bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The New Cement Standard in Australia—Its Implication and Further Development
Authors: Guirguis S
Published: February 2024

Performance-based standards and specifications state the characteristics desired by users without regard to the specific means to be employed in producing the product. This concept is the basis of the new Australian standard for cement, AS 3972 Portland and Blended Cements. The new Australian standard for cement was published in 1991 as a performance-based specification. An overview of the major features of this standard is presented together with background information on its development and current implications. Work is continuing in some areas to establish additional performance tests and criteria. The paper also outlines the testing programs currently being undertaken by the cement industry in Australia to establish these additional tests and criteria.
Testing and Evaluation of Metal-Plate-Connected Wood Truss Joints
Authors: Vatovec M , Gupta R , Miller T
Published: February 2024

Five different types of metal-plate-connected (MPC) wood joints from a scissors truss were tested to evaluate their behavior. All joints were tested in a unique testing apparatus where in-plane loads along with moments were applied to simulate loads carried by the truss members. Strength, stiffness, and failure modes for bottom chord splice joints at web (BSJ), heel joints (HJ), crown joints (CJ), bottom chord ridge joints (BRJ), and top chord splice joints at web (TSJ) were reported. The average strengths of the BSJ, HJ, CJ, BRJ, and TSJ were 51 200 N, 49 800 N, 33 000 N, 52 300 N, and 43 100 N, respectively. The average values of the rotational stiffness were 245 440 kNmm/rad, 249 600 kNmm/rad, 103 700 kNmm/rad, and 33 800 kNmm/rad for BSJ, HJ, BRJ, and TSJ, respectively. Average transitional stiffness values were 61.7 kN/mm for BSJ, 29.2 kN/mm for HJ, and 40.2 kN/mm for BRJ. The majority of bottom chord joints failed in plate tearing, whereas top chord joints generally failed in a web member withdrawal mode. The joint stiffness data were used in a preliminary finite element (FE) analysis of the same truss, and the analytical results compared well to actual full-scale truss test results. Stiffness and strength data will be used in a future FE study.
Titanium Cerebral Aneurysm Clips: Characterization and Performance in Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography
Authors: Ho JC , Wu CY , Carron MJ , Maughan KP , Schmidt FJ
Published: February 2024

Cerebral aneurysm clips often cause artifacts and image distortion in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). For MRI with rather strong magnetic fields B, which are near 2 tesla currently and may go higher, there are further concerns in terms of the interactions between the clips and the magnetic field. These interactions are materials dependent. Ferromagnetic materials have extremely high magnetic susceptibility χ and exhibit magnetic hysteresis. When they are placed in a magnetic field not parallel with the magnetization, a torque would be exerted on them to cause deflection. Paramagnetic materials exhibit low magnetic susceptibility, and develop an induced magnetization in direct proportion to the applied field. This magnetization is always in the direction of the applied field, hence no torque would be expected. However, magnetic force always prevails as F = mχB(dB/dz), where m is the clip mass and dB/dz is the field gradient.

Large forces can lead to clip movement, resulting in more risk to the patient. To reduce these complications, new aneurysm clips made of light-weight titanium metal have been developed. These clips have much-improved characteristics over the cobalt-alloy products currently being used in neurosurgery. They have significantly smaller magnetic susceptibility and lower density. Consequently, they are subjected to less magnetic force and produce much reduced artifact and image distortion in MRI and CT environments. Test results also include those from scanning electron micrographic and mechanical analyses.
Expanded Windows for Titanium Use in the Pulp/Paper Peroxide Bleach Plant
Authors: Schutz RW , Xiao M
Published: February 2024

A corrosion database for Grade 2 titanium derived from laboratory weight-loss testing has been developed in uninhibited and inhibited alkaline 0.2–0.3 wt% H2O2 solutions at 65° to 85°C. Although titanium resistance to uninhibited hot alkaline peroxide solutions is very limited, useful resistance dramatically expands in solutions containing inhibitive species commonly existing in bleach plant processes. Effective inhibitors in descending order include Ca+2 ions, silicates, and Mg+2 salts. Addition of EDTA and DTPA chelants has no detrimental effect on Ca+2 ion inhibition unless chelant is added to excess. Based on this corrosion database, expanded application guidelines for acceptable use of Grade 2 titanium in solutions containing a maximum of 0.3 wt% H2O2 are derived at 65, 70, 80, and 85°C as a function of Ca+2 ion concentrations.
Empirical Determination of the Manufacturing Processes Which Affect EFP Liner Performance
Authors: Faccini EC , Woodbury HA
Published: February 2024

