Discrepancies In Values Research Articles

Correlation of retinal vascular characteristics with laboratory and ocular findings in Fabry disease: exploring ocular diagnostic biomarkers

BackgroundThe goal of this study was to evaluate macular microvascular changes in patients with Fabry disease (FD) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and to explore their correlation with laboratory and ocular findings.MethodsA total of 76 eyes (38 patients) and 48 eyes of 24 healthy controls were enrolled in this prospective study. Vessel Area Density (VAD) and Foveal Avascular Zone (FAZ) area were calculated on 2.9 × 2.9 mm OCTA images scanned with the Heidelberg Spectralis II (Heidelberg, Germany). VAD was measured in three layers: Superficial Vascular Plexus (SVP), Intermediate Capillary Plexus (ICP), and Deep Capillary Plexus (DCP). All scans were analyzed with the EA-Tool (Version 1.0), which was coded in MATLAB (The MathWorks Inc, R2017b). FAZ area was manually measured in full-thickness, SVP, ICP and DCP scans.ResultsAverage VAD in SVP, ICP and DCP was higher in Fabry disease patients than in controls (49.4 ± 11.0 vs. 26.5 ± 6.2, 29.6 ± 7.4 vs. 20.2 ± 4.4, 32.3 ± 8.8 vs. 21.7 ± 5.1 respectively, p < 0.001). Patients with cornea verticillata (CV) had a higher VAD in ICP and DCP compared to patients without CV (p < 0.01). Patients with increased lysoGb3 concentration had a higher VAD in DCP when compared to patients with normal lysoGb3 concentration (p < 0.04). There was no difference in VAD in patients with and without vascular tortuosity. However, a significantly higher VAD was observed in patients with vascular tortuosity compared to controls (p < 0.03).ConclusionsIncreased lysoGb3 and VAD in DCP could be reliable biomarkers of disease activity. Cornea verticillata could be adopted as a predictive biomarker for VAD changes and disease progression. The combination of cornea verticillata and increased VAD may serve as a diagnostic biomarker for Fabry disease, however due to the discrepancies in VAD values in various studies, further research has to be done to address this claim.

Asian American child-parent cultural value discrepancies, family conflict, life satisfaction, and self-esteem.

We examined Asian American college students' adherence to traditional values that are salient in Asian cultures, the students' perceptions of their mother's and father's adherence to the same values, and the discrepancies between the students and their mothers and fathers on the levels of adherence to these values. Based on the data from 301 participants who self-identified as Asian Americans, paired-samples t tests revealed that the child-parent cultural value discrepancies were present across all generational statuses of the participants with the children adhering less strongly to most of the value dimensions than their parents. The results based on correlational analyses showed that many types of value discrepancies were positively associated with the likelihood and seriousness of conflict. Several types of value discrepancies also were inversely associated with the participants' life satisfaction and self-esteem. In addition, the results from the PROCESS Macro for mediation analysis revealed significant mediation role of family conflict on the relationships between various types of value discrepancies and life satisfaction. The significant mediators were the likelihood and seriousness of family conflict and the family conflict about education and career decisions, and the value discrepancies centered on the values of conformity to norms, family recognition through achievement, and humility. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Discrepancies in the occlusal devices designed by an experienced dental laboratory technician and by 2 artificial intelligence-based automatic programs

