Common Point Research Articles

A Modified Carrier-Based PWM Strategy for Common Mode Voltage Elimination and Neutral Point Voltage Balance in a Unidirectional Three-Level Converter for AC Motor Drives

A Modified Carrier-Based PWM Strategy for Common Mode Voltage Elimination and Neutral Point Voltage Balance in a Unidirectional Three-Level Converter for AC Motor Drives

Monetary Policy and Income Distribution: The Post-Keynesian and Sraffian Perspectives

ABSTRACT This paper examines the post-Keynesian and Sraffian perspectives on the relationship between monetary policy and income distribution, highlighting their endogenous demand-led money approach and rejection of the neutrality of interest rates, and monetary policy as tool of redistribution among social classes. Both approaches acknowledge that the central bank can influence interest rates and hence, the functional distribution of income. These shared ideas recognize the political nature of interest rates and the distributive impacts of monetary policy. Although all are crucial common points, some differences persist; PK theory often emphasizes the impact of monetary policy on rentiers vs. non-rentier classes, while Sraffians focus more on wage earners vs. non-wage earners. Further, while PK theorists advocate for alternative monetary policy rules, Sraffians favor discretionary policy tailored to each economy's unique institutional framework. The paper concludes by suggesting that these shared critical conceptions, despite minor differences, should stimulate collaborative efforts to further develop heterodox theories of monetary policy and income distribution.

The Spiral Aspects of Multiverse Formation: Continuous Big Bang and Everyverse Connection

Abstract: The Spiral Multiverse Theory suggests a continuous, spiral pattern universe from the same singularity connected by a common point as everyverse, challenging the conventional Big Bang theory. Every universe starts with a bang. An interdimensional quasar serves as the portal connecting all of the universes to everyverse. Individual universes are connected, but they are observably stable. The theory offers a fresh viewpoint on cosmic evolution and a possible path for practical research by presenting the idea of interdimensional quasars as portals for multiverse travel. The research explores the unique characteristics of the multi-bang process. The study suggests that each universe undergoes its own inflation without observable changes in the cosmic microwave background.

ERROR ANALYSIS OF VISUAL ODOMETRY FOR A SMALL SIZE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE

Abstract. Usage of small size Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) with autonomous flight capability became widespread at both civil and military applications because of its low costs and ease of use. However, inertial or GPS based positioning and orientation sensors can be disabled at battlefields and the UAV losses its path in a short time. Visual odometry becomes a solution for the aforementioned hassle. Real-time detection of ground control points, matching the same control points at the stereo pair images and correcting the position and orientation data with least square adjustment are the challenges of visual odometry. In this study, error analysis of position and orientation of a UAV flying through mountainous region which cannot obtain any augmenting data for position and orientation is conducted by error propagation law. The flight of UAV is simulated with exact initial position and orientation data. Optic images of ground obtained by nadir directed camera are georeferenced using the digital elevation model of the region, interior and exterior camera parameters. The digital elevation model is used to correct the relief displacement. The stereo-pair image is obtained when the UAV flies 200 m and image coordinates of the common control points are detected by colinearity equations. Position and orientation of UAV is corrected by least square adjustment and the process is repeated for each obtained image acquired at 200 m interval. The analysis revealed that the precisions of horizontal and vertical positioning becomes 75 and 200 meter, respectively. The precision of roll angle becomes worse than 0.5 degree, while the precisions of pitch and yaw angle are estimate to be better that 0.1 degree.

Oxidative cyclization reagents reveal tryptophan cation-π interactions.

Methods for selective covalent modification of amino acids on proteins can enable a diverse array of applications, spanning probes and modulators of protein function to proteomics1-3. Owing to their high nucleophilicity, cysteine and lysine residues are the most common points of attachment for protein bioconjugation chemistry through acid-base reactivity3,4. Here we report a redox-based strategy for bioconjugation of tryptophan, the rarest amino acid, using oxaziridine reagents that mimic oxidative cyclization reactions in indole-based alkaloid biosynthetic pathways to achieve highly efficient and specific tryptophan labelling. We establish the broad use of this method, termed tryptophan chemical ligation by cyclization (Trp-CLiC), for selectively appending payloads to tryptophan residues on peptides and proteins with reaction rates that rival traditional click reactions and enabling global profiling of hyper-reactive tryptophan sites across whole proteomes. Notably, these reagents reveal a systematic map of tryptophan residues thatparticipate in cation-π interactions, including functional sites that can regulate protein-mediated phase-separation processes.

