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Premature life exposure, meaning an immature central nervous system, presents a significant challenge for the development of postural control and, in turn, overall motor development. Preventing motor delay thus requires identifying, characterizing, and quantifying deficit in postural control as early as possible. In our study, we reviewed the procedures used in past studies to assess postural control among individuals born preterm, specifically the characterization of participants, the instruments and motor tasks involved, the types of data collected and analyzed, and the outcomes. To that end, we performed a literature search on PubMed, Wiley Online Library, Web of Science, and Scopus using Boolean logic and assessed the quality of the studies with a standardized assessment based on the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Of 35 potential studies, 24 were included; all evaluated infants born preterm, but six did not include a control group of full-term infants. Although the heterogeneity of measurements, variability of instruments, and divergence in motor tasks examined limit definitive conclusions based on quantitative synthesis and the generalization of the results, most studies revealed dysfunctional postural control among individuals born preterm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate how well an implant stability quotient (ISQ) represents resonance frequency. Materials and Methods: Benchtop experiments on standardized samples that replicated a mandibular premolar site were conducted to correlate an ISQ value and a resonance frequency to synthetic bone density and an incremental insertion torque; then, a frequency spectrum analysis was performed to check the validity of the resonance frequency analysis (RFA). Brånemark Mk III implants (4 × 11.5 mm; Nobel Biocare) were placed in Sawbones test models of five different densities (40, 30, 40/20, 20, and 15 PCF). An incremental insertion torque was recorded during implant placement. To perform stability measurements, the test models were partially clamped in a vise (unclamped volume: 10 × 20 × 34 mm). A MulTipeg (Integration Diagnostics) was attached to the implants, and a Penguin (Integration Diagnostics) RFA measured ISQ. Simultaneously, the MulTipeg motion was monitored via a laser Doppler vibrometer and processed by a spectrum analyzer to obtain the resonance frequency. Tightness of the clamp was adjusted to vary the resonance frequency. A statistical analysis produced a linear correlation coefficient (R) among the measured ISQ, resonance frequency, and incremental insertion torque. Results: The resonance frequency had high correlation to the incremental insertion torque (R = 0.978), confirming the validity of using RFA for this study. Measured ISQ data were scattered and had low correlation to the resonance frequency (R = 0.214) and the incremental insertion torque (R = 0.386). The spectrum analysis revealed the simultaneous presence of multiple resonance frequencies. Conclusions: For the designed benchtop tests, resonance frequency does indicate implant stability in view of Sawbones density and incremental insertion torque. However, ISQ measurements do not correlate to the resonance frequency and may not reflect the stability when multiple resonance frequencies are present simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease that causes balance deficits, even in early stages. Evidence suggests that people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) rely more on vision to maintain balance, and challenging balance with optical flow perturbations may be a practical screening for balance deficits. Whether these perturbations affect standing balance in PwMS is unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine how optical flow perturbations affect standing balance in PwMS. We hypothesized that perturbations would cause higher variability in PwMS compared with matched controls during standing and that standing balance would be more susceptible to anterior–posterior (A–P) perturbations than medial–lateral (M–L) perturbations. Thirteen PwMS and 13 controls stood under 3 conditions: unperturbed, M–L perturbation, and A–P perturbations. A–P perturbations caused significantly higher A–P trunk sway variability in PwMS than controls, although both groups had similar center-of-pressure variability. Both perturbations increased variability in A–P trunk sway and center of pressure. Trunk variability data supported the hypothesis that PwMS were more susceptible to optical flow perturbations than controls. However, the hypothesis that A–P perturbations would affect balance more than M–L perturbations was partially supported. These results suggest potential for optical flow perturbations to identify balance deficits in PwMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite being one of the oldest data structures in computer science, hash tables continue to be the focus of a great deal of both theoretical and empirical research. A central reason for this is that many of the fundamental properties that one desires from a hash table are difficult to achieve simultaneously; thus many variants offering different trade-offs have been proposed. This article introduces Iceberg hashing, a hash table that simultaneously offers the strongest known guarantees on a large number of core properties. Iceberg hashing supports constant-time operationswhile improving on the state of the art for space efficiency, cache efficiency, and low failure probability. Iceberg hashing is also the first hash table to support a load factor of up to 1-o(1) while being stable, meaning that the positionwhere an element is stored only ever changes when resizes occur. In fact, in the setting where keys are T(logn) bits, the space guarantees that Iceberg hashing offers, namely that it uses at most log x |U | n x +O(n log logn) bits to store n items froma universeU, matches a lower bound by Demaine et al. that applies to any stable hash table. Iceberg hashing introduces new general-purpose techniques for some of the most basic aspects of hashtable design. Notably, our indirection-free technique for dynamic resizing, which we call waterfall addressing, and our techniques for achieving stability and very-high probability guarantees, can be applied to any hash table that makes use of the front-yard/backyard paradigm for hash table design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Department stores invest in loyalty strategies that largely focus on retaining current high value customers in response to increasing competition in retail shopping. In this study, we examine the contribution of the top 20% customers for transaction frequency and value ("heavy buyers") to the total sales, and the consistency of this contribution across departments within a store. We also investigate the heavy buyer stability over time across 3 years, from over 550 million transactions from a department store chain in East Asia. The results show that the Pareto ratio of the top 20% spenders account for 71% of revenue (and 52% of the total transactions), and the top 20% transactors represent 58% of revenue (and 62% of total transactions), which may signal the role of such heavy buyers to overall stores sales. At each department level, the heavy buyers (by value) contribute from 65% to 86% of the department revenue. Despite this, the stability of the top 20% segment over time varies greatly by department from 11% to 74%. Finally, whether high value customers in one department store also translate across departments, depends mainly on the department size in terms of its shopper penetration. The research furthers our knowledge on Pareto Law, with important implications for customer retention strategies and loyalty programs especially for retailers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the time‐dependent acoustic–elastic interaction problem associated with a bounded elastic body immersed in a homogeneous air or fluid above an unbounded rough surface. The well‐posedness and stability of the problem are first established by using the Laplace transform and the energy method. A perfectly matched layer (PML) is then introduced to truncate