Average Power Research Articles

High-traffic relational pledge collection: results from a pre-registered randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT A robust literature of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) demonstrates that personalized outreach from a trusted source is a powerful means of increasing the likelihood that someone will vote. However, it can be challenging to recruit sufficiently large numbers of mobilizers to scale up the tactic for broader use and to generate large impacts on overall turnout. This project explores the power of peer-to-peer reminders from friends. Canvassers used high-traffic locations, areas with high foot-traffic like college campuses, in four states (Arizona, Florida, Michigan, and North Carolina) to recruit mobilizers 3–14 weeks prior to the 2022 midterm elections. Mobilizers pledged to later reach out to up to five friends and remind them to vote during early voting or on election day. The get-out-the-vote (GOTV) intervention is to test if reminders to mobilizers measurably increase turnout among both recruited mobilizers and those they have pledged to remind to vote. We find negligible differences in turnout among either mobilizers or their friends. We conclude that sending these reminders is not an effective use of resources. Given the strength of peer-to-peer GOTV more generally, further research is needed to determine when site-based relational turnout tactics may be more effective.

Additive operator splitting scheme for a general mean curvature flow and application in edges enhancement

Many models that use non-linear partial differential equations (PDEs) have been extensively applied for different tasks in image processing. Among these PDE-based approaches, the mean curvature flow filtering has impressive results, for which feature directions in the image are important. In this paper, we explore a general model of mean curvature flow, as proposed in [4, 5]. The modelcan be re-arranged to a reaction-diffusion form, facilitating the creation of an unconditionally stable semi-implicit scheme for image filtering. The method employs the Additive Operator Split (AOS) technique. Experiments demonstrated that the modified general model of mean curvature flow is highly effective for reducing noise and has a superior job of preserving edges.

Meanings of mathematics in the discourse of boys and girls in primary education: a gender perspective.

Meanings of mathematics in the discourse of boys and girls in primary education: a gender perspective.

Symmetry-Related Topological Phases and Applications: From Classical to Quantum Regimes

Topological phase has received considerable attention in recent decades. One of the crucial factors to determine the phase is symmetry. Such a concept involves mathematical, geometrical, and physical meanings, which displays many fascinating phases in Hermitian and non-Hermitian systems. In this paper, we first briefly review the symmetry-related topological phases in Hermitian and non-Hermitian systems. The study in this section focuses on the topological phase itself, not the realizations therein. Then, we present a thorough review of the observations about these symmetry-related topological phenomena in classical platforms. Accompanied by the rise of quantum technology, the combination of symmetry-related topological phase and quantum technology leads to an additional new avenue, in which quantum information tasks can be accomplished better. Finally, we provide comments about future research into symmetry-related topological phases.

Exploring transness through the graphic memoir: Bishakh Som on crafting Spellbound: A Graphic Memoir

ABSTRACT This interview with Bishakh Som, author of Spellbound: A Graphic Memoir, explores the integral qualities of the comics medium in conveying queer identities. In her work, Bishakh discusses how the immediacy of drawing offers a powerful means of expressing marginalised experiences, emphasising the ‘war’ between text and images. This tension creates a narrative space where the interaction between words and visuals deepens the exploration of diverse genders and sexualities. Bishakh talks about how the genre of memoir serves as a space for both personal reflection and imaginative exploration, where the memoir allows for the expression of desire and fantasy, using memory excavation and wish-fulfilment to delve into personal and imaginative realms. The conversation also touches on the impact of diasporic experiences on Bishakh’s sense of home and identity, the satirical critique of xenophobic corporate attitudes, and the role of food and cultural heritage in the narrative. Bishakh explains that duo-tone differentiates the prologue and epilogue from the vibrant colours used for Anjali, blending fact and fiction in portraying transness. The interview also explores how goth subculture influenced Bishakh’s gender exploration and discusses the cover design, symbolising the integration of gender identities and joyous unity.

