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A theoretical framework for the rational approximation of optical response functions in resonant photonic systems is introduced. The framework is based on the AAA algorithm and further allows to solve the underlying nonlinear eigenproblems and to efficiently model sensitivities. An adaptive sampling strategy exploits the predominance of resonances in the physical response. A chiral metasurface is investigated and it is shown that the chiroptical response on parameter variations can be accurately modeled in the vicinity of the relevant resonance frequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Do behavioral factors mediate the relationship between industry returns and Bitcoin returns? We use four industry indices in technology, energy, clean energy, and banking, and the Sentiment index from Thomson Reuters Marketpsych Indices as a behavioral factor to investigate this question. We show that the sensitivities of technology and clean energy industry indices to Sentiment, positively and significantly, strengthen the relationship between sentiment and Bitcoin returns. By showing that behavioral factors mediate the association between the returns of industry indices and Bitcoin returns, we provide evidence that investors' Sentiment captures the association between Bitcoin and sectors related to cryptocurrencies. Our results, however, do not support prior studies' findings of a direct relationship between the industry indices and Bitcoin returns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the broader issue of invasive species management, particularly within the context of highly biodiverse yet threatened ecosystems such as the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. Effective management strategies are paramount to mitigate the ecological impact of invasive species on native ecosystems. Using the case of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Moraceae), a tree native to Southeast Asia that has become invasive in some urban tropical forests in Brazil, we developed a management approach based on the tree's life cycle and vital rates. Our disturbance analysis showed that a management strategy focused on the survival and growth of JUVENILES 1 and ADULTS 1 would be effective in reducing the population growth rate (λ). Elasticity analyses, on the other hand, indicate that the best management options are those based on the survival rates of JUVENILES 1, ADULTS 1, and ADULTS 2. To reduce the population's λ, our management simulations suggest that small interventions are sufficient, targeting a reduction of up to 5% in survival rates, particularly in the reproductive classes. In contrast, our simulations highlight that interventions involving the removal of 30% of the population or more per year have a minimal effect on reducing the population growth rate, while gradual, long-term management is more effective. Excessive management, defined as large-scale interventions that can open large gaps in the forest (e. g. exceeding 70% removal per year), would be unnecessary, could result in the waste of financial resources, and could hinder native species' ability to colonize the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a technique for the direct optimization of conservative backbone curves in nonlinear mechanical systems. The periodic orbits on the conservative backbone are computed analytically using the reduced dynamics of the corresponding Lyapunov subcenter manifold (LSM). In this manner, we avoid expensive full-system simulations and numerical continuation to approximate the nonlinear response. Our method aims at tailoring the shape of the backbone curve using a gradient-based optimization with respect to the system's parameters. To this end, we formulate the optimization problem by imposing constraints on the frequency-amplitude relation. Sensitivities are computed analytically by differentiating the backbone expression and the corresponding LSM. At each iteration, only the reduced-order model construction and sensitivity computation are performed, making our approach robust and efficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Credit Valuation Adjustment is a balance sheet item which is nowadays subject to active risk management by specialized traders. However, the most important risk factors, which are the default intensities of the counterparties, affect in a nondifferentiable way the most general Monte Carlo estimator of the adjustment, through simulation of default times. Thus the computation of first- and second-order (pure and mixed) sensitivities with respect to inputs affecting these risk factors cannot rely on direct path-wise differentiation, while any approach involving finite differences is slow and shows very high statistical noise. We present ad hoc estimators which have empirically a much smaller variance while offering very low runtime overheads over the baseline computation of the price adjustment, regardless of the number of sensitivities of interest, by leveraging adjoint (i.e., backward) algorithmic differentiation in their implementation. These estimators allow for a generic copula-based dependence structure among the default events, and can be applied beyond our main application, to payoffs depending on more than two of them. We also discuss the conversion of the so-obtained sensitivities to model parameters (e.g., default intensities) into sensitivities to the market quotes used in calibration (e.g., Credit Default Swap spreads) by generalizations of an existing implicit-function based first-order algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the issues of high saturated vapor pressure, high toxicity, and high viscosity of TNT, this article used a chemical method to synthesize a new carrier explosive BFTNAN. The prepared samples were characterized using scanning electron microscope(SEM), energy spectrum(EDS), x-ray diffraction(XRD), infrared spectrum(IR), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), nuclear magnetic resonance, and elemental analysis techniques. The enthalpy of formation of BFTNAN was measured using a specialized calorimeter that is specially used in testing of explosives and powders. The thermal decomposition performance of BFTNAN was tested by DSC technology. Meanwhile, the mechanical sensitivity, thermal sensitivity, and detonation performance of BFTNAN based melt-cast explosive was also tested. The results of characterizations showed that the prepared sample was indeed BFTNAN. The enthalpy of formation of BFTNAN was determined as ΔHf,BFTNAN = −72.6 kJ·mol−1. At a heating rate of 20 °C·min−1, the thermal decomposition peak of BFTNAN is at TP = 250.6 °C, and the activation energy is EK = 80 kJ·mol−1, which is closed to the Tp and EK values of TNT. This indicates that BFTNAN is a relatively easy to decompose explosive, but the decomposition rate is not fast. The critical temperature for thermal explosion of BFTNAN reached Tb = 216 °C, which is also closed to the Tb value of TNT. The impact and friction sensitivity of BFTNAN were lower than those of TNT, which was closed to those of DNAN. The thermal sensitivity of BFTNAN is lower than TNT. The detonation velocity and heat of explosion of BFTNAN based melt-cast explosive were distinctly higher than those of TNT based explosive. Especially, BFTNAN based melt-cast explosive were of the advantages in chemical energy storage, work capacity, brisance, and ability of acceleration metals.

