bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theōria as Cure for Impiety and Atheism in Plato’s Laws and Clement of Alexandria
Authors: Anagnostou-Laoutides Eva
Published: June 2024

The article examines the impact of Plato’s views on atheism and impiety, relayed in the Laws, on Clement of Alexandria. Clement employed the adjectives godless (atheos) and impious (asebēs) often in his writings as accusations against pagan philosophers and/or heretics, but also in his defence of Christians against the very charge of atheism on account of their rejection of pagan gods (Stromata 7.1; cf. Tertullian’s Apologia 10). I argue that Clement, perceptive of Plato’s defence of philosophical contemplation (theōria) and its civic benefits in the Laws, reworked the latter’s association of disbelief with excessive confidence in fleshly pleasures (Leges 888A) in tandem with his stipulation of virtue as the civic goal of his ideal colonists of Magnesia who ought to attune to the divine principles of the cosmos. Thus, Clement promoted the concept of citizenship in the Heavenly kingdom, secured through contemplation and its ensuing impassibility. For Plato and Clement, atheism was the opposite of genuine engagement with divine truth and had no place in the ideal state. Although Clement associated the Church with peace, his views were adapted by Firmicus Maternus to sanction violent rhetoric against the pagans in the fourth century when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire.
Adaptive Multi-Hypothesis Marginal Bayes Filter for Tracking Multiple Targets
Authors: Liu Zongxiang , Qiu Zikang , Gao Zhijian , Zhang Jie
Published: June 2024

Tracking multiple targets in the presence of unknown number of targets, missed detection, clutter, and noise is a challenging problem. To cope with this problem, a novel approach for generating the potential birth targets was developed, a mathematical model for multiple hypotheses was established, and an adaptive multi-hypothesis marginal Bayes filter is herein proposed in terms of the established mathematical model for multiple hypotheses and the novel birth approach. This filter delivers the existence probabilities of targets and their probability density functions. It uses multiple hypotheses to solve the data association problem to form the existence probabilities of targets and their probability density functions. To obviate the requirement for prior birth models, this filter uses the observations from two consecutive time steps to establish the birth models adaptively. Its tracking performance was tested by comparing it with other adaptive filters, showing that the proposed filter is robust, and it can obtain higher tracking accuracy than other filters.
Two-Dimensional Autofocus for Ultra-High-Resolution Squint Spotlight Airborne SAR Based on Improved Spectrum Modification
Authors: Chen Min , Qiu Xiaolan , Cheng Yao , Shang Mingyang , Li Ruoming , Li Wangzhe
Published: June 2024

For ultra-high-resolution (UHR) squint spotlight airborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR), the severe range-azimuth coupling caused by squint mode and the spatial and frequency dependence of the motion error brought by ultra-wide bandwidth both make it difficult to obtain satisfactory imaging results. Although some autofocus methods for squint airborne SAR have been presented in the published literature, their practical applicability in UHR situations remains limited. In this article, a new 2D wavenumber domain autofocus method combined with the Omega-K algorithm dedicated to UHR squint spotlight airborne SAR is proposed. First, we analyze the dependence of range envelope shift error (RESE) and range defocus on the squint angle and then propose a new spectrum modification strategy, after which the spectrum transforms into a quasi-side-looking one. The accuracy of estimation and compensation can be improved significantly in this way. Then, the 2D phase error can be calculated with the 1D estimated error by the mapping relationship, and after that the 2D compensation is performed in the wavenumber domain. Furthermore, the image-blocking technique and range-dependent motion error compensation method are embedded to accommodate the spatial-variant motion error for UHR cases. Simulations are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Cross-Border Sand and Dust Storms between Mongolia and Northern China in Spring and Their Driving Weather Systems
Authors: Borjigin Asia , Bueh Cholaw , Yong Mei , Purevjav Gomboluudev , Xie Zuowei
Published: June 2024

Sand and dust storms (SDSs) are particularly concerning natural disasters in East Asia. At present, there is still a lack of comprehensive knowledge of the characteristics of the cross-border SDSs between Mongolia and Northern China and the associated weather systems. This study identifies and documents the spring cross-border SDSs between Mongolia and Northern China based on the MODIS AOD map and Himawari-8/9 dust RGB images and analyzes the corresponding weather system types. A total of 76 spring cross-border SDSs were identified during 2000–2023, accounting for 55.1% of the total SDSs in both countries. The vast majority of the cross-border SDSs (86.8%) were related to Mongolian cyclones (MCs). Among them, 53.9% of the cross-border SDSs were mainly driven by Mongolian cyclones alone, and 32.9% were driven by the combination of MCs and cold highs (MC-CH type). Significant differences in the horizontal distribution of the SDSs were observed for different weather types. MCs alone trigger SDSs in the southern halves of the MCs, so the horizontal extent of the SDSs is consistent with that of MCs but larger than that associated with cold fronts. For the MC-CH type, strong winds in the southern flanks of MCs and their rear cold highs jointly drive a large-scale zonally extensive SDS belt. In recent years, particularly in 2021 and 2023, the strong cross-border SDSs have been dominated by the MC–CH type. This study provides a reference for the forecasting and early identification of cross-border SDS disasters.
Accurate Mapping and Evaluation of Small Impact Craters within the Lunar Landing Area
Authors: Yang Chen , Wang Xinglong , Zhao Dandong , Guan Renchu , Zhao Haishi
Published: June 2024

