Basic Research Research Articles

Coherent characteristics of broadband and extended light sources based on the Twyman–Green interferometer

The Twyman–Green interferometer, as a representative type of interferometric structure, possesses unique advantages in the field of interferometry due to its adjustable single optical path characteristic. However, using a laser as the light source for the Twyman–Green interferometer, with its long coherence length, can result in noisy fringes when measuring planar elements, including multiple surface interference fringes and speckle noise. To address these issues, this paper proposes the use of broadband extended light source as the coherent light source in the Twyman–Green interferometer to achieve short coherent source illumination, thereby eliminating interference fringes and coherent noise. This paper theoretically derives the coherence characteristics of broadband extended light sources and, in particular, quantitatively analyzes the influence of the thickness difference of glass in the Twyman–Green dual optical paths on the contrast of the interference fringe. The corresponding theoretical expressions for interference intensity are derived, and the validity of these theoretical findings is demonstrated through simulation analysis and experimental verification. This innovative research, to our knowledge, significantly supplements the existing coherence theory of light sources, offering substantial theoretical research insights and practical engineering applications.

Peran Manejemen Strategi Guna Evaluasi Pasca Akreditasi pada Klinik Pratama : Literature Review

Strategic management has a very important consideration and must be reviewed as part of the evaluation of the accreditation process in FKTP (First Level Health Facilities). A well-formulated strategy must be skillfully implemented to ensure growth and progress. This strategy needs to be implemented by every FKTP staff member to improve service quality, evaluation, and accreditation status. The purpose of this theoretical research article is to understand and push back to the theoretical field of various literary works. One of the methods used is theoretical research by analyzing and comparing existing theories. The results of this theoretical study show how strategic management functions in evaluation and helps FKTP make better plans with a more logical, rational, and systematic approach to each choice found during the planning process. It is clear that to improve the quality of health services, strategic management is also needed. The focus of FKTP accreditation strategic management is the assessment and determination of the hospital's eligibility according to service standards that have been set by an independent accreditation institution. So that it can improve patient perceptions and their trust in health facilities. After accreditation, FKTP must carry out strategic management optimally. Thus, the organization improves infrastructure, adequate human resources, and supporting facilities.

Equality Rights and Unequal Property Rights in Multi-owned Buildings

Abstract This research builds on and contributes to legal doctrinal and theoretical research on negative external societal effects of the democratic governance model of multi-owned properties in general, and, in particular, of decisions and restrictions regarding permission to install ramps or keep assistance dogs. The main argument is that if property law is used as a tool to steer and adjust societal normative expectations from a right to control to a duty to respect, this normative change would reduce the need for using external legislative solutions, such as applying discrimination laws, to achieve important societal objectives. Moreover, this approach could also reduce the need for future legislation addressing other societal challenges, such as the right to install electric vehicle chargers in common parking areas. These right-to-charge issues, which are currently being tackled through new EU-directives, reflect similar tensions between individual needs and collective governance. A property law-based solution that fosters fairness and flexibility in decision-making could pre-emptively address these types of issues, making it easier for associations to accommodate both current and future societal demands without the need for additional layers of regulation.

Method for Preprocessing Video Data for Training Deep-Learning Models for Identifying Behavioral Events in Bio-Objects

Monitoring moving bio-objects is currently of great interest for both fundamental and practical research. The advent of deep-learning algorithms has made it possible to automate the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the behavior of bio-objects recorded in video format. When processing such data, it is necessary to consider additional factors, such as background noise in the frame, the speed of the bio-object, and the need to reflect information about the previous (past) and subsequent (future) pose of the bio-object in one video frame. The preprocessed dataset must be suitable for verification by experts. This article proposes a method for preprocessing data to identify the behavior of a bio-object, a clear example of which is experiments on laboratory animals with the collection of video data. The method is based on combining information about a behavioral event presented in a sequence of frames with the addition of a native image and subsequent boundary detection using the Sobel filter. The resulting representation of a behavioral event is easily perceived by both human experts and neural networks of various architectures. The article presents the results of training several neural networks on the obtained dataset and proposes an effective neural network architecture (F1-score = 0.95) for identifying discrete events of biological objects’ behavior.