To obtain novel high-energy density compounds with superior detonation properties and sensitivity to those of RDX, a series of furazan/tetrazole/tetrazine-tetrazole-N = N-tetrazole-furazan/tetrazole/tetrazine and furazan/tetrazole/tetrazine-tetrazole-NHNH-tetrazole-furazan/tetrazole/tetrazine-based energetic materials were designed. Their structures were optimised by Gaussian software with density functional theory at B3LYP/6-311G (d,p) level. Based on the optimised structures, their frontier orbital energies, heats of formation and detonation properties were calculated. The results indicate that the compound with tetrazole-tetrazole-N = N-tetrazole-tetrazole parent structure and -N3 energetic group has the highest value of heat of formation while the compound with tetrazine-tetrazole-NHNH-tetrazole-tetrazine parent structure and -C(NO2)3 energetic group possess the highest values of detonation velocity and detonation pressure. Most of the designed compounds have higher values of h50 than those of RDX (28 cm) and HMX (32 cm), and series E had higher average values of impact sensitivity. Finally, taking detonation properties and impact sensitivity into consideration, six compounds (A2, A8, C8, D2, F7 and F8) were selected as potential candidate materials for high-energy density materials, and their electronic and physicochemical properties were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrological system of a watershed is intricately influenced by both underlying characteristics and climate conditions. Understanding the variability in water yield is essential for effective water resources management and water security in the context of changing environments. In this study, we adopted the Budyko framework and leveraged simulations from the CMIP6 model to investigate the compensation effects of climate and underlying characteristics on watershed water yield. Based on Taylor expansion and Budyko framework, we estimated the sensitivity of watershed water yield to climate and underlying characteristics (the first-and second-order partial derivatives). By combining external watershed characteristics (e.g., water yield ratios and underlying characteristics) with internal sensitivity coefficients, this study further used vine copula and principal component analysis to quantify the stability of watershed water yield. Our findings show: (1) Water-yield changes related to underlying characteristics could be offset by climate-related water-yield changes across all climate zones, maintaining the water yield ratio steady (i.e., the compensation effects). (2) However, global watersheds will turn more sensitive to underlying characteristics and less sensitive to climate variation in the future. Both climate- and underlying-related sensitivities increase in watersheds with arid climates. (3) The stability of watershed water yield will gradually diminish in the future. From 1901~~1950 to 2051~~2100, the global stability of 280 watersheds drops from 0.054 to 0.021 (i.e., stability index identified by the joint probability). Particularly, the largest change in stability of water yield reaches −0.347±0.18 in arid regions. In semi-arid, semi-humid, and humid regions, the changes are −0.039±0.010, −0.028±0.005, and −0.005±0.002, respectively. The findings provide a reference for the future sustainable water resources development under climate change, highlighting the vulnerability of the water resources in arid and semi-arid watersheds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of bridged triazolo[4,5‐d]pyridazine based energetic materials were optimized at B3LYP/6‐311G(d, p) level of density functional theory (DFT), and their detonation properties and sensitivities were calculated. The results show that the NN bridge/N3 group were beneficial to improve values of heats of formation while NN bridge/C(NO2)3 group can improve detonation properties remarkably. In view of the sensitivities, compound F2 possesses the minimum values of impact sensitivity which reveals that NHNH bridge/C(NO2)3 group will decrease the stability of the designed compounds. Take both of detonation properties and sensitivities into consideration, compounds C8, E7, E8, F8 were screened as candidates of potential energetic materials since these compounds possess similar detonation properties and sensitivities values to those of RDX. All the calculated results were except to shine lights on the design and synthesis of novel high energy density materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Actas de Diseño is the property of Facultad de Diseno y Comunicacion, Fundacion Universidad de Palermo 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.)