the interaction problem above a finite layer containing the elastic body, leading to a PML problem in a finite strip domain. We further establish the existence, uniqueness, and stability estimate of solutions to the PML problem. Finally, we prove the exponential convergence of the PML problem in terms of the thickness and parameter of the PML, based on establishing an error estimate between the DtN operators of the original problem and the PML problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider a two‐species generalist predator–prey model in closed advective environments. Compared with the model in open advective environments to the generalist predator–prey model, the dynamics of our system are different. It is easy to verify that the generalist predator can always invade. Meanwhile, we provide the dynamical behaviors of the model in terms of the intrinsic growth rates, the carrying capacity of both species, the predation rate, and the trophic conversion efficiency. More precisely, we establish the local/global stability of the semi‐trivial steady states and a unique positive equilibrium for the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to examine the stability of a class of nonlinear stochastic operators on a finite‐dimensional simplex. We identify a number of properties of the set of the class of stochastic operators, including the stability of each operator. We then use these operators to define non‐homogeneous Markov measures that rely on initial data and carry out an investigation into the absolute continuity and singularity of these measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining safety objectives with stability objectives is crucial for safety-critical systems. Existing studies generally unified these two objectives by constructing Lyapunov-type barrier functions. However, insufficient analysis of key set relationships within the system may render the proposed safety and stability conditions conservative, and these studies also did not provide how to use such conditions to design safety-stability control strategies. This paper proposed a feasible and constructive design to achieve stabilization of safety-critical systems by a relaxed converse Lyapunov-barrier approach. By analyzing the relationships between a series of sets associated with the safety-critical system, the stability and safety conditions can be appropriately relaxed. Then, with the help of relaxed converse control Lyapunov-barrier functions (RCCLBFs), a theoretical result was obtained for the stability of affine nonlinear systems with safety constraints. Subsequently, a constructive method was developed for a second-order strict-feedback system to transform the process of solving RCCLBFs into a Lyapunov-like stabilization problem. Finally, the proposed safety-stability control method is exerted on a robotic system and demonstrated by simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthocyanins, a significant subclass of polyphenols, are prevalent across various plant species. Known for their vibrant colors, which make them desirable as natural pigments, anthocyanins have also garnered attention for their diverse biological activities, leading to their widespread use in food processing and supplement development. However, their structural instability poses a challenge, as it directly impacts their bioavailability and, consequently, their nutritional efficacy. This review paper delves into the chemical structure and food sources of anthocyanins and examines strategies to enhance their stability and bioavailability, particularly through improved understanding of their digestion and absorption in the human body. Additionally, it explores the broad spectrum of anthocyanins' biological activities, including their antioxidant, hypoglycemic, anticancer, cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, analyzing these properties from a mechanistic perspective. Factors such as pH, temperature, light exposure, solvent interactions, and metal ions are known to negatively affect anthocyanin stability. Thus, future research should prioritize processing techniques that can preserve their structure more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developed specifically to address leakage and stability concerns inherent in liquid electrolytes, this study presents a significant advancement in polymer gel electrolyte (PGE) formulation by combining potassium iodide (KI), ammonium iodide (AI) salts, and polyvinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene (PVDF‐co‐HFP) as a host polymer. The tape casting method was employed to deposit the standard TiO2 paste as the photoanode and platinum paste as the counter electrode. N3 dye was incorporated, and PVDF‐co‐HFP was used as the PGE between the electrodes. The conductivity of PGE was measured by using a digitized conductivity meter. The quasi solid‐state solar cell (QS‐DSSC) assembled using single salts (KI, and AI), and mixed cations PGE was examined via photocurrent–voltage characteristics, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The augmented ionic conductivity directly influences the efficiency of DSSCs. Notably, incorporating a mixed salt (KI + AI) within the PGE enhances ionic conductivity compared to single‐salt‐based counterparts. The resultant DSSCs using mixed salt PGE exhibit a Voc of 600 mV, Jsc of 1.01 mA/cm2, FF of 0.6089, and an efficiency of 0.369%, outperforming those using KI or AI. This highlights the perceptible advantages of employing this innovative electrolyte composition to enhance solar cell performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hole‐transporting material (HTMs) are crucial for obtaining the stability and high efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the current state‐of‐the‐art n‐i‐p PSCs relied on the use of 2,2′,7,7′‐tetrakis(N,N‐di‐p‐methoxyphenylamine)‐9,9′‐spirobifluorene (spiro‐OMeTAD) exhibit inferior intrinsic and ambient stability due to the p‐dopant and hydrophilic Li‐TFSI additive. In this study, a new spiro‐type HTM with a critical quasi‐planar core (Z‐W‐03) is developed to improve both the thermal and ambient stability of PSCs. The results suggest that the planar carbazole structure effectively passivates the trap states compared to the triphenylamine with a propeller‐like conformation in spiro‐OMeTAD. This passivation effect leads to the shallower trap states when the quasi‐planar HTMs interact with the Pb‐dimer. Consequently, the device using Z‐W‐03 achieves a higher Voc of 1.178 V compared to the spiro‐OMeTAD's 1.155 V, resulting in an enhanced efficiency of 24.02 %. In addition, the double‐column π–π stacking of Z‐W‐03 results in high hole mobility (~10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1) even without p‐dopant. Moreover, when the surface interface is modified, the undoped Z‐W‐03 device can achieve an efficiency of nearly 23 %. Compared to the PSCs using spiro‐OMeTAD, those with Z‐W‐03 exhibit enhanced stability under N2 and ambient conditions. This superior performance is attributed to the quasi‐planar core structure and the presence of multiple CH/π and π–π intermolecular stacking in Z‐W‐03. The multiple CH/π and π–π intermolecular contacts of HTMs can improve the hole hopping transport. Therefore, it is imperative to focus on further molecular structure design and optimization of spiro‐type HTMs incorporating quasi‐planar cores and carbazole moieties for the commercialization of PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hole‐transporting material (HTMs) are crucial for obtaining the stability and high efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the current state‐of‐the‐art n‐i‐p PSCs relied on the use of 2,2′,7,7′‐tetrakis(N,N‐di‐p‐methoxyphenylamine)‐9,9′‐spirobifluorene (spiro‐OMeTAD) exhibit inferior intrinsic and ambient stability due to the p‐dopant and hydrophilic Li‐TFSI additive. In this study, a new spiro‐type HTM with a critical quasi‐planar core (Z‐W‐03) is developed to improve both the thermal and ambient stability of PSCs. The results suggest that the planar carbazole structure effectively passivates the trap states compared to the triphenylamine with a propeller‐like conformation in spiro‐OMeTAD. This passivation effect leads