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.

Ethiopian agriculture is not only affected by precipitation declines (meteorological droughts) but also soil dryness caused by temperature increases and associated long-term hydrological changes. Meteorological drought indicators (e.g., SPI), do not fully capture the water deficits in agricultural systems (i.e., agricultural droughts). An Ethiopia-wide assessment of meteorological and agricultural drought trends was carried out to characterize century-scale (1902 – 2016) changes in droughts. SPI and SPEI calculated using two-month accumulation and the Palmer Z-index were used for assessing intra-season drought trends. SPI and SPEI at six-month accumulations and PDSI were used to define full season droughts. Detrended variance corrected Mann-Kendall test was used for trend analysis during Bega (dry), Belg (short-rainy) and Meher (long-rainy) seasons. The SPEI-2 and PDSI were most aggressive in characterizing intra-season and seasonal-drought trends. There is on average 1% - 6% annual increase in dryness with the lower estimate based on precipitation declines and the upper end accounting for seasonal soil moisture dynamics. The area between 37.5° E – 42.5° E denotes a climate hot-spot. Precipitation declines in Belg along the Ethiopia-South-Sudan/Sudan border during Belg and along Eretria-Ethiopia border during Meher have the potential to exacerbate transboundary water conflicts and further threaten the food security of the region.

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.

The United Nations' sustainable development goals have underscored the importance of enhancing supply chain sustainability while appropriately distributing orders. This study proposes a novel framework involving Z-number, game theory, indifference threshold-based attribute ratio analysis (ITARA), and combined compromise solution method (CoCoSo) to evaluate the sustainability of suppliers and order allocations. To better reflect the decision makers’ current choices for the sustainability of assessed suppliers and order allocations; enhance the comprehensiveness of decision-making, the importance parameter of the supplier is obtained through game theory objectively for transforming supplier performance into order allocation performance. The Z-numbers are involved in ITARA (so-called ZITARA) and CoCoSo (so-called ZCoCoSo) to overcome the issue of information uncertainty in the process of expert evaluation. ZITARA and ZCoCoSo are applied to assess the objective weight of criteria and the ranking of assessed order allocations, respectively. Afterwards, a case study of China’s company is illustrated the utility of the proposed framework and inform their decision-making process regarding the orders to be assigned to the assessed suppliers.

In the current work, the stable queueuing system's Generalised Z-Entropy (GZE) of Rényian formalism is examined in its fractal dimension. Notably, fractal dimension’s resulting behaviour that corresponds to the GZE parameters is examined through numerical tests. This research makes a substantial generalization in the literature by fusing fractal geometry and information theory to shed light on how entropy and complexity interact. More fundamentally, the significant role of fractal dimension to advance Big Data Analytics(BDAs) is highlighted. Closing remarks combined with open problems and the next phase of research are provided.

As one of the world's most populous countries, Indonesia is struggling with the composition of its people, the majority of whom are unemployed productive-age individuals with low education levels. Another issue is the high poverty rate, which is followed by issues of gender inequality. The government cannot solve these social issues on its own. There is a need for community support to solve these problems through sustainable social entrepreneurship activities. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior and Outcome Expectation, this study will determine the factors that influence the interest of individuals known as the Z and Millennial generation, aged 18 to 34 years old, in becoming social entrepreneurs. This study applied a quantitative approach with a judgmental sampling technique to a sample of Generation Z and Millennials who have ever participated in social activities but have not yet started their own business. The study gathered 210 respondents, who were then analyzed using the PLS-SEM method with multiple group analysis generation-based comparison. According to the findings, the Millennial Generation's Attitude Toward Behavior, Subjective Norms, and Outcome Expectation all had a positive impact on Social Entrepreneurial Intention. Meanwhile, Subjective Norms had no effect on Social Entrepreneurial Intention in the Z Generation. Only attitude toward behavior, perceived behavioral control, and outcome expectation have a positive effect on the development of social entrepreneurial intentions. Furthermore, the findings of this study confirm that subjective norms influence attitude toward behavior and Perceived Behavioral Control in both Generation Z and millennials.