Artificial intelligence (AI) models have been developed for different applications, including the automatic design of occlusal devices; however, the design discrepancies of an experienced dental laboratory technician and these AI automatic programs remain unknown. The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the overall, intaglio, and occlusal surface discrepancies of the occlusal device designs completed by an experienced dental laboratory technician and two AI automatic design programs. Virtually articulated maxillary and mandibular diagnostic casts were obtained in a standard tessellation language (STL) file format. Three groups were created depending on the operator or program used to design the occlusal devices: an experienced dental laboratory technician (control group) and two AI programs, namely Medit Splints from Medit (Medit group) and Automate from 3Shape A/S (3Shape group) (n=10). To minimize the discrepancies in the parameter designs among the groups tested, the same printing material and design parameters were selected. In the control group, the dental laboratory technician imported the articulated scans into a dental design program (DentalCAD) and designed a maxillary occlusal device. The occlusal device designs were exported in STL format. In the Medit and 3Shape groups, the diagnostic casts were imported into the respective AI programs. The AI programs automatically designed the occlusal device without any further operator intervention. The occlusal device designs were exported in STL format. Among the 10 occlusal designs of the control group, a random design (shuffle deck of cards) was used as a reference file to calculate the overall, intaglio, and occlusal discrepancies in the specimens of the AI groups by using a program (Medit Design). The root mean square (RMS) error was calculated. Kruskal-Wallis, and post hoc Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner pairwise comparison tests were used to analyze the trueness of the data. The Levene test was used to assess the precision data (α=.05). Significant overall (P<.001), intaglio (P<.001), and occlusal RMS median value (P<.001) discrepancies were found among the groups. Significant overall RMS median discrepancies were observed between the control and the Medit groups (P<.001) and the control and 3Shape groups (P<.001). Additionally, significant intaglio RMS median discrepancies were found between the control and the Medit groups (P<.001), the Medit and 3Shape groups (P<.001), and the control and 3Shape groups (P=.008). Lastly, significant occlusal RMS median discrepancies were found between the control and the 3Shape groups (P<.001) and the Medit and 3Shape groups (P<.001). The AI-based software programs tested were able to automatically design occlusal devices with less than a 100-µm trueness discrepancy compared with the dental laboratory technician. The Levene test revealed significant overall (P<.001), intaglio (P<.001), and occlusal (P<.001) precision among the groups tested. The use of a dental laboratory technique influenced the overall, intaglio, and occlusal trueness of the occlusal device designs obtained. No differences were observed in the precision of occlusal device designs acquired among the groups tested.

Effects of Mate Value and Mate Value Discrepancy on Perceived Marital Quality: A Dyadic Approach

The main aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mate value assessment and mate value discrepancy on perceived marital quality, using an assessment of personal and partner mate value obtained by both partners. The sample included 442 heterosexual couples that have lived together for at least a year. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) was used to investigate the effects of personal and partner mate value assessment on the evaluation of marital quality. In addition, two interaction effects were added to the model to examine the effect of mate value discrepancy on perceived marital quality. The APIM model showed significant actor and partner effects of the partner's mate value assessment on the evaluation of both husbands' and wives' marital quality. The model also showed a significant effect of personal mate value assessed by wives on husbands' marital quality assessment. However, the current evidence does not confirm the assumption of a possible combination of partners' mate value promoting marital quality above and beyond the contribution of both partners' mate value.

Exploration of AI-Assisted On-Board Perfusion Imaging Technique on Patients Undergoing Thoraxradiotherapy

Pulmonary function of lung cancer patients can significantly change along the radiation therapy (RT) course. Scholars have synthesized lung function maps from computed tomography (CT) images. Still, there is lack of study exploring the feasibility of generating lung perfusion information from cone-beam CT (CBCT). Our study aims to fill up this gap in the body of literatures. One-hundred-and-six pairs of planning CT and CBCT images of thoracic cancer patients from XX hospital were collected retrospectively. All CT images were registered to CBCT with a deformable algorithm, and referred as deformed planning CT (dCT). A 2D convolutional neural network (CNN) model built with cycle generative adversarial network (cycle-GAN) was trained to correct CBCT image artifacts and HU value discrepancies. The corrected CBCT was named enhanced CBCT (eCBCT) in this study. All CBCT, eCBCT and dCT images were then input to a pre-trained CT-to-perfusion deep learning (DL) model to synthesize perfusion images (PI), namely PICBCT, PIeCBCT and PIdCT respectively. For model training, 80 image pairs were assigned to the training set while others to the testing set. dCT and PIdCT were respectively regarded as the ground truth in two consecutive models. One extra validation case acquired with SPECT perfusion scan was collected for model performance test. Quantitative evaluation was done between the ground truth and the synthesized images. Peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and mean absolute error (MAE) were computed to assess efficacy of CBCT enhancement. Correlation (R) and Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) were used to evaluate voxel-wise and function-wise concurrence in CBCT-derived perfusion mapping. In CBCT enhancement, [eCBCT-dCT] pairs demonstrated higher agreement than [CBCT-dCT] pairs. Quantitatively, PSNR and MAE were improved from 21.10±1.60 to 24.08±1.76, and 68.99±13.51 to 47.06±11.31 (p<0.01), respectively. For perfusion translation, higher correlation was demonstrated in both voxel-wise and function-wise evaluation within [PIeCBCT-PIdCT] than [PICBCT-PIdCT]. R correlation increased from 0.84±0.09 to 0.89±0.06 (p<0.01), whereas DSC in high-functional regions increased from 0.77±0.06 to 0.82±0.05 (p<0.01). In the validation case, strong correlation was observed between SPECT perfusion scan and PIeCBCT, with R increasing from 0.57 to 0.65 when compared to PICBCT. We proposed a novel DL framework that synthesized perfusion images from fractionally acquired CBCT. Our framework met the clinical needs in providing real-time lung perfusion maps. It can be used to track the continuously changing pulmonary function status throughout the RT course using routinely scanned CBCT, without additional imaging modalities. The framework can facilitate functionally guided adaptive radiation therapy by providing immediate pulmonary function information.