to the shallower trap states when the quasi‐planar HTMs interact with the Pb‐dimer. Consequently, the device using Z‐W‐03 achieves a higher Voc of 1.178 V compared to the spiro‐OMeTAD's 1.155 V, resulting in an enhanced efficiency of 24.02 %. In addition, the double‐column π–π stacking of Z‐W‐03 results in high hole mobility (~10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1) even without p‐dopant. Moreover, when the surface interface is modified, the undoped Z‐W‐03 device can achieve an efficiency of nearly 23 %. Compared to the PSCs using spiro‐OMeTAD, those with Z‐W‐03 exhibit enhanced stability under N2 and ambient conditions. This superior performance is attributed to the quasi‐planar core structure and the presence of multiple CH/π and π–π intermolecular stacking in Z‐W‐03. The multiple CH/π and π–π intermolecular contacts of HTMs can improve the hole hopping transport. Therefore, it is imperative to focus on further molecular structure design and optimization of spiro‐type HTMs incorporating quasi‐planar cores and carbazole moieties for the commercialization of PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research work, the authors have developed a mathematical model to examine the interaction between dystrophin protein and tumor. The authors formulated a system of ordinary differential equations to describe the dynamics of the dystrophin-tumor interaction system. Jacobian matrix and Routh–Hurwitz stability techniques were used to determine equilibrium points, perform stability and bifurcation analysis, and establish the conditions required for the stability of the proposed model. Numerical simulations are performed using Euler's method to investigate the temporal evolution of the proposed model under different parameter values, such as tumor growth rate and feedback strength of dystrophin protein. The numerical results are presented in tables, and corresponding to each table, a graphical analysis is done. The graphical analysis includes creating phase portraits to visually represent stability regions around the equilibrium points, bifurcation diagrams to identify critical points, and time series analysis to highlight the behavior of the proposed model. The authors explore how variations in dystrophin expression impact tumor progression, identifying potential therapeutic implications of maintaining higher dystrophin levels. This comprehensive analysis enhances our understanding of the dystrophin-tumor interaction, providing a basis for further experimental validation and potential therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite CsPbBr3 nanocrystals show excellent optical properties. However, the nanocrystals encounter a major challenge of poor stability. In this study, an effective approach is proposed for enhancing the stability of CsPbBr3 nanocrystals via a dual passivation strategy, where the dual passivation layer is composed of alumina (Al2O3) and polymer ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA). The Al2O3 coating on the CsPbBr3 surface is realized by in situ oxidation of trimethyl aluminum (TMA), which passivated the surface defects while blocking the intrusion of water and oxygen. The EVA film is formed by a solution method, which can further block the water and oxygen, and form the flexible composite with perovskite CsPbBr3 nanocrystals with enhanced stability toward water and heat. After soaking for 360 h and heating for 5 h, the photoluminescence (PL) intensity is higher than that without passivation. The polymer EVA packaging strategy provided CsPbBr3 with excellent extensibility and flexibility at 100% and 200% tensile rates, the PL intensity remains 91% and 88% of the initial intensity, which returns to the initial value after stretching. The unique dual‐protection structure significantly improves the water and thermal stability of the nanocrystals. The strategy might point out the direction for the future application of perovskites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability of the parametric resonance of a controlled stay cable with time delay is investigated. The in-plane nonlinear equations of motion are initially determined via the Hamilton principle. Then, utilizing the method of multiple scales, the modulation equations that govern the nonlinear dynamics are obtained. These equations are then utilized to investigate the effect of time delays on the amplitude and frequency-response behavior and, subsequently, on the stability of the parametric resonance of the controlled cable, that it is shown to depend on the excitation amplitude and the commensurability of the delayed-response frequency to the excitation frequency. The stability region of the parametric resonance is shifted, and the effects of control on the cable become worse by increasing time delay. The work plays a guiding role in the parametric design of the control system for stay cables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aimed to explore the influence of the guar and xanthan gum complex (GG/XG) on the physicochemical properties, microstructure, and sizing efficiency of alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) loaded emulsions. The centrifugal stability of the emulsions was measured using a Turbiscan equipment, the droplets morphology through an optical microscopy, the size of droplets and its distribution through a Mastersizer, and the sizing efficiency through the penetration method. Furthermore, Cryo-SEM and CLSM were used to elucidate the adsorption mechanism of polysaccharides at the ASA-water interface. When the concentration of GG/XG exceeded 0.35%, the ASA emulsions displayed excellent stability and low viscosity, and no water separation was observed even after high-speed centrifugation. By absorbing GG/XG at the oil-water interface, a dense interfacial film was formed, which blocked any interaction between the oil and water, thus hindering the hydrolysis of ASA. The sizing degree of the paper sized by ASA emulsion stored for 2 h was still higher than 88 s. By encapsulating ASA in emulsions that are stabilized exclusively by natural polysaccharides, the need for surfactants is eliminated, which in turn decreases the amount of foam present in the papermaking process, thus making it a more environmentally friendly production method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: Inverted (p‐i‐n) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are favored by researchers owing to their superior compatibility with flexible substrates and tandem device fabrication. Additionally, the hole transport layer (HTL) serves as a template for perovskite growth, which is critical for enhancing the device performance. However, the current research on how the HTL promotes perovskite crystallization is insufficient. Here, 4PADCB, a self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) hole transport material, was optimized as a superior template for perovskite growth through comparative analysis; accordingly, compact perovskite film with vertical growth was prepared. The better matched energy level alignment between 4PADCB and perovskite suppressed nonradiative recombination at the interface and enabled rapid hole extraction. Moreover, high‐quality perovskite film growth on 4PADCB exhibited lower Young's modulus and less residual stress. By integrating 4PADCB into p‐i‐n PSCs, the optimal device achieved a power conversion efficiency of 24.80%, with an open‐circuit voltage of 1.156 V, thus achieving the best rank among devices without perovskite post‐treatment, additives, dopants, or intermediate layers. Furthermore, the unencapsulated device demonstrated exceptional thermostability and photostability under maximum power point tracking. Thus, this work provides a new understanding for the development of novel SAMs and perovskite growth, and it is expected to further improve device performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a novel two-delayed tri-neuron neural network (NN) with no connection between the first and third neurons. Neural networks with incomplete connections offer a range of advantages, including improved efficiency, generalisation, interpretability, and biological plausibility, making them useful in various applications across