Functional Analysis Method Research Articles

HISTORY AND PROSPECTS OF THE STRUCTURAL-FUNCTIONAL METHOD IN ETHNOLOGY: IMPLEMENTATION IN FAMILY RITUALS, STREET ART AND ACTIVITIES OF LOCAL ARTISTIC COMMUNITIES

The purpose of the article is to establish which structures should be considered the most characteristic and typical for the founders of the structural and functional analysis in ethnology – C. Lévi-Strauss, A. Radcliffe-Brown, E. Leach, V. Turner, V. Propp. The researcher singles out the main structure for each of them and demonstrates its functional capabilities. For Radcliffe-Brown, in the author’s opinion, the structure of the tribe and family relations between its members in one of the areas of Western Australia is fundamental. From the scientific heritage of Lévi-Strauss, the structure of the division into components of the ancient Greek myth about Oedipus stands out. Characteristic for Leach is the structure of “condensation”, in which two interconnected functions give rise to a third one, usually based on symbols and metaphors. A structure characteristic of Turner is a diagram of the spatial symbolism of a certain ritual of one Central African tribe. As an example of Propp’s structuralism, the division of a folk tale according to the functions of the characters is given, where each of the functions has a conventional designation, and as a result, we get the formula of the fairy tale plot. The author concludes that the possibilities of the structural and functional method are far from exhausted. Thanks to the examples presented in the article, it was possible to establish that the method of structural and functional analysis, initiated in the middle of the last century, can be successfully used in the latest research, in particular, the study of Ukrainian national rites of the family cycle, as well as street art and activities of artistic communities.

Estimation of IT-project efforts for information system creation in the conditions of re-use of its functions

The object of this study is the process of estimation and control of an IT project. During the study, the problem of increasing the accuracy of estimating the efforts of an IT project to build an information system (IS) was solved. Research in this area is aimed at simplifying the original assessment methods or at applying elements of artificial intelligence to these methods. The task of the impact of the features of IS development methodology on effort assessment remains unexplored. During the study, the method of functional point analysis was modified. The proposed modification makes it possible to increase the accuracy of estimating efforts to build an IS under the conditions of re-using its individual functions. These conditions allow the construction of new system functions by reusing a previously developed function of the same system. The developed method was tested during the evaluation of efforts of an IT project to form the functional task "Forming and executing an individual plan for a research and teaching staff member of the department." The option of re-using one of the functions of a task during the construction of two other functions of the same task is considered. For this option, the estimate was 72 function points (the estimate using the standard method was 144 function points). The use of the results allows us to increase the accuracy in assessing the efforts of IT projects to construct IS under the conditions of applying the methodology of reuse of previously developed system elements. This, in turn, makes it possible to improve the accuracy of estimating time costs, personnel requirements, and financial costs for the implementation of IT projects for constructing IS. The results obtained are used to solve the task of estimating efforts during the planning of IT projects for developing information systems and their software

Investigating Descending Pain Regulation in Fibromyalgia and the Link to Altered Autonomic Regulation by Means of Functional MRI Data.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is a chronic pain condition that affects a significant portion of the population; yet, this condition is still poorly understood. Prior research has suggested that individuals with FM display a heightened sensitivity to pain and signs of autonomic dysfunction. Recent advances in functional MRI analysis methods to model blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) responses across networks of regions, and structural and physiological modeling (SAPM) have shown the potential to provide more detailed information about altered neural activity than was previously possible. Therefore, this study aimed to apply novel analysis methods to investigate altered neural processes underlying pain sensitivity in FM in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from the brainstem and spinal cord. Prior fMRI studies have shown evidence of functional differences in fibromyalgia (FM) within brain regions associated with pain's motivational aspects, as well as differences in neural activity related to pain regulation, arousal, and autonomic homeostatic regulation within the brainstem and spinal cord regions. We, therefore, hypothesized that nociceptive processing is altered in FM compared to healthy controls (HCs) in the brainstem and spinal cord areas linked to autonomic function and descending pain regulation, including the parabrachial nuclei (PBN) and nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). We expected that new details of this altered neural signaling would be revealed with SAPM. The results provide new evidence of altered neural signaling in FM related to arousal and autonomic homeostatic regulation. This further advances our understanding of the altered neural processing that occurs in women with FM.

