Operational Units Research Articles

Deterministic Implementation of SWAP Gates and CSWAP Gates Using Rydberg Atoms Via Transitionless Quantum Driving

AbstractQuantum logic gates are the fundamental operational units in quantum computing. The SWAP gate, as an important two‐qubit logic gate, has long been the focus of scholars for seeking to achieve high‐fidelity implementations. This study proposes a scheme for realizing a SWAP gate using Rydberg atoms. The scheme ingeniously utilizes the interactions between Rydberg atoms to construct the model and combines the “transitionless quantum driving” algorithm to design the control laser. Numerical simulations show that this scheme not only achieves a high‐fidelity SWAP gate but also robust against experimental imperfections such as atomic spontaneous emission. At last, this scheme is extended to realize CSWAP gate.

Design and Implementation of GPU Pass-Through System Based on OpenStack

The paper constructs an OpenStack cloud platform on Inspur servers, including components such as Keystone, Glance, Placement, Nova, Neutron, and Dashboard. It specifically investigates the method of constructing GPU pass-through using Virtual I/O (VFIO) technology. The aim is to directly allocate graphics card resources to cloud hosts to meet high-performance computing needs. VFIO technology can directly assign physical devices (such as graphics cards) to virtual machines, avoiding performance loss and operational complexity associated with traditional virtualization. After passing through the graphics card to the cloud host via VFIO technology, it can directly control and manage the graphics card resources within the cloud host, providing better support for high-performance computing tasks. Test results show that the GPU pass-through design has a memory bandwidth of 107.5 GB/s, a pixel fill rate of 41.6 GPixel/s, a texture fill rate of 53.1 GTexel/s, a base frequency of 1326.9 MHz, and possesses a FP32 (float) floating-point performance of 2.1TFLOPS, with 72 texture units and 48 ROPs raster operations units. Moreover, in high-load computing scenarios, the pass-through graphics card exhibits superior availability and performance.

Distribution of Operating Costs Along the Value Chain of an Open-Pit Copper Mine

This study analyzes the distribution of operating costs along the value chain of an open-pit copper mine with a focus on key operational units or operations such as drilling, blasting, loading, hauling, stockpiling, blending, crushing, milling, and flotation. Using process costing analysis, key cost drivers were identified, and their individual contributions to total expenses were quantified. Results revealed that comminution processes dominate the operational cost structure, with milling accounting for 6.18 USD/ton, representing 59.1% of total operating costs, and crushing costing 1.15 USD/ton, that is, 11% of total operating expenditure. The study also highlighted several opportunities for cost reduction and enhanced mining sustainability through strategies such as energy consumption optimization, the use of alternative energy sources, and optimized blast design. Finally, valuable insights aimed at promoting sustainable resource utilization, improved cost efficiency, and data-driven decision-making in mining operations are offered to mine planners and operators. This is eventually expected to lay the foundation for benchmarking work on the establishment of a baseline and standards for similar mining operations.

Introduction to the Special Issue | Operating units in written language performance: Linguistic and behavioral perspectives

This special issue of Journal of Writing Research addresses the fundamental question of performance units in writing: how can we characterize these units and which theoretical paradigms allow us to describe them? Despite their core role in the writing activity, there is no consensus on the nature of written performance units. In order to progress on this issue, the different articles presented in this special issue shed light on performance units, their description, definition and role in text construction. Different methodological and theoretical approaches, based on behavioral data, with pauses as a central indicator, illustrate how linguistic structures produced in these units constrain written production.

A APLICABILIDADE DO TREINAMENTO FÍSICO MILITAR (TFM), DENTRO DO TURNO DE SERVIÇO, PARA A TROPA DA RADIOPATRULHA AUTO (RPA) DA POLÍCIA MILITAR DO PARANÁ

The present article aims to provide a theoretical deepening, detailing how the Commanders of Operational Units, members of the Military Police of Paraná (PMPR), can optimize the management of their respective personnel in order to enable the practice of Military Physical Training during their service shift, specifically for the members of the Radiopatrulha Auto teams. The proposal seeks to fully comply with the provisions of the General Command Ordinance No. 222, dated March 9, 2022, which establishes guidelines for physical activity schedules within the Corporation. However, this guidance faces significant challenges, as the effective implementation of physical activity rarely reaches the ordinary troops, given that the operational service, which is prioritized, precedes any activity related to Physical Education. Thus, this study aims to propose alternatives and solutions that enable a balance between operational demands and the need to ensure physical health and proper preparation of military police officers, with the goal of ensuring compliance with the regulations set forth in the ordinance and improving physical training conditions within the PMPR.