different domains. Such kinds of NNs exist in some diseases, such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's, and schizophrenia, where the neuron's connections can be broken. Our NN is defined in two different forms: one with integer-order derivatives and another with Caputo fractional derivatives. The fundamental results of existence, uniqueness, and boundedness of the solution for the proposed NN are derived. We perform the bifurcation analysis along with the stability of the initial state of the fractional-order NN, considering self-connection delay and communication delay as bifurcation parameters, respectively. The proposed NN is numerically solved by using a recently proposed L1-predictor-corrector method with its error analysis. The theoretical proofs are verified through graphical simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we first discuss the positive equilibrium point of the continuous predator–prey system and its stability, and we discuss the parameter conditions under which the continuous system undergoes a cusp bifurcation (Bogdanov–Takens bifurcation) of codimension two bifurcation at the positive equilibrium point. Then, we provide an insightful study of discrete predator–prey systems by the use of Euler's method, which includes square-root function responses and nonlinear prey harvesting. By synthesizing the new standard form of differential-algebraic systems, the central manifold theorem, and the bifurcation theory, we identify the specific conditions under which the system may undergo flip bifurcation and Neimark–Sacker bifurcation. In addition, codimension-two bifurcations associated with 1:2 strong resonances are analyzed by using a series of affine transformations and bifurcation theory. Through numerical simulations, we not only verify the validity and correctness of our findings, but also elucidate the frequency of trajectory bifurcations in the intervals of 2, 4, and 8 and chaotic phenomena. These findings reveal a richer and more diverse dynamic behavior of discrete differential-algebraic bioeconomic systems, which is of great theoretical and practical significance to the fields of mathematics and biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tibetan Plateau (TP), a crucial area influencing global climatic patterns and water resources, is experiencing a unique climatic paradox, particularly evident in the Three Rivers Source Region (TRSR). A striking summer asymmetry in the increases of near-surface temperature and precipitation is observed from 1989 to 2018: the rate of daily minimum temperature (0.64°C decade−1) surpasses the daily maximum temperature (0.52°C decade−1), while the daytime precipitation intensity (0.40 mm day−1 decade−1) increases at a faster rate compared to nighttime (0.30 mm day−1 decade−1). Despite these trends, the summer mean nighttime precipitation intensity consistently remains higher than the daytime average. Notably, this pattern is accompanied by an increasing trend of moisture transport during both daytime and nighttime in TRSR. This paper deciphers the thermodynamic and dynamic processes behind this trend. The daytime warmth not only alters the stability of atmosphere but also modulates convective inhibition (CIN), thereby reshaping precipitation mechanics and potentially dampening or delaying daytime convection. Thermodynamically, a shift from unstable to stable anomalies in the summer troposphere suppresses precipitation development. The combination of increased CIN during those period leads to fewer but more intense rainy days. Dynamically, the shift from a consistent downward motion anomaly throughout troposphere to an upward motion anomaly becomes dominant during nighttime, exhibiting a similar transition but only below 500 hPa during daytime. These findings reveal the complex interplay between thermodynamics, dynamics, and precipitation, highlighting the need for refined climatic models that can accurately simulate these summer diurnal processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the asymptotic expansion for the homogeneous model of wind‐driven oceanic circulation with the nonslip boundary condition when both of the beta‐plane parameter and the Reynolds number go to infinity. By asymptotic analysis under certain constraints on wind tensor, we derive a formal expansion including the geophysical boundary layer in the large beta‐plane parameter and high Reynolds number limit, from which one sees that the external force, wind tensor, has an important effect on the behavior of the boundary layers. Moreover, when the external force and initial data satisfy certain constraints, to exclude the appearance of strong boundary layers, we construct approximate solutions with steady boundary layers to the homogeneous model of wind‐driven oceanic circulation in the large beta‐plane parameter and high Reynolds number limit. By using an energy method, we obtain the L∞$$ {L}^{\infty } $$‐stability of small perturbation around this approximate solutions, which verifies the validity of the asymptotic expansion of weak boundary layers in the large beta‐plane parameter and high Reynolds number limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies on the stability analysis of haptic devices have predominantly focused on single-DOF devices, thereby limiting attention to multi-DOF devices, particularly those employing multi-rate sampling schemes. In this paper, we introduce a formulation for the coupled dynamics between the haptic device and the virtual environment for a multi-DOF haptic device controlled using a dual-rate sampling scheme. Subsequently, we analyze its stability through the application of a dynamic decoupling strategy within an exact discrete-time state-space framework while the device is engaged in rendering a virtual wall along one of its operational space coordinates. Furthermore, we explore how the combined influence of the dual-rate sampling approach, time delay, and the mechanical design affects the stability boundaries of the multi-DOF haptic device at a fixed workspace location as well as within the entire usable workspace. Additionally, we utilize a model-order reduction (MOR) framework to simplify the determination of the device's stability limits, irrespective of the specific combinations of time delay and sampling rates employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global surge in displacement, with nearly 110 million people uprooted due to violence, underscores the pressing need to comprehend the challenges faced by refugees. Population growth, environmental crises, and political instability contribute to this crisis, projecting an escalating trend in the decades ahead. While hosting countries strive to address concerns related to labour markets, state provisions, and cultural integration, understanding the well-being of refugees upon entry needs to be more adequately explored. This study focuses on refugee stability and integration, employing Austria as a case study. Stability is assessed through residential movement, where more frequent moves indicate instability. Utilising comprehensive administrative data spanning November 2022 to November 2023, we examine residence movements as a proxy for stability. Our findings reveal a stark contrast in the stability of refugees compared to other migrant groups. Analysing movement profiles, we establish that refugees exhibit significantly higher rates of residential mobility than their counterparts, especially among male refugees. This imbalance persists even when comparing refugees to migrants from top refugee-sending countries without official refugee status. This study contributes valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of refugee stability, shedding light on the enduring challenges faced by this population. By examining movement patterns as a key indicator, we provide a nuanced understanding of the residential experiences of refugees, that can inform targeted policies and interventions for enhanced refugee well-being and integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of the methylammonium‐free (MA‐free) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are constantly lagging behind those of the most extensively researched triple