bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Steady-state analysis of batch-size-dependent service queue with server breakdown, close-down time and multiple vacations
Authors: Das Satyam , Pradhan Sourav
Published: February 2025

For an efficient and cost effective utilization of the resources, queue length as well as server content distribution plays a noteworthy role. Dealing with manufacturing systems or telecommunications networks, we may encounter server's breakdown which definitely effects queue length, waiting time of customers and cost of the system. We may also come across the situations where server performs the close-down works or may take the vacation of random time whenever enough number of customers are not available to start the service. The main objective of this paper is to analyze a queueing system with server's breakdown, close-down time, multiple vacation and batch-size-dependent service mechanism. More precisely, we focus to derive the bivariate probability generating function of the joint queue and server content distribution at service completion epoch. We extract those probabilities and present them in a simplified form in terms of roots of the characteristic equation. We also obtain the probabilities at arbitrary epoch using which we acquire marginal distributions and performance measures. At the end, numerical examples with assorted significant distributions are provided which gives an insight to the readers and practitioners.
Therapie des high-risk Urothelkarzinoms des oberen Harntraktes
Authors: Ma Yanchun , Zengerling Friedemann
Published: February 2025

Das Urothelkarzinom des oberen Harntrakts („upper tract urothelial carcinoma“, UTUC) stellt eine seltene Tumorerkrankung dar, die häufig erst in fortgeschrittenen Stadien diagnostiziert wird. Die Diagnostik basiert auf einer CT-Urografie, Spülzytologie aus dem oberen Harntrakt und einer Ureterorenoskopie (URS). Die Risikostratifizierung in eine Low- und High-Risk-UTUC dient als Grundlage für die Therapieentscheidung. Beim High-Risk-UTUC stellt die radikale Nephroureterektomie (RNU) mit Blasenmanschettenresektion den operativen Standard dar, wobei in selektionierten Fällen auch nierenerhaltene Verfahren erwogen werden können. Da die RNU einen signifikanten Rückgang der Nierenfunktion mit sich bringt und erste prospektive Daten eine gute radiologische und pathologische Remissionsrate zeigen, wird die neoadjuvante Chemotherapie beim UTUC zunehmend diskutiert. Der Behandlungsstandard hingegen für Tumoren im pT2–pT4-Stadium oder bei einem positiven Lymphknotenstatus (pN+) ist die adjuvante platinbasierte Kombinationschemotherapie, sofern diese nicht bereits als neoadjuvante Therapie erfolgt ist. Die adjuvante Immuntherapie mit Nivolumab zeigte in der UTUC-Kohorte im Vergleich zum Harnblasenkarzinom keinen signifikanten Therapievorteil und sollte nur Patienten im Tumorstadium ≥pT3 und/oder pN+ (oder ≥ypT2 und/oder ypN+ nach neoadjuvanter Chemotherapie) angeboten werden, die für eine platinbasierte Kombinationschemotherapie ungeeignet sind oder diese ablehnen.
Inanspruchnahme medizinischer Leistungen durch Mütter geht in
Krisenzeiten zurück – Sind Alleinerziehende stärker betroffen?
Authors: Erhart Michael , Müller Doreen , O'Sullivan Julie Lorraine
Published: February 2025

Die Inanspruchnahme medizinischer Leistungen erfordert Ressourcen, die besonders
bei Alleinerziehenden knapp sein können. In Krisenzeiten und den damit
verbundenen Herausforderungen im Alltag erhöht sich die Schwelle für aufsuchende
medizinische Versorgung zusätzlich. Die vorliegende Studie basiert auf Daten von
6155 Müttern aus den Erhebungswellen des sozioökonomischen Panels (SOEP) 2019
und 2021. Die CoViD-19-Pandemie wird hier beispielhaft als Krise betrachtet. Die
Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass Alleinerziehende insgesamt einen höheren
Versorgungsbedarf haben, der durch schlechtere Gesundheit und einer höheren
Anzahl von Diagnosen begründet wird. Während der CoViD-19-Pandemie wurde ein
Rückgang der Inanspruchnahme von Gesundheitsleistungen beobachtet, insbesondere
bei alleinerziehenden Müttern. Es ist wichtig, Unterstützungsmöglichkeiten für
(alleinerziehende) Mütter zu schaffen, um ihre Gesundheitschancen zu verbessern
und in Krisenzeiten zu erhalten.
Perceptual Sensitivity of Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizure (PNES) Patients
Authors: Singh Priyesh Kumar
Published: February 2025

Aim The aim of the present study was assess the perceptual sensitivity of psychogenic nonepileptic seizure (PNES) patients. Secondarily, we also aimed to replicate previous findings and explore whether PNES patients exhibit tendencies of preattentiveness in response to unpleasant stimulus.

Method A total of 56 individuals were selected for the present research, from which 28 were PNES patients and 28 healthy individuals. A 2 × 3 design was used for the present study. The emotional-N-back paradigm was used for presenting stimuli. Perceptual sensitivity (d') was calculated on the basis of hits and false positives.

