Central Projections Research Articles

Characteristics of ecosystem service values in response to strong human activities in water sources of the South-to-North Water Diversion Middle Route in China.

A systematic grasp of the evolution of the spatial and temporal patterns of ecosystem service value (ESV) in the Central Line Project for South-to-North Water Diversion (CLPSNWD) water source area is conducive to deepening the ecological protection and promoting high-quality development of the water source area. In this paper, the dynamically adjusted equivalent factor method is used to reveal the spatial and temporal evolution of ESV in the water source area under strong human activities from 1991 to 2020. The results show that (1) during the 30-year period, urban point expansion increased the construction land area by 63.66 km2, and the degree of fragmentation increased. The water area increased the most, reaching 209.43 km2. (2) The total increase in ESV over the 30-year period was $1434 million, with forests and water accounting for the largest increase, i.e., 98% of the total increase in value. Among the individual service functions, hydrologic regulation generated the most significant service value.

Beurling type representation for certain invariant subspaces of maximal subdiagonal algebras

Let A be a maximal subdiagonal algebra in a σ-finite von Neumann algebra M with respect to a faithful normal conditional expectation Φ. We consider certain invariant subspaces of A in the Haagerup noncommutative Lp space Lp(M) (1≤p≤∞). Suppose that φ is a faithful normal state on M with φ∘Φ=φ and {σtφ:t∈R} is the modular automorphism group of M associated with φ, we give a Beurling type representation for those right invariant subspaces of A in Lp(M) which are also invariant under {σtφ:t∈R}. Furthermore, we give an algebraic characterization for a subdiagonal algebra to be type 1 and also give a type decomposition for a central projection in M associated with the center of D.

Challenging invisibilities: a sensorial exploration of gender and caste in waste-work

ABSTRACT Knowledge systems characterised by classification, categorisation, and data collection underlie efforts to govern. This paper critically examines knowledge collected by central governing entities in India about waste in an urban local body – specifically through the National Cleanliness Survey or Swachh Survekshan. Relying extensively on field work in Rajpur (2018–2019), one of the highest ranked urban areas in the survey, we reflect on the process of knowledge creation. We find that, even as we come to know, understand, and treat waste, existing hierarchies of race, class, caste, and gender find ways of re-expressing themselves. Intimately tied to its preoccupation with the occupation of physical space, the state’s (and by consequence, the dominant) gaze at waste is primarily a visual one with the central project stripping the knowledge of sensory aspects in efforts to enhance claims of ‘scientific’ knowledge. Much like the mechanisms of the state, formal processes of research too have privileged ways of seeing and hearing (through photographs, writings, and presentations) as opposed to other sensory means of learning like smell and touch. Smell and touch that shape knowledge systems intimately and are the fundamental organising principle of several social norms, like caste, in South Asia are rather difficult to capture. Drawing on a bricolage of methods – including primary field work, document analysis, and visual data, this paper explores waste as entangled in gender, caste, and colonial histories. Further, it lays a pathway for a multi-sensorial understanding of (in)visibilisation.

Unleashing Axonal Regeneration Capacities: Neuronal and Non-neuronal Changes After Injuries to Dorsal Root Ganglion Neuron Central and Peripheral Axonal Branches.

Peripheral nerves obtain remarkable regenerative capacity while central nerves can hardly regenerate following nerve injury. Sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) are widely used to decipher the dissimilarity between central and peripheral axonal regeneration as axons of DRG neurons bifurcate into the regeneration-incompetent central projections and the regeneration-competent peripheral projections. A conditioning peripheral branch injury facilitates central axonal regeneration and enables the growth and elongation of central axons. Peripheral axonal injury stimulates neuronal calcium influx, alters the start-point chromatin states, increases chromatin accessibility, upregulates the expressions of regeneration-promoting genes and the synthesis of proteins, and supports axonal regeneration. Following central axonal injury, the responses of DRG neurons are modest, resulting in poor intrinsic growth ability. Some non-neuronal cells in DRGs, for instance satellite glial cells, also exhibit diminished injury responses to central axon injury as compared with peripheral axon injury. Moreover, DRG central and peripheral axonal branches are respectively surrounded by inhibitory glial scars generated by central glial cells and a permissive microenvironment generated by Schwann cells and macrophages. The aim of this review is to look at changes of DRG neurons and non-neuronal cells after peripheral and central axon injuries and summarize the contributing roles of both neuronal intrinsic regenerative capacities and surrounding microenvironments in axonal regeneration.