Cavitation Observation and Noise Characteristics in Rectangular Throttling Groove Spool

A hydraulic cavitation platform was developed in order to examine the occurrence of cavitation in the rectangular throttling groove spool and its correlation with noise characteristics. The test valve is constructed using PMMA material, which possesses excellent transparency. This transparency enables direct visual examination of cavitation occurring at the throttle slot. Additionally, high-speed photography is employed to observe the flow characteristics of the valve port, facilitating the analysis of cavitation morphology changes. Furthermore, a noise meter is utilized to measure and record the noise level and its corresponding spectrum. The flow field and flow phenomena at the rectangular throttling groove spool were studied using high-speed photography, noise spectrum analysis, and other methods. It is discovered that back pressure has the greatest influence on cavitation and flow separation, followed by the influence of intake pressure on cavitation morphology and noise. As the back pressure lowers, the cavitation morphology changes from flaky to cloudy, and the cavitation intensity, distribution area, and noise level increase. Background noise and cavitation noise have distinct frequency differences; cavitation noise in the rectangular throttling groove spool is high-frequency noise, with a frequency of more than 8 kHz, and the higher the frequency, the greater the difference in noise value. The magnitude of the alterations in noise intensity is minimal. The noise values exhibit slight variations of 2.3 dB, 4 dB, and 4.3 dB under varying back pressure circumstances of 3 MPa, 4 MPa, and 5 MPa inlet pressure, respectively. It is recommended to use the frequency of cavitation noise to detect the cavitation state and monitor the cavitation process. In the low-frequency region, the cavitation noise in the rectangular throttle groove valve core is not significantly different. Once the center frequency surpasses 3.15 kHz, a discernible distinction emerges, with the magnitude of the discrepancy in noise value increasing as the frequency rises. In other words, the cavitation cloud does not pulsate at one single frequency, but rather in a range of relatively high frequencies (more than 3.15 kHz).

