Natural Form Research Articles

CIVIL SELF-DEFENCE IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING THE SECURITY OF TERRITORIAL COMMUNITIES IN THE VISEGRAD COUNTRIES. FOCUS STUDIES

This paper is devoted to the issue of community self-defence and its role in the process of building personal and structural security in the Visegrad Countries. self-organisation within a local community constitutes an integral part of the national security system. The organisation and functioning of the common self-defence (as it is defined nowadays) consists in the exploitation of civic activity directed at remedial and relief measures in the circumstances of both military and non-military threats. The level of self-organisation within a society has a profound impact on the security of territorial communities. It also significantly affects the effectiveness of governmental security organisations (e.g. Police, Armed Forces, Civil Defence, etc.) by cooperating with and supporting them. Self-defence is the natural and oldest form of security organisation of social groups. As a result of the measures undertaken in the search for new and complementary solutions in the field of structural and personal security, it bears noting that social potential has certain resources that can be activated. When faced with contemporary threats, one must aspire to make use of all the resources that can contribute to increasing not only the sense of security within a society but also to building public and state resilience to emerging challenges in practical and actual terms.

Play in the mathematical education of young children. Selected pedagogical and medical aspects

This article aims to present play as one of the most common, natural, and spontaneous forms of activity undertaken by preschool children. Through appropriately chosen mathematical games and didactic means, we can introduce a child to the secrets of culture and art stimulate their motor, emotional, social, and intellectual development. Particular emphasis is placed on games created by the children themselves, which engage not only manipulative and verbal activities but also mental processes to a large extent. In addition to its educational and upbringing functions, the article also highlights the importance of the caring function. It emphasizes the necessity for educators and teachers to adhere to fundamental principles aimed at safeguarding children from excessive risks associated with all playful activities within educational and childcare facilities, as well as beyond them.

Computational and experimental assessment of efficient dye adsorption method from aqueous effluents by halloysite and palygorskite clay minerals.

The removal of dyes from effluents of textile industries represents a technological challenge, due to their significant environmental impact. The application of halloysite (Hal) and palygorskite (Pal) clay minerals as adsorbents for the removal of Congo red (CR) and methylene blue (MB) was evaluated in this work. The materials were applied both in natural and acid-treated forms, and characterized by XRD, XPS, SEM-EDS, FTIR, and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm techniques to identify their properties and main active sites. The adsorbents showed potential to remove CR (> 98%) and MB (> 85%) within 180min, using 0.3g adsorbent and initial dye concentration of 250mg L-1. Semi-empirical quantum mechanical calculations (SQM) confirmed the interaction mechanism between dyes and the adsorbents via chemisorption (- 69.0kcalmol-1 < Eads < - 28.8kcalmol-1), which was further observed experimentally due to the high fit of adsorption data to pseudo-second order kinetic model (R2 > 0.99) and Langmuir isotherm (R2 > 0.98). The use of Pal and Hal to remove dyes was proven to be economically and environmentally viable for industrial application.

К вопросу об изучении татарских вариантов эпоса об Идегее

The purpose of the study: The work is part of the authors’ research aimed at preparing a collection dedicated to the Tatar versions of the “Idegey”epos. It is aimed at reviewing and systematizing archival and published versions of the Tatar version of the dastan, “Idegey”, introducing unexplored variants into scientific circulation, compiling a complete list of texts, and providing their structural and textual analysis. Research materials: Archival and published versions of the Tatar dastan of “Idegey”. Information from literary and historical sources, along with scientific research, was used. The works of famous folklorists are involved, including studies on the dastan “Idegey” by famous folklorists Nigmat Hakim and Naki Isanbet. The scientific novelty of the study is due to the fact that on the basis of the study of archival materials, a review of all the variants known to us and a comparative analysis of individual episodes and motives were made. Based on the analysis, the changes to which the variants were subjected, the transformation of individual motifs, and all kinds of variations of the latter, the degree of preservation of dastan records from different times was revealed. The results of the study and its scientific novelty: the paper proves that the Tatar versions of the dastan about Idegey and Toktamysh were widely spread among the Tatars of the Volga-Urals, western Siberia, and the Crimea as is evidenced by the wide variability of the works. However, the main part of the variants came to us fragmentarily, in a strongly truncated form, and by the time they were fixed, with the exception of the variants recorded by V.V. Radlov and N. Hakim, the named genre ceased to exist in a living natural form. Despite this, the Tatar versions of the dastan “Idegey”, unlike the other Turkic versions which came through the works of ethnographers and historians, are undoubtedly more extensive and numerous, recorded in the original version or preserved in manuscripts in the Tatar language.

