Speculative Model Research Articles

Clothing and the Discovery of Science

In addition to natural curiosity, science is characterized by a number of psychological processes and perceptions. Among the psychological features, scientific enquiry relates to uncovering—or discovering—aspects of a world perceived as hidden from humans. A speculative theoretical model is presented, suggesting the evolution of science reflects psychological repercussions of wearing clothes. Specifically, the natural world is perceived as hidden due to the presence of clothing. Three components of scientific enquiry may arise from clothing: detachment from sensual experience, a perception that the world is veiled in mystery, and an intellectual desire to uncover the hidden structure of nature. Rather than beginning with the emergence of Homo sapiens, the proposed connection with clothing implies that psychological foundations for science began to develop during the last ice age, with the invention of complex clothes that fully covered the human body. After the end of the last ice age, elements of scientific thinking began to emerge in societies where clothing was worn routinely for psychosocial reasons, including modesty. Notably, a scientific attitude was essentially absent in hunter-gatherer communities where nakedness remained the norm. This novel perspective aims to advance the history and philosophy of science, revealing the emergence of science as a situated phenomenon contingent on humans being covered.

The estimation of spatial distribution patterns of different socio-economic status (SES) groups by housing advertisement data and machine learning techniques: a case study in brooklyn, new york

Poverty eradication has long been a central issue for sustainable development goals (SDGs), which draws attention to the issue of urban inequalities that can hinder regional economic development and increase unemployment and crime rates. It is critical to understand the local socio-economic distribution pattern for better urban policies and planning strategies. Traditional SES measurements are mainly based on census data and surveys, which are slowly updated and often fail to apply in the latest analysis. The SES inference methods using other data (e.g., satellite maps, nighttime lighting data) lack a theoretical basis and are of coarse resolution. The study takes advantage of the latest data (i.e., online housing advertisement data) and point of interests (POIs) to infer fine-grained block-group-level SES in Brooklyn through machine learning techniques. In addition, natural language processing (NLP) methods are used to derive twelve housing-related SES predictors. The results show that the speculative models and predictors are feasible, and the Global decision tree (GBDT) algorithm is the most efficient of the seven algorithms. The SES distribution map demonstrates a clear socio-economic stratification in Brooklyn. The rich are mainly concentrated in the western and northern areas with a high density of facilities. Based on the analysis of the local SES, three policy recommendations are proposed. First, for the inequitable distribution of facilities, additional investment should be made in the central and eastern regions. Second, a high level of greenery should be given priority in urban planning. Third, in terms of housing, disadvantaged groups should be given attention.

Initial characterization of a bacterial leaf streak susceptibility gene suggests it encodes a membrane transporter that influences seed nutrition and germination

The type III secreted transcription activator-like effector Tal2g of the rice bacterial leaf streak (BLS) pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola promotes lesion development and bacterial exudation through stomata by binding to and upregulating a putative sulfate transporter gene in rice, OsSULTR3;6. To understand how OsSULTR3;6 contributes to disease development, we are characterizing its transport mechanics, subcellular localization, and potential substrates, and phenotyping OsSULTR3;6 knockout lines generated by genome editing. Following a brief introduction to the plant SULTR gene family, this chapter summarizes our findings so far and presents speculative functional models for the role of OsSULTR3;6 in BLS.

Physics simulation via quantum graph neural network

We develop and implement two realizations of quantum graph neural networks (QGNN), applied to the task of particle interaction simulation. The first QGNN is a speculative quantum-classical hybrid learning model that relies on the ability to directly utilize superposition states as classical information to propagate information between particles. The second is an implementable quantum-classical hybrid learning model that propagates particle information directly through the parameters of RX rotation gates. A classical graph neural network (CGNN) is also trained in the same task. Both the Speculative QGNN and CGNN act as controls against the Implementable QGNN. Comparison between classical and quantum models is based on the loss value and accuracy of each model. Overall, each model had a high learning efficiency, in which the loss value rapidly approached zero during training; however, each model was moderately inaccurate. Comparing performances, our results show that the Implementable QGNN has a potential advantage over the CGNN. Additionally, we show that a slight alteration in hyperparameters in the CGNN notably improves accuracy, suggesting that further fine tuning could mitigate the issue of moderate inaccuracy in each model.