Impact craters, as the most distinct lunar structural unit and geological structure, are marked on the Moon’s surface. For over a decade, researchers have focused on identifying and exploring large- to medium-sized impact craters on the surface of the Moon (craters with a diameter greater than 1 km). Small impact craters have obvious statistical significance owing to their magnitude in numbers. The identification and analysis of small craters provide indispensable clues for the study of lunar geological evolution. However, such craters only remain in specific images and regions. At present, there is no comprehensive record of small impact craters in the existing lunar impact crater databases. The small impact craters on the surface of the Moon are enormous and vary in size by orders of magnitude, exhibiting small target characteristics in space. The present study focuses on the identification and spatial analysis of small impact craters on the surface of the Moon. A feature amplification strategy-based identification model was established for small impact crater detection, achieving accurate recognition of the small impact craters on the surface of the Moon (with a recall rate of 86.97% and a false-positive rate as low as 0.54% ± 0.16%). In total, 228,897, 142,872, and 42,008 new small lunar impact craters (with diameters as low as 4.5 m) were identified in the ten lunar landing areas of returned samples from the Apollo, Luna, and Chang’e-5 missions. In addition, the spatial distribution characteristics of small impact craters during different geological periods in the landing area are provided. Data on the newly identified small impact craters will provide an important basis for revealing the lunar impact fluxes and young lunar surface dating in lunar geological evolution research.
Comparative Study of Ergonomics in Conventional and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery
Authors: Pérez-Salazar Manuel J. , Caballero Daniel , Sánchez-Margallo Juan A. , Sánchez-Margallo Francisco M.
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND: This study aims to implement a set of wearable technologies to record and analyze the surgeon’s physiological and ergonomic parameters during the performance of conventional and robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery, comparing the ergonomics and stress levels of surgeons during surgical procedures. METHODS: This study was organized in two different settings: simulator tasks and experimental model surgical procedures. The participating surgeons performed the tasks and surgical procedures in both laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery in a randomized fashion. Different wearable technologies were used to record the surgeons’ posture, muscle activity, electrodermal activity and electrocardiography signal during the surgical practice. RESULTS: The simulator study involved six surgeons: three experienced (>100 laparoscopic procedures performed; 36.33 ± 13.65 years old) and three novices (<100 laparoscopic procedures; 29.33 ± 8.39 years old). Three surgeons of different surgical specialties with experience in laparoscopic surgery (>100 laparoscopic procedures performed; 37.00 ± 5.29 years old), but without experience in surgical robotics, participated in the experimental model study. The participating surgeons showed an increased level of stress during the robotic-assisted surgical procedures. Overall, improved surgeon posture was obtained during robotic-assisted surgery, with a reduction in localized muscle fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: A set of wearable technologies was implemented to measure and analyze surgeon physiological and ergonomic parameters. Robotic-assisted procedures showed better ergonomic outcomes for the surgeon compared to conventional laparoscopic surgery. Ergonomic analysis allows us to optimize surgeon performance and improve surgical training.
Low-Cost Source Measure Unit (SMU) to Characterize Sensors Built on Graphene-Channel Field-Effect Transistors
Authors: Galanti Ashley Morgan , Haidekker Mark A.
Published: June 2024

This study introduces a flexible and low-cost solution for a source measure unit (SMU), which is presented as an alternative to conventional source meter units and a blueprint for sensor FET drivers. An SMU collects current–voltage (I-V) curves with an additional variable voltage or current and is commonly used to characterize semiconductors. We present the hardware design, interfacing, and test results of our SMU. Specifically, we present representative I-V curve measurements for graphene-channel FETs to demonstrate the SMU’s capability to efficiently characterize these devices with minimal noise and sufficient accuracy. This cost-effective solution presents a promising avenue for researchers and developers seeking reliable tools for sensor development and characterization. We demonstrate, with the example of surface illumination, how the sensing behavior of graphene-channel FETs can be characterized without the need for expensive equipment. Additionally, the SMU was validated with known passive and active components, along with probe station integration for semiconductor die-scale connection. The SMU’s focus on collecting I-V curves, coupled with its ability to identify device defects, such as parasitic Schottky junctions or a failed oxide, contributes to its utility in quality testing for semiconductor devices. Its low-cost nature makes it accessible for various research endeavors, enabling efficient data collection and analysis for graphene-based and other nanomaterial-based sensor applications.
Research on High-Precision Resonant Capacitance Bridge Based on Multiple Transformers
Authors: Liu Xin , Chen Yuzhu , Wang Longqi , Yu Tao , Wang Zhi , Xue Ke , Sui Yanlin , Chen Yongkun
Published: June 2024

