Digital Code Research Articles

Disability, digital technologies and the ambivalent allure of posthumanist/transhumanist futures

Technologies, both simple and sophisticated, have always played a major role in the negotiation of a range of disabilities that are assumed to impede the expression of autonomous selfhood. Whether...

Administrative and legal framework for the introduction of the electronic notarial system in Ukraine

The article is dedicated to the study of the administrative and legal foundations for the implementation of the electronic notarial system in Ukraine. The author examines the process of transitioning from the traditional paper-based notarial system to a digital one, highlighting the benefits of increased efficiency, document security, and accessibility. The study focuses on the phased approach adopted by the government to implement the e-notary system, outlining key stages such as the creation of electronic registries, the development of a digital archive for notarial acts, and the introduction of a system for online notarial services. These developments represent a significant modernization of Ukraine’s notarial services. The author emphasizes the need for substantial legal reforms to support the full-scale digitalization of notarial services. It is highlighted that the Ukrainian Law on Notariate currently lacks explicit provisions for the use of digital technologies, which necessitates amendments to accommodate electronic notarial acts, remote notarization, and the integration of digital signatures. Additionally, the article discusses the challenge of aligning the e-notary system with European standards, especially regarding the cross-border recognition of electronic documents. The alignment of Ukrainian notarial laws with international frameworks is crucial for ensuring the system’s compatibility with global legal standards. The article identifies several key advantages of the e-notary system, including the automation of processes, which significantly reduces the time and administrative burden involved in notarial acts. Enhanced security measures, such as digital signatures and QR codes, provide protection against forgery and unauthorized alterations of notarial documents. Furthermore, the integration of the e-notary system with state databases facilitates efficient information exchange, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of notarial services. These factors contribute to a more transparent and effective notarial system that can better meet the needs of modern society. Of particular note is the author’s focus on the importance of cybersecurity and data protection in ensuring the long-term success of the e-notary system. The article underscores the need for robust security measures to protect sensitive legal information from cyber threats, which are increasingly becoming a concern in the digital age. The author concludes by outlining prospects for further research, particularly in the areas of legal reform, public trust in digital notarial services, and the technological infrastructure needed to ensure the resilience and security of the electronic notarial system.

DigiChemTree enables programmable light-induced carbene generation for on demand chemical synthesis

The reproducibility of chemical reactions, when obtaining protocols from literature or databases, is highly challenging for academicians, industry professionals and even now for the machine learning process. To synthesize the organic molecule under the photochemical condition, several years for the reaction optimization, highly skilled manpower, long reaction time etc. are needed, resulting in non-affordability and slow down the research and development. Herein, we have introduced the DigiChemTree backed with the artificial intelligence to auto-optimize the photochemical reaction parameter and synthesizing the on demand library of the molecules in fast manner. Newly, auto-generated digital code was further tested for the late stage functionalization of the various active pharmaceutical ingredient.

Anisotropic hypocycloid inspired 3-bit digital coding metasurface for radar cross section reduction

Abstract Recently, researchers have realized various exotic electromagnetic control devices using the coded metasurfaces, sparking a broad investigation into the phase or amplitude-based encoding method, as well as their combination, in the field of metasurface design. In this paper, to evaluate the influence of random mutual coupling between the adjacent element on the scattering performance of metasurface, and also to minimize the backward radar cross section (RCS) of metal plate targets, a novel encoding approach combining the reflection phase and element-form has been proposed. During the implementation process, an anisotropic hypocycloid inspired 3-bit digital coding metasurface was designed. It consists of 9 different element-forms, with each capable of providing 7 phase states. Simulation results demonstrate that the random mutual coupling introduced by the proposed elements does not significantly affect the RCS performance of the metasurface. With a good polarization insensitivity property for both linearly and circularly polarized waves, the designed 3-bit digital coding metasurface can achieve more than 20 dB RCS reduction at 10 GHz, while simultaneously transmitting additional information by encoding the element forms. The good consistency between theoretical simulation and sample testing unequivocally validates the precision of the design, this paper may serve as a useful reference for expanding the design methods of metasurfaces.

