution, applicable under anisotropic stress conditions, involves accounting for confinement loss incrementally for computational feasibility. The implementation of this analytical solution, facilitated by a straightforward spreadsheet, was validated against existing data to evaluate the impact of non-linear failure criteria on ground reaction behavior. The study scrutinizes the mechanical response at the tunnel's inner curve and assesses stress-displacement distribution across the tunnel cross-section. A comparison between the proposed solution and published results demonstrates a consistent and promising correlation.

The Mahuagou gold deposit is among the most important gold deposits in the core of Huangling Anticline. However, the geochemical exploration on the surface of the mining area presents challenges due to the thin overburde.This paper focuses on the overburden soil of Fengxiangshugou (FXS) – Mahuanggou (MHG) section as the research object, utilizes chemical form analysis of gold, soil halogen survey, and heat-released mercury survey to determine the key deep-penetrating geochemical methods for mining area. The results indicated that Si and Al components of samples exhibit minimal variation, suggesting that drift loads did not influence the overburden soil. Based on the systematic clustering, As, Sb, Mo, Bi, W and Hg emerge as ore-body or ore-belt front elements of hydrothermal gold deposits. In the study area, the predominant chemical form of gold in soil is the strong organic bond. Compared to the total amount, strong organic bound gold and heat-released mercury show higher anomaly contrasts, making them crucial indicators of faults, intrusions and hidden ore bodies. Consequently, chemical form analysis of gold and heat-released mercury surveys can enhance the anomaly contrast, proving beneficial for geochemical prospecting for weak anomalies in this area.

The exact determination of radiative exchanges between solids and surfaces has been a long sought-for question in heat transfer science. Being the canonical equation that rules such phenomena, a fourfold integral, it is extremely difficult to obtain an accurate solution like a formula or abacus. Over the last thirty years, the author has tried to integrate the canonical expression by sundry procedures and they have published two books and a dozen of articles on the matter, recently by virtue of computational geometry and graphic algorithms as a new way to solve the finite-difference problems that arise on complex geometries. In architectural engineering curved radiant emitters are customary since antiquity, especially in domes and vaults and their oculus, However, a consistent procedure to handle them was not readily available. The principles that are described hereby based on Cabeza-Lainez’ first principle for spherical fragments offer a complete panorama on the manner in which surface sources related or contained in spheres can be interpreted and accounted for without resorting to integration. The main advance is that a variety of unexplained problems of radiative heat transfer, applicable to aerospace engineering, meteorological, architectural and medical sciences can be sorted out as exactly as quickly.

Multiple social and environmental justice concerns are linked to urban form such as the distribution of socioeconomic class populations, healthcare spending, air pollution exposure, and human mobility. This study used 1m resolved LIDAR data to characterize land use in Salt Lake County, Utah and associate it with sociodemographic and air quality data at the census block group and zip code levels. We found that increasing tree cover was associated with higher per capita income and lower minority populations while increasing built cover was linked to lower per capita income and higher minority populations. Air quality showed less strong correlations, however, decreased non irrigated cover, increased built cover, and higher amounts of households living under poverty was related to higher long-term PM2.5 exposure. Several policy efforts have been undertaken to improve air quality and reduce negative health outcomes in Utah which are being informed by regulatory and research grade air quality sensors.

Aim of expressional space is to facilitate the public to explore their hobby and talent in autodidact. The space for expression in Makassar City is necessary for the mural artist and the youngsters who has a hobby to play a skateboard. Their talent is insufficient attention by the government and create negative attitude because there no space to accommodate their activity. Therefore, this paper presents a design idea of expressional space by implementing the architectural geometry. The architectural geometry design principle is based on simple geometry form application as a realization of form from the space. An experience of the space for the user realizes by the relationship between the space and the interaction with the environment through geometry and form processing as the basic of the creation process in the architectural works. Content analysis method providing a landscape layout and transformation of form and building mass in form of the implementation of architectural geometry principles. The principles are pure geometry, composition of geometry, direction wall, and opening for the transformation process of expressional space form to produce and increase aesthetic value of the environment.