Anticipation in Pianist-Accompanist’s Concert Practice in the Context of Emotional Intelligence

The purpose of the article is to investigate the functioning of anticipation in correlation with emotional intelligence in a pianist-accompanist’s work in the concert phase. Emotional intelligence is the ability to work with emotions, including the ability to anticipate them. Anticipation is the property of the psyche to foresee the next events in time, including emotions. This is the point of intersection that the concept of the article is built on. Research methodology. To achieve the declared purpose, we use the following methods. Systemic method allows us to explore the principles of functioning of anticipation as an attribute of the emotional intelligence system. Psychological method is aimed to consider the congenital and acquired patterns of the human brain through the prism of psychology. A method of theoretical modeling helps to construct speculative models of potential real situations. The scientific novelty of the research consists in revealing the direct co-dependence of anticipation and emotional intelligence and projecting their functioning on the pianist-accompanist’s creative work. There is always an element of unpredictability in the process of concert performance, which ensures the openness of the field of emotional reactions. For a pianist-accompanist, the difficulty lies not only in working out one's own emotions, but also in preparing a response to a partner's concert emotion. To minimise losses on stage, one will need the ability to work with the tools of emotional intelligence, among which anticipation plays a significant role. Conclusions. The importance of understanding the acts of anticipation for a successful use of the resources of emotional intelligence is substantiated. Expanding the range of resources of one’s own body by consciously transferring innate predispositions into the processes controlled by consciousness raises the professional activity of a pianist-accompanist to a higher level of creative mastery.
 Key words: anticipation, expectation, emotional intelligence, pianist-accompanist.

Monitoring the compaction of single DNA molecules in Xenopus egg extract in real time

DNA compaction is required for the condensation and resolution of chromosomes during mitosis, but the relative contribution of individual chromatin factors to this process is poorly understood. We developed a physiological, cell-free system using high-speed Xenopus egg extracts and optical tweezers to investigate real-time mitotic chromatin fiber formation and force-induced disassembly on single DNA molecules. Compared to interphase extract, which compacted DNA by ~60%, metaphase extract reduced DNA length by over 90%, reflecting differences in whole-chromosome morphology under these two conditions. Depletion of the core histone chaperone ASF1, which inhibits nucleosome assembly, decreased the final degree of metaphase fiber compaction by 29%, while depletion of linker histone H1 had a greater effect, reducing total compaction by 40%. Compared to controls, both depletions reduced the rate of compaction, led to more short periods of decompaction, and increased the speed of force-induced fiber disassembly. In contrast, depletion of condensin from metaphase extract strongly inhibited fiber assembly, resulting in transient compaction events that were rapidly reversed under high force. Altogether, these findings support a speculative model in which condensin plays the predominant role in mitotic DNA compaction, while core and linker histones act to reduce slippage during loop extrusion and modulate the degree of DNA compaction.

Eye tracking: from affect to visual concept

Based on the classic eye tracking experiments of Russian psychologist Alfred L. Yarbus, which sought to determine visual attention by measuring eye position and eye movement, our paper posits an embodied empirical foundation for cognition, based on the Bergsonian concept of the image, contra the still widely-held, full-frame photographic conception of vision. Coupled to the thought of Spinoza, James, Bergson, Simondon, and Deleuze and Guattari, we aim to produce a speculative model of visual perception that harmonizes affective metaphysics with the production of concepts through vision.

ROLE OF ENTERIC GLIA AND MICROBIOTA-GUT-BRAIN AXIS IN PARKINSON DISEASE PATHOGENESIS.

The microbiota-gut-brain axis or simple gut-brain axis (GBA) is a complex and interactive bidirectional communication network linking the gut to the brain. Alterations in the composition of the gut microbiome have been linked to GBA dysfunction, central nervous system (CNS) inflammation, and dopaminergic degeneration, as those occurring in Parkinson's disease (PD). Besides inflammation, the activation of brain microglia is known to play a central role in the damage of dopaminergic neurons. Inflammation is attributed to the toxic effect of aggregated α-synuclein, in the brain of PD patients. It has been suggested that the α-synuclein misfolding might begin in the gut and spread "prion-like", via the vagus nerve into the lower brainstem and ultimately to the midbrain, known as the Braak hypothesis. In this review, we discuss how the microbiota-gut-brain axis and environmental influences interact with the immune system to promote a pro-inflammatory state that is involved in the initiation and progression of misfolded α-synuclein proteins and the beginning of the early non-motor symptoms of PD. Furthermore, we describe a speculative bidirectional model that explains how the enteric glia is involved in the initiation and spreading of inflammation, epithelial barrier disruption, and α-synuclein misfolding, finally reaching the central nervous system and contributing to neuroinflammatory processes involved with the initial non-motor symptoms of PD.

