Explicit Evaluation Research Articles

Health technology assessment to support health benefits package design: a systematic review of economic evaluation evidence in Zambia.

Health technology assessment uses explicit economic evaluation evidence to support health benefits package design. However, the limited availability of technical expertise, data, and methods has restricted the production of economic evaluation evidence in low- and middle-income countries. Zambia has initiated a roadmap to support its policy of reviewing and implementing its national benefits package. This study characterises economic evaluation evidence to support this process's evidence mapping, synthesis, and appraisal stages. This systematic review applies deductive analysis and the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analyses. Four databases were searched to identify studies from 1993 that coincided with Zambia's health benefits package reform. A total of 61 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies were first authored by nonlocal authors, and the number of local-based authors in each study was low. Almost all funding for economic evaluation research was not local, and only a few studies sought local ethical clearance to conduct research. Infectious diseases were the highest disease control priority for the studies, with HIV research having the highest output. Most of the studies were cost-effectiveness studies that utilised trial-based data and a combination of program, published, and unpublished data for analysis. The studies generally utilised direct cost and applied the ingredient-based costing approach. Natural units were predominantly used for outcomes alongside DALYs. Most studies reported using a 3% discount rate for both costs and outcomes, with only a few reporting methods for sensitivity analysis. Economic evaluation evidence in Zambia has increased, revealing limited local research leadership, methodological inconsistencies, and a focus on infectious diseases. These findings are crucial for revising Zambia's benefits package and may guide researchers and decision-makers in improving the transparency and quality of future research.

Ramanujan-Berndt-type integrals of order four and series associated with Jacobi elliptic functions

In this paper, we evaluate in closed forms two families of infinite integrals containing hyperbolic and trigonometric cosine functions in their integrands. We call them Ramanujan-Berndt-type integrals of order four since they initiated the study of similar integrals. We establish explicit evaluations of twelve classes of hyperbolic sums by special values of the Gamma function by two completely different approaches, which extend those sums considered by Xu, Yang, Zhao and the second author previously. We discover the first by refining two results of Ramanujan concerning some q-series. For the second we compare both the Fourier series expansions and the Maclaurin series expansions of a few Jacobi elliptic functions. Furthermore, by contour integrations we convert two families of Ramanujan-Berndt-type integrals of order four to the above hyperbolic sums, all of which can be evaluated in closed forms. We then discover explicit formulas for one of the two families. Moreover, we provide many examples which enable us to formulate a conjectural explicit formula for the other family of the Ramanujan-Berndt-type integrals at the end, and obtain some results on Barnes' multiple zeta function.

Ab initio calculations of molecular double Auger decay rates.

We report on the application of the recently developed Fano-ADC(2,2) method to compute total and partial Auger decay widths of molecular core-hole states, including explicit evaluation of double Auger decay branching ratios. The method utilizes the fast-convergent intermediate state representation to construct many-electron wave functions and is readily applicable to atoms, molecules, and clusters. The ADC(2,2) scheme describes the initial and final states of the normal Auger decay consistently up to the second order of perturbation theory. In addition, excitations with two electrons in the continuum provide access to three-electron decay modes. The method yields decay widths and the Auger electron spectra in excellent agreement with the experiment, demonstrating the high accuracy of partial widths. The average relative error of double Auger decay branching ratios compared to available experimental data is about 30%, which should be evaluated as an excellent result considering the universality of the method, the complexity of the double decay process, and the neglection of nuclear motion in this study.

Explicit evaluation of the Stokes matrices for certain quantum confluent hypergeometric equations

In this paper, we compute the Stokes matrices of a special quantum confluent hypergeometric system with Poincaré rank one. The interest in the Stokes phenomenon of such a system arises from representation theory and the theory of isomonodromy deformation.

Mass Inflation without Cauchy Horizons.

Mass inflation is a well established instability, conventionally associated to Cauchy horizons (which are also inner trapping horizons) of stationary geometries, leading to a divergent exponential buildup of energy. We show here that finite (but often large) exponential buildups of energy are present for dynamical geometries describing accreting black holes with slowly evolving inner trapping horizons, even in the absence of Cauchy horizons. The explicit evaluation of the adiabatic conditions behind these exponential buildups shows that this phenomenon is universally present for physically reasonable accreting conditions. This noneternal mass inflation does not require the introduction of global spacetime concepts. We also show that various known results in the literature are recovered in the limit in which the inner trapping horizon asymptotically approaches a Cauchy horizon. Our results imply that black hole geometries with nonextremal inner horizons, including the Kerr geometry in general relativity, and nonextremal regular black holes in theories beyond general relativity, can describe dynamical transients but not the long-lived end point of gravitational collapse.

