For Markov chains and Markov processes exhibiting a form of stochastic monotonicity (higher states have higher transition probabilities in terms of stochastic dominance), stability and ergodicity results can be obtained with the use of order-theoretic mixing conditions. We complement these results by providing quantitative bounds on deviations between distributions. We also show that well-known total variation bounds can be recovered as a special case.

Glutathione is a key intracellular antioxidant involved in redox balance, detoxification, and immune support. However, oral glutathione supplementation is limited by poor bioavailability due to gastrointestinal degradation and low membrane permeability. Liposomal formulations offer a promising strategy to enhance delivery and therapeutic efficacy. This study aimed to compare the biological activity and systemic availability of a novel liposomal glutathione formulation (LipoDuo™ Glutathione) with plain glutathione using both in vitro cellular models and in vivo human pharmacokinetic evaluation. Human embryonic kidney (HEK-293T) cells were treated with LipoDuo™ or plain glutathione to assess intracellular uptake, optimal dosing, cell proliferation, and wound healing. In a parallel-arm, open-label human study, 12 healthy subjects (n = 6 per group) received a single oral dose of either LipoDuo™ or plain glutathione (1 g), and plasma glutathione levels were monitored over 24 h using LC-MS/MS. Uptake: LipoDuo™ demonstrated ∼1.9-fold higher cellular uptake than plain glutathione, peaking at 6 h (45% vs 23%). Proliferation: LipoDuo™ increased cell proliferation by upto 3-fold over control, superior to plain glutathione. Wound healing: LipoDuo™ achieved 100% closure at 24 h, vs. 59.8% for plain glutathione. Pharmacokinetics: LipoDuo™ achieved a Cmax of ∼1800 ng/mL (6× higher than plain), showed a bimodal absorption pattern, and maintained plasma levels >500 ng/mL at 24 h. LipoDuo™ Glutathione significantly improves cellular delivery, biological activity, and systemic bioavailability compared to conventional glutathione. Its bimodal distribution and prolonged plasma retention position it as a next-generation antioxidant supplement with clinical potential in oxidative stress management, skin health, and metabolic recovery.

This study examines the political economy of international trade and perpetual peace proposed by the agronomist Jean-Baptiste Rougier-Labergerie under the French Directory. Drawing on Rougier-Labergerie’s treatise on commerce and peace, this article shows how a political economy that was rooted in natural jurisprudence navigated the challenges of subsistence and war through turbulent times that extended beyond the Thermidor. Similar to eighteenth-century intellectuals who witnessed large-scale wars waged with public debt in the name of national interest, Rougier-Labergerie considered the possibility of peace and prosperity to be intricately linked to the question of commercial rivalry between nations. He thereby recognized the pressing need to mitigate—by different means from those deployed by the radicals of Year II—the jealousy of trade that plagued Europe in the 1790s. This examination provides a more nuanced dimension to the established categories in historical inquiries into the international political economy of the revolutionary period.

Personal experiences with public officials influence how those officials are perceived. We question whether these experiential effects extend to other officials. If people draw on what they know to make inferences about unfamiliar evaluative targets, then interactions with one actor may shape evaluations of other independent actors. Focusing on police and courts, analyses of data from two surveys reveal that personal interactions with public officials produce spillover effects on appraisals of officials in different sectors. The findings indicate that experiential spillover constitutes an underappreciated force in public opinion, one that operates outside the control of the actors being evaluated.

This paper applies Structure-Preserving Doubling Algorithms (SDAs) to solve the matrix quadratic that underlies linear DSGE models. We present and compare two SDAs to other competing methods—the QZ method, a Newton algorithm, and an iterative Bernoulli approach—as well as linking them to the cyclic and logarithmic reduction algorithms included in Dynare. Our evaluation, conducted across 142 models from the Macroeconomic Model Data Base and multiple parameterizations of the Smets and Wouters (2007) model, demonstrates that SDAs generally provide more accurate solutions in less time than QZ. We also establish their theoretical convergence properties and robustness to initialization issues. The SDAs perform particularly well in refining solutions provided by other methods and for large models.

