Average Power Research Articles

Ergodicity for a family of operators

The aim of this paper is to introduce the notions of power boundedness, Cesàro boundedness, mean ergodicity, and uniform ergodicity for a family of bounded linear operators on a Banach space. The authors present some elementary results in this setting and show that some main results about power bounded, Cesàro bounded, mean ergodic, and the uniform ergodic operator can be extended from the case of a linear bounded operator to the case of a family of bounded linear operators acting on a Banach space. Also, we show that the Yosida theorem can be extended from the case of a bounded linear operator to the case of a family of bounded linear operators acting on a Banach space.

Effect of an eight-week high-intensity interval training programme on circulating sphingolipid levels in middle-aged adults at elevated cardiometabolic risk (SphingoFIT)-Protocol for a randomised controlled exercise trial.

Evidence indicates that sphingolipid accumulation drives complex molecular alterations promoting cardiometabolic diseases. Clinically, it was shown that sphingolipids predict cardiometabolic risk independently of and beyond traditional biomarkers such as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. To date, little is known about therapeutic modalities to lower sphingolipid levels. Exercise, a powerful means to prevent and treat cardiometabolic diseases, is a promising modality to mitigate sphingolipid levels in a cost-effective, safe, and patient-empowering manner. This randomised controlled trial will explore whether and to what extent an 8-week fitness-enhancing training programme can lower serum sphingolipid levels of middle-aged adults at elevated cardiometabolic risk (n = 98, 50% females). The exercise intervention will consist of supervised high-intensity interval training (three sessions weekly), while the control group will receive physical activity counselling based on current guidelines. Blood will be sampled early in the morning in a fasted state before and after the 8-week programme. Participants will be provided with individualised, pre-packaged meals for the two days preceding blood sampling to minimise potential confounding. An 'omic-scale sphingolipid profiling, using high-coverage reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, will be applied to capture the circulating sphingolipidome. Maximal cardiopulmonary exercise tests will be performed before and after the 8-week programme to assess patient fitness changes. Cholesterol, triglycerides, glycated haemoglobin, the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, static retinal vessel analysis, flow-mediated dilatation, and strain analysis of the heart cavities will also be assessed pre- and post-intervention. This study shall inform whether and to what extent exercise can be used as an evidence-based treatment to lower circulating sphingolipid levels. The trial was registered on www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT06024291) on August 28, 2023.

The expanding universe of the geometric mean

AbstractIn this paper the authors seek to trace in an accessible fashion the rapid recent development of the theory of the matrix geometric mean in the cone of positive definite matrices up through the closely related operator geometric mean in the positive cone of a unital $$C^*$$ C ∗ -algebra. The story begins with the two-variable matrix geometric mean, moves to the breakthrough developments in the multivariable matrix setting, the main focus of the paper, and then on to the extension to the positive cone of the $$C^*$$ C ∗ -algebra of operators on a Hilbert space, even to general unital $$C^*$$ C ∗ -algebras, and finally to the consideration of barycentric maps that grow out of the geometric mean on the space of integrable probability measures on the positive cone. Besides expected tools from linear algebra and operator theory, one observes a surprisingly substantial interplay with geometrical notions in metric spaces, particularly the notion of nonpositive curvature. Added features include a glance at the probabilistic theory of random variables with values in a metric space of nonpositive curvature, and the appearance of related means such as the inductive and power means. The authors also consider in a much briefer fashion the extension of the theory to the setting of Lie groups and briefer still to the positive symmetric cones of finite-dimensional Euclidean Jordan algebras.

A Comparative Study on How AI is Partnering with Nature for a Sustainable Future.