First Principles Numerical Demonstration of Emergent Decoherent Histories

Within the histories formalism the decoherence functional is a formal tool to investigate the emergence of classicality in isolated quantum systems, yet an explicit evaluation of it from first principles has not been reported. We provide such an evaluation for up to five-time histories based on exact numerical diagonalization of the Schrödinger equation. We find a robust emergence of decoherence for slow and coarse observables of a generic random matrix model and extract a finite-size scaling law by varying the Hilbert space dimension over 4 orders of magnitude. Specifically, we conjecture and observe an exponential suppression of coherent effects as a function of the particle number of the system. This suggests a solution to the preferred basis problem of the many-worlds interpretation (or the set selection problem of the histories formalism) within a minimal theoretical framework without relying on environmentally induced decoherence, quantum Darwinism, Markov approximations, low-entropy initial states, or ensemble averages. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Conformal anomalies for (maximal) 6d conformal supergravity

We compute the conformal anomalies for 6d (2,0) conformal supergravity by direct calculation in component fields. The main novel results consist of the type-B anomaly coefficients for the gravitino and the 3-form, as well as their explicit quadratic action on some specific backgrounds. We also comment on the graviton contribution, whose Lagrangian is essentially given by the \U0001d4ac-curvature. We confirm the expectation that, when coupling (2,0) conformal supergravity to 26 copies of the (2,0) tensor multiplet, the resulting theory is free of conformal anomalies. We also consider the conformal anomalies for its (1,0) truncation and confirm their relation with the chiral anomaly polynomial recently derived. For calculating the anomalies, we work with an Einstein on-shell background and make a factorised Ansatz for the operators governing the quadratic fluctuations. This reduces the calculation to evaluating heat-kernel coefficients of standard 2-derivative operators. We fix and check our Ansatz against the explicit evaluation of the component-field supergravity action in some cases.

A Look at Generalized Trigonometric Functions as Functions of Their Two Parameters and Further New Properties

Investigation of the generalized trigonometric and hyperbolic functions containing two parameters has been a very active research area over the last decade. We believe, however, that their monotonicity and convexity properties with respect to parameters have not been thoroughly studied. In this paper, we make an attempt to fill this gap. Our results are not complete; for some functions, we manage to establish (log)-convexity/concavity in parameters, while for others, we only managed the prove monotonicity, in which case we present necessary and sufficient conditions for convexity/concavity. In the course of the investigation, we found two hypergeometric representations for the generalized cosine and hyperbolic cosine functions which appear to be new. In the last section of the paper, we present four explicit integral evaluations of combinations of generalized trigonometric/hyperbolic functions in terms of hypergeometric functions.

Euler-type sums involving odd harmonic numbers and binomial coefficients

In this paper, by iterated integral expression of multiple t-polylogarithm function, we establish some expressions of series involving multiple t-harmonic sums in terms of coloured multiple zeta values. Using these expressions and the stuffle relations, we discuss the evaluations of some Euler-type sums involving odd harmonic numbers and binomial coefficients, such as T odd , k ( q ; r ) := ∑ n = 1 ∞ h n − 1 ( k 1 ) ⋯ h n − 1 ( k p ) ( 2 n − 1 ) q ( n + r r ) , T evev , k ( q ; r ) := ∑ n = 1 ∞ h n ( k 1 ) ⋯ h n ( k p ) n q ( n + r r ) , T odd , k ( q ; r ) := ∑ n = 1 ∞ h n − 1 ( k ) ( 2 n − 1 ) q ∏ i = 1 b ( n + r i r i ) , T even , k ( q ; r ) := ∑ n = 1 ∞ h n ( k ) n q ∏ i = 1 b ( n + r i r i ) , T odd , k 1 , k 2 ( q ; r ) := ∑ n = 1 ∞ h n − 1 ( k 1 ) h n − 1 ( k 2 ) ( 2 n − 1 ) q ∏ i = 1 b ( n + r i r i ) , T even , k 1 , k 2 ( q ; r ) := ∑ n = 1 ∞ h n ( k 1 ) h n ( k 2 ) n q ∏ i = 1 b ( n + r i r i ) , and some other forms. We present some explicit evaluations as examples. It can be found that this work gives a unified approach to such sums, and generalizes many known results in the literature.

Examining conceptual generalisation after acquisition, extinction, and reinstatement in evaluative conditioning.

