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From Trees To Treewidth: Inventory Management In Complex Supply Chain Networks, Philippe Blaettchen, Andre Calmon, Georgina Hall, Mohit Tawarmalani Sep 2026

From Trees To Treewidth: Inventory Management In Complex Supply Chain Networks, Philippe Blaettchen, Andre Calmon, Georgina Hall, Mohit Tawarmalani

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

We propose an exact linear programming (LP)-based solution approach to the Guaranteed Service Model (GSM), one of the most widely applied models for optimizing safety stock placement in supply chain networks. Our approach handles any directed acyclic network and any cost function that depends on a stage’s incoming and outgoing service times. It scales polynomially in the number of nodes n in the network, pseudo-polynomially with respect to the bit size of the maximum replenishment time M, and (for fixed M) exponentially in its treewidth, which quantifies how “tree-like” a network is and can be much smaller …


Serum Proenkephalin A (Penk) As An Emerging Biomarker Of Renal Failure And Its Association With Mineral, Endocrine, And Hematological Parameters, Zahraa H. K. Aljelawy, Haider Abdul-Moneem Al-Mothafer Sep 2026

Serum Proenkephalin A (Penk) As An Emerging Biomarker Of Renal Failure And Its Association With Mineral, Endocrine, And Hematological Parameters, Zahraa H. K. Aljelawy, Haider Abdul-Moneem Al-Mothafer

Muthanna Medical Journal

Objective: Renal failure is related to metabolic and endocrine disorders, in particular chronic kidney disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder (CKD-MBD). In this study, the clinical utility of serum Proenkephalin A (PENK) as a novel renal biomarker was evaluated, and its changes and correlation matrix with established renal, mineral, bone and hematological parameters in patients with renal failure were studied. Materials and Methods: A case control study was performed including patients diagnosed clinically with renal failure and age and gender matched healthy controls. Venous blood samples were collected to analyze serum PENK, including urea, creatinine, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, phosphate, Vitamin D, …


Assessment Of Glycemic Control Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Attending A Tertiary Diabetes And Endocrinology Center In Sulaymania City/ Iraq, Lina Ali Al-Khafaji, Bahjat Abdulridha Alsaeedy Sep 2026

Assessment Of Glycemic Control Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Attending A Tertiary Diabetes And Endocrinology Center In Sulaymania City/ Iraq, Lina Ali Al-Khafaji, Bahjat Abdulridha Alsaeedy

Muthanna Medical Journal

Introduction: The sociodemographic and clinical factors play a role in type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) glycemic control.
Objectives: To assess glycemic control among T2DM patients and its association with sociodemographic and clinical factors.
Materials and methods: A prospective observational study of 210 patients with T2DM at a tertiary diabetes and endocrinology center in Sulaymania city/ Iraq, from April to November 2024. The study involved sociodemographic data, body mass index, blood pressure, and blood tests for HbA1c, fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, blood urea and creatinine. The performed HbA1c tests were compared with baseline results to identify differences, …


Investigating The Impact Of Outreach Programmes On Second Level Students In Formal And Informal Computer Science Education In Ireland, Karen Nolan Sep 2026

Investigating The Impact Of Outreach Programmes On Second Level Students In Formal And Informal Computer Science Education In Ireland, Karen Nolan

Doctoral

Computer Science (CS) education at second-level in Ireland has undergone significant development, including the introduction of the Leaving Certificate Computer Science (LCCS). However, the existing literature examined demonstrated that access to and participation in CS education is uneven, resulting in many students having limited exposure CS at second-level before making educational choices. At the same time, students who elect to study LCCS require appropriate support as they engage with programming and other aspects of a relatively new formal curriculum. This thesis investigates the function of school-based CS outreach in helping students at these various phases of their second-level CS education …


Modern Youth Or Moral Decadence: Discourses On South Korea’S “Youth Culture” In Magazines Of The Late 1960s And Early 1970s, Thibaut Diverchy Sep 2026

Modern Youth Or Moral Decadence: Discourses On South Korea’S “Youth Culture” In Magazines Of The Late 1960s And Early 1970s, Thibaut Diverchy