This paper addresses a recent test series in which an L-8 Taguchi array was used to investigate the effect of various manufacturing factors on the formation of a high-performance aerostable flared explosively formed penetrator (EFP) and its subsequent effect on target. The purpose of the experiment was to develop a method of manufacturing liner blanks that would reduce variances in EFP performance. The factors investigated were: 1. Initial anneal of the material 2. Amount of work in the material prior to the initial anneal 3. Amount of material removed from the diameter of the material prior to forging 4. Forging temperature 5. Forging rate 6. Liner annealing temperature 7. Material lot number

The analysis was done using 14 quality characteristics. These were: 1. EFP rod length 2. EFP necking ratio 3. Orthogonality of the flare to the rod 4. Circularity of the EFP flare 5. Sweep angle of the flare with respect to the rod 6. Flight angle 7. Entry hole diameter 8. Throat hole diameter 9. Exit hole diameter 10. Spall diameter 11. Spall volume 12. Impact accuracy 13. Overall shape (beauty) of the EFP 14. Variability between duplicates

The analysis was done as a blind experiment in that the persons who were ranking the individual trials were not told what the factor levels were for the individual trial. The results of the rankings were combined and a process was chosen. This process was then used to form the verification units that confirmed the experimental results.
Introduction to Engineering Materials: Behavior, Properties, and Selection
Authors: Riga AT , Scott CG
Published: February 2024

This text includes the best of many worlds: a quality introduction to materials engineering and selection, and up-to-date comparisons of material properties. The theme of this book is comparative properties. The 13 chapters and many case studies are rooted in clear and concise presentations of four major classes of materials, i.e., metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites, followed by information on electronic materials and environmental degradation of materials. The chapter on “Comparative Properties” highlights the differences among the various materials and the book is capped with an excellent chapter on “Material Selection.”
Cholinergic Basal Forebrain Connectivity to the Basolateral Amygdala Modulates Food Intake
Authors: Ortiz-Guzman Joshua , Swanson Jessica L. , Tantry Evelyne K. , Kochukov Mikhail , Ung Kevin , Addison Angela P. , Srivastava Snigdha , Belfort Benjamin D. , Ji Emily , Dooling Sean W. , Chen Sarah A. , Tong Qingchun , Arenkiel Benjamin R.
Published: February 2024

Obesity results from excessive caloric input associated with overeating and presents a major public health challenge. The hypothalamus has received significant attention for its role in governing feeding behavior and body weight homeostasis. However, extrahypothalamic brain circuits also regulate appetite and consumption by altering sensory perception, motivation, and reward. We recently discovered a population of basal forebrain cholinergic (BFc) neurons that regulate appetite suppression. Through viral tracing methods in the mouse model, we found that BFc neurons densely innervate the basolateral amygdala (BLA), a limbic structure involved in motivated behaviors. Using channelrhodopsin-assisted circuit mapping, we identified cholinergic responses in BLA neurons following BFc circuit manipulations. Furthermore, in vivo acetylcholine sensor and genetically encoded calcium indicator imaging within the BLA (using GACh3 and GCaMP, respectively) revealed selective response patterns of activity during feeding. Finally, through optogenetic manipulations in vivo, we found that increased cholinergic signaling from the BFc to the BLA suppresses appetite and food intake. Together, these data support a model in which cholinergic signaling from the BFc to the BLA directly influences appetite and feeding behavior.
Frequency of spontaneous neurotransmission at individual boutons corresponds to the size of the readily releasable pool of vesicles.
Authors: Ralowicz Amelia J. , Hokeness Sasipha , Hoppa Michael B.
Published: February 2024

Synapses maintain two forms of neurotransmitter release to support communication in the brain. First, evoked neurotransmitter release is triggered by the invasion of an action potential across en passant boutons that form along axons. The probability of evoked release (Pr) varies substantially across boutons, even within a single axon. Such heterogeneity is the result of differences in the probability of a single synaptic vesicle fusing (Pv) and in the number of vesicles available for immediate release, known as the readily-releasable pool (RRP). Spontaneous release (also known as a mini) is an important form of neurotransmission that occurs in the absence of action potentials. Because it cannot be triggered with electrical stimulation, much less is known about potential heterogeneity in the frequency of spontaneous release between boutons. We utilized a photostable and bright fluorescent indicator of glutamate release (iGluSnFR3) to quantify both spontaneous and evoked release at individual glutamatergic boutons. We found that the rate of spontaneous release is quite heterogenous at the level of individual boutons. Interestingly, when measuring both evoked and spontaneous release at single synapses, we found that boutons with the highest rates of spontaneous release also displayed the largest evoked responses.Using a new optical method to measure RRP at individual boutons, we found that this heterogeneity in spontaneous release was strongly correlated with the size of the RRP, but not related to Pv. We conclude that the RRP is a critical and dynamic aspect of synaptic strength that contributes to both evoked and spontaneous vesicle release.