In evaluative conditioning, a neutral conditional stimulus (CS) acquires the valence of a pleasant or unpleasant unconditional stimulus (US) after the CS and US are paired (acquisition). Valence acquired by the CS can generalise to other stimuli from the same category. Presenting the CS alone can reduce evaluative conditioning (extinction), but evaluations can return after the US is presented alone (reinstatement). The current research investigated whether extinction and reinstatement generalise to other category members (generalisation stimuli, GS). In Experiment 1, evaluations generalised in acquisition after conditioning with one category exemplar, but GS evaluations were unaffected by extinction and reinstatement. In Experiment 2, we aimed to enhance generalisation by presenting multiple category exemplars during conditioning. This strengthened the generalisation of evaluations in extinction but not reinstatement. In Experiment 3, conditioning with multiple exemplars caused explicit and implicit evaluations (measured using an affective priming task) to generalise in acquisition but not in extinction or reinstatement. The acquisition and extinction of US expectancy generalised in all experiments, but the reinstatement generalised in Experiment 3 only. Overall, we found partial evidence of evaluative generalisation during extinction (but not reinstatement) and demonstrated that the extinction and reinstatement of US expectancy generalises in evaluative conditioning.

Analytical Solution for the Problem of Point Location in Arbitrary Planar Domains

This paper presents a general analytical solution for the problem of locating points in planar regions with an arbitrary geometry at the boundary. The proposed methodology overcomes the traditional solutions used for polygonal regions. The method originated from the explicit evaluation of the contour integral using the Residue and Cauchy theorems, which then evolved toward a technique very similar to the winding number and, finally, simplified into a variant of ray-crossing approach slightly more informed and more universal than the classic approach, which had been used for decades. The very close relation of both techniques also emerges during the derivation of the solution. The resulting algorithm becomes simpler and potentially faster than the current state of the art for point locations in arbitrary polygons because it uses fewer operations. For polygonal regions, it is also applicable without further processing for special cases of degeneracy, and it is possible to use in fully integer arithmetic; it can also be vectorized for parallel computation. The major novelty, however, is the extension of the technique to virtually any shape or segment delimiting a planar domain, be it linear, a circular arc, or a higher order curve.

Developing an assessment model for entrepreneurship ecosystems using Hierarchical Decision Model

Entrepreneurship is a crucial driver of economic growth, necessitating the development of effective entrepreneurial ecosystems. However, there are significant gaps in the literature regarding the structured assessment of these ecosystems. This study addresses three main research gaps: the lack of structured evaluation methods, the need for a comprehensive analysis of ecosystem challenges from various perspectives, and the identification of critical factors essential for ecosystem growth. To bridge these gaps, the research introduces the Hierarchical Decision Model (HDM) as a universal assessment framework that can be adapted to different cities for creating effective entrepreneurial environments. The research methodology involved formulating perspectives and criteria through literature reviews and expert interviews. These perspectives and criteria were validated by subject matter experts and quantified by other experts to assign relative weights to each. Desirability curves were developed to measure these criteria, scored by experts. The practical applicability of the HDM was demonstrated through a case study of Riyadh, showcasing the model's effectiveness in real-world scenarios. Key findings include the identification and ranking of twenty critical criteria across five main perspectives, along with the development of desirability curves for each criterion. This provides a practical, easy-to-implement evaluation tool for policymakers. The contributions of this research are multifaceted: it introduces HDM to the field of entrepreneurship ecosystem assessment, offers a practical model for ecosystem performance measurement, and presents a framework for policy improvements. Additionally, it highlights the importance of continuous model refinement and the inclusion of diverse case studies for broader validation. Future research should focus on expanding the model to include sub-models for different regions and stages of startups’ development, ensuring its ongoing relevance and applicability. The findings show the most effective factors (perspectives and criteria) in developing entrepreneurial ecosystems and provide a method to measure the level of each criterion without requiring deep knowledge of the methodology, making it easier to implement the model in any ecosystem with any experts. The research offers an explicit case study evaluation of Riyadh's entrepreneurial ecosystem and provides recommendations for improvement areas. This study contributes to the technology management body of knowledge, particularly in the context of entrepreneurship ecosystems, presenting a universal assessment model for measuring ecosystem performance in any city. It creates an evaluation and improvement framework for policymakers to develop entrepreneurial ecosystems in their cities, ensuring continuous relevance and practicality through ongoing refinement and diverse case study applications.