Directions for obtaining operational and investigative information by operatives in countering crimes committed by youth in the conditions of martial law

This article explores the vital issue of obtaining actionable operational and investigative information by law enforcement operatives to combat crimes committed by youth under the conditions of martial law. The study examines the challenges faced in implementing operational and investigative measures during wartime and outlines strategies to address these difficulties. Particular attention is given to the need for adapting operational approaches to wartime realities and strengthening coordination among operational units in combating youth crime. The authors analyze the specific dynamics of the operational environment that have emerged as a result of military actions. The article highlights the necessity of conducting systematic assessments of the operational situation, including the analysis and forecasting of crime trends within service areas. This enables the development and implementation of targeted operational and investigative measures to counteract youth crime effectively. Timely identification of new threats, both internal and external, is critical for adjusting operational tactics to martial law conditions. The study examines key methods for obtaining operationally significant information, such as confidential informants, undercover operations, strategic operational combinations, and advanced technical measures. It identifies problematic aspects of operational and investigative activities under martial law and proposes methods to overcome these challenges. The authors stress the importance of establishing robust interagency cooperation among law enforcement agencies and other relevant entities. The timely exchange of information and coordinated operational-preventive actions are essential for preventing and solving youth crimes. The article also discusses contentious issues in the field and offers recommendations for improving operational practices.

The complementary effects of formal and informal budgetary performance feedback on doctor-managers' responsibilities.

The reforms that have affected public health care organizations have changed the tasks and responsibilities of physicians heading operational units, who have become doctor-managers. This hybridization makes doctor-managers vulnerable to role ambiguities, with possible dysfunctional effects on their managerial behaviors and performance. The enhancement of different sources of budgetary performance feedback (BPF) and perceived organizational support (POS) can help them reconcile their managerial and clinical professional domains. Rooted in psychology-based budgeting research, this study aimed to show the role of doctor-managers' perceptions of BPF by examining the complementary effects of formal and informal BPF on POS and their satisfaction with the budget-holder role. We collected self-reported data by administering questionnaires to a sample of doctor-managers from Italian public health care organizations. The hypotheses were tested using a linear regression model, clustered at the hospital level. Mediation analysis was used to test the mediating effects of POS. Findings showed that formal and informal BPF perceptions positively influenced POS and satisfaction with the budget-holder role. Further, POS mediated the BPF-role satisfaction link. The study adds to the limited research on the individual-level benefits of perceived formal and informal BPF as complementary mechanisms for improving doctor-managers' attitudes toward the budget-holder role. Top management and controllers should develop budgeting practices that consider the psychological factors related to the complementary functioning of formal and informal BPFs. These factors may support doctor-managers in meeting their responsibilities as budget holders and mitigate role ambiguities.

Reducing the uncertainty in the distribution of cm-scale rock properties in the near well-bore region

Rock properties at cm-scale impact geological carbon storage by enhancing capillary and mineral trapping. Hence, it is important to accurately capture their distribution in geo-models which are used for numerically estimating the fate of injected CO2. However, there could be high variability in the cm-scale distribution of rock properties even close to wells which is not captured with traditional workflows. This study explores the impact of grid cell resolution, seismic inversion and placement of an additional well in proximity to CO2 injection well on improving the representation of cm-scale lithological heterogeneity in the near well bore region in geological models. We utilize wireline and seismic data from Parasequence-2 of the Paaratte Formation, Otway Basin, Australia, which is a shallow to coastal marine deltaic deposition comprising a high degree of lithological heterogeneity and a prospective unit for pilot scale geological carbon storage operations. The data was used to prepare a suite of reservoir models capturing the impact of above factors on the plausible distributions of facies, porosity and permeability in the formation. The analysis suggests that smaller grid cell size (1 m × 1 m × 0.3 m) compared to the typical industry standard (10 m × 10 m × 2 m) significantly improves the representation of cm-scale rock properties. Additionally, stochastic seismic inversion could play an important role in capturing rock property distribution even for smaller CO2 storage sites used for pilot scale injection operations. Further, we show that the placement of an additional well only 116-m away from the CO2 injection well can drastically improve the probability in the distribution of cm-scale rock properties in reservoir models.

An Ascaris lumbricoides infection diagnosed by colonoscopy: A case report and a brief literature review.