Образ города, которого нет

The article analyzes the image of the city as a speculative model of a regularly organized place and an ordered way of life. At the center of the consideration is the image of a non-existent city, which is examined using the example of a “transcendental” city and a “utopian city”. Studying the images of Heavenly Jerusalem, Christianopolis, the City of the Sun and Amaurot allows us to establish the parameters of social reality, which are reflected in the speculative models of these cities. The author comes to the conclusion that the image of the city, which does not exist, allows us to understand the specificity of the image of the city as the utmost detail of the material side of urban space.

Prediction of the Rejuvenator Diffusion Coefficient in Aged Asphalt Based on Free Volume Theory

A method for predicting the diffusion behavior of rejuvenators in aged asphalt was developed based on free volume theory to avoid the influence of experimental conditions or speculative simulation models on results. Three types of rejuvenators (straight saturate, cyclic saturate, and naphthene aromatic) with different molecular structures and AAA-1 aged asphalt were selected to verify the model. According to the prediction of diffusion coefficients of typical types of rejuvenators, the influencing factors of the diffusion behavior of rejuvenators were comprehensively analyzed. The results show that the prediction method can predict the diffusion coefficients of rejuvenators in aged asphalt and avoid experimental error through standardized methods. The diffusion coefficient of the rejuvenators is affected by the interaction of temperature, rejuvenator dosage, and rejuvenator type. At normal temperature, it is easier for the naphthene aromatic to diffuse in aged asphalt than the cyclic saturate and straight saturate. The increase of temperature makes the saturate-based rejuvenators more active, and the cyclic saturate shows the highest diffusion coefficient at high temperature. A similar trend occurred when the rejuvenator dosage was increased. According to the molecular chemical characteristics, rejuvenators with small or light molecules have the advantage of diffusion at high temperature, while at normal temperature, it is recommended to select the rejuvenator with a benzene ring structure.

Beyond a Lush Life: Representation and Performativity at America's [Only] Queer Jazz Festival

Beyond a Lush Life: Representation and Performativity at America's [Only] Queer Jazz Festival

DEEP NEURAL NETWORKS METHODS FOR ESTIMATING MARKET MICROSTRUCTURE AND SPECULATIVE ATTACKS MODELS: THE CASE OF GOVERNMENT BOND MARKET

A sovereign bond market offers a wide range of opportunities for public and private sector financing and has drawn the interest of both scholars and professionals as they are the main instrument of most fixed-income asset markets. Numerous works have studied the behavior of sovereign bonds at the microeconomic level, given that a domestic securities market can enhance overall financial stability and improve financial market intermediation. Nevertheless, they do not deepen methods that identify liquidity risks in bond markets. This study introduces a new model for predicting unexpected situations of speculative attacks in the government bond market, applying methods of deep learning neural networks, which proactively identify and quantify financial market risks. Our approach has a strong impact in anticipating possible speculative actions against the sovereign bond market and liquidity risks, so the aspect of the potential effect on the systemic risk is of high importance.

The The Role of Cognitive Biases in the Fluctuation of Traditional and Modern Financial Markets

Behavioural economics is overlooked when talking about economics but it is a key part of our everyday lives. Cognitive biases are the foundation of behavioural economics and they dictate every decision we make. In this paper, I examine the role our inherent cognitive biases play in the fluctuation of traditional and cryptocurrency markets. I first lay the groundwork by establishing what behavioural economics is and explaining common biases as well as explaining what financial markets are in general. I then use the dot-com bubble as a case study to analyse the existence of these biases in a traditional market by comparing fluctuations during the dot-com bubble to the speculative bubble model. Following this, I introduce cryptocurrencies and analyse the cryptocurrency market over a time period and analyse trends to determine whether a bias exists. This is done using internet search data from Google Trends, as well as conducting a self-designed survey and a regression analysis of the resulting data. Results corroborate well with the existing literature and tentatively point to the existence of cognitive biases with regard to market fluctuations in both traditional and crypto assets. The alignment of my survey data with my research strengthens the premise that these biases not only exist but also contribute to the fluctuations of markets. 

