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Momentum work involves a change in the basic energetic concepts of physics, which also concerns binding processes. We apply the findings from the preceding papers in this series and describe any kind of interaction between particles via processes instead of forces. We illustrate a new understanding of the interaction and the energies involved using a vibrating diatomic molecule. After a detailed critical review of the current force-based interpretation of potential energy profiles, such as the Morse or Lennard-Jones potentials, the energy profiles are reinterpreted within the framework of quantum-process thermodynamics and the forms of energy released during the spontaneous formation of a bond are specified. Interaction by processes implies the real wave character of any quantum object, provides a path toward the development of a unified interaction theory, and should initiate a paradigm shift in fundamental theoretical physics.

Momentum work enables a complete shift from kinematics to dynamics. This involves changes in the very fundamentals of physics, not only in mechanics, statistical mechanics, and special relativity, as shown in Papers I–III [G. Kalies and D. D. Do, AIP Adv. 13(6), 065121 (2023); G. Kalies, D. D. Do, and S. Arnrich, AIP Adv. 13(5), 055317 (2023); and G. Kalies and D. D. Do, AIP Adv. (in press) (2023)] of this series, but also in thermodynamics. In this paper, we challenge the narrative that classical phenomenological thermodynamics is completed and show that it represents an efficient interim solution that hides essential information. The essence of heat transfer and entropy is revealed, and an answer is given to the question of why entropy had to remain abstract and elusive in the past. Furthermore, we uncover the specific forms of energy behind thermodynamic state variables, such as enthalpy, Helmholtz free energy, and Gibbs free energy, which play a central role in describing chemical reactions and phase transitions. We thereby lay the foundation for thermodynamics to evolve from a framework theory valid for macroscopic systems to vivid quantum-process thermodynamics.

Albert Einstein proposed a unification of mechanics and electrodynamics by his special theory of relativity, which describes point-like particles moving through empty space. We show in this paper that mechanics and electrodynamics can be unified in Euclidean space if we relax the idea of point-like particles by describing fermions and bosons as spatially extended wave objects. Based on the process theory of gases presented in Paper II [Kalies et al., AIP Adv. 13(5), 055317 (2023)] of this series, we consider a confined photon gas and show that the momentum work of photons leads to an analogous description of matter and light and to the insight that electromagnetic energy is momentum energy. We present the unified energy equations, which do justice to the wave nature of matter, and it is the momentum work that links physical theories. Without momentum energy, which is larger in real terms than the kinetic energy of mechanics, the theoretical edifice of modern physics, at the fundamental level, is incomplete.

In Paper I of this series, the elastic collision was described via simultaneous processes, where the energy is conserved at any moment. In this paper, we critically review the kinetic theory of gases, which was developed based on Newtonian mechanics, and show that it violates the principle of the conservation of energy. By placing the energy conservation at the beginning of the deductive formalism, we derive the ideal gas law via equally strong simultaneous counter-processes at the walls, namely, momentum work and volume work. Several new insights into the state variables of an ideal gas are obtained: (i) pressure cannot be expressed via the kinetic energy of an ideal gas, and (ii) temperature can be interpreted as a particle-related (microscopic) state variable. The historical choice to set a zero point of the potential energy for a confined ideal gas needs to be corrected, and the internal energy of an ideal gas turns out to include more forms of energy than specified in the kinetic theory of gases. Finally, and importantly, we show that the process approach to an ideal gas and thus to collisions is experimentally confirmed.

This paper presents an approach and analysis for performing decentralized cooperative control of a team of decoys to achieve the Honeypot Ambush tactic. In this tactic, the threats are successfully lured into a designated region where they can be easily defeated. The decoys learn to cooperate by incorporating a game-theory-based online-learning method, known as regret minimization, to maximize the team's global reward. The decoy agents are assumed to have physical limitations and to be subject to certain stringent range constraints required for deceiving the networked threats. By employing an efficient coordination mechanism, the agents learn to be less greedy and allow weaker agents to catch up on their rewards to improve team performance. Such a coordination solution corresponds to achieving convergence to coarse correlated equilibrium. The numerical results verify the effectiveness of the proposed solution to achieve a global satisfaction outcome and to adapt to a wide spectrum of scenarios.