Asia Pacific Perspectives

The cultural phenomenon known as “youth culture” (ch’ŏngnyŏn munhwa) emerged in South Korean society at the turn of the 1970s. It encompasses Western fashion trends, music genres, leisure and nightlife. Labeled as a foreign and decadent trend by the authorities, this so-called counterculture was the target of repeated crackdowns. It is sometimes perceived as a force of protest or resistance, but it had more ambiguous relations to the regime. Popular entertainment magazines such as the Sunday Seoul or the Chugan Kyŏnghyang helped propagate youth culture and provided resources about new trends to young people, but also kept a certain distance …


Diffusion-Informed Joint Segmentation Enhances Detection Of Thalamic Atrophy In Parkinson’S Disease, Gozde Kizilates-Evin, Ani Kicik, Emel Erdogdu, Dilek Betul Saridede, Sevim Cengiz, Basar Bilgic, Hasmet A. Hanagasi, Esin Ozturk-Isik, Tamer Demiralp, Ali Bayram Sep 2026

Diffusion-Informed Joint Segmentation Enhances Detection Of Thalamic Atrophy In Parkinson’S Disease, Gozde Kizilates-Evin, Ani Kicik, Emel Erdogdu, Dilek Betul Saridede, Sevim Cengiz, Basar Bilgic, Hasmet A. Hanagasi, Esin Ozturk-Isik, Tamer Demiralp, Ali Bayram

All Works

The thalamus is a critical subcortical hub that relays sensorimotor information and regulates higher-order cognitive processes. Accurate delineation of thalamic nuclei is essential for elucidating disease mechanisms and tracking clinical progression. In this study, we compared two segmentation approaches implemented in FreeSurfer: the conventional structural method and a joint framework that integrates diffusion tensor imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from 24 healthy controls (HC), 27 patients with cognitively normal Parkinson’s disease (PD-CN), and 33 Parkinson's disease patients with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) were analyzed. Segmentation methods were compared in HC to assess their effect on volume estimates. Group comparisons …


Toward Equitable Energy Futures: The Influence Of Digital Government And Financial Development On Clean Energy Justice, Martin Spraggon, Muhammad Hafeez, Sana Ullah, Chanyanan Somthawinpongsai, Zurul Aisya Osman, Sidra Sohail Sep 2026

Toward Equitable Energy Futures: The Influence Of Digital Government And Financial Development On Clean Energy Justice, Martin Spraggon, Muhammad Hafeez, Sana Ullah, Chanyanan Somthawinpongsai, Zurul Aisya Osman, Sidra Sohail

All Works

Fossil fuel energy is the largest source of carbon emissions and the main driver of climate change and global warming. Therefore, the world is switching towards clean and green energy sources as an alternative to fossil fuel-based energy sources. Nevertheless, the equitable distribution of clean energy resources in urban and rural areas among every segment of society has become a concern for policymakers. Thus, urban-rural clean energy justice is an investigation topic that needs our attention. In this analysis, our main focus is on investigating the influence of financial development and digital government on clean energy justice using an advanced …


Trends In Antimicrobial Resistance Associated With Gastrointestinal Tract Infections In The Uae: A Comprehensive Retrospective Surveillance 13-Year (2010-2022) Study, Madikay Senghore, Jens Thomsen, Najiba M. Abdulrazzaq, Wei Chen, Eveline Kaambo, Stefan Weber, Fouzia Jabeen, Godfred Antony Menezes, Abiola Senok, Dean B. Everett, Carole Ayoub Moubareck Sep 2026

Trends In Antimicrobial Resistance Associated With Gastrointestinal Tract Infections In The Uae: A Comprehensive Retrospective Surveillance 13-Year (2010-2022) Study, Madikay Senghore, Jens Thomsen, Najiba M. Abdulrazzaq, Wei Chen, Eveline Kaambo, Stefan Weber, Fouzia Jabeen, Godfred Antony Menezes, Abiola Senok, Dean B. Everett, Carole Ayoub Moubareck