Mounting ecological and socio-economic challenges demand a paradigm shift to sustainability. Artificial intelligence (AI) becomes a powerful means to pursue this objective; it establishes a “Symbiotic Synergy” with nature’s complex networks. This study attempts to investigate the SDGs using AI as a transformative tool, the sustainability of AI and its socio-economic impact. The research applies a multimethod approach, using surveys, case studies and categorizations to determine how AI is helping achieve the SGDs in harmony with nature. Key applications of AI in important domains are covered including agriculture and sanitation, renewable energy sector, hydrogen energy sector and the impact that AI is having leading to the future sustainable cities. Case studies and real-world examples demonstrate the effectiveness of AI technologies in forecasting energy demand, improving power dispatchment, and boosting performance within renewable resources. This study is a guide to the harnessing of AI potential for meeting SDGs, which leads us into an era where humans will attain great heights with cooperation between technology and nature.

Efficacy and Safety of Monoclonal Antibodies for the Treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have clinical benefits for treating several atopic diseases. However, consensus on its use for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is lacking. The present meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of MAbs versus placebo for treating EoE. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The primary outcomes were changes in peak esophageal eosinophils count/high power field (HPF) and mean esophageal eosinophils count/HPF. The secondary outcomes were changes in the EoE-Histology Scoring System (EoE-HSS), Endoscopic Reference Score (EREFS), dysphagia score, and adverse events (AEs). We compared binary outcomes using risk ratio (RR) and continuous outcomes using mean difference (MD) or standardized mean difference (SMD), with 95% confidence interval (CI). Considering the diversity of mechanistic properties of MAbs, a pre-specified subgroup analysis by MAb mechanism of action was performed for all outcomes, provided that at least two studies were in each subgroup. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q test and I2 statistics. 6 RCTs were included (533 patients). Compared to placebo, MAbs led to a significant reduction in peak esophageal eosinophils count/HPF (MD -0.78; CI 95% -0.87, -0.6801) and mean esophageal eosinophils count/HPF (SMD-0.79; CI 95% -1.5, -0.08). Moreover, MAbs significantly reduced EoE-HSS scores (grade score: SMD-9.31; 95% CI -13.95, -4.6701; stage score: SMD -10.18; 95% CI -15.06, -5.31), EREFS (SMD-5.95; CI 95% -9.19, -2.71) and dysphagia score (SMD -1.79; CI 95% -3.36, -0.23) without increasing AEs compared to placebo. Among those MAbs whose mechanism of action includes the blockage of the receptor for IL-13 (Dupilumab, QAX576, and RPC4046), the scores of EoE-HSS grade, EoE-HSS stage, EREFS, and dysphagia were significantly reduced, and they presented a similar risk of overall and serious AEs compared to placebo. MAbs seem effective and safe in reducing esophageal eosinophil infiltrate, EoE-HSS score, EREFS score, and dysphagia symptoms in patients with EoE. However, further evidence is needed to establish its place in EoE management.

A parameter to featuring the cultural landscape genes of traditional settlements in China: a perspective of geographical information

Creative transformation and innovative development of traditional cultures is a pressing social need in China because of the deep reform and rapid socio-economic developments. It is crucial to understand the natural features of cultural landscapes of traditional settlements because they are indispensable components of these heritages. Although there are significant findings on the cultural features of traditional settlements, people still face substantial difficulties in using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to directly handle their cultural factors due to a lack of theoretical models or described methods. To address this issue, at first, this study analyzed the component elements and contents of Cultural Landscape Genes of Traditional Settlements (CLGTS) from the perspective of Geographical Information (GI). Then, the concept “Feature Parameter of Geographical Information of CLGTS (FPGI-CLGTS)” was proposed based on the above. Simultaneously, the connotations, identification rules, and mathematical meanings of FPGI-CLGTS were also explored deeply. Next, this study developed the identification methods of FPGI-CLGTS. Finally, this study examined FPGI-CLGTS through an experiment on the spatial layouts CLGTS of six samples in Hunan, China. Through this study, FPGI-CLGTS has enormous potential to reveal the critical cultural features and values of traditional settlements.