Significance StatementNeurotransmitter is released through two mechanisms: action potential-evoked and spontaneous vesicle fusion. It is unknown if some synapses specialize in either evoked or spontaneous release with an antagonistic relationship, or if the two forms of release coexist and have a cooperative relationship. We used a robust optical glutamate indicator to measure both forms of release at individual synapses. We found that the frequency of spontaneous release displays significant heterogeneity and is directly related to the size of the readily releasable pool of vesicles. This finding links both mechanisms of neurotransmitter release and suggests an important signaling mechanism to the postsynaptic neuron at individual synapses.
Neurotopographical Transformations: Dissecting Cortical Reconfigurations in Auditory Deprivation
Authors: Kumar Uttam , Dhanik Kalpana , Pandey Himanshu R. , Mishra Mrutyunjaya , Keshri Amit
Published: February 2024

Within the intricate matrices of cognitive neuroscience, auditory deprivation acts as a catalyst, propelling a cascade of neuroanatomical adjustments that have, until now, been suboptimally articulated in extant literature. Addressing this gap, our study harnesses high-resolution 3 T MRI modalities to unveil the multifaceted cortical transformations that emerge in tandem with congenital auditory deficits. We conducted a rigorous cortical surface analysis on a cohort of 90 congenitally deaf individuals, systematically compared with 90 normoacoustic controls. Our sample encompassed both male and female participants, ensuring a gender-inclusive perspective in our analysis. Expected alterations within prototypical auditory domains were evident, but our findings transcended these regions, spotlighting modifications dispersed across a gamut of cortical and subcortical structures, thereby epitomizing the cerebral adaptive dynamics to sensory voids. Crucially, the study's innovative methodology integrated two pivotal variables: the duration of auditory deprivation and the extent of sign language immersion. By intersecting these metrics with structural changes, our analysis unveiled nuanced layers of cortical reconfigurations, elucidating a more granulated understanding of neural plasticity. This intersectional approach bestows a unique advantage, allowing for a discerning exploration into how varying durations of sensory experience and alternative communication modalities modulate the brain's morphological terrain. In encapsulating the synergy of neuroimaging finesse and incisive scientific rigor, this research not only broadens the current understanding of adaptive neural mechanisms but also paves the way for tailored therapeutic strategies, finely attuned to individual auditory histories and communicative repertoires.
Mutant Tbl1x male mice have a short life span and do not breed: unexpected findings
Authors: Hu Yalan , Codner Gemma F , Stewart Michelle , La Fleur Susanne E , van Trotsenburg Paul A S , Fliers Eric , Hennekam Raoul C , Boelen Anita
Published: February 2024

Humans with the mutation Y509C in transducin beta like 1 X-linked (TBL1X HGNC ID HGNC:11585) have been reported to present with the combination of central congenital hypothyroidism and impaired hearing. TBL1X belongs to the WD40 repeat-containing protein family, is part of NCoR and SMRT corepressor complexes, and thereby involved in thyroid hormone signaling. In order to investigate the effects of the Y509C mutation in TBL1X on cellular thyroid hormone action, we aimed to generate a hemizygous male mouse cohort carrying the Tbl1x Y459C mutation which is equivalent to the human TBL1X Y509C mutation using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Hemizygous male mice were small at birth and inactive. Their life span (median life span 93 days) was very short compared with heterozygous female mice (survived to >200 days with no welfare issues). About 52% of mice did not survive to weaning (133 mice). Of the remaining 118 mice, only 8 were hemizygous males who were unable to mate whereby it was impossible to generate homozygous female mice. In conclusion, the Tbl1x Y459C mutation in male mice has a marked negative effect on birth weight, survival, and fertility of male mice. The present findings are unexpected as they are in contrast to the mild phenotype in human males carrying the equivalent TBL1X Y509C mutation.
Novel Fractionation Methods: Separation in A Viscoplastic Fluid
Authors:   Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Madani A. , Storey S. ,   Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Olson J. A. ,   Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Frigaard I. A. ,   Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Salmela J. ,   VTT, P.O. Box 1603, FIN-40101, Jyväskylä, Finland, Martinez D. M. ,   Dept. of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of British Columbia
Published: February 2024

In this work we propose a novel separation technique based upon the control of the threshold for motion of different classes of particles in yield stress ﬂuids. The principle is demonstrated by observing the motion of particles under the inﬂuence of a centrifugal force in a weak gel. Here we develop calibration curves of the force required to initiate motion in a gel under numerous conﬁgurations of the particles. Demonstration separations of bidisperse suspensions are reported. Here we achieve complete separation of dilute suspensions based upon length, diameter, or density.
Sistema de gestión y operación de la red semafórica de la ciudad de Lima
Authors: Tarquino Torres Fernando Mauricio
Published: February 2024

