General Construction Research Articles

Factor Structure, Reliability, and Construct Validity of the Wellness Inventory.

Wellness has been associated with various general medical and mental health outcomes; however, few empirically supported measures capture the breadth of the wellness construct. The first author had previously developed the Wellness Inventory through an iterative process with key stakeholders to establish face and content validity and examined the psychometric properties of the Wellness Inventory as a tool for assessing wellness across eight dimensions. The authors assessed the Wellness Inventory by using data from self-report online surveys in three samples of data collected from two groups of respondents: students and faculty members in a public university and behavioral health providers (N=3,446; 50% White and 43% female). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and data from samples 1 and 2 were used to examine the factor structure and fit of the inventory. Data from sample 3 were used to assess test-retest reliability and convergent and discriminant validity. Factor analyses yielded a one-factor model comprising 54 items. A revised instrument based on this model revealed good fit to the data, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability and reasonable construct validity. The Wellness Inventory is a comprehensive and psychometrically valid tool for assessing wellness. The findings support a single dimension of wellness, suggesting wellness as a holistic, general construct. This inventory has implications for research on health promotion and prevention and clinical outcomes in both research and treatment.

Ammann Bars for Octagonal Tilings

Ammann bars are formed by segments (decorations) on the tiles of a tiling such that forming straight lines with them while tiling forces non-periodicity. Only a few cases are known, starting with Robert Ammann's observations on Penrose tiles, but there is no general explanation or construction. In this article we propose a general method for cut and project tilings based on the notion of subperiods and we illustrate it with an aperiodic set of 36 decorated prototiles related to what we called Cyrenaic tilings.

Bayesian clustering of high-dimensional data via latent repulsive mixtures

SUMMARY Model-based clustering of moderate or large dimensional data is notoriously difficult. We propose a model for simultaneous dimensionality reduction and clustering by assuming a mixture model for a set of latent scores, which are then linked to the observations via a Gaussian latent factor model. This approach was recently investigated by Chandra et al. (2023). The authors use a factor-analytic representation and assume a mixture model for the latent factors. However, performance can deteriorate in the presence of model misspecification. Assuming a repulsive point process prior for the component-specific means of the mixture for the latent scores is shown to yield a more robust model that outperforms the standard mixture model for the latent factors in several simulated scenarios. The repulsive point process must be anisotropic to favour well-separated clusters of data, and its density should be tractable for efficient posterior inference. We address these issues by proposing a general construction for anisotropic determinantal point processes. We illustrate our model in simulations as well as a plant species co-occurrence dataset.

Inverting estimating equations for causal inference on quantiles

Abstract The causal inference literature frequently focuses on estimating the mean of the potential outcome, whereas quantiles of the potential outcome may carry important additional information. We propose the inverse estimating equations framework to generalize a wide class of causal inference solutions from estimating the mean of the potential outcome to its quantiles. We assume that a moment function is available to identify the mean of the threshold-transformed potential outcome, based on which a convenient construction of the estimating equation of the quantiles of potential outcome is proposed. In addition, we give a general construction of the efficient influence functions of the mean and quantiles of potential outcomes, and establish their connection. We motivate estimators for the quantile estimands with the efficient influence function, and develop their asymptotic properties when either parametric models or data-adaptive machine learners are used to estimate the nuisance functions. A broad implication of our results is that one can rework the existing result for mean causal estimands to facilitate causal inference on quantiles. Our general results are illustrated by several analytical and numerical examples.