Increased 1H-NMR metabolomics-based health score associates with declined cognitive performance and functional independence in older adults at risk of cardiovascular disease.

The 1-HMR metabolomics-based MetaboHealth score, comprised of 14 serum metabolic markers, associates with disease-specific mortality, but it is unclear whether the score also reflects cognitive changes and functional impairment. We aimed to assess the associations between the MetaboHealth score with cognitive function and functional decline in older adults at increased cardiovascular risk. A total of 5292 older adults free of dementia at baseline with mean age 75.3years (SD = 3.4) from the Prospective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly (PROSPER). MetaboHealth score were measured at baseline, and cognitive function and functional independence were measured at baseline and every 3months during up to 2.5years follow-up. Cognitive function was assessed using the Stroop test (selective attention), the Letter Digit Coding test (LDCT) (processing speed), and the two versions of the Picture Learning test (delayed and immediate; memory). Two tests of functional independence were used: Barthel Index (BI) and instrumental activities at daily living (IADL). A higher MetaboHealth score was associated with worse cognitive function (in all domains) and with worse functional independence. For example, after full adjustments, a 1-SD higher MetaboHealth score was associated with 9.02s (95%CI 7.29, 10.75) slower performance on the Stroop test and 2.79 (2.21, 3.26) less digits coded on the LDCT. During follow-up, 1-SD higher MetaboHealth score was associated with an additional decline of 0.53s (0.23, 0.83) on the Stroop test and - 0.08 (- 0.11, - 0.06) points on the IADL. Metabolic disturbance, as reflected by an increased metabolomics-based health score, may mark future cognitive and functional decline.

Active logic modulator of terahertz metamaterial for future 6G communication system

A tunable G-shaped metamaterial (GSM) for the upcoming 6G communication system is presented. GSM device shows polarization-dependent characteristics with three or five resonances. The GSM unit cell is composed of two identical G-shaped structures on a silicon (Si) substrate. By utilizing micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technology to change the vertical height (h) between the two G-shaped structures and the horizontal distance (g) between them or change the polarization angle (PA) of the incident light, the electromagnetic responses of GSM device can be switched three to five resonances. The tuning range of resonant frequency of the GSM device is up to 15 GHz by changing the g value, and the modulation depth can reach 93 % by changing PA and h values. This MEMS-based GSM device exhibits multi-resonance and polarization-dependent characteristics, offering an efficient and economical way to modulate terahertz (THz) signals. Moreover, the GSM device also exhibits good optical switching performance at PA = 0°, 30°, and 75° under the condition of h = 2 μm. These characteristics can be expressed as logic signals 'ON' and 'OFF' states, enabling their application in the logic operation function of the NAND gate and programmable two-bit binary digital coding metamaterials.

Far field ring beam generation based on 3-bit encoded metasurface

Abstract The encoding metasurface establishes a bridge between the physical and digital worlds, ushering in a new era of manipulating electromagnetic waves and realizing programmable metamaterials through digital coding sequences. This "digital metasurface," relying on binary logic, significantly simplifies the design process, thereby enhancing the flexibility and efficiency of controlling electromagnetic waves. While most encoding metasurfaces control beamforming for pencil-shaped beams, we propose a 3-bit encoding metasurface with a "well structure" in the microwave band.The 3-bit encoding metasurface features a more extensive encoding sequence, offering increased degrees of freedom and flexibility in manipulating the direction of electromagnetic wave propagation. Its symmetric design features polarization-insensitive characteristics, suitable for generating annular beams by varying gradient-encoded numbers radially. This approach enables the production of linearly polarized omnidirectional radiation within the desired elevation angle range. Additionally, adjustments in quantity and orientation of the produced annular beams are achieved through Fourier convolution theorem. This type of annular beams holds promise for applications in various fields, including wireless radio broadcasting and wireless local area networks.