The Taiji program is dedicated to the detection of middle and low-frequency gravitational waves, targeting the 0.1 mHz to 1 Hz frequency band. The project requires an acceleration residual sensitivity of 3 × 10−15 ms−2/Hz1/2, which necessitates a capacitance sensing resolution of 1 aF/Hz1/2 for the capacitive sensing system within the specified frequency range. The noise level of the resonant bridge significantly influences the resolution. Addressing the challenges in enhancing transformer performance parameters in existing resonant capacitance bridges and the constraints on improving the characteristics of resonant capacitance bridges, this study introduces a novel approach to reduce bridge thermal noise without optimizing existing parameters. The simulation results demonstrate that this scheme can reduce the noise to 0.7 times the original level and further reduce bridge thermal noise when other parameters affecting noise are optimized. This not only mitigates the demands for other performance parameters but also increases the range of maximum acceptable resonant frequency deviations and reduces its sensitivity to such variations. Experimental validation confirms that the proposed scheme effectively reduces noise by 0.7 times and improves the resolution of capacitance sensing to 0.6 aF/Hz1/2, thereby advancing the Taiji program gravitational wave detection capabilities.
FF3D: A Rapid and Accurate 3D Fruit Detector for Robotic Harvesting
Authors: Liu Tianhao , Wang Xing , Hu Kewei , Zhou Hugh , Kang Hanwen , Chen Chao
Published: June 2024

This study presents the Fast Fruit 3D Detector (FF3D), a novel framework that contains a 3D neural network for fruit detection and an anisotropic Gaussian-based next-best view estimator. The proposed one-stage 3D detector, which utilizes an end-to-end 3D detection network, shows superior accuracy and robustness compared to traditional 2D methods. The core of the FF3D is a 3D object detection network based on a 3D convolutional neural network (3D CNN) followed by an anisotropic Gaussian-based next-best view estimation module. The innovative architecture combines point cloud feature extraction and object detection tasks, achieving accurate real-time fruit localization. The model is trained on a large-scale 3D fruit dataset and contains data collected from an apple orchard. Additionally, the proposed next-best view estimator improves accuracy and lowers the collision risk for grasping. Thorough assessments on the test set and in a simulated environment validate the efficacy of our FF3D. The experimental results show an AP of 76.3%, an AR of 92.3%, and an average Euclidean distance error of less than 6.2 mm, highlighting the framework’s potential to overcome challenges in orchard environments.
Efficient Cyberattack Detection Methods in Industrial Control Systems
Authors: Marusak Piotr , Nebeluk Robert , Wojtulewicz Andrzej , Cabaj Krzysztof , Chaber Patryk , Ławryńczuk Maciej , Plamowski Sebastian , Zarzycki Krzysztof
Published: June 2024

The article deals with the issue of detecting cyberattacks on control algorithms running in a real Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and controlling a real laboratory control plant. The vulnerability of the widely used Proportional–Integral–Derivative (PID) controller is investigated. Four effective, easy-to-implement, and relatively robust methods for detecting attacks on the control signal, output variable, and parameters of the PID controller are researched. The first method verifies whether the value of the control signal sent to the control plant in the previous step is the actual value generated by the controller. The second method relies on detecting sudden, unusual changes in output variables, taking into account the inertial nature of dynamic plants. In the third method, a copy of the controller parameters is used to detect an attack on the controller’s parameters implemented in the PLC. The fourth method uses the golden run in attack detection.
Classification of Fashion Models’ Walking Styles Using Publicly Available Data, Pose Detection Technology, and Multivariate Analysis: From Past to Current Trendy Walking Styles
Authors: Kobayashi Yoshiyuki , Saito Sakiko , Murahori Tatsuya
Published: June 2024

Understanding past and current trends is crucial in the fashion industry to forecast future market demands. This study quantifies and reports the characteristics of the trendy walking styles of fashion models during real-world runway performances using three cutting-edge technologies: (a) publicly available video resources, (b) human pose detection technology, and (c) multivariate human-movement analysis techniques. The skeletal coordinates of the whole body during one gait cycle, extracted from publicly available video resources of 69 fashion models, underwent principal component analysis to reduce the dimensionality of the data. Then, hierarchical cluster analysis was used to classify the data. The results revealed that (1) the gaits of the fashion models analyzed in this study could be classified into five clusters, (2) there were significant differences in the median years in which the shows were held between the clusters, and (3) reconstructed stick-figure animations representing the walking styles of each cluster indicate that an exaggerated leg-crossing gait has become less common over recent years. Accordingly, we concluded that the level of leg crossing while walking is one of the major changes in trendy walking styles, from the past to the present, directed by the world’s leading brands.
Wavefront Changes during a Sustained Reading Task in Presbyopic Eyes
Authors: Safarian Baloujeh Ebrahim , González-Méijome José M.
Published: June 2024