Addressing high-performance data sparsity in metasurface inverse design using multi-objective optimization and diffusion probabilistic models

Recent advancements in deep learning, particularly generative networks capable of producing high-freedom structures, have significantly enhanced the precise generation of meta-atoms. However, these methodologies typically rely on an abundance of high-performance data, which remains scarce in many practical design scenarios. To bridge this gap, our study introduces what we believe to be a novel approach that synergistically combines multi-objective optimization algorithms with an enhanced diffusion model featuring an attention mechanism, termed MetaDiffusion-Att. Using the complex design task of dual-polarized, wide-angle incidence, and broadband low-emissivity electromagnetic glass as an application example, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our method through qualitative and quantitative experiments. The introduced multi-objective optimization method significantly captures more high-performance samples while ensuring high degrees of freedom, compared to currently widely used generic dataset construction methods. The MetaDiffusion-Att model, improved by the introduced attention mechanism, significantly outperforms conventional WGAN-GP and conditional VAE methods in generation accuracy and quality under small datasets. Furthermore, the proposed method exhibits extrapolation capabilities, generating new structures with performance surpassing that of the dataset, further enriching the design space. This framework provides a promising solution for the inverse design of metasurfaces in challenging scenarios with sparse high-performance samples.

Harmonic flow-field representations of quantum bits and gates

We describe a general procedure for mapping arbitrary n-qubit states to two-dimensional (2D) vector fields. The mappings use complex rational function representations of individual qubits, producing classical vector field configurations that can be interpreted in terms of 2D inviscid fluid flows or electric fields. Elementary qubits are identified with localized defects in 2D harmonic vector fields, and multiqubit states find natural field representations via complex superpositions of vector field products. In particular, separable states appear as highly symmetric flow configurations, making them both dynamically and visually distinct from entangled states. The resulting real-space representations of entangled qubit states enable an intuitive visualization of their transformations under quantum logic operations. We demonstrate this for the quantum Fourier transform and the period finding process underlying Shor's algorithm, along with other quantum algorithms. Due to its generic construction, the mapping procedure suggests the possibility of extending concepts such as entanglement or entanglement entropy to classical continuum systems, and thus may help guide new experimental approaches to information storage and nonstandard computation. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Conjunctive hierarchical secret sharing by finite geometry

AbstractSecret sharing is a general method for distributing sensitive data among the participants of a system such that only a collection of predefined qualified coalitions can recover the secret data. One of the most widely used special cases is threshold secret sharing, where every subset of participants of size above a given number is qualified. In this short note, we propose a general construction for a generalized threshold scheme, called conjunctive hierarchical secret sharing, where the participants are divided into disjoint levels of hierarchy, and there are different thresholds for all levels, all of which must be satisfied by qualified sets. The construction is the first method for arbitrary parameters based on finite geometry arguments and yields an improvement in the size of the underlying finite field in contrast with the existing results using polynomials.

Strong Kähler with torsion solvable lie algebras with codimension 2 nilradical

AbstractIn this paper, we study strong Kähler with torsion (SKT) and generalized Kähler structures on solvable Lie algebras with (not necessarily abelian) codimension 2 nilradical. We treat separately the case of ‐invariant nilradical and non‐‐invariant nilradical. A classification of such SKT Lie algebras in dimension 6 is provided. In particular, we give a general construction to extend SKT nilpotent Lie algebras to SKT solvable Lie algebras of higher dimension, and we construct new examples of SKT and generalized Kähler compact solvmanifolds.

Graded Lie algebras, compactified Jacobians and arithmetic statistics

A simply laced Dynkin diagram gives rise to a family of curves over \mathbb{Q} and a coregular representation, using deformations of simple singularities and Vinberg theory, respectively. Thorne conjectured and partially proved a strong link between the arithmetic of these curves and the rational orbits of these representations. In this paper, we complete Thorne’s picture and show that 2-Selmer elements of the Jacobians of the smooth curves in each family can be parametrised by integral orbits of the corresponding representation. Using geometry-of-numbers techniques, we deduce statistical results on the arithmetic of these curves. We prove these results in a uniform manner. This recovers and generalises results of Bhargava, Gross, Ho, Shankar, Shankar and Wang. The main innovations are an analysis of torsors on affine spaces using results of Colliot-Thélène and the Grothendieck–Serre conjecture, a study of geometric properties of compactified Jacobians using the Białynicki-Birula decomposition, and a general construction of integral orbit representatives.