Bill 7633 on the restriction of the use of Russian text sources in Ukrainian research and education: analysing language policy in times of war

AbstractFor centuries, Ukraine has been a site of conflicts over language rights. During 70 years of Soviet leadership, Ukraine experienced’relentless Russification’ (Reznik in Language of conflict: discourses of the Ukrainian crisis (pp. 169–191). Bloomsbury Publishing, London, 2020 p. 170). After breaking from Soviet rule, the Ukrainian language became an increasingly powerful symbol and means of national identity. Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the language issues have gained yet more public and political attention. Addressing the urgency, the Ukrainian parliament adopted, in the first reading, Bill 7633, aiming to restrict the use of any Russian sources in Ukrainian school and academia, a bill that was met with criticism and experienced intensified debates. This article analyses a range of text sources (both governmental and non-governmental) debating Bill 7633, using Discourse Analysis, and reveals how ‘liberal values’ and ‘lived liberalism’ (Fedirko et al. in Social Anthropol/Anthropol soc 29(2):373–386, 2021) are practiced or violated through problematising or justifying the Bill. Thus, the article contributes to the (recently emerged, i.e. since the start of Russian annexation of the Crimea in 2014) body of research on political and public discourses of the Ukrainian conflict (Epstein in Studies in East Eur Thought 74(4), 475–481; Jones, 2020; Lanvers and Lunyova in Eur J Lang Policy 15(1), 25–68; Slobozhan et al. in Soc Netw Anal Min 12(1), 1–12, 2022). Results show a comprehensive range of arguments both for and against Bill 7633 in both governmental and non-governmental texts which is interpreted as a form of liberalism in fragments (Fedirko in Social Anthropol/Anthropol Soc, 29(2), 471–489, 2021). The conclusion debates the unreserved applicability of western conceptualisation of liberal language policy in the context of war and prolonged linguistic contestations.

The Narrations of Female Companions in Surat Al-Ma’idah According to Imam Al-Suyuti in his Book Al-Dur Al-Manthur fi Al-Tafsir Bilma’athoor (Asma’ bint Yazid as an Example)

This research aims to briefly introduce Imam Al-Suyuti and study the narrations of one of the female companions, other than the Mothers of the Believers, in Surah Al-Ma’idah in his book “Al-Dur Al-Manthur fi Al-Tafsir bi Al-Ma’thur”. This woman is Asma’ bint Yazid. This study will be through basic rules in the science of Hadith and the science of interpretation and combining them. It is through these narrations it becomes clear to us the explanation of its narrators, the judging on it, the types of chain of transmission, the general meaning of the narration, and what can be learned from it, as well as an explanation of the exegetical aspects of the verse related to the narration in terms of explaining the interpretation, the reasons for the revelation, the aspects of the readings, and the rhetorical aspects of the verse, if any.

Underlying catastrophes: umbilics and pattern formation

AbstractBifurcation theory provides a very general means to classify the local changes in numbers of zeros of vector fields, but not a general means to find where a given bifurcation occurs, at least at higher codimensions. Instead, it turns out, these bifurcations can be found by looking for their underlying catastrophes. Here I show that the concept of underlying catastrophes can be extended to the umbilics. The umbilics are important in opening up qualitatively different forms of bifurcations beyond the ‘corank 1’ catastrophes of folds, cusps, swallowtails, etc. An example is given showing how four zeros of a vector field bifurcating from a single point, may do so either via a 3-parameter swallowtail catastrophe involving equilibria of similar stabilities, or via a 4-parameter umbilic catastrophe involving equilibria of opposing stabilities. This opens an avenue to studying spatiotemporal pattern formation around high codimension bifurcation points, and I conclude with some illustrative examples.