Measure-valued differentiation (MVD) is a relatively new method for computing Monte Carlo sensitivities, relying on a decomposition of the derivative of transition densities of the underlying process into a linear combination of probability measures. In computing the sensitivities, additional paths are generated for each constituent distribution and the payoffs from these paths are combined to produce sample estimates. The method generally produces sensitivity estimates with lower variance than the finite difference and likelihood ratio methods, and can be applied to discontinuous payoffs in contrast to the pathwise differentiation method. However, these benefits come at the expense of an additional computational burden. In this paper, we propose an alternative approach, called the absolute measure-valued differentiation (AMVD) method, which expresses the derivative of the transition density at each simulation step as a single density rather than a linear combination. It is computationally more efficient than the MVD method and can result in sensitivity estimates with lower variance. Analytic and numerical examples are provided to compare the variance in the sensitivity estimates of the AMVD method against alternative methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bandpass filters are integral in modern communication systems for selecting specific frequency ranges to ensure interferencefree signal transmission and reception. This paper explores various bandpass filter designs, including those using active inductors, transmission-line unit-cells, microstrip open-loop resonators, and dual-port dual-frequency integration antennas. The focus is on the 10.7-MHz bandpass filter, widely used in FM radio and television systems. The study evaluates current-controlled and balanced designs, analyzing their performance, advantages, and drawbacks. Unique trade-offs in terms of linearity, distortion, temperature sensitivity, and component variations are discussed. Additionally, advancements in filter technology and diverse design options are presented. The paper introduces a novel current-balanced, frequency-adjusted bandpass filter to address odd-order noise issues. This filter aims to achieve high linearity, harmonic distortion attenuation, and the elimination of even-order harmonics. Through synthesis, analysis, simulation, and comparison with traditional filters, the proposed design enhances signal quality and efficiency. The fullybalanced current-tunable bandpass filter with the Caprio technique at 10.7 MHz is developed, exhibiting symmetrical characteristics with lower total harmonic distortion. The circuit’s structure is simple and adaptable for integration, validated through consistent simulation results. The study concludes by emphasizing the constant sensitivity of transistor differential amplifier circuits to the center frequency and the linear relationship between center frequency and adjustable bias current. The suggested transistor and capacitor selection criteria contribute to optimizing the circuit’s performance, aligning with the Caprio technique’s recommendations. Overall, this research presents a promising solution for achieving high-quality signal transmission in contemporary communication systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature-based time of death estimation using simulation methods such as the finite element method promise higher accuracy and broader applicability in nonstandard cooling scenarios than established phenomenological methods. Their accuracy depends crucially on the simulation model to capture the actual situation, which in turn hinges on the representation of the corpse's anatomy in form of computational meshes as well as on the thermodynamic parameters. While inaccuracies in anatomy representation due to coarse mesh resolution are known to have a minor impact on the estimated time of death, the sensitivity with respect to larger differences in the anatomy has so far not been studied. We assess this sensitivity by comparing four independently generated and vastly different anatomical models in terms of the estimated time of death in an identical cooling scenario. In order to isolate the impact of shape variation, the models are scaled to a reference size, and the possible impact of measurement location variation is excluded explicitly by finding measurement locations leading to minimum deviations. The thus obtained lower bound on the impact of anatomy on the estimated time of death shows, that anatomy variations lead to deviations of at least 5–10%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation was devoted to exploring the thermal decomposition and sensitivity characteristics of solid propellants using nano-AN and nano-AP as oxidizers. The morphology, surface elements, and crystal structure of nano-AP and nano-AN were investigated by SEM, BET, EDS, and XRD. DSC and TG-MS were used to investigate the thermal decomposition mechanism of nano-AP and nano-AN solid propellants. The mechanical sensitivity of the different solid propellants containing nano-AN and nano-AP was tested and their energy performance was also evaluated. The results show that the microscopic morphology of nano-AN and nano-AP is network-like with the one-dimensional scale less than 100 nm, and the crystal phases of the two are consistent with the raw AN and raw AP, respectively. The thermal decomposition activation energy of AN/CMDB-4 propellant containing nano-AN is 717.46 kJ/mol, while that of AP/HTPB-6 propellant containing nano-AP is 422.33 kJ/mol. The main decomposition products of AN/CMDB-4 propellant are CO2, N2O, NO, CH2O, CO, N2, H2O, CH4 and H2. The products of CO2, N2O, NO, CH2O, CO, N2, H2O, CH4 and H2 are also generated during the decomposition of AP/HTPB-6 propellant. With the increase of nano-AN and nano-AP in propellants, the mechanical sensitivity of AN/CMDB solid propellant decreases, while that of AP/HTPB solid propellant increases. The theoretical standard specific impulse Isp of AN/CMDB and AP/HTPB propellants are 2439.5 N·s/kg and 2449.3 N·s/kg, respectively. The above conclusions show that nano-AP and nano-AN can improve the thermal decomposition performance and the safety of solid propellants, which are expected to be widely used in solid propellants.

Open-ended coaxial probe method is one of the most common modalities in measuring dielectric properties (DPs) of biological tissues. Due to the significant differences between the tumors and normal tissues in DPs, the technique can be used to detect skin cancer in the early stage. Although various studies have been reported, systematic assessment is in urgent need to advance it to clinical applications, for its parameters interactions and detecting limitations remained unclear. In this study, we aim to provide a comprehensive examination of this method, including the minimum detectable tumor size by using a three-layer skin model via simulation and demonstrated that open-ended coaxial probe method can be used for detection of early-stage skin cancer. The smallest detecting size are subject to different subtypes: for BCC, inside the skin is 0.5 mm radius × 0.1 mm height; for SCC, inside the skin is 1.4 mm × 1.3 mm in radius and height; the smallest distinguishing size of BCC is 0.6 mm × 0.7 mm in radius and height; for SCC is 1.0 mm × 1.0 mm in radius and height; for MM is 0.7 mm × 0.4 mm in radius and height. The experiment results showed that sensitivity was affected by tumor dimension, probe size, skin height, and cancer subtype. The probe is more sensitive to cylinder tumor radius than height growing on the surface of the skin while the smallest size probe is the most sensitive among the working probes. We provide a detailed systematic evaluation of the parameters employed in the method for further applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveInterpersonal dysfunction is an important marker of individual differences in personality and well-being. Existing research on interpersonal dysfunction focuses primarily on the problematic behaviors of individuals without considering how sensitivity to others' behavior impacts functioning. In this study, we test the structure and correlates of a model of relationship dysfunction that integrates the problems individuals bring to relationships with their sensitivities to others' behavior. We specifically examine the conjoint structure of interpersonal problems and sensitivities using a circumplex framework and associations between dimensions derived from this structure and personality, well-being, attachment, and response style variables.MethodWe evaluated competing measurement models and examined validity correlations of interpersonal problems and sensitivities in two samples (Study 1: N = 955; 79.2% women; Mage = 19.43; Study 2: N = 1,005; 72.1% women; Mage = 19.77).ResultsSix factors capturing general (nonspecific problems and sensitivities) and stylistic (warmth and dominance for both problems and sensitivities) variation in interpersonal dysfunction were empirically distinguishable and provided incremental information about external criteria.ConclusionsResults support problems and sensitivities as overlapping but distinct sources of information about interpersonal dysfunction, and they specifically suggest an integrative six-factor model with considerable potential for future research.