This study presents a surrogate-model-assisted Quasi-Newton optimisation framework for simultaneously improving the aerodynamic performance and radar stealth characteristics of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). High-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and computational electromagnetics (CEM) simulations are integrated through surrogate models generated via a face-centred central composite design within a design of experiments framework. Quadratic polynomial response surface equations are constructed for key aerodynamic and radar cross-section (RCS) metrics, enabling analytical gradient evaluation. A gradient-based quasi-Newton method with Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno Hessian updates is employed to minimise a scalarised objective function combining normalised maximum lift coefficient, overall RCS and frontal RCS. Constraints are imposed on the lift-to-drag ratio ($L/D \geq 10$) and static longitudinal stability (${C_{m0}} \geq 0$). Analytical derivatives from the response surface equations (RSEs) eliminate the need for direct numerical differentiation of CFD/CEM outputs, reducing computational cost and eliminating simulation noise. An interior-point sequential quadratic programming strategy is used to ensure satisfaction of nonlinear constraints during the optimisation process. The optimised UAV design demonstrates a $12{\rm{\% }}$ increase in maximum lift coefficient and a $30{\rm{\% }}$ reduction in both overall and frontal RCS compared to the baseline configuration. The results are confirmed through high-fidelity CFD and RCS simulations and are further validated experimentally in an anechoic chamber, with close agreement across all measured frequencies. The proposed methodology provides an efficient and experimentally verified approach for integrated aerodynamic and stealth optimisation in UAV design.

Plasminogen is an inactive protease in milk, which can be activated to plasmin. Whole milk contains fat and in response to lipase activity, free fatty acids are released. Free fatty acids are not known to act as an activator for plasminogen. The aim of this study was to determine whether commercial bovine plasminogen could be activated to plasmin by commercial free fatty acids present in milk, and also to determine if plasminogen activators to plasmin are present in abnormal milk using milk agar plates and the Merck protease assay. Fatty acids and activators present in abnormal milk had the ability to activate plasminogen to plasmin, which could, after weeks, harm milk protein stability during extended storage time (ultra-high temperature milk). The milk agar plate technique containing plasminogen could detect plasmin activators present in abnormal milk. This can act as an indicator of high-risk milk being used within the ultra-high temperature milk industry.

Neonatal pulmonary artery thromboembolism is a rare, life-threatening condition associated with diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical to mitigate high morbidity and mortality. Our case underscores the importance of considering neonatal pulmonary artery thromboembolism in the differential diagnosis of a full-term neonate with unexplained acute respiratory distress and highlights a successful management approach in the absence of formal guidelines.

We show that, under certain assumptions, strongly finitary enriched monads are given by discrete enriched Lawvere theories. On the other hand, monads given by discrete enriched Lawvere theories preserve surjections.

This paper presents a novel artificial intelligence-based autopilot control system designed for the Cessna Citation X (CCX) aircraft longitudinal motion during cruise. In this control methodology, the unknown aircraft dynamics in the state-space representations of each vertical speed (VS) mode and altitude hold (AH) mode were approximated by two multiplayer fuzzy recurrent neural networks (MFRNNs) trained online using a novel approach based on particle swarm optimisation and backpropagation algorithms. These MFRNNs were used with two sliding mode controllers to guarantee the robustness of both VS and AH modes. In addition, a novel fuzzy logic-based transition algorithm was proposed to efficiently switch the controller between these autopilot modes. The performance of the controllers was evaluated with a nonlinear simulation platform developed for the CCX based on data from a Level D research aircraft flight simulator certified by the FAA. The system stability and robustness were proved by the Lyapunov theorem. The simulation, tested under 925 flight conditions, demonstrated the controllers exceptional tracking capability in a variety of uncertainties, including turbulent and non-turbulent flight scenarios. In addition, the design ensured that the smoothness of the control input signals was maintained in order to preserve the mechanical integrity of the elevator actuation system.

Contemplative practices offer a promising lens for thinking about how people navigate change, vulnerability, and the emotional texture of later life. This article examines how such practices extend ideas of healthy aging, drawing on interviews and focus groups (n = 24) from an 8-week mind–body course. Participants reported strong satisfaction with the course, noting improvements in physical and mental health, and a notable shift towards greater kindness, openness, and curiosity towards themselves and others. Aiming to understand the key elements of contemplative training, our analysis identified three notable themes: learning to be with emotionally challenging experiences; normalizing change and vulnerability; and the ongoing development of a toolkit. Participants also reported a heightened ability to cope with challenges, make intentional life choices, and foster a positive attitude. From a gerontological perspective, the program offered helpful resources for adapting to change and embracing vulnerability as fundamental components of healthy aging. We also suggest the value of a life course perspective, which enables us to imagine contemplative practice as a form of training for aging well.