A new class of composite indicators: The penalized power mean

In this paper we propose a new aggregation method for constructing composite indicators based on a penalization of the power mean. The idea underlying this approach consists in multiplying the power mean by a factor that accounts for the horizontal heterogeneity among indicators while penalizing units with a larger heterogeneity. In line with the minimum loss of information principle, the penalization factor proposed is proven to be linked to the loss of information generated when the indicators are substituted with their power means. As a consequence, the aggregation approach gives rise to the class of penalized power means and the penalized Benefit of the Doubt aggregative approach. Including heterogeneity makes the aggregation approach more suitable for refined rankings. Interestingly, the penalized power mean of order one coincides with the Mazziotta Pareto Index. Some theoretical properties of the penalized power means are proven, thus supporting the Mazziotta Pareto index. An empirical analysis of the Human Development Index in 2019 is presented. Comparisons of the rankings induced by the penalized and non-penalized Benefit of the Doubt and power mean aggregation approaches are shown. There are three main findings: the penalized power means satisfy the properties characterizing weakly monotone aggregation functions; the penalization reduces ranking variations while differentiating units with close means; and the geometric mean provides composite indicators whose ranking is closest to those obtained with power means of different order.

The Power Threat Meaning Framework: a qualitative study of depression in adolescents and young adults

IntroductionDepression constitutes one of our largest global health concerns and current treatment strategies lack convincing evidence of effectiveness in youth. We suggest that this is partly due to inherent limitations of the present diagnostic paradigm that may group fundamentally different conditions together without sufficient consideration of etiology, developmental aspects, or context. Alternatives that complement the diagnostic system are available yet understudied. The Power Threat and Meaning Framework (PTMF) is one option, developed for explanatory and practical purposes. While based on scientific evidence, empirical research on the framework itself is still lacking. This qualitative study was performed to explore the experiences of adolescents and young adults with depression from the perspective of the PTMF.MethodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 Swedish individuals aged 15– 22 years, mainly female, currently enrolled in a clinical trial for major depressive disorder. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed with framework analysis informed by the PTMF.ResultsA complex multitude of adversities preceding the onset of depression was described, with a rich variety of effects, interpretations, and reactions. In total, 17 themes were identified in the four dimensions of the PTMF, highlighting the explanatory power of the framework in this context. Not all participants were able to formulate coherent narratives.DiscussionThe PTMF provides a framework for understanding the complexities, common themes, and lived experiences of young individuals with depression. This may be essential for the development of new interventions with increased precision and effectiveness in the young.

A superior near infrared fluorescent probe for revealing the relationship between peroxynitrite and Alzheimer's disease

The typical neurodegenerative Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses an increasing threat to human health as the population ages. Though increasing attention has been drawn for the etiology of AD over decades, regretfully, the exact pathogenesis of AD is not fully elucidated. The elevated levels of ROS are among the major pathological alterations in AD. Among them, peroxynitrite (ONOO-) exhibits a greater impact compared to other reactive oxygen species and plays an important role in AD, but the role ONOO- plays in AD progression remains unclear. In this work, the near-infrared (NIR) fluorophore (benzopyran derivative) was optimized by molecular skeleton modification, and a fluorophore DCM-Cl-OH with better spectral properties was obtained. On this basis, a NIR fluorescence probe DCM-Cl-P with excellent detection performance was obtained. Based on the high selectivity and fast response of the probe to ONOO-, DCM-Cl-P was used to visual detection of ONOO- in living cells and zebrafish, and further demonstrated the excessive accumulation of ONOO- in AD model mice. More importantly, through analysis of the correlation between ONOO- and amyloid-β protein (Aβ), ONOO- and the aggregation of Aβ were closely related and mutually reinforcing was demonstrated and ONOO- underwent significant changes in the early stage of the change of Aβ aggregation, indicating that ONOO- may serve as an early marker of AD. These findings have greatly promoted the research on the intrinsic relationship between ONOO- and AD, and provides a powerful means for pathological research of AD.