Result The result of analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant distinction between PNES and healthy individuals on perceptual sensitivity (d') measure (F(1, 50) = 19.11, p = 0.000). Similarly, result of ANOVA (F(2, 100) = 63.64, p = 0.000) for within-group valence showed a significant difference between pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral stimuli among PNES and healthy individuals ensuring a clear distinction between them.

Conclusion These findings suggest a notable disparity in perceptual sensitivity between PNES and healthy individuals, supporting the notion that individual with PNES experience emotional disturbance and possess a dysfunctional cognitive-affective system. Moreover, the result lends credence to the hypothesis that PNES patients are more responsive to unpleasant emotions than to pleasant or neutral ones.
SeLECTS—Self-Limiting Epilepsy with Centrotemporal Spikes: Presence of ESES Correlates with Neuropsychological Regression
Authors: Jayakumar Harish , Padmanabhan Rama Shankari , Vaikundam Jayakumar
Published: February 2025

We present a developmentally normal 8-year-old male child with infrequent nocturnal focal seizures since 6 years of age. Since the onset of seizures, he has been having poor academic performance with difficulty in learning and preserved language. Electroencephalogram (EEG) showed a normal background and frequent bisynchronous biphasic centro-parieto-temporal large amplitude spikes with maximum negativity over the left temporal region. His sleep record showed continuous runs of large amplitude generalized spikes with maximum negativity over the centrotemporal region and spike-wave index > 90. There is a clear correlation between the presence of electrical status epilepticus during sleep (ESES) and neuropsychological deficits. EEG is resistant to antiseizure medications, and these findings disappear before mid to late adolescence, and deficits recede with the remission of ESES.
Screening for Colorectal Carcinoma in India: Real-World Scenario, Pitfalls, and Solutions
Authors: Agrawal Mansi , Surendran Adwaith Krishna , Venkatesh Karthik Kanna , Velammal Praveen Nandha Kumar Pitchan , Zope Sarvesh , Goel Anika , Pathak Aarnav , Mittal Mallika , K.K Varshitha , Vinakar Archana Sameer , Agrawal Daksh , Parikh Purvish M.
Published: February 2025

Introduction Noninvasive colorectal cancer (CRC) screening has introduced innovative blood- and stool-based biomarkers, improving early detection and enabling personalized solutions. Global and Indian adoption of CRC screening remains a public health challenge. This study evaluates the real-world utility of screening colonoscopy, as recommended by global guidelines.

Methodology A survey based on the American Medical Association (AMA) guidelines was designed, setting 45+ years as the cutoff age for colonoscopy screening. A Google form was shared via social media application with health care professionals. Participation was voluntary, responses were collected over 30 days, and data were analyzed.

Results A total of 2,199 individuals' data were analyzed. Among these, 1,374 were eligible for screening colonoscopy, out of which only 7.14% (98/1,374) actually underwent the procedure.

Conclusion Among various cancer programs, screening sigmoidoscopy has proved to improve both CRC-specific mortality and all-cause mortality. Unfortunately, its utilization is suboptimal, at best. Even among the highly educated medical community, the real-world utility was only in 7.14% of the eligible population. Barriers include invasive nature of intervention, need for appropriate bowel preparation, operator dependence, and small but significant risk of serious toxicity. An important method of increasing utility of screening colonoscopy is use of a test that can identify high-risk population, who can then be persuaded to undergo screening colonoscopy. This is the value of recently developed noninvasive blood- and stool-based tests, like Guardant Health's Shield. Being U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved with specificity of 90% and sensitivity of 84%, it should be offered to all eligible persons who can afford it, thereby increasing colonoscopy use and potentially saving lives.
Modulation effect of the plasma radial uniformity in dual-frequency inductively coupled plasma by external magnetic field
Authors: Zhao Yang , Zhou Xiao-Hua
Published: February 2025

In recent years, dual-frequency inductively coupled plasma (DF-ICP) has proven to be a reliable technique for enhancing plasma radial uniformity. In this paper, a fluid model is employed to study the effects of low frequency (LF), low-frequency coil (LFC) current, and magnetic field coil (MFC) current on the plasma characteristics and radial uniformity of magnetized DF-ICP. The simulation results show that when the cyclotron frequency is consistent with the radio frequency, the electrons in cyclotron motion gain a lot of energy from the background electric field, resulting in a significant increase in the electron power absorption rate, ionization rate, and electron density. At this point, the electron cyclotron resonance occurs in the system. In addition, the effect of LF on the plasma is negligible due to its small growth amplitude (i.e., from 2 to 6.78 kHz). In the strong magnetization stage, as the MFC current increases, the plasma density shifts from chamber center to edge, and the radial uniformity first increases and then decreases. This can be attributed to the enhanced strong magnetic confinement effect, the smaller electron cyclotron radius, and the contribution of the reversal electric field. In addition, it is observed that adjusting the LFC current can cause electric field reversal to occur earlier or later. The results show that the LFC current can effectively suppress the magnetization effect of the external magnetic field on the plasma.
Phase-pure formamidinium lead iodide perovskite films deposited via flow-limited field-injection electrostatic spraying
Authors: Vesto Riley , Pianfetti Matthew , Rzonca Griffin , Kelly Frank , Wilson Rebekah , Choi Hyungsoo , Kim Kyekyoon
Published: February 2025