Inspirational Influence of Nature in Architectural Design – A Review on the Scope of Application in Nigeria Housing Policy

The growing need for housing and infrastructural development is depleting and transforming green spaces to built environment. This transformation is altering the functioning of the natural processes that sustain life. However, conservation strategies through the science of biomimetic architecture show how nature offers the best ideas for regenerative infrastructural designs that humans can incorporate in planning. These natural forms of life provide insight on how designing housing and public infrastructures can promote efficiency in energy savings, waste management, nutrient provision, water management, adaptation to local condition, accommodating ecological hazards, sustaining the wellbeing of the occupants and reducing the frequency of visiting the natural capital. In Nigeria, housing policy programmes have primarily been focusing on ensuring affordable and available housing for all Nigerians. However, while the policy is being challenged in achieving its primary objective, it lacks biomimetic design in its elements, and ecological hazards (floods and erosion) are degrading/or destroying existing infrastructures in some Nigerian communities. Consequently, there is a need to integrate biomimetic designs in Nigeria housing policy and programme so as to capture the philosophy that a house is not only limited in providing shelter for humans, but also how the design of the house integrates into the natural functioning of the environment in resource provision, energy savings and environmental sustenance. The application of this approach can be achieved through the inclusion of biomimetic design incentives in building permit approval process to manage externalities associated with the infrastructure, while also taking into cognisance the housing needs of the poor, and the huge infrastructural investments of high income earners and the public. This approach will reshape consumption behaviour; develops a built environment that integrates and functions without resistance with its local condition in resource provision, waste management for its occupants, and enhance sustainability of resources base.

Catégories de la peinture chinoise et motifs dans la poésie de François Cheng

Abstract François Cheng’s poetry is steeped in traditional Chinese aesthetics, which is inseparable from the cosmology that gives it meaning. This article investigates the genesis of Chinese pictorial art in Cheng’s poetry by focusing on three sets of recurring motifs, linked to the major themes of nature and landscape in Chinese painting: trees and rocks; flowers and birds; mountains and water. Trees and rocks portray the outer form of nature and the inner impulses of the poet, and embody the dichotomy between heaven and earth. The symbolism of flowers gives praise to femininity and to yin, while birdsong evokes the eternal echoes that set nature in vibration. Mountains and water, with the clouds as an intermediary void, add contrast, rhythm, and musicality to the landscape and embody a universe in the making. In this way, the themes and motifs reflect the aesthetic beliefs of the poet-artist, who draws inspiration from Taoism and classical Chinese painting while embracing modernism. Cheng’s poetic art thus becomes ‘un art de vie, un art de vivre’.

Economy of Nature as the Logic of Government

The aim of this paper is to show that Foucault’s genealogy of liberal governmentality necessitates reconsideration in light of the history of biology and its societal implications. In his lectures at the Collège de France in the late 1970s, Foucault argued that the natural growth of the market is what ultimately verifies or falsifies the excellence of liberal governmentality. Liberal governmentality recognizes the intimate correlation between the physical and social dimensions in order to adapt its political action to the natural processes of the market. It follows that liberal governmentality rests upon a certain kind of naturalism and the knowledge that defines this form of naturalism is political economy, which explicates both the foundations and the limits of governmental action in the name of the nature of the market. Foucault thus accords significant importance to the concept of nature in liberal governmentality. However, his genealogy is confined to an inquiry into the naturalism of classical political economy, without considering the economicism of the emerging biological sciences. To expand upon Foucault’s genealogy, the present paper focuses on the influence of political economy in the development of the theory of evolution by natural selection. The locution “economy of nature” is introduced to denote the discursive formation that brings together the naturalism of classical political economy and the economism of early evolutionary biology. This study contends that this construct played a critical role in shaping liberal governmentality.