Multifunctional Metamaterial with Reconfigurable Electromagnetic Scattering Properties for Advanced Stealth and Adaptive Applications.

The rapid development of radar detection systems has led to an increased sensitivity to the electromagnetic (EM) scattering properties of detected targets. Flexible and adaptable EM scattering properties significantly enhance the survivability of battlefield weapons. This paper presents the design of a novel multifunctional metamaterial with reconfigurable EM scattering properties based on a bistable curved beam. In addition to the cushioning and energy absorption properties of curved beams, the metamaterial achieves more than 90% EM absorption in the frequency range of 2.17-17.31GHz, with a relative thickness of only 0.09λL. The bistable nature of the metamaterial allows it to switch between different states. Moreover, combined with the digital coding, this metamaterial can continuously adjust the absorbing bandwidth and further enhance the EM absorption rate within a specific frequency band range. If applied to satellite configurations, the developed metamaterial significantly reduces the radar cross section and offers potential applications in reconfiguring EM scattering properties, when applied to satellite configurations. By actively controller and reconstructing the EM scattering properties at certain frequency points, the metamaterial can achieve camouflage, providing innovative solutions for future stealth technology, electronic countermeasures, and deception jamming in radar detection.

Radar shielding jamming method based on random phase modulation of digital coding metasurface

In this paper, a novel radar jamming method based on random phase modulation of digital coding metasurface was proposed. For typical radar system, the modulation model of coding metasurface and the echo model are deduced firstly. Then, the ordered statistics greatest of the constant false alarm rate (OSGO-CFAR) detection model was chosen to analyze the radar detection performance. Through serials of simulation, the influence of modulation modes, modulation switching interval, the number of coding elements and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on radar detection performance is analyzed. Finally, the Monte Carlo simulation is performed. The result shows that as the modulation switching interval of metasurface decreases, the spectrum energy distribution of the target becomes more dispersed and the detection probability of the target decreases obviously. Traditional radar detectors will become ineffective, and the shielding of the target will be achieved. This implies a new radar jamming method which can realize target shielding instead of traditional stealth by reducing the radar cross section.

Pico-ampere resolution current measurement circuit using Gm-C filter sigma-delta modulator for low-power nanopore DNA sequencing

New generation DNA sequencers use an array of electrochemical cells equipped with nanopores, which produce pico-ampere current levels. Due to the large number of channels, low current levels and bandwidths in the order of a few kHz, in the design of these readout circuits, 2D arrays of in-channel, low noise and low power analog to digital converters are preferred. Previously many different sigma-delta modulators have been presented to convert the nanopore current signal into a digital code. Conventionally, the opamps required in these converters will eventually increase the power dissipation of each channel. In this paper a novel Gm-C filter based second order sigma-delta converter is proposed. In the given design, rather than relying on multiple opamps to achieve the necessary gain and noise performance, only a 4 transistor Gm block is used. Evaluations show that while the input referred noise remains close to previous methods, the power dissipation is considerably reduced. A prototype is also implemented to show the effectiveness of the approach. In a 180-nm design, an ENOB of 12.16 bits, RMS input referred noise of 0.2 pA at 10 kHz bandwidth and power dissipation of 8.27 μW is obtained per channel.

Wide-angle reflection control with a reflective digital coding metasurface for 5G communication systems

Abstract Metasurfaces have attracted widespread attention in recent years due to their powerful electromagnetic wave manipulation capabilities. This paper proposes and validates a single-polarized, angle-adjustable reflective digital coding metasurface. Each unit cell achieves independent reflection phase control by loading a PIN diode for on-off switching. The unit’s design and coding scheme are carefully optimized to ensure the performance of the proposed reconfigurable metasurface. As a validation, a prototype consisting of 16×16 elements is fabricated and measured, with a control signal provided by a field-programmable gate array controller. Experimental results demonstrate angle control of up to ±60° in the frequency range of 3.4 GHz–3.6 GHz, a peak gain of 24.9 dBi in a single channel, and gain exceeding 10 dBi across a 200 MHz operational bandwidth. Furthermore, the performance is validated in a communication system, yielding positive results. The proposed reflective digital coding metasurface contributes to the advancement of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces and holds promise for widespread adoption in various communication scenarios.