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of sustained reading on the temporal changes in the wavefront error in the presbyopic eye. The wavefront aberration of the eyes was measured using an IRX3 Shack–Hartmann aberrometer before and after (immediately, 5 min, and 10 min after) a reading task. Temporal changes in C20, C40, and C3−1 coefficient values of the eyes were plotted, showing a predominant number of V-shaped patterns (for C40 and C3−1) and inverse V-shaped patterns (for C20) among the study group, and the percentages (between 27 and 73%) were reported. The median of the total RMS of aberrations and the RMS of HOA (higher-order aberrations), which included comatic (3rd order) and spherical-like aberrations (4th and 6th order), increased immediately after finishing the near-vision reading task and then decreased. The median of RMS of comatic aberrations had a similar pattern of variations, while the median of RMS of spherical-like aberrations displayed an opposite pattern. Simulating the aberration changes due to lens decentration caused by relaxed zonules during 4 D accommodation in an eye model demonstrated that the expected range of changes for the vertical coma and spherical aberrations are in the order of 0.001 and 0.01 μm, respectively, which could justify why the observed changes were not statistically significant. The observed dynamic changes in HOA might be linked to the biomechanical characteristics and alterations in the displacement of the crystalline lens following prolonged near-vision tasks in presbyopic people. Although some predominant patterns under some conditions were shown, they exhibit considerable inter-subject and inter-ocular variability. This might be due to slight misalignments while fixating on the internal extended object in the aberrometer.
A Roadmap for Reducing Construction Waste for Developing Countries
Authors: Anaç Merve , Gumusburun Ayalp Gulden , Karabeyeser Bakan Merve
Published: June 2024

With the rapid development of the construction industry, construction waste (CW) has recently attracted much attention in many developing countries such as Türkiye. As a result, the effective management of construction waste has emerged as a critical concern at the global level. Reducing and managing CW is imperative to promote sustainable urban development. Although several scholars have made many valuable attempts to develop strategies to minimize CW, one of the most effective ways is to propose a road map for CW minimization, which is a method that has never been applied before, neither in this domain nor in the construction management and architectural domain. Unlike former studies, a roadmap was developed for reducing CW in this study. To create a roadmap, three steps were followed in this study. Firstly, CW causes were identified with a systematic literature review. Then, surveys were conducted with the construction stakeholders to obtain their perceptions of these causes. A normalized mean value analysis was conducted, and the importance and criticality of the CW causes were determined. Secondly, a timeline was developed, and it overlapped with the importance of the causes. Finally, roadmap strategies were created, and solutions were proposed to solve the causes of CW in the short, medium, and long term. The roadmap method, which is often used to develop new technologies, has not been used in this way to solve a problem before. Therefore, the study is unique and offers strategies that can be integrated into other studies.
Estimation of Crash Modification Factors (CMFs) in Mountain Freeways: Considering Temporal Instability in Crash Data
Authors: Zhang Liang , Huang Zhongxiang , Kuang Aiwu , Yu Jie , Cai Mingmao
Published: June 2024

The combined contributions to mountain freeway safety of pavement performance, weather conditions, and traffic condition indicators have not been thoroughly investigated due to the complexity of their interactions and temporal instability. A cross-sectional analysis using a Generalized Linear Model (GLM) approach with negative binomial distribution considering time-correlation effects (TC-NB) was adopted to estimate the Crash Modification Factors (CMFs) of these indicators for different segment types, alignment types, and cross-sectional forms based on eight quarters of data from mountain freeways in China. According to the results, improving the pavement performance indexes positively impacts the safety of different freeway segments, especially for the curved segments. Quarterly Average Daily Traffic (QADT) has significantly negative safety effects on two-lane segments with relatively narrow spaces, while the proportion of large vehicles plays a decisive role in the safety impacts of tunnel segments. Small/moderate rain days in a quarter (SMR) were significantly positively correlated with crash frequency, while the percentage of torrential rain days in a quarter (TR) showed an opposite trend. The results of this study contribute to the effective coordination of traffic monitoring systems, pavement management systems, and traffic safety management systems to develop targeted improvement countermeasures for different freeway section types.
Biometric Breakthroughs for Sustainable Travel: Transforming Public Transportation through Secure Identification
Authors: Čižiūnienė Kristina , Prokopovič Margarita , Zaranka Jurijus , Matijošius Jonas
Published: June 2024

This study investigates the use of biometric technology in public transit to improve trip safety and effectiveness. The incorporation of biometric technology into transit networks improves efficiency and security but also poses substantial challenges of privacy, standardisation, and public acceptability. Conducted via a poll of 25 specialists in Lithuania, the objective was to assess the level of acceptability and practicality of using biometric identification for both drivers and passengers. The results suggest a divided view about the specific demographic that biometric applications should target. However, there is agreement on the considerable potential of these technologies to enhance transportation safety. Face recognition has been the favoured approach due to its non-intrusive nature and simplicity of integration. The statistical research demonstrated significant positive correlations between different biometric approaches, indicating that a multimodal strategy is effective for providing full security coverage. The research highlights the significance of resolving privacy issues, emphasising that public acceptability depends on the open management and strong safeguarding of biometric data. The findings support the deliberate use of biometric technologies in sustainable public transportation, emphasising their ability to improve safety, optimise operations, and even revolutionise the passenger experience. This emphasises the equitable examination of technology, security, and privacy in the progress of sustainable public transportation systems. Biometric technology in public transport, especially for monitoring driver health and ensuring passenger safety, is supported by experts as a means to enhance service quality, reduce accidents, and optimize route planning.
The Development of Sustainable Biocomposite Materials Based on Poly(lactic acid) and Silverskin, a Coffee Industry By-Product, for Food Packaging Applications
Authors: Petaloti Argyri-Ioanna , Achilias Dimitris S.
Published: June 2024