I Am an Earphone and I Can Hear My User’s Face: Facial Landmark Tracking Using Smart Earphones

This article presents EARFace , a system that shows the feasibility of tracking facial landmarks for 3D facial reconstruction using in-ear acoustic sensors embedded within smart earphones. This enables a number of applications in the areas of facial expression tracking, user interfaces, AR/VR applications, affective computing, and accessibility, among others. Although conventional vision-based solutions break down under poor lighting and occlusions, and also suffer from privacy concerns, earphone platforms are robust to ambient conditions while being privacy-preserving. In contrast to prior work on earable platforms that perform outer-ear sensing for facial motion tracking, EARFace shows the feasibility of completely in-ear sensing with a natural earphone form factor, thus enhancing the comfort levels of wearing. The core intuition exploited by EARFace is that the shape of the ear canal changes due to the movement of facial muscles during facial motion. EARFace tracks the changes in shape of the ear canal by measuring ultrasonic channel frequency response of the inner ear, ultimately resulting in tracking of the facial motion. A transformer-based machine learning model is designed to exploit spectral and temporal relationships in the ultrasonic channel frequency response data to predict the facial landmarks of the user with an accuracy of 1.83 mm. Using these predicted landmarks, a 3D graphical model of the face that replicates the precise facial motion of the user is then reconstructed. Domain adaptation is further performed by adapting the weights of layers using a group-wise and differential learning rate. This decreases the training overhead in EARFace . The transformer-based machine learning model runs on smart phone devices with a processing latency of 13 ms and an overall low power consumption profile. Finally, usability studies indicate higher levels of comforts of wearing EARFace ’s earphone platform in comparison with alternative form factors.

Effectiveness of Salvadora persica toothbrush and Salvadora persica chewing stick in plaque and gingivitis control: a randomized control trial

BackgroundThe values of plant-based products have taken on an expanding relevance in dentistry. Salvadora persica chewing stick (miswak) has been practiced for centuries and is recommended by the World Health Organization as a customary oral hygiene tool. The therapeutic effects of S. persica chewing stick are contributed by its mechanical cleansing action, active chemicals released, or the combination of these two actions. However, the S. persica chewing stick in its natural form can be difficult to maneuver in certain parts of the mouth. This concern has inspired the innovation of the S. persica toothbrush that is designed to merge the ease of use of a toothbrush with the beneficial natural properties of S. persica preserved in its bristle. The present study aimed to compare the clinical effectiveness between S. persica toothbrush, S. persica chewing stick and the standard toothbrush in plaque and gingivitis control.MethodsIn this single-blinded and parallel randomized controlled trial, 78 participants were randomly divided into three groups to either use (i) S. persica toothbrush (MTB); (ii) S. persica chewing stick (MCS); or (iii) standard toothbrush (STB) in a standardized manner for three weeks. Plaque Index (PI) and Periodontal Inflamed Surface Area (PISA) values, measuring plaque levels and severity of gingivitis, respectively, were evaluated at baseline, one- and three-week post-interventions.ResultsThe MCS group showed a significant improvement in the mean PISA values of the anterior teeth compared to the MTB and STB groups (MCS: from 16.35 ± 10.03 to 3.41 ± 1.14; MTB: from 25.20 ± 14.01 to 3.57 ± 1.19; STB: from 26.54 ± 8.64 to 6.17 ± 0.86; p < .050). All three groups reported significant improvements (p < .001) in the plaque levels and the severity of gingivitis from baseline to three weeks after the intervention.ConclusionsFollowing correct techniques, S. persica toothbrush and chewing sticks are as effective as the standard toothbrush in plaque control and gingival health, which represent the reputed anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis properties of S. persica.Trial registrationThis clinical trial was prospectively registered in ClinicalTrials.gov with registration NCT04650685 (25/11/2020).