A study investigating the integrated application of intelligent construction and assembly building based on BIM technology

The construction industry, is facing the inevitable trend of digital transformation in the new wave of technology. The general production and construction build cycle is long and on-site construction activities is associated with a number of environmental issues. Additionally, the construction progress points and management are not clear, which presents a challenge for the industry. Consequently, the objective of this article is to integrate and apply a range of technologies, including BIM (Building Information Modeling), cloud computing, big data, Internet of Things, 5G, RPA (Robotic Process Automation), and others, to on-site operation control by integrating them. This integration will facilitate the analysis of the considerable advantages of intelligent construction and assembly building in its application. The conference center of the Qionglai Talent Service Exchange Center will be used as a case study to demonstrate the potential of these technologies. The paper will also propose new views and ideas for addressing the challenges currently faced by the construction industry. The research findings indicate that the integration of multiple intelligent construction systems and assembly components enhances construction progress, simplifies construction processes, and minimizes construction-related pollution. This evidence supports the viability of efficient, intelligent, and sustainable building design and construction methodologies, and provides a robust foundation for the transformation and advancement of the industry.

Block Cipher Doubling for a Post-Quantum World

In order to maintain a similar security level in a post-quantum setting, many symmetric primitives should have to double their keys and increase their state sizes. So far, no generic way for doing this is known that would provide convincing quantum security guarantees. In this paper we propose a new generic construction, QuEME, that allows one to double the key and the state size of a block cipher in such a way that a decent level of quantum security is guaranteed. The QuEME design is inspired by the ECB-Mix-ECB (EME) construction, but is defined for a different choice of mixing function than what we have seen before, in order to withstand a new quantum superposition attack that we introduce as a side result: this quantum superposition attack exhibits a periodic property found in collisions and breaks EME and a large class of its variants. We prove that QuEME achieves n-bit security in the classical setting, where n is the block size of the underlying block cipher, and at least (n/6)-bit security in the quantum setting. We finally propose a concrete instantiation of this construction, called Double-AES, that is built with variants of the standardized AES-128 block cipher.

Kiln–House Isomorphism and Cultural Isomerism in the Pavilions of the Yuci Area: The Xiang-Ming Pavilion as an Example

The pavilion is a time-honored architectural form in the Chinese silhouette with strong regional characteristics. Its appearance and technical means are often adaptively combined according to the characteristics of local architecture. The “kiln–house isomorphism” is a unique construction technology of the Shanxi construction type in China. Therefore, the “kiln–house isomorphism” is generally adopted for the construction of pavilions in Shanxi. This study focuses on Xiaonanzhuang Village, Yuci District, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province. Taking the Xiang-ming Pavilion, the core building of the village, as an example, we analyze the architectural characteristics of the “kiln–house isomorphism” in the pavilion in this area, describe the general construction rules of the region, and conduct a deep investigation of the five “cultural isomerism” factors of the pavilions in the region, namely, geomancy, etiquette and music, beliefs, clans, and cultivation and study. The results of this research will enrich the regional knowledge of such pavilions and add new objects for the protection of local architectural heritage, providing a theoretical basis for the contemporary adaptive reuse of pavilions in the Yuci area from a cultural perspective.

Towards a classification of simple partial comodules of Hopf algebras

Making the first steps towards a classification of simple partial comodules, we give a general construction for partial comodules of a Hopf algebra H using central idempotents in right coideal subalgebras and show that any 1-dimensional partial comodule is of that form. We conjecture that in fact all finite-dimensional simple partial H-comodules arise this way. For H=kG for some finite group G, we give conditions for the constructed partial comodule to be simple, and we determine when two of them are isomorphic. If H=kG⁎, then our construction recovers the work of M. Dokuchaev and N. Zhukavets [12]. We also study the partial modules and comodules of the non-commutative non-cocommutative Kac-Paljutkin algebra A.