Aligned with the principles of the circular economy and aiming at the production of environmentally friendly materials for food packaging applications, sustainable biocomposite films based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and coffee silverskin (SS), were developed. Coffee silverskin is a by-product of the coffee roasting process, while PLA is one of the most promising bio-based polymers. Several composites were prepared with different loadings of SS, ranging from 2.5 to 20 wt.%, via the solution casting method. The findings indicated that the effective dispersion of coffee silverskin in PLA was successfully accomplished and that a bleaching treatment of the filler leads to better interfacial interaction. The addition of silverskin, in any proportion, did not affect the melting point and glass transition temperature of the polymer matrix or the oxygen permeability of the film. Moreover, the degree of swelling was increased, more so for the films with modified particles, whereas the water vapor transmission rate and permeability increased only after the addition of high amounts (>10%) of surface-treated silverskin. A gradual decrease in color lightness was measured with the increasing concentration of silverskin, and the color was more intense in the untreated samples. The antioxidant activity of the films increased gradually with increasing additions of coffee silverskin due to the presence of compounds such as polyphenols. The chemical treatment of coffee silverskin resulted in the films having improved mechanical properties, as the chemical treatment facilitated stronger bonding between the base material and the additive. Therefore, sustainable composites with enhanced antioxidant activity can be produced by the incorporation of a food industry by-product into a PLA matrix.
Study on the Cascading Failure Robustness of the Belt and Road Land–Sea Transport Network under Emergencies
Authors: Ding Chaojun , Wang Zhilin , Xu Susu
Published: June 2024

When studying an unfamiliar system, we first look for the symmetry that the system has so that we can make many predictions about the possible properties of the system. The symmetry in transport network security needs to maintain a stable state and maintain a constant state of transport network security. With the development of China–Europe freight trains, the transport between Asia and Europe has gradually formed the Belt and Road (B&R) land–sea transport network. In order to analyze the cascading failure mechanism of the B&R land–sea transport network, a network cascading failure model is constructed. Then, the quantitative analysis of the connectivity indicators of the land–sea transport network is conducted from the node attack strategy, and it is compared with the Maritime Silk Road (MSR) shipping network. Finally, the robustness of the land–sea transport network under emergencies is analyzed. From the results of deliberate attacks, the attack threshold of the B&R land–sea transport network is the same as that of the MSR shipping network, and the maximum number of attacks is slightly less than that of the MSR shipping network. The Russia–Ukraine conflict has a minimal impact on the robustness of cascading failure in the land–sea transport network. The Red Sea crisis may have a significant impact on the robustness of cascading failure in the land–sea transport network. The research results can provide suggestions for improving the robustness of the B&R land–sea transport network.
Pierisin, Cytotoxic and Apoptosis-Inducing DNA ADP-Ribosylating Protein in Cabbage Butterfly
Authors: Takahashi-Nakaguchi Azusa , Horiuchi Yu , Yamamoto Masafumi , Totsuka Yukari , Wakabayashi Keiji
Published: June 2024

Pierisin-1 was serendipitously discovered as a strong cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing protein from pupae of the cabbage butterfly Pieris rapae against cancer cell lines. This 98-kDa protein consists of the N-terminal region (27 kDa) and C-terminal region (71 kDa), and analysis of their biological function revealed that pierisin-1 binds to cell surface glycosphingolipids on the C-terminal side, is taken up into the cell, and is cleaved to N- and C-terminal portions, where the N-terminal portion mono-ADP-ribosylates the guanine base of DNA in the presence of NAD to induce cellular genetic mutation and apoptosis. Unlike other ADP-ribosyltransferases, pieisin-1 was first found to exhibit DNA mono-ADP-ribosylating activity and show anti-cancer activity in vitro and in vivo against various cancer cell lines. Pierisin-1 was most abundantly produced during the transition from the final larval stage to the pupal stage of the cabbage butterfly, and this production was regulated by ecdysteroid hormones. This suggests that pierisn-1 might play a pivotal role in the process of metamorphosis. Moreover, pierisin-1 could contribute as a defense factor against parasitization and microbial infections in the cabbage butterfly. Pierisin-like proteins in butterflies were shown to be present not only among the subtribe Pierina but also among the subtribes Aporiina and Appiadina, and pierisin-2, -3, and -4 were identified in these butterflies. Furthermore, DNA ADP-ribosylating activities were found in six different edible clams. Understanding of the biological nature of pierisin-1 with DNA mono-ADP-ribosylating activity could open up exciting avenues for research and potential therapeutic applications, making it a subject of great interest in the field of molecular biology and biotechnology.
Exploring the Complexity of the Human Respiratory Virome through an In Silico Analysis of Shotgun Metagenomic Data Retrieved from Public Repositories
Authors: Conradie Talya , Caparros-Martin Jose A. , Egan Siobhon , Kicic Anthony , Koks Sulev , Stick Stephen M. , Agudelo-Romero Patricia
Published: June 2024