In this paper, we introduce a comprehensive solution aimed at enhancing the understanding of three-dimensional atmospheric pollutant dispersion. This innovative solution develops a generalized model that extends previous research and is applicable to all parameterization schemes of the equation, including wind speed profiles and turbulent diffusion coefficients, while incorporating the dry deposition criterion. Our methodology involves subdividing the atmospheric boundary layer into distinct sublayers, which facilitates a detailed examination of pollutant dispersion dynamics. Extensive validation with data from the Hanford experiment has demonstrated the accuracy of this solution in simulating pollutant concentrations. The results exhibit a strong correlation between projected and observed concentrations, underscoring the statistical reliability of our approach. This validation situates the statistical indices of our solution within an acceptable range, confirming its accuracy in predicting atmospheric pollutant dispersion. These findings thus establish our solution as a valid and effective method for studying complex environmental phenomena.

The last few decades have witnessed a surge of interest in adventure sports, and an emerging research focus on these activities. However, recent conceptual analyses and scientific reviews have highlighted a major, fundamental question that remains unresolved: what constitutes an adventure sport (and are they ‘sports’ at all)? Despite several proposals for definitions, the field still seems to lack a shared conceptualization. This deficit may be a serious limitation for research and practice, restricting the development of a more nuanced theoretical explanation of participation and prac-tical implications within and across adventure sports. In this article we address another crucial question, how can adventure sports be better understood for research and practice? We briefly summarize previous definitions to address evident confusion and lack of conceptual clarity in the discourse. Alternatively, we propose how an ecological perspective on human behaviors, as in-teractions with the environment, may provide an appropriate conceptualization to guide and enhance future research and practice, using examples from activities such as freeride skiing / snowboarding, white-water kayaking, climbing, mountaineering and the fields of sport science, psychology and avalanche research and education. We draw on ecological dynamics as a trans-disciplinary approach to discuss how this holistic framework presents a more detailed, nuanced, and precise understanding of adventure sports.

In China's mountainous coastal terrain, the storm badly damaged low-rise buildings. At present, it is not clear how the relative position of buildings and mountains affects the surface of a low-rise building’s fluctuating coefficient. The study compared these results with the wind pressure distribution without the surrounding environment. The primary objective of this study is to examine the fluctuating coefficient variation rule based on the spacing between hillsides and buildings under 0° wind angle. Additionally, the study analyzes the fluctuating wind pressure coefficient across wind angles between 0°~90°. The distribution of wind pressure in different common hillside landforms was examined through a wind tunnel experiment, which also compared with the distribution in an open environment. The study examined the fluctuating coefficient as the distance between the building and the hillside changed, specifically for wind blowing at a 0° angle. Next, an analysis is conducted on the changing pattern of the fluctuating coefficient for low-rise buildings ranging from a wind angle of 0° to 90°. Simultaneously, the investigation examined the power spectrum and wind pressure’s probability distribution, while considering the proximity of the building to an adjacent hill. The findings indicated that the changing wind pressure factor on the surface of the structure differed based on the relative location of the hillside and the building. The roof's wind pressure coefficient fluctuated and gradually increased until it reached its peak, unaffected by the surroundings. The low-frequency energy decreased in windward eaves, while the high-frequency energy progressively rose as the distance between the hillside and the building increased. The wind pressure on the leeward side exhibited Gaussian characteristics in its probability distribution.

Triangles are an ever present feature in nature, which the building construction industry duly echoes. However, an exact expression intended to offer the radiant field due to any triangle in an upright or inclined position had not been identified by previous research. In this case, the author has been able to solve by direct integration, the canonical expression of radiative transfer. This result alone confers a myriad of possibilities that had been inconceivable before, for studying in detail the three-dimensional heat transfer behavior of volumes and figures in which triangles do manifest, such as fins, windows, roof-gables and louvers of various kinds. Typically, shading devices, when tilted, give rise in their extremes to rhomboidal shapes which were difficult to take into account or had to be subject to discretization and subsequent Monte Carlo methods in order to perform an approximate calculation of their emission. This implied a lengthy and inexact procedure that induced many errors and consumed computing time. We can now avoid all the former downsides due to the advances hereby presented. As the novel expression can be converted into an algorithm it will be advantageously employed for simulation. This significant finding dovetails in the intricate puzzle of radiated heat and we believe that their consequences will greatly affect the conception and design of HVAC devices, aircraft manufacturing and specifically building or lighting industries among others.