Orman ağaçlarında görülen büyüme anormalileri ve faydalanma imkânları: (Bursa Orman Bölge Müdürlüğü örneği)

Odun üretimi ve ormanların bakımı, sürdürülebilirlik ve silvikültürel ihtiyaçlar dikkate alınarak, yapılmaktadır. Kaliteli tomruk üretimi için ise idare süresi sonuna kadar bu amaca yönelik müdahaleler yapılmaktadır. Bu amaç dışında kalan anormal oluşumlar ve büyüme şekilleri bakımlar esnasında elimine edilmekte ve doğal şekilleriyle sanayiye ulaşamamaktadır. Oysa mobilya sanayisinde ekonomik değeri oldukça yüksek birçok mobilya ve dekoratif eşya, anormal büyümeler gösteren ağaçlardan elde edilebilmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, ormanlarımızdaki bazı ağaç türlerinde meydana gelen anormal oluşumları belirlemek, bu tür ağaç malzeme işleyen sektörü inceleyerek ekonomiye sağlayacağı katkıyı ortaya koymak ve farkındalık oluşturmaktır. Bu amaçla Bursa ve İnegöl Orman İşletme Müdürlükleri ve Uludağ Milli Parkında yapılan çalışmada büyüme anormalileri gösteren ağaçlar türler bazında örneklenmiştir. Bursa ve İnegöl Orman İşletme Müdürlüklerinde (OİM) satışa sunulan emval türleri incelenmiştir. Ayrıca bu tür masif ağaç işleyen işletmelerle yapılan anket çalışmaları ile sektörün durumu değerlendirilmiştir. Masif ağacın işlenmesi sonucu meydana gelen tasarım ürünler araştırılarak maliyet ve satış ortalamaları mukayese edilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda büyüme anormalilerinin ağaç türlerine göre farklılaştığı ve en fazla anormalliğin çınarda, en az karaçamda olduğu görülmüştür. Bu oluşumların sektörce değerlendirildiğinde katma değeri çok yüksek ürünlere dönüştürülebileceği belirlenmiştir.

ДИНАМІЧНІ ВИПРОБУВАННЯ МОСТІВ ІМПУЛЬСНИМ НАВАНТАЖЕННЯМ

Introduction. This article deals with the practice of applying the method of dynamic testing of bridges, namely, modal control using impulse loading. The possibilities of this method for determining the technical condition of a bridge span structure by determining its natural characteristics: actual stiffness and parameters of natural vibration forms are shown. Problem Statement. The article is devoted to the problem of practical implementation of the latest theoretical developments in the field of diagnostics of the technical condition of road bridges by conducting full-scale dynamic tests. Purpose. The main purpose of the article is to demonstrate the effectiveness of dynamic impulse testing as a method for assessing the technical condition of bridges. The method involves the excitation of vibrations of bridge structures by means of pulse loads, recording the response of the structure and analyzing the data obtained. Materials and methods. The material for this article is the results of field tests of a curved overpass made of monolithic reinforced concrete located near Kyiv. The following research methods were used: information analysis, mathematical modeling, and general methods of theoretical research.

Associations between real-time, self-reported adolescent mental health and urban and architectural design concepts

ABSTRACT Urban environments influence mental health and development of younger populations. Around 50% of lifetime mental illnesses begin at or prior to the age of 14 years old, and global urbanization trends are forecasted to continue into the coming decades, making links between urban spaces and youth mental health especially important. Little extant research explores links between urban environments, and especially distinct urban design exposures, and adolescent (ages 9–17) mental health. This study uses on-site, ecological momentary assessment (i.e. real-time) surveys and adjusted linear mixed models to explore associations between adolescent (n = 70) mental health indicators and multiple pedestrian design and architecture concepts. Results indicated several significant associations. Notably, spaces high in complexity (visual richness), imageability (distinctiveness), and enclosure (room-like quality) tended to support positive affect. Additionally, mixed built-natural spaces scoring high in scale (pedestrian amenities) and complexity appeared to increase calmness and mitigate anxiousness, while biophilic architecture (nature in built design) seemed to support perceived restorativeness. Practice implications include recommendations for planners to consider implementing natural forms of enclosure (e.g. tall trees), imageability (e.g. natural landmarks), and/or complexity (e.g. variety of gardens/shrubs) in or around spaces frequented by adolescents (e.g. schoolyards) to promote psychological well-being, and design socially supportive environments.

Impaired face symmetry detection under alcohol, but no 'beer goggles' effect.