The research problem arose from the need to implement a system to remotely manage the traffic operations of the network of traffic lights to reduce vehicular congestion. The procedure involved designing the placement of electronic sensors to track the number of vehicles in the area. This allowed for the testing of different operational strategies for modifying the timing of the traffic light signals. A simulation model was used to test these strategies in seven intersections on Av. Petit Thouars in Lima, between Av. Alejandro Tirado and Av. 28 de Julio. Detectors were installed at the access points of secondary access streets to the main road (Av. Petit Thouars) which yielded cumulative positive results. Alternatives 1 and 2 produced a 59% reduction in queues, thus demonstrating the validity of the general hypothesis.
Determinación de parámetros tecnológicos en curtición vegetal de piel de paiche (Arapaima gigas) con extracto de quebracho (Schinopsis balansae) y mimosa (Acacia dealbata) para el aprovechamiento industrial ambientalmente sostenible
Authors: Moreno Ríos Christiaan Errol , Loja Herrera Pedro Modesto , García Saavedra Edgardo , Davila Ruiz Berita
Published: February 2024

La crianza de paiche en la Amazonía peruana produce suficiente materia prima para la elaboración de cuero a base de piel de pescado; sin embargo, estas pieles representan un problema de contaminación debido a su limitado aprovechamiento. En esta investigación, se resalta la relevancia de emplear procedimientos tanto mecánicos como químicos con el fin de obtener cuero de excelente calidad. Para llevar a cabo este proceso, se utilizaron diferentes concentraciones de quebracho y mimosa. El cuero de piel de paiche resultante fue resistente y moldeable, con una capacidad de resistencia a la flexión que excede las 30 000 flexiones sin deformación, mayor resistencia al desgarro en T1 (146.23 N) y T5 (143.12 N) y mayor tracción en T4 (16.62 N/mm2). Además, presentó un contenido de cenizas inferior al 1%, humedad inferior al 9% y óxido de cromo inferior al 1.5%. Se trataron además los efluentes generados durante el proceso, los cuales presentaron valores aceptables de pH, conductividad y DQO.
Lean Six Sigma y mejora de la productividad en el servicio de reparación de equipos de minería en una empresa metalmecánica
Authors: Ingar Medina Christian Abdul
Published: February 2024

El artículo aborda el estudio de una propuesta de mejora de la productividad de una empresa metalmecánica mediante la implementación de la metodología Lean Six Sigma (LSS). El objetivo es reducir los defectos de reparación de los componentes de maquinaria pesada para la actividad minera. El estudio describe el proceso de simulación a partir de los datos originales con la finalidad de plantear un límite de nivel de defectos, metas de eficacia y eficiencia para lograr un mejor nivel de productividad. Se aplicaron las etapas del sistema DMAIC para definir el problema de productividad en la reparación de los componentes pertenecientes a la categoría V. A partir de los datos originales, se obtuvo un Cp de 0.91 y un Cpk de −0.64. En la simulación se utilizaron las herramientas Kanban y Heinjunka, lo que dio como resultado un Cp de 1.09 y un Cpk de 0.95. El estudio concluye que la metodología LSS es viable y beneficiosa para las empresas metalmecánicas.
The House of European History: Pöttering’s Elite-Level Impact in shaping European Identity
Authors: Ostojski Jennifer
Published: February 2024

The House of European History in Brussels, Belgium, is a pan-European identity-making institution, created by the European Union. It has sparked an array of scholarship that speaks to the power of the museum, its ability to create a master narrative for the European people, and the varying omissions and choices made in telling Europe’s history. While European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pöttering receives credit for originating the museum, little scholarship speaks to his ideas regarding European Union integration, community, and its identity – even though, elite leader ideas are recognized in nationalism studies as instrumental in the making of an identity. This article fills this gap and shows how Pöttering’s ideas influenced the broad and generalized narrative the House of European History espouses today.
Investigating the Sources of the French Grammar (1724) by Ivan Gorlitsky
Authors: Kareva Natalia
Published: February 2024

The article is dedicated to the grammar of the French language, which is kept in the manuscript department of the Library of the Academy of Sciences (RO BAN, P I B, №106). The authorship of the manual is attributed to Ivan Gorlitsky (1690–1777). It was apparently intended for Princess Elizaveta Petrovna. The article supplements the information on this source in the works by S. V. Vlasov, L. V. Moskovkin (2013, 2017), N. V. Kareva and M. G. Sharikhina (2022). The allegation passed down from work to work about the originality of Gorlitsky’s work is disputed. Evidence shows that a significant part of the grammar text corresponds to the textbook “The true principles of the French Language” (1757) by V. J. Peyton; it is assumed that both texts go back to a common source. Other fragments of Gorlitsky’s grammar go back to F. de Fenne’s «Institutio linguae gallicae» (1680). The examples are generously taken from J.-R. Peplier’s textbook (1689). Special attention is paid to the peculiarities of the material adaptation to the Russian reader. It is pointed out that Gorlitsky often altered the examples and supplemented his text with information about the Russian language.
Образная основа сказочной формулы в структуре фольклорного текста (на материале русских, словацких и чешских сказок и их переводов)
Authors: Tyshchenko Oleh , Figedyová Marianna
Published: February 2024