The DnaA protein has long been considered to play the key role in the initiation of chromosome replication in modern bacteria. Many questions about this role, however, remain unanswered. Here, we raise these questions within a framework based on the dynamics of hyperstructures alias large assemblies of molecules and macromolecules that perform a function. In this dynamics, hyperstructures can (1) emit and receive signals or (2) fuse and separate from one another. We ask whether the DnaA-based initiation hyperstructure acts as a logic gate receiving information from the membrane, the chromosome and metabolism to trigger replication; we try to phrase some of these questions in terms of DNA supercoiling, strand opening, glycolytic enzymes, SeqA, ribonucleotide reductase, the Macromolecular Synthesis operon, post-translational modifications and metabolic pools. Finally, we ask whether, underpinning the regulation of the cell cycle, there is a physico-chemical clock inherited from the first protocells, and whether this clock emits a single signal that triggers both chromosome replication and cell division.

This article analyzes 6 probability distributions from the Generalized Pareto family, with 3, 4 and 5 parameters, with main purpose to identify other distributions from this family with applicability in flood frequency analysis compared to the distribution already used in the literature from this family such as Generalized Pareto Type II and Wakeby. This analysis is part of a larger and more complex research carried out in the Faculty of Hydrotechnics regarding the elaboration of a norm for flood frequency analysis using the linear moments method. In Romania, the standard method of parameter estimation is the method of ordinary moments, thus the transition from this method to the method of linear moments is desired. All the necessary elements for the distributions use are presented like, the probability density functions, the complementary cumulative distribution functions, the quantile functions, the exact and approximate relations for estimating parameters, for both methods of parameters estimation. All these elements are necessary for a proper transition between the two methods, especially since the use of the method of ordinary moments is done by choosing the skewness of the observed data depending on the origin of the maximum flows. A flood frequency analysis case study, using annual maximum and annual exceedance series, was carried out for the Prigor river, to numerically present the analyzed distributions. The performance of this distributions is evaluated using relative mean error, relative absolute error and linear moments diagram.

This paper presents an analytical method for determining the bending stresses and deformations in prismatic noncircular profile shafts with trochoidal cross sections. The so-called higher trochoids can be used as form-fit shaft–hub connections. Hybrid (mixed) higher trochoids (M-profiles) were proposed in [1] and adapted to a practical industrial application in [2]. M-profiles combine the advantages of standardised polygon (DIN 32711 [3]) and spline (DIN 5486 [4]) contours used as shaft–hub connections for the transmission of torsional loads. In this study, the geometric and mechanical properties of the higher hybrid trochoids were investigated using complex functions to simplify the calculations. The pure bending stress and shaft deflection were determined for M-profiles using the bending theory formulated by Muskhelishvili [5]. The loading cases consisted of static and rotating bends. Analytical, numerical, and experimental results agreed well.

In interepidemic periods, a sapronoses typically employs a variety of mechanisms for maintaining viability of its causative agent in terrestrial parasitic systems, associated with different adaptive strategies utilized by its populations to survive. Unlike spore-forming bacteria, causative agents of sapronoses use resistant cell forms, which is a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state, and persistence. Implementation of these strategies is conditioned by effects of various stress factors of the habitat and is characterized by decreased metabolism, alteration of the morphology and physiology of bacterial cell, and cessation of its replication. It is important that the resistant forms of cells retain virulence and, as favorable conditions come, turn back into the active vegetative form again. The discovery of the genetic modules of bacterial toxin–antitoxin systems in recent years has made it possible to identify a number of complicated regulatory molecular mechanisms responsible for maintaining the pathogenic potential of resistant forms of causative agents of natural-focus sapronoses in interepidemic periods.

Background: we aim to investigate attitudes toward vaccination, by analyzing empirical factors associated with vaccine acceptance in the Lazio region mpox vaccination (MpoxVax) campaign in Italy. Methods: all subjects who accessed to MpoxVax and signed the informed consent were prospectively enrolled in the MPOX-VAC Study and were asked to fill out an anonymous survey. Two endpoints were selected: ‘delayed acceptance’ and ‘early acceptance’, defined as access for vaccination &gt;60 and ≤30 days from the vaccination campaign starting (VCS), respectively. Results: over the study period 1717 individuals underwent vaccination: 129 (7%) &gt;60 [1588 (92.5%) ≤60] and 676 (60%) ≤30 days from VCS. A bisexual orientation, a lower education level and a worse perceived physical and mental health were associated with delayed access to vaccination. Being Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) users and, marginally, HIV positive, having a high perceived risk for mpox infection and reporting high-risk behaviors like the use of recreational drugs/chems, sex under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and higher number of principal sexual partners, were associated with early access to vaccination. Conclusions: according to our data, risk awareness was a major determinant of early mpox vaccination acceptance. Conversely, worse perceived health status and a low educational level were critical factors associated with delayed vaccination.