PROBABILISTIC COUNTERFACTUAL CAUSAL MODEL FOR A SINGLE INPUT VARIABLE IN EXPLAINABILITY TASK

The subject of research in this article is the process of constructing explanations in intelligent systems represented as black boxes. The aim is to develop a counterfactual causal model between the values of an input variable and the output of an artificial intelligence system, considering possible alternatives for different input variable values, as well as the probabilities of these alternatives. The goal is to explain the actual outcome of the system's operation to the user, along with potential changes in this outcome according to the user's requirements based on changes in the input variable value. The intelligent system is considered as a "black box." Therefore, this causal relationship is formed using possibility theory, which allows accounting for the uncertainty arising due to the incompleteness of information about changes in the states of the intelligent system in the decision-making process. The tasks involve: structuring the properties of a counterfactual explanation in the form of a causal dependency; formulating the task of building a potential counterfactual causal model for explanation; developing a possible counterfactual causal model. The employed approaches include: the set-theoretic approach, used to describe the components of the explanation construction process in intelligent systems; the logical approach, providing the representation of causal dependencies between input data and the system's decision. The following results were obtained. The structuring of counterfactual causal dependency was executed. A comprehensive task of constructing a counterfactual causal dependency was formulated as a set of subtasks aimed at establishing connections between causes and consequences based on minimizing discrepancies in input data values and deviations in the decisions of the intelligent system under conditions of incomplete information regarding the functioning process of the system. A potential counterfactual causal model for a single input variable was developed. Conclusions. The scientific novelty of the obtained results lies in the proposal of a potential counterfactual causal model for a single input variable. This model defines a set of alternative connections between the values of the input variable and the obtained result based on estimates of the possibility and necessity of using these variables to obtain a decision from the intelligent system. The model enables the formation of a set of dependencies that explain to the user the importance of input data values for achieving an acceptable decision for the user.

Oral health-related quality of life in patients aged 8 to 19 years with cleft lip and palate: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundCleft lip and palate (CLP) is the most common facial birth defect worldwide and causes morphological, aesthetic, and functional problems with psychosocial implications for an individual’s life and well-being. The present systematic review and meta-analysis assessed whether the treatment of CLP impacts the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children and adolescents in comparison to healthy controls.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases using terms related to CLP, and included articles until August 2023. Observational comparison studies that assessed OHRQoL in non-syndromic CLP patients aged 8–19 years with validated scales designed to such aim or scales capable to identify aspects related to oral health compared to healthy controls were included. We used the ROBINS-I tool for risk of bias assessment. A meta-analysis of continuous variables was performed using inverse variance for pooling estimates, Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) as a summary measure, with random effects model. Heterogeneity was estimated by the I2 statistics. Sensitivity analyses included subgrouping based on the scale, risk of bias and scale domains. Meta-regression was performed under a mixed-effects model considering the variables type of scale, scale domains and risk of bias.ResultsFourteen studies were included comprising 1,185 patients with CLP and 1,558 healthy controls. The direction of the effect of OHRQoL favoured the healthy group (-0.92; 95% CI:-1,55;-0,10) and I2 = 95%. After removing three studies, I2 dropped to 80%. Meta-regression showed no influence on risk of bias (p = 0.2240) but influence of scale type (p = 0.0375) and scale domains (p < 0.001). The subgroup analysis indicated that the CPQ and COHIP scales presented very discrepant SMD values, despite pointing to the same effect direction. In contrast, the OHIP scale showed a non-significant difference between cases and controls, with estimates much lower than the other two scales. Results also suggest that OHRQoL associated with oral functionality and social well-being is more influential on outcomes than emotional well-being.ConclusionThe global OHRQoL is slightly worst in the CLP patients than control group. The difference between OHRQoL was mainly detected through OHIP. The most affected domains are functional, emotional and social.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42022336956.

Experimental study on characteristics of liquid dynamics in a cylindrical water tank under harmonic excitation

AbstractAs the offshore engineering industry continued to develop, issues such as damage to storage structures due to liquid shaking became increasingly prevalent. This paper explored the dynamic response of liquid within a rigid cylindrical water tank subjected to harmonic excitation through vibration table tests, analyses, and numerical simulations. Using the Laplace equation and the Bessel function of the first kind, the analytical formula of liquid dynamic response was derived. A numerical model was established by ANSYS software to verify the accuracy of the analytical solution. At the same time, the response characteristics of hydrodynamic pressure and liquid level wave height were studied by vibration table tests. In this experiment, a rigid cylindrical water tank with varying depths of liquid was subjected to harmonic excitations utilizing a vibration table. In most cases, the experimental results agreed well with the analytical formula. However, under conditions of relatively severe liquid sloshing, there was a discrepancy in peak values between the experiment and the analytical formula. The experimental data indicated that both the hydrodynamic pressure and liquid level wave height increase with an increase in harmonic excitation frequency and amplitude.