АРХИТЕКТУРНЫЕ И ХУДОЖЕСТВЕННЫЕ ПРИЕМЫ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ ИННОВАЦИОННОГО ТЕАТРАЛЬНОГО ПРОСТРАНСТВА С ПРИМЕНЕНИЕМ ЦИФРОВЫХ ТЕХНОЛОГИЙ

In this study, the authors pay attention to digitalization in theatrical art, and also raise the question of what changes theater spaces undergo under the influence of high technologies. The features of the influence of cultural globalization on modern theater are considered. Historical and modern examples of experience in designing theatrical spaces of new digital aesthetics prove the relevance and active development of this topic at present. The study of world and domestic experience in organizing theater spaces made it possible to identify the main trends in the development of the theater of a new order. The study defines the types of technologies that are used to transform the theater space, such as: VR technology, AR technology, projection 3D video, etc. The study defines the main techniques for the formation of new visual images of the theater's media architecture, considers interior and exterior aspects, determines the correspondence of types of digital technologies and theater spaces. The revealed techniques and principles of shaping are tested at the experimental project of the cultural center with a multi-purpose hall in Samara.

Study on the driving factors of ecosystem service value under the dual influence of natural environment and human activities

A systematic comprehension of the spatial and temporal evolution of ecosystem service value (ESV) and its key driving factors in the water source area of the central line project of south-to-north water diversion (CLPSNWD) is essential for advancing ecological protection and promoting high-quality development in the water source area. In this paper, the dynamic adjusted equivalent factor method is used to reveal the spatial and temporal evolution of ESV in the water source area. The main driving factors of ESV evolution in water source area were studied by using geodetector. The results show that: (1) Urban scattered expansion increased the area of construction land by 63.66 km2, and the degree of fragmentation has intensified. The water area increased the most, reaching 209.43 km2 (2) Over the 30-year period, there was a total increase of US$1,434 million in ESV. The largest increases in value were observed in forests and waters, accounting for 98% of the overall increase. Among the individual service functions, hydrological regulation generated the most substantial ESV. (3) The most significant driver was temperature in 1991, 2002, and 2011, and gross domestic product (GDP) played the most significant role in 2020, with the driving role of human activity increasing over time. The two-factor interaction has a stronger explanatory power for ESV, with the interaction between temperature and other factors dominating the evolution of ESV in the water source area.

SARS-CoV-2 specific plasma cells acquire long-lived phenotypes in human bone marrow

SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody-secreting plasma cells (PC) mediating specific humoral immunity have been identified in the human bone marrow (BM) after COVID-19 or vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. However, it remained unclear whether or not they acquire phenotypes of human memory plasma cells. SARS-CoV-2-specific human bone marrow plasma cells (BMPC) were characterised by tetramer-based, antigen-specific flow cytometry and FluoroSpot assay. SARS-CoV-2 spike-S1-specific PC were detectable in all tested BM samples of previously vaccinated individuals, representing 0.22% of total BMPC. The majority of SARS-CoV-2-specific BMPC expressed IgG and their specificity for the spike S1 protein indicated emergence from a systemic vaccination response. Of note, one-fifth of SARS-CoV-2-specific BMPC showed the phenotype of memory plasma cells, i.e., downregulated CD19 and present or absent CD45 expression. Our data indicate the establishment of phenotypically diverse SARS-CoV-2-specific PC in the human BM after basic mRNA immunization, including the formation of memory phenotypes. These results suggest the induction of durable humoral immunity after basic mRNA vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. The study was supported by funding by the DFG grants TRR130 TP24, ME 3644/8-1, and the Berlin Senate. SR received funding from DFGSFB-1444 C01 Central Service Project.