A Biotinylated cpFIT-PNA Platform for the Facile Detection of Drug Resistance to Artemisinin in Plasmodium falciparum.

The evolution of drug resistance to many antimalarial drugs in the lethal strain of malaria (Plasmodium falciparum) has been a great concern over the past 50 years. Among these drugs, artemisinin has become less effective for treating malaria. Indeed, several P. falciparum variants have become resistant to this drug, as elucidated by specific mutations in the pfK13 gene. This study presents the development of a diagnostic kit for the detection of a common point mutation in the pfK13 gene of P. falciparum, namely, the C580Y point mutation. FIT-PNAs (forced-intercalation peptide nucleic acid) are DNA mimics that serve as RNA sensors that fluoresce upon hybridization to their complementary RNA. Herein, FIT-PNAs were designed to sense the C580Y single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and were conjugated to biotin in order to bind these molecules to streptavidin-coated plates. Initial studies with synthetic RNA were conducted to optimize the sensing system. In addition, cyclopentane-modified PNA monomers (cpPNAs) were introduced to improve FIT-PNA sensing. Lastly, total RNA was isolated from red blood cells infected with P. falciparum (WT strain - NF54-WT or mutant strain - NF54-C580Y). Streptavidin plates loaded with either FIT-PNA or cpFIT-PNA were incubated with the total RNA. A significant difference in fluorescence for mutant vs WT total RNA was found only for the cpFIT-PNA probe. In summary, this study paves the way for a simple diagnostic kit for monitoring artemisinin drug resistance that may be easily adapted to malaria endemic regions.

Halpern-Type Inertial Iteration Methods with Self-Adaptive Step Size for Split Common Null Point Problem

In this paper, two Halpern-type inertial iteration methods with self-adaptive step size are proposed for estimating the solution of split common null point problems (SpCNPP) in such a way that the Halpern iteration and inertial extrapolation are computed simultaneously in the beginning of each iteration. We prove the strong convergence of sequences driven by the suggested methods without estimating the norm of bounded linear operator when certain appropriate assumptions are made. We demonstrate the efficiency of our iterative methods and compare them with some related and well-known results using relevant numerical examples.

Effects of traditional Chinese medicine-assisted intervention on improving postpartum lactation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ImportanceBreast milk is the safest food for infants and has many psychological and physical benefits for infants and mothers. However, problems encountered during the breastfeeding process can reduce postpartum women’s willingness to breastfeed. Lactation and engorgement may be improved through Traditional Chinese Medicine auxiliary therapy. However, the overall efficacy of various Traditional Chinese Medicine auxiliary therapies and the relevant meridians and acupuncture points for treating breast milk deficiency remain unclear. ObjectiveTo investigate Traditional Chinese Medicine auxiliary therapy’s effectiveness and acupoints for postpartum women who experience problems during the breastfeeding process. MethodsData were sourced from Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane, CNKI, PubMed, and the Airiti Library Central Register of Controlled Trials and Clinical Trials from the database inception to October 2022. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Main outcome measuresThe primary outcomes were overall efficiency, prolactin level, milk volume, and breast engorgement in postpartum women with lactation deficiency after-assisted therapies and the correlation between meridian points and milk secretion. ResultsA total of 1,516 studies were initially identified, and 357 articles were assessed. In the final analysis, 20 studies were included, covering various Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies (acupuncture, acupressure, scrapping, moxibustion cupping, etc.) to stimulate relative acupoints without any acupoint stimulation. The overall efficiency (odds ratio [OR] = 14.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.49 to 30.92), prolactin level (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.074 to 0.64), improvement of milk volume (SMD = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.59 to 1.29), reduction of engorgement level (OR= 18, 95% CI = 8.34 to 38.82) demonstrated that Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies can effectively improve lactation and breast fullness, thereby helping patients with breast milk deficiency. The most common acupuncture points used to treat agalactia were classified as the Stomach Meridian, Small Intestine Meridian, and Conception Vessel, with the common acupoints CV17: Danzhong, ST18: Rugen, SI1: Shaoze, ST36: Zusanli, and ST16: Yingchuang. ConclusionAdjuvant Traditional Chinese Medicine therapy can improve lactation and breast engorgement, thereby increasing the willingness to breastfeed. Clinical Finding: 1. The best time for Traditional Chinese Medicine acupoint intervention for breast deficiency treatment is within 24 h 2. The most effective acupuncture points for improving milk deficiency and bloating pain are ST18: Rugen, ST16: Yingchuang, ST36: Zusanli, SI1: Shaoze, CV17: Danzhong. 3. Traditional Chinese Medicine is non-invasive and effective techniques such as scraping, cupping, acupressure and ear peas. 4. Traditional Chinese Medicine can be combined with other different acupuncture points according to the different constitutions of post-partum women. Breast acupressure, ear acupuncture, scrapping, cupping, and moxibustion are noninvasive treatments that can effectively help patients during lactation, and their clinical practice should be considered and widely promoted.