Background. Gonadotropin therapy is not typically used for pubertal induction in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH), however, represents a promising alternative to testosterone. It can potentially lead to the maintenance of future fertility in addition to testicular growth. We compared the pubertal effects of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) versus testosterone in adolescent males with HH. We evaluated the current practice, among pediatric endocrinologists, to identify barriers against gonadotropin use. Methods. In this retrospective review, we compared the effect of testosterone versus hCG therapy on mean testicular volume (MTV), penile length, growth velocity, and testosterone levels. We surveyed pediatric endocrinologists at our center, using RedCap. Results . Outcomes were assessed in 52 male patients with HH (hCG, n = 4; T, n = 48) after a mean treatment duration of 13.4 (testosterone) and 13.8 months (hCG; P = .79). Final MTV was higher with hCG (8.25 mL) than testosterone (3.4 mL; P

Next generation 5G cellular networks will consist of multiple technologies for devices to access the network at the edge. One of the keys to 5G is, therefore, the ability of devices to intelligently select its radio access technology (RAT). There have been several proposals for RAT selection in the last few years. Understanding the performance and limitation of these RAT selection solutions is important for their deployment in the future 5G heterogeneous networks. In this paper, we provide a taxonomy and comparative performance analysis of recent RAT selection algorithms, including the different network models that were used to evaluate these works. We combine these different network models to build a benchmark for evaluating the RAT selection algorithms in a 5G environment. We implement the representative algorithms of different approaches and cross compare them in our benchmark. From the experiments conducted, we illustrate how the different network parameters, such as the number of base stations visible to a user and the available link bandwidths, could impact the performance of these algorithms.

Proper satellite-based crop monitoring applications at the farm-level often require near-daily imagery at medium to high spatial resolution. The combination of data from different ongoing satellite missions Sentinel 2 (ESA) and Landsat 7/8 (NASA) provides this unprecedented opportunity at a global scale; however, this is rarely implemented because these procedures are data demanding and computationally intensive. This study developed a robust stream processing for the harmonization of Landsat 7, Landsat 8 and Sentinel 2 in the Google Earth Engine cloud platform, connecting the benefit of coherent data structure, built-in functions and computational power in the Google Cloud. The harmonized surface reflectance images were generated for two agricultural schemes in Bekaa (Lebanon) and Ninh Thuan (Vietnam) during 2018−2019. We evaluated the performance of several pre-processing steps needed for the harmonization including the image co-registration, Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Functions correction, topographic correction, and band adjustment. We found that the misregistration between Landsat 8 and Sentinel 2 images varied from 10 m in Ninh Thuan (Vietnam) to 32 m in Bekaa (Lebanon), and posed a great impact on the quality of the final harmonized data set if not treated. Analysis of a pair of overlapped L8-S2 images over the Bekaa region showed that, after the harmonization, all band-to-band spatial correlations were greatly improved. Finally, we demonstrated an application of the dense harmonized data set for crop mapping and monitoring. An harmonic (Fourier) analysis was applied to fit the detected unimodal, bimodal and trimodal shapes in the temporal NDVI patterns during one crop year in Ninh Thuan province. The derived phase and amplitude values of the crop cycles were combined with max-NDVI as an R-G-B false composite image. The final image was able to highlight croplands in bright colors (high phase and amplitude), while the non-crop areas were shown with grey/dark (low phase and amplitude). The harmonized data sets (with 30 m spatial resolution) along with the Google Earth Engine scripts used are provided for public use.

Objective: While small non-obstructive stones in the adult population are usually observed with minimal follow-up, the same guidelines for management in the pediatric population have not been well-studied. We evaluate the clinical outcomes of small non-obstructing kidney stones in the pediatric population to better define the natural history of the disease.Methods: In this IRB-approved retrospective study, patients with a diagnosis of kidney stones from January 2011 to March 2017 were identified using ICD9 and ICD10 codes. Patients with ureteral stones, obstruction, or stones >5 mm in size were excluded. Patients with no follow-up after initial imaging were also excluded. Patients with a history of stones or prior stone interventions were included in our population. Frequency of follow-up ultrasounds while on observation were noted and any ER visits, stone passage episodes, infections, and surgical interventions were documented.Results: Over the 6-year study period, 106 patients with non-obstructing kidney stones were identified. The average age at diagnosis was 12.5 years and the average stone size was 3.6 mm. Average follow-up was 17 months. About half of the patients had spontaneous passage of stones (54/106) at an average time of 13 months after diagnosis. Stone location did not correlate with spontaneous passage rates. Only 6/106 (5.7%) patients required stone surgery with ureteroscopy and/or PCNL at an average time of 12 months after initial diagnosis. The indication for surgery in all 6 cases was pain. 17/106 (16%) patients developed febrile UTIs and a total of 43 ER visits for stone-related issues were noted, but no patients required urgent intervention for an infected obstructing stone. Median interval for follow-up was every 6 months with renal ultrasounds, which then was prolonged to annual follow up in most cases.Conclusions: The observation of pediatric patients with small non-obstructing stones is safe with no episodes of acute obstructive pyelonephritis occurring in these patients. The sole indication for intervention in our patient population was pain, which suggests that routine follow-up ultrasounds may not be necessary for the follow-up of pediatric non-obstructive renal stones ≤5 mm in size.