cation mixed PSCs due to their subpar perovskite films. Here, two guanidine‐based passivation agents are proposed, that are, sulfaguanidine (S‐Gua) and 1‐acetylguanidine (A‐Gua) that can be applied to optimize the film quality of MA‐free perovskite for minimizing the efficiency discrepancy between the two types of PSCs. Through strong coordination with Pb2+ and hydrogen bonding with formamidinium (FA+), the two passivation additives can reduce bulk defects and suppress non‐radiative recombination, which in turn enhance the charge extraction and transfer efficiency. Consequently, the S‐Gua‐ and A‐Gua‐treated devices achieve PCEs of 24.34% and 23.77%, respectively. Both PCEs are greater than that of the control device (23.03%), and the 24.34% PCE is comparable with that of the best MA‐free inverted PSCs with narrower bandgaps. Moreover, the S‐Gua‐treated devices maintain 89.3% and 82.0% of their initial PCEs after aging for 800 h and heating (85 °C) for 340 h in ambient air without any encapsulation, respectively. This work offers comprehensive insights into the use of guanidine‐based additives to achieve high‐quality perovskite films and subsequently state‐of‐the‐art MA‐free PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antisolvent‐assisted spin‐coating still lags behind the thermal evaporation method in fabricating perovskite films atop industrially textured silicon wafers in making monolithic perovskite/silicon solar cells (P/S‐TSCs). The inhomogeneity of hole‐selective self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) often arises from the insufficient bonding between hygroscopic phosphonic acid anchors and metal oxide. To address this, a mixed‐SAM strategy (Mx‐SAM) is proposed to enhance the adsorption energy of SAMs on the ITO surface, facilitate the formation of dense and humidity‐resistant hole‐selective layer (HSL) on substrates, and improve hole transport capabilities. With the aid of the Mx‐SAM strategy, the optimized wide‐bandgap PSCs achieved an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22.63% with an exceptionally high fill factor (FF) of 86.67% using the 1.68 eV perovskite. Moreover, they exhibited enhanced stability under damp‐heat conditions (ISOS‐D‐3, 85% RH, 85 °C) with a T90 of 900 h for encapsulated PSCs, representing one of the best performances for wide‐bandgap PSCs. When further extending the Mx‐SAM strategy to making P/S‐TSCs using silicon wafers from industry, a remarkable efficiency of 28.07% is reached while upholding outstanding reproducibility. This strategy holds significant promise for the feasibility of fabricating industrially‐compatible P/S‐TSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the effectiveness of three loss functions Asymmetric Unified Focal Loss (AUFL), Dice Similarity Coefficient Loss (DSCL), and Cross‐Entropy (CE) for segmenting COVID‐19 lung infections in computed tomography images. Detailed analyses using the intersection over union metric assessed each function's accuracy. AUFL achieved an average Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) of 85.18% ± 8.86%, outperforming DSCL 85.18% ± 8.86%, which had the same average DSC but less precise segmentation, and CE, which had an average DSC of 78.31% ± 11.93%. Segmentations using AUFL demonstrated more defined contours and better alignment with actual anatomical structures than those obtained with DSCL and CE. Observations revealed that AUFL‐generated segmentations had more precise boundaries and were more consistent with the expected anatomical regions of lung infections. This study is the first to quantitatively and qualitatively compare the effectiveness of AUFL, DSCL, and CE in segmenting COVID‐19 lung infections, providing concrete evidence of AUFL's superiority in segmentation performance and reliability for clinical applications. The findings underscore the importance of selecting appropriate loss functions to enhance segmentation in medical imaging, highlighting their crucial role in improving image‐based diagnostics and treatment. The study emphasizes the need for ongoing research to optimize these segmentation techniques further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of genotype × environment interaction is crucial for plant breeders to introduce new cultivar(s) with improved and stable yield performance. The productivity of chickpea crops is very low in Pakistan. It requires the selection of genotypes with optimal productivity for diverse environmental conditions. Fourteen different chickpea genotypes were assessed using the linear mixed model to evaluate genotypes across four diverse chickpea growing regions, including Attock (Punjab), Bhakkar (Punjab), Karak (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), and Larkana during the year 2017–19. The environmental effect was pronounced and contributed significantly to variation (25.8%) in grain yield. Analysing genotype × environmental interactions at multiple locations facilitates ranking superior genotypes that excel in specific or diverse environments. Notably, the genotypes, viz., Fakhr-e-Thal and Bhakkar-2011, demonstrated superior performance in terms of overall grain yield. Utilising a multitrait stability index, Bittal-2016 and Thal-2006 exhibited the most stable genotypes across various environments and were observed suitable for diverse growing regions. While, for specific environmental conditions, genotypes, i.e., KK-1, Noor-2013 and Fakhr-e-thal, exhibited higher yields and stability. This showed their adaptability to the particular environment. The present study revealed that Larkana as the mega environment was conducive to higher yield, while Attock, Bhakkar, and Karak sites were less favorable for KK-3, DG-89, and Dasht. The BLUP outperformed the AMMI in our analysis of evaluating multi-location trials. The integration of WAASBY and MTSI indices proved useful in differentiating between high yielding genotypes and those with stable performance. These tools are essential for breeders aiming to select genotypes that will perform consistently across diverse environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The storage of rAAV vectors for gene therapy applications is critical for ensuring a constant product quality and defined amount of medication at the time of administration. Therefore, we determined the influence of different storage conditions on the physicochemical and biological properties of rAAV8 and rAAV9 preparations. Particular attention was paid to short-term storage, which plays a crucial role in both the manufacturing process and in clinical applications. Additionally, we addressed the question, of viability of rAAV8 and rAAV9 when subjected to very low-temperature storage conditions (below −65 °C) or lyophilization. To determine the impact on rAAV vectors, various analyses were used, including the quantification of capsid and genome titers, as well as biopotency assessments, which are pivotal determinants in characterizing vector behavior and efficacy. Our data showed that freeze/thaw cycles hardly affected the functionality of rAAV9-aGAL vectors. In contrast, prolonged storage at room temperature for several days, resulted in a discernible decrease in biopotency despite consistent capsid and genome titers. When the storage temperature was further increased, the rAAV8-aGAL decay accelerated. For example, a short-term exposure of + 40 °C and more, led to a reduction in the physical viral titer and to an even faster decline in efficacy determined by biopotency. However, the addition of sucrose and sorbitol to the rAAV9-aGAL and rAAV9-GAA preparations reduced the temperature sensitivity of rAAV and improved its stability. Furthermore, exposure of rAAV9-aGAL to highly acidic conditions (pH 2.5) dramatically reduced its biopotency by 70% or more. Most interestingly, a long-term storage of rAAV9-aGAL and rAAV8-FVIII vectors over 12 and 36 months, respectively, demonstrated exceptional stability at storage temperatures below −65 °C. Also, lyophilization conserved functionality for at least 10 months. Our data showed how to maintain rAAV biopotency levels over the time without substantial loss. Storage at very low temperatures (below −65 °C) preserved its effectiveness over years. Overall, pH