Interleaving based SCMA Codebook Design Using Arnold’s Cat Chaotic Map

Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) technology is a significant topic of the present 5G investigation. A possible NOMA approach is Sparse Code Multiple Access (SCMA), increasing next-generation communication's ability to handle multiple users. In SCMA, codebook designing and optimization are crucial components that define the performance of multiple access systems. In this work, the complete design procedure of the SCMA codebook based on interleaving is explained and simulated. Furthermore, a chaotic interleaving based onArnold’sCat map is proposed to reduce the computational complexity. The performance of the SCMA codebook based on interleaving is evaluated through comparison with selected codebooks for SCMA multiplexing. The measures used for performance evaluation include Bit Error rate (BER), Peak to Average Power Ratio(PAPR), and minimum EuclidianDistance(MED). The results show that the proposed codebook with chaotic interleaving achieves comparable performance to the traditional codebook based on interleaving and less MED and higher BER compared to computer-generated and 16-star QAM codebook design methods but with reduced complexity.

Women at the Forefront: Supporting Female-Led HIV Prevention Initiatives

Female-led initiatives in HIV prevention are increasingly recognized as a powerful means of addressing the gender-specific challenges women face in the fight against HIV. Women are disproportionately affected by HIV, and their vulnerability is often exacerbated by gender-based inequalities, cultural norms, and limited access to healthcare. By empowering women to lead HIV prevention efforts, these initiatives can better address the unique needs of women, increase awareness, and reduce stigma surrounding HIV. This article explores the importance of supporting female leadership in HIV prevention, highlighting successful initiatives, challenges, and the impact of women’s leadership on public health outcomes. The article discusses the role of female leaders in HIV prevention, emphasizing their ability to tailor strategies that resonate with women’s lived experiences. Female-led initiatives often focus on culturally appropriate approaches that address barriers such as lack of education, economic dependency, and sexual and reproductive health challenges. Women leaders also play a critical role in reducing stigma and promoting community engagement, ultimately fostering a more inclusive environment for HIV prevention and care. Keywords: Female-led initiatives, HIV prevention, gender equality, women’s health, empowerment

Spatial Variability of Soil Acidity and Lime Requirements for Potato Cultivation in the Huánuco Highlands

Soil acidity is a major limiting factor for potato production in Peru’s high Andean region. This study aims to predict the spatial variability of soil acidity as a fundamental tool for recommending site-specific liming treatments and to identify the physical–chemical characteristics most closely related to soil acidity. The soil samples were collected from five locations in the province of Pachitea, Huánuco. Descriptive statistics, principal component analysis (PCA), and Pearson correlation analysis were used to identify the soil properties contributing most to total variance and those most strongly correlated with soil acidity. The ordinary geostatistical kriging method evaluated the predictive accuracy for 23 soil properties and liming requirements over a 28,463 ha area, at a spatial resolution of 10 m. Results showed that the Plaza Punta and Buenos Aires locations had more degraded acidic soils, with frequencies between 55% and 100% above the general mean (30.94 ± 24.87%) and the critical threshold (25%) for potato cultivation. Variables such as exchangeable calcium percentage (ECP), Ca2+, Mg2+, sand content, and organic matter strongly correlated with soil acidity, while exchangeable H+ and ECP were the main contributors to the total variance. Geostatistical analysis revealed that Mg2+ and Ca2+ had the highest R2 values (0.87 and 0.76, respectively), indicating a strong fit between observed and predicted values in the spatial analysis of soil acidity. It is concluded that the agricultural dolomite requirements in the localities of Plaza Punta and Buenos Aires exhibit high spatial predictability. Additionally, the analysis of diverse soil physicochemical properties is emphasized as critical for determining precise application rates.