Objective: Review outcomes of Prune Belly Syndrome (PBS) with the hypothesis that contemporary management improves mortality.Methods: A retrospective chart review of inpatient and outpatient PBS patients referred between 2000 and 2018 was conducted to assess outcomes at our institution. Data collected included age at diagnosis, concomitant medical conditions, imaging, operative management, length of follow-up, and renal function.Results: Forty-five PBS patients presented during these 18 years. Prenatal diagnoses were made in 17 (39%); 65% of these patients underwent prenatal intervention. The remaining patients were diagnosed in the infant period (20, 44%) or after 1 year of age (8, 18%). Twelve patients died from cardiopulmonary complications in the neonatal period; the neonatal mortality rate was 27%. The mean follow-up among patients surviving the neonatal period was 84 months. Forty-two patients had at least one renal ultrasound (RUS); of the 30 patients with NICU RUSs, 26 (89%) had hydronephrosis and/or ureterectasis. Of the 39 patients who underwent voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), 28 (62%) demonstrated VUR. Fifty-nine percent had respiratory distress. Nine patients (20%) were oxygen-dependent by completion of follow up. Thirty-eight patients (84%) had other congenital malformations including genitourinary (GU) 67%, gastrointestinal (GI) 52%, and cardiac 48%. Sixteen patients (36%) had chronic kidney disease (CKD) of at least stage 3; three patients (7%) had received renal transplants. Eighty-four percent of patients had at least one surgery (mean 3.4, range 0–6). The most common was orchiopexy (71%). The next most common surgeries were vesicostomy (39%), ureteral reimplants (32%), abdominoplasty (29%), nephrectomy (25%), and appendicovesicostomy (21%). After stratifying patients according to Woodard classification, a trend for 12% improvement in mortality after VAS was noted in the Woodard Classification 1 cohort.Conclusions: PBS patients frequently have multiple congenital anomalies. Pulmonary complications are prevalent in the neonate while CKD (36%) is prevalent during late childhood. The risk of CKD increased significantly with the presence of other congenital anomalies in our cohort. Mortality in childhood is most common in infancy and may be as low as 27%. Contemporary management of PBS, including prenatal interventions, reduced the neonatal mortality rate in a subset of our cohort.

The fabrication of controlled supramolecular nanostructures via self-assembly of protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) was studied with enantiomerically pure l-arginine and d-arginine, and we have shown that stoichiometry controlled the morphology formed. The nanostructure morphology was mainly influenced by the delicate balance of π-π stacking interactions between PPIX cores, as well as H-bonding between the deprotonated acidic head group of PPIX with the guanidine head group of arginine. PPIX self-assembled with l-/d-arginine to create rose-like nanoflower structures for four equivalents of arginine that were 5−10 μm in length and 1−4 μm diameter. We employed UV-vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) techniques to characterize the resulting self-assembled nanostructures. Furthermore, we investigated the catalytic activity of PPIX and arginine co-assembled materials. The fabricated PPIX−arginine nanostructure showed high enhancement of photocatalytic activity through degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) with a decrease in dye concentration of around 78−80% under simulated visible radiation.

Neurogenic detrusor overactivity and the associated loss of bladder control are among the most challenging complications of spinal cord injury (SCI). Anticholinergic agents are the mainstay for medical treatment of detrusor overactivity. However, their use is limited by significant side effects such that a search for new treatments is warranted. Inosine is a naturally occurring purine nucleoside with neuroprotective, neurotrophic and antioxidant effects that is known to improve motor function in preclinical models of SCI. However, its effect on lower urinary tract function has not been determined. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of systemic administration of inosine on voiding function following SCI and to delineate potential mechanisms of action. Sprague-Dawley rats underwent complete spinal cord transection, or cord compression by application of an aneurysm clip at T8 for 30 sec. Inosine (225 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered daily via intraperitoneal injection either immediately after injury or after a delay of 8 wk. At the end of treatment, voiding behavior was assessed by cystometry. Levels of synaptophysin (SYP), neurofilament 200 (NF200) and TRPV1 in bladder tissues were measured by immunofluorescence imaging. Inosine administration decreased overactivity in both SCI models, with a significant decrease in the frequency of spontaneous non-voiding contractions during filling, compared to vehicle-treated SCI rats (p