Ascaris lumbricoides is a nematode that parasitizes the human gastrointestinal tract, and it is the cause of the most common helminthic infections worldwide. It predominates in areas of poor sanitation. Early diagnosis of this intestinal infection is pivotal to avoid its severe and lethal complications such as gut obstruction, volvulus, and perforation. A 61-year-old Caucasian female was admitted to the Operational Unit of Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgery with abdominal pain, in combination with nausea and vomiting for 2 months. The woman underwent a colonoscopy and surprisingly A. lumbricoides was highlighted. Diagnosis of A. lumbricoides infections is based on the microscopic detection of eggs in stool, thus, patient fecal samples collected were examined by microscopy-based methods, but no eggs were found. Previously, the patient was treated to eradicate H. pylori, using omeprazole, a com-mon proton pump inhibitor. Here, we supposed that previous therapy has mitigated the parasite infection severity. In our patient was identified A. lumbricoides, although she came from a medium socio-economic status family and despite, she reported to have never travelled in tropical and subtropical areas. This report highlights the importance of the awareness of ascariasis and that its preventive measures should be included in all health education programs.

Why the disinfection efficiency of ultraviolet radiation may become unsatisfactory at low suspended solid concentrations: The mechanism of extracellular polymeric substances secretion induced by different particles.

Due to the global outbreaks caused by pathogens, disinfection has attracted widespread attention, especially as the final inactivation step in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is regarded as one of low carbon disinfection methods without chemical agents, but in practice, the effects are sometimes unsatisfactory, e.g., Escherichia coli (E. coli) still stay alive excessively at low concentrations of suspended solids (SS) that meets the discharge standards (<10 mg l-1). WWTPs focus on each process's efficiency, while the particle influence of different upstream processes on UV radiation is ignored. This study investigated the changes in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) structure and biofilm from the perspective of single cell and cell-to-cell interactions at low SS concentrations before and after UV radiation. We disclosed that the effective characteristics of effluent SS particles were mainly related to some specific operation units, like coagulation sedimentation or sand filtration, which induced EPS secretion and biofilm formation, and subsequently caused the different responses of cells within the biofilm to UV radiation. Compared with filtrating sand particles, the magnetic coagulant induced more polysaccharide secretion and expanded the EPS structure, leading to a thicker and more effective protective layer to weaken UV intensity and reduce reactive oxygen species levels inside cells. The microbial community analysis of a real WWTP confirmed the survival of microorganisms with abilities of EPS secretion and sheltering others. Therefore, considering the potential positive effect of particles (such as metal particles) in the upstream process on the microbial aggregation in the subsequent process, it is recommended that the UV disinfection requires a lower SS concentration standard or a higher UV radiation dose. This study provides a basis for effective UV disinfection at the present application standards.

On the need for environmental specialization in police bodies

The scientific publication explores the feasibility of implementing environmental specialisation in police bodies. It is substantiated that without establishing specialisation in both the prosecutor’s office and the police, it is difficult to fulfil the task of detecting, stopping, uncovering and investigating criminal offences in the field of environmental protection and compensation for environmental damage, which is recognised as a priority in the activities of law enforcement agencies. The article focuses on the fact that the need to introduce ecological specialisation is not only a national priority but also a pan-European trend, which is also enshrined in the Directive of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union dated March 13, 2024 on the protection of the natural environment by means of criminal law. It was established that until now the reformation of police units and the creation of relevant specialised operational and investigative units for the detection and pre-trial investigation of crimes of this category have not been completed. It is emphasised that the absence of specialised units in police bodies significantly complicates interaction with prosecutors, makes it impossible to involve specialised police officers in training events, coordinate their work, and leads to the investigation of criminal proceedings against the environment based on the residual principle. It has been proven that the delegation of powers to detect and investigate criminal offences in this area to individual employees who simultaneously perform other powers is not a rational decision. The need to create separate specialised units in police bodies is important, and this will become an effective element of the implementation of state policy in the field of environmental protection. It is proposed that specialised operative and investigative environmental units function as part of one independent unit (department), which will allow to ensure a comprehensive approach to the detection and termination of environmental criminal offences and the performance of tasks provided for by the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes of Ukraine.

Flexible matching of multi-skilled workers and operation units in the hybrid rotating seru production system: An optimization model-based method

Flexible matching of multi-skilled workers and operation units in the hybrid rotating seru production system: An optimization model-based method

A Case of Nocardia kroppenstedtii Infection Successfully Treated With a Multidisciplinary Approach

Nocardia species constitute a diverse group of microorganisms classified as aerobic actinomyces. Among these species, many have been implicated as causative agents of severe human infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients, affecting lungs, skin, and nervous system. Here, we described a rare species, identified as Nocardia kroppenstedtii, isolated at the Complex Operative Unit of Virology and Microbiology from the subxiphoid formation and pseudonodular formation in the left leg of a 69‐year‐old immunocompetent patient, who was hospitalized and treated at the Complex Operative Unit of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics of the University Hospital of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” in an antimicrobial diagnostic stewardship context. This rare pathogen was first isolated in 2014 from a bronchoalveolar lavage sample obtained from a lung transplant recipient. Since then, only five cases of clinical interest have been described in literature.