A simple mathematical interaction function, with the limit value w = e2π/e, derived as a basis for modelling emergent properties of nanoparticles, nanodrops and liquids, has been further developed. A correlation between physical systems of uniform particles and fundamental properties of natural numbers leads to a model, which acts as a bridge between properties of macroscopic systems and fundamental physical constants. The four fundamental coupling constants, and the masses of fundamental elementary particles, including the Higgs and Z bosons, are derived by using this interaction function. A proposal for the mass of the electron neutrino is given. Finally, the nuclear binding interaction is modeled with the interaction function. Only the experimental values of the Planck constant h and the speed of light c are needed for the model.

A transform approach based on a variable initial time (VIT) formulation is developed for discrete-time signals and linear time-varying discrete-time systems or digital filters. The VIT transform is a formal power series in z^(-1) which converts functions given by linear time-varying difference equations into left polynomial fractions with variable coefficients, and with initial conditions incorporated into the framework. It is shown that the transform satisfies a number of properties that are analogous to those of the ordinary z-transform, and that it is possible to do scaling of z^(- i) by time functions which results in left-fraction forms for the transform of a large class of functions including sinusoids with general time-varying amplitudes and frequencies. Using the extended right Euclidean algorithm in a skew polynomial ring with time-varying coefficients, it is shown that a sum of left polynomial fractions can be written as a single fraction, which results in linear time-varying recursions for the inverse transform of the combined fraction. The extraction of a first-order term from a given polynomial fraction is carried out in terms of the evaluation of z^(i) at time functions. In the application to linear time-varying systems, it is proved that the VIT transform of the system output is equal to the product of the VIT transform of the input and the VIT transform of the unit-pulse response function. For systems given by a time-varying moving average or an autoregressive model, the transform framework is used to determine the steady-state output response resulting from various signal inputs such as the step and cosine functions.

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.

As with all new fields of discovery, work on the biological role of G-quadruplexes (GQ) has produced a number of results that at first glance are quite baffling, sometimes because they do not fit well together, but mostly because they are different from commonly held expectations. Like other classes of flipons, those that form G-quadruplexes have a repeat sequence motif that enables the fold. The canonical DNA motif (G3N1-7)3G3, where N is any nucleotide and G is guanine, a feature that is under active selection in avian and mammalian genomes. The involvement of G-flipons in genome maintenance traces back to the invertebrate Caenorhabditis elegans and to ancient DNA repair pathways. A role for GQ in transcription is supported by the observation that yeast Rap1 protein binds both B-DNA, in a sequence-specific manner, and GQ, in a structure-specific manner, through the same helix. Other sequence-specific transcription factors (TF) also engage both conformations to actuate cellular transactions. Noncoding RNAs can also modulate GQ formation in a sequence-specific manner and engage the same cellular machinery as localized by TF, linking the ancient RNA world with the modern protein world. The coevolution of noncoding RNAs and sequence-specific proteins is supported by studies of early embryonic development, where the transient formation of G-quadruplexes coordinates the epigenetic specification of cell fate.

This paper proposes a theoretical silicon dioxide (SiO2) solar cell based dielectric metamaterial unit surface consisting of zinc oxide (ZnO) periodic nanorods of bandgap energy of 2.2-2.4eV. It evaluates the absorptive efficiency of the film using S-parameter and Z-parameter testing of magnitude, return/insertion loss, and impedance matching with respect to a frequency band of 0.0014-10.5THz. Terahertz applications of the result are considered due to potential scope for infrared (IR) and microwave (MW) spectral selectivity with ZnO. Calculations of input n-impedance and loss tangents are also presented with emphasis on the exhibition of antireflection to gauge the performance of the thin-film meta-surface in tandem solar cells. The data for the reflectance parameters of this structure, primarily the S11 loss and impedance matching (dB/dB10) are compared to those of prior investigations with different metamaterial coatings on SiO2 solar photovoltaic cells, as well as ZnO nanorods used in photovoltaic applications, to ascertain the cylindrical meta-surface structure with the preset thicknesses of the study being an effective anti-reflector. Application can be extended to other broadband domains requiring plasmonic graded refractive surfaces, in further work.