The article presents a comparative analysis of fairy-tale texts from the perspective of their structural, semantic, pragmatic, as well as linguistic and cultural features. Verbal and semiotic code of fairy tales has been reconstructed on the basis of their bidirectional translation (translation of Folk Russian Tales by A. Afanasiev into Slovak and Czech and, vice versa, Slovak and Czech fairy tales translation into Russian). The article considers fairy formulas, namely, initial, middle and final ones proceeding from the archetypal structure, value and semantic dominants, as well as concepts of folklore texts (transformations and variants of plots and allomotives, typology of images and names of fairy-tale characters through the lens of V. Propp, S. Neklyudov, E. Novik and others’ views). The units under scrutiny are described both in terms of their equivalence, figurative structure, and possible translation transformations, as well as ways of transferring culture-specific elements and pragmes into foreign cultural folklore and semiotic space. The approach applied in the article presupposes cultural and semantic reconstruction of the predominant conceptual spheres actualized in fairy tales, particularly the ones of giving, the Way, 'us' and 'them', happy end and marriage (Russian motif of wedding feast), oppositions of the living and the dead, functions of fairy-tale loci, such as emptiness, chaos and cosmogonic representations associated with them. Moreover, the research analyzes modal, temporal, and syntactic characteristics of fairy-tale formulas, lexical and semantic substitutions, as well as compensations and equivalents in the target text.
Adolescents, their parents, and abortions
Authors: Howe Edmund G
Published: February 2024

The opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences or the Department of Defense. Neither I nor my family members have a financial interest in any commercial product, service, or organization providing financial support for this research. References to non-Federal entities or products do not constitute or imply a Department of Defense or Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences endorsement. This work was prepared by a civilian employee of the U.S. Government as part of the individual’s official duties and therefore is in the public domain and does not possess copyright protection
Industries and crafts in Baghdad during the second Abbasid era 232-861 AD / 334 AH-946 AD
Authors: Mohammad Zaher Ehab
Published: February 2024

This study aims to address an important cultural heritage, which is the industrial and craft achievements in the city of Baghdad, who are the people of industries, crafts, and artisans who lived during the Second Abbasid Era (334-447 AH/945-1055 AD). Because this group played a role in political, economic and social stability at the same time. The study dealt with the issue of the regulations in place among craftsmen and craftsmen within sects that followed a specific professional hierarchy and binding rules for people of one craft. The study also addressed the economic and social role of craftsmen and the extent of its impact on political stability in the city of Baghdad. In summary; In the second Abbasid era, Iraq witnessed a development in industries and crafts, as several factors helped in its activity, including the availability of various raw materials, as well as commercial activity that provided the industry with raw materials, so multiple industries were established that included various cities, each of which specialized in A specific quality that you are famous for, each This helped the industry flourish at the internal and external levels, such that the Iraqi product reached different regions of the world.
Man and land: The marriage between a man, a woman and land among the Beti of Cameroon
Authors: Tikere Moffor Exodus , Alexandre Ndjalla
Published: February 2024

Marriage is a sacred union between two families brought together by a man and a woman. All societies have a way of regulating marriage and when a man gets married in a family he is referred to as an in-law. Therefore in-law is a relationship which is established through marriage. To the Beti of Cameroon in particular to be considered as an in-law, a man has certain responsibilities to fulfil among which are the provision of an envelope and food to the family of the woman he wants to marry. Once these are done, he becomes an in-law. The purchase of land among most in not all cultures is very important but the peculiarity among the Beti is that when a man buys land in a Beti locality, he is regarded and treated as an in-law. This article seeks to answer one major question: what is the relationship between a woman and land among the Beti of Cameroon? To establish a relationship between these two (a woman and land), the objectives of this article are to; understand how the Beti people perceive a woman and land; the importance they attach to them and their symbolism. Data for this paper was collected using the qualitative method and the analysis and interpretations are based on the theories of symbolic anthropology of Geertz and functionalism of Malinowski and Brown. Major findings reveal that a woman like land serve as riches, means of production, an element which unites families and many more.
Physicochemical and technological characterization of ten potato varieties from the Pantano de Arce region
Authors: Onate Perpignan Yuneidys Mariet , Lemos Orjuela Claudia Patricia
Published: February 2024