An introduction to rural minority‐serving community colleges

AbstractRacially minoritized communities in rural areas experience some of the most challenging conditions related to poverty, educational access, and educational attainment in the nation (Farrigan, 2021; Hillman, 2016). For residents in these communities, community colleges are the most common entry point into postsecondary education (Byun et al., 2017), yet little attention has been paid to the many two‐year institutions that are both rural and minority‐ serving. This chapter introduces the landscape of rural, minority‐serving community colleges (RMSCCs) and offers future directions for research and practice to bring more visibility to these essential institutions.

On-orbit calibration of space camera lens distortion using a single image

Since space cameras need to withstand the harsh mechanical and thermal conditions in the space environment for a long time, it is necessary to calibrate them in orbit. However, existing calibration methods have various disadvantages, making them impossible to use in orbit. To address this problem, we present an on-orbit calibration of space camera lens distortion with the vanishing points obtained from a single image of the solar panel. First, we propose a parallel-line-extraction method based on collinear constraints to obtain the parallel lines. Then, we train the optimal vanishing point using the common point constraint method. Using the optimal vanishing point, we establish the optimization function of lens distortion based on vanishing point consistency. Finally, we present an improved genetic algorithm to solve the optimization function. Simulations and experiments show that the proposed method is flexible and robust.

Reading for pleasure: scrutinising the evidence base – benefits, tensions and recommendations

Compelling international evidence illustrates the potential of reading for pleasure for enhancing student reading achievement along with other learning and wellbeing outcomes. Yet profound challenges exist for nations seeking to encompass attention to students’ volitional reading. In this paper we critically review the growing research evidence in this area by drawing systematically on cognitive psychological studies of reading attainment and motivation, educational studies of classroom practice, and the work of literary scholars and medical professionals. We consider and critique the methodologies deployed and read between the lines, exposing contradictions and complexities across this interdisciplinary field before considering the demands of operationalising this agenda in education. Through a dual focus on England and Australia, where, exemplifying international trends, young people’s voluntary reading continues to decline, we examine difficulties and dilemmas which play out in policy and practice contexts. Our points of commonality and comparison surface key issues for consideration in countries working to reconcile the push and pull of performativity and reading for pleasure agendas in order to nurture children’s volitional reading. To conclude, we examine ways forward for research, policy and practice which deserve increased global attention, and offer future-focused recommendations to advance this significant social justice agenda.

Step-by-Step Nanoscale Top-Down Blocking and Etching Lead to Nanohexapods with Cartesian Geometry.