Disruptive technologies (DT) have featured prominently in almost every human activity since the advent of computerization. The likely effects of DT on economic processes and human professions have and continue to generate fears and debates which spurred this investigation. To break away from the traditional approach the operational breakeven theory and the discriminant analysis techniques of Altman’s Z-score, and Enyi’s Relative Solvency Ratio were used to examine the relationship between firms’ market-induced-survival-ratio (MISR) and the disruptive technology gains index (DTGI) of seventy-three firms drawn from Nigeria and India. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data generated. The results showed that a sizeable number of firms has profited from the introduction of disruptive technologies with MISR and DTGI returning a 10% significant relationship while others are still struggling to measure up to the requirements of disruptive technologies in their chosen economic fields. The implication of this is that businesses must brace up and embrace digital transformation if they must stay afloat in this era of disruptive technologies. This study recommends a revolutionary approach to digital transformation in view of the fast pace of global integration while managers and business owners should adopt more pragmatic approach in appraising the operations and finances of a firm for effective results and timely responses to potential business challenges.

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.

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.

Background and Objectives: Fibrillinopathies have different phenotypic expression: Marfan- like skeleton features, MLSF; mitral valve prolapse syndrome, MVPS; MASS phenotype, M= mitral valve prolapse, MVP, A= aortic root dilation, S= skeletal features, and the second S= (cutaneous) striae; Marfan syndrome, MS. These are inherited connective tissue diseases, provoked by a mutation of the encoding gene for a protein(fibrillin 1, FBN1) which has major importance in the formation of elastic fibers.The study had the following main objectives: the correlation between disc displacement, DD( a major sign for temporomandibular joint dysfunction, TMD) on magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, and aortic Z score(a major sign for aortic root dilation) on echocardiography; the predictive value of DD towards aortic Z score. DD had 2 types of severity: DD with reduction(the mild type, DDwR) , and DD without reduction( the severe type, DDwoR). Materials and Methods: The type of fibrillinopathy was precised by clinical exam( systemic score), ophthalmic exam(for ectopia lentis), and echocardiography(aortic Z score, MVP). Medical treatment consisted in betablockers, BB(for patients with tachycardia), or angiotensin II receptor blockers, ARB. Surgical treatment was addressed to aortic root aneurysm, and severe MR. DD benefited by dental conservatory treatment, or surgical restoration.Results: DD- Z score had a powerful correlation in MASS(Rho= 0.787, p< 0.01), and in MS patients(Rho=0.819, p< 0.01). For the entire sample, both DDwR- Z score, and DDwoR- Z score had a moderate correlation(Rho= 0.469, and respectively 0.669). Muchmore, DD was an important predictor for Z score. DDwoR had a double power of prediction for Z score, comparative with DDwR(B coefficient= 1.661 for DDwR, and 3.281 for DDwoR). Conclusions: TMD had a powerful correlation with aortic root dilation, in MASS, and MS patients from the sample. Likewise, TMD was a major predictor for aortic root dilation, in the entire sample. We can utilize in clinical practice, an extracardiac finding, TMD, obtained by a non-invasive technique, MRI, for cardiac severity stratification of fibrillinopathies.

We live in the information age and, ironically, meeting the core function of journalism – i.e., to provide people access to unbiased information – has never been more difficult. This paper explores deep journalism, our data-driven Artificial Intelligence (AI) based journalism approach to study how the LinkedIn media could be useful for journalism. Specifically, we apply our deep journalism approach to LinkedIn to automatically extract and analyse big data to provide the public with information about labour markets, people’s skills and education, and businesses and industries from multi-generational perspectives. The Great Resignation and Quiet Quitting phenomena coupled with rapidly changing generational attitudes are bringing unprecedented and uncertain changes to labour markets and our economies and societies, and hence the need for journalistic investigations into these topics is highly significant. We combine big data and machine learning to create a whole machine learning pipeline and a software tool for journalism that allows discovering parameters for age dynamics in labour markets using LinkedIn data. We collect a total of 57,000 posts from LinkedIn and use it to discover 15 parameters by Latent Dirichlet Allocation algorithm (LDA) and group them into five macro-parameters, namely Generations-Specific Issues, Skills & Qualifications, Employment Sectors, Consumer Industries, and Employment Issues. The journalism approach used in this paper can automatically discover and make objective, cross-sectional, and multi-perspective information available to all. It can bring rigour to journalism by making it easy to generate information using machine learning and can make tools and information available so that anyone can uncover information about matters of public importance. This work is novel since none of the earlier works have reported such an approach and tool and leveraged it to use LinkedIn media for journalism and to discover multigenerational perspectives (parameters) for age dynamics in labour markets. The approach could be extended with additional AI tools and other media.