This paper aims to outline the effectiveness of modern universal gate quantum computers when utilizing different configurations to solve the B-SAT(Boolean Satisfiability) problem. The quantum computing experiments are performed using Grover’s Search algorithm to find a valid solution. The experiments are performed under different variations to demonstrate their effects on the results. Changing the number of shots, qubit mapping, and using a different quantum processor are all among the experimental variables. The study also branches into a dedicated experiment highlighting a peculiar behavior that IBM quantum processors exhibit when running circuits with a certain number of shots.

This article deals with an analytical approach to determining the stress state in trochoidal profiles under shear bending. The transverse shear stresses cannot be neglected, especially in the case of (space-saving) shafts with a low aspect ratio (l/d). In addition to bending stresses, the transverse shear stresses are a significant component of the principal stresses. The approach is based on a formulation of the elastic behavior of a non-circular-profiled shaft using complex stress functions, according to Muskhelishvili. In order to determine the shear stresses, similar to the torsion load case, a conformal mapping must be found that can completely transform the unit circle in the model plane to the profile area in the real plane. For simple and higher epiotrochoidal profiles, an exact and complete mapping was determined from the contour equation. The method was applied to such profiles as an example. Equations were derived to determine the maximum shear and bending stresses and the bending deformations. For practical applications, additional equations for the main stresses that are decisive in dimensioning were determined. Accompanying numerical investigations were carried out and compared with the analytical results, where a very good agreement was observed.

This research focuses on developing a Student Performance Evaluation System to enhance effectiveness and oversight in higher education. The system aims to address challenges faced by instructors in evaluating student performance using a distributed system approach. Agile methodology is employed in development, and database replication techniques are applied for data synchronization. System features include registration, assessment form creation, assessment submission, statistical visualization, and access to assessment history. The system is designed to improve efficiency and transparency in the assessment process. Key features of the system include registration process, assessment form creation, assessment submission, statistical visualization, and access to assessment history. Its goal is to enhance efficiency and transparency throughout the assessment process. The article details the system workflow and the roles played by Admins, Instructors, and students in system usage. Additionally, it discusses the back-end development model and pathways, as well as the performance testing results. Performance testing indicates that the system achieves high throughput of up to 21.55 requests per second, with an average response time of only 34 milliseconds and an error rate of zero percent. These results affirm that the system efficiently handles user loads and nearly instantaneously responds to requests, providing an optimal user experience in the context of student performance evaluation in higher education.

This research focuses on developing a Student Performance Evaluation System to enhance effectiveness and oversight in higher education. The system aims to address challenges faced by instructors in evaluating student performance using a distributed system approach. Agile methodology is employed in development, and database replication techniques are applied for data synchronization. System features include registration, assessment form creation, assessment submission, statistical visualization, and access to assessment history. The system is designed to improve efficiency and transparency in the assessment process. Key features of the system include registration process, assessment form creation, assessment submission, statistical visualization, and access to assessment history. Its goal is to enhance efficiency and transparency throughout the assessment process. The article details the system workflow and the roles played by Admins, Instructors, and students in system usage. Additionally, it discusses the back-end development model and pathways, as well as the performance testing results. Performance testing indicates that the system achieves high throughput of up to 21.55 requests per second, with an average response time of only 34 milliseconds and an error rate of zero percent. These results affirm that the system efficiently handles user loads and nearly instantaneously responds to requests, providing an optimal user experience in the context of student performance evaluation in higher education.

The time-dependent behavior and long-term stability of deep-buried tunnels in soft rocks have received lots of considerations in tunnel engineering and allied sciences. To better explore and deepen the engineering application of rock creep, extensive research studies are still needed, although fruitful outcomes have already obtained in many related investigations. In this article, the Weilai Tunnel in China’s Guangxi province is studied taking its host rocks as the main research object. In fact, aiming at forecasting the time-varying deformation of this tunnel, a novel elasto-visco-plastic creep constitutive model with two variants is proposed, by exploiting the typical complex load-unload process of rock excavation. The model is well validated and good agreements are found with the relevant experimental data. Moreover, the time-dependent de-formation rules are properly established for the surrounding rocks, by designing two new closed-form solutions based on the proposed creep model and the Hoek-Brown criterion. The convergence deformations calculated from the closed-form solutions conform well to the on-site monitoring data. In only 27 days after excavation, the creep deformation of the Weilai tunnel overtakes 400 mm, which is enormous. To guarantee the long-term stability of this tunnel, a ro-bust support scheme and its long-term monitoring with appropriate remote sensors are strongly suggested.