Effects of magnetic and Aharonov–Bohm flux fields on information entropy with modified Kratzer plus screened Coulomb potential for selected diatomic molecules

The Shannon information entropy for scandium fluoride (ScF) and hydrogen ( H 2 ) molecules in the presence of magnetic and Aharanov–Bohm (AB) fields with modified Kratzer plus screened Coulomb potential in the position and momentum coordinate is investigated. The wavefunction and probability density are obtained by solving the two-dimensional (2D) Schrödinger wave equation using the Nikiforov–Uvarov functional analysis method and then applied to calculate the Shannon entropy. The graphical behaviour of the 2D wavefunction and probability density is showcased. Our results depict the effects of the external fields on Shannon entropy for ScF and ( H 2 ) , the negative values of the position Shannon entropies obtained imply higher localisation of the particles and molecules indicating more stability of the system. Another interesting part of this work is that Bialynicki–Birula–Mycielski inequality is tested and proven bounded for both diatomic molecules. A few to mention, this research will enhance the apprehension of the dynamics of quantum molecules and systems subjected to external fields, quantum information signal processing and communication.

A Study of Pupil Response to Light as a Digital Biomarker of Recent Cannabis Use

Introduction: Given the traffic safety and occupational injury prevention implications associated with cannabis impairment, there is a need for objective and validated measures of recent cannabis use. Pupillary light response may offer an approach for detection. Method: Eighty-four participants (mean age: 32, 42% female) with daily, occasional, and no-use cannabis use histories participated in pupillary light response tests before and after smoking cannabis ad libitum or relaxing for 15 min (no use). The impact of recent cannabis consumption on trajectories of the pupillary light response was modeled using functional data analysis tools. Logistic regression models for detecting recent cannabis use were compared, and average pupil trajectories across cannabis use groups and times since light test administration were estimated. Results: Models revealed small, significant differences in pupil response to light after cannabis use comparing the occasional use group to the no-use control group, and similar statistically significant differences in pupil response patterns comparing the daily use group to the no-use comparison group. Trajectories of pupillary light response estimated using functional data analysis found that acute cannabis smoking was associated with less initial and sustained pupil constriction compared to no cannabis smoking. Conclusion: These analyses show the promise of pairing pupillary light response and functional data analysis methods to assess recent cannabis use.

Robustness, performance analysis and practical improvements of modified uncertainty and disturbance estimator based control

Modified uncertainty and disturbance estimator (MUDE) based control shows great control performance and robustness against unexpected dynamics in the presence of time delay. However, there are still some problems that have not been analyzed theoretically but actually hinder its further applications, such as noise amplification and control signal fluctuations under delay mismatch. On the other hand, the trade-off between robustness and control performance is still a critical issue in MUDE based controller design. However, some doubts arise when extending the single-loop sensitivity function analysis method to MUDE (multi-loop) control systems. To this end, this paper comprehensively analyzes the performance of MUDE, including control performance and robustness, and proposes some practical improvements to address its issues (denoted as IUDE). An ambiguity in analysis of sensitivity functions for multi-loop control systems is first clarified. Then, based on the two-degree-of-freedom equivalent control structure and sensitivity functions, the control performance and robustness of the MUDE based control system are analyzed in detail, including noise sensitivity and control signal response. Finally, some practical improvements are proposed and a quantitative tuning rule is also derived to facilitate its application. Simulation results show that the proposed control method effectively mitigates the problems of noise amplification and control signal fluctuation while almost not degrading the control performance. Water-tank control experiments have also been performed to validate the efficacy of the proposed method, which depicts a promising prospect in control practice.

Functional Discourse Analysis of Queen Elizabeth II’s Speech in 2020

Based on Halliday’s Systemic Functional Linguistics, this thesis analyzes Elizabeth II’s 2020 Christmas speech and studies how the Queen uses language skills to obtain the support of the audience. Through the method of functional discourse analysis, this paper explores the performance of the three metafunctions of language in discourse. A comprehensive and in-depth analysis of Christmas speeches shows the operability and applicability of systemic functional linguistics theory in explaining political discourse, which is of practical significance. In addition, representative and contemporary political discourses are selected, and the analysis results are more practical.

Autism spectrum disorder diagnosis using fractal and non-fractal-based functional connectivity analysis and machine learning methods

Autism spectrum disorder diagnosis using fractal and non-fractal-based functional connectivity analysis and machine learning methods

Entangled in complexity: An ethnographic study of organizational adaptability and safe care transitions for patients with complex care needs.