Biocompatibility of light responsive materials prepared for accommodative intraocular lenses manufacturing.

To investigate the biocompatibility and bacterial adhesion properties of light responsive materials (LRM) and analyze the feasibility and biosafety of employing LRM in the preparation of accommodative intraocular lenses (AIOLs). Employing fundamental experimental research techniques, LRM with human lens epithelial cells (hLECs) and human retinal pigment epithelium cells (ARPE-19 cells) were co-cultured. Commercially available intraocular lenses (IOLs) were used as controls to perform cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), cell staining under varying light intensities, cell adhesion and bacterial adhesion experiments. LRM exhibited a stronger inhibitory effect on the proliferation of ARPE19 cells than commercially available IOLs when co-cultured with the undiluted extract for 96h (P<0.05). Under other culturing conditions, the effects on the proliferation of hLECs and ARPE-19 cells were not significantly different between the two materials. Under the influence of light irradiation at intensities of 200 and 300 mW/cm2, LRM demonstrated a markedly higher inhibitory effect on the survival of hLECs compared to commercially available IOLs (P<0.0001). They also showed a stronger suppressive effect on the survival rate of ARPE-19 cells, with significant differences observed at 200 mW/cm2 (P<0.001) and extremely significant differences at 300 mW/cm2 (P<0.0001). Additionally, compared to commercially available IOLs, LRM had a higher number of cells adhering to their surface (P<0.05), as well as a significantly greater number of adherent bacterium (P<0.0001). LRM, characterized by their excellent non-contact tunable deformability and low cytotoxicity to ocular tissues, show considerable potential for use in the fabrication of AIOLs. These materials demonstrate strong cell adhesion; however, during photothermal conversion processes involving shape deformation under various light intensities, the resultant temperature rise may harm surrounding cells. These factors suggest that while the material plays a positive role in reducing the incidence of posterior capsule opacification (PCO), it also poses potential risks for retinal damage. Additionally, the strong bacterial adhesion of these materials indicates an increased risk of endophthalmitis.

On the Relevance of Education Research From a Non-Affirmative Perspective: A Constructive Critique

This article argues for the problematic dominance of education research striving for relevance for policy and practice, with little to no consideration of its contribution to shared internal disciplinary discourse. Drawing on non-affirmative education theory, we use empirical examples from the Swedish context to contend that such a one-sided focus on external relevance may lead to a relevance paradox in which education research becomes increasingly irrelevant while striving for relevance. Two issues are discussed in relation to this development. First, such a discourse on education research runs the risk of becoming undisciplined in the sense that it becomes detached from the shared disciplinary language, with little to no connection to fundamental education theory. Second, education research runs the risk of becoming uncritical. In closing the gap between practice/policy and research, education researchers jeopardise their critical distance and become subordinated to practitioners and policymakers in an unequal and uncritical relationship. Finally, we argue for a more dynamic and reflexive understanding of the relevance of education research, where the reflexive relationship between policy/practice and fundamental education theory research is understood as the thing that makes it possible for disciplinary discourse to thrive.

CryptoBench: Cryptic protein-ligand binding sites dataset and benchmark.