In this research, we designed a stepwise synthetic method for Au@Pt hexapods where six elongated Au pods are arranged in a pairwise perpendicular fashion, sharing a common point (the central origin in a Cartesian-coordinate-like hexapod shape), featured with tip-selectively decorated Pt square nanoplates. Au@Pt hexapods were successfully synthesized by applying three distinctive chemical reactions in a stepwise manner. The Pt adatoms formed discontinuous thin nanoplates that selectively covered six concave facets of a Au truncated octahedron and served as etching masks in the succeeding etching process, which prevented underlying Au atoms from being oxidized. The subsequent isotropic etching proceeded radially, starting from the bare Au surface, carving the central nanocrystal in a concave manner. By controlling the etching conditions, Au@Pt hexapods were successfully fabricated, wherein the core Au domain is connected to six protruding arms, which hold Pt nanoplates at the ends. Due to their morphology, Au@Pt hexapods feature distinctive optical properties in the near-infrared region, as a proof of concept, allowing for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based monitoring of in situ CO electrooxidation. We further extended our synthetic library by tailoring the size of the Pt nanoplates and neck widths of Au branches, demonstrating the validity of selective blocking and etching-based colloidal synthesis.

Pterion variation in the skulls of rhesus macaques from Cayo Santiago: Inheritance, development, and pathology.

The pterion is the sutural juncture of the frontal, parietal, sphenoidal, temporal, and zygomatic bones on the lateral aspect of the cranium. As a craniometric landmark, the pterion has a taxonomic valence, in addition to a common neurosurgical entry point in medicine. Variation in the articulation patterns at the pterion have been documented between primate species yet have a high degree of uniformity within species, suggesting a genetic control for this complex region of the skull. In this study, pterion pattern variation was investigated in 1627 Rhesus macaque crania of the Cayo Santiago colony. The colony's associated skeletal collections accompany known age, sex, and maternal lineages. Pterion pattern prevalence rates were tested against matrilines, as well as cranial shape, and cranial sutural fusion ages (including individuals with prematurely fused sutures). Five patterns were identified, the most prominent being the prevailing Old World Monkey frontotemporal (FT) articulation (83.4%). The relative frequency of those not exhibiting the FT pattern was found to vary considerably between matrilineal families (p = 0.037), ranging from 5.3% to 34.2%. Mothers with the non-FT pterion pattern were three times as likely to bear non-FT offspring. Cranial shape additionally varied with pterion type. Males exhibiting zygomaticotemporal (ZT) and sphenoparietal (SP) articulations possessed a relatively longer and narrower cranium than those with the default FT type (p = < 0.001). Cranial sutural fusion ages were not found to differ between pterion types, though all individuals with craniosynostosis (6; 0.38%) exhibited the FT type. The study provided strong evidence for a genetic source for pterion pattern as well as outlining a relatively novel relationship with cranial shape and sutural fusion ages. A unifying explanation may lie in those genes involved in both sutural and craniofacial development, or in the variation of brain growth processes channeling sutural articulation at the pterion. Both may be heritable and responsible for producing observed matrilineal differences in the pterion.

Evaluation of LVRT capability and stability analysis of VSC based advanced control approach for grid connected PV system under grid fault conditions

Short circuit faults are a prevalent issue in power systems, causing disruptions to the grid's normal operation. Dynamic behaviours of the conventional power systems during short circuit faults have been extensively studied and understood. The bulk of ongoing research and development are focusing on the dynamic performance of grid-connected renewable energy systems under these fault conditions, due to changes in the grid code and a decrease in system inertia. The development of effective control strategies to enhance the system's reliability during fault conditions is of paramount importance. In this paper, a two-stages grid-connected photovoltaic system (GCPV) having a rated power of 2 MW was created in the MATLAB/Simulink environment. The dynamic behaviour of the presented system was evaluated in two scenarios: steady state conditions and short circuit faults. A line-to-ground short circuit fault was created at the grid side, and its effect on the PV system's operation was observed. An advanced control system was designed to maintain stability during fault conditions. The results demonstrated the efficiency of the designated control system in minimizing the effects of short circuit faults on the GCPV system's function, and restoring the system promptly after the fault was cleared. Furthermore, considering modifications in grid regulations, the low voltage ride through (LVRT) capability of the designed system was analysed and validated according to the UK standards. The Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) level at the common coupling point was also analysed for voltage and current, remaining below the acceptable level of 5% as specified in the IEEE Std. 519.

Barriers to care and treatment experiences among individuals with postpartum psychosis.