In this work, a series of compounds in the CaO-½Er2O3-CoOz ternary oxide system were synthesized in air at 885℃ using high temperature solid-phase synthesis method. Phase boundary of each solid solution region in the CaO-½Er2O3-CoOz system was determined by X-ray powder diffraction technique. The phase diagram of the CaO-½Er2O3-CoOz system at 885℃ includes three series of ternary oxide solid solutions : (Ca3-xErx)Co4O9-z (0≤x≤0.9), (Ca3-xErx)Co2O6-z (0≤x≤1.25) and (Er1-xCax)CoO3-z (0≤x≤0.33). Four three-phase regions and five solid solution tie-line regions were obtained. The structure of perovskite solid solution (Ca3-xErx)Co2O6-z has been analyzed by Rietveld refinements. With the increase of Er content, the cell parameters of (Ca3-xErx)Co2O6-z exhibit an decreasing trend in a and b directions and an increasing trend in c direction.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 >60 and ≤30 days from the vaccination campaign starting (VCS), respectively. Results: over the study period 1717 individuals underwent vaccination: 129 (7%) >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.

We propose a new theory beyond the standard model of elementary-particle physics. Employing the concept of a quantized spacetime, our theory demonstrates that the zero-point energy of the vacuum alone is sufficient to create all the fields, including gravity, the static electromagnetic field, and the weak and strong interactions. No serious undetermined parameters are assumed. Furthermore, the relations between the forces at the quantum-mechanics level is made clear. Using these relations, we quantize Einstein’s gravitational equation: Beginning with the zero-point energy of the vacuum, and after quantizing Newtonian gravity equation, we combine the energies of a static electromagnetic field and gravity in a quantum spacetime. Applying these results to the Einstein gravity equation, we substitute the energy density derived from the zero-point energy in addition to redefining differentials in a quantized spacetime. This is how we derive the quantized Einstein gravitational equation without assuming the existence of macroscopic masses. For the weak interaction, by considering plane-wave electron and the zero-point energy, we obtain a wavefunction that represents a β collapse. In this process, from a different point of view than Weinberg-Salam theory, we derive the masses of the W and Z bosons and the neutrino, and we calculate the radius and lifetime of the neutron. For the strong interaction, we previously reported an analytical theory for calculating the mass of a proton by providing a specific linear attractive potential obtained from the zero-point energy, which agrees well with the measurements. In the present study, we further calculate the strong interaction between two nucleons, i.e., the mass of the pi-meson. The resulting calculated quantities agree with the measurements, which verifies our proposed theory.

The aim of this article is to establish a new class of unified integrals associated with the generalized Lommel-Wright functions, which are expressed in terms of Wright Hypergeometric function.Some integrals involving trigonometric,generalized Bessel function and Struve functions are also indicated as special cases of our main results.further, with the help of our main results and their special cases, we obtain two reduction formulas for the Wright hypergeometric function.

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.

This study presents an exact solution to the free vibration analysis of a uniform Timoshenko beam, with a harmonic vibration being assumed. The Timoshenko beam theory covers cases associated with small deflections based on shear deformation and rotary inertia considerations. In this paper, a moment-shear force-circular frequency-curvature relationship was presented. The complete study was based on this relationship and closed-form expressions of efforts and deformations were derived. The free vibration response of single-span systems and spring-mass systems was analyzed; closed-form formulations of matrices expressing the boundary conditions were presented and the natural frequencies were determined by solving the eigenvalue problem. Systems with intermediate mass, spring, or spring-mass system were also analyzed. Furthermore, first-order dynamic stiffness matrices in local coordinates were derived. Finally, a second-order analysis of beams resting on an elastic Winkler foundation was conducted. The results obtained in this paper were in good agreement with those of other studies.