Currently there is very little information about the potato varieties that are grown in the department of Cundinamarca so through this study we seek to identify physico-chemically ten varieties of potato that grow organically in the municipality of Subachoque (Colombia) by the Association of Agroecological Producers (ASOARCE) and from the physical-chemical characterization identify technologically what could be the use for the development of food products, in this way the raw material that is not marketed, be processed and offered in different presentations at the local and national level The aim of this research project was therefore to carry out the physicochemical characterization of ten varieties of potatoes that are organically grown in the region and to determine their technological use. The results obtained as physicochemical analyses were: a content of 32% of dry matter in the star variety of the Andes morado observing that it is within the ranges established according to several sources consulted. With regard to the percentage of moisture varieties of potatoes that were found within the established parameters the single Ica poppy (78%), creole variety Colombia (79%) and black creole (80%). As for the determination of the percentage of reducing sugars the varieties that comply with the established were the flag pepper and the yellow trumpet with a 30%, followed by the single Ica pepper (24%). On the other hand, as far as starch content is concerned, ICA single pepper (15.3%), top pepper (15.9%) and shungo puca (20.6%) were found within the established parameters. Regarding the protein content of the fresh tuber, the top poppy variety (3%), followed by the single poppy Ica, brown Andes star and yellow trumpet with a 2% meet the established parameters. It was also determined that according to the requirements of the food industry these potato varieties are potential for their processing in the frying, pre-cooked, dehydrated and starch extraction industries, among others.
New record of Myotis ciliolabrum (Merriam, 1886) (Mammalia, Chiroptera) from the State of Mexico, Mexico
Authors: González-Ruiz Noé , Nava Estefanía , Ramírez-Pulido José , García-Mendoza Diego F. , Salame-Méndez Arturo , Castro-Campillo Alondra
Published: February 2024

Myotis ciliolabrum (Merriam, 1886) is an insectivorous bat of the family Vespertilionidae and has a wide distribution from British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan in Canada, most of the western and central United States of America to central Mexico. In this study, we report one of the southernmost records from State of Mexico, based on two females collected in 1980 and stored in the Mammals Collection of the Universidad Autonóma Metropolitana. These records increases the knowledge on the distribution of this rare bat in Mexico.
French Cuisine and Embourgeoisement in the Nineteenth Century
Authors: Santich Barbara
Published: February 2024

Analyses the trend in French cuisine of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries for the gradual progress of embourgeoisement or bourgeoisification, the adoption by a prosperous (and prospering) middle class of the culinary practices of the élite using the acceptance into mainstream French cuisine of traditional Provençal dishes – brandade, bourride and bouillabaisse – illustrate this process.
'Every Man Knoweth Wel Inough where Strawberies Growe'
Authors: Dalby Andrew
Published: February 2024

The author isolates extracts from William Turner’s 16th-century works that pertain to plants, birds and fish that are used for food. Turner was the first significant writer on English natural history.
Caecubus Ager
Authors: Elliot Alistair
Published: February 2024

A poem by the author concerning the wines from Amyclae in coastal Latium.
The Medieval Banquet
Authors: Van Winter Johanna Maria
Published: February 2024

What did the medieval word ‘banquet’ denote? Today, it means (at least in Dutch) either all those things baked at the baker’s besides the bread, like pies and pastries, or a full-scale festive dinner. We no longer recognize that the second definition is a pars pro toto: a part of a festive meal that was obviously considered so important as to give its name to the dinner as a whole. Literally, it meant a little bench or wooden table, smaller than but comparable to the fish-stalls at a market. At medieval feasts, such a table was usually located somewhere other than the dining-hall itself, so that the cook might dress it with a variety of dishes while the guests were otherwise occupied and which could then be made available to guests for them to help themselves. This article looks at the accounts available to the historian concerning the famous feast known as Le Banquet des Voeux du Faisan hosted by Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy in 1454 following the defeat of the Turks the previous year and concludes that the food service itself took the form of a self-service buffet.
How Sex is Confused with Food in the West
Authors: Kemasang A R T
Published: February 2024

Looks at the Western penchant for confusing food with sex, and vice versa -- the Western trope that the sensation of eating is like that of having sex or, indeed, that the pleasurable feeling one gets from eating good food equals that of experiencing an orgasm and contrasts this with Chinese culture.
The Rippingille T.G.I. 740 Portable Oven
Authors: Burnett David
Published: February 2024

The author locates several examples of vintage cooking equipment designed for military/camping contexts of the type described by Colonel Arthur Kenney-Herbert in his book Culinary Jottings for Madras and experiments with several recipes using these appliances. Illustrations of period advertisements.
More Buns
Authors: Sayers William
Published: February 2024

The author discusses the word bun and derivatives from an historical linguistics perspective.
From a Pasty in Cornwall to the Cornish Pasty
Authors: Laudan Rachel
Published: February 2024