Background: Respiratory viruses significantly impact global morbidity and mortality, causing more disease in humans than any other infectious agent. Beyond pathogens, various viruses and bacteria colonize the respiratory tract without causing disease, potentially influencing respiratory diseases’ pathogenesis. Nevertheless, our understanding of respiratory microbiota is limited by technical constraints, predominantly focusing on bacteria and neglecting crucial populations like viruses. Despite recent efforts to improve our understanding of viral diversity in the human body, our knowledge of viral diversity associated with the human respiratory tract remains limited. Methods: Following a comprehensive search in bibliographic and sequencing data repositories using keyword terms, we retrieved shotgun metagenomic data from public repositories (n = 85). After manual curation, sequencing data files from 43 studies were analyzed using EVEREST (pipEline for Viral assEmbly and chaRactEriSaTion). Complete and high-quality contigs were further assessed for genomic and taxonomic characterization. Results: Viral contigs were obtained from 194 out of the 868 FASTQ files processed through EVEREST. Of the 1842 contigs that were quality assessed, 8% (n = 146) were classified as complete/high-quality genomes. Most of the identified viral contigs were taxonomically classified as bacteriophages, with taxonomic resolution ranging from the superkingdom level down to the species level. Captured contigs were spread across 25 putative families and varied between RNA and DNA viruses, including previously uncharacterized viral genomes. Of note, airway samples also contained virus(es) characteristic of the human gastrointestinal tract, which have not been previously described as part of the lung virome. Additionally, by performing a meta-analysis of the integrated datasets, ecological trends within viral populations linked to human disease states and their biogeographical distribution along the respiratory tract were observed. Conclusion: By leveraging publicly available repositories of shotgun metagenomic data, the present study provides new insights into viral genomes associated with specimens from the human respiratory tract across different disease spectra. Further studies are required to validate our findings and evaluate the potential impact of these viral communities on respiratory tract physiology.
Modeling the Impact of Land Use Changes and Wastewater Treatment on Water Quality and Ecosystem Services in the Yongding River Basin, North China
Authors: Dai Dan , Alamanos Angelos
Published: June 2024

Rapid socioeconomic development, urbanization, agricultural activities, and infrastructure development can greatly alter natural landscapes and their environmental impacts. Understanding these changes is crucial for more sustainable, integrated land management, including addressing water-related environmental challenges. In this study, we explored the impacts of two key factors on water quality and ecosystem services (ESs): land use change and the expansion of wastewater treatment (WWT) infrastructure by combining cellular automata Markov (CAM), water quality and environmental valuation modeling, and statistical analyses. We examined historic land use changes and forecasted their future evolution. The impacts were assessed by analyzing the spatial and temporal distribution of major water pollutants, water quality trends, and the economic valuation of ESs under real WWT expansion conditions, assessing a Chinese policy in effect. The Yongding River Basin in North China was selected as a case study due to significant urbanization and WWT changes over the past decades under arid conditions. The results indicate that pollutant loads were highest in urban areas, followed by rural areas, and that domestic WWT efficiency is a dominant factor in the spatial pattern of pollutant discharge. ES values decrease in the short term but can increase in the long term with WWT expansion, owing to the planned ecosystem restoration policy. This study provides valuable insights into the responses of water pollution and ESs to land use changes over spatiotemporal scales, encouraging the consideration of these factors in future land and infrastructure planning.
DECORATIVE CERAMICS AS A BRANCH OF MODERN ART
Authors: Gurzhii I.
Published: June 2024

The article examines decorative arts as a type of visual arts that focuses on works of art creation, with the aim of decorating and giving them aesthetic appeal, as well as objects of a purely exhibition nature.
Decorative ceramics are divided into the following types: exterior, interior, and exhibition, and have two directions of development: traditional and academic.
Modern Ukrainian decorative ceramics is characterized as an essential branch of decorative arts that developed based on millennial traditions and has its territorial features. It has been found that the technique of making modern decorative ceramics can be divided into forming and decorating.
Traditional decorative ceramics are formed by the method of sculpting by hand and on the potter’s wheel. Academic ceramics have broader possibilities of formation, such as sculpting, pottery, pressing or casting in plaster molds, layer formation, and 3D printing.
The decoration of modern decorative ceramics is quite diverse, but the traditional techniques remain unchanged. They are engobe, ceremony, pasting, smearing with water.
For academic decorative ceramics, a variety of decoration methods, both traditional and experimental, are used. The methods are the following: engobing, etching, pasting, coating with water, painting with metal oxides, painting with metal salts, painting under watercolor paints, painting over watercolor paints, painting with precious metal products and chandeliers
It has been found that the artists do not limit their possibilities in academic ceramics. They are not bound by traditional decoration methods. Artists can do whatever they fantasize about, while in traditional ceramics, they must stick to regional features in the methods of decoration and formation.
AESTHETICS OF A HUMAN SMILE: MEDICAL-BIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL-PEDAGOGICAL ASPECTS
Authors: Nidzelskyi M. , Kiprych S. , Rymar M. , Miakota O.
Published: June 2024