All Works

Background This study analyzes longitudinal trends in AMR among key bacterial pathogens causing GI infections across the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to inform future treatment policies and public health interventions. Methods We conducted a 13-year, nationwide, longitudinal surveillance study (2010-2022) using data from 341 public and private healthcare facilities and 45 diagnostic laboratories across the UAE. Pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing followed WHO GLASS standards, supplemented by WHONET-integrated electronic medical records. Statistical analyses assessed trends in pathogen incidence, resistance patterns, geographic distribution, and associations with clinical outcomes. Findings Out of 15,593 laboratory-confirmed GI cases, the highest burden was observed …


Thermal And Electrical Properties Of (Cr,Mo,Ta,V,W)C High-Entropy Carbide Ceramics, Ali Sarikhani, Steven M. Smith, Suzana Filipovic, William G. Fahrenholtz, Gregory E. Hilmas Sep 2026

Thermal And Electrical Properties Of (Cr,Mo,Ta,V,W)C High-Entropy Carbide Ceramics, Ali Sarikhani, Steven M. Smith, Suzana Filipovic, William G. Fahrenholtz, Gregory E. Hilmas

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The synthesis and characterization along with the resulting properties of fully dense (Cr,Mo,Ta,V,W)C high entropy carbide ceramics were studied. The ceramics were synthesized from metal oxide and carbon powders by carbothermal reduction, followed by spark plasma sintering at various temperatures for densification. Increasing the densification temperature resulted in grain growth and an increase in the lattice parameter. Thermal diffusivity increased linearly with testing temperature, resulting in thermal conductivity values ranging from ∼7 W/m•K at room temperature to ∼12 W/m•K at 200 °C. Measured heat capacity values matched theoretical estimates calculated using the Neumann-Kopp rule. Room temperature electrical resistivity decreased from …


The Role Of Mxene In The Process Of Sintering Hpcs To Ceramic, Jianyu Dai, Congjie Wei, Jeremy Watts, Chenglin Wu Sep 2026

The Role Of Mxene In The Process Of Sintering Hpcs To Ceramic, Jianyu Dai, Congjie Wei, Jeremy Watts, Chenglin Wu

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This work presents a detailed investigation of the pyrolysis and sintering processes of hydridopolycarbosilane (HPCS) polymers, focusing on the formation of β-silicon carbide (β-SiC) and the influence of Ti3C2–Ox in this process. Due to the computational limitations of density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics methods with appropriate potentials are necessary for simulating large-scale systems, however, the available potentials are limited when the modeling process evolves relatively more element types or complex chemical-mechanical processes are studied. In this work, a machine learning based MACE (Multi-body ACE) model is adopted and trained to accurately capture the polymer's transformation …


Manufacturing Routes For Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Alloys, Ertugrul Demir, Seung Min Ha, Alexander Killips, Guan Cheng Chen, Yitian Chi, Dileepa Maddumage, Dalong Zhang, Xiaochun Li, Haiming Wen, Enrique Lavernia Sep 2026

Manufacturing Routes For Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Alloys, Ertugrul Demir, Seung Min Ha, Alexander Killips, Guan Cheng Chen, Yitian Chi, Dileepa Maddumage, Dalong Zhang, Xiaochun Li, Haiming Wen, Enrique Lavernia

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Oxide dispersion strengthened alloys are promising structural materials for high temperature, irradiation, and mechanically demanding environments because their performance depends on fine and stable oxide dispersoids distributed within a metallic matrix. However, reliable fabrication remains challenging because precursor oxide nanoparticles or oxide forming species must be transformed into stable oxide dispersoids without excessive agglomeration, coarsening, contamination, or loss during processing. This review critically compares powder metallurgy, additive manufacturing, and liquid metallurgy routes for ODS alloy fabrication, with emphasis on oxide evolution, microstructure control, mechanical performance, scalability, and industrial maturity. Powder metallurgy remains the most reliable route for producing fine and …


Sea-Level Rise And Regional Economic Adjustment On The U.S. Gulf Coast, Md A M Hasif, Juhee Lee, Robin A. Choudhury Sep 2026

Sea-Level Rise And Regional Economic Adjustment On The U.S. Gulf Coast, Md A M Hasif, Juhee Lee, Robin A. Choudhury