The article explores the humble beginnings of the Cornish version of hand-held pies in the context of local history and looks at how these local pasties became an emblem for the "authentic" Cornish experience with the arrival of mass tourism in the early part of the 20th century.
Archestratus
Authors: Wilkins John
Published: February 2024

My subject is Europe’s oldest cookery book, The Life of Luxury, by Archestratus of Gela. We know nothing of the author beyond what he says in his poem, other than that he apparently came from the southern Sicilian town of Gela, an important Greek city in the fourth century bc when the poem was composed. I refer to the poem of Archestratus. We will look shortly at why he wrote in verse and why he wrote this recipe book. But first we must explain why Gela? Why Sicily? What has a recipe book to do with the splendid Greek culture of Sicily and southern Italy?
TELETRAFFIC FORECASTING IN MEDIA SERVICE SYSTEMS
Authors: Gusiev O. Yu. , Мagro V. І. , Nikolska O. I.
Published: February 2024

Context. The development of information and communication technologies has led to an increase in the volume of information sent over the network. Media service platforms play an important role in the creation and processing of bitrate in the information network. Therefore, there is a need to develop a methodology for predicting bitrate in various media service platforms by creating an effective algorithm that minimizes the forecast error.

Objective. The aim of the work is to synthesize in analytical form the state transition matrix of the Kalman filter for nonstationary self-similar processes when predicting the bitrate in telecommunication networks.

Method. A methodology has been developed for predicting teletraffic in media service platforms, based on a modification of the Kalman filter for non-Gaussian processes. This methodology uses an original procedure for calculating statistics, which makes it possible to reduce the filtering and forecast error that arises due to the uncertainty of the analytical model of the process under study. The methodology does not require knowledge of the analytical model of the process, as well as strict restrictions on its stochastic characteristics.

Results. A methodology for estimating and forecasting bitrate in telecommunication systems is proposed. This methodology was used to study teletraffic processes in the media service platforms Google Meet, Zoom, Microsoft Teams. The passage of real bitrate through the specified media service platforms was studied. A comparison of real teletraffic with predicted teletraffic was carried out. The influence of the order of the state transition matrix of the Kalman filter on the error of estimation and prediction has been studied. It has been established that even a low (second) order of the state transition matrix allows one to obtain satisfactory forecast results. It is shown that the use of the proposed methodology makes it possible to predict traffic with a relative error of the order of 3– 4%.

Conclusions. An original algorithm for assessing and forecasting the characteristics of media traffic has been developed. Recommendations for improving the technology for building media service platforms are formulated. It is shown that the bitrates generated by various media service platforms, in the case of applying the proposed estimation and forecasting methodology, are invariant with respect to the type of stochastic processes being processed.
RCF-ST: RICHER CONVOLUTIONAL FEATURES NETWORK WITH STRUCTURAL TUNING FOR THE EDGE DETECTION ON NATURAL IMAGES
Authors: Polyakova M. V.
Published: February 2024

Context. The problem of automating of the edge detection on natural images in intelligent systems is considered. The subject of the research is the deep learning convolutional neural networks for edge detection on natural images.

Objective. The objective of the research is to improve the edge detection performance of natural images by structural tuning the richer convolutional features network architecture.

Method. In general, the edge detection performance is influenced by a neural network architecture. To automate the design of the network structure in the paper a structural tuning of a neural network is applied. Computational costs of a structural tuning are incomparably less compared with neural architecture search, but a higher qualification of the researcher is required, and the resulting solution will be suboptimal. In this research it is successively applied first a destructive approach and then a constructive approach to structural tuning of the based architecture of the RCF neural network. The constructive approach starts with a simple architecture network. Hidden layers, nodes, and connections are added to expand the network. The destructive approach starts with a complex architecture network. Hidden layers, nodes, and connections are then deleted to contract the network. The structural tuning of the richer convolutional features network includes: (1) reducing the number of convolutional layers; (2) reducing the number of convolutions in convolutional layers; (3) removing at each stage the sigmoid activation function with subsequent calculation of the loss function; (4) addition of the batch normalization layers after convolutional layers; (5) including the ReLU activation functions after the added batch normalization layers. The obtained neural network is named RCF-ST. The initial color images were scaled to the specified size and then inputted in the neural network. The advisability of each of the proposed stages of network structural tuning was reseached by estimating the edge detection performance using the confusion matrix elements and Figure of Merit. The advisability of a structural tuning of the neural network as a whole was estimated by comparing it with methods known from the literature using the Optimal Dataset Scale and Optimal Image Scale.

Results. The proposed convolutional neural network has been implemented in software and researched for solving the problem of edge detection on natural images. The structural tuning technique may be used for informed design of the neural network architectures for other artificial intelligence problems.