Effect of print orientation, storage conditions, and storage time on intaglio surface accuracy of implant surgical guides fabricated by using a stereolithography technology

The accuracy of printed implant surgical guides can be affected by different factors that negatively impact the planned implant position. How print orientation, storage time, and conditions influence manufacturing accuracy remains uncertain. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of print orientation, storage conditions, and storage time on the intaglio surface accuracy of implant surgical guides manufactured by using a stereolithography (SLA) printer. A tooth-supported maxillary implant surgical guide design (control file) was used to fabricate the specimens (N=40, n=10). Four groups were created based on the print orientation used: 0 (Group 0), 45 (Group 45), 70 (Group 70), and 90 degrees (Group 90). The specimens were fabricated using an SLA printer (Form 3B+) and a biocompatible dental resin (Surgical Guide Resin V1) following the manufacturer's recommended protocol. Each group was divided into 2 subgroups based on the storage conditions: light (L subgroup) and dark (D subgroup) settings. Each specimen was digitized by using a desktop scanner (Medit T710) at days 0, 1, 7, and 14. The control file and each digitized specimen were superimposed by using the best-fit technique with a metrology program (Geomagic Control X). The root mean square (RMS) error was used to calculate the discrepancies between the control files and specimen files. Three-way ANOVA and pairwise comparison Tukey tests were used to analyze trueness. The Levene test was used to assess precision (α=.05). Significant trueness discrepancies were found among the groups tested (P<.001), but no significant differences were found among the subgroups (P=.100) and the storage times analyzed (P=.609). Additionally, the Tukey test showed significant RMS error mean value discrepancies between Group 0 and Group 45 (P<.001), Group 0 and Group 90 (P<.001), Group 45 and Group 70 (P<.001), and Group 70 and Group 90 (P<.001). The Levene test revealed significant SD discrepancies among the groups tested (P<.05). The trueness and precision of the intaglio surface of the implant surgical guides manufactured by using the printer and material tested were affected by the print orientation. However, storage conditions over a 14-day period did not impact the intaglio accuracy of the specimens.

Hiperrealitas dalam Media Sosial

&#x0D; This study reviews the phenomenon of hyperreality which has now become part of people's lifestyles, especially social media users, namely the phenomenon of makan cantik. This study uses a qualitative method to view and describe the process of makan cantik on social media among female students of the 2019 Communication Science Study Program, Singaperbangsa Karawang University as a hyperreality phenomenon. This study aims to determine whether there is a value discrepancy between what is uploaded on social media, and what actually is. Makan cantik is a simulation activity to show a certain image through social media which is considered to represent an upper-class lifestyle. Makan cantik often try to display only the best sides of food uploaded on social media which can not only increase the attractiveness of food and public interest in the food, but also show a classy lifestyle side. Where in the makan cantik activities that are uploaded on social media, there are conditions that turn out to be different from the reality. Where they will create video or photo content that shows the side of pleasure to the quality of the food that is uploaded. Therefore, currently social media no longer always displays reality so that the phenomenon of hyperreality is created.&#x0D; Keywords: hyperreality, beautiful eating, social media

Landsat-7 ETM+, Landsat-8 OLI, and Sentinel-2 MSI Surface Reflectance Cross-Comparison and Harmonization over the Mediterranean Basin Area

In the Mediterranean area, vegetation dynamics and phenology analysed over a long time can have an important role in highlighting changes in land use and cover as well as the effect of climate change. Over the last 30 years, remote sensing has played an essential role in bringing about these changes thanks to many types of observations and techniques. Satellite images are to be considered an important tool to grasp these dynamics and evaluate them in an inexpensive and multidisciplinary way thanks to Landsat and Sentinel satellite constellations. The integration of these tools holds a dual potential: on the one hand, allowing us to obtain a longer historical series of reflectance data, while on the other hand making data available with a higher frequency even within a specific timeframe. The study aims to conduct a comprehensive cross-comparison analysis of long-time-series pixel values in the Mediterranean regions. For this scope comparisons between Landsat-7 (ETM+), Landsat-8 (OLI), and Sentinel-2 (MSI) satellite sensors were conducted based on surface reflectance products. We evaluated these differences using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Major Axis linear regression (RMA) analysis on points extracted from over 15,000 images across the Mediterranean basin area from 2017 to 2020. Minor but consistent differences were noted, necessitating the formulation of suitable adjustment equations to better align Sentinel-2 reflectance values with those of Landsat-7 or Landsat-8. The results of the analysis are compared with the most-used harmonization coefficients proposed in the literature, revealing significant differences. The root-mean-square deviation, the mean difference and the orthogonal distance regression (ODR) slope show an improvement of the parameters for both models used (OLS and RMA) in this study. The discrepancies in reflectance values leads to corresponding variations in the estimation of biophysical parameters, such as NDVI, showing an increase in the ODR slope of 0.3. Despite differences in spatial, spectral, and temporal characteristics, we demonstrate that integration of these datasets is feasible through the application of band-wise regression corrections for a sensitive and heterogeneous area like those of the Mediterranean basin area.