Abstract Development of ultra-fine fiber technology and nano-sized materials are widely taking place to enhance the characteristic of different materials. In our study, a newly developed technique was used to produce improvised nano energetic fibers with the exploitation of cis‐1,3,4,6‐Tetranitrooctahydroimidazo‐[4,5‐d] imidazole (BCHMX) to spin in a polystyrene nanofiber membrane. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the synthesized nanofibrous polystyrene (PS)/BCHMX sheets with clear and continual fiber were imaged with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Characterization of the produced nanofiber was examined by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Explosive sensitivity was also evaluated by both BAM impact and friction apparatus. Thermal behavior for the synthesized PS/BCHMX fiber and the pure materials were also investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The results show enhancement in the fabrication of nano energetic fibers with a size of 200–460 nm. The TG confirms the high weight percentage of BCHMX which reaches 60% of the total mass. PS/BCHMX fiber was confirmed with the XRD, FTIR spectrum. Interestingly, XRD sharp peaks showed the conversion of amorphous PS via electrospinning into crystalline shape regarding the applied high voltage. The synthesized PS/BCHMX nanofiber was considered insensitive to the mechanical external stimuli; more than 100 J impact energy and > 360 N initiation force as friction stimuli. PS/BCHMX is considering a candidate tool to deal with highly sensitive explosives safely and securely for explosives detection training purposes.

Background: Understanding the profile of antibody responses following acute COVID-19 infection is required. Aim: to describe the pattern of IgG anti-COVID-19 antibody production in patients with acute infection using the LABScreen COVID Plus assay. Results: The overall seropositivity was 69/73(94.5%). Anti-Spike, Spike 1 and spike S2 subunits were positive in 78.1%, while anti spike receptor binding domain (RBD) was detected in 68.4% and anti nucleocapsid protein in 61.6%. The overall positivity of the assay reached 100.0% during the second week post symptoms. The mean fluorescent intensities (MFI) of anti-Spike S1 was higher in the second week than the first week, p < /em>=0.03. MFI of anti-Spike S2 was significantly higher in PCR positive patients in comparison with the negative ones, p < /em>=0.006. When compared to the RT-PCR results; the overall antibodies positivity, anti-Spike, and anti-Spike2 antibodies had sensitivities (100% and 84.7%) and specificities (28.6% and 50.0%) and accuracies (86.3% and 78.1%). Patients' outcome correlated significantly with the time of hospital admission, p < /em>=0.001. Conclusion: COVID-19 IgG antibodies are detectable with considerable frequencies during the first two weeks post infection. Anti S2 antibodies correlates well with the RT-PCR results. The LABScreen COVID Plus is a sensitive assay for the detection of post-acute COVID-19 infection antibody responses. Background: Understanding the profile of antibody responses following acute COVID-19 infection is required. Aim: to describe the pattern of IgG anti-COVID-19 antibody production in patients with acute infection using the LABScreen COVID Plus assay. Results: The overall seropositivity was 69/73(94.5%). Anti-Spike, Spike 1 and spike S2 subunits were positive in 78.1%, while anti spike receptor binding domain (RBD) was detected in 68.4% and anti nucleocapsid protein in 61.6%. The overall positivity of the assay reached 100.0% during the second week post symptoms. The mean fluorescent intensities (MFI) of anti-Spike S1 was higher in the second week than the first week, p < /em>=0.03. MFI of anti-Spike S2 was significantly higher in PCR positive patients in comparison with the negative ones, p < /em>=0.006. When compared to the RT-PCR results; the overall antibodies positivity, anti-Spike, and anti-Spike2 antibodies had sensitivities (100% and 84.7%) and specificities (28.6% and 50.0%) and accuracies (86.3% and 78.1%). Patients' outcome correlated significantly with the time of hospital admission, p < /em>=0.001. Conclusion: COVID-19 IgG antibodies are detectable with considerable frequencies during the first two weeks post infection. Anti S2 antibodies correlates well with the RT-PCR results. The LABScreen COVID Plus is a sensitive assay for the detection of post-acute COVID-19 infection antibody responses.

In this work, electrostatic spraying was used to prepare TNBA/DNTF eutectic mixtures with different mass ratios. The T−X phase diagram and the H−X phase diagram were drawn from the DSC curves of the eutectic mixtures. The morphology, composition, structure, thermal decomposition properties, mechanical sensitivity, thermal sensitivity, and detonation properties of the lowest eutectic were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (IR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis‐mass spectrometry (TG‐MS), thermal sensitivity tests, mechanical sensitivity tests, and detonation performance calculations. The results showed that the best molar ratio of TNBA to DNTF was 59.41 : 40.59, whereas the best mass ratio was 60.17 : 39.83. The microscopic morphology was free of sharp edges and corners, the component proportions were the same as before electrostatic spraying, the surface elements were evenly distributed, and the crystal structure was essentially the same as those of the raw materials. The melting temperature was 352.0 K, which was 21.0 K and 33.1 K lower than those of the TNBA and DNTF raw materials, respectively. The thermal decomposition reaction rate constant (k), activation energy (EK), and preexponential factor (AK) of the lowest eutectic were 0.398 s−1, 81.34 kJ ⋅ mol−1, and 4.86×107 s−1, respectively. In the lowest eutectic, the component TNBA began to thermally decompose first, followed by DNTF. The main decomposition products of the lowest eutectic were CH4, H2O, H2, CO, N2, NH3, CO2, and N2O, with a small amount of C. The impact sensitivity (H50), friction sensitivity (P), and 5 s explosion temperature (T5s) of the lowest eutectic mixture were 39.7 cm, 28 %, and 563 K, respectively. Its detonation performance (OB=−36.52 %, QD=−4658 kJ ⋅ kg−1, vD=7598.37 m ⋅ s−1) was intermediate between those of TNBA and DNTF. The main detonation products were CO2, N2, CO, C(d), H2O, Br, and CH2O2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Przegląd Elektrotechniczny is the property of Przeglad Elektrotechniczny 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.)