Postpartum psychosis (PP) is a severe psychiatric disorder affecting 1-2 per 1,000 deliveries. Prompt access to healthcare and timely initiation of treatment are crucial to minimizing harm and improving outcomes. This analysis seeks to fill gaps in knowledge surrounding barriers to care and treatment experiences among this population. Participants were individuals with histories of PP who enrolled in the Massachusetts General Hospital Postpartum Psychosis Project (MGHP3). The MGHP3 Healthcare Access Survey, a cross-sectional questionnaire, assesses barriers to care, treatment-seeking behaviors, and experiences with treatment. Descriptive statistics were utilized to describe sample characteristics. 139 participants provided 146 episode-specific survey responses. Lack of available services was cited as the greatest barrier to care for PP. Among those who sought treatment, obstetric providers (34.5%) and emergency medical professionals (29.4%) were the most common initial points of contact. 82.2% of the respondents went to an emergency room or crisis center during their episode(s). Most (61.8%) reported being given insufficient information to manage their PP. Approximately half of participants were hospitalized (55.5%), the majority of whom had no access to their infant during hospitalization (70.4%). Of those breastfeeding or pumping at admission, 31.3% were not given access to a breast pump. 44.4% dealt with delivery-related medical issues during their hospitalization. This report is the first of its kind to assess key public health domains among individuals with PP. Findings point to several directions for future research and clinical practice to improve treatment timeliness and quality, potentially improving long-term outcomes related to this serious illness.

Advance care planning with older Norwegian adults in their homes: a narrative ethnographic study

BackgroundThe aim of advance care planning (ACP) is to enable patients to define and discuss their values and preferences to ensure that the care they receive is consistent with their needs and wishes. Most studies of ACP with older adults focus on conversations conducted in institutions. This study aimed to explore how ACP with older patients is carried out and experienced by healthcare professionals when the conversations occur in their private homes.MethodsThe data were obtained from participant observations of ACP conversations in the homes of eight older patients with advanced cancer, which also involved relatives and healthcare professionals. Additionally, ethnographic interviews were conducted with the healthcare professionals. We undertook a narrative analysis of what was said, and how the individuals acted and interacted.ResultsThe home influenced both the substance and form of the ACP conversations. The patients and relatives welcomed the healthcare professionals as guests and were encouraged to share their perceptions of their current situation, joys and worries. Their values were often implicit in their stories about past experiences. The planning mainly focused on life-prolonging treatment and the preferred future place of care. Several patients were not ready to discuss one or more ACP issues. The palliative-care-team physician addressed the patients’ readiness for ACP by asking for permission to move on to a different topic, shifting between serious and lighter topics, and using elements from the home as ‘door openers’ to continue conversations. ACP conversations were an essential basis for future palliative care and cooperation, giving important additional information about the patient and their relatives.ConclusionConducting the ACP conversations in the patients’ homes ensured a homely atmosphere that facilitated a caring approach when sensitive issues were discussed, and in turn supported the identification of important personal values. The healthcare professionals expressed that the ACP conversations represented an essential common reference point and provided a shared awareness of the expected disease trajectory and the values, preferences and needs of the patient. These findings are particularly important given that many older patients struggle to verbalize or form an opinion on issues affecting their future.

Transmission of Viruses from Restroom Use: A Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment.

Restroom use has been implicated in a number of viral outbreaks. In this study, we apply quantitative microbial risk assessment to quantify the risk of viral transmission by contaminated restroom fomites. We estimate risk from high-touch fomite surfaces (entrance/exit door, toilet seat) for three viruses of interest (SARS-CoV-2, adenovirus, norovirus) through eight exposure scenarios involving differing user behaviors, and the use of hand sanitizer following each scenario. We assessed the impacts of several sequences of fomite contacts in the restroom, reflecting the variability of human behavior, on infection risks for these viruses. Touching of the toilet seat was assumed to model adjustment of the seat (open vs. closed), a common touch point in single-user restrooms (home, small business, hospital). A Monte Carlo simulation was conducted for each exposure scenario (10,000 simulations each). Norovirus resulted in the highest probability of infection for all exposure scenarios with fomite surfaces. Post-restroom automatic-dispensing hand sanitizer use reduced the probability of infection for each virus by up to 99.75%. Handwashing within the restroom, an important risk-reduction intervention, was not found to be as effective as use of a non-touch hand sanitizer dispenser for reducing risk to near or below 1/1,000,000, a commonly used risk threshold for comparison.