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Sea-level rise (SLR) poses escalating risks to the U.S. Gulf Coast, where critical industries, infrastructure, and populations are concentrated in low-lying areas. This study estimates the short- and long-run economic effects of SLR using a panel autoregressive distributed lag-pooled mean group framework applied to county-level data from 26 coastal counties across five Gulf Coast states from 2005 to 2021. Over this period, mean sea level increased by approximately 11 cm on average across counties, with cumulative changes ranging from about 4 cm to over 24 cm and substantial cross-county variation, providing a meaningful empirical setting for identifying economic adjustment. We …


Catalysts For Third-Country Market Entry: The Role Of Preferential Trade Agreements, Qiugu He, Xuan Luo Sep 2026

Catalysts For Third-Country Market Entry: The Role Of Preferential Trade Agreements, Qiugu He, Xuan Luo

Research Collection School Of Economics

Preferential trade agreement (PTA) membership is known to divert trade volumes away from nonmember (third) countries along the intensive margin of trade, yet much less is known about its effects on third-country market entry along the extensive margin of trade. This paper examines whether PTAs catalyze market entry into third countries, and more broadly whether PTAs create spillover effects beyond member countries that matter for development. Using bilateral trade data from 1948 to 2020, we employ a difference-in-differences strategy, and find that the third-country market entry rate rises by 2.1% when the origin country has a PTA partner in the …


Threshold Spatial Panel Regression With Fixed Effects, Xiaoyu Meng, Zhenlin Yang Sep 2026

Threshold Spatial Panel Regression With Fixed Effects, Xiaoyu Meng, Zhenlin Yang

Research Collection School Of Economics

We introduce general estimation and inference methods for threshold spatial panel regression with two-way fixed effects in a diminishing-threshold-effects framework. A valid objective function is obtained through a simple adjustment on the concentrated quasi loglikelihood with fixed effects being concentrated out, which leads to a consistent estimation of all common parameters. We show that the estimation of threshold parameter has a negligible effect on the asymptotic distribution of the main parameter estimators and thereby regular inference methods apply, though a bias correction may be necessary. The limiting distribution of the threshold parameter estimator is shown to be non-regular and infeasible, …


Using Early And Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, And Treatment (Epsdt) To Improve Access To Obesity Pharmacotherapy: A Practical Guide For Clinicians Caring For Youth With Obesity Across United States Medicaid Programs:, Jaime M. Moore, Valerie M. O'Hara, Cassie Totman, Brooke Sweeney, Sarah Hampl, Alaina P. Vidmar Sep 2026

Using Early And Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, And Treatment (Epsdt) To Improve Access To Obesity Pharmacotherapy: A Practical Guide For Clinicians Caring For Youth With Obesity Across United States Medicaid Programs:, Jaime M. Moore, Valerie M. O'Hara, Cassie Totman, Brooke Sweeney, Sarah Hampl, Alaina P. Vidmar

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Coverage of obesity pharmacotherapy for youth varies substantially across state Medicaid programs. This variability limits access to evidence-based treatment for pediatric obesity. The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit is a federally mandated Medicaid provision requiring coverage of medically necessary services for individuals under age 21, even when such services are not included in standard state Medicaid benefits. Despite its broad scope, EPSDT remains underutilized due to limited awareness and operational complexity.

METHODS: We developed a clinician-facing, practice-oriented framework to operationalize EPSDT for pediatric obesity treatment. This approach integrates (1) review of federal EPSDT policy and …


Non-Vigorous Physical Activity Associated With Reduced Hospitalization Risk With Or Without Diabetes Or Peripheral Artery Disease: Study Of Latinos., Sarah K. Alver, Carmen C. Cuthbertson, Kelly R. Evenson, Jennifer A. Schrack, Daniela Sotres-Alvarez, Natasha Z. Anita, Yasmin Mossavar-Rahmani, Linda C. Gallo, Jordan A. Carlson, Matthew Allison, Martha L. Daviglus, Olga Garcia-Bedoya, Christina Cordero, Xiaonan Xue, Jianwen Cai, Kunihiro Matsushita, Robert C. Kaplan Sep 2026