Organization of an engineering center for industrial import substitution

Objectives. Following the imposition of sanctions against the Russian Federation, which included a ban on thesupply of foreign electronic equipment—including automation systems—to Russian enterprises, the continuingdevelopment of science and technology in Russia became a question of ensuring technological sovereignty accordingto the principle of import substitution. According to plans developed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of theRussian Federation, the policy of import substitution, including automation systems, will ensure the replacement ofimported equipment with domestic counterparts.Methods. Approaches underlying the joint project of MIREA ‒ Russian Technological University and EnvironmentalIndustrial Policy Center to solve the problems of import substitution are described. Various substitution strategiesavailable in the world experience, as well as objective and subjective obstacles to their implementation in Russia,including the insufficiency of domestic regulatory legal acts and previously formed attachments to importedtechnologies and regulatory frameworks, are considered. Distinctive features of contemporary external relations areadduced to the necessity and urgency of developing technological sovereignty. The main functional requirementsfor a software and hardware platform for developing modern automated control systems (ACS) for mechanicalengineering applications, as well as the required capabilities of an engineering center for solving applied problemsof overcoming import dependence, are described. The components of the production of capital goods (engineering)and its role in the product life cycle are shown.Results. The selection of a pilot engineering object comprising a sectional glass-forming machine, along with asoftware-hardware complex including elements of industrial electronics and ACS, is justified. The main functionalelements of the ACS and their interrelations are shown.Conclusions. The results confirm the necessity of achieving complete import substitution for the creation of digitalproducts. Prospects for cooperation with interested organizations are shown.

Cancer rehabilitation support by cancer counselling centres (CARES): study protocol of a quasi-experimental feasibility study

IntroductionWhile maintaining or restoring work ability after a cancer diagnosis is an essential aim of the rehabilitation process for working-age patients, problems can arise during the return to work (RTW)...

Concurrent loss of ciliary genes WDR93 and CFAP46 in phylogenetically distant birds.

The respiratory system is the primary route of infection for many contagious pathogens. Mucociliary clearance of inhaled pathogens is an important innate defence mechanism sustained by the rhythmic movement of epithelial cilia. To counter host defences, viral pathogens target epithelial cells and cilia. For instance, the avian influenza virus that targets ciliated cells modulates the expression of WDR93, a central ciliary apparatus C1d projection component. Lineage-specific prevalence of such host defence genes results in differential susceptibility. In this study, the comparative analysis of approximately 500 vertebrate genomes from seven taxonomic classes spanning 73 orders confirms the widespread conservation of WDR93 across these different vertebrate groups. However, we established loss of the WDR93 in landfowl, geese and other phylogenetically independent bird species due to gene-disrupting changes. The lack of WDR93 transcripts in species with gene loss in contrast to its expression in species with an intact gene confirms gene loss. Notably, species with WDR93 loss have concurrently lost another C1d component, CFAP46, through large segmental deletions. Understanding the consequences of such gene loss may provide insight into their role in host-pathogen interactions and benefit global pathogen surveillance efforts by prioritizing species missing host defence genes and identifying putative zoonotic reservoirs.

Stability and Bautin bifurcation of four-wheel-steering vehicle system with driver steering control.

