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Here we consider a certain transfert operator \(\mathrm{M}_{(c,\omega)}=I_{\mathcal{P}}-c \, \tau_{\omega},\) \(\omega\neq0,\) \({c \in \mathbb{R}-\{0,1\},}\) and we prove the following statement: up to an affine transformation, the only orthogonal sequence that remains orthogonal after application of this transfert operator is the Meixner polynomials of the first kind.

The swift advancement and updating of urban lighting systems, along with the incorporation of smart and Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure, have opened up numerous opportunities for technological progress across various facets of life. This paper offers a comprehensive overview on the development of smart public street lighting infrastructure tailored for IoT applications in smart cities. Initially, the focus lies on transitioning from conventional lighting to Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) technology in street lighting. Complementing this transition, the incorporation of the wireless networked sensors and controllers ensures dynamic brightness control in operational zones, envisioning substantial energy savings. Furthermore, the notion characterizing smart cities denotes incorporating modern digital infrastructures to develop innovative functionalities and connect various application, following the IoT paradigm. The key findings from the proposed study have enhanced knowledge regarding smart public street lighting application. This system integrates smart poles equipped with LEDs lamps technology, smart sensors, communication network and monitoring unit, leveraging current technological advancements in IoT applications. The implementation of IoT-based smart public street lighting systems presents several challenges, including integrating diverse sensors and actuators ensuring robust device communication, secure data management, and effective system scaling and maintenance. Despite these challenges, this system significantly advances smart city infrastructure by enhancing energy efficiency, safety, and sustainability. However, addressing their high initial costs, data privacy and security concerns, and ongoing maintenance are crucial in future studies to realize their full potential in smart cities.

PURPOSEMost research on artificial intelligence–based auto-contouring as template (AI-assisted contouring) for organs-at-risk (OARs) stem from high-income countries. The effect and safety are, however, likely to depend on local factors. This study aimed to investigate the effects of AI-assisted contouring and teaching on contouring time and contour quality among radiation oncologists (ROs) working in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).MATERIALS AND METHODSNinety-seven ROs were randomly assigned to either manual or AI-assisted contouring of eight OARs for two head-and-neck cancer cases with an in-between teaching session on contouring guidelines. Thereby, the effect of teaching (yes/no) and AI-assisted contouring (yes/no) was quantified. Second, ROs completed short-term and long-term follow-up cases all using AI assistance. Contour quality was quantified with Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) between ROs' contours and expert consensus contours. Groups were compared using absolute differences in medians with 95% CIs.RESULTSAI-assisted contouring without previous teaching increased absolute DSC for optic nerve (by 0.05 [0.01; 0.10]), oral cavity (0.10 [0.06; 0.13]), parotid (0.07 [0.05; 0.12]), spinal cord (0.04 [0.01; 0.06]), and mandible (0.02 [0.01; 0.03]). Contouring time decreased for brain stem (–1.41 [–2.44; –0.25]), mandible (–6.60 [–8.09; –3.35]), optic nerve (–0.19 [–0.47; –0.02]), parotid (–1.80 [–2.66; –0.32]), and thyroid (–1.03 [–2.18; –0.05]). Without AI-assisted contouring, teaching increased DSC for oral cavity (0.05 [0.01; 0.09]) and thyroid (0.04 [0.02; 0.07]), and contouring time increased for mandible (2.36 [–0.51; 5.14]), oral cavity (1.42 [–0.08; 4.14]), and thyroid (1.60 [–0.04; 2.22]).CONCLUSIONThe study suggested that AI-assisted contouring is safe and beneficial to ROs working in LMICs. Prospective clinical trials on AI-assisted contouring should, however, be conducted upon clinical implementation to confirm the effects.

This paper is devoted to the study of the well-posedness of a singular nonlinear fractional pseudo-hyperbolic system with frictional damping terms. The fractional derivative is described in Caputo sense. The equations are supplemented by classical and nonlocal boundary conditions. Upon some a priori estimates and density arguments, we establish the existence and uniqueness of the strongly generalized solution for the associated linear fractional system in some Sobolev fractional spaces. On the basis of the obtained results for the linear fractional system, we apply an iterative process in order to establish the well-posedness of the nonlinear fractional system. This mathematical model of pseudo-hyperbolic systems arises mainly in the theory of longitudinal and lateral vibrations of elastic bars (beams), and in some special case it is propounded in unsteady helical flows between two infinite coaxial circular cylinders for some specific boundary conditions.