We formulate an age‐structured SEIR epidemic model using vaccination and treatment as control measures. Using the method of characteristics and fixed point arguments, we prove the existence of a unique positive solution to our proposed nonlinear model. We use a suitable objective functional and prove the existence of optimal control variables. Depending on the nature of the problem, the necessary conditions for the optimal control problem are established using the maximum principle of Pontryagin's type. Tools of control theory are used for obtaining optimal control characterizations in terms of state and adjoint variables. To illustrate theoretical results, parameter values are chosen to simulate both with and without control problems. Numerical findings reveal that when, where, and to whom control measures should be implemented for best results of a control program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the development and design of a fully-balanced current-tunable first-order low-pass filter with Caprio technique, which could include the design and implementation of a first-order low-pass filter circuits. The filter consists of six bipolar junction transistor (BJT) and a single capacitor. The filter construction uses a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) as the main device and a single capacitor. A fully-balanced current-tunable first-order low-pass filter with Caprio technique developed. The architecture of the circuit is quite simple and proportional, symmetrical with signs of difference. Circuits developed into integrated circuits act like basic circuits for frequency filter circuits, current modes with Caprio techniques, obtained by improving the first-order low-pass filter for signal differences with incoming impedances. Adjusting the parameters of the circuit with the caprio technique achieves the optimal parameter value for correcting the total harmonic distortion value. The results of testing the operation of the circuit, a fully-balanced current-tunable first-order low-pass filter with Caprio technique developed and designed using the PSpice program. The simulation results showed good results in line with predicted theoretical analysis. The sensitivity of the device to the center frequency (ω0) response is low and independent of variables, the angular frequency is linear with wide current adjustment throughout the sweeping range of a wide frequency range, with a wide range of over tree orders of magnitude. Therefore, fully-balanced current-tunable first-order low-pass filter developed is very suitable to apply various applications regarding low frequency signal filtration, for example in biomedical systems, for example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Or present this article to discuss how it is possible to educate for diversities based on the condition of pedagogy of sensitivities. The analyzes will be carried out based on two curricula, especially, those general pedagogical proposals present at the National Base Comum Curricular for Basic Education. In addition, a dialogue with the disciplines of Ethnic-racial Education will serve as the guiding force for the interrelation between diversities and sensitivities as an experience of a sensitive and sensitized curriculum. The article takes a theoretical orientation when thinking about diversity as a practice, which is formed from notions of vulnerabilities, sensitivities, ecology of knowledge and methodologically dialogue with the notion of discursive statement of Michel Foucault. Lastly, it is considered that an Education for Diversities did not teach sensitivities and a way to promote the valorisation of differences and combat social inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of ultra-fine fiber technology and nano-sized materials are widely taking place to enhance the characteristic of different materials. In our study, a newly developed technique was used to produce improvised nano energetic fibers with the exploitation of cis‐1,3,4,6‐Tetranitrooctahydroimidazo‐[4,5‐d] imidazole (BCHMX) to spin in a polystyrene nanofiber membrane. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the synthesized nanofibrous polystyrene (PS)/BCHMX sheets with clear and continual fiber were imaged with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Characterization of the produced nanofiber was examined by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Explosive sensitivity was also evaluated by both BAM impact and friction apparatus. Thermal behavior for the synthesized PS/BCHMX fiber and the pure materials were also investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The results show enhancement in the fabrication of nano energetic fibers with a size of 200–460 nm. The TG confirms the high weight percentage of BCHMX which reaches 60% of the total mass. PS/BCHMX fiber was confirmed with the XRD, FTIR spectrum. Interestingly, XRD sharp peaks showed the conversion of amorphous PS via electrospinning into crystalline shape regarding the applied high voltage. The synthesized PS/BCHMX nanofiber was considered insensitive to the mechanical external stimuli; more than 100 J impact energy and > 360 N initiation force as friction stimuli. PS/BCHMX is considering a candidate tool to deal with highly sensitive explosives safely and securely for explosives detection training purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding the profile of antibody responses following acute COVID-19 infection is required. Aim: to describe the pattern of IgG anti-COVID-19 antibody production in patients with acute infection using the LABScreen COVID Plus assay. Results: The overall seropositivity was 69/73(94.5%). Anti-Spike, Spike 1 and spike S2 subunits were positive in 78.1%, while anti spike receptor binding domain (RBD) was detected in 68.4% and anti nucleocapsid protein in 61.6%. The overall positivity of the assay reached 100.0% during the second week post symptoms. The mean fluorescent intensities (MFI) of anti-Spike S1 was higher in the second week than the first week, p=0.03. MFI of anti-Spike S2 was significantly higher in PCR positive patients in comparison with the negative ones, p=0.006. When compared to the RT-PCR results; the overall antibodies positivity, anti-Spike, and anti-Spike2 antibodies had sensitivities (100% and 84.7%) and specificities (28.6% and 50.0%) and accuracies (86.3% and 78.1%). Patients' outcome correlated significantly with the time of hospital admission, p=0.001. Conclusion: COVID-19 IgG antibodies are detectable with considerable frequencies during the first two weeks post infection. Anti S2 antibodies correlates well with the RT-PCR results. The LABScreen COVID Plus is a sensitive assay for the detection of post-acute COVID-19 infection antibody responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the dynamics of vegetation autumn phenology (i.e., the end of growing season, EOS) is crucial for evaluating impacts of climate change on vegetation growth. Nevertheless, responses of the EOS to climatic factors were unclear at the regional scale. In this study, northern China was chosen for our analysis, which is a typical ecologically fragile area. Using the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and climatic data from 1982 to 2016, we extracted the EOS and analyzed its trends in northern China by using the linear least-squares regression and the Bayesian change-point detection method. Furthermore, the partial correlation analysis and multivariate regression analysis were used to determine which climatic factor was more influential on EOS. The main findings were as follows: (1) multi-year average of EOS mainly varied between 275 and 305 day of year (DOY) and had complicated spatial differences for different vegetation types; (2) the percentage of the pixel showing delaying EOS (65.50%) was larger than that showing advancing EOS (34.50%), with a significant delaying trend of 0.21 days/year at the regional scale during the study period. As for different vegetation types, their EOS trends were similar in sign but different in magnitude; (3) temperature showed a dominant role in governing EOS trends from 1982 to 2016. The increase in minimum temperature led to the delayed EOS, whereas the increase in maximum temperature reversed the EOS trends. In addition to temperature, the impacts of precipitation and radiation on EOS trends were more complex and largely depended on the vegetation types. These findings can provide a crucial support for developing vegetation dynamics models in northern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic literature has highlighted that infrastructure investment shows positive externalities which foster the economic growth. Based upon the Post-Keynesian perspective, the aims of this article are twofold: i) to explain the interactions among infrastructure, conventions, expectations and aggregate private investment, summarized in what Keynes called technically social investment; ii) to show in theoretical terms that discontinuities of infrastructure investments reduce the sensitivities of private aggregate investment in relation to its determinants, with economic policy implications. In the Post- Keynesian view, private investment is volatile and sensitive to changes in conventions and expectations. We show that infrastructure spending stimulates private investments because it reduces uncertainty and coordinates the emergence of private conventions and expectations that foster private investments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Itinerarios (1507-7241) is the property of University of Warsaw 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 Trabajos y Comunicaciones is the property of Universidad Nacional de La Plata 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.)