Interference of red cell parameters by an endogenous substance: An interesting case report

A 6-month-old infant was brought to the hospital with fever, vomiting, loose stools, and abdominal distension. The venous blood sample was sent to the hematology laboratory for complete blood count (CBC). Analysis of the sample on the automated hematology analyzer showed a discrepancy in red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit values. Examination of the blood sample revealed a cherry red color appearance. On centrifugation, the plasma was lactescent. This finding provided an essential clue to the patient’s diagnosis of severe hypertriglyceridemia. Turbidity of lactescent plasma interferes with CBC. Analytical errors in the CBC using an automated hematology analyzer caused by lactescent plasma and methods to resolve the false values will be discussed in this case report.

Sentiment analysis and prediction model based on Chinese government affairs microblogs

Existing sentiment analysis research on Chinese government affairs microblogs primarily focuses on the task of sentiment classification on microblogs. There has been a lack of investigation into the correlation of each government affairs microblog with the sentiment values of the corresponding comments below it. This study constructs a large-scale government affairs microblog dataset and explore the correlation of each microblog with the sentiment values of the corresponding comments below it. We proposed a new framework that includes data collection, sentiment analysis and sentiment prediction model training. This sentiment analysis framework is crucial in the government's understanding of the public's real-time sentiments toward policies. It also helps monitor the Internet public sentiment and actively guide the Internet public opinion. We first analyzed the sentiment distribution of government affairs microblogs and the sentiment values on meaningful words. We also discussed the discrepancy in text similarity and sentiment values between microblogs. Furthermore, we investigated the extreme emotional content and discussed the factors influencing the sentiment values of comments. Finally, we designed a collaborative attention regression model to predict the sentiments of microblogs. The sentiment prediction model performed well in the sentiment prediction regression task. The sentiment analysis and the prediction framework for government affairs microblogs in this study can be used as a reference for government-related Internet opinion monitoring.

A multipolar world and a dispute about value priorities. Review of the XXI International Likhachev Scientific Readings

In this article, readers are presented with an analysis of some of the problems that became the center of discussion at the XXI International Likhachev Scientific Readings held in May 2023 at the St. Petersburg Humanitarian University of Trade Unions. The readings were held under the general title "Dialogues and conflicts of cultures in a changing world", combining the traditional theme of dialogue with the problems of conflict that have arisen in recent years. This review focuses on two significant issues, one of which determined the course of the plenary discussion, and the other became the main one for the breakout session devoted to the values and trends of the modern world. The main issue of the plenary session was the consideration of the conflict between the unipolar and multipolar world. Both domestic and foreign participants actively spoke out on this issue. The speakers who spoke at the Readings adhered to the idea of prioritizing the values of a multipolar world, pointing to the undemocratic nature of unipolarity. Analyzing this aspect of the discussion, the author of the review notes that in modern society the same value attitudes develop to the limits where they lead to opposite conclusions. The idea of unipolarity implies the uniqueness of the democratic model. From the idea of multipolarity, there are many different development scenarios, which looks like a more democratic position. It can be concluded that the value attitude coincides, but the basis of the ideological conflict is a political conflict. Nevertheless, the final value discrepancy is very acute. The philosophical and cultural section of the conference was devoted to this. Noting the sharpness of the criticism expressed by the speakers to the "new ethics" and the "culture of cancellation", the author of the review points out that in this criticism there is a desire to "cancel" the criticized, which again unites both positions, but does not provide grounds for a constructive dialogue. To overcome the contradiction, a rational analysis of the ideological and historical foundations, as well as the dynamics of the development of opposing value positions, is necessary.