The following system of equations {x_1 \cdot x_1=x_2, x_2 \cdot x_2=x_3, 2^{2^{x_1}}=x_3, x_4 \cdot x_5=x_2, x_6 \cdot x_7=x_2} has exactly one solution in ({\mathbb N}\{0,1})^7, namely (2,4,16,2,2,2,2). Hypothesis 1 states that if a system of equations S \subseteq {x_i \cdot x_j=x_k: i,j,k \in {1,...,7}} \cup {2^{2^{x_j}}=x_k: j,k \in {1,...,7}} has at most five equations and at most finitely many solutions in ({\mathbb N}\{0,1})^7, then each such solution (x_1,...,x_7) satisfies x_1,...,x_7 \leq 16. Hypothesis 1 implies that there are infinitely many composite numbers of the form 2^{2^{n}}+1. Hypotheses 2 and 3 are of similar kind. Hypothesis 2 implies that if the equation x!+1=y^2 has at most 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)}. Hypothesis 3 implies that if the equation x(x+1)=y! has at most finitely many solutions in positive integers x and y, then each such solution (x,y) belongs to the set {(1,2),(2,3)}. We describe semi-algorithms sem_j (j=1,2,3) that never terminate. For every j \in {1,2,3}, if Hypothesis j is true, then sem_j endlessly prints consecutive positive integers starting from 1. For every j \in {1,2,3}, if Hypothesis j is false, then sem_j prints a finite number (including zero) of consecutive positive integers starting from 1.

In the paper, the authors present an explicit form for a family of inhomogeneous linear ordinary differential equations, find a more significant expression for all derivatives of a function related to the solution to the family of inhomogeneous linear ordinary differential equations in terms of the Lerch transcendent, establish an explicit formula for computing all derivatives of the solution to the family of inhomogeneous linear ordinary differential equations, acquire the absolute monotonicity, complete monotonicity, the Bernstein function property of several functions related to the solution to the family of inhomogeneous linear ordinary differential equations, discover a diagonal recurrence relation of the Stirling numbers of the first kind, and derive an inequality for bounding the logarithmic function.

This article presents six probability distributions from the Gamma family with three parameters, for the flood frequency analysis in hydrology. The choice of the Gamma family of statistical dis-tributions was driven by its frequent use in hydrology. In the Faculty of Hydrotechnics, the im-provement of the estimation of maximum flows and including the methodological bases for the realization of a regionalization study with the linear moments method with the corrected pa-rameters was researched, being an element of novelty. The linear moments method is better than MOM because it avoids the choice of skewness depending on the origin of the flows, practiced in Romania. The L-moments method conforms to the current trend for estimating the parameters of statistical distributions. Observed data from hydrometric stations are of relatively short length, so the statistical parameters that characterize them are of a sample that requires correction. The correction of the statistical parameters is proposed, using the method of least squares based on the inverse functions of the statistical distributions expressed with the frequency factor for L-moments. All the necessary elements for their use are presented like, quantile functions, the exact and ap-proximate relations for estimating parameters and frequency factors. A flood frequency analysis case study was carried out for the Ialomita river, to verify the proposed methodology. The per-formance of this distributions is evaluated using Kiling-Gupta and Nash-Sutcliff coefficients.

Clinical and histological similarities between sarcoidosis and tuberculosis have driven repeated investigations looking for a mycobacterial cause of sarcoidosis. Over 50 years ago “anonymous mycobacteria” were suggested to have a role in the etiology of sarcoidosis. Both tuberculosis and sarcoidosis have a predilection for lung involvement though each can be found in any area of the body. A key histopathologic feature of both sarcoidosis and tuberculosis is the granuloma – while the tuberculous caseating granuloma has an area of caseous necrosis with a cheesy consistency; the non-caseating granuloma of sarcoidosis does not have this feature. This article reviews and reiterates the complicity of the infectious agent, Mycobacterium avium ss. paratuberculosis (MAP) as a cause of sarcoidosis. MAP is involved in a parallel story as the putative cause of Crohn’s disease, another disease featuring noncaseating granulomas. MAP is a zoonotic agent infecting ruminant animals and is found in dairy products and in environmental contamination of water and air. Despite increasing evidence tying MAP to several human diseases, there is a continued resistance to embracing its pleiotropic roles. "Who Moved My Cheese" is a simple yet powerful book that explores the ways in which individuals react to change. Extending the metaphor, the “non-cheesy” granuloma of sarcoidosis actually contains the difficult-to-detect “cheese”, MAP; MAP did not move, it was there all along.