In this paper, the stability and Bautin bifurcation of a four-wheel-steering (4WS) vehicle system, by considering driver steering control, are investigated. By using the central manifold theory and projection method, the first and second Lyapunov coefficients are calculated to predict the type of Hopf bifurcation of the vehicle system. The topological structure of Bautin bifurcation, a degenerate Hopf bifurcation of the 4WS vehicle system, is presented in parameter space, and it reveals the dynamics of the vehicle system of different choices of control parameters. The influences of system parameters on critical values of the bifurcation parameter are also analyzed. It is shown that with the increase in the frontal visibility distance of the driver control strategy coefficient and the cornering stiffness coefficients of rear wheels, the critical speed increases. Nevertheless, the critical speed decreases with the increase in the distance from the center of gravity of the vehicle to the front axles, Driver's perceptual time delay, and cornering stiffness coefficients of the front wheels.

Influence of Project Teams on Performance of Nairobi County Government Health Center Projects in Kenya

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine the influence of project teams on performance of Nairobi County Government health centre projects in Kenya.
 Methodology: This study will use of a descriptive research design. The study will target 15 completed healthcare projects byNMS. The target population for the study will therefore be 399 project management employees. The sample size will be derived from the target population using Yamane’s sample size determination formula. 1.9975. The 200 respondents will be chosen with the help of stratified random sampling technique. The study’s primary data will be obtained using semi-structured questionnaires. Quantitative and qualitative data will be generated from the closed-ended and open-ended questions, respectively. Qualitative data will be analyzed on thematic basis and the findings provided in a narrative form. Inferential and descriptive statistics will be employed for analysis of quantitative data with the assistance of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 25). The study results will be presented through use of tables and figures.
 Findings: The study revealed that there was a significant relationship between project team communication and performance and Nairobi County health projects. It was further concluded that the size of the project team membership is effective and team members are constituted based on skills and abilities. The study also found that team members have order and ranks and formal organization never gets the way on how the job gets done. There is a policy framework that guides the formation of project team in the county and the project team has a clear vision. It was also showed that project team has a clear mission and the project team has a clear definition of the task to be performed. It was also concluded that project team development contributes to the productivity of the employees and training contributes to the development of project teams.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study was anchored on the human capital theory which was developed by Schutz (1961) and the theory of constraints which was propounded by created by Eliyahu Goldratt in 1984. It is recommended to establish a well-defined project structure with clearly defined roles, ensuring that each team member understands their responsibilities and how they contribute to the overall project goals. Regular communication and updates on roles and responsibilities should be maintained throughout the project lifecycle. It also recommended that project team should be comprise people with skills, expertise and diversity.

Strong zero-divisor graph of rings with involution

We associate a simple undirected graph to a ∗-ring [Formula: see text] whose vertex set is [Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text] and two distinct vertices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are adjacent if and only if [Formula: see text]. This graph is called the strong zero-divisor graph of a ∗-ring [Formula: see text] and denoted by [Formula: see text]. In general [Formula: see text] is not connected. It is proved that [Formula: see text] is connected and [Formula: see text], when [Formula: see text] is a principally quasi-Baer (p.q.-Baer) ∗-ring. We characterize the [Formula: see text] using the lattice of central projections of a p.q.-Baer ∗-ring [Formula: see text]. We proved a sort of Beck’s conjecture for the strong zero-divisor graph [Formula: see text] of a p.q.-Baer ∗-ring [Formula: see text]. It is proved that for a p.q.-Baer ∗-ring [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is uniquely complemented.

An integrated chance-constrained stochastic model for a preemptive multi-skilled multi-mode resource-constrained project scheduling problem: A case study of building a sports center

A multi-mode resource-constrained project scheduling problem (MRCPSP) with multiple skills is investigated in this paper. Unlike the traditional form of this problem, and considering the real-world project circumstances, project activities can be preempted. In this paper, a new multi-objective mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model with three objective functions is extended. These objectives are: (1) minimizing the project makespan, (2) minimizing the total resource costs, and (3) minimizing the total project risk. Based on real-life projects, non-renewable resources are represented as an uncertain stochastic parameter. To cope with the uncertain environment, chance-constrained programming with a confidence level is considered. A real-world construction project of a sports center in Tehran is utilized to demonstrate the applicability of the presented formulation. A well-known lexicographic optimization method, namely AUGMECON2, is applied to solve the proposed formulation with three objectives. Ultimately, for the case study and two datasets J30 and MM50, the proposed lexicographic optimization algorithm is compared with an efficient multi-objective mathematical programming technique known as the AUGMECON method. The comparison is based on performance metrics (i.e., IGD and HV) commonly used in multi-objective optimization. The results show the relative dominance of the proposed lexicographic optimization algorithm over the AUGMECON method in all sizes of the problem instances.