Orientation-resolved attosecond photoionization delays in the N2O molecule

We present a thorough theoretical and experimental investigation of photoionization time delays in the N2O molecule. Our theory provides actual XUV+IR time-resolved photoelectron spectra as measured in real reconstruction of attosecond beating by interference of two-photon transitions (RABBIT) experiments. This requires not only accounting for the interaction between the XUV field and the neutral molecule, but also between the IR field and the ejected electron, which is only possible through explicit evaluation of a large number of dipole couplings between molecular electronic continuum states. To compare with the results of these calculations we have performed RABBIT experiments in which the ejected electron and the resulting ionic fragments are measured in coincidence, thus allowing us to obtain photoionization delays for a particular orientation of the molecule with respect to the polarization of the XUV and IR fields. We have found very good agreement between calculated and measured RABBIT spectra for both nondissociative and dissociative ionization channels. In particular, we unambiguously show a photoionization delay of about 60 as in the vicinity of a well-known shape resonance of N2O in the nondissociative ionization channel. More importantly, we show a dramatic effect of the IR field in the orientation-resolved ionization delays in the whole photon energy range investigated in this paper (18–40 eV), even at the level of ionization delays (i.e., delays referred to an internal reference delay) where the effect of the IR field is generally assumed to cancel out. Finally, we explicitly show that the problem of spectral congestion inherent to most molecular systems, which usually prevents extraction of photoionization delays, is substantially alleviated by resolving the molecular orientation or, ideally, by resolving both the molecular orientation and the electron emission angle, where access to perfectly isolated ionization channels is possible at specific angles. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

On the adaptive solution of phase‐field problems with A‐stable explicit last‐stage diagonally implicit Runge–Kutta (ELDIRK) methods

AbstractRunge–Kutta algorithms with adaptive step size control provide reliable tools for the solution of initial value problems with diagonally implicit Runge‐Kutta (DIRK) methods as the most common approach. In this contribution, the new low‐order explicit last‐stage diagonally implicit Runge–Kutta (ELDIRK) methods are investigated, combining implicit schemes with an additional explicit evaluation as an explicit last stage. This results in Butcher tableaus with two solutions of different convergence orders suitable for embedded methods, where the higher‐order solution is achieved by additional explicit evaluations. Thus, the iterative solution of non‐linear systems is omitted for the additional stage, presenting a major reduction in computational cost for the determination of a local error estimate. The key contribution is the application of the novel Butcher tableaux to phase‐field problems, solved with the finite‐element method, leading to substantial numerical investigations with an efficient approach for DIRK schemes. The most important aspects are the investigations of stability properties which lead to the novel class of A‐stable ELDIRK methods. In accordance, the study of the convergence orders is presented. A local error estimator is presented, such that adaptive step size control for the new low‐order embedded schemes based on an empirical approach for error estimation is achieved. A suitable parallel algorithm is presented with conclusive two‐dimensional phase‐field simulations based on a Kobayashi‐Warren‐Carter model. The higher‐order convergence suggested by the novel schemes is confirmed, and their effective results are demonstrated, resulting in a valuable semi‐explicit addition to the family of Runge–Kutta time integration schemes.

Future Climate Projections and Uncertainty Evaluations for Frost Decay Exposure Index in Norway

To implement the geographical and future climate adaptation of building moisture design for building projects, practitioners need efficient tools, such as precalculated climate indices to assess climate loads. Among them, the Frost Decay Exposure Index (FDEI) describes the risk of freezing damage for clay bricks in facades. Previously, the FDEI has been calculated for 12 locations in Norway using 1961–1990 measurements. The purpose of this study is both updating the FDEI values with new climate data and future scenarios and assessing how such indices may be suitable as a climate adaptation tool in building moisture safety design. The validity of FDEI as an expression of frost decay potential is outside the scope of this study. Historical data from the last normal period as well as future estimated climate data based on 10 different climate models forced by two emission scenarios (representative concentration pathways 4.5 and 8.5) have been analyzed. The results indicate an overall decline in FDEI values on average, due to increased winter temperatures leading to fewer freezing events. Further, the variability between climate models and scenarios necessitates explicit uncertainty evaluations, as single climate model calculations may result in misleading conclusions due to high variability between models.

A deterministic design approach of tilt integral derivative controller for integer and fractional-order system with time delay

A tilt integral derivative (TID) controller modifies the proportional integral derivative (PID) controller in the fractional domain. It converts the proportional gain as a function of frequency and is thereby capable of achieving optimal system response. The usual practice for the parameter estimation of the TID controller is by minimization of the error-based objective functions using optimization techniques. Although precise results can be achieved, these nature-inspired algorithms are stochastic and hence produce different solutions during different iterations. Therefore, a comparative statistical study is usually necessary to validate the best possible result. This study shows a deterministic analytical procedure for the paramssseter estimation of TID controllers. The magnitude and phase angle criteria, along with the frequency-domain loop shaping specifications, are used for the explicit evaluation of the TID parameters. Because of its model-independent nature, this tuning strategy can be used for a variety of integral and nonintegral order systems with different plant structures. In this article, the authenticity of the applied procedure is demonstrated through suitable numerical examples. The complexity of the design problem is enhanced by using it for both integer and non-integer (fractional) order plus time-delay systems. Further, the robustness of the control system in the presence of a TID controller was examined under the influence of external parameters and input reference changes. Simulation studies validate the supremacy of TID controllers over PID controllers in terms of reference tracking and disturbance rejection capabilities.