DBGSA: A novel data adaptive bregman clustering algorithm

Traditional clustering algorithms such as K-means are highly sensitive to the initial centroid selection and perform poorly on non-convex dataset. To address these problems, a novel data adaptive Bregman clustering algorithm (DBGSA) is proposed in this paper, which combines the universal gravitational algorithm to bring similar points closer in the dataset. In addition, we introduce the Bregman divergence generalized power mean information loss minimization to identify cluster centers and build a hyperparameter identification optimization model, which effectively solves the problems of manual adjustment and uncertainty in the improved dataset. Extensive experiments are conducted on four simulated datasets and six real datasets. The results demonstrate that DBGSA significantly improves the accuracy of various clustering algorithms by an average of 63.8% compared to the contrasted algorithms, making it applicable to diverse datasets.

Engineering Large-Scale Self-Mineralizing Bone Organoids with Bone Matrix-Inspired Hydroxyapatite Hybrid Bioinks.

Addressing large bone defects remains a significant challenge owing to the inherent limitations in self-healing capabilities, resulting in prolonged recovery and suboptimal regeneration. Although current clinical solutions are available, they have notable shortcomings, necessitating more efficacious approaches to bone regeneration. Organoids derived from stem cells show great potential in this field; however, the development of bone organoids has been hindered by specific demands, including the need for robust mechanical support provided by scaffolds and hybrid extracellular matrices (ECM). In this context, bioprinting technologies have emerged as powerful means of replicating the complex architecture of bone tissue. The research focused on the fabrication of a highly intricate bone ECM analog using a novel bioink composed of gelatin methacrylate/alginate methacrylate/hydroxyapatite (GelMA/AlgMA/HAP). Bioprinted scaffolds facilitate the long-term cultivation and progressive maturation of extensive bioprinted bone organoids, foster multicellular differentiation, and offer valuable insights into the initial stages of bone formation. The intrinsic self-mineralizing quality of the bioink closely emulates the properties of natural bone, empowering organoids with enhanced bone repair for both in vitro and in vivo applications. This trailblazing investigation propels the field of bone tissue engineering and holds significant promise for its translation into practical applications.

Citizen Science-Based Waste Diaries: An Exploratory Case Study of Household Waste in Switzerland

Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12) and national waste reduction goals require frequent waste analyses for monitoring and governance decisions. We developed and tested a citizen science (CS)-based household waste diary for ten consecutive days with 89 volunteer households in Switzerland as a complementary monitoring option to official composition analyses. Discrepancies between the CS-based household diary data and the official composition analyses ranged between 55–65% less reported waste quantities for minerals, compound products, and plastics and 80–90% less for paper, avoidable food waste, and glass. Household waste diaries should be digitalized and prolonged to 21–28 days, and volunteers from different demographic groups are needed to produce stratified, representative results. We conclude that a hybrid CS study design involving waste composition analyses and waste diaries could reduce self-reporting biases while increasing the monitoring frequencies of household waste compositions. CS-based hybrid household waste projects can be a powerful means to complement the measures identified in the 2022 Swiss action plan against food waste and for data reporting for the SDG 12.3 Food Waste Index.

Lifelong learning as a governing technique of subjectivation from the perspective of the discourse of hope and fear

Neoliberal governmentality highlights that the mode of governing technologies has moved from government toward governance in modern society. Accordingly, as the self becomes the nexus between social control and self-regulation, configuring self-knowledge is mainly achieved through subjectivation, as argued by M. Foucault. The OECD's PISA program implicitly carries out this technique by holding teachers responsible for national prospects through its assumption of a close linkage between teaching quality and human capital. More importantly, PISA data facilitates international comparisons and rankings by which the international competitiveness of its participants can be identified and categorized. Unsurprisingly, those member countries/regions classified in the first tier are confident of their prospects for future economic growth in contrast with those ranked below the average, which are unable to escape from a state of fear engendered by their assumed lack of economic prospects. Teachers thus become the subject and object of educational reforms. Teachers need to improve their teaching quality through professional development to eliminate the stigma of being viewed as social burdens. The discourses of hope and fear set in motion by PISA thus turn lifelong learning into a powerful means of facilitating the government to fabricate teachers' subjectivity. This is the art of subjectivation, commanding teachers to perform as enterprising subjects who are dedicated to contributing to social progression through good teaching quality, which is perceived as the gateway for them to bring honor upon themselves.