B - 31 Factor Analysis of Neuropsychological Attention Measures with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Patients

Abstract Objective Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) often leads to attentional deficits, yet the neuropsychological tests traditionally used may not adequately reflect the cognitive impairments these patients experience. This study aimed to critically evaluate the construct validity and factor structure of attention-related neuropsychological tests in mTBI patients to better understand and diagnose attentional deficits. Method The research utilized a battery of neuropsychological tests used to assess attention among a sample of 269 adults with mTBI including the NAB Numbers & Letters Test, PASAT, Trail Making Test, and WAIS Digit Span, Coding, and Arithmetic subtests. Exploratory factor analysis was employed to investigate the factor structure of the test battery and to test the hypothesis concerning the dimensionality of attention constructs. Results The analysis revealed that attentional measures did not converge on a single latent factor but instead reflected four distinct factors. These factors were identified as 1) Visual Attention/Psychomotor Speed, 2) Auditory Working Memory, 3) Visuospatial Scanning/Search, and 4) Disruption. Conclusions This exploratory factor analysis unveiled a distinction between auditory and visual attention mechanisms within this population. This separation suggests that attentional processes are not monolithic but rather encompass distinct auditory and visual domains and corroborates the existing literature, including Mirsky’s (1991) model of attention, which posits multiple components of attention, albeit with a focus on differentiating processes rather than sensory modalities. The study highlights the complexity of attentional impairments in mTBI and underscores the need for a nuanced approach to the neuropsychological assessment of attention among mTBI patients.

Driven by the policy or bent by the market? Cracking the digital transformation code of farmer cooperatives

The digital transformation of farmer cooperatives significantly promotes the digital rural strategy. However, due to funding and scale constraints, the digital transformation of farmer cooperatives requires government and market participation. To explore the roles of the government and market in the digital transformation of farmer cooperatives, this study constructs a tripartite game model involving farmer cooperatives, consumers, and the government, analyzing stakeholders' decisions and effects. The research results show that, first, under certain conditions, the strategies of the government, farmer cooperatives, and consumers can lead the system to evolve into stable states of (1,0,0) or (1,1,1). Second, critical parameters influencing the digital transformation of farmer cooperatives exist, with discernible thresholds. In the context of this study, the digital subsidy coefficient and the degree of propaganda for consumption upgrade should range between 0.4 and 0.45 and between 0.45 and 0.5, respectively. Consumers' high-quality consumption preferences should be between 0.5 and 0.6, whereas high-quality consumption utility should be between 75 % and 80 % of the existing level. Third, in the short term, the digital transformation of farmer cooperatives requires policy-driven initiatives; in the long term, market-bent initiatives become essential.

Image wireless transmission based on microwave digital coding metasurfaces

Image wireless transmission based on microwave digital coding metasurfaces

Evolution of the Content of the Service Function of the Tax Authorities

The subject of the study is the activities of the Federal Tax Service (FTS of Russia), which annually strives to fulfil the objectives of not only increasing tax revenues to the budgets of the budgetary system of Russia, but also to improve the quality level of its activities. The key tool for the fulfillment of this goal for more than a decade remains digital technologies, allowing primarily for the improvement of tax control. Aim and objectives of the study. The analysis of the evolution of the development of technologies of control activity of tax authorities has led to the conclusion that strategically the control activity of the Federal Tax Service of Russia is increasingly built on the changing significance of other functions of tax authorities, among which the tax authority highlighted the service function. The article considers the foundations of the origin of the service function of tax authorities, transformation processes and development prospects taking into account new tools of interaction between tax authorities and taxpayers. At the same time, it touches upon the new services of the Federal Tax Service of Russia, as well as current directions of solving acute issues, in particular, the transition to EDI, the expansion of tax monitoring subjects, construction of a digital tax code, new tools for pre-trial consideration of tax disputes and minimization of tax risks. The study ultimately resulted in the construction of a scheme of the digital outline of the Russian tax system with the allocation of promising areas for further development.