The theoretical article reveals the aesthetics of a human smile in the context of modern medical-biological and psychological-pedagogical research. The authors have convincingly proved the multi-functionality of the smile, distinguished the signaling (semiotic), expressive, therapeutic (health-preserving), protective (masking), representative, communicative, social, pedagogical, and aesthetic functions, defined their essence, and formulated the content. Emphasis is placed on the realization of the above-mentioned functions of the smile in physical culture and health and sports activities.
Attention is focused on the aesthetics of the smile from the standpoint of aesthetic dentistry. The thesis is put forward that medicine as a synthesis of science and art is especially suitable for dentistry, where reconstructive and restorative interventions based on knowledge of the laws of beauty and the ability to use them in practice prevail. The artistic and aesthetic requirements for a dentist as an artist are outlined. The criteria for the aesthetics of a smile, formulated by the founder of the American Association of Aesthetic Dentistry, Dr. Evans, have been clarified and supplemented, namely: shape, size, color range, tonal saturation, spatial arrangement, evenness of teeth, an intact red border of the lips that emphasizes their whiteness, healthy gums. Based on anatomical and biological features, the types of smiles (commissural, canine, and complex) are classified, which contribute to the efficient work of the dentist during the design of an individual smile.
TRENDS IN THE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OF PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN THE USA
Authors: Vasylenko I.
Published: June 2024

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of current approaches, programs, and trends in the field of primary teacher education in the United States. The author highlights the impact of key educational laws and reforms of the last two decades, in particular the No Child Left Behind Act (2002) and the Every Student Succeeds Act (2015), on the transformation and modernization of the US primary teacher education system.
A wide range of traditional programs for the preparation of future primary school teachers offered at the bachelor's and master's levels in universities and colleges is considered in detail. Specialization options are analyzed, including bilingual education, teaching gifted children, preparation for junior or older primary school, STEM education, etc. The features of studying in various forms (full-time, part-time, distance, blended), mandatory components (pedagogical practice, licensing exams) and requirements for applicants are highlighted.
Alternative ways of obtaining teacher education and certification that do not require university studies are considered separately. The procedure of certification through the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) for individuals with a non-teaching bachelor's degree is described. The activities of such organizations as the New Teacher Project (TNTP) and the National Center for Teacher Training (NCTR), and their programs for training and engaging teachers in schools with limited resources are analyzed.
The author emphasizes the scale and diversity of approaches in the US system of professional training of primary school teachers, focused on the formation of highly qualified teaching staff to ensure quality elementary education. The experience of the United States in this area is recognized as extremely valuable for exploring to adopt best practices and improve the teacher training system in Ukraine in accordance with modern challenges.
Adaptação transcultural do Parkinson's Disease Caregiver Burden Questionnaire
Authors: Louzada Ana Maria de Paula Esquárcio , Faria-Fortini Iza de , Vargas Antônio Pedro , Cruz Ana Carolina de Sousa , Scalzo Paula Luciana
Published: June 2024

Introdução. O Parkinson's Disease Caregiver Burden Questionnaire (PDCB) é um instrumento específico para avaliar a sobrecarga do cuidador de indivíduos com doença de Parkinson (DP), mas para que seja possível ser utilizado no contexto brasileiro, sua adaptação transcultural é necessária. Objetivo. Realizar a adaptação transcultural para o português Brasil do PDCB e avaliar a sua validade de conteúdo. Método. Estudo desenvolvido em cinco etapas: tradução inicial, síntese das traduções, retrotradução, análise do comitê de especialistas e pré-teste com dez cuidadores de pessoas com DP acompanhadas em um hospital de reabilitação. Foi avaliado o índice de validade de conteúdo (IVC) para os critérios clareza/compreensão, importância/relevância e abrangência. Resultados. Os itens da versão adaptada do PDCB apresentaram adequadas equivalências semântica, idiomática, cultural e conceitual. A realização do pré-teste não revelou problemas quanto à interpretação dos itens, demonstrando ser um questionário de fácil compreensão e aplicação. Todos os itens apresentaram IVC maior que 0,9 para os três critérios avaliados. Conclusão. O PDCB-Brasil mostrou-se ser de fácil compreensão, relevante e abrangente, com validade de conteúdo adequada e rápida aplicação para avaliar a sobrecarga de cuidadores de pessoas com DP.
VIBRATION ANALYSIS OF THE ANGULAR MILLING HEAD FOR TECHNICAL CONDITION ASSESSMENT
Authors: Shlaev K.
Published: June 2024