Phase-pure perovskite formamidinium lead iodide (FPI) films were deposited using flow-limited field-injection electrostatic spraying at a deposition temperature of 120 °C without employing stabilizing additives while retaining large-area scalability. The structures of the films were analyzed using the Rietveld refinement of x-ray diffraction measurements, enabling achievement of phase purity under optimized charging voltage and deposition temperature. The effect of precursor molar ratio on the phase of FPI was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, revealing the crucial role of the FAPbI3 · DMSO adduct formed in solution for achieving phase purity. Optical properties and photoactivity were assessed by absorption spectroscopy and time-resolved photoluminescence, demonstrating viability for application to solar cells.
Study-level cross-modal retrieval of chest x-ray images and reports with adapter-based fine-tuning
Authors: Chen Yingjie , Ou Weihua , Gao Zhifan , Lai Lingge , Wu Yang , Chen Qianqian
Published: February 2025

Cross-modal retrieval is crucial for improving clinical decision-making and report generation. However, current technologies mainly focus on linking single images with reports, ignoring the need to comprehensively observe multiple images in real clinical environments. Additionally, differences in imaging equipment, scanning parameters, geographic regions, and reporting styles in chest x-rays and reports cause inconsistent data distributions, which challenge model reliability and generalization. To address these challenges, we propose a study-level cross-modal retrieval task for chest x-rays and reports to better meet clinical needs. Our study-level approach involves cross-modal retrieval between multiple images and reports from patient exams. Given a set of study-level images or reports, our method retrieves relevant reports or images from a database, providing a more realistic reflection of clinical scenarios compared to traditional methods that link single images with reports. Furthermore, we introduce an adapter-based pre-training and fine-tuning method to enhance model generalization across diverse data distributions. Through comprehensive experiments, we demonstrate the advantages of our method in pre-training and fine-tuning. In the pre-training stage, we compare our method with the latest techniques, showing the effectiveness of integrating study-level image features using a vision transformer and aligning them with report features. In the fine-tuning stage, we compare the adapter-based fine-tuning method with the latest methods of full-parameter fine-tuning and conduct ablation studies with common head-based and full-parameter fine-tuning methods, proving our method’s efficiency and significant potential for practical clinical applications. This study proposes a study-level cross-modal retrieval task for matching chest x-ray images and reports. By employing a pre-training and fine-tuning strategy with adapter modules, it addresses the issue of data distribution inconsistency and improves retrieval performance.
New approach to alpha decay and cluster radioactivity using an extended form of the Sextic potential
Authors: Ndzono Victor Paulin , Zarma Ali , MAH TSILA Philippe , ema ema jean marie , Ele Abiama Patrice , ben bolie germain hubert
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we systematically investigate the α decay half-lives of 263 emitters in the 52 ≤ Z ≤ 107 region and clusters: 14C, 20O, 23Fe, 24;25;26Ne, 28;30Mg and 32;34Si in the presence of an extended form of the Sextic potential to describe the strong nuclear interaction between the daughter nucleus and the cluster in the parent nucleus using the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) method. We find nuclear potential parameters that explain the decay mechanism for each variety of cluster and show that this form of double-well potential provides an excellent description of the nuclear decay phenomenon. We highlight constraints between the potential parameters and the experimental data. Moreover, we emphasize in the importance of the coupling parameters of the nuclear potential in the nature of the preformed cluster. The results obtained are compared with experimental and literature data. Our results are in very good agreement with the experimental data.
High-performance computing methods for designing an effective plate-fin pre-cooler
Authors: Li Rui , Zhao Changyin , Guo Jingfang , Zhang Shunv , Qi Heng , Ning Xin
Published: February 2025

The pre-cooler as a critical component in aero-engines, is designed to rapidly cool high-temperature gases. Its internal fluid flow is inhomogeneous, influenced by thermal boundary layers, which results in a significant discrepancy between calculated and measured values. To bridge the gap between theoretical predictions and actual measurements, a new computational method for evaluating the flow and cooling effect of plate-fin pre-coolers has been developed, extending the approach used for plate-fin heat exchangers. This method takes into account the pre-cooler’s outlet temperature and heat transfer efficiency and introduces a turbulence section at the outlet of the high-temperature gas. The proposed method shows discrepancies between calculated and tested hot side outlet temperatures, ranging from 3.98% to 5.21% (average 4.63%), and for cold side outlet temperatures, the range is 1.32% to 3% (average 2.32%). The discrepancy for the hot side turbulence section compared to the unaugmented pre-cooler section is between 2.66% and 6.34% (average 4.62%). This computational evaluation method not only validates its own reliability but also provides a rapid means to assess the performance of plate-fin pre-coolers.
Quasi-steady numerical calculation method for individual dynamic derivatives of aircraft
Authors: Li Lei , Zhang Dong , Zhang Zhiqi , Yang Mingfeng , Yang Jiahao
Published: February 2025