Tertiary education students’ perceptions of plagiarism in academic writing

PurposeThis study contributes to the current body of literature on students' understanding of academic misconduct, plagiarism, forms of plagiarism, the reasons they plagiarize, the sanctions imposed by academics for plagiarizing and the methods to address plagiarism in written assessments within the Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Guyana, which was investigated in 2021.Design/methodology/approachThe research design was descriptive and grounded in the pragmatism paradigm. The methodology employed was quantitative, consisting of the collection of data through an online, self-administered questionnaire-based survey.FindingsThe results showed that despite students having a conceptual understanding of academic misconduct and plagiarism, they intentionally and unintentionally plagiarized their written assessments, mainly because of the assessment workload (64.9%), busy schedule (52.8%), not understanding the assessment (46.3%) and not knowing how to correctly cite sources (44.6%). Prevalent forms of plagiarism committed by students included finding synonyms for the author’s language while keeping to the same general structure and meaning of the original work (48%) and neglecting to cite sources, misquote sources or unintentionally paraphrase a source by using similar words, groups of words and/or sentence structure without attribution (42%). Academic sanctions commonly include giving an overall reduced grade, giving a warning and asking the student to redo the plagiarized work. The study showed that students preferred flexible and lenient penalties to address plagiarism and objected to sanctions that may jeopardize their academic progression.Originality/valueAn international literature review will demonstrate extensive research on academic misconduct, particularly plagiarism, emphasizing attitudes and perceptions. Despite Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies and limited software subscriptions, academic misconduct in Guyana is still poorly understood. Therefore, this study adds to the literature by evaluating tertiary education students' perceptions of plagiarism, given the growing concerns and negative repercussions of plagiarism and student use of AI to produce assignments at this university.

Minimizing Movements for the Generalized Power Mean Curvature Flow

AbstractMotivated by a conjecture of De Giorgi, we consider the Almgren–Taylor–Wang scheme for mean curvature flow, where the volume penalization is replaced by a term of the form $$\begin{aligned} \int _{E\Delta F}f\left( \tfrac{\textrm{d}_{F}}{\tau }\right) ~dx \end{aligned}$$ ∫ E Δ F f d F τ d x for $$f$$ f ranging in a large class of strictly increasing continuous functions, where $$E \Delta F= (E \cup F){\setminus } E \cap F$$ E Δ F = ( E ∪ F ) \ E ∩ F is the symmetric difference between sets E and F, and $$d_F$$ d F is the distance function from $$\partial F$$ ∂ F . In particular, our analysis covers the case $$\begin{aligned} f( r ) = r^\alpha , \qquad r \ge 0, \ \ \alpha >0, \end{aligned}$$ f ( r ) = r α , r ≥ 0 , α > 0 , considered by De Giorgi. We show that the generalized minimizing movement scheme converges to the geometric evolution equation $$\begin{aligned} f(v) = - \kappa \quad \text {on }\partial E(t), \end{aligned}$$ f ( v ) = - κ on ∂ E ( t ) , where $$\{E(t)\}$$ { E ( t ) } are evolving subsets of $${\mathbb {R}}^n,$$ R n , $$v$$ v is the normal velocity of $$\partial E(t),$$ ∂ E ( t ) , and $$\kappa $$ κ is the mean curvature of $$\partial E(t)$$ ∂ E ( t ) . We extend our analysis to the anisotropic setting, and in the presence of a driving force. We also show that minimizing movements coincide with the smooth classical solution as long as the latter exists. Finally, we prove that in the absence of forcing, mean convexity and convexity are preserved by the weak flow.

The variability of measured and calculated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in statin-treated diabetes patients.