The aim of this study was to visualize vulnerabilities and explore the dynamics of inter-professional collaboration and organizational adaptability in the context of care transitions for patients with complex care needs. An ethnographic design using multiple convergent data collection techniques. Data collection involved document review, participant observations and interviews with healthcare and social care professionals (HSCPs). Narrative analysis was employed to construct two illustrative patient scenarios, which were then examined using the Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM). Thematic analysis was subsequently applied to synthesize the findings. Inconsistencies in timing and precision during care transitions pose risks for patients with complex care needs as they force healthcare systems to prioritize structural constraints over individualized care, especially during unforeseen events outside regular hours. Such systemic inflexibility can compromise patient safety, increase the workload for HSCPs and strain resources. Organizational adaptability is crucial to managing the inherent variability of patient needs. Our proposed 'safe care transition pathway' addresses these issues, providing proactive strategies such as sharing knowledge and increasing patient participation, and strengthening the capacity of professionals to meet dynamic care needs, promoting safer care transitions. To promote patient safety in care transitions, strategies must go beyond inter-professional collaboration, incorporating adaptability and flexible resource planning. The implementation of standardized safe care transition pathways, coupled with the active participation of patients and families, is crucial. These measures aim to create a resilient, person-centred approach that may effectively manage the complexities in care transitions. The recommendations of this study span the spectrum from policy-level changes aimed at strategic resource allocation and fostering inter-professional collaboration to practical measures like effective communication, information technology integration, patient participation and family involvement. Together, the recommendations offer a holistic approach to enhance care transitions and, ultimately, patient outcomes. Findings are reported per the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative research (COREQ). No patient or public contribution.

Retrospective consecutive controlled case series of outcomes for functional analyses of severe destructive behavior.

Functional analysis methods allow clinicians to determine the variable(s) that maintain destructive behavior. Previous reviews of functional analysis outcomes have included large samples of published and unpublished data sets (i.e., clinical samples). The purpose of this review was to conduct a large retrospective consecutive controlled case series of clinical functional analyses. We sought to identify the prevalence of differentiation, procedural modifications for undifferentiated and differentiated cases, and identified function(s) of destructive behavior. In addition, we extended the existing literature by determining whether functional analysis differentiation and function varied when single or multiple behavior topographies were consequated in the functional analysis. We discuss our findings considering previously published functional analysis reviews, provide avenues for future research, and offer suggestions for clinical practice.

Kinetical driving force analysis of unstable combustion behavior in ammonia/hydrogen blending system

Unstable combustion states are frequently observed in ammonia/hydrogen blended combustion systems. This study aims to explore the underlying thermokinetic feedback driving forces responsible for the occurrence of unstable combustion states based on the identified dominant reactions. To achieve this, the newly developed functional weight analysis method is employed and compared with the combination of heat-release/temperature sensitivity anaylsis. Analysis conducted within several popular mechanisms over a wide temperature and pressure range reveals that the important reactions identified in different mechanisms consistently exhibit loop-formed kinetics with similar mechanism functions.These loops include a hydrogen chain-branching loop, a NH2 dehydrogenation-oxidation loop, and a NOx-DeNOx loop. All of these loops encompass a combination of exothermic and endothermic reactions, and they mutually promote each other due to their loop-formed kinetic. Consequently, when the heat release/heat absorption ratios within the loop kinetics meet specific quantitative criteria, they establish effective thermokinetic feedback. This feedback mechanism initiates and sustains non-constant heat release, serving as a monopole sound source that produces acoustic waves. It is worth noting that the discovery of NOx-DeNOx loop provides a compelling explaination for the frequently observed association between oscillatory combustion states and elevated NOx emissions.

Resting-State Functional Connectivity of the Primary Visual Cortex in Children with Anisometropia Amblyopia

Introduction: This study aimed to explore the functional connectivity of the primary visual cortex (V1) in children with anisometropic amblyopia by using the resting-state functional connectivity analysis method and determine whether anisometropic amblyopia is associated with changes in brain function. Methods: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were obtained from 16 children with anisometropia amblyopia (CAA group) and 12 healthy children (HC group) during the resting state. The Brodmann area 17 (BA17) was used as the region of interest, and the functional connection (FC) of V1 was analyzed in both groups. A two-sample t test was used to analyze the FC value between the two groups. Pearson’s correlation was used to analyze the correlation between the mean FC value in the brain function change area of the CAA group and the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of amblyopia. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There were no significant differences in age and sex between the CAA and HC groups (p > 0.05). Compared to the HC group, the CAA group showed lower FC values in BA17 and the left medial frontal gyrus, as well as BA17 and the left triangle inferior frontal gyrus. Conversely, the CAA group showed higher FC values in BA17 and the left central posterior gyrus. Notably, BCVA in amblyopia did not correlate with the area of change in mean FC in the brain function of the CAA group. Conclusion: Resting-state fMRI-based functional connectivity analysis indicates a significant alteration in V1 of children with anisometropic amblyopia. These findings contribute additional insights into the neuropathological mechanisms underlying visual impairment in anisometropic amblyopia.