Evaluating the traffic safety performance of left-turn waiting areas at signalized intersections

Left-turn waiting area (LWA) is an innovative traffic design that is popularly applied to improve the traffic capacity of signalized intersections in China. The traffic safety impacts of the LWA, however, have not been fully discussed in previous studies. Thus, the study aims to evaluate the safety performance of the LWA by means of the traffic conflict technique. A field investigation was conducted to collect the post-encroachment time (PET) of conflicts and relevant variables at the signalized intersections in Jinhua, China. The Chi-square and two sample t-tests were adopted to examine the difference in conflict distribution between the intersections with and without LWA. The random parameter ordered logit model was employed to identify the factors contributing to the risks of vehicular collisions. Results indicate that (1) intersections with LWA are generally associated with more merging conflicts; (2) there are no significant discrepancies in the PET values between intersections with and without LWA; and (3) factors such as the number of left-turn lanes, number of receiving lanes, conflict type, vehicle type, driving direction, stopping outside LWA and overtaking behavior are identified to significantly impact the traffic conflicts. The findings serve to develop the countermeasures to ensure the safe operation of LWA.

RNA polymerase is a unique Maxwell’s demon that converts its transcribing genetic information to free energy for its movement

RNA polymerase (RNAP) catalyzes RNA synthesis from template DNA via translocation on the DNA. The experimental value of the free energy change required for RNAP translocation exhibits an unexplainable discrepancy. To address this, we propose a transcription system model based on information thermodynamics. The state function of RNAP was defined from its position on the template DNA (m), its migration direction (d), and the deoxyribonucleotide (dNTP) that it transcribes (N). Based on the state function, the free energy change in the RNAP translocation was defined as the sum of ΔGd in the movement fluctuation or the mutual entropy term kBTlogP(N) from the appearance probability P(N) of N to be transcribed by RNAP. In conclusion, a discrepancy in free energy change values is due to either ΔGd or kBTlogP(N) involvement. The discrepancy highlights that RNAP is a unique information-work converter or Maxwell’s demon that can feed back the obtained dNTP-type information into its self-movement along the DNA.

When couples fight about money, what do they fight about?

Conflicts about money and finances can be destructive for both the quality and longevity of relationships. This paper reports on a descriptive analysis of the contents of financial conflicts in two samples. Study 1 examined severe financial conflicts in social media posts (N = 1014) from reddit (r/relationships). Eight themes were identified via thematic analysis: "unfair relative contributions" "who pays for joint expenses", "job and income", "exceptional expenses", "terms of financial arrangements", "discrepant financial values", "one-sided financial decisions", and "perceived irresponsibility". Study 2 examined reports of more mundane financial disagreements recalled by married individuals (N = 481). Seven themes were identified via thematic analysis: "relative contributions", "job and income", "different values", "exceptional expenses", "mundane expenses", "money management", and "perceived irresponsibility". In both samples, themes could be ordered along the dimensions of "concerns about fairness" and "concerns about responsibility". The association of relationship outcomes (perceived partner responsiveness, couple satisfaction) with each theme and demographic predictors (income, relationship length, shared finances) were explored. Independent t-tests suggested that participants who recalled disagreements fitting the themes at the extreme ends of the two dimensions ("unfair relative contributions" and "perceived irresponsibility") reported worse relationship outcomes. In contrast, participants recalling disagreements fitting the theme of "mundane expenses" reported better relationship outcomes.