The cultivation of carob tree does not need many climatic and ecological requirements. The main limit to its large-scale cultivation is the defects for propagation with seeds. Addressing this, our study evaluated the effect of cold plasma pretreatment on carob seed germination.Impressively, cold plasma showcased beneficial effects by significantly increasing water uptake in seeds (CS: 1.71 ± 0.59; PS/3.99 ± 1.56) and decreasing the contact angle from 80.7° to 57.9°, enhancing the seed surface's hydrophilicity. While the germination rate enhancement was subtle, the treatment presented an innovative route to modifying the seed's physiochemical properties. Specifically, storage proteins like albumin, globulin, and prolamin were notably reduced (Albumin (from 7.67 to 4.95 mg/g DW), Globulin (from 8.52 to 5.80 mg/g DW) and Prolamin (from 3.53 to 1.66 mg/g DW)). Additionally, there was a decline in the overall content of polyphenols (from 846.88 to 760.94 mg GAE/100g DW) and flavonoids (from 790.93 to 502.95 mg GAE/100g DW) and a decrease in the ferric reducing power (from 34.48 to 26.39 mg AAE/g DW). However, radical scavenging activity remained consistent. Intriguingly, FTIR-ATR spectral analysis post plasma treatment indicated oxidative alterations in the seed coat, marked by a distinctive intensity at 1732 cm⁻1.This investigation suggests that the application of eco-friendly technology could provide improvements in seed surface's hydrophilicity, but appropriate conditions could be chosen to increase germination efficiency.

Artificial neural network models have been used successfully to solve demand forecasting and production scheduling problems; the two steps that typically precede and succeed Material Requirements Planning (MRP). In this paper, a neural network model is applied to the MRP problem of lot-sizing. The model's performance is evaluated under different scenarios and is compared to common heuristics that address the same problem. Results show that the developed artificial neural network model is capable of solving the lot-sizing problem with notable consistency and reasonable accuracy. Keywords: Neural network models; Lot-sizing; Heuristics; Design of experiments

Cu-doped TiO2 films were synthesized directly on FTO glass with a spin coating method. With a variation in copper amount, samples were prepared with 0%, 1%, 2%, 4% and 8% of dopant concentrations. Morphological and structural characterization of undoped and Cu-doped TiO2 samples were investigated and the obtained results showed the small, spherical shapes of the nanoparticles forming a thin film on top of FTO glass and their preferred orientation of TiO2 anatase (101), which is the same for each sample. However, this peak exhibited a slight shift for the 2% sample, related to the inflation of the microstrain compared to the other samples. For the optical properties, the 4% sample displayed the highest transmittance whereas the 2% sample exhibited the lowest band gap energy of 2.96 eV. Moreover, the PL intensity seems to be at its highest for the 2% sample due to the present peaking defects in the structure, whereas the 8% sample shows a whole new signal that is related to copper oxide. These properties make this material a potential candidate to perform as an electron transport layer (ETL) in solar cells and enhance their power conversion efficiency.

Abstract Background Amphetamine use disorder (AMPH) and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often co-occur and are associated with poor treatment outcomes. Elevated impulsivity is a core feature in both disorders. Little is known however about the specific neurocognitive profile regarding different facets of impulsivity, and specifically impulsive choice, in comorbid populations. Methods Three groups (ADHD + AMPH, ADHD only and healthy controls (HC)) were assessed with self-reported impulsivity and cognitive tasks of impulsive choice, operationalized as delay aversion (DA) and reflection impulsivity. Results Twenty-nine participants with comorbid ADHD + AMPH, 25 participants with ADHD only and 116 HC completed screening, including self-rating scales, and cognitive testing. 20, 16 and 114 participants completed computerized cognitive tasks in the ADHD + AMPH group, ADHD group and HC group, respectively. The ADHD + AMPH group reported significantly higher motor, attentional and non-planning impulsiveness, and showed a significantly higher degree of impulsive choice, compared to both groups. There were no differences in task-related impulsiveness between ADHD only and HC. Conclusions The current findings suggest that individuals with ADHD + AMPH have overall elevated levels of impulsivity compared to individuals with ADHD only. In addition, that ADHD + AMPH is specifically associated with impairments in task-related impulsive choice, which was not found in ADHD only compared to HC. The neurocognitive profile in this specific patient group may represent a need for more systematic screening within healthcare settings in order to develop effective and targeted treatment for comorbid patients. Trial registration EudraCT, 2012–004298-20.