Non-Vigorous Physical Activity Associated With Reduced Hospitalization Risk With Or Without Diabetes Or Peripheral Artery Disease: Study Of Latinos., Sarah K. Alver, Carmen C. Cuthbertson, Kelly R. Evenson, Jennifer A. Schrack, Daniela Sotres-Alvarez, Natasha Z. Anita, Yasmin Mossavar-Rahmani, Linda C. Gallo, Jordan A. Carlson, Matthew Allison, Martha L. Daviglus, Olga Garcia-Bedoya, Christina Cordero, Xiaonan Xue, Jianwen Cai, Kunihiro Matsushita, Robert C. Kaplan

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

PURPOSE: This study assessed whether greater physical activity (PA) and lesser sedentary behavior (SB) reduce hospitalization risk equally among those with and without prediabetes, diabetes, or peripheral artery disease (PAD).

METHODS: We studied PA, SB and hospitalizations in 12,734 adults from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, who were 52.2% female with mean (standard deviation) age 41.1 (14.9) yr at baseline. Participants reported 10,025 nonpregnancy-related hospitalizations (excluding emergency room only) over 13 yr. We modeled the association between accelerometer-measured activity (SB; light intensity physical activity [LPA]; moderate physical activity [MPA]; vigorous physical activity [VPA]) and hospitalization, using Andersen-Gill proportional …


Prediction Of Decline In Ovarian Function In Turner Syndrome., Roopa Kanakatti Shankar, Tazim Dowlut-Mcelroy Sep 2026

Prediction Of Decline In Ovarian Function In Turner Syndrome., Roopa Kanakatti Shankar, Tazim Dowlut-Mcelroy

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Comment on


Ovarian Cancer Tumor Immune Profiles Associated With Intrauterine Device And Oral Contraceptive Use., Jennifer M. Mongiovi, Ana Babic, Naoko Sasamoto, Mary K. Townsend, Allison F. Vitonis, Mollie Barnard, Jonathan Hecht, T Rinda Soong, Jose R. Conejo-Garcia, Lauren C. Peres, Joellen M. Schildkraut, Holly R. Harris, Jennifer A. Doherty, Francesmary Modugno, Brooke L. Fridley, Shelley S. Tworoger, Kathryn L. Terry Sep 2026

Ovarian Cancer Tumor Immune Profiles Associated With Intrauterine Device And Oral Contraceptive Use., Jennifer M. Mongiovi, Ana Babic, Naoko Sasamoto, Mary K. Townsend, Allison F. Vitonis, Mollie Barnard, Jonathan Hecht, T Rinda Soong, Jose R. Conejo-Garcia, Lauren C. Peres, Joellen M. Schildkraut, Holly R. Harris, Jennifer A. Doherty, Francesmary Modugno, Brooke L. Fridley, Shelley S. Tworoger, Kathryn L. Terry

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Non-hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) create an inflammatory uterine environment while oral contraceptives (OC) suppress ovulation and have different associations with ovarian cancer risk. We have evaluated the associations of these two contraceptive exposures with ovarian tumor immune infiltration.

METHODS: This study assessed associations of IUD and OC use with tumor immune features via multiplex immunofluorescence in 24 ovarian tumor tissue microarrays from four case-control and two cohort studies. Multivariable-adjusted beta-binomial models estimated the odds of tumor T cell positivity by contraceptive history.

RESULTS: High-grade serous tumors had the highest percentage of tumor cells positive for total T cells (CD3+ …


Vomica And Respiratory Distress: A Complicated Lung Hydatid Cyst In A Child., Riccardo Guanà, Antonella Peduto, Maria Grazia Sacco Casamassima, Marco Denina, Marco Petraz, Cristina Giuliano, Giuseppe Farruggio, Lucia Gerbaudo, Fabrizio Gennari Sep 2026

Vomica And Respiratory Distress: A Complicated Lung Hydatid Cyst In A Child., Riccardo Guanà, Antonella Peduto, Maria Grazia Sacco Casamassima, Marco Denina, Marco Petraz, Cristina Giuliano, Giuseppe Farruggio, Lucia Gerbaudo, Fabrizio Gennari

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Hydatid cyst, caused by Echinococcus infection, is the most common parasitic lung infection in children. Giant cysts are generally the result of a late diagnosis and are associated with a high risk of spontaneous rupture and life-threatening complications, including anaphylactic shock. We present the complex management of a large, complicated hydatid cyst of the lung in an 11-year-old boy in a nonendemic area. This case highlighted the specific work-up and surgical treatment of lung cysts as well as the differential diagnosis to consider when treating pulmonary masses or pneumonia.