In the existing CFD computation program, the non-inertial reference frame method is used to achieve quasi-steady numerical calculations for special motions such as quasi-steady climbing and level flight at constant altitudes. Using the SDM model as an example, the non-inertial frame method is applied to calculate damping dynamic derivatives. The results gained by using the non-inertial frame method for the calculation of dynamic derivatives match well with the data from the wind tunnel test, reference results, and other numerical results. The non-inertial frame method can reduce the computation time and enhance efficiency.
Research on optimized guidance strategy of High-Spin projectile with corrected fuze
Authors: Qiu Liliang , Wang Yifan , Ma Wenxuan , Hu Ziye , Zhang Bing
Published: February 2025

Correction fuses have been widely used in the information battlefield in recent years due to their advantages of low cost, convenient replacement, and high cost-effectiveness. The high rotation projectile equipped with a correction fuse has complex angular motion due to its rotational stability characteristics during correction. In response to more complicated situations such as marine weather, ocean currents, tides, etc., in maritime combat environments, the correction capability is limited, and the atmospheric environment interference is limited, especially in terms of the longitudinal guidance and control accuracy of the projectile, which is reduced. Aiming at the limitations of traditional guidance and control methods for trajectory correction fuses in actual shooting, this paper analyzes the angular motion law of the correction fuse and proposes an optimized guidance and control strategy based on neural networks. The LSTM algorithm is used to generate a dataset, estimate the longitudinal shooting error under different meteorological environments, and predict and plan the control instructions to improve the guidance accuracy of the trajectory correction fuse.
Research on collaborative locating algorithm based on adaptive interactive multi model
Authors: Ding Xiao , Dong Shiran , Wang Qichen , Qiu Zhongyu , Zhang Heng
Published: February 2025

Aiming at the problem of target position determination through multi-missile collaboration, algorithm research on target position estimation was carried out based on the line of sight angle and missile target distance measured by the guidance head. Finally, the “current” model and uniform acceleration model were used as the target motion models, and an interactive multi-model filter was constructed based on the square root Cubature Kalman filter algorithm to achieve position estimation of the target from serpentine maneuver to uniform motion. We have improved the calculation method for the transition probabilities of various models in interactive multi models, adaptively adjusting the transition probabilities based on the model probabilities and designing an adjustment algorithm. Digital simulations have shown that the proposed adaptive interactive multi-model algorithm can effectively estimate the position of complex maneuvering targets and improve the recognition probability and estimation accuracy of the model.
Fire deformation calculation and test results analysis of aircraft pylon component-level seals
Authors: Li Xiaonan , Guo Junxian , Huang Zhi
Published: February 2025

There are some interfaces between the pylon and the engine/nacelle in the connection interface. At the same time, due to some relative motion between the engine/nacelle and the pylon, it is necessary to arrange some silicone rubber seals between the engine/nacelle and the pylon to realize the sealing design. Since a large number of areas of the engine/nacelle belong to the fire area, a silicone rubber seal with a fire-proof function needs to be designed between the suspension and the engine/nacelle to ensure the fire-proof seal design. For the fire-proof seals using silicone rubber parts, according to the amendments and advisory notices of the airworthiness authorities, it is not only necessary to meet the requirements of the part-level fire-proof verification test but also to meet the requirements of the component-level fire-proof test in combination with the specific installation environment. In this paper, the design of component-level R & D test pieces for seals that simulate the real environment of aircraft is carried out. The deformation analysis of component-level test pieces is carried out in combination with the analysis of the temperature field. And it needs to be verified by fire test according to the requirements. This paper provides a set of solutions for the fire test of component-level seals, which is of great guiding significance to the airworthiness verification of component-level fire seals for civil aircraft.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of electron beam welding CrCoNi MEA/GH3536 superalloy--numerical and experimental analysis
Authors: Wang Haijun , Zhao Xinyu , Zhang Engui , Zhang Shuai , Liu Ling , Wan Long , Xie Biao , Wu Jiawei
Published: February 2025

CrCoNi Medium Entropy Alloy’s superior tensile strength and ductility make it promising for engineering structures. Yet, its welding research is in its infancy, limiting its use. This study used Electron Beam Welding to join CrCoNi MEA and GH3536 superalloy for the first time. Through finite element modeling and experimental validation, we predicted temperature profiles, weld morphology, and residual stress distributions, which are crucial for understanding the mechanical behavior of the welded joints. The joints showed a tensile strength of 555 MPa and 18.5% ductility at 298.15 K, with fractures mainly in the weld zone. Our findings, including fracture patterns analysis and microstructure in the weld seam, provide insights into CrCoNi MEA welding and its potential in engineering structures.
Impacts of impregnation on the structure and electrical properties of biaxially oriented polypropylene film
Authors: Li Ying , Yao Cheng , Ma Kai , Liu Gang , Tan Lingqi , Yao Lulu , Jiang Liantao
Published: February 2025