Research question: Is the failure of performance measurement systems (PMS) due to the crisis in itself or to a radical change in the paradigm that governs the world that has caused a loss of momentum? Motivation: In the era of recurrent/multiple crises, some researchers have signaled the inadequacy of the industrial economics paradigm and the managerial tools arising from them, and their inability to address the new characteristics of the environmental context. On this subject, we wonder whether the observed "malaise" of PMS is due to a possible paradigmatic obsolescence. If necessary, a redefinition of these systems should be considered so that the indicators regain their relevance. Idea: In recent decades, crisis meant no more than a temporary disruption of an idealized situation. The recurrence of systemic natural, social, economic and other crises and the ensuing volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous business environment has become the rule and we need to reappraise the capacity for our tools to grasp the complex reality of our world. Data/Tools: Building on complexity theory authors, the article aims to critically reflect on the paradigmatic foundations that give meaning (or not) to PMS. Findings: The recurrence of crises reflects an obsolescence of the dominant economic and managerial paradigm advocating determinism, simplicity and certainty/predictability. PMS must be redefined in order to regain their relevance in line with the paradigm characterized by volatility, complexity, uncertainty and ambiguity. Contribution: This paper makes two major contributions. First, we deconstruct the dominant model of performance assessment and measurement based on mechanistic industrial economics highlighting the limitations of traditional accounting methods in capturing the complex and dynamic nature of modern business environments. Second, we describe the main characteristics of the new business landscape and the original understanding of crisis to highlight the need to review traditional approaches to accounting indicators and performance measurement in this context of a complex, uncertain world.

Background: Lithotripsy with holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser is the current gold standard for treating stones of the upper urinary tract (UUT). The recently introduced thulium fiber laser (TFL) has the potential to be more efficient and as safe as Ho:YAG. Objective: To compare the performance and complications between Ho:YAG and TFL for UUT lithotripsy. Design, setting, and participants: This was a prospective single-center study of 182 patients treated between February 2021 and February 2022. In a consecutive approach, laser lithotripsy was performed via ureteroscopy with Ho:YAG for 5 mo, and then with TFL for 5 mo. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Our primary outcome was stone-free (SF) status at 3 mo after ureteroscopy with Ho:YAG versus TFL lithotripsy. Secondary outcomes were complication rates and results regarding the cumulative stone size. Patients were followed at 3 mo with abdominal imaging (ultrasound or computed tomography). Results and limitations: The study cohort comprised 76 patients treated with Ho:YAG laser and 100 patients treated with TFL. Cumulative stone size was significantly higher in the TFL than in the Ho:YAG group (20.4 vs 14.8 mm; p = 0.01). SF status was similar in both groups (68.4% vs 72%; p = 0.06). Complication rates were comparable. In subgroup analysis, the SF rate was significantly higher (81.6% vs 62.5%; p = 0.04) and the operative time was shorter for stones measuring 1–2 cm, whereas the results were similar for stones 2 cm. The lack of randomization and single-center design are the main limitations of the study. Conclusions: TFL and Ho:YAG lithotripsy are comparable in terms of the SF rate and safety for the treatment of UUT lithiasis. According to our study, for a cumulative stone size of 1–2 cm, TFL is more effective than Ho:YAG. Patient summary: We compared the efficiency and safety of two laser types for the treatment of stones in the upper urinary tract. We found that stone-free status at 3 months did not significantly differ between the holmium and thulium lasers.