PitViper: a software for comparative meta-analysis and annotation of functional screening data.

Recent advancements in shRNA and Cas protein technologies have enabled functional screening methods targeting genes or non-coding regions using single or pooled shRNA and sgRNA. CRISPR-based systems have also been developed for modulating DNA accessibility, resulting in CRISPR-mediated interference (CRISPRi) or activation (CRISPRa) of targeted genes or genomic DNA elements. However, there is still a lack of software tools for integrating diverse array of functional genomics screening outputs that could offer a cohesive framework for comprehensive data integration. Here, we developed PitViper, a flexible and interactive open-source software designed to fill this gap, providing reliable results for the type of elements being screened. It is an end-to-end automated and reproducible bioinformatics pipeline integrating gold-standard methods for functional screening analysis. Our sensitivity analyses demonstrate that PitViper is a useful tool for identifying potential super-enhancer liabilities in a leukemia cell line through genome-wide CRISPRi-based screening. It offers a robust, flexible, and interactive solution for integrating data analysis and reanalysis from functional screening methods, making it a valuable resource for researchers in the field.

Analysis of coupled system of q$$ q $$‐fractional Langevin differential equations with q$$ q $$‐fractional integral conditions

In this dissertation, we study the coupled system of ‐fractional Langevin differential equations involving ‐Caputo derivative having ‐fractional integral conditions. With the help of some adequate conditions, we investigate the uniqueness and existence of mild solution of the aforementioned system. We also analyze various kinds of Ulam's stability. Banach fixed point theorem and Leray–Schauder of cone type are used to illustrate the existence and uniqueness results. We also used non‐linear functional analysis methods to explore variety of stability types. An example is provided to clearly demonstrate our theoretical outcomes.

Optimization and uncertainty assessment of a gas chromatography coupled to Orbitrap mass spectrometry method to determine organic contaminants in blood: A case study of an endangered seabird

Birds are excellent bioindicators of environmental pollution, and blood provides information on contaminant exposure, although its analysis is challenging because of the low volumes that can be sampled. The objective of the present study was to optimize and validate a miniaturized and functional extraction and analytical method based on gas chromatography coupled to Orbitrap mass spectrometry (GCOrbitrap-MS) for the trace analysis of contaminants in avian blood. Studied compounds included 25 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), 6 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 8 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Four extraction and clean-up conditions were optimized and compared in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and uncertainty assessment. Extraction with hexane:dichloromethane and miniaturized Florisil pipette clean-up was the most adequate considering precision and accuracy, time, and costs, and was thereafter used to analyse 20 blood samples of a pelagic seabird, namely the Bermuda petrel (Pterodroma cahow). This species, endemic to the Northwest Atlantic, is among the most endangered seabirds of the region that in the ’60 faced a decrease in the breeding success likely linked to a consistent exposure to dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT). Indeed, p,p′-DDE, the main DDT metabolite, was detected in all samples and ranged bewteen 1.13 and 6.87 ng/g wet weight. Other ubiquitous compounds were PCBs (ranging from 0.13 to 6.76 ng/g ww), hexachlorobenzene, and mirex, while PAHs were sporadically detected at low concentrations, and PBDEs were not present. Overall, the extraction method herein proposed allowed analysing very small blood volumes (∼ 100 µL), thus respecting ethical principles prioritising the application of less-invasive sampling protocols, fundamental when studying threatened avian species.

The Impact of Law on Human Rights and Civil Liberties

This investigation is pertinent as it illustrates that legal norms play a dual role—safeguarding the adherence to human rights and freedoms while concurrently imposing specific constraints and, in certain instances, transgressions upon them. The objective of this article is to scrutinize the theoretical and practical dimensions surrounding the influence of law on human rights and civil liberties. It aims to analyze the legal framework and confront pertinent issues by delving into both national and international legislative practices. The focus is on regulatory and legal framework governing the impact of law on human rights and civil liberties. The utilized methodologies encompassed the historical method, structural and functional method, analytical method, comparative method, statistical method, and sociological method. The presence of a legislative rule without effective implementation or with implementation in contravention of rights and civil liberties poses a significant challenge. Resolving current issues demands concerted efforts, rendering this problem of paramount importance and warranting further research and examination. Each state is tasked with harmonizing its national legislation with internationally ratified instruments at both the regulatory and practical levels. A comprehensive exploration of the practical and theoretical dimensions of gaps in legislative processes as a pressing global issue in Ukraine is imperative to ensure the observance of rights and freedoms, and to mitigate the adverse consequences arising from the negative impact of law.