The Sampson-NIH and Martin-Hopkins low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) equations are advocated as being superior to the Friedewald calculation. However, their mathematical complexity means they may have different biological and analytical variation when tracking LDL-C in the same patient. This study has established the biological variation (BV) of calculated and directly measured LDL-C (dLDL-C) in patients taking equivalent doses of a long (atorvastatin) and short (simvastatin) half-life statin. It also modelled how analytical imprecision might add to these BVs. In a crossover study of lipid BV involving 26 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) initially taking either simvastatin 40mg or atorvastatin 10mg, fasting lipids were measured 10 times over 5 weeks after a 3 month run-in. The same procedure was then followed for the alternate statin. Outlier removal and CV-ANOVA established the BV of dLDL and each formula. Analytical measurement uncertainty was estimated from 6 months of real-world data. The intra-individual BV of dLDL-C measurement was considerably lower with atorvastatin than simvastatin (CV 1.3%(95% CI 1.1-1.5%) vs. 11.1%(10.2-12.2%), respectively). No equation could distinguish this difference (Friedewald 11.0%(95% CI 10.0-12.1%) vs. 12.9%(11.8-14.2%), Sampson-NIH 10.4%(9.5-11.5%) vs. 11.7% (10.7-12.8%) and Martin-Hopkins 9.3%(8.5-10.3%) vs. 11.3%(10.3-12.4%)). Real-world analytical CVs were 2.6% (Sampson-NIH), 2.6% (Martin-Hopkins) 2.8% (Friedewald) and 2.0% (dLDL-C). Inherent biological LDL-C variability using these formulae is substantially greater than direct measurement in T2DM patients taking atorvastatin. Typical analytical imprecision was also greater. Together, this may fundamentally limit these equations' ability to track true LDL-C changes in patients taking popular statin treatments.

The Effect of Body Condition Scoring on Lamb Development in Akkaraman and Lalahan Genotypes

The study was conducted at the International Livestock Research and Training Center Directorate and investigated the effects of ewes' body condition score (BCS) on certain body measurements of their lambs at birth and at 3 months of age in Akkaraman and Lalahan (Kıvırcık x Akkaraman G1 crossbred) sheep in Ankara province. The animal material consisted of 106 lambs (Akkaraman = 33, Lalahan = 73) at birth and 144 lambs (Akkaraman = 33, Lalahan = 111) at 3 months, along with their dams. The BCS values of the ewes were divided into three groups for analysis: low (≤2.5), medium (3.0), and high (≥3.5). The general means of BCS values of the ewes at birth and at 3 months were found to be 2.86 and 2.84, respectively. The effects of genotype and dam age on BCS were not significant in either period. The live weight (LW), wither height, rump height, chest depth, body length, and chest girth values of the lambs were 4.8 kg, 42.1 cm, 42.6 cm, 16.6 cm, 33.0 cm, and 38.5 cm at birth, and 24.0 kg, 62.2 cm, 63.0 cm, 27.8 cm, 58.8 cm, and 65.3 cm at 3 months of age, respectively. Ewes with high BCS had heavier LW lambs at both birth (low: 4.5 kg, medium: 4.8 kg, high: 4.9 kg; P<0.05) and 3 months (low: 24.3 kg, medium: 25.1 kg, high: 25.8 kg; P>0.05). A similar pattern was observed in the daily live weight gain (DLWG) of lambs (low: 0.205 kg, medium: 0.221 kg, high: 0.242 kg; P<0.001). In conclusion, it can be said that ewes with a high BCS adequately meet their nutritional needs during lactation, thereby providing better care for their lambs.

LINGUOCULTURAL IMPLICIT CONTEXT AND MEANS OF ITS EXPRESSION IN THE TRANSLATION OF J. K. ROWLING’S NOVEL „HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE”

The article examines the concept of implicit context and means of its expression and examines how the translator conveys it in the Ukrainian language. The implicit context is well known to the reader and makes the work easier to understand. The research material was Viktor Morozov’s translation of J. K. Rowling’s novel "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone". Implicit context is conveyed through the translational strategies of domestication and alienation. The strategy of domestication manifests itself when the target language uses culturally or socially marked linguistic units that are specific to the target language. The alienation strategy consists of using in the translation language units with a meaning or sound that are characteristic of the original language, or those language units that are the result of artistic imagination and exist only in this work. It was found that the translator uses the strategy of domestication more often than the strategy of alienation. The analysis of the implicitness of the text is carried out at the level of words with a general meaning, proper names, phraseological units, idioms, exclamations-sounds, exclamations-words and exclamations-sentences, author’s neologisms, profanities, dialectisms and slang. In the process of research, groups of researched words were identified and their translational analysis was carried out. It was found that trascoding is mostly used when translating proper names, translation transformation of generalization – when translating lexical units to denote food and clothing, synonymous translation – when translating lexical units to denote household items, equivalent translation – when translating phrases, some profanities and exclamations, a similar analog is searched for when translating idioms, other profanities and exclamations. When translating English-language dialectisms, Viktor Morozov used dialects of the Ukrainian language that are specific to certain regions of Ukraine. Slang in translation appears through the transformation of addition. For translation researchers, the variety of language units used by Viktor Morozov to convey the implicit context is interesting.