Patient-Specific Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling Of Airway Collapse In Infants With Robin Sequence., Gautam Jalori, Michael Barbour, Michael Bindschadler, Kelly Evans, John P. Dahl, Alberto Aliseda Sep 2026

Patient-Specific Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling Of Airway Collapse In Infants With Robin Sequence., Gautam Jalori, Michael Barbour, Michael Bindschadler, Kelly Evans, John P. Dahl, Alberto Aliseda

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Robin Sequence (RS) is a congenital condition in which patients experience dynamic, periodic obstruction or collapse of the upper airway due to an underdeveloped jaw and a posteriorly displaced tongue. Current clinical techniques for evaluating airway obstruction do not provide quantifiable data and fail to account for the dynamic nature of obstruction or collapse. There is no standardized criterion to characterize obstruction or collapse severity. This study presents the first method that extracts airway motion from 4-dimensional computed tomography and performs a patient-specific, moving-mesh computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of RS patients with complete airway collapse or obstruction. To quantify …


Pharmacogenetics In Pediatric Cardiology., Adenike Adenikinju, Jonathan B. Wagner, Mollie Walton Sep 2026

Pharmacogenetics In Pediatric Cardiology., Adenike Adenikinju, Jonathan B. Wagner, Mollie Walton

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Children with congenital and acquired heart disease frequently require complex and prolonged pharmacotherapy, often involving off-label cardiovascular medications with narrow therapeutic ranges. Consequently, variability in drug response and medication-related adverse events remains a significant clinical challenge in pediatric cardiology. Pharmacogenetics provides a framework to individualize drug selection and dosing by incorporating genetic variability alongside established clinical and developmental factors. This review outlines the current clinical utility and emerging role of pharmacogenetics in pediatric cardiology, emphasizing applications most relevant to day-to-day patient care. Established pharmacogenetic associations with direct implications for pediatric cardiac practice include gene-drug pairs involving tacrolimus (CYP3A5), …


Sexual Education And Sti Prevention In High School: A Neutrosophic Analysis Of The Opportunities And Risks Of Generative Artificial Intelligence, Antonio Pioquinto Rivera, Gregorio Nunez Hernandez, Rosalinda Villa Juarez Sep 2026

Sexual Education And Sti Prevention In High School: A Neutrosophic Analysis Of The Opportunities And Risks Of Generative Artificial Intelligence, Antonio Pioquinto Rivera, Gregorio Nunez Hernandez, Rosalinda Villa Juarez

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a critical challenge during adolescence. Given the limitations of traditional sex education, generative artificial intelligence (GAI) has emerged as a personalized and anonymous consultation alternative. This study analyzes, from a neutrosophic perspective, the scientific evidence published between 2019 and 2026 on the use of GAI to strengthen STI prevention among high school students. Through a critical integrative review of thirteen reference studies, a matrix was built that classifies the findings across four dimensions (AI-mediated learning, sexual education, STI prevention, and educational equity) according to their truth (T), falsity (F), and indeterminacy (I) components. The results …


Multi-Criteria Credit Risk Prioritization In Cooperative Smes Using Ahp-Topsis: A Reproducible Pilot With Pseudonymized Data, Ramiro Javier Castillo Herrera, Dayron Rumbaut Rangel Sep 2026

Multi-Criteria Credit Risk Prioritization In Cooperative Smes Using Ahp-Topsis: A Reproducible Pilot With Pseudonymized Data, Ramiro Javier Castillo Herrera, Dayron Rumbaut Rangel

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Credit risk assessment in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within savings and credit cooperatives presents persistent challenges due to incomplete, heterogeneous, and dispersed information. This paper reports and audits a pilot AHP-TOPSIS multi-criteria model for relative credit risk prioritization using a pseudonymized pilot dataset of seven SMEs (n=7) with active loans, implemented as a fully Excel-reproducible framework without proprietary software. AHP pairwise comparisons yield validated criterion weights (CR=0.0440 < 0.10). Results demonstrate the model's interpretability, traceability, and operational applicability for credit portfolio management in resource-constrained cooperative financial environments.