Ohmic heating (OH), an emerging food processing technology employed in the food processing industry, raises potential food safety concerns due to the recovery of sublethally injured pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In the present study, sensitivity to various stress conditions and the changes in cellular-related factors of OH-injured S. aureus during repair were investigated. The results indicated that liquid media differences (nutrient broth (NB), phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), milk, and cucumber juice) affected the recovery process of injured cells. Nutrient enrichment determines the bacterial repair rate, and the rates of repair for these media were milk > NB > cucumber juice > PBS. The sensitivity of injured cells to various stressors, including different acids, temperature, nisin, simulated gastric fluid, and bile salt, increased during the injury phase and subsequently diminished upon repair. Additionally, the intracellular ATP content, enzyme activities (Na+/K+-ATPase, Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase, and T-ATPase) and ion concentrations (Mg2+, K+, and Ca2+) gradually increased during repair. After 5 h of repair, the intracellular substances content of cell's was significantly higher than that of the injured bacteria without repair, while some indicators (e.g., Na+/K+-ATPase, K+, and Ca2+) were not restored to the untreated level. The results of this study indicated that OH-injured S. aureus exhibited strengthened resistance post-recovery, potentially due to the restoration of cellular structures. These findings have implications for optimizing food storage conditions and advancing OH processes in the food industry. • The nutrient richness of culture medium influences the repair of OH-injured S. aureus. • The sensitivity of the injured cells increased and restored during repair. • The intracellular enzyme activity and ion concentrations, and cell membrane integrity were repaired during repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PV hosting capacity quantification is currently of importance for distribution system operators to manage upcoming PV installation requests, especially within low-voltage grids. The violation-mitigation-based (VMB) method presented a novel downward approach to quantify the PV hosting capacity in low-voltage grids, having the advantage of also quantifying possible expansions in the hosting capacity. The VMB method, however, requires typically hundreds of power flow simulations to quantify the hosting capacity in a low-voltage grid. In this paper, we address this issue by introducing sensitivity matrices to optimize the downward process of quantification. Evaluated in 79 low-voltage feeders from Austria, the enhanced VMB method reduces the number of iterations required from a median of 1764 to 7 while obtaining the same or higher hosting capacity values. The reduced computational effort permits the application of the method proposed at a large-scale. The application of the method proposed on the standard CIGRE residential low-voltage grid is also presented for possible comparison with other methods. • A heuristic method to quantify the hosting capacity in low voltage grids. • The use of voltage and current sensitivities to reduce the computational effort. • Evaluation of the method proposed on real low voltage grids from Austria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lucien Febvre is considered the founder of the history of sensibilities, the objects and methods of which he defined in several texts. This story is part of the larger Annales project based on disciplinary decompartmentalization and renewal of objects. From this perspective, the question of emotions is central. Drawing on the work of Henri Wallon, Febvre recalls the close links then existing between history and psychology. In this wake, it is around the question of work that a first collaboration will emerge between historians and psychologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fact that both the Lorenz 1963 and 1969 models suggest finite predictability is well known. However, less well known is the fact that the mechanisms (i.e., sensitivities) within both models, which lead to finite predictability, are different. Additionally, the mathematical and physical relationship between these two models has not been fully documented. New analyses, along with a literature review, are performed here to provide insights regarding similarities and differences for these two models. The models represent different physical systems, one for convection and the other for barotropic vorticity. From the perspective of mathematical complexities, the Lorenz 1963 (L63) model is limited-scale and nonlinear; and the Lorenz 1969 (L69) model is closure-based, physically multiscale, mathematically linear, and numerically ill-conditioned. The former possesses a sensitive dependence of solutions on initial conditions, known as the butterfly effect, and the latter contains numerical sensitivities due to an ill-conditioned matrix with a large condition number (i.e., a large variance of growth rates). Here, we illustrate that the existence of a saddle point at the origin is a common feature that produces instability in both systems. Within the chaotic regime of the L63 nonlinear model, unstable growth is constrained by nonlinearity, as well as dissipation, yielding time varying growth rates along an orbit, and, thus, a dependence of (finite) predictability on initial conditions. Within the L69 linear model, multiple unstable modes at various growth rates appear, and the growth of a specific unstable mode (i.e., the most unstable mode during a finite time interval) is constrained by imposing a saturation assumption, thereby yielding a time varying system growth rate. Both models were interchangeably applied for qualitatively revealing the nature of finite predictability in weather and climate. However, only single type solutions were examined (i.e., chaotic and linearly unstable solutions for the L63 and L69 models, respectively), and the L69 system is ill-conditioned and easily captures numerical instability. Thus, an estimate of the predictability limit using either of the above models, with or without additional assumptions (e.g., saturation), should be interpreted with caution and should not be generalized as an upper limit for atmospheric predictability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensitivities are broadly appreciated because of its simplicity and good results in solving voltage problems and congestions in transmission networks. However, since sensitivity calculation is based on a linear approximation of the power flow equations, all decisions commit an intrinsic error that might lead into unexpected results, especially in distribution networks. This paper analyzes the error associated to sensitivities considering a wide range of control variables and proposes a novel formulation to extend the use of sensitivities to manage congestions in active distribution networks. First, a theoretical analysis is performed to study the origin and propagation of errors. Then, numerical results are presented for two types of distribution networks (20 kV and low voltage grids). Finally, a novel formulation is proposed to extend the use of sensitivities to manage congestions, which will allow to reuse previous sensitivity-based methodologies to solve both voltage problems and congestions in active distribution networks.