Exploring the multimodal affordances of digital coding devices in fostering creative thinking in early childhood education

Digital technologies are increasingly acknowledged for their potential to enrich early childhood learning experiences, particularly in the area of creativity. However, research has tended to focus upon end products and skill development, and little is known about creative development processes. This study sought to explore young children's creative processes as they engaged with three digital coding devices over an eight-week period as part of a Digital Discovery Program. It employed a microethnography to provide nuanced observations of five young children's (aged 4–5 years) interactions and behaviours. Data was collected through approximately 40 hours of video recordings, capturing the dynamic and multimodal aspects of the childrenʼs play and learning experiences. A multimodal interaction analysis was used to examine the multimodal design affordances of each device as mapped against Murcia et al.'s (2020) A-E of Creativity Framework. The findings revealed a clear interplay between digital technologies and various modes of communication, with children demonstrating creativity through their verbal expressions, manipulation of the devices, and spatial understanding of their physical environment. By understanding the multimodal affordances of digital devices aligned with educational frameworks and embracing child-specific definitions of creativity, educators, curriculum designers, policymakers, and researchers can collectively promote creativity and enrich digital learning and play for young children.

The role of quantitative electroencephalography in diagnostic workup of mental disorders.

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a non-invasive diagnostic tool, enabling us to assess the electrical activity of the brain and its disturbance in a great number of psychiatric conditions. This paper provides a narrative overview of the most recent advantages of EEG use in various psychiatric disorders that are associated. This article analyses selected psychiatric disorders. We discussed anxiety disorders characterized by chronic fear, dementia leading to cognitive decline, schizophrenia disrupting logical thinking, bipolar affective disorder with alternating episodes of mania and depression, and depression manifested by gradual loss of vital energy. We have shown that EEG testing, by monitoring the electrical activity of the brain, is a helpful tool in identifying specific brain wave patterns associated with these disorders. In the study of mental illness the EEG variant called quantitative EEG (QEEG) is of particular avail as to the spatial discrimination. QEEG is based on digital coding and transformation according to Fourier algorithm. Recently, even more complex methods of EEG data analysis have been implemented, including artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning (DL) and its branch: machine learning (ML). The use of sophisticated EEG postprocessing adds important information about the pathophysiology of mental disorders. More so, EEG/QEEG recording (in particular spectral analysis), if repeated over time may help to follow up the treatment results and to establish a prognosis as to the course of the given condition. Reliability, safety and availability of EEG makes it to be an indispensable tool in modern psychiatry. Use of EEG, QEEG may lead to faster and more precise differential diagnostic workup. Use of EEG/QEEG changes as an objective outcome measure in clinical trials may support the development of personalized pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy.

Theoretical and legal issues of defining digital currencies as an administrative and legal phenomenon