Temporal Changes In Mechanical Pin Prick Sensitivity Following High Frequency Induced Sensitisation Of Central Nociceptive Pathways: A Test Re-Test Reliability Study, Samuel Mugglestone, Giorgio Ganis, Sam W. Hughes Sep 2026

Temporal Changes In Mechanical Pin Prick Sensitivity Following High Frequency Induced Sensitisation Of Central Nociceptive Pathways: A Test Re-Test Reliability Study, Samuel Mugglestone, Giorgio Ganis, Sam W. Hughes

School of Psychology

High-frequency stimulation (HFS) is a human surrogate model of secondary hyperalgesia and a key experimental tool for understanding the mechanisms and modulation of central nociceptive pathways. An emerging area of research focuses on the role of top-down endogenous analgesic systems during secondary hyperalgesia development. However, the test-retest reliability of the early temporal changes in sensitivity are poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the between-session reliability of the early temporal dynamics and late-phase expression of HFS-induced changes in mechanical pinprick sensitivity in a heterotopic area on the forearm in 28 healthy participants across five time points relative to HFS …


Remote Sensing Integrated Modeling Of Fall Armyworm Parasitoid Interactions In Africa Using Fractional Differential Equations, Marian Adan, Steeven Belvinos Affognon, Henri E.Z. Tonnang, Klaus Greve, Christian Borgemeister, Georg Goergen Sep 2026

Remote Sensing Integrated Modeling Of Fall Armyworm Parasitoid Interactions In Africa Using Fractional Differential Equations, Marian Adan, Steeven Belvinos Affognon, Henri E.Z. Tonnang, Klaus Greve, Christian Borgemeister, Georg Goergen

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The invasion of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda; FAW) into Africa poses a major threat to agricultural systems, particularly maize production, necessitating effective biological control strategies. This study presents an ecological modelling framework that integrates temperature data with fractional differential equations (FDEs) to investigate interactions between FAW and its parasitoid natural enemies. By incorporating temperature-driven effects on life-history traits and ecological memory dynamics, the model captures key features of host–parasitoid interactions under variable environmental conditions. Equilibrium states corresponding to FAW extinction, parasitoid extinction, and coexistence were analytically derived, and sensitivity analysis of the FAW reproduction number highlighted its central role in …


Diversity And Species Richness Of Lepidopteran Stemborers And Their Host Plants Across Major Vegetation Mosaics Of East Africa, Elie Ntirenganya, Muluken Goftishu, Yoseph Assefa, Bonoukpoè Mawuko Sokame, Simon Boniface Boni, Janvier Uwayezu, Hategekimana Athanase, Venuste Nsengimana Sep 2026

Diversity And Species Richness Of Lepidopteran Stemborers And Their Host Plants Across Major Vegetation Mosaics Of East Africa, Elie Ntirenganya, Muluken Goftishu, Yoseph Assefa, Bonoukpoè Mawuko Sokame, Simon Boniface Boni, Janvier Uwayezu, Hategekimana Athanase, Venuste Nsengimana

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The study was carried out in the major ecological vegetation mosaics of Rwanda, including Afro-alpine mountain mosaics within the Guineo–Congolese region in the north; Akagera sub-humid savanna mosaics in the east; montane forest mosaics in the south; and modified urban wetland and riparian mosaics of Kigali City, within the Sudanian–Guinea–Congo transition zone. At each selected locality, purposive sampling in (i) edges of the cultivated field and adjacent uncultivated lands, (ii) open patches along the forest access roads and pathways, (iii) riparian zones along urban areas, rivers, and streams, (iv) edge of lakes, and (v) swamp ecosystems was conducted to detect …


From Suitability To Invasion Risk: Integrating Correlative And Mechanistic Models For Predicting The Potential Distribution Of The Red Palm Weevil, Abdelmutalab G.A. Azrag, Komi Mensah Agboka, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman, Rehemah Gwokyalya, Seid A. Kemal, Hamadttu A.F. El-Shafie, Mohamed A. Bob, Samira A. Mohamed, Sunday Ekesi, Abdou Tenkouano Sep 2026