Nnamdi Azikiwe Center: Historicizing the Immortalization of Zik’s Lodge in Nigeria—the Journey, the Project, and Tourism Potentials

This paper examined the recent immortalization project of Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe at Enugu. Historicizing his achievements and legacies, the paper studied the roles he played in ensuring that independent Africa is attained and why he continues to be remembered even after his death. The research method is qualitative and descriptive. Secondary data such as newspapers, books, journals and online materials are used to enrich the work. The result shows that the inauguration of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Centre and other previous projects that immortalized him were as a result of his outstanding and selfless services to Africa and Nigeria in particular. The paper discovered that the new Nnamdi Azikiwe Centre was his renovated residential lodge which richly embodies his political history and career years, thoughts, ideology, and philosophy. The findings of this research will help government officials, historians, tourists, and students in making decisions on good governance, consulting material in education, and tourism development.

Real‐time mosaic of multiple fisheye surveillance videos based on geo‐registration and rectification

AbstractA distributed fisheye video surveillance system (DFVSS) can monitor a wide area without blind spots, but it is often affected by the viewpoint discontinuity and space inconsistency of multiple videos in the area. This paper proposes a novel real‐time fisheye video mosaic algorithm for wide‐area surveillance. First, by extending the line photogrammetry theory under central projection to spherical projection, a fisheye video geo‐registration model is established and estimated using orthogonal parallel lines on the ground, so that all videos of DFVSS are in the unified reference system to eliminate the space inconsistency between them. Second, by combining the photogrammetry orthorectification technique with thin‐plate spline transformation, a fisheye video rectification model is established to eliminate serious distortion in geo‐registered fisheye videos and align them accurately. Third, the viewport‐dependent video selection strategy and video look‐up table computation technique are adopted to create a high‐resolution panorama from input fisheye videos in real time. A parking lot of about 0.4 km2 monitored by eight fisheye cameras was selected as the test area. The experimental result shows the line re‐projection error in fisheye videos is about 0.5 pixels, and the overall efficiency, including panorama creation and mapping to the ground as texture, is not <30 fps. It indicates that the proposed algorithm can achieve a good balance between the limitation of video transmission bandwidth and the smooth observation requirement of computer equipment for the panorama, which is of great value for the construction and application of DFVSS.

Identifying and Prioritizing Barriers to Climate Technology International Cooperation from the Perspective of Korea

Climate technology development and transfer have gained significant attention as a means to combat climate change and promote sustainable development. However, there is a lack of studies that systematically identify, categorize, and prioritize the barriers to technology transfer, especially within international cooperation projects. This paper addresses this literature gap by conducting an in-depth analysis of closure reports from Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) technical assistance projects and incorporating the perspectives of Korea which has the largest number of CTCN members. The 204 barriers identified from the 77 reports were grouped into 10 categories, and the information and awareness category had the largest number of barriers, followed by the institutional and organizational capacity and the technical categories. When prioritizing the 32 survey responses, the top three difficulties were economic and financial, legal and regulatory; category-level difficulties included ‘technical barriers,’ and sub-category-level difficulties included ‘COVID-19 restrictions’, ‘challenges in gathering good data’, and ‘limited budget.’ These findings will enhance the understanding of policymakers and practitioners on the significance of resource allocation, capacity-building efforts, and risk management strategies to improve the effectiveness of climate technology international cooperation projects.