Structure-based methods for detecting protein-ligand binding sites play a crucial role in various domains, from fundamental research to biomedical applications. However, current prediction methodologies often rely on holo (ligand-bound) protein conformations for training and evaluation, overlooking the significance of the apo (ligand-free) states. This oversight is particularly problematic in the case of cryptic binding sites (CBSs) where holo-based assessment yields unrealistic performance expectations. To advance the development in this domain, we introduce CryptoBench, a benchmark dataset tailored for training and evaluating novel CBS prediction methodologies. CryptoBench is constructed upon a large collection of apo-holo protein pairs, grouped by UniProtID, clustered by sequence identity, and filtered to contain only structures with substantial structural change in the binding site. CryptoBench comprises 1,107 structures with predefined cross-validation splits, making it the most extensive CBS dataset to date. To establish a performance baseline, we measured the predictive power of sequence- and structure-based CBS residue prediction methods using the benchmark. We selected PocketMiner as the state-of-the-art representative of the structure-based methods for CBS detection, and P2Rank, a widely-used structure-based method for general binding site prediction that is not specifically tailored for cryptic sites. For sequence-based approaches, we trained a neural network to classify binding residues using protein language model embeddings. Our sequence-based approach outperformed PocketMiner and P2Rank across key metrics, including AUC, AUPRC, MCC, and F1 scores. These results provide baseline benchmark results for future CBS and potentially also non-CBS prediction endeavors, leveraging CryptoBench as the foundational platform for further advancements in the field. The CryptoBench dataset, including the benchmark model, is available on Open Science Framework - https://osf.io/pz4a9/. The code and tutorial are available at the GitHub repository - https://github.com/skrhakv/CryptoBench/. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Boosting Lipofection Efficiency Through Enhanced Membrane Fusion Mechanisms

Gene transfection is a fundamental technique in the fields of biological research and therapeutic innovation. Due to their biocompatibility and membrane-mimetic properties, lipid vectors serve as essential tools in transfection. The successful delivery of genetic material into the cytoplasm is contingent upon the fusion of the vector and cellular membranes, which enables hydrophilic polynucleic acids to traverse the hydrophobic barriers of two intervening membranes. This review examines the critical role of membrane fusion in lipofection efficiency, with a particular focus on the molecular mechanisms that govern lipoplex–membrane interactions. This analysis will examine the key challenges inherent to the fusion process, from achieving initial membrane proximity to facilitating final content release through membrane remodeling. In contrast to viral vectors, which utilize specialized fusion proteins, lipid vectors necessitate a strategic formulation and environmental optimization to enhance their fusogenicity. This review discusses recent advances in vector design and fusion-promoting strategies, emphasizing their potential to improve gene delivery yield. It highlights the importance of understanding lipoplex–membrane fusion mechanisms for developing next-generation delivery systems and emphasizes the need for continued fundamental research to advance lipid-mediated transfection technology.

Advances in Magnetic Nanomaterials and Nanostructures

Magnetic nanomaterials, in which non-bulk magnetic properties emerge because of their low dimension, are a class of materials with huge application potential in several areas, providing, at the same time, an exciting field of fundamental research [...]

How AI competencies can make B2B marketing smarter: strategies to boost customer lifetime value

There has been a rapid rise in utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in many different sectors in the last several years. However, business-to-business (B2B) marketing is one of the more notable examples. The initial assessments emphasize the significant advantages of AI in B2B marketing, including its knack for yielding unique understandings into consumer behaviors, recognizing crucial market trends, and improving operational efficiency. However, there seems to be a limited grasp of the optimal way to develop artificial intelligence competencies (AIC) for B2B marketing and how these attributes inevitably affect customer lifetime value (CLV). Equipped with AIC and B2B marketing literary fiction, this research unveils a theoretical research framework for evaluating the repercussions of AIC on B2B marketing capabilities and, subsequently, on CLV. We analyze the suggested research model using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), leveraging 367 survey replies from Pakistani companies. The outcomes show a significant relationship that describe the ability to leverage AIC to enhance CLV, and also signifies the mediating role of B2B marketing capabilities to enhance CLV by integrating AIC in internet marketing. The findings of this study provide practical implications for marketers to monetize their marketing skills to enhance CLV and researchers with theoretical underpinnings of integration of AIC into marketing.

Analytical Techniques in Molecular Simulation and Its Application in Energetic Materials.

Efficient design on the molecular and crystal levels is an urgent need to accelerate the development of energetic materials (EMs), and the performance analysis of microstructures is the most important thing in the research and design of EMs. Although molecular simulation methods are widely used in various research fields, there are few comprehensive reviews on analytical techniques. It is urgent to understand the basic principles of various analytical methods in the research of EMs. In this article, the characterization/analysis methods in quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics simulation technology are summarized, and their applications in the field of EMs are listed. At the molecular level, energy, composition, geometric structure, and electronic structure are all related to macroscopic properties, and most of them have been widely used as variables in numerical models to predict and compare the properties of EMs. In addition, this paper emphasizes that the correlation between theoretical calculation and confirmatory experiment needs to be further verified because the current experimental characterization can also be dealt with by molecular simulation, which is helpful to the popularization and application of theoretical research.