Circles, semicircles and its derived circular sectors are ubiquitous both in human creations and in the natural realm. However, mathematically speaking they have always represented a certain level of enigma or even mysticism since ancient times for being such a perfect shape that enclosed the irrational value that we now call π. Such figure was relatively unknown until the seventeenth century; polymaths like Guarini even equated it, after so many centuries, to the Archimedes fraction of 22/7 or sometimes 25/8 which, giving a value 3.125 introduces a considerable degree of error; Eventually, Lambert had to demonstrate, well advanced the eighteenth century that π was actually an irrational number. In recent years, the author has worked with sections of spheres and other curved bodies as related to radiative heat transfer and applied to the finding of form factors pertaining to such special geometries, to the point of defining new postulates. The main theorems so far enunciated refer to the radiative exchange between circles and half disks, but recently the possibility to treat circular sectors has arrived, thanks to the research already conducted in which, by virtue of Cabeza-Lainez first postulate, we are able to know the form factor of any spherical segment over itself, discarding in this way, the former uncertainties that appeared when dealing with the inner side of spherical surfaces. As it is known, to find the exact expression of the configuration factor by integration alone is mostly a tedious task and the results are not readily available as it has been frequently proved. In the said problem of the circular sectors, the author could integrate the first two steps of the basic formulation for radiant exchange. Subsequently, the novelty of the procedure lies in introducing a finite differences approximation for the third and fourth integrals which still remain unsolved, once that we have been able to find the first and second integrals of the form factor. This possibility had not been identified by former research. This sole output provides us with an ample variety of scenarios previously unforeseen. As a consequence, we would be able to analyze with more precision but freely, the spatial transference of radiant heat for figures composed of circular sectors such as spherical sectors like quarters or octaves of spheres. Many architectural, industrial or aircraft modules and objects fall into this category. We already know that spherical shapes cannot be discretized with any accuracy as there are no spherical tiles of the same size, therefore we hope to overcome with our finding a persistent extent of error. In this situation we are able to reduce a considerable amount of hindrances in the progress of thermal radiation science, due to the advances hereby presented. As the new formulations found can be adapted for algorithms, they will be integrated in simulation procedures with significant avail. Our achievement may be considered timely in the effort invested to square the elements of mathematics for radiative transfer. Important sequels are already being derived for radiation in the entrance to tunnels, aircraft design, low-energy building construction and also lighting and HVAC industries to cite just a few.

The prevalence of internet gaming disorders (IGD) is considerably high among youth, especially with social isolation imposed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. IGD adversely affects mental health, quality of life, and academic performance. The Internet Gaming Disorder Scale (IGDS9-SF) is designed to detect IGD according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. However, inconsistent results are reported on its capacity to diagnose IGD evenly across different cultures. To ensure the suitability of the IGDS9-SF as a global measure of IGD, this study examined the psychometric properties of the IGDS9-SF in a sample of Sri Lankan university students (N = 322, mean age =17.2 ± 0.6, range = 16-18 years, 56.5% males) and evaluated its measurement invariance across samples from Sri Lanka, Turkey, Australia, and the USA. Among Sri Lankan students, a unidimensional structure expressed good fit, invariance across different groups (e.g., gender, ethnicity, and income), adequate criterion validity (strong correlation with motives of internet gaming, daily gaming duration, and sleep quality), and good reliability (alpha = 0.81). Males and online multiplayers expressed higher IGD levels, greater time spent gaming, and more endorsement of gaming motives (e.g., Social and Coping) than females and offline players. Across countries, the IGDS9-SF was invariant at the configural, metric, and scalar levels, albeit strict invariance was not maintained. The lowest and highest IGD levels were reported among Turkish and American respondents, respectively. In conclusion, the IGDS9-SF can be reliably used to measure IGD among Sri Lankan youth. Because the scale holds scalar invariance across countries, its scores can be used to compare IGD levels in the studied countries.