BackgroundPeople who inject drugs (PWID) have a high incidence of HIV, little access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and high mortality. We aimed to assess the feasibility of a future controlled trial based on the incidence of HIV, enrolment, retention, and uptake of the intervention, and the efficacy of an integrated and flexible intervention on ART use, viral suppression, and MAT use.MethodsThis randomised, controlled vanguard study was run in Kyiv, Ukraine (one community site), Thai Nguyen, Vietnam (two district health centre sites), and Jakarta, Indonesia (one hospital site). PWID who were HIV infected (index participants) and non-infected injection partners were recruited as PWID network units and were eligible for screening if they were aged 18-45 years (updated to 18-60 years 8 months into study), and active injection drug users. Further eligibility criteria for index participants included a viral load of 1000 copies per mL or higher, willingness and ability to recruit at least one injection partner who would be willing to participate. Index participants were randomly assigned via a computer generated sequence accessed through a secure web portal (3:1) to standard of care or intervention, stratified by site. Masking of assignment was not possible due to the nature of intervention. The intervention comprised systems navigation, psychosocial counselling, and ART at any CD4 count. Local ART and MAT services were used. Participants were followed up for 12-24 months. The primary objective was to assess the feasibility of a future randomised controlled trial. To achieve this aim we looked at the following endpoints: HIV incidence among injection partners in the standard of care group, and enrolment and retention of HIV-infected PWID and their injection partners and the uptake of the integrated intervention. The study was also designed to assess the feasibility, barriers, and uptake of the integrated intervention. Endpoints were assessed in a modified intention-to-treat popualtion after exclusion of ineligible participants. This trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02935296, and is active but not recruiting new participants.FindingsBetween Feb 5, 2015, and June 3, 2016, 3343 potential index participants were screened, of whom 502 (15%) were eligible and enrolled. 1171 injection partners were referred, and 806 (69%) were eligible and enrolled. Index participants were randomly assigned to intervention (126 [25%]) and standard of care (376 [75%]) groups. At week 52, most living index participants (389 [86%] of 451) and partners (567 [80%] of 710) were retained, and self-reported ART use was higher among index participants in the intervention group than those in the standard of care group (probability ratio [PR] 1·7, 95% CI 1·4-1·9). Viral suppression was also higher in the intervention group than in the standard of care group (PR 1·7, 95% CI 1·3-2·2). Index participants in the intervention group reported more MAT use at 52 weeks than those in the standard of care group (PR 1·7, 95% CI 1·3-2·2). Seven incident HIV infections occurred, and all in injection partners in the standard of care group (intervention incidence 0·0 per 100 person-years, 95% CI 0·0-1·7; standard of care incidence 1·0 per 100 person-years, 95% CI 0·4-2·1; incidence rate difference -1·0 per 100 person-years, 95% CI -2·1 to 1·1). No severe adverse events due to the intervention were recorded.InterpretationThis vanguard study provides evidence that a flexible, scalable intervention increases ART and MAT use and reduces mortality among PWID. The low incidence of HIV in both groups impedes a future randomised, controlled trial, but given the strength of the effect of the intervention, its implementation among HIV-infected PWID should be considered.FundingUS National Institutes of Health.

In late 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) released the WHO Guideline for complementary feeding of infants and young children 6-23 months of age (WHO Guidelines). This was based on systematic literature reviews, extensive consultation with regional offices and a review of existing WHO guidance relevant to infants. In this paper we describe the similarities and differences between the recent WHO Guidelines and the current Australian Guidelines and highlight some of their limitations. The WHO provides advice relevant to all countries in the world, while the Australian infant feeding guidelines are limited to the Australian context. This results in more emphasis on the use of micronutrient supplements in the WHO Guidelines which are not routinely used in Australia. Both sets of guidelines emphasise the importance of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life followed by continuing breastfeeding as long as the mother and infant desire, although there are small differences in wording. No additional foods or drinks are needed before six months, when complementary foods should then be introduced. A variety of different foods and textures should be offered. Toddler milks are not needed. The WHO Guidelines state that animal milk, such as cows' milk, can be given from 6 months, while Australia recommends that cows' milk only be given after 12 months due to the possibility of iron deficiency. Cows' milk also has higher concentrations of protein and electrolytes. Both guidelines give very similar advice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurogenic detrusor overactivity and the associated loss of bladder control are among the most challenging complications of spinal cord injury (SCI). Anticholinergic agents are the mainstay for medical treatment of detrusor overactivity. However, their use is limited by significant side effects such that a search for new treatments is warranted. Inosine is a naturally occurring purine nucleoside with neuroprotective, neurotrophic and antioxidant effects that is known to improve motor function in preclinical models of SCI. However, its effect on lower urinary tract function has not been determined. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of systemic administration of inosine on voiding function following SCI and to delineate potential mechanisms of action. Sprague-Dawley rats underwent complete spinal cord transection, or cord compression by application of an aneurysm clip at T8 for 30 sec. Inosine (225 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered daily via intraperitoneal injection either immediately after injury or after a delay of 8 wk. At the end of treatment, voiding behavior was assessed by cystometry. Levels of synaptophysin (SYP), neurofilament 200 (NF200) and TRPV1 in bladder tissues were measured by immunofluorescence imaging. Inosine administration decreased overactivity in both SCI models, with a significant decrease in the frequency of spontaneous non-voiding contractions during filling, compared to vehicle-treated SCI rats (p