and temperature conditions during the manufacturing process, storage and clinical application are worth considering. Consistency in the rAAV capsid titer determination did not necessarily indicate the preservation of biopotency. In conclusion, our approach determined several options for maximizing rAAV stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Yellow River is the property of Editorial Board of Yellow River and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Anhui Agricultural Sciences is the property of Journal of Anhui Agricultural Sciences Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Rhizomania is the most destructive sugar beet disease in the world, and in recent years, it has widespread in most of the sugar beet growing areas in Iran. Since the control of this soil-borne disease is a difficult task, the use of resistant genotypes is known as the best measure against the disease. The ultimate goal of sugar beet breeders is to produce genotypes that can be used in both infected and non-infected fields without any reduction in terms of yield and quality. Twenty-one sugar beet genotypes along with four controls were evaluated in randomized complete block design with four replications in fields with natural infection to rhizomania in five research stations. Important sugar beet traits including root yield, sugar yield, sugar content, and white sugar yield were evaluated for two years (2021 and 2022). For all traits, location was the main source of variation that spanned 33 to 55% of the total sum of the square followed by the location×year×genotype accounted for 3–40% of the variation. Based on the results of analysis of variance, multivariate stability parameters were computed to evaluate the genotypes' stability. The first two principal components (IPCA1 and IPCA2) generated by GGE biplot contributed for 31.3 and 17.5% difference in genotype×environment interaction for root yield, respectively. According to the GGE biplot, genotypes RM-11 and RM-12 were identified as the winning genotypes across environments for both root yield and white sugar yield traits whereas AMMI model identified RM-14 and RM-9 (for root yield) and RM-1 (for white sugar yield) as best genotypes. Based on the ideal genotype ranking, RM-11 and RM-10 were the best performer with a high mean yield as well as stability in the studied environments. The biplot rendered using the weighted average of absolute scores (WAASB) and root yield and white sugar yield identified RM-11 and RM-9 as superior genotypes in terms of yield and stability. The selected genotypes can be used in breeding programs to transfer the disease resistance and cultivar development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregenomic hepatitis B virus RNA (HBV pgRNA) is a potential biomarker in the management of HBV infected patients. However, prior to the use in routine clinical practice potential confounders of test results need to be identified. This study investigates the stability of HBV pgRNA under various storage conditions. HBV-RNA level of 26 HBV patients were determined using the Roche cobas® 6800/8800 investigational HBV-RNA assay. Plasma and serum were stored for 6,48,169 h at 4,25 and 42 °C, respectively. Additionally, 10 serum and plasma samples underwent 4 or 11 cycles of freezing (−80 °C) and thawing (25 °C). A significant decline in mean pgRNA concentration compared to baseline was observed after storage for 48 h at 25 °C as well as after 6 h of storage at 42 °C. Accordingly, sub-analyses of predefined pgRNA baseline concentrations (≤ 10 cp/mL, > 10–100 cp/ml, > 100 cp/mL) revealed significant changes in pgRNA level after storage at 25 and 42 °C. No effect of freezing and thawing on pgRNA level was observed. A qualitative detection of HBV pgRNA is feasible in samples with > 100 cp/mL up to 48 h under storage temperatures of 4–42 °C. For most stable quantitative HBV pgRNA values storage at 4 °C should be preferred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bis(macrocyclic) complexes are investigated as artificial analogues of natural dinuclear metalloenzymes. Two ligands containing two cyclam rings connected through a p‐cresol or 4‐nitrophenol spacer were synthesized and their complexing properties were investigated. CuII complexes were prepared and their properties were studied by a combination of spectral, diffraction and electrochemical methods. The phenolate group is not or only weakly coordinated to the central CuII ion and the two macrocycles behave mostly as two independent complexing units. All the determined solid‐state structures showed cyclam adopting trans‐III geometry, however, solution study indicated the presence of more isomers in the solution whose abundance changes with pH. Electrochemical reduction of the complexes is irreversible and results in the reductive decomplexation to amalgamated Cu metal. The amalgamated metal is re‐oxidized to CuII during the anodic scan of CV and the metal ion is re‐coordinated. The ligand containing the nitro group shows an irreversible four‐electron reduction of the nitro group. The ligands and the complexes undergo also a slow degradation when incubated in the aqueous solutions for a prolonged time. The degradation relies on the "retro‐Mannich" cleavage of the methylene bridge connecting the cyclam ring with the phenol moiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of its low cost and abundant sources, hydrogen serves as a clean energy alternative capable of successfully substituting fossil fuels. A highly efficient method for generating hydrogen energy currently is by the electrolysis of water. The oxygen‐extraction reaction (OER), a component of water electrolysis, requires a complex chemical pathway that involves multiproton and multielectron interactions. To enhance reaction efficiency in the OER process, catalysts are crucial; thus, the search for high‐performance, cost‐effective catalysts is underway. This experimental study involved the enhancement of the five‐membered high‐entropy oxide (FeCoNiMnCu)3O3.2 by incorporating a sixth group element (Zn, Al). The organization, morphology, and OER properties were analyzed following the preparation utilizing a mechanical ball milling process. A series of rock salt‐type hexagonal high entropy oxides with differing ball milling durations were synthesized to investigate the influence of the production method on the surface shape and catalytic properties of high entropy oxides. The results indicated that the single‐phase rock salt structure of (FeCoNiMnCuAl)3O3.5, a high‐entropy oxide, exhibited significantly altered diffraction peaks, hence improving OER performance. Optimization of the preparation technique revealed that a 72‐h ball milling duration resulted in an overpotential of merely 293 mV and an electrochemically active surface area approximately double that of the other milling durations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zeolites are microporous crystalline materials that find a very wide range of applications, which, however, are limited by the size and dimensionality of their pores. Stable silica zeolites with a three‐dimensional (3D) system of extra‐large pores (ELP, i.e. pores with minimum windows along the diffusion path consisting of more than 12 SiO4/2 tetrahedra, 12R) are in demand for processing larger molecules than zeolites can currently handle. However, they have challenged worldwide synthetic capabilities for more than eight decades. In this review we first present a brief history of the discovery of ELP zeolites. Next, we show that earlier successes of zeolites with 3D ELP were not actually zeolites, but rather interrupted structures with, in addition, a composition that severely detracted from their stability. Finally, we present three new fully connected stable silica‐based 3D ELP zeolites ZEO‐1, ZEO‐3 and ZEO‐5, discuss their preparation methods and stability as well as the clear advantage of their increased porosity in catalysis and adsorption processes involving large molecules. We will discuss peculiar characteristics of their preparation and present two new reaction types giving rise to zeolites (1D‐to‐3D topotactic condensation and interchain expansion), highlighting how new synthesis methods