The Golgi complex governs natural killer cell lytic granule positioning to promote directionality in cytotoxicity.

Cytotoxic immune cells mediate precise attacks against diseased cells to maintain organismal health. Their operational unit of killing and host defense is lytic granules (LGs), which are specialized lysosomal-related organelles. Precision in cytotoxicity is achieved by converging the many LGs to the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) and polarizing these to the diseased cell for secretion. We identify unappreciated intimate relationships between the Golgi, MTOC, and LGs after cytotoxic cell activation, as well as the trans-Golgin protein GCC2 on the LG surface. GCC2 serves to tether LGs to the Golgi following convergence, and both GCC2 and the Golgi are required for the persistence of convergence. GCC2 allows LGs to utilize the Golgi as a docking station preventing LG dispersion and innocent bystander killing in complex three-dimensional environments. We also identify GCC2 variants causing human natural killer cell deficiency, further emphasizing the importance of LG convergence and Golgi linkage in precision targeting for human immunity.

Data-driven Studies on Automation and Operational Monitoring of Fine Chemical Processes

Fine chemical processes are integral to modern industries such as automotive, environmental protection, aviation, and new energy. However, these processes involve highly toxic substances and complex chemical interactions, making them vulnerable to uncontrollable circumstances and posing significant risks to human safety and the environment. This work proposes an enhanced GA-LVW algorithm for reliability assessment of fine chemical processes, focusing on essential operating units. The method utilizes global-local structure analysis to extract features from operating unit variables, reducing data noise, simplifying the construction of fuzzy rules, and improving model resilience. The extracted features are integrated into a fuzzy inference system. The proposed approach is validated using the Tennessee Eastman (TE) process model and the R-22 production process in a fluoride facility. Results demonstrate that the enhanced GA-LVW algorithm significantly improves the system’s efficiency and maintainability compared to conventional fuzzy inference systems.

RESEARCH ON THE INTEGRATION PATH OF "PARTY, CLASS, AND YOUTH LEAGUE" IDEOLOGICAL AND POLITICAL EDUCATION IN UNIVERSITIES: A CASE STUDY OF ZHAOQING UNIVERSITY

In higher education institutions, the Party, Youth League, and class organizations collectively constitute the core units of university operations and construction, while also serving as the fundamental platform for ideological and political education. Party and Youth League organizations play the role of "vanguard and guiding beacon" in university ideological and political education, while class organizations, as the basic organizational form for students, serve as the main platform for disseminating ideological and political education and provide a crucial environment for student learning and growth. Class organizations carry out the functions of "uniting, organizing, and educating" students, and their effective operation provides important support for the development of university Party and Youth League organizations. Therefore, achieving integrated operations of "Party, Class, and Youth League" has become an inevitable trend in current university ideological and political education. This research aims to deeply analyze the path of integrated ideological and political education practice at Zhaoqing University, with the goal of achieving coordinated enhancement of students' ideological and political qualities and constructing a harmonious campus atmosphere. KEYWORDS: "Party, Class, and Youth League" Integration, Ideological and Political Education, Practical Path Exploration

Optimization Algorithms for Sustainable Operation of Multi-Unit Hydropower Plants

The work presented in this article concerns numerical studies on optimization methods used for the sustainable utilization of the energy potential of water, converting it into electricity in a hydropower plant equipped with more than one unit. These methods allow for maximization of production in given hydrological conditions, leading to the balanced, lossless, and environmentally friendly use of the renewable energy source that is water. Methods are selected from three groups, i.e., analytical, enumeration, and randomized. The results of calculations of optimal points of selected test functions carried out using the Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno Limited-Memory Version (L-BFGS-B), Explicit Complete Enumeration (ECE), and Genetic Algorithm (GA) methods provided basic information on the features of these methods. Based on these tests, the GA method was selected to solve the problem of the optimal load distribution in a hydropower plant equipped with three identical hydro units. The defined optimization problem consisted of finding a configuration of hydro units in operation that would guarantee the maximum efficiency of the power plant under the imposed hydrological conditions. During the numerical studies, a number of calculations were performed to identify the impact of procedures and parameters characteristic of the optimization methods on the obtained results. Particular attention was paid to the GA method and penalty functions, enabling the elimination of results from the area of prohibited solutions.