CLASSY. XI. Tracing Neutral Gas Properties Using UV Absorption Lines and 21 cm Observations* ∗ Based on observations made with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained from the Data Archive at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under NASA contract NAS 5-26555.

Rest-frame far-ultraviolet (FUV) observations from JWST are revolutionizing our understanding of the high-z galaxies that drove reionization and the mechanisms by which they accomplished it. To fully interpret these observations, we must be able to diagnose how properties of the interstellar medium (ISM; e.g., column density, covering fraction, and outflow velocity) directly relate to the absorption features produced. Using the high-signal-to-noise and high-resolution FUV spectra of 45 nearby star-forming galaxies from the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph Legacy Spectroscopic Survey, we present the largest uniform, simultaneous characterization of neutral and low-ionization state (LIS) interstellar UV absorption lines (O i, Si ii, S ii, C ii, and Al ii) across a wide range of galaxy properties. We also present 21 cm H i observations for 35 galaxies, multiple of which are gas-poor or nondetected, possibly indicating the onset of a post-starburst phase. We find that our simultaneous one-component Voigt profile fits are capable of accurately modeling the LIS absorption for ∼75% of galaxies, mitigating challenges associated with saturation, infilling, and degeneracies. While the most massive galaxies require additional components, our one-component fits return average properties of the absorbing gas and follow the scaling relations described by a single gas cloud. We explore connections between LIS absorption and direct tracers of the neutral ISM (O i, Lyα, and H i 21 cm), finding that C ii most closely traces the neutral gas trends, while other ions exhibit weaker correlations. Given the challenges with directly observing H i at higher-z, we demonstrate that LIS absorption can be a powerful means to study the neutral ISM and present empirical relationships for predicting neutral gas properties.

Proving Chadwick wrong

2024 marks 40 years since ISIS, the UK’s neutron user facility, first became operational. Since its origins in the 1940s, neutron scattering has emerged as a powerful means for understanding everything from human cells to quantum spins. Rosie de Laune and colleagues from ISIS examine the complex science and history behind the technique, and highlight some of the key research that has been performed at the facility over the last 40 years.

“No Gree for Anybody!”- “Without our compliance, their power means nothing”: unveiling the subtleness in Nigeria’s socio-political activism

ABSTRACT This study employs online archival and interview methods to understand how people on X (formerly Twitter) interpret and construct the ‘No Gree for Anybody’ tweets as a form of digital protest. ‘No Gree for Anybody,’ translating to ‘Do not compromise for anyone’ in Nigerian Pidgin English, became a sort of national anthem on social media, especially on Twitter, amid the socioeconomic challenges in Nigeria. The adoption of this slogan, despite concerns from the Nigerian Police, underscores its influential role as an alternative protest form advocating systemic reform and confronting entrenched power structures. The qualitative data analysis constructed four key themes: Language and Identity, Digital Protest/Mobilization and Collective Identity, Multiple Symbolism of Defiance, and Protests Continuum in Nigeria’s socio-political landscape. These themes provide a nuanced understanding of ‘No Gree for Anybody’ and how its subtleness and non-episodic features shape digital activism and socio-political discourse in Nigeria, highlighting its position in contemporary protest dynamics.