At the outbreak of the First World War the Hallé Orchestra was entering a new phase. The retirement of Hans Richter as its Principal Conductor in 1911 had led to the appointment the following year of Michael Balling, a German who, like Richter, was associated with the Bayreuth circle. Although Balling had clear ideas as to the direction in which he wished to take the orchestra, the declaration of war against Germany in 1914 made his continued tenure impractical. Although the outbreak of war in 1914 initially appeared a major blow to the orchestra’s fortunes, the engagement during the war years of a number of interim conductors, not least Sir Thomas Beecham, ultimately enabled the Hallé’s programming to expand beyond its hitherto rather German-heavy repertoire. It also provided openings for women, previously unrepresented in the orchestra, to take the places of absent male players, thereby setting a precedent would ultimately to lead to women being offered permanent contracts. Sources in the Hallé Orchestra’s own archives and those at Manchester Central Library shed light on the issues faced by the Hallé Concerts Society in maintaining the orchestra’s important contribution to the musical life of Manchester during the war years.

This work aims to clarify the absolute chronology of the construction phases of the St. Peter and Paul Rotunda at Budeč, focusing on the erection of the rotunda and the tower. Fifteen mortar samples were taken from various structural parts, two of which also contained remnants of charcoal. The mortar samples were mechanically treated to extract a purified calcitic binder that was dated by radiocarbon analysis. The effectiveness of the sample pretreatment methodology was assessed by means of cathodoluminescence microscopy. Thin sections of mortars were characterized by polarized light microscopy. The petrographic characterization allowed for the samples to be grouped according to their binder, aggregate, and structure. This was compared with the evaluation of the calibrated dates, expected chronology known from legends, as well as with formal and stylistic analyses of the structure. The radiocarbon dating distinguished the different construction phases well, and the accuracy and reliability of the dating is discussed. The presence of silts and clays probably led to geogenic carbon contamination of the samples from the foundations, as the obtained dates are older than expected. These dating results were thus regarded as inconclusive. However, the samples from the vaulted dome of the rotunda did not show any anomalies, and the calibrated date period obtained was regarded as relevant and thus successfully dated. The dating based on the legends also fits the determined interval.

Eudaimonist virtue ethicists from Aristotle to contemporary Neo-Aristotelians have held (1) that human flourishing (eudaimonia) is the ultimate ethically justifying end of action and (2) that human flourishing consists in the exercise of virtues of character. This paper has two goals. First, I argue for separating these two commitments and distinguishing eudaimonism in general from its common virtue-ethical interpretation. To do so, I clarify the justificatory structure of eudaimonism. Second, I object to the conjunction of these two views, eudaimonism and the character virtue conception of flourishing. On the eudaimonist assumption that flourishing is the sole ultimate justificatory end of ethical action, whatever flourishing consists in must be a plausible ultimate end that does not require further justification. But character-virtuous activity is not a plausible ultimate end. The moral and prudential activities that exercise character virtues like justice, courage, and moderation characteristically aim to produce or distribute instrumental benefits which must serve, and be justified by, other ends in turn.

Las antiguas élites mayas jugaban a la pelota. Esta acción y las actividades asociadas se enfatizan para complementar las interpretaciones simbólicas de estudios anteriores. Basándose en la teoría de conjuntos, se discute cómo las interacciones recurrentes y causales institucionalizaron el juego de pelota. Los análisis multiescalares y multidimensionales permiten estudiar las relaciones parasociales, asimétricas y co-constitutivas entre los jugadores, el público y la cancha. En el este de las tierras bajas mayas, se encuentra el centro de Tzikin Tzakan, donde se documentaron dos canchas de juego de pelota. Debajo de la parte de las superficies originales de la cancha oeste, se encontraron varias capas de lascas de pedernal. Su presencia infiere la furia y el dolor que ocurría durante el juego de pelota. Los nobles jugaban sabiendo que sufrirían y hasta podrían fallecer. Se documentó un basurero que probablemente refleja las fiestas asociadas al juego y que apunta al rol del público en crear y gozar un espectáculo. Comparadas con 50 canchas cercanas, las canchas de juego de pelota de Tzikin Tzakan destacan por su orientación, su forma y sus dimensiones. Sus características regionalmente únicas y localmente compartidas ejemplifican el juego de pelota como una totalidad emergente.