The phenology of alpine grassland on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) is critical to regional climate change through climate–vegetation feedback. Although many studies have examined QTP vegetation dynamics and their climate sensitivities, the interspecific difference in the phenology response to climate change between alpine species is poorly understood. Here, we used a 30-year (1989–2018) record of in situ phenological observation for five typical alpine herbs (Elymus nutans , Kobresia pygmaea , Plantago asiatica , Puccinellia tenuiflora , and Scirpus distigmaticus) and associated climatic records at Henan Station in the eastern QTP to examine the species-level difference in spring and autumn phenology and then quantify their climate sensitivities. Our results show that with significantly warming, the green-up dates of herbs were insignificantly shifted, while the brown-off dates in four out of the five herbs were significantly delayed. Meanwhile, the interspecific difference in brown-off dates significantly increased at a rate of 0.62 days/annual from 1989 to 2016, which was three times larger than that in green-up dates (0.20 days/annual). These diverse rates were attributed to the different climate controls on spring and autumn phenology. In particular, green-up dates in most herbs were sensitive to mean surface temperature, while brown-off dates were sensitive to the night surface temperature. Furthermore, brown-off dates are less sensitive to the warming in high ecological niche (with higher herb height and aboveground biomass) herbs than low niche herbs (with lower herb height and aboveground biomass). The increased phenology interspecific difference highlights the complex responses of herbs to future climate change even under the same alpine environment and indicates a potential alternation in the plants community of alpine QTP, which may further influence the regional climate–vegetation feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brings to light perceptions that 84 students had from the first four months of the Covid-19 pandemic, many of them freshmen in social sciences at the Universidade de São Paulo (USP). From autoethnographies and reports, interpreted in dialogue with anthropological classic texts and articles by Brazilian anthropologists, we are introduced to various spaces of confinement, different family arrangements, sufferings, doubts, discoveries and reinventions. In the midst of an unusual context, fundamentals of anthropology proved to be capable of broadening cognitive and analytical horizons, contributing to the resignification of experiences and emotions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Historia y Espacio is the property of Universidad del Valle 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.)

The phenology of alpine grassland on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) is critical to regional climate change through climate–vegetation feedback. Although many studies have examined QTP vegetation dynamics and their climate sensitivities, the interspecific difference in the phenology response to climate change between alpine species is poorly understood. Here, we used a 30-year (1989–2018) record of in situ phenological observation for five typical alpine herbs (Elymus nutans, Kobresia pygmaea, Plantago asiatica, Puccinellia tenuiflora, and Scirpus distigmaticus) and associated climatic records at Henan Station in the eastern QTP to examine the species-level difference in spring and autumn phenology and then quantify their climate sensitivities. Our results show that with significantly warming, the green-up dates of herbs were insignificantly shifted, while the brown-off dates in four out of the five herbs were significantly delayed. Meanwhile, the interspecific difference in brown-off dates significantly increased at a rate of 0.62 days/annual from 1989 to 2016, which was three times larger than that in green-up dates (0.20 days/annual). These diverse rates were attributed to the different climate controls on spring and autumn phenology. In particular, green-up dates in most herbs were sensitive to mean surface temperature, while brown-off dates were sensitive to the night surface temperature. Furthermore, brown-off dates are less sensitive to the warming in high ecological niche (with higher herb height and aboveground biomass) herbs than low niche herbs (with lower herb height and aboveground biomass). The increased phenology interspecific difference highlights the complex responses of herbs to future climate change even under the same alpine environment and indicates a potential alternation in the plants community of alpine QTP, which may further influence the regional climate–vegetation feedback.

Copyright of LHB: Hydroscience Journal is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd 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.)