Impossible symmetries and conformal gravity

We explore the physics of relativistic gapless phases defined by a mixed anomaly between two generalized conserved currents. The gapless modes can be understood as Goldstone modes arising from the nonlinear realization of (generically higher-form) symmetries arising from these currents. In some cases, the anomaly cannot be reproduced by any local and unitary theory, indicating that the corresponding symmetries are impossible, in the sense that they cannot appear in a Lorentzian physical system. We give a general construction and illustrate it with several examples. Most notably, we study conformal gravity from this perspective, describing the higher-form symmetries of the linear theory and showing how it can be understood in terms of anomalies. Along the way we clarify some aspects of electric-magnetic duality in linear conformal gravity. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Dynamic Analysis and Temporal Governance of Safety Risks: Evidence from Underground Construction Accident Reports

Due to the complexity and dynamics of underground construction projects, safety risk management has experienced significant challenges restricting the sustainable development of underground space. The research on risk causal chains and risk coupling has yet to reveal the dynamic interactive characteristics of these risk factors and their temporal relationships over time. This study utilized a complex system view for safety risk analysis, using 37 accident investigation reports of underground construction projects. Combined with two novel and emerging analytical methods, temporal qualitative comparative analysis and crisp-set qualitative comparative analysis, this study discusses the temporal relationship of risk factors to the cause of accidents and explores the multi-actor coupling characteristics of management risk. The findings indicate that (1) compared with general construction projects, underground construction should pay more attention to management safety risks because they have an obvious time lag effect expressed in all accident causation paths, namely, preceding management risk, management risk, and machine/material risk cross-concurrently, and management risk initiation and (2) underground construction project management risks have three key main paths, namely, single-actor-dominated management deficiency (supervisors, owners, and subcontractors that cause management risks as a single-core actor) and dual-actor-dominated management deficiency (owner and subcontractor as dual core actors of management risk). Multi-actor-dominated management deficiency (owners, subcontractors, and supervisors are the multiple core actors of management risk). This study thus developed a temporal governance framework of underground construction safety risks based on the synergy of multi-actors and proposed risk governance strategies, such as synergistic multi-actor governance, to consider the temporal relationship of safety risk. This study further reveals the temporal and coupling characteristics of safety risks to enrich the risk casual chain theory and risk coupling theory and establish a systematic risk analysis framework for new guidance for safety and risk management for underground construction projects.

A comprehensive analysis of the importance of investigating the impact of Construction 4.0 skills on project performance

Construction projects often face challenges of poor performance, resulting in increased costs, delays, and defects. To address these issues, Construction 4.0 (C4.0) employs innovative technologies to enhance project efficiency, safety, and sustainability. However, construction projects lag in adopting these technologies, meeting significant obstacles, with the inadequately trained workforce being a major, underexplored difficulty leading to subpar construction project performance. This study aims to investigate the current status of existing research on C4.0 skills and construction project performance. To achieve this aim, this study conducts a systematic literature review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method on 50 articles. The findings suggest that general Construction 4.0 skills are recognized, but the specific impact on construction projects during the fourth industrial revolution stays unexplored. The study findings emphasize the need for targeted research to identify and examine Construction 4.0 skills crucial for construction projects.

Representation of Gender Found in “English for Nusantara” EFL Textbook

This research aimed to identify gender representation found in English for Nusantara EFL textbook. This research was qualitative research. The data of this research were collected from English for Nusantara EFL textbook specifically for ninth grade. The researchers adopted a framework form Amini & Birjandi (2012) in analysing the data. The researchers focused on some aspects of gender representation such as visibility, firstness, feminine/ masculine generic construction, activity, and occupation. The finding of this research revealed that there is a gender bias between male and female in the textbook. This imbalance suggests a perpetuation of gender biases that can influence learners' perceptions and expectations regarding gender roles. Educators and curriculum developers must recognize the importance of equitable gender representation to foster an inclusive learning environment. Addressing these biases is essential for promoting gender equality and empowering all students, regardless of gender, to envision a wider range of roles and opportunities.