The present study proposed a systematic impregnation test, to study the impact of the interaction of the film and the impregnating agent on the microstructure, as well as the electrical properties of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films. BOPP films were impregnated in benzyl toluene at 80°C for 1, 3, 7, 14, and 42 days respectively. The microstructure and electrical properties of the films impregnated for different durations were investigated. The results showed that the crystallinity of films first decreased and then increased with the impregnating time. The impregnating agent came into BOPP films during the impregnating process, which suppressed the orientation of dipoles and reduced the orientation polarization, leading to a slight decrease in the dielectric constant and loss factor of films. Meanwhile, the impregnating agent would destroy the structure of the films to reduce the crystallinity, and thus the breakdown strength decreased. As the impregnating time increased, the molecules of the impregnating agent would occupy the voids in the amorphous and crystalline regions of films to repair the defects. As a result, enhanced structural uniformity with the breakdown performance improved slightly. The variation trend of the breakdown strength was consistent with that of the crystallinity.
1st principle study of Co-Fe alloy structural and magnetic properties
Authors: Du Dou , Xiao Namin
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the structural and magnetic properties of cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), and their alloy (CoFe) using first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Employing the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) functional and its extension with Hubbard U (PBE+U), the effect of U values on the electronic structure and magnetic properties of these systems is explored. The results show that increasing the U value leads to an enhancement in both lattice parameters and magnetic moments for Fe, Co, and the CoFe alloy. Specifically, BCC CoFe is found to be more energetically stable than HCP CoFe, with BCC CoFe exhibiting higher magnetization values for both Co and Fe atoms. The projected density of states (PDOS) reveals distinct shifts in the Co and Fe 3d bands depending on the U value. Overall, this work provides insights into the behaviour of CoFe alloys, particularly in relation to their structural stability and magnetism, offering valuable guidance for future theoretical and experimental investigations in magnetic materials.
Development of methodology and implementation of SoC-based compact single-board validation system for the ATLAS Phase-II level-0 muon trigger system
Authors: Narukawa Yoshifumi ,   the ATLAS TDAQ collaboration
Published: February 2025

Firmware testing on actual hardware is an optimal way to validate large-scale FPGA-based trigger/DAQ systems. For the Phase-II level-0 muon trigger system at the ATLAS experiment, a methodology using prototype ATCA-based Sector Logic (SL) boards was developed, featuring self-complete DAQ, high-statistics test patterns, and various nature of input test data. The design exploits Zynq SoC on the board for control, injection of BRAM-based test patterns data and flexible DAQ to probe the process. This success is thanks to the flexibility of the SL board design around the SoC device. This methodology facilitates precise firmware validation and systematic debugging.
A low-cost, low-power media converter solution for next-generation detector readout systems
Authors: Perro A. , Vodnik M. , Durante P.
Published: February 2025

High Energy Physics (HEP) data acquisition systems are often built from high-end FPGAs. As such systems scale in the HL-LHC era, severe under-utilization of FPGA transceivers can occur because front-end links prioritize radiation hardness and power consumption over raw data bandwidth. This work evaluates recently introduced low-power, low-cost FPGA devices as an alternative building block for future readout architectures. This study presents the implementation of a readout back-End on FPGA where the front-end protocol is based on the Low-Power GigaBit Transceiver (lpGBT) and the readout protocol is based on 10 Gigabit Ethernet, using the LHCb Run 4 RICH detector as a practical case study.
Leveraging Hamiltonian simulation techniques to compile operations on bosonic devices
Authors: Kang Christopher , Soley Micheline , Crane Eleanor , Girvin Steven M , Wiebe Nathan
Published: February 2025

Circuit quantum electrodynamics enables the combined use of qubits and oscillator modes. Despite a variety of available gate sets, many hybrid qubit-boson (i.e., qubit-oscillator) operations are realizable only through optimal control theory, which is oftentimes intractable and uninterpretable. We introduce an analytic approach with rigorously proven error bounds for realizing specific classes of operations via two matrix product formulas commonly used in Hamiltonian simulation, the Lie-Trotter and Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff product formulas. We show how this technique can be used to realize a number of operations of interest, including polynomials of annihilation and creation operators, namely (a)p (a†)q for integer p, q. We show examples of this paradigm including obtaining universal control within a subspace of the entire Fock space of an oscillator, state preparation of a fixed photon number in the cavity, simulation of the Jaynes--Cummings Hamiltonian, and simulation of the Hong-Ou-Mandel effect. This work demonstrates how techniques from Hamiltonian simulation can be applied to better control hybrid qubit-boson devices.
Kaczmarz Kac walk
Authors: Steinerberger Stefan
Published: February 2025

The Kaczmarz method is a way to iteratively solve a linear system of equations

A
x
=
b

Ax = b

. One interprets the solution

x
x

as the point where hyperplanes intersect and then iteratively projects an approximate solution onto these hyperplanes to get better and better approximations. We note a somewhat related idea: one could take two random hyperplanes and project one into the orthogonal complement of the other. This leads to a sequence of linear systems

A

(
k
)

x
=

b

(
k
)

A^{(k)} x = b^{(k)}

which is fast to compute, preserves the original solution and whose small singular values grow like
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="sigma Subscript script l Baseline left-parenthesis upper A Superscript left-parenthesis k right-parenthesis Baseline right-parenthesis tilde exp left-parenthesis k slash n squared right-parenthesis dot sigma Subscript script l Baseline left-parenthesis upper A right-parenthesis">

σ

ℓ

(

A

(
k
)