The 'beer goggles' phenomenon describes sexual attraction to individuals when alcohol intoxicated whom we would not desire when sober. One possible explanation of the effect is that alcohol impairs the detection of facial asymmetry, thus lowering the drinker's threshold for physical attraction. We therefore tested the hypotheses that higher breath alcohol drinkers would award more generous ratings of attractiveness to asymmetrical faces, and be poorer at discriminating bilateral facial asymmetry than less intoxicated counterparts. Ninety-nine male and female bar patrons rated 18 individual faces for attractiveness and symmetry. Each type of rating was given twice, once per face with an enhanced asymmetry and once again for each face in its natural form. Participants then judged which of two same-face versions (one normal, the other perfectly symmetrised) was more attractive and, in the final task, more symmetrical. Alcohol had no influence on attractiveness judgements but higher blood alcohol concentrations were associated with higher symmetry ratings. Furthermore, as predicted, heavily intoxicated individuals were less able to distinguish natural from perfectly symmetrised face versions than more sober drinkers. Findings therefore suggest alcohol impairs face asymmetry detection, but it seems that this perceptual distortion does not contribute to the 'beer goggles' phenomenon.

Способы художественной когниции поэтов американского постмодерна

The aim of the study is to identify the innovative methods of artistic cognition characteristic of poets in the postmodern era. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the fact that the author identifies such methods of artistic cognition as artistic fractal, chaotic thinking, cognition through linguistic structure and interaction with the reader, the functioning of which is considered based on the American language poetry of the late 20th century. The specific characteristics of the postmodern poets’ creative thinking, expressed in a special language of lyrical texts, are determined. As a result, it has been found that the chaotic nature of modern creative thinking is realized by such linguistic means as paradox, oxymoron, paronomasia, an extended metaphor, a semantic flow, a line break, etc. One of the forms of the chaotic nature as a method of artistic cognition are fractals, represented at the structural level as complex graphic systems. Cognition through linguistic structure is realized both at the lexical (paronomasia, metaphor, oxymoron, paradox) and the grammatical (a line break, violation of grammatical norms, use of graphic symbols and drawings) level. Interaction with the reader is carried out in the course of solving logical riddles represented by paradoxes.

The Effect of Diabetes on Implanted Dentures, A Systematic Review

Background: Dentures are removably inserted dental prosthetics that fill up tooth gaps. There are many types of dentures, including complete, partial and implant-supported dentures. As long-term supports for tooth replacements, dental implants have significantly changed the treatment philosophies of conventional prosthodontics. However, the success and durability of these prosthetic devices may be impacted if a person seeking denture implants has diabetes. Diabetes affects the body in many ways, including the mouth's oral health. Immediate dentures have many benefits, including better oral functions, preservation of lower facial height, preservation of tooth sockets, improvement of aesthetics, and replication of natural teeth's shape, form, and location by artificial teeth. Diabetes mellitus has been reported to be associated strongly with the oral health. The higher glucose microenvironment prolongs healing of tooth extraction sockets. Thus, encouraging the healing of tooth extraction sockets is crucial from a therapeutic perspective for people with diabetes mellitus. Methods: An electronic search of English peer-reviewed dental literature on PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar was conducted to identify all publications reporting on how diabetes affect dentures until August 2023. Overall, 977 publications were found through an electronic and manual search, out of which 130 articles were selected after screening based on title and abstract. A total of 52 publications passed the second review phase after assessment for eligibility, from which 24 studies were excluded after full-text screening. Finally, a total of 28 studies were selected. A total of 10 articles were found to match our eligibility criteria to the full and were included in the final systematic review. Conclusion: Diabetes negatively impacts implanted dentures' success and longevity, leading to complications like Candida infection, poor bone integration, peri-implantitis, and compromised healing. Larger clinical trials are needed to understand diabetes's impact on implant therapy outcomes. Clinicians should assess patients' overall health, monitor glycemic control, maintain oral hygiene, and perform regular maintenance for optimal outcomes.