Summary: Background: Intellectual disability (ID) is a disorder with unknown aetiology in many cases. Maternal alcohol use is a known risk factor for ID, but less is known about the importance of maternal and paternal substance use disorder (SUD) and risk of ID in offspring. Methods: Data from multiple nationwide registers were used to create a cohort of children born from January 01, 1978 to December 31, 2002. All participants were born in Sweden, had available parental identification information and did not emigrate or die before age 12 (n = 1,940,820). Logistic regression modelling was performed with exposure defined as having a parent who received any SUD diagnosis, including alcohol use disorder (AUD) and drug use disorder (DUD). The outcome was registration of diagnosis of any form of ID. First, we analysed the risk of ID if parental SUD was registered prior to childbirth with stepwise adjustment of multiple covariates. Second, the effect of timing of SUD diagnosis in relation to childbirth was analysed. Findings: Of 37,410 offspring with parental SUD registered prior to birth, 3.0% (n = 1110) had any form of ID compared to 1.2% (n = 23,168) of those 1,903,410 individuals without parental SUD prior birth. Parental SUD prior birth was associated with an increased risk of any form of ID (Odds Ratio [OR]: 2.3 [2.2–2.5]), with ORs similar for maternal (OR: 2.3 [2.1–2.5]) and paternal SUD (OR: 2.3 [2.1–2.5]). These ORs were reduced but remained statistically significant after adjusting for parental education, migration, psychiatric comorbidity, and co-parent SUD (OR parental SUD: 1.6 [1.5–1.8]; OR maternal SUD: 1.4 [1.2–1.5]; OR paternal SUD: 1.6 [1.5–1.7]). Parental SUD was associated with increased risk of ID in offspring irrespective of timing of diagnosis, but if mothers or fathers were diagnosed with AUD during pregnancy (OR maternal AUD: 5.0 [3.1–8.2]; OR paternal AUD: 2.8 [2.2–3.6]), the risk was significantly greater than if the AUD diagnosis was first registered after childbirth (OR maternal AUD: 1.9 [1.8–2.0]; OR paternal AUD: 1.6 [1.6–1.7]). Interpretation: Both paternal and maternal SUD were associated with an increased risk of ID in offspring, with greatest risk observed when AUD was diagnosed during pregnancy. Possible mechanisms may involve shared genetic and environmental factors, including toxic effects from alcohol intake. These findings have clinical implications in suggesting that parental SUD in either parent represents a possibly modifiable risk factor to consider when developing prevention, diagnostics and treatment programs for children with ID. Funding: Stockholm County Council, the Research Council of the Swedish Alcohol Retailing Monopoly, Fredrik and Ingrid Thurings stiftelse, Academy of Finland, the Swedish Research Council and the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare, Nordforsk by the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Polish Medical Research Agency.

The traditional approach of prescribing phosphate fertilizer solely based on soil test P (STP) has faced criticism from scientists and agriculturists pushing farmers to seek phosphate fertilization models that incorporate additional factors. By embracing integrated approaches, farmers can receive more precise recommendations that align with their specific conditions and fertilization techniques. This study aimed to utilize artificial intelligence prediction to replicate soybean response curves to fertilizer by integrating edaphic and climatic factors. Literature data on soybean response to P fertilization were collected, and the Random Forest (RF) algorithm was applied to predict response curves. The predictions utilized seven predictors: P dose, STP, soil pH, texture, % OM, precipitation, and P application methods. These predictions were compared to the traditional STP-based approach. The STP-based P prescription models exhibited extremely low robustness values (R2) of 1.53% and 0.88% for the PBray-1 and POlsen diagnostic systems, respectively. In contrast, implementing the RF algorithm allowed for more accurate prediction of yield gains at various P doses, achieving robustness values of 87.4% for the training set and 60.9% for the testing set. The prediction errors remained below 10% throughout the analysis. Implementing artificial intelligence modeling enabled the study to achieve precise predictions of the optimal P dose and customized fertilization recommendations tailored to farmers’ specific soil conditions, climate, and individual fertilization practices.

Congo red dye is classified as a toxic chemical and can be harmful if ingested, inhaled, or in contact with the skin or eyes. It can cause irritation, allergic reactions, and skin sensitization in some individuals. Thus, in this paper, CaFe2O4 nanoparticles were produced by a simple Pechini sol-gel approach and used as an adsorbent material for the efficient disposal of Congo red dye from aqueous solutions. The maximum adsorption capacity of the CaFe2O4 towards Congo red dye is 318.47 mg/g. Furthermore, the synthesized CaFe2O4 nanoparticles exhibit an average crystal size of 24.34 nm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination showed that the CaFe2O4 nanoparticles are basically ball-like particles with a mean grain size of 540.54 nm. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examination showed that the CaFe2O4 sample revealed aggregated spherical particles with a mean diameter of 27.48 nm. The Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) pattern reveals that the produced CaFe2O4 nanoparticles are composed of Ca, Fe, and O elements, with an atomic ratio of 1:2:4 of these elements, respectively. The disposal of Congo red dye by the synthesized CaFe2O4 nanoparticles is chemical, spontaneous, exothermic, perfectly aligned with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and exhibited excellent conformity with the Langmuir equilibrium isotherm.