)
∼
exp
⁡
(
k

/

n
2

)
⋅

σ

ℓ

(
A
)

\sigma _{\ell }(A^{(k)}) \sim \exp (k/n^2) \cdot \sigma _{\ell }(A)

.
The Age of Electricity
Authors: Smil Vaclav
Published: February 2025

This chapter traces the history of electric industry from the 1870s to 1914. Building on pre-1870 experimental advances, this highly intensive period of technical progress began with the invention of incandescent light bulbs and the construction of the first dynamos and the first electricity-generating plants. Soon afterward came the invention of steam turbines, transformers, and electric motors. By the late 1880s, all essential aspects of the modern electricity industry were in place, and the next two decades saw the rise of urban transmission grids, an increase of generation capacities and efficiencies, the large-scale adoption of electric lighting and small appliances in cities and electric motors in industries, and the appearance of the first streetcars and first electric trains.
Contemporary Perceptions
Authors: Smil Vaclav
Published: February 2025

To what extent were the people who lived at that time aware that they were present at the creation of a new era? Some astute observers who lived during the Age of Synergy were aware of its extraordinary concatenation of technical advances that created a new high-energy, highly mechanized civilization that also guaranteed unprecedented food security and a high level of economic globalization. Inevitably, these technical advances led to new social and political arrangements, ranging from the demise of artisanal work to rising female participation in the labor force, and they laid the indispensable foundation for the transformations that took place during the twentieth century.
Materials
Authors: Smil Vaclav
Published: February 2025

Production of old materials was transformed by new techniques and by rising capacities and efficiencies. The steel industry was transformed by a rapid diffusion of basic oxygen furnaces and by continuous casting; the synthesis of ammonia benefitted from better compressors and hydrogen derived from natural gas. All materials—minerals used in construction (sand, gravel, stone), metals (led by steel, aluminum, and copper), nonmetallic minerals (from graphite to silicon), fertilizers, and plastics—have seen large increases in extraction, production, and synthesis. The two most important twentieth-century additions to large-scale material production were plastics (most of today’s leading varieties were first synthesized between the 1930s and 1960s), now one of the key material pillars of our world, and silicon (used in photovoltaic cells and, in it purest form, to make microprocessors). Moreover, industrial gases, derived from air (oxygen, nitrogen, “rare” gases) or from natural gas (hydrogen) became indispensable for many key industries.
Transportation, Communication, Information
Authors: Smil Vaclav
Published: February 2025

All modes of transportation have become faster as well as safer and more affordable. Road traffic was transformed by multilane highways, rapid electric trains became the best choice for intercity trips in Japan and Europe, large tankers and container ships lowered the cost of shipping, and, since the 1950s, new jetliner designs made long-distance flying affordable and increasingly reliable. Television was adopted rapidly after 1950 in all richer countries, where telephones ownership became nearly universal. Communication and information were transformed by the invention and rapid adoption of electronic computers, first based on vacuum tubes, from the late 1950s on solid state electronics; then came integrated circuits and, since the early 1970s, the rapidly improving microprocessors that enabled affordable personal computing and the rise of the World Wide Web.
A family-based strategy to identify and prevent premature cardiovascular disease: a feasibility pilot-study
Authors: Charleux Pierre , Procopi Niki , Rahoual Ghilas , Proukhnitzky Julie , Brugier Delphine , Boukhelifa Sena , Rouanet Stéphanie , Vicaut Eric , Kerneis Mathieu , Silvain Johanne , Montalescot Gilles , Zeitouni Michel
Published: February 2025

Background

Current guidelines fail to adequately identify and prevent cardiovascular prevention in young adults, even when a family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is known.

Purpose

We aim to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a routine family-based cardiovascular risk assessment in first-degree relatives of individuals with premature coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

Patients with premature CAD were prospectively asked about pre-existing CVD cases and previous cardiovascular check-ups among their first-degree relatives. They were then encouraged to invite their healthy and naïve to cardiology follow-up relatives to contact the cardiology department for consultation. The primary outcome was the eligibility of relatives for initial cardiovascular evaluation, defined by the absence of previously known CVD or active primary prevention.

Result

The cardiovascular status of first-degree relatives was evaluated in the families of 137 probands with premature CAD. Of the 626 identified first-degree relatives, 153 (24.4%) had known CVD, primarily CAD (19.6%). Among 352 siblings and adult-children, 48 (13.7%) were already diagnosed with CVD, 68 (19.3%) were being treated or followed for primary prevention, and 226 (64.2%) were eligible for initial cardiovascular check-up. Within 12 months, 11.1% of eligible relatives initiate screening.