A plenty of theories on the origin of genetic codes have been proposed so far, yet all ignored the energetic driving force, its relation to the biochemical system, and most importantly, the missing “matchmaker” between proteins and nucleic acids. Here, a new hypothesis is proposed, according to which ATP is at the origin of the primordial genetic code by driving the coevolution of the genetic code with the pristine biochemical system. This hypothesis aims to show how the genetic code was produced e.g. by photochemical reactions in a protocell that derived from a lipid vesicle enclosing various life’s building blocks (e.g. nucleotides and peptides). At extant cell, ATP is the only energetic product of photosynthesis, and is at the energetic heart of the biochemical systems. ATP could energetically form and elongate chains of both polynucleotides and polypeptides, thus acting a “matchmaker” between these two bio-polymers and eventually mediating precellular biochemical innovation from energy transformation to informatization. ATP was not the only one that could drive the formation of polynucleotides and polypeptides, but favored by precellular selection. The protocell innovated a photosynthesis system to produce ATP efficiently and regularly with the aids of proteins and RNA/DNA. The completion of permanently recording the genetic information by DNA marked the dawn of cellular life operated by Darwinian evolution. The ATP hypothesis assumes or supports the photochemical origin of life, shedding light on the origins of both photosynthetic and biochemical systems, which remains largely unknown thus far. Based on ATP hypothesis, virus (like the new coronavirus) could not be the earliest life on Earth, as it has neither biochemical systems nor lipid bilayer membrane that provided relatively isolated environment for the development of protobiochemical reactions, although it owns the genetic code of a cellular life. Virus could not be a bridge between life and non-life, but is an anti-life substance, as it depletes cellular material for its own replication, and then spreads by destroying the host cells. It can be imagined that if cellular life are completely wiped out by the virus, the complete destruction of life on Earth would be inevitable.

Recently, Shehata et al. [37] introduced the r+1Rs(B;C; z) matrix function and established some properties. The aim of this study established to devote and derive certain basic properties including analytic properties, recurrence matrix relations, dierential properties, new integral representations, k- Beta transform, Laplace transform, fractional k-Fourier transform, fractional integral properties, the k-Riemann{Liouville and k-Weyl fractional integral and derivative operators an extended version of r+1Rs;k matrix function. We establish its relationships with other well known special matrix functions which have some particular cases in the context of three parametric Mittag-Leer matrix function, k- Konhauser and k-Laguerre matrix polynomials. Finally, some special cases of the established formulas are also discussed.

Dementia patients express a set of problematic and deteriorating symptoms, along self-care dependency. Overtime, the mental health of family caregivers of persons with dementia may suffer, putting them at a high risk for psychopathology, which may be associated with endangered wellbeing of demented people. This cross-sectional study examined the psychometric properties of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 8-items (DASS-8), DASS-12, DASS-21 in a convenient sample of 571 caregivers from northern Italy and southern Switzerland (Mean age = 53, SD = 12, range = 24–89 years). A bifactor structure of the three measures had the best fit; some items of the DASS-12/DASS-21 failed to load on their domain-specific factors. The three-factor structure was invariant across various groups (e.g., gender, education, etc.), expressed adequate reliability and convergent validity, and had strong positive correlation with the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLALS3). Dementia type had no effect on distress scores, which were higher among females, adult children caregivers, those caring for dependent patients, and those who received help with care. For 54.9 and 38.8% of the latter, care was provided by relatives and health professionals, respectively. Since the DASS-8 expresses adequate psychometrics comparable with the DASS-21, it may be used as a brief measure of distress in this population.

This literature review investigates the morphological and behavioral significance of the horns of Carnotaurus sastrei, a theropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period. Through a comprehensive analysis of fossil specimens, comparative anatomy, and biomechanical modeling, this review explores the evolutionary adaptations and potential functions of these distinctive cranial structures. The horns of Carnotaurus are hypothesized to serve multiple roles, including species recognition, thermoregulation, and intraspecific combat. Our findings suggest that its cranial horns likely served a primary role in species recognition, intimidating rivals and signaling mating readiness. It also could have been used occasionally in head-butting contests, potentially as a display of dominance, but likely did not play a role in thermoregulation. Additionally, we examine the ecological context in which Carnotaurus lived, assessing how environmental factors could have influenced the development of such features. The implications of this study extend to broader discussions on the functional morphology and adaptive strategies of theropod dinosaurs, highlighting the complex relationship between form and function in the evolutionary history of predatory dinosaurs like Carnotaurus sastrei.