To expand the technological capabilities of machine tools in manufacturing processes, additional equipment is used - angular milling heads. Such equipment enhances the efficiency of the machine tool but also influences its dynamic characteristics. The installation of additional equipment affects the reliability of the machine tool because another element is added to its structure, which has mass and flexibility and also contains joints between parts. Currently, the timing of technical maintenance is mainly determined based on the experience of specialists responsible for the condition of the equipment. An important task is the evaluation of methods that allow assessing the technical condition of angular heads. The paper examines the application of impulse excitation and vibration analysis methods for assessing the technical condition of the MultiTec3000AT angular milling head during its operation on the Multitec Vertical Bridge Mill. A comprehensive diagnostic methodology for angular heads is considered, allowing to plan the date of maintenance or repair based on their technical condition. The spectrum of vibration signals from accelerometers recorded during idle operation and cutting is obtained and analyzed. An assessment of the condition of the components of the angular head is carried out. The frequency response function of the head and vibration diagrams along two axes (XY diagrams) are constructed. A comparison of the spectrum of the angular head signal during cutting and idle operation is performed.
Dynamique de peuplement et formes de l’habitat en Occitanie méditerranéenne
Authors: Schneider Laurent
Published: June 2024

Esta contribución tiene como objetivo presentar los últimos avances de la arqueología altomedieval en Languedoc. Se ponen de manifiesto las contribuciones específicas de la arqueología programada desarrollada en las actuales zonas marginales, garrigas, causses y relieves, especialmente en los asentamientos fortificados en altura que se multiplicaron durante los años 470-530, pero también en otros tipos de hábitat más discretos, a veces temporales. Asimismo, se subrayan los nuevos avances obtenidos gracias a la arqueología preventiva, la cual está mejor establecida y está desarrollándose cada vez más en las zonas llanas y las periferias de las ciudades como resultado de las grandes obras de urbanización. Si bien se observa una gran diversidad de situaciones, el aumento de los trabajos realizados permite comenzar a reflexionar sobre la dinámica general del poblamiento a escala microrregional y la movilidad y la duración de los hábitats, así como sobre los juegos de escalas practicados.
L’habitat de plaine en Provence durant l’Antiquité tardive et le haut Moyen Âge : état de la question
Authors: Varano Mariacristina
Published: June 2024

Le foisonnement de la documentation disponible pour l’étude de l’espace rural provençal durant l’Antiquité tardive et le haut Moyen Âge autorise un regard actualisé sur l’état d’avancement de la recherche. Le thème du peuplement et de l’habitat non perché de l’Antiquité tardive a donné lieu à des programmes de recherche collectifs particulièrement axés sur le devenir du grand domaine aristocratique et de l’habitat dispersé. La séquence comprise entre le VIIIe et le milieu du Xe siècle, moins évidente sur le terrain, est désormais documentée par un corpus de sites qui demeurent inédits dans la plupart des cas. Leur découverte associée aux progrès incontestables des datations céramiques et radiocarbones dévoilent des contextes fortement hétérogènes qui pourraient être le miroir de la variété de configurations adoptées par le peuplement à cette époque.
Le terroir de Serris / Jossigny au haut Moyen Âge : dynamique d’occupation et hiérarchie des habitats à partir des fouilles préventives
Authors: Gentili François , Séthian Eddy
Published: June 2024

La franja septentrional de la meseta de Briard en Seine-et-Marne (77), situada al este de París, ha sido objeto de importantes investigaciones arqueológicas preventivas durante más de dos decenios en el marco del desarrollo de la nueva ciudad de Marne-la-Vallée. El presente estudio se llevó a cabo en los yacimientos de los municipios de Serris y Jossigny. Se trata de hábitats, como «Les Ruelles » en Serris, excavado de septiembre de 1989 a octubre de 1997, «Le Pré Chêne » en Jossigny, excavado de septiembre de 2006 a julio de 2007 y «ZAC du Couternois » en Serris, excavado de septiembre de 2012 a mayo de 2013. Estas operaciones se realizaron después de campañas sistemáticas de diagnóstico en la mayor parte del territorio de la comuna de Serris. Proporcionan una lectura inédita a gran escala y una mejor comprensión de la integración de estos hábitats en el territorio, así como de las dinámicas implementadas desde su creación en los siglos VI y VII hasta la reorganización que condujo a sus abandonos en favor del actual pueblo de Serris.
Archéologie du premier Moyen Âge rural en Bretagne. Etat des lieux et perspectives
Authors: Catteddu Isabelle , Le Gall Joseph
Published: June 2024

Les problématiques archéologiques développées en Bretagne autour de l’occupation des campagnes au premier Moyen Âge ont été renouvelées en profondeur ces dernières années. La multiplication des fouilles archéologiques préventives et programmées, ainsi que les campagnes de prospections, ont pleinement participé à cet essor. Ces recherches ont été dynamisées par des opportunités de fouilles de grande surface, la poursuite de collaborations interdisciplinaires mises en place de longue date, ainsi que par des travaux universitaires.