Digital Currencies and The Monetary System: Review and Issues

This paper is a review article on digitalization, generating issues from the discourse. The place of digital currencies in the contemporary world of banking and commerce was discussed, and so were their attractiveness and variants in the emergent trend. The evolution and the conditions for the effectiveness of digitalization, differentiated policy goals of the various central bank digital currency projects as well as the regulatory and supervisory authorities were articulated and highlighted. Three competing models of central bank digital currency concerning the allocation of the functions of issuance, the validity of transactions, ledger update, user interface, user data and customer service were identified and distinguished by the different involvement of the central bank, commercial banks and the private sector in the functions identified. The choice of optimal technology underpinning the central bank digital currency was justified. The characteristics and functions of the various central bank digital currency designs were identified and discussed. Actual and potential challenges of the various central bank digital currencies gave insights into the present and possibly the future operating procedure of the central bank digital currencies. Perceived potential risks of central bank digital currency on commercial banks, financial stability and monetary policy as well as the likely combating measures would shape the future of the monetary system. However, the drivers of the reserve currency status would most likely remain unchanged. Central bank digital currency could offer the opportunity to address the challenges of cross-border payments.

Multidimensional assessment of infant, parent and staff outcomes during a family centered care enhancement project in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit: study protocol of a longitudinal cohort study

BackgroundThe therapeutic advances and progress in the care for preterm infants have enabled the regular survival of very immature infants. However, the high burden of lifelong sequelae following premature delivery constitutes an ongoing challenge. Regardless of premature delivery, parental mental health and a healthy parent–child relationship were identified as essential prerogatives for normal infant development. Family centered care (FCC) supports preterm infants and their families by respecting the particular developmental, social and emotional needs in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Due to the large variations in concepts and goals of different FCC initiatives, scientific data on the benefits of FCC for the infant and family outcome are sparse and its effects on the clinical team need to be elaborated.MethodsThis prospective single centre longitudinal cohort study enrols preterm infants ≤ 32 + 0 weeks of gestation and/or birthweight ≤ 1500 g and their parents at the neonatal department of the Giessen University Hospital, Giessen, Germany. Following a baseline period, the rollout of additional FCC elements is executed following a stepwise 6-months approach that covers the NICU environment, staff training, parental education and psychosocial support for parents. Recruitment is scheduled over a 5.5. year period from October 2020 to March 2026. The primary outcome is corrected gestational age at discharge. Secondary infant outcomes include neonatal morbidities, growth, and psychomotor development up to 24 months. Parental outcome measures are directed towards parental skills and satisfaction, parent-infant-interaction and mental health. Staff issues are elaborated with particular focus on the item workplace satisfaction. Quality improvement steps are monitored using the Plan- Do- Study- Act cycle method and outcome measures cover the infant, the parents and the medical team. The parallel data collection enables to study the interrelation between these three important areas of research. Sample size calculation was based on the primary outcome.DiscussionIt is scientifically impossible to allocate improvements in outcome measures to individual enhancement steps of FCC that constitutes a continuous change in NICU culture and attitudes covering diverse areas of change. Therefore, our trial is designed to allocate childhood, parental and staff outcome measures during the stepwise changes introduced by a FCC intervention program.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov, trial registration number NCT05286983, date of registration 03/18/2022, retrospectively registered, http://clinicaltrials.gov.

Akademische Beziehungen rumänischer wissenschaftlicher Schulen in Deutschland und Österreich

The birth of Romanian-language science does not coincide with the birth of the nation and it becomes problematic when trying to define it as a fixed and static cultural concept confined within the national state borders. Oscillating between two main views on “national science” as being a contact point and a separating line between cultural spaces, we will analyse in this article the way in which the Romanian-language science coagulated in scientific schools in the first interwar de cades by using French and German models, decanting them and transforming them in a relevant way. We contend that this coagulation of foreign models into a “national” science was not the merit of a coherent central political project but rather a common endeavour of individuals from all cultural centers who actively contributed, through their collaboration and competition, to the participation of Romanian-language science to the international dialogue.