The last decade has seen a rapid growth of innovations in the field of IT technologies, one of the consequences of which was a change in the approach to the payment system – for the first time in human history, electronic records rather than real funds were provided in exchange for goods and services, which made it possible to represent money and currencies in a virtual form. The emergence of cryptocurrencies and the development of electronic payment systems have created the basis for the emergence of digital currencies, a technological innovation that performs the exchange functions of money, but operates outside the modern banking sector and has developed outside the supervision of monetary regulators. Since the first digital currency, bitcoin, was created, the digital currency market has been growing rapidly and has already become significant for the global economy. Currently, digital currencies are widely used in the economic and legal environment of Ukraine. Despite certain attempts by the national legislator to regulate relations in the field of digital currencies, a number of aspects remain unaddressed by the legislator, there is legal uncertainty regarding activities related to digital currencies, there is no regulation of the procedure for the activities of entities providing services in the field of digital currencies, and, most importantly, the terminology for defining the definition of digital currencies in the legal plane is not regulated at the doctrinal level. This is important in the context of the development of administrative law and the related phenomenon of "digital currency". The purpose of the paper is to study the theoretical and legal issues of defining digital currencies as an administrative and legal phenomenon. The paper examines the definition of the category «digital currency» – a digital object intended for payment functions contained in the form of a set of electronic data (digital code or designation) in an information network operating on the basis of distributed ledger technology, the circulation of which is regulated by administrative law. The analysis has shown that there are numerous approaches to understanding legal relations in the field of digital currency circulation. These relations are based on the principles of discretion and equality of the parties with a mandatory method of legal regulation. Therefore, administrative legal relations in the field of digital currencies are social relations regulated by administrative law regarding the possession, use and disposal of digital currencies in accordance with the rules of administrative law.

Novel machine learning-driven optimizing decoding solutions for FPGA-based time-to-digital converters

Calibration of models and data structures is recurring in a large number of cross-cutting applications from finance to engineering. Even though there are numerous and well-established specific calibration techniques for each application sector, using Neural Networks (NNs) can improve performance. For instance, Tapped Delay-Line Time-to-Digital Converters (TDL-TDCs) implemented in Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are increasingly being used in a variety of research applications, such in the time-resolved spectroscopy or in medical imaging mainly for their high-precision and flexibility. Specific decoding on the sampled information from the TDL, together with calibration to compensate for non-idealities, (i.e., Bubble Errors, BEs, and Process–Voltage–Temperature fluctuations, PVTs) are carried out for generating the conversion of digital codes to time units. In this fundamental process, the impact of Machine Learning (ML) usage has not yet been investigated. In this paper, focusing on advanced FPGA devices (i.e., 28-nm, 20-nm, and 16-nm), we propose an approach based on NNs running in Python on a standalone PC to identify the optimal conversion from digital codes to timestamps, comparing it with the classical fully FPGA-based solution c literature. The experimental validations are performed on Artix-7 (XC7A100TFG256-2) and Kintex UltraScale (XCKU040-FFVA1156-2-E) in 28-nm and 20-nm technology nodes, achieving precision of 12.9 ps r.m.s. and 4.85 ps r.m.s., respectively. These results are in line with the state-of-the-art, demonstrating that in 28-nm technology, the bubble compression algorithm is sufficient to achieve high-precision, while reordering mechanism is crucial to compensate for BEs within the 16/20-nm technology node.

Efficient Manipulation of Near‐Field Terahertz Waves: Individually Addressable Transmissive Meta‐Device

AbstractDue to the powerful capability in manipulating electromagnetic (EM) waves, digital coding and programmable metasurfaces have found vast application prospects across numerous areas such as next‐generation wireless communications and digital holography. Liquid crystals (LCs), as dielectric materials with significant birefringence effect over a wide frequency range, provide a cost‐effective solution for achieving the programmable metasurfaces and flexible EM manipulations, especially in the terahertz (THz) band. Different from the conventional 1D control and single functionality of transmissive LC‐based devices, here, a 16 × 16 addressable amplitude‐phase coding meta‐device is proposed to support for frequency multiplexing by using the film on glass (FOG) technology. Both numerical simulations and experimental results demonstrate that the meta‐atom exhibits an amplitude modulation depth over 90% and a phase tuning range ≈180° at two distinct frequencies, and hence the single meta‐device can provide multifunctional EM applications, including near‐field printing imaging, 3D THz energy convergence, and zero‐order Bessel beam generation. The proposed strategy paves a way for constructing highly integrated and high‐performance THz multifunctional information processing systems.