Chlorobenzene (CB) and Chloronaphthalene (CN) emissions from cement plant operations pose significant environmental risks. This study investigates the mass transfer effects of chlorinated aromatic Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), specifically CB and CN, in the gas phase of a continuous-tangential-flow annular photocatalytic reactor. The experiments involved introducing CB and CN into the reactor, and the degradation kinetics were analyzed using the Langmuir–Hinshelwood (L-H) model. The L-H model was applied to assess the impact of the flow rate, concentration, and relative humidity (% RH) on the degradation rate (DR). The results indicate that both the experimental and simulated degradation rates improved with increased flow rates (1 to 9 m3·h−1) and inlet concentrations (30 to 216 mg·m−3). This enhancement of the DR correlates with the availability of active OH* species on the TiO2 surface. The L-H model emphasizes the role of H2O molecules in VOC removal kinetics. The degradation rates increased with a rising water content (5 to 55%), but adverse effects on VOC conversion were observed beyond a 55% RH. This study reveals a mass transfer effect, with internal diffusional limitations in the TiO2 pores under operational conditions. The kinetics were predominantly controlled by chemical kinetics and catalyst pore availability. Furthermore, this study demonstrates a higher CB degradation than CN in the reactor and experimental conditions. For a concentration of 1.328 mM·m−3, the CB DR ranged from 0.70 to 2.84 µM·m2·s−1, as the flow rate varied from 1 to 9 m3·h−1. The CN DR varied from 0.60 to 2.20 µM·m2·s−1 within the same flow rate range.

This study was conducted to examine effects of resistant starch compared to fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and zinc bacitracin (ZnB), on performance and ileum morphology in broilers. The experiment groups included a control (basal diet with no additive; CON), four groups receiving different levels of resistant starch type 2 (1, 2, 3, and 4% added to basal diet; RS), a group receiving fructooligosaccharide (0.4% in basal diet; FOS), and a group receiving Zinc bacitracin (50 mg/kg basal diet; ZnB). The findings on the day 35 indicated that the groups that received 2% and 3% RS were not significantly different from the FOS group and the ZnB group in terms of feed intake. The largest body weight and the smallest feed conversion ratio was found in the ZnB group (P<0.05). Body weights in the groups treated with 3% and 4% RS were not significantly different from the FOS group. The 3% and 4% RS groups had a greater villus height (P<0.05) and a smaller crypt depth compared to the FOS group. These results demonstrated that while the ZnB group had a better performance than other groups, it seems that adding 3% and 4% RS resulted in a performance similar to adding FOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising shortage of fertilizer resources in crop-producing regions worldwide and the need for fertilizer use optimization to minimize the impact of salt injuries and ammonia toxicity are at the centre of a brewing storm call for sustainable fertilizer savings. The allocation of fertilizers will be an ever-increasing pressure source because of vast agricultural demands under changing climatic conditions. Therefore, starter fertilizers must complement their efficiency and aim to boost productivity and improve food quality to reduce its toxicities, and these observations are corroborated by an analysis of past and ongoing short-, medium-, and long-term experiments. Concurrently, to counterbalance nutrient uptake, fertilizing products containing select nutrients are commonly placed through soil–seed or soil–fertilizer–seed systems to enhance crop production and productivity. Knowledge of the importance of starter fertilizers and their implications as influenced by frequent environmental conditions and management practices remains essential for sustainable and socio-economics of human livelihoods and successful global agronomic food systems under climate change. Therefore, this review takes a closer look at the detailed starter fertilizers’ (N, P, and K) placement approaches exploring their implications on crop production cycles and integrating them with environmental and agronomic management practices that could help to tailor the appropriate fertilizer recommendations and minimise fertilizer toxicity. We explored the mechanisms by which fertilizer salt injury and ammonia toxicity interfere with the morpho-physiological and biochemical processes in most agronomic seed crops. Beyond this, we show the advances that have already been made, as well as suggestions and recommendations concerning managing fertilizer salt injuries and ammonia toxicity potentials in the agricultural industry.

Abstract Background Impulsivity is associated with several psychiatric disorders, including substance use disorders (SUD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A widely used questionnaire to assess impulsivity is the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), and the aim of the current study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the BIS (swe-BIS). Methods The original BIS was translated to Swedish and back-translated by an authorized translator. The swe-BIS was administered to healthy controls (n = 113), patients with alcohol use disorder (n = 97), amphetamine use disorder (n = 37) and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD; n = 26). A subset of subjects (n = 62) completed the swe-BIS twice within 1 week. Psychometric evaluation of the swe-BIS included assessment of different indices of reliability (internal consistency, test-retest and agreement) and validity (response processess, divergent and convergent). Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were performed to assess several indices of model fit in five different models based on previously suggested subscales. Results Cronbach’s alpha for all swe-BIS items in the full sample was 0.89, ranging from 0.78–0.87 within the different subgroups. The Pearson test-retest correlation for total score was 0.78 (p