10 Years of Pacemaker Implantation in Port Harcourt, Rivers State: Our Experience and Matters Arising

Abstract Background: There has been an increasing growth in the number of pacemaker implantations in Nigeria. This study is aimed at reviewing the pattern and occurrence of pacemaker implantation and also mode of pacemaker over a 10-year period. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent pacemaker implantation over a 10 year period between September 2012 and December 2023. Results: During the study period, 41 patients underwent pacemaker implantation. There were more males (51.2%) than females with a general mean age 66.8 ±10.6. The most common indication was Complete heart block (CHB) (60.98%) followed by second degree atrioventrivcular block (27.27%). There was an increasing trend in the rate of pacemaker implantation over the 10 years in review. There was no significance difference in the rate of complication between the genders. Conclusion: Pacemaker implantation in Port Harcourt south-south, Nigeria started in September 2012. The major reason for pacemaker implantation were complete heart block (CHB) and second degree Atrioventicular block (2nd degree AVB) being the second reason. Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) was rare in our population as opposed to the western world. Pacemaker implantation is being widely accepted in our society and it is lifesaving procedure associated with very low risk. Keywords: Pacemaker, Pacemaker implantation, heart block, Port Harcourt

Rapid discrimination of geographical origin of garlic (Allium sativum L.): A metabolomic approach applied to paper spray mass spectrometry data.

Distinguishing and categorizing the origin of garlic are highly significant, considering its widespread use as a flavoring agent. With billions of dollars annually in global trade, garlic is frequently susceptible to fraudulent practices. Paper spray ionization mass spectrometry (PS-MS) was employed to quickly analyze garlic samples from distinct geographic origins: China and Brazil. The so-generated PS-MS data were treated with metabolomic multivariate approaches, and the garlic samples from these different geographic regions were easily discriminated. Brazilian garlic was characterized to contain higher levels of amino acids, such as arginine, proline, and valine, and organosulfur compounds, such as allicin, alliin, and l-γ-glutamil-S-allyl-l-cysteine, compared to Chinese garlic. The PS-MS data were treated employing multivariate approaches, typically used in the metabolomics field, and this protocol was promptly able to discern among both types of samples. Hence, this combined strategy holds promise not only as an effective tool for the authentication of the geographical origin of garlic but also as a powerful means for biomarker discovery.

Economic life-cycle model for the cost of a power grid line engineering project

Reasonable grid line engineering asset management is an important means for power companies to improve economic efficiency under the new electricity reform situation. Based on the whole-life-cycle theory, this paper puts into use the decommissioning of the whole process of cost perspective and analyses the line project construction to decommissioning and scrapping of the whole process of the cost. Through the calculation of the whole life cycle of the smallest annual cost, to determine the line economic life, the authors constructed the whole life cycle of a grid line project economic cost framework and put forward the best decommissioning time of a grid line model – that is, the economic life model. A case study was conducted based on a project example from a certain power grid company in China. The research results of this paper can be used to reduce the economic cost of operation and maintenance of power grid enterprises, improve the efficiency of input and output and provide reference suggestions for optimising the management of line engineering and other power assets of power grid companies.

Means-based class of modified Weerakoon-Fernando method for determining the zero of nonlinear equation

This paper introduces a generalized class of modified Weerakoon and Fernando iterative method (WFM) for determining the zero of equations that are nonlinear. The idea applied in the modification, involves the composition of a perturbed Newton method with a corrector iterative function that is based on parametric bi-variate rational function of degree one and a power means generating function. The convergence analysis on the developed class of methods, shows that it is of convergence order four with efficiency index of 1.5874. Some existing modified WFM were established to be concrete members of the developed class of methods. Numerical results obtained when the new methods were implemented are provided to compare their effectiveness and efficiency.