Verification and validation of the open-source plasma fluid code: Zapdos

Zapdos is an open-source finite element plasma fluid solver based on the MOOSE multiphysics framework. This paper outlines Zapdos verification, benchmarking, and validation efforts for 1D and 2D RF capacitively-coupled plasma discharge models for mid-range pressures (0.1 - 1 Torr). The verification process involved using the method of manufactured solutions to assess Zapdos spatial and temporal error convergence. L2 errors ranged from 10−2 to 10−4, while the convergence's slope were in agreement with the predicted slopes for the tested variable and time integration orders. The benchmarking process involved comparisons to previously results from the validated finite element code, LSODI [1–3]. These works included 1D and 2D simulations for a range of plasma parameters (densities, temperatures, voltage, etc.). For the 1D cases, Zapdos and LSODI results were in very good agreement. In the 2D cases, variable behaviors matched, with slight discrepancies in peak values. The validation process involved comparisons to experimental works including electron density measurements by microwave interferometry [4] and metastable density measurements by planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging [5]. Results shown reasonable agreement at higher pressure, with results starting to diverge at low pressures. Probable causes for this diverges are the limitation of the fluid assumption for plasmas at low pressure, or the need for more robust boundary conditions. Overall, Zapdos shown reasonable results for the verification, benchmarking, and validation efforts, and Zapdos can be downloaded at https://github.com/shannon-lab/zapdos. Program summaryProgram Title: ZapdosCPC Library link to program files:https://doi.org/10.17632/j76jr9m66p.1Developer's repository link:https://github.com/shannon-lab/zapdosLicensing provisions: LGPL-2.1Programming language: C++, PythonSupplementary material:shannon-lab.github.io/zapdosNature of problem: For the plasma computational community, multiphysics packages are needed for the highly couple physics seen in plasma problems (e.g. chemistry, fluid flow, heat transfer, electromagnetic, etc.). One limiting factor for these types of computational research is the high cost to purchase the licenses needed for established multiphysics packages, such as COMSOL. An additional problem that can arise is the limited ability to add new physics to these existing frameworks, in such a way that new physics can be easily coupled to current models. For any new software that wants to tackle these problems, the question of verification and validation for these codes needs to be addressed.Solution method: Zapdos is an open-source finite element plasma fluid solver based on the MOOSE multiphysics framework. MOOSE (Multiphysics Object Oriented Simulation Environment) solves highly nonlinear, tightly coupled sets of partial differential equations (PDEs) and houses multiple physics applications that can be easily coupled together. Zapdos, along with the MOOSE ecosystem, is all free, open-source, and completing customizable with no black box components. Zapdos has gone through verification and validation for applications common in the plasma computational community.Additional comments including restrictions and unusual features: Zapdos, along with MOOSE and other MOOSE applications, require an Unix based operating system.

Measurement science meets the reproducibility challenge

Measurement science is particularly well equipped not only to meet reproducibility challenges arising within the field of metrology, but also to suggest strategies and best practices for how such challenges can be met in other fields. This contribution illustrates three such challenges, in three different fields, and proposes ways to address them that can supplement the only way in which reproducibility challenges in science can be resolved definitively: by validated scientific advances that point toward the truth. The first example concerns a large interlaboratory, international comparison of the measurement of the mass fraction of silica in a granite reference material, using classical methods of wet analytical chemistry, carried out in the 1940s. The results delivered a shock to analysts worldwide about the state of the art at the time. The challenge was magnified by the fact that none of the measured values was qualified with an evaluation of measurement uncertainty. We offer an approach developed by Andrew Rukhin from NIST, for how to compute a meaningful consensus value in such case, and explain how the associated uncertainty can be characterized. The second example is about the currently hot topic of the Hubble tension, which refers to the mutual inconsistency of the measurement results, obtained by different methods, for the Hubble-Lemaître constant, which expresses the rate of expansion of the Universe. We suggest that such tension can be quantified in terms of the dark uncertainty that figures as a parameter in a laboratory random effects model, thus providing an objective metric whereby progress toward resolving such tension can be gauged. The third example discusses two sources of lack of reproducibility: on the one hand, the fact that different laboratories produced strikingly discrepant values for the mass fraction of arsenic in kudzu; on the other hand, that different models can be fitted to these data, each producing its own set of results. Here we use a Bayesian model selection criterion to choose one from among four models that are natural candidates to address this double reproducibility challenge. This third example also affords us the opportunity to deflate two widespread myths: that one needs at least four observations to obtain a Bayesian evaluation of standard uncertainty, and that sample standard deviations of small samples are systematically too small.