Quasi-Classical Models of Nonlinear Relaxation Polarization and Conductivity in Electric, Optoelectric, and Fiber Optic Elements Based on Materials with Ionic–Molecular Chemical Bonds

A generalized scientific review with elements of additions and clarifications has been carried out on the methods of theoretical research on the electrophysical properties of crystals with ionic–molecular chemical bonds (CIMBs). The main theoretical tools adopted are the methods of quasi-classical kinetic theory as applied to ionic subsystems relaxing in layered dielectrics (natural silicates, crystal hydrates, various types of ceramics, and perovskites) in an electric field. A universal (applicable for any CIMBs class crystals) nonlinear quasi-classical kinetic equation of theoretical and practical importance has been constructed. This equation describes, in complex with the Poisson equation, the mechanism of ion-relaxation polarization and conductivity in a wide range of polarizing field parameters (0.1–1000 MV/m) and temperatures (1–1550 K). The physical model is based on a system of non-interacting ions (due to the low concentration in the crystal) moving in a one-dimensional, spatially periodic crystalline potential field, perturbed by an external electric field. The energy spectrum of ions is assumed to be continuous. Elements of quantum mechanical theory in a quasi-classical model are used to mathematically describe the influence of tunnel transitions of hydrogen ions (protons) during the interaction of proton and anion subsystems in hydrogen-bonded crystals (HBC) on the polarization of the dielectric in the region of nitrogen (50–100 K) and helium (1–10 K) temperatures. The mathematical model is based on the solution of a system of nonlinear Fokker-Planck and Poisson equations, solved by perturbation theory methods (via expanding solutions into infinite power series in a small dimensionless parameter). Theoretical frequency and temperature spectra of the dielectric loss tangent were constructed and analyzed, the molecular parameters of relaxers were calculated, and the physical nature of the maxima of the experimental temperature spectra of dielectric losses for a number of HBC crystals was discovered. The low-temperature maximum, which is caused by the quantum tunneling of protons and is absent in the experimental spectra, was theoretically calculated and investigated. The most effective areas of scientific and technical application of the theoretical results obtained were identified. The application of the equations and recurrent formulas of the constructed model to the study of nonlinear optical effects in elements of laser technologies and nonlinear radio wave effects in elements of microwave signal control systems is of the greatest interest.

Stochastic Gradient Descent for Kernel-Based Maximum Correntropy Criterion

Maximum correntropy criterion (MCC) has been an important method in machine learning and signal processing communities since it was successfully applied in various non-Gaussian noise scenarios. In comparison with the classical least squares method (LS), which takes only the second-order moment of models into consideration and belongs to the convex optimization problem, MCC captures the high-order information of models that play crucial roles in robust learning, which is usually accompanied by solving the non-convexity optimization problems. As we know, the theoretical research on convex optimizations has made significant achievements, while theoretical understandings of non-convex optimization are still far from mature. Motivated by the popularity of the stochastic gradient descent (SGD) for solving nonconvex problems, this paper considers SGD applied to the kernel version of MCC, which has been shown to be robust to outliers and non-Gaussian data in nonlinear structure models. As the existing theoretical results for the SGD algorithm applied to the kernel MCC are not well established, we present the rigorous analysis for the convergence behaviors and provide explicit convergence rates under some standard conditions. Our work can fill the gap between optimization process and convergence during the iterations: the iterates need to converge to the global minimizer while the obtained estimator cannot ensure the global optimality in the learning process.