Engineering Anisotropy into Organized Nanoscale Matter.

Programming the organization of discrete building blocks into periodic and quasi-periodic arrays is challenging. Methods for organizing materials are particularly important at the nanoscale, where the time required for organization processes is practically manageable in experiments, and the resulting structures are of interest for applications spanning catalysis, optics, and plasmonics. While the assembly of isotropic nanoscale objects has been extensively studied and described by empirical design rules, recent synthetic advances have allowed anisotropy to be programmed into macroscopic assemblies made from nanoscale building blocks, opening new opportunities to engineer periodic materials and even quasicrystals with unnatural properties. In this review, we define guidelines for leveraging anisotropy of individual building blocks to direct the organization of nanoscale matter. First, the nature and spatial distribution of local interactions are considered and three design rules that guide particle organization are derived. Subsequently, recent examples from the literature are examined in the context of these design rules. Within the discussion of each rule, we delineate the examples according to the dimensionality (0D-3D) of the building blocks. Finally, we use geometric considerations to propose a general inverse design-based construction strategy that will enable the engineering of colloidal crystals with unprecedented structural control.

Generalized cluster states from Hopf algebras: non-invertible symmetry and Hopf tensor network representation

Cluster states are crucial resources for measurement-based quantum computation (MBQC). It exhibits symmetry-protected topological (SPT) order, thus also playing a crucial role in studying topological phases. We present the construction of cluster states based on Hopf algebras. By generalizing the finite group valued qudit to a Hopf algebra valued qudit and introducing the generalized Pauli-X operator based on the regular action of the Hopf algebra, as well as the generalized Pauli-Z operator based on the irreducible representation action on the Hopf algebra, we develop a comprehensive theory of Hopf qudits. We demonstrate that non-invertible symmetry naturally emerges for Hopf qudits. Subsequently, for a bipartite graph termed the cluster graph, we assign the identity state and trivial representation state to even and odd vertices, respectively. Introducing the edge entangler as controlled regular action, we provide a general construction of Hopf cluster states. To ensure the commutativity of the edge entangler, we propose a method to construct a cluster lattice for any triangulable manifold. We use the 1d cluster state as an example to illustrate our construction. As this serves as a promising candidate for SPT phases, we construct the gapped Hamiltonian for this scenario and provide a detailed discussion of its non-invertible symmetries. We demonstrate that the 1d cluster state model is equivalent to the quasi-1d Hopf quantum double model with one rough boundary and one smooth boundary. We also discuss the generalization of the Hopf cluster state model to the Hopf ladder model through symmetry topological field theory. Furthermore, we introduce the Hopf tensor network representation of Hopf cluster states by integrating the tensor representation of structure constants with the string diagrams of the Hopf algebra, which can be used to solve the Hopf cluster state model.

Identifying the content of the Lower Extremity Motor Activity Log based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health

Purpose To identify the content and the constructs measured in the Lower Extremity Motor Activity Log (LE-MAL) based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework and to determine whether the instrument items fit within the ICF mobility domain. Methods Concepts and constructs measured within each scale were linked to the best-matched ICF categories and classified using established linking rules. Two independent researchers determined the initial linkages. A final consensus was reached with the other researchers. The agreement was analysed through the agreement percentage and the kappa coefficient. Results The subscales assess performance through information about need or dependency, personal and environmental factors, and appraisal of the items. Thirteen concepts were identified in LE-MAL: two concepts for the Assistance Scale are covered in the environmental factors component; 10 concepts for the Functional Performance Scale where all items are covered in the mobility domain; one concept for the confidence scale is covered in the body functions component. Conclusions The general construct of LE-MAL assessed is performance in the ICF mobility domain and provides additional information about the mental function, environmental factors, independence, appraisal, and personal factors. The study highlighted the conceptual connection between the LE-MAL and the ICF framework.