Conclusions. The obtained RCF-ST network allows to improve the performance of edge detection on natural images. RCF-ST network is characterized by a significantly fewer parameters compared to the RCF network, which makes it possible to reduce the resource consumption of the network. Besides, RCF-ST network ensures the enhancing of the robustness of edge detection on texture background.
DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNIQUE FOR STRUCTURING OF GROUP EXPERT ASSESSMENTS UNDER UNCERTAINTY AND INCONCISTANCY
Authors: Davydenko Ye. O. , Shved A. V. , Honcharova N. V.
Published: February 2024

Context. The issues of structuring group expert assessments are considered in order to determine a generalized assessment under inconsistency between expert assessments. The object of the study is the process of synthesis of mathematical models of structuring (clustering, partitioning) of expert assessments that are formed within the framework of Shafer model under uncertainty, inconsistency (conflict).

Objective. The purpose of the article is to develop an approach based on the metrics of theory of evidence, which allows to identify a number of homogeneous subgroups from the initial heterogeneous set of expert judgments formed within the framework of the Shafer model, or to identify experts whose judgments differ significantly from the judgments of the rest of the group.

Method. The research methodology is based on the mathematical apparatus of theory of evidence and cluster analysis. The proposed approach uses the principles of hierarchical clustering to form a partition of a heterogeneous (inconsistent) set of expert evidence into a number of subgroups (clusters), within which expert assessments are close to each other. Metrics of the theory of evidence are considered as a criterion for determining the similarity and dissimilarity of clusters. Experts’ evidence are considered consistent in the formed cluster if the average or maximum (depending on certain initial conditions) level of conflict between them does not exceed a given threshold level.

Results. The proposed approach for structuring expert information makes it possible to assess the degree of consistency of expert assessments within an expert group based on an analysis of the distance between expert evidence bodies. In case of a lack of consistency within the expert group, it is proposed to select from a heterogeneous set of assessments subgroups of experts whose assessments are close to each other for further aggregation in order to obtain a generalized assessment.

Conclusions. Models and methods for analyzing and structuring group expert assessments formed within the notation of the theory of evidence under uncertainty, inconsistency, and conflict were further developed. An approach to clustering group expert assessments formed under uncertainty and inconsistency (conflict) within the framework of the Shafer model is proposed in order to identify subgroups within which expert assessments are considered consistent. In contrast to existing clustering methods, the proposed approach allows processing expert evidence of a various structure and taking into account possible ways of their interaction (combination, intersection).
METHOD OF MINIMIZATION SIDELOBES LEVEL AUTOCORRELATION FUNCTIONS OF SIGNALS WITH NON-LINEAR FREQUENCY MODULATION
Authors: Kostyria О. О. , Hryzo А. А. , Dodukh О. М. , Lisohorskyi B. А. , Lukianchykov А. А.
Published: February 2024

Context. At present, when creating new and upgrading existing radar systems, solid-state generator devices are widely used, which imposes certain restrictions on the peak power of probing signals. To overcome this limitation, longer duration signals with internal pulse modulation are used. The main efforts of the researchers are focused on reducing the maximum level of the side lobes of the autocorrelation function of such signals, which, without taking additional measures, has a significant level, which complicates the work of systems for detecting and stabilizing the level of false alarms. Attention is paid to signals with non-linear frequency modulation, which consist of two and three linearly frequency-modulated fragments. The maximum level of the side lobes of such signals depends significantly on the frequency-time parameters of the fragments, and therefore it is very difficult to obtain its stable value. Searching for signals with minimal side lobe level values by optimizing their time-frequency parameters is a difficult task, because changing the parameters of previous signal fragments leads to changes in the parameters of subsequent fragments

Objective. The aim of the work is to develop a method for simplifying the search for local minima of the level of side lobes of two- and three-fragment signals with nonlinear frequency modulation by using a modified mathematical model with a whole number of periods of radio oscillations of linear-frequency modulated fragments.

Method. The developed method is based on the proposed modification of the mathematical model, which corrects the frequencytime parameters of two- and three-fragment signals with non-linear frequency modulation by modifying the values of the frequency modulation speed while providing an integer number of complete periods of radio frequency oscillations for each of the fragments, which simplifies the process of finding local minima of the level of side lobes.

Results. Modification of the initial mathematical model leads to the expansion of the possible range of values of frequency-time parameters, ratios of durations and frequency deviations of linearly-frequency modulated fragments and ensures stability of the mathematical model with a decrease in the maximum level of side lobes of the autocorrelation function.

Conclusions. It has been experimentally confirmed that the use of the proposed method of modifying the input frequency-time parameters of signals with non-linear frequency modulation in the vast majority of cases reduces the maximum level of side lobes and simpli-fies the process of finding its local minima. The optimal ratios of durations and deviations of the frequency of the signal frag-ments are determined, subject to these, stable operation of the models is ensured and, in most cases, - less than the value of the maximum level of the side lobes.