Preferred Chemical Agent for Electrochemical Modification of Physical and Mechanical Parameters of Mudstone

To study the influence of electrochemically modified mediums on the physical and mechanical parameters of mudstone samples, focusing on electrolyte solutions and electrode materials, this paper combines theoretical analysis and experimental research. It analyzes the modification mechanism of mudstone through electrochemical techniques, clarifying that the main factors improving the strength of mudstone are electro-osmotic drainage consolidation and electrochemical reaction cementation. The mudstone was electrochemically modified using the controlled variable method. The mudstone sample’s hydraulic properties and shear strength were measured before and after modification. The study compared and analyzed the effectiveness of different modified materials. The results indicated that the liquid limit of the modified mudstone samples decreased by 7.874%, while the plastic limit increased by 9.499%. The type of ions introduced by the electrolyte solution influenced the cementation strength of the mudstone. AlCl3 solutions with a 10% mass fraction and CaCl2 solutions with a 25% mass fraction both effectively modify the reinforcement; however, the AlCl3 solution with a 10% mass fraction is the most effective for modifying mudstone samples. The electrochemical modification of mudstone samples with the three electrode materials (graphite, iron and aluminum) revealed that the samples modified with graphite electrodes had the highest shear strength, while those modified with aluminum electrodes had the lowest shear strength. The internal friction angle of graphite electrode-modified mudstone specimens was 26.7°, compared to the original value of 23.9°, and the cohesion was 34.4 kPa, compared to the original value of 12.3 kPa, nearly three times the original value. It is recommended to use graphite electrodes and a 10% mass fraction of AlCl3 for the electrochemical modification of this type of mudstone in engineering applications.

Elastic conductivity of germanene nanoribbons with acceptor defects

This work is devoted to the theoretical researchers of the germanene nanoribbons piezoresistivity of various structural modifications (arm-chair and zig-zag) with the acceptor structural defects. Gallium atoms were chosen as impurities. A phenomenological expression for the band structure of nanoribbons deformed by tension and compression is proposed. The dependences of the longitudinal component of the elastic conductivity tensor on the relative deformation of tension and compression, the concentration of impurities and the width of the nanoribbon are analyzed.

The Collaborative Redesign of ‘Authentic’ Technology-Enhanced Learning: Analysis of a Change Laboratory Research-Intervention in Engineering Higher Education

This paper contributes to international debates about ‘authenticity’ in higher education, especially where this is embroiled in technology-oriented aspects of educational policy and practice. It describes activity theoretical research in a setting of engineering higher education, in industrial attachments taking place at distance, during which students and lecturers experience problems with technology-mediated interactions. Prior to the research-intervention that we describe in the paper, these interactions had been implemented through top-down policy, with work-related practices being conducted in the name of authenticity—a notion used in framing education as preparing students for economic work, in which digital technologies are increasingly embroiled. We describe an activity theoretical approach, and an online Change Laboratory methodology, through which students and lecturers envision and enact change to these practices. Their activity is thus reconfigured through their confrontation and renegotiation of authenticity. Our core contribution is to illustrate, through exposing and aggravating contradictions in technology-mediated activity, how practice in higher education can be considered authentic in and of itself, as distinct from solely having authenticity in preparing students for economic work.

Comparative analysis of meso-level strategies: region, industry, corporation

Objective: to identify the features of strategies of various entities at mesoeconomical level: territorial systems (regions), industries and large corporations (ecosystems) based on a comparative analysis of their structure, key elements and attributes. Methods: a structural approach to strategic documents at the macro-, meso- and microlevels, comparative analysis and synthesis, review of theoretical research and practice of strategy formation and implementation. Results: the article defines the features of strategy formation at the regional, industry and corporate levels. The author states that the key difference between regional and sectoral strategies is a long planning horizon, while corporate strategies are more often subject to adjustment. The article shows that the strategies of mesoeconomical level entities have a number ofsystemic problems related to their formation and implementation. It was found that due to the variability and turbulence of environmental conditions, the entities at meso-level are forced to constantly adjust their strategies, while corporate strategies, unlike regional and sectoral ones, are not limited by the top-level strategy. The author reveals the shortcomings of interaction and coordination (institutional vacuum) of strategies of macro-, meso- and micro-level entities in terms of coherence and coordination of actions in long-term planning. Scientific novelty: it consists in applying a structural approach to the analysis of strategies of meso-level entities, comparing them and identifying common features and differences in approaches to their formation and implementation. Practical significance: it consists in the developing applied methods for the formation and implementation of strategies and improving the effectiveness of strategic planning at the mesoeconomical level.