A general consensus persists that sensory-perceptual differences in autism, such as hypersensitivities to light or sound, result from an overreliance on new (rather than prior) sensory observations. However, conflicting Bayesian accounts of autism remain unresolved as to whether such alterations are caused by more precise sensory observations (precise likelihood model) or by forming a less precise model of the sensory context (hypo-priors model). We used a decision-under-uncertainty paradigm that manipulated uncertainty in both likelihoods and priors. Contrary to model predictions we found no differences in reliance on likelihood in autistic group (AS) compared to neurotypicals (NT) and found no differences in subjective prior variance between groups. However, we found reduced context adjustment in the AS group compared to NT. Further, the AS group showed heightened variability in their relative weighting of sensory information (vs. prior) on a trial-by-trial basis. When participants were aligned on a continuum of autistic traits, we found no associations with likelihood reliance or prior variance but found an increase in likelihood precision with autistic traits. These findings together provide empirical evidence for intact priors, precise likelihood, reduced context updating and heightened variability during sensory learning in autism.

Copyright of Revista @mbienteeducação is the property of Nucleo de Publicacoes Institucionais 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.)

In this article, we consider an age-structured SIR endemic model. The model is formulated from the available literature while adding some new assumptions. In order to control the infection, we consider vaccination as a control variable and a control problem is presented for further analysis. The method of weak derivatives and minimizing sequence argument are used for deriving necessary conditions and existence results. The desired criterion is achieved and sample simulations were presented which shows the effectiveness of the control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of TANPy based energetic materials were designed and their structures were optimized at B3LYP/6-311G (d,p) level. Values of heats of formation, detonation properties and impact sensitivities of the designed compounds were fully calculated to screen some potential high energy density materials. [Display omitted] • A series of TANPy based energetic materials were designed. • DFT method was employed to calculate the properties of the designed compounds. • Compounds D2, E2 and F2 were screened as candidates of high energy density materials. A series of 2,4,6-triamino-3,5-dinitropyridine (TANPy) based energetic compounds were designed and optimized at the B3LYP/6-311G (d,p). The results show that all the designed compounds have high positive heats of formation, and the tetrazole ring/–N 3 was an beneficial combination to increase the heats of formation. The introduction of furazan-furazan/-C(NO 2) 3 /–CH(NO 2) 2 combination was effective to improve the densities and detonation properties while the furazan-furazan or furazan-tetrazine rings was beneficial to improving the values of heats of detonation. Considering the detonation properties and sensitivities, compounds D2, E2, F2 were finally screened as potential high energy density materials and their physicochemical properties were fully investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used the WASA (Water Availability in Semi-Arid Environments) hydrological model to simulate runoff generation processes and glacier evolution in the Ala-Archa basin in Central Asia. Model parameters were calibrated by observations of streamflow, satellite snow cover area (SCA) and annual glacier mass balance (GMB). Temperature and precipitation change scenarios were set up by perturbations of the reference measurements in a 20-year period of 1997 to 2016. Seven temperature warming scenarios with an increment of +1°C and six precipitation change scenarios ranging from 70 to 130% of the reference precipitation were used to investigate the sensitivities of hydrological processes to climate changes in the study basin. Results indicate that: (1) Annual runoff increased with rising temperature (T) and precipitation (P) at rates of 76 mm/+1°C and 62 mm/+10%P, respectively. Glacier area was more sensitive to T changes than to P changes. The total glacier area in the basin decreased with T warming at a rate of −0.47 km2/+1°C, whilst increasing with rising P at a rate of 0.16 km2/+10%P. (2) The basin runoff switched from rainfall and groundwater-dominated to ice melt-dominated with warming T, while the dominance of rainfall and groundwater were strongly enhanced by rising P. Proportion of rainfall in the total water input for runoff generation decreased with T warming at a rate of −0.5%/+1°C, while increasing with P increases at a rate of 1.2%/+10% P. Ice melt proportion changed with T and P increases at rates of 4.2%/+1°C and −1.8%/+10%P, respectively. Groundwater contribution to total runoff decreased by −2.8% per T warming of 1°C, but increased by 1.5% per P increase of 10%. (3) The maximum P changes (±30%) could only compensate the effects of T warming of 0.5 to 2.5°C. Increase of annual runoff forced by T warming lower than 2.2°C could be compensated by decrease caused by the maximum P decrease of −30%. Decrease of glacier area caused by 1°C warming cannot be compensated by the maximum P increase of +30%. The combined input of 20% increase of P and T warming of 6°C resulted in 90% increase of annual runoff, and 8% reduction of glacier area. The results inform understandings of the hydrological responses to potential climate changes in glacierized basins in Central Asia.

With the first ever synthesis of monoazidopentaerythritol trinitrate, a comparative study of the properties of all azidonitrate derivatives from pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) to tetraazidopentaerythritol (TAPE) was possible. The azides were prepared by halogen azide exchange and the remaining alcohols were then converted into the organic nitrate esters using acetyl nitrate. The resulting compounds pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), monoazidopentaerythritol mononitrate (MAPETN), diazidopentaerythritol dinitrate (DAPEDN), triazidopentaerythritol mononitrate (TAPEMN), tetraazidopentaerythritol (TAPE) were analyzed for their chemical (XRD, NMR, EA, IR) and energetic properties (DTA/DSC, impact and friction sensitivity) and presented for comparison. An interesting trend of decreasing melting points from PETN to the triazide was observed, with the monoazide found to meet the thermal requirements for a melt‐castable explosive. The mechanical sensitivities were successfully explained by Hirshfeld analysis. The energetic properties were calculated with the EXPLO5 code and show a decreasing performance towards the highly sensitive tetraazido derivative. Furthermore, PETN was successfully initiated with its tetraazido derivative TAPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]