Polysemy in English and Kurdish Languages: Some Selected Words

This study explores the role of the internet and cyberspace, particularly through the use of emails, as a tool for feminist empowerment within Saudi Arabian society, as depicted in Rajaa Alsanea's novel Girls of Riyadh. The research aims to examine how female characters use virtual spaces to challenge and undermine patriarchal norms and expectations. By utilizing the internet's anonymity and connectivity, these women carve out a platform for self-expression, solidarity, and resistance against the oppressive structures of their society. The study finds that cyberfeminism offers a powerful means for women in conservative environments to voice their thoughts and advocate for change. Furthermore, the internet serves as a catalyst for new forms of feminist discourse and activism. The study concludes that cyberspace not only facilitates the creation of a collective feminist identity but also empowers women to redefine their roles and resist traditional societal constraints.

Using In Silico Methods to Identify Protein Tyrosine Kinase A (PtkA) Homolog in Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM)

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) represent a diverse group of mycobacterial species known for causing opportunistic infections, especially in individuals with underlying health conditions. Unlike Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis, NTM species exhibit different pathogenic characteristics and drug resistance mechanisms, making them increasingly relevant in clinical settings. PtkA is a crucial protein tyrosine kinase that regulates bacterial growth, stress response, and virulence by phosphorylating various substrates in Mtb. Understanding whether PtkA homologs exist in NTM could provide insights into their virulence and resistance mechanisms. In silico approaches, which utilize computational tools for sequence alignment, structure prediction, and functional annotation, offer a powerful means to identify homologous proteins across different species. In this article, we have employed tools like BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool), protein structure databases, and the NTM database to identify PtkA homologs in NTM genomes, providing a foundation for further studies.

Synthesizing ordered polar patterns in nonpolar SrTiO3 nanofilms via wrinkle-induced flexoelectricity

Ordered polar structures in oxide nanofilms play a pivotal role in the development of nanoelectronic applications. Hitherto, ordered polar structures have been restricted to a limited number of ferroelectric materials, and there is no effective scheme to induce and manipulate ordered polar patterns in centrosymmetric nonpolar nanofilms due to the absence of spontaneous symmetry breaking. Here, we circumvent these limitations by utilizing the wrinkle-induced strain gradient modulation associated with flexoelectricity as a general means of inducing and manipulating ordered polar patterns in nonpolar nanofilms. Leveraging the surface instability caused by strain mismatch between oxide nanofilms and pre-strained compliant substrate, we successfully fabricate striped SrTiO3 wrinkles, where well-ordered strain gradients and corresponding periodic polar patterns are readily achieved. Through in-situ piezoresponse force microscopy experiments, we show that the generated polar patterns can be manipulated by varying strain boundaries. Furthermore, the atomistic resolution images and first-principles calculations reveal that such wrinkle-induced ordered polar patterns primarily emerge from the flexoelectric coupling between the local polarization and strain gradients. These findings provide implications for manipulating polar structures by strain gradient and flexoelectric engineering, which in turn enable the realization of nontrivial polar structures in a broader range of materials.

Evolution of the subtropical surface wind in the north-east Atlantic under climate change

The climate of western Europe and northwest Africa strongly depends on the Azores anticyclone strength, location, and shape and, locally, also on the characteristics of the Iberia and Sahara summer thermal lows. EC-EARTH3 global simulations are here used to assess the predicted behaviour of these two relevant surface pressure systems and associated surface wind, by the end of XXI century (2071–2100), considering two climate change scenarios. Additionally, a high-resolution Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) simulation centred on Madeira Island is used to assess the influence of climate change on the surface wind at smaller scales, in a region well known for its perturbed flows. Results indicate a general mean wind speed decrease over a sector of the North-Atlantic, associated with a flatter Azores anticyclone. However, the predicted intensification of the Iberia and Sahara thermal lows imposes an increasing surface wind speed near west Iberia and northwest Africa, in summer. Southwest of Iberia, Madeira Island is also predicted to experience a summer intensification of its tip-jets. The projected changes in low-level wind speed and variability will impact on different sectors of activity, either directly as are the cases of aeronautical operation and offshore renewable energy, or indirectly through changes in the ocean circulation.