Trends in the Evolution of the European City

The article examines the relevant trends in the development of a modern European city using socio-cultural methodology and the systematic approach. The study demonstrates that the evolution of the European urban space is now taking place holistically, affecting the unity of the social, natural and individual dimensions of urban life. The proposed system of trends in the evolution of the European city is considered in the article as an interdependent triad of creativity, smart development and inclusivity and at the same time an actual standard in the ongoing theoretical discussions about the “good city” and their practical applications. The foundation of the movement towards the optimal functioning of the European city rests on the creatively formulated goals of urbanisation. It is revealed that without creativity, neither movement towards sustainable urban development nor the productive evolution of inclusive urban strategies is possible. It is established that at this stage of the formation of the information society in Europe, it is the expansion of the inclusiveness of urban living spaces that is the most difficult problem to solve, both because of its complexity and the lack of a consensual theoretical foundation for its vision. It is demonstrated that theoretical research of this kind is largely positively correlated with the strategies recorded in official EU documents, as well as the participation of supranational structures in financing urbanisation programmes. In the second quarter of the XXI century in order to optimise this problematic urban scenario it will be necessary to adopt and then implement some absolutely non-trivial strategies, the content of which is not yet completely obvious.

Dynamic event-triggered data-driven iterative learning consensus control for nonlinear MASs with unknown disturbance

This work tackles the consensus problem for nonlinear nonaffine multi-agent systems (MASs) with unknown disturbances using a data-driven iterative learning control (DDILC) scheme. The unknown model of the agent is first converted through dynamic linearisation into a equivalent data model, comprising a linear combination of an unknown dynamic parameter and an uncertain term. An adaptive algorithm is then formulated to estimate the unknown dynamic parameters accurately. The total uncertainty, which arises from the parameter estimation error and the uncertain term, is estimated by the extended state observer. The estimations are used by the controller to compensate for total uncertainty. Further, considering the resource limitations of communication and the constraints of the actual control input, a constrained iterative learning controller with a dynamic event-triggered mechanism is developed, which guarantees control performance and reduces the number of communications in MASs. It is proven that the tracking error asymptotically approaches a small bound around zero under the proposed DDILC framework. The simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the theoretical research.

Prospects for the development of the communication system and the equipment of special purpose with the regulation of the implementation of measures LTE

Further development of the communication system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is impossible without the recovery of advanced combat experience and the step-by-step implementation of current communication systems (complexes, equipment) for the highest task to face the Defense Forces of Ukraine. Therefore, the key is not only the selection of new information technologies and current standards in the field of communication, but also the investigation of their implementation in the minds of combatants (as close as possible to the combative ones) of action. Experience in carrying out tasks in the east of Ukraine, especially during offensive (counter-offensive) operations, clearly identifying the problems of securing communications in territories not prepared for communications, as well as in areas where telecommunications infrastructure is completely or partially destroyed. The purpose of this article is to outline the prospects for the development of the communication system and the equipment of special purpose with the understanding of not only theoretical research in radio communications, but also the results of practical research into the effectiveness of system-technical solution based by installed on the local radio station with mobile communication standards 3G and 4G. Based on the results of the research, conclusions and proposals were formed regarding the prospects for further development of the system, including the use of LTE in the communication system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The stated propositions are based on the results of the final experience of the assigned possession in the interests of the security of military units (subdivisions) in the Sumy region of Ukraine, as well as on the combat line the focus on the offensive (counter-offensive) actions of the Defense Forces of Ukraine in the east of our State. The presentation material of the article is relevant and necessary for training during the research, aimed at improving the forms and methods of combat stagnation of communication equipment (units), tying the decision to choose necessary communication equipment, as well as the formation of management decisions by military administration bodies to organize (secure) connections in future operations with the release of the immediate occupation of the territories of Ukraine.