From Suitability To Invasion Risk: Integrating Correlative And Mechanistic Models For Predicting The Potential Distribution Of The Red Palm Weevil, Abdelmutalab G.A. Azrag, Komi Mensah Agboka, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman, Rehemah Gwokyalya, Seid A. Kemal, Hamadttu A.F. El-Shafie, Mohamed A. Bob, Samira A. Mohamed, Sunday Ekesi, Abdou Tenkouano

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The red Palm Weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus is the most devastating pest of palm trees and is responsible for significant economic and biodiversity losses worldwide. The larvae bore deep into the trunk or crown for feeding, resulting in extensive tunneling and mortality of the trees. In this study, we developed a hybrid modeling framework for RPW that integrates ecological niche modeling (ENMs) with a temperature-driven risk index (RI). The ENM was developed from the RPW occurrence data, while the RI was driven from temperature-dependent life history traits of RPW. The two approaches were combined through a weighted additive method to …


Mitochondrial Phylogeography And Insecticide Resistance Of Aedes Aegypti In Kenya, Brenda Musimbi, Sandy Hickson, Trizah K. Milugo, Eleanor Robinson-Rice, Josephine Osalla, Gilbert Rotich, Frank Jiggins, David P. Tchouassi Sep 2026

Mitochondrial Phylogeography And Insecticide Resistance Of Aedes Aegypti In Kenya, Brenda Musimbi, Sandy Hickson, Trizah K. Milugo, Eleanor Robinson-Rice, Josephine Osalla, Gilbert Rotich, Frank Jiggins, David P. Tchouassi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of arboviruses such as dengue, yellow fever, Zika, and chikungunya. Here, we investigate the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) structure and insecticide resistance of Ae. aegypti populations across Kenya. Using 175 newly sequenced Kenyan COI mtDNA fragments, along with global reference sequences, we assess maternal ancestry and phylogeographic structure. Genetic structure across Kenya was not well explained by isolation-by-distance alone, with several populations deviating from this pattern. Nairobi and Mombasa, separated by >400 km, showed greater maternal genetic similarity than expected under isolation-by-distance, a pattern that may reflect gene flow along transportation corridors. Conversely, Ukunda, around …


Quantile Normalisation Enables Interpretable Spatial Prioritisation Of Persistence-Related Mechanistic Suitability Under Uncertainty For Tomato Red Spider Mite (Tetranychus Evansi) In Africa, Komi Mensah Agboka, Luca Rossini, Quinto Juma Meltus, Bonoukpoè Mawuko Sokame, Abdulmutallab G.A. Azrag, Thomas Dubois, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman Sep 2026

Quantile Normalisation Enables Interpretable Spatial Prioritisation Of Persistence-Related Mechanistic Suitability Under Uncertainty For Tomato Red Spider Mite (Tetranychus Evansi) In Africa, Komi Mensah Agboka, Luca Rossini, Quinto Juma Meltus, Bonoukpoè Mawuko Sokame, Abdulmutallab G.A. Azrag, Thomas Dubois, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Mechanistic trait models are increasingly considered to estimate persistence-related suitability for invasive species, although translating reproduction metrics into operational indicators for spatial decision-making remains challenging. Branching-process transformations are widely applied to convert mechanistic reproduction numbers into probabilities of establishment; however, such transformations may compress spatial gradients when persistence is broadly feasible. Using tomato red spider mite (Tetranychus evansi) as a case study across Africa, this study developed an uncertainty-aware, physiologically-based model and generated spatially explicit estimates of expected reproduction (R0). We compared three representations: raw mechanistic suitability, branching-process persistence probability, and quantile-normalised suitability. Although all representations preserved rank ordering, branching …


Efficient Dynamic Mechanism Design Without A Common Prior, Dirk Bergemann, Marek Bojko Sep 2026

Efficient Dynamic Mechanism Design Without A Common Prior, Dirk Bergemann, Marek Bojko

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

No abstract provided.