Conclusion

This pilot study revealed 1/a significant familial burden of CVD, 2/opportunities for proactive primary prevention in two out of three of young relatives, and 3/challenges in engaging non-symptomatic adults in a cardiovascular screening based on family history.
Health promotion meets sustainable movement-based education in school—a “walking school” initiative in Sweden
Authors: Karlander Rasmus , Geidne Susanna
Published: February 2025

The World Health Organization states that physical activity has the potential to influence physical, mental, and social dimensions of health in a powerful way. However, in modern society, physical activity is increasingly becoming an active choice, rather than a part of everyday life. Schools have been identified as key settings for health promotion, but physical activity initiatives in schools have rarely had a sustained impact. Interventions have been criticized for seeking to increase levels of physical activity by focusing on individual behaviors rather than considering the contexts and social structures in which individuals live their lives. With a theoretical foundation in settings-based health promotion, this article proposes an alternative initiative for sustainable movement-based education called Walking School. Walking School defines sustainable movement as the movement that is an integral part of the school day and school culture. Walking School, or outdoor teaching while walking, has the potential to (i) be inclusive of both teachers and students, (ii) extend the classroom and make physical activity a collective responsibility of all teachers, not just physical education teachers, (iii) reduce sedentary time and increase physical activity without losing instructional time, (iv) stimulate physical activity and create conditions conducive to the development of new habits by using the outdoor environment as a teaching space, and (5) become part of the school’s core business of education, and ultimately a part of the school culture.
Emotions, Aggression, and Stress
Authors: Breedlove S. Marc , Watson Neil V.
Published: February 2025

This chapter explores the role of emotion in shaping behavior and physiology, focusing on the example of S.M., a woman who cannot experience fear due to a rare genetic disorder. While most people experience fear in response to threats, S.M. shows no physiological response, such as the startle reflex, and fails to perceive risk in everyday situations. It emphasizes how the absence of fear leads to social consequences, such as a distorted sense of personal space and difficulty forming long-term relationships. The chapter introduces theories of emotion, which integrate subjective feelings, cognitive processes, physiological changes, and behavioral responses. Understanding these emotional processes is essential for studying how emotions influence health, stress, and behavior.
Attention and Higher Cognition
Authors: Breedlove S. Marc , Watson Neil V.
Published: February 2025

This chapter examines the nature of attention, focusing on its role in selecting and enhancing specific stimuli for processing. It explores how attention, or selective attention, enables the human brain to focus on one stimulus while filtering out others, as illustrated by phenomena like the cocktail party effect, where one voice is isolated in a noisy environment. It also details Parminder's case, marked by parietal lobe damage, that demonstrates how attention can be disrupted, leaving her unable to perceive or understand multiple objects simultaneously. The chapter notes how scientists continue to explore attention through behavioral and neural studies, revealing its selective quality and its overlap with concepts like vigilance and consciousness. This exploration highlights attention's critical role in shaping perception, awareness, and ability to engage effectively with the world around us.
Solutions Manual to accompany Organic Chemistry
Authors: Clayden Jonathan , Greeves Nick , Warren Stuart
Published: February 2025

Solutions Manual to accompany Organic Chemistry provides solutions to the problems posed in Clayden, Greeves & Warren Organic Chemistry, second edition. Each problem is accompanied by an explanation of the purpose of the problem, and a suggested solution. Use this title to assess your level of understanding and test your knowledge.
Suggested solutions for Chapter 5
Authors: Clayden Jonathan , Greeves Nick , Warren Stuart
Published: February 2025

This chapter provides solutions to the problems posed in Chapter 5 of Clayden, Greeves & Warren Organic Chemistry, second edition, on organic reactions.
Suggested solutions for Chapter 8
Authors: Clayden Jonathan , Greeves Nick , Warren Stuart
Published: February 2025

This chapter provides solutions to the problems posed in Chapter 8 of Clayden, Greeves & Warren Organic Chemistry, second edition, on acidity, basicity, and pK
a.
Suggested solutions for Chapter 26
Authors: Clayden Jonathan , Greeves Nick , Warren Stuart
Published: February 2025

This chapter provides solutions to the problems posed in Chapter 26 of Clayden, Greeves & Warren Organic Chemistry, second edition, on reactions of enolates with carbonyl compounds: the aldol and Claisen reactions.
Introducing optimal performance scenario for an Urban Comprehensive Health Center affiliated with Primary Healthcare Network in Iran
Authors: Hosseini Seyed Hadi , Takian Amirhossein , Bakhtiari Ahad , Ahmadi Batool , Amerzadeh Mohammad , Arani Leila Keikavoosi
Published: February 2025

Background

The Urban Comprehensive Health Center (UCHC) is a vital institution that offers healthcare services to the people residing in cities in Iran, and its efficient functioning is critical.

Objectives

This study aimed to introduce optimal performance scenarios for a UCHC using a new methodology to help managers make more efficient decisions.

Methods

This empirical study was conducted in 2021 at a UCHC in the south of Tehran City, Iran. The study comprised five phases: collecting information about the center, recording the number of patients and the time taken to provide services, analyzing the current state of the center, creating scenarios, and comparing scenarios to identify the best solution. We used Arena21 software to generate scenarios and quantitative criteria, the nominal group technique to analyze proposed decisions, and qualitative criteria and expert choice.

Results

We extracted three scenarios. The changes in quantitative criteria in the third scenario compared to the current situation were patients entered (94% increase), patients served (137% increase), patients’ waiting time (-107% decrease), and employee productivity rate (3% increase). Qualitative criteria were presented to validate the scenarios. The scores for the quantitative criteria for the current situation and the first, second, and third scenarios were 111, 141, 347, and 401, respectively. For the qualitative criteria, the scores were 116, 208, 216, and 458, respectively.