Challenges at the Educational Level in the Teaching and Training of Generation “Z”

Abstract This article aims to show how Generation Z, referred to as ‘digital natives’, see technology as inextricably linked to their existence, having grown up in the midst of the technological revolution. The article also highlights that this generation values self-directed learning, creativity and adaptability, utilising online resources, social media and visual language as natural forms of expression. Their proactive attitude also extends to entrepreneurship and embodies a do-it-yourself ethos, making them unique individuals who are constantly striving to improve themselves and acquire new skills. The study also seeks to highlight that most educators, especially those with some experience in the teaching profession, seek to adapt and update their teaching strategies because they are aware that technology can be used as a tool to increase learner engagement and improve learning outcomes.

A Smart Device with Hand Gesture using Webcam

Abstract: Over time, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) has experienced tremendous growth. An entirely new era in the AI domain of human-computer interaction was ushered in by hand gesture recognition technologies. One of the easiest and most natural forms of communication is hand gestures. It might be challenging for novice With hand gestures, the user can control cursor functions on the system. The input device for the suggested system is a camera. this application, HCI deployment for educational purposes will enter a completely new age.

Analisis Image Processing pada Prasasti Teroksidasi Ayam Téas I

The Ayam Téas I inscription is one of the ancient inscriptions in Indonesia. Currently, the condition of the inscription has undergone natural degradation, causing the letters and the written message to become more difficult to read. Among the natural forms of degradation are corrosion and erosion. One method that can be used to address this problem is by utilizing image processing technology in the form of imageJ software. The analysis process involves capturing images using a camera and then processing the images using imageJ software. This software provides a mode that can remove unnecessary colors due to lighting, allowing some of the writings on the Ayam Téas I inscription to become more visible. Keywords: imageJ; prasasti; Ayam Téas I; histogram; grayscale

How bio-inspired solutions have influenced the built environment design in hot and humid climates

The rapid increase in the population, which has been concentrated mainly in urban areas, has caused an environmental imbalance over the years since the built environment developed as a foreign element to the ecosystem, which prevents having resilient environments capable of adapting to the challenges posed by climate change. This research aims to provide an updated knowledge base of bio-inspired strategies emulated in hot and humid climates to achieve an efficient built environment, restoring resources, and bringing nature closer to cities. A systematic review is conducted based on keyword selection to answer i) what has been achieved in built environments to be more efficient and sustainable (including tropical climates) and ii) how natural patterns, strategies, and models are mimicked. Implementing these strategies is very little in regions with hot and humid climates. Bio-inspired approaches are concentrated in those that try to emulate the functions of nature, followed by approaches that imitate the form of nature, biomimicry, and biomimetics being the most used approaches, leading to the development of efficient and resilient cities.

Choice of the shape imperfections model in dynamics problems of a long flexible cylindrical shell subjected to force couples

The issue of modeling geometrical imperfections in the dynamics problems of thin-walled shells was little researched. In cases when the natural modes of shell coincided with its buckling modes, the issue of choosing a dangerous imperfection model did not arise. When these shell modes did not coincide, it was important to investigate and compare the effect of different imperfections models on the static and dynamic characteristics of such shells. The choosing the shape imperfections model of a long flexible cylindrical shell subjected to force couples, the natural and buckling modes of which did not coincide, was studied using procedures of the finite element analysis software NASTRAN. The shell wall as a set of plat rectangular elements with six degrees of freedom at the node in the cylindrical coordinate system was modeled. The action of force couples as the concentrated forces were distributed at the nodes of the shell edges in accordance to the presentation of A.S. Volmir. The linear buckling problem and the geometrical nonlinear static analysis of the perfect shell by the Lanzosh method and the Newton-Raphson one were performed, respectively. The long half-waves buckling mode was taken as the first shell imperfections model. The modeling of the second shape imperfections as the first natural mode of the perfect shell using the natural vibration analysis by the Lanzosh method was performed. The different amplitudes of geometrical imperfections in proportion to the shell thickness using a program adapted to this software were set. The results of the geometrical nonlinear static analysis of the imperfect shell by the Newton-Raphson method showed that the shape imperfection model in the form of long half-waves more reduced the values of critical buckling loads. Investigations of natural shell vibrations by the Lanzosh method revealed the same influence of different imperfections models on the natural frequencies and natural forms. We think that the shape imperfections model in the form of long half-waves in studies of forced vibrations and dynamic stability of a long flexible cylindrical shell subjected to force couples will be more effective.