Optical properties of spherical quantum dot using screened Kratzer potential

Here we investigate the optical properties of a spherical quantum dot using the screened Kratzer potential. The density matrix formalism is employed to study refractive index changes, along with linear and nonlinear optical absorption coefficients. To this effect, the radial Schrödinger equation is solved using the Nikiforov–Uvarov functional analysis method, resulting in analytical expressions for the energy eigenvalues and the associated eigen functions. Effects of dot size, potential parameters, and screening length on these properties are analyzed in detail for a GaAs quantum dot. The obtained results reveal that the optical response of the system is highly sensitive to the dot size and potential parameters, and thus it can be tuned accordingly. The impact of external magnetic and Aharonov–Bohm flux fields on the optical properties of the GaAs quantum dot is also discussed. The findings of this study may provide useful insights in design and optimization of quantum dot-based optoelectronic devices.

WELL-POSEDNESS OF A NONLINEAR INTERFACE PROBLEM DESCRIBED BY HEMIVARIATIONAL INEQUALITIES VIA BOUNDARY INTEGRAL OPERATORS

This paper is devoted to the well-posedness of a novel nonlinear interface problem on an unbounded domain with nonmonotone set-valued transmission conditions. This interface problem involves a nonlinear monotone partial differential equation in the interior domain and the Laplacian in the exterior domain. Such a scalar interface problem models nonmonotone frictional contact of elastic infinite media. The variational formulation of the interface problem leads to a hemivariational inequality (HVI), which however lives on the unbounded domain, and thus cannot be analyzed in a reflexive Banach space setting. Boundary integral methods lead to another HVI that is amenable to functional analytic methods using standard Sobolev spaces on the interior domain and Sobolev spaces of fractional order on the coupling boundary. Broadening the scope of the paper, we consider extended real-valued HVIs augmented by convex extended real-valued functions. Under a smallness hypothesis, we provide existence and uniqueness results and, moreover, establish a stability result for extended real-valued HVIs with respect to the extended real-valued function as a parameter. Based on the latter general stability result, we provide various stability results for the interface problem, as well as the stability of a related bilateral obstacle interface problem with respect to the obstacles.

GLOBAL VALUE CHAINS AS THE MAIN INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY CREATIVE BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS

Research into the creation and functioning of global value chains helps today's economists, business analysts, and policy makers make informed decisions to improve the global economic landscape and ensure sustainable development for all countries. The article examines the influence of global value chains on the world economy. The work uses the method of the unity of historical and logical analysis. Methods of comparative, causal and functional analysis, principles of system analysis, dialectical approach in the study of processes and phenomena are also used. The concept of the "smile curve" was analyzed to highlight the unevenness of the distribution of added value in different segments of the production chain. They point out that GVS often concentrate maximum value in research and development and post-production services. A study of the "sad smile" phenomenon highlighted that industries moving from mass production to personalization through artificial intelligence technologies may experience cost reduction in the initial and final stages of production. At the same time, companies located in the country of origin receive the greatest added value. The article focuses on the challenges that developing countries face in trying to get out of the "middle-income trap." Such challenges include tariff barriers, concentration of patents on knowledge and financing in these countries. The article argues that the GVS institute contributes to the appropriation of imperialist rent by the countries of the center at the expense of the countries of the periphery. Global chains enable the capital of the North to exploit the cheap labor of the South, keeping their incomes low and affecting their ecology. Recommendations are proposed for effective regulation and redistribution of added value to achieve sustainable global development.

On optimal control in a nonlinear interface problem described by hemivariational inequalities

Abstract This article is devoted to the existence of optimal controls in various control problems associated with a novel nonlinear interface problem on an unbounded domain with non-monotone set-valued transmission conditions. This interface problem involves a nonlinear monotone partial differential equation in the interior domain and the Laplacian in the exterior domain. Such a scalar interface problem models non-monotone frictional contact of elastic infinite media. The variational formulation of the interface problem leads to a hemivariational inequality (HVI), which, however, lives on the unbounded domain, and thus cannot be analyzed in a reflexive Banach space setting. Boundary integral methods lead to another HVI that is amenable to functional analytic methods using standard Sobolev spaces on the interior domain and Sobolev spaces of fractional order on the coupling boundary. Broadening the scope of this article, we consider extended real-valued HVIs augmented by convex extended real-valued functions. Under a smallness hypothesis, we provide existence and uniqueness results; moreover, we establish a stability result with respect to the extended real-valued function as a parameter. Based on the latter stability result, we prove the existence of optimal controls for four kinds of optimal control problems: distributed control on the bounded domain, boundary control, simultaneous boundary-distributed control governed by the interface problem, and control of the obstacle driven by a related bilateral obstacle interface problem.