Conclusions

The third scenario was the optimal performance scenario. We recommend using simulation tools, extracting decision methods and proposed scenarios, validating scenarios, and making decisions about them for other UCHCs.
Assessing the appropriateness of antifungal prescribing: key results from the implementation of a novel audit tool in Australian hospitals
Authors: Khanina A , Singh N , James R , Kong D C M , Slavin M A , Thursky K A
Published: February 2025

Objectives

To utilize the Antifungal National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey (Antifungal NAPS), a novel tool utilizing international consensus metrics for antifungal stewardship, to assess the quality of systemic antifungal prescribing in Australian hospitals, in order to identify quality improvement targets.

Methods

Participating hospitals were directed to audit all systemic antifungals or focus on a specific antifungal drug or class. Data entry into the Antifungal NAPS online portal occurred between October 2022 and June 2023. The data collection tool comprised patient details, reasons precluding use of antifungals, prescription details (guideline compliance, appropriateness, and reasons for inappropriate prescribing) and patient outcomes. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data.

Results

Eleven hospitals contributed data for 516 prescriptions for 438 patients. Of these, 77.1% of prescriptions were appropriate, with the highest appropriateness for prophylactic (189/222; 85.1%), followed by directed (105/130; 80.8%) and empirical therapy (104/164; 63.4%). Fluconazole was the most commonly prescribed agent, which had the lowest rate of appropriateness (132/209; 63.2%). The most common reasons for inappropriate prescribing were no antifungal required (35/105; 33.3%), incorrect dose or frequency (30/105; 28.6%) and incorrect duration (19/105; 18.1%). Compliance with guidelines was 73.6%.

Conclusions

This study outlines the successful implementation of the Antifungal NAPS, a standardized electronic audit tool for the assessment of antifungal prescribing quality. Key areas for quality improvement identified were the overuse of empirical fluconazole for urinary tract and intra-abdominal infections, the importance of invasive fungal infection risk assessment to guide prophylaxis prescribing and greater infectious diseases and antifungal stewardship oversight of antifungal prescribing to guide optimal prescribing.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa: One Health approach to deciphering hidden relationships in Northern Portugal
Authors: de Sousa Telma , Machado Sandro , Caniça Manuela , Ramos Miguel J N , Santos Daniela , Ribeiro Miguel , Hébraud Michel , Igrejas Gilberto , Alves Olimpia , Costa Eliana , Silva Augusto , Lopes Ricardo , Poeta Patrícia
Published: February 2025

Aims

Antimicrobial resistance in P. aeruginosa represents a major global challenge in public and veterinary health, particularly from a One Health perspective. This study aimed to investigate antimicrobial resistance, the presence of virulence genes, and the genetic diversity of P. aeruginosa isolates from diverse sources.

Methods and Results

The study utilized antimicrobial susceptibility testing, genomic analysis for resistance and virulence genes, and multilocus sequence typing to characterize a total of 737 P. aeruginosa isolates were collected from humans, domestic animals, and aquatic environments in northern Portugal. Antimicrobial resistance profiles were analyzed, and genomic approaches were employed to detect resistance and virulence genes. The study found a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant isolates, including high-risk clones such as ST244 and ST446, particularly in hospital sources and wastewater treatment plants. Key genes associated with resistance and virulence, including efflux pumps (e.g., MexA and MexB) and secretion systems (T3SS and T6SS), were identified.

Conclusions

This work highlights the intricate dynamics of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa across interconnected ecosystems in Northern Portugal. It underscores the importance of genomic studies in revealing the mechanisms of resistance and virulence, contributing to the broader understanding of resistance dynamics and informing future mitigation strategies.
River dam prevents the invasion of non-native species of Neocaridina Kubo, 1938 (Decapoda: Caridea: Atyidae) into native habitats: A case study in the Yumesaki River system, Japan
Authors: Ishii Ryosuke , Fuke Yusuke
Published: February 2025

The range expansion of invasive species that threaten biodiversity is caused by repeated cycles of their artificial introduction and subsequent dispersal. While dispersal can occur without human intervention, its pattern is mainly determined by environmental factors and species characteristics. Knowledge regarding the dispersal processes of invasive species and their subsequent interactions with native species is limited, which makes controlling invasive species and conserving native species difficult. We focused on the freshwater shrimps genus Neocaridina Kubo, 1938 in the Yumesaki River system, Japan, which is the habitat of the native species N. denticulata (De Haan, 1844) and has experienced the introduction of closely related invasive species. We examined the genetic population structures and morphological characteristics of the introduced species to elucidate their dispersal process. The results showed that populations comprising only the native species remained upstream of the Sugo Dam, whereas the native species was replaced by the introduced species N. davidi (Bouvier, 1904) at the other sites. Our results demonstrate that the distribution of invasive species can expand throughout the entire river system in rivers without structures that restrict the movement of aquatic organisms. Our findings highlight a rare example of a riverine structure that is generally detrimental to native species, acting as a bulwark for native species against invasive species.