Genomic population structure and diversity of the endangered Aphanius iberus: strategies for killifish conservation

AbstractThe evolutionary potential of a species directly impacts its ability to survive in fluctuating environments. A fundamental goal in wildlife conservation is enhancing this potential since anthropogenic pressures and rapid climate change are shifting environments at an alarming rate. One way to increase a species’ adaptive potential is through the delineation of management units based on population genomic analyses. Such units consist of evolutionarily significant gene pools requiring immediate conservation action. The delineation of priority units is fundamental for species on the brink of extinction, a predicament shared by numerous killifish species worldwide which face human-driven habitat transformations leading to the destruction of functioning ecosystems. The Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula has undergone one of the greatest human-driven habitat transformations in Europe since the turn of the 20th century as a result of agricultural exploitation and urbanization, imposing novel environmental pressures on various aquatic organisms including killifish species, such as the endangered and endemic Spanish toothcarp (Aphanius iberus Valenciennes, 1846). In the present study, we performed a SNP-based genetic analysis to delineate management units, or Operational Conservation Units (OCUs) for A. iberus, sampling a total of 176 individuals from 18 sample locations and analyzing their genetic structure, diversity, levels of gene flow, and degrees of genetic differentiation. Overall, the populations were highly structured with low genetic diversity values. Little to no gene flow was detected and FST values were high, indicating a large degree of genetic differentiation between populations, most likely attributable to habitat fragmentation. The results of our genetic analyses suggested the recommendation of nine OCUs for A. iberus, which should be implemented immediately into recovery programs to enhance the conservation management of this species. Using A. iberus as a study model, our research exemplifies how to delineate conservation priorities pertinent to killifish species with limited dispersal opportunity as a result of disruptions in population connectivity.

Musculoskeletal disorders of traffic police in Putrajaya: Evaluating ergonomic risks and trends

Background Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) pose significant challenges to the health and performance of traffic police personnel, impacting their job effectiveness and overall well-being. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the ergonomic risk factors contributing to MSDs among traffic police in Putrajaya. Methods A questionnaire encompassing socio-demographic variables, work tasks, ergonomic hazards, and the Body Symptom Survey (BOSS) was administered to 40 traffic police officers stationed at the Putrajaya District Police Headquarters. Data analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results Results revealed a predominantly male (87.5%), Malay (90%) population, aged between 31 and 40, with a majority serving as corporals (42.5%) within operational task units (82.5%). Primary duties among the respondents were traffic control (45%) and police escort (30%). Extreme temperatures emerged as the most prevalent ergonomic risk factor (82.5%), with the neck being the most affected body part (50%). Significant correlations were found between MSDs and various ergonomic risk factors, including awkward posture (p ≤ 0.001), static motion (p &lt; 0.05), forceful motion (p ≤ 0.01), and excessive noise (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions In conclusion, specific ergonomic risk factors such as awkward posture, static and forceful motions, and excessive noise were correlates to MSDs among traffic police. To mitigate these risks and prevent MSD occurrence, it is imperative to educate and promote awareness among traffic professionals regarding the importance of adopting and maintaining ergonomic postures during task execution.

Project‐Based Learning in Bioprocess Engineering: MATLAB Software as a Tool for Industrial‐Scale Bioreactor Design

ABSTRACTThe project‐based learning (PBL) methodology has proven to be a valuable pedagogical approach in engineering programs for decades. However, a significant gap remains in the application of such methodologies in the field of bioprocess engineering. This study addresses this gap by exploring the implementation and outcomes of innovative PBL methodology in the context of bioprocess engineering education. The educational innovation involved the study of a bioprocess at the industrial scale, which comprises the definition of the culture medium, the operational units of the process, the design of the bioreactor with the assistance of MATLAB software, and the performance of a techno‐economic analysis. The results over eight academic years (441 students) demonstrated consistently high average grades in case studies (8.9 ± 0.3 out of 10), indicating successful student navigation of PBL challenges. The students’ positive feedback highlighted the satisfaction and effectiveness of the methodology in promoting collaboration, enhancing comprehension, and preparing students for real‐world scenarios. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the successful implementation of PBL in bioprocess engineering education, highlighting its potential for fostering active learning, practical skill development, and student engagement. These findings contribute to the growing body of literature on innovative pedagogical approaches in engineering education and underscore the importance of ongoing evaluation and refinement for enhancing student learning outcomes.