The Management Efficiency of the Enterprise: the Problem of Finding Ways to Improve and Evaluate

This article provides a brief overview of the reports presented at the plenary session of the International Scientific and Practical Conference “Eurasian Economic Integration and Sustainable Development in the context of global transformations”, held in April 2023 in Yerevan; the main coordinator of the conference was the Krasnodar Foundation “Scientific and Educational Initiatives of Kuban”. The most significant provisions of the reports presented at the conference in the context of promoting Eurasian integration and ensuring sustainable socio-economic development in the context of global transformation are presented. Both common and controversial points have been identified in the positions of most of the authors of the reports regarding the goals and tools for intensifying integration processes and revealing the possibilities of implementing sustainable development strategies in the post-Soviet space, the formation of an updated and effective nationally oriented economic model. The largest number of productive ideas and practice-oriented recommendations on the issues discussed were expressed regarding the opportunities and prospects for strengthening the economies of Russia and Armenia. It seems that the proposals expressed in the reports and the analysis contained in them, as well as the positive experience of managing in a ­modern volatile economy demonstrated during the discussions, are of significant interest for studying, developing and possible application both conceptually and practically for those who are interested in scientific and organizational and managerial aspects of modern integration in the context of sustainable development.

ПРЕДОПЕРАЦИОННАЯ ДИАГНОСТИКА У ПАЦИЕНТОВ С ЗАБОЛЕВАНИЯМИ СЕРДЕЧНО-СОСУДИСТОЙ СИСТЕМЫ ПЕРЕД ОПЕРАЦИЕЙ ДЕНТАЛЬНОЙ ИМПЛАНТАЦИИ (ОБЗОР ЛИТЕРАТУРЫ)

The subject of the study. Dental implantation for patients with cardiovascular diseases is an urgent and important area, but requires special attention from doctors and patients. Cardiovascular diseases can be a risk factor for implant rejection due to the fact that they often have a direct effect on blood flow to tissues. A review of literature sources in the period from 2017 to 2023 showed that there is no common point of view in the scientific community regarding the implementation of implantation in patients with hypertension and coronary heart disease. &#x0D; Objectives. To study the specifics of preoperative diagnosis in patients with cardiovascular diseases before dental implantation surgery, reflected in the scientific literature. &#x0D; Methodology. Currently, the article analyzes sources from databases: Pub Med, Cyberleninka, eLibrary, ResearchGate, CohraneOral Health. The search for scientific literature on the problem under consideration was carried out using keywords. The key criteria for reviewing the scientific publications available in the databases were the availability of indications for dental implantation in the studied individuals.&#x0D; Results. An analysis of the scientific literature on the use of dental implantation in patients with diseases of the cardiovascular system did not reveal a single point of view. The authors agree that patients with cardiac pathology need to hold a consultation with a cardiologist, an anesthesiologist, and a surgeon before elective surgery in order to make a joint decision. At that time, there are different points of view regarding the criteria for assessing the risk and scope of preoperative diagnosis of patients with cardiovascular diseases, there is no systematization and classification of complications, as well as criteria for evaluating the complications of dental implantation surgery in cardiac patients. &#x0D; Conclusions. It seems advisable to identify criteria that determine the general condition and dental status of patients with diseases of the cardiovascular system, which will allow assessing the possibility of using dental implants for them.

Maximum Coverage by k Lines

Given a set of n disks in the plane, we study the problem of finding k lines that together intersect the maximum number of input disks. We consider three variants of this problem with the following constraints on the solution: (1) no constraint on the lines, (2) the k lines should be parallel and (3) the k lines should pass through a common point. For k=2, we give O(n3logn)-time algorithms for all three cases. For any fixed k≥3, we give an O(n3k/2)-time algorithm for (1). For variants (2) and (3), the running times of our algorithms vary from O(n4) to O(n6).