Fox’s H-Functions: A Gentle Introduction to Astrophysical Thermonuclear Functions

Needed for cosmological and stellar nucleosynthesis, we are studying the closed-form analytic evaluation of thermonuclear reaction rates. In this context, we undertake a comprehensive analysis of three largely distinct velocity distributions, namely the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution, the pathway distribution, and the Mittag-Leffler distribution. Moreover, a natural generalization of the Maxwell–Boltzmann velocity distribution is discussed. Furthermore, an explicit evaluation of the reaction rate integral in the high-energy cut-off case is carried out. Generalized special functions of mathematical physics like Meijer’s G-function and Fox’s H-functions and their utilization in mathematical physics are the prime focus of this paper.

PC-Kriging-powered parallelizing Bayesian updating for stochastic vehicle-track dynamical system with contact force measurements and Gaussian process discrepancy model

High-precision vehicle-track coupled dynamical models play a vital role in assessing the running safety of the vehicle, tracking fatigue behavior, and establishing a digital twin for high-speed railways. This study established a high-fidelity vehicle-track coupled dynamical model as a forward solver, which was then updated in a Bayesian inference framework based on the field tests of rail irregularities and wheel/rail normal contact forces. The prediction errors corresponding to different time steps were represented through a Gaussian process (GP) model characterized by a covariance function with the Gaussian kernel to incorporate the correlation between different time steps. To cope with the considerable expense of the likelihood function calculations with large-scale loop operations and the computational burden due to the large batch of repetitive evaluations of the high-fidelity forward model involved in the stochastic sampling from the posterior probability distribution, a metamodel-powered parallelizing stochastic sampling scheme was adopted. The posterior distribution could be formulated by replacing the expensive explicit model evaluation involved in the likelihood function with a Polynomial-Chaos-Kriging (PC-Kriging) predictor providing a surrogate mapping between the wheel/rail normal contact forces and physical parameters. Finally, a parallelizing computing scheme running across multiple CPU cores on high-performance computers was realized to sample from the vectorized formula of the emulator-powered posterior distribution. Field test data from a high-speed railway in China was adopted to demonstrate that the Bayesian inference scheme can quantify the uncertainties of the core physical parameters of the high-fidelity vehicle-track coupled dynamical system by efficiently trading off accuracy and computational efficiency.

Intergroup evaluative bias in facial representations of immigrants and citizens in the United States.

We used a reverse-correlation image-classification paradigm to visualize facial representations of immigrants and citizens in the United States. Visualizations of immigrants' faces were judged by independent raters as less trustworthy and less competent and were more likely to be categorized as a non-White race/ethnicity than were visualizations of citizens' faces. Additionally, image generators' personal characteristics (e.g., implicit and explicit evaluations of immigrants, nativity status) did not reliably track with independent judges' ratings of image generators' representations of immigrants. These findings suggest that anti-immigrant sentiment and racial/ethnic assumptions characterize facial representations of immigrants in the United States, even among people who harbor positivity toward immigrants.

What are the Impacts on Community Wellbeing of Social Relations in Conservation Projects?

Abstract Organisations working on conservation and community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) projects with communities have sometimes damaged the wellbeing of those communities. The social and political dynamics between organisations funding or implementing projects and the communities in which they work might be a factor causing this damage. This review paper explores the literature for evidence of and methods for evaluating impacts on community wellbeing from social relations in conservation and natural resource management projects. We found 101 papers addressing social connections in the human wellbeing-conservation nexus, acknowledging the damage done by colonising project relations and detailing proposals for or examples of more equitable relationality, and also evaluations of social equity in conservation/CBNRM work. However, we found few explicit evaluations of how the social, economic, and political relations of projects impact the wellbeing of participating communities. We call on researchers to address this gap, especially those working in evaluating project outcomes. To advance this agenda, we present literature that sheds light on what more equitable project relations look like, and how project relationality might be evaluated. We finish with ideas for how organisations can diagnose internal relationality problems likely to affect project outcomes, and how to transform those.