can provide materials that would otherwise be unfeasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paclitaxel (PTX), a naturally occurring diterpenoid isolated from Taxus brevifolia, is a first-line drug for the treatment of glioblastoma; however, it suffers from the disadvantages of poor water solubility and nonspecific biodistribution, which cause serious side effects in the human body. The marketed formulation suffers from serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, neutropenia, and neuropathy, which require safe and effective formulations of PTX. In the present study, PTX was entrapped in a solid–liquid lipid mixture with the aid of a surfactant using a modified solvent evaporation technique. Higher entrapment of the impressive stability of the formulation was achieved by employing quality design-based strategies. Optimized levels by employing a numerical optimization technique for each factor, that is, surfactant concentration (X1), lipid concentration (X2), and amount of organic solvent (X3) were 0.3%, 0.76% & 8.3 ml respectively. The resultant formulation exhibited a particle size of 121.44 nm, entrapment efficiency of 94.27%, and zeta potential of −20.21 mV with unimodal size distribution. A reduction in the % crystalline index from 48 to 3.4% ensured the amorphous form of the entrapped drug inside the formulation, which precludes the fear of leakage and instability of the formulation. Cell line studies conducted on U87MG Cell lines also suggested that the NLC of paclitaxel are more effective than those of pure PTX. In summary, PTXNLC seem to be a superior alternative carrier system for the formulation industry to obtain higher entrapment with excellent stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the high cost of ultra‐pure water supply and the mismatch between water sources and renewable energy distribution, the large‐scale production of green hydrogen through seawater electrolysis has generated significant interest. This presents an attractive potential technology within the framework of carbon‐neutral energy production. However, owing to the complex composition of seawater, particularly the competitive oxidation reactions and corrosion issues involving Cl−, seawater electrolysis has suffered from low selectivity and poor stability in oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which severely impact the efficiency of hydrogen production and hinder the practical applications. To further promote in‐depth research and practical applications of seawater electrolysis, this review introduces the principles, key advantages, and challenges of seawater electrolysis. Specifically, the design strategies are categorized for highly active OER electrocatalysts for seawater electrolysis, including catalyst design, design of chemical reaction systems, and other special process design. To ensure long‐term operational stability of seawater electrolysis, various strategies such as employing self‐supporting materials, surface protection strategies, and electrolyzer design, are discussed. Finally, current challenges and future prospects for the industrialization of seawater electrolysis are proposed and discussed. It is expected that this review provides new insights for large‐scale seawater‐based hydrogen production in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymeric mixed ionic–electronic conductors hold great potential for advancing high‐performance organic electronics due to their exceptional electrical conductivity achieved through ion–electron coupling. However, the widespread adoption of these conductors faces obstacles due to their reliance on environmentally harmful solvents during processing and the potential performance degradation under various conditions. In this study, a practical solution to these challenges is proposed by incorporating monomers with ionic liquid‐behaving pendant groups into conjugated polymers. The copolymerization of these charged monomers not only improves solubility in environmentally friendly solvents but also imparts long‐term stability against humidity, high temperatures, and mechanical deformation. The immobilized ion species foster highly selective interactions of these polymers with nitrogen dioxide, paving the way for the development of stretchable sensing devices capable of functioning at exceptionally high temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The highly planar molecular structure is conducive to electron delocalization, thus facilitating efficient charge transport. A new thiophene terminal‐linked dimerized small‐molecular acceptor (DSMA), DTY‐2Cl, is synthesized, which achieves high planarity with a bithiophene linkage. The results of theoretical calculation and single crystal analysis of regional configuration demonstrate that the twisting angle between the bithiophene binding unit of DTY‐2Cl is almost zero. Devices based on DTY‐2Cl:D18 show an outstanding photoelectric performance with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.06% and excellent device stability. It is worth noting that DTY‐2Cl exhibits a redshifted absorption of up to 840 nm, which is rare among DSMAs, and DTY‐2Cl‐based devices obtain a VOC of 0.913 V, thus achieving a win‐win situation of redshifted absorption and high VOC. These results indicate that using bithiophene instead of biphenyl to optimize the planarity of oligomer acceptors is an effective strategy and provide a new idea for the improvement of subsequent materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zeolites are microporous crystalline materials that find a very wide range of applications, which, however, are limited by the size and dimensionality of their pores. Stable silica zeolites with a three‐dimensional (3D) system of extra‐large pores (ELP, i.e. pores with minimum windows along the diffusion path consisting of more than 12 SiO4/2 tetrahedra, 12R) are in demand for processing larger molecules than zeolites can currently handle. However, they have challenged worldwide synthetic capabilities for more than eight decades. In this review we first present a brief history of the discovery of ELP zeolites. Next, we show that earlier successes of zeolites with 3D ELP were not actually zeolites, but rather interrupted structures with, in addition, a composition that severely detracted from their stability. Finally, we present three new fully connected stable silica‐based 3D ELP zeolites ZEO‐1, ZEO‐3 and ZEO‐5, discuss their preparation methods and stability as well as the clear advantage of their increased porosity in catalysis and adsorption processes involving large molecules. We will discuss peculiar characteristics of their preparation and present two new reaction types giving rise to zeolites (1D‐to‐3D topotactic condensation and interchain expansion), highlighting how new synthesis methods can provide materials that would otherwise be unfeasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While conventional control techniques for stabilizing power electronic converters with constant‐power load (CPL) often rely on complete system state information, the associated challenges, including the cost and increased size due to the installation of multiple sensors, necessitate exploration of alternative methodologies. To address these concerns, a novel observer‐based sliding‐mode control approach is proposed. This approach aims to enhance cost‐effectiveness and reliability in the context of a DC‐DC buck converter supplying power to an unknown CPL. The core concept involves designing a state observer to estimate the system's current based on voltage measurements. A non‐certainty equivalent adaptive update law is then introduced to estimate the unknown CPL, incorporating feedback from voltage measurements and current estimation. To guarantee stability in the face of uncertainties in system parameters, a thorough analysis utilizing the Lyapunov theorem is conducted on the closed‐loop system. The efficacy and feasibility of the proposed control algorithm are substantiated through experimental results on the OPAL‐RT platform, showcasing its promising performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the low‐frequency oscillations (LFOs) in MMC‐MVDC systems with high photovoltaic (PV) penetration, considering the whole operating conditions of the grid‐connected MMC, including both the inverter and rectifier modes. First, the multi‐port impedance models of converters and networks are developed, upon which a stability criterion is defined. The mechanism of LFOs is then identified using bus participation analysis and parameter sensitivity analysis. In addition, the stable zones of the dominant parameters are identified, taking into account the whole operating conditions of the grid‐connected MMC. Interestingly, a phase‐locked loop may induce LFOs in two low‐frequency ranges. Finally, the experimental results confirm the correctness of the theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver nanowires (AgNW) find use in transparent conductive electrodes with applications in solar cells, touch screens, and wearables. Unprotected AgNW are prone to atmospheric corrosion and lose conductivity over time. Known passivation techniques either require submersion of pre‐deposited AgNW in liquid compounds or the modification of AgNW inks prior to deposition, which alters viscosity and complicates deposition. Here, new possibilities for stabilization of pre‐deposited AgNW networks without need for submersion are explored. It is demonstrated that AgNW networks can be stabilized either by argon or hydrogen plasma treatment or by solvent vapor annealing with ethanol, methanol, or ethyl acetate. These treatments yielded stable electrical resistance over at least nine weeks, whereas untreated or thermally annealed AgNW layers quickly lost conductivity. The potential of solvent vapor annealing is further explored by demonstrating a new processing technique for stable polymer matrix composites containing AgNW. Co‐deposited layers of AgNW with polystyrene microbeads are annealed in ethyl acetate vapor to stabilize the AgNW while at the same time merging polymer beads into a closed film around the AgNW. The resulting composites maintained stable resistance and transmittance for at least seven weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivated by the notion of the Hyers–Ulam stability, we will first study the stability problem of a certain class of functional inequalities associated with Jordan–von Neumann type additive functional equation in quasi-Banach spaces. The second part of this research is devoted to investigate the approximation of generalized derivations satisfying some specific functional inequalities in quasi-Banach algebras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abrupt changes in speed due to external disturbances can occur during human gait. Insight into the gait compensation mechanism is necessary to examine gait stability in the context of unexpected speed changes. The present study investigated the effect of speed changes on overall gait patterns under three different walking speed conditions. Dynamic time warping (DTW) and cross-correlation techniques were used, revealing that similarity of gait kinematics decreased at slower gait speed compared to preferred and faster speeds. These results suggest that individuals may encounter difficulties in maintaining gait stability at slower speed than normal and faster speeds. Additionally, at the moment when speed changes occur, the similarity of gait patterns significantly decreases, as indicated by higher DTW and cross-correlation values. This insight could assist clinicians and physical therapists in gaining an understanding of overall gait patterns during unexpected speed changes and developing assistive devices to prevent slips, trips, and falls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation aims to develop an angular stiffness sensor intended for measuring dental implant stability in bone. The sensor hardware included a tiny eccentric motor and an accelerometer to measure a flex constant of an implant with its abutment. The sensor software included a mechanics-based model to convert the flex constant to angular stiffness at the implant/abutment junction to indicate the stability. The sensor's accuracy and effectiveness are demonstrated through use of Sawbones slab models that mimic a mandibular premolar section. The models include a Branemark Mk III implant inserted into Sawbones slabs of 5 different densities with a locator abutment. An incremental insertion torque was first recorded while the implant was placed in the Sawbones models. Then benchtop experiments were conducted to measure resonance frequencies and angular stiffness. Results indicated that angular stiffness increased with Sawbones density, showing high correlation with the measured resonance frequency ( R = 0.977 ) and the incremental insertion torque ( R = 0.959 ). Finally, accuracy of the angular stiffness sensor is calibrated in light of the resonance frequency. Angular stiffness scores 99% and 95% accuracy for Sawbones models mimicking medium cancellous bones with and without a cortical layer, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pingyin rose is an edible flower rich in anthocyanins. In this study, antioxidant capacity and color were used as the main evaluation indexes to investigate the effects of common physical and chemical factors on the stability of rose anthocyanin extracts (RAEs). In addition, the physicochemical properties of the whey protein isolate (WPI)‐RAEs complex after spray drying were studied. Vitamin C, temperature, and some metal ions can cause different degrees of discoloration of RAEs solution. More importantly, heat treatment, as well as most metal ions and sugars, had no significant effect on the antioxidant capacity of RAEs solution (p > 0.05). Moreover, compared to spray‐dried pure WPI, the WPI‐RAEs powder was delicate and uniform, and had higher particle size, bulk density, moisture activity, and better gel properties. The release rate of all WPI‐RAEs sol/gel to RAEs reached about 89% in the intestinal digestion stage, but the WPI‐RAEs interaction reduced the digestibility of protein in the intestinal digestion stage. We hope that this study can provide a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of WPI‐RAEs as food ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bautechnik is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Over the past few decades, wind energy has expanded to become a widespread, clean, and sustainable energy source. However, integrating offshore wind energy with the onshore AC grids presents many stability and control challenges that hinder the reliability and resilience of AC grids, particularly during faults. To address this issue, current grid codes require offshore wind farms (OWFs) to remain connected during and after faults. This requirement is challenging because, depending on the fault location and power flow direction, DC link over- or under-voltage can occur, potentially leading to the shutdown of converter stations. Therefore, this necessitates the proper understanding of key technical concepts associated with the integration of OWFs. To help fill the gap, this article performs an in-depth investigation of existing alternating current fault ride through (ACFRT) techniques of modular multilevel converter-based high-voltage direct current (MMC-HVDC) for OWFs. These techniques include the use of AC/DC choppers, flywheel energy storage devices (FESDs), power reduction strategies for OWFs, and energy optimization of the MMC. This article covers both scenarios of onshore and offshore AC faults. Given the importance of wind turbines (WTs) in transforming wind energy into mechanical energy, this article also presents an overview of four WT topologies. In addition, this article explores the advanced converter topologies employed in HVDC systems to transform three-phase AC voltages to DC voltages and vice versa at each terminal of the DC link. Finally, this article explores the key stability and control concepts, such as small signal stability and large disturbance stability, followed by future research trends in the development of converter topologies for HVDC transmission such as hybrid HVDC systems, which combine current source converters (CSCs) and voltage source converters (VSCs) and diode rectifier-based HVDC (DR-HVDC) systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]