Cultural sustainability in fashion: reflections on craft and sustainable development models

The overcoming of outdated values embedded within the system of fashion requires a complete revamping of its very foundation toward a concept of cultural sustainability and preservation of material culture. Discussion about cultural sustainability and heritage preservation requires conservation and regeneration of the cultural beliefs and symbolic meanings embedded within the traditional processes and practices of craft. With meaning tied to place, and the evolution of ideas, attitudes, and practices, local knowledge of traditional handcrafts can be considered as a sustainable repository of culture. The purpose of this study is to interpret the most developed craft-based strategies in the field of fashion to promote positive and sustainable change and to disassociate from the practice of cultural appropriation. Through the presentation of selected case studies in the fields of fashion, design, and craftsmanship, this article provides an interpretative model for cultural sustainability through traditional craft. With a focus on the incorporation and valorization of material practices and knowledge in fashion, the proposition for design to act as a promoter of innovative processes and the nurturing and retaining of craft can ensue. This speculative model is built on case studies on cultural sustainability through traditional craft. It is focused on experimentation, innovation, and sustainability through the design and creative process expressed through cultural heritage strategies. The result is a range of possible outcomes, aligned with existing craft practices, that highlight opportunities for design to support traditional craft through innovative processes while maintaining their embedded codes.

Probing the structure and function of polymerase θ helicase-like domain

DNA Polymerase θ is the key actuator of the recently identified double-strand break repair pathway, theta-mediated end joining (TMEJ). It is the only known polymerase to have a 3-domain architecture containing an independently functional family A DNA polymerase tethered by a long central region to an N-terminal helicase-like domain (HLD). Full-length polymerase θ and the isolated HLD hydrolyze ATP in the presence of DNA, but no processive DNA duplex unwinding has been observed. Based on sequence and structure conservation, the HLD is classified as a member of helicase superfamily II and, more specifically, the Ski2-like family. The specific subdomain composition and organization most closely resemble that of archaeal DNA repair helicases Hel308 and Hjm. The underlying structural basis as to why the HLD is not able to processively unwind duplex DNA, despite its similarity to bona fide helicases, remains elusive. Activities of the HLD include ATP hydrolysis, protein displacement, and annealing of complementary DNA. These observations have led to speculation about the role of the HLD within the context of double-strand break repair via TMEJ, such as removal of single-stranded DNA binding proteins like RPA and RAD51 and microhomology alignment. This review summarizes the structural classification and organization of the polymerase θ HLD and its homologs and explores emerging data on its biochemical activities. We conclude with a simple, speculative model for the HLD’s role in TMEJ.

Sounds of Unridden Waves and the Contemporary Sublime

Abstract This article offers a speculative model intended to demonstrate that the sublime remains a viable construct in contemporary artworld contexts. Specifically, it proposes that sublimity and its neglected Other “profundity”—conceptualized as an irreducible pair—are well-suited to thinking about how to take seriously the still vital legacies bequeathed by postmodernism, while attempting to move beyond its more debilitating nihilistic and relativistic tendencies. First, somewhat neglected aspects of the Late Classical rhetorical heritage of the sublime are reviewed. Second, a model is progressively developed, building upon a formulation of human discourse articulated by Paul Ricoeur, and then introducing ideas relating to irresolvable self-contradiction and dialogical processes, as found in the thought of Western philosophers, such as Hegel, and in a number of Eastern philosophies, particularly Daoism. Finally, this model is applied to a brief discussion of an original moving image artwork by the authors, Sounds of Unridden Waves, published in a previous issue of the Journal of Asia-Pacific Popular Culture (2021).

On solutions of problems of 20th century physics and foundations of theoretical physics of 21st century

During three quarters of 20th century, due to successes of experimental physics, significant progress occurred in the foundations of theoretical physics, and the result of this joint development is the modern physical picture of the world. But in the last quarter of this century, all progress has been reduced to speculative mathematical models without any experimental basis and hope for confirmation. Moreover, the formation of the basic theories of physics, general relativity, quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, still remained incomplete due to ambiguities and a number of fundamental problems in their foundations and important applications. In the previous review article (Zakir, 2020), the main part of these problems was considered and solutions for them, proposed by the author in 2006-2020, were summarized. This review is its revised version, supplemented with several new problems and their solutions found by the author in 2021-2022. Unlike other attempts proceeded from speculative hypotheses, the proposed formulations of basic theories and their applications are based on physical principles following from experimental facts. As a result, the basic theories, which remained successful mathematical models only, finally became consistent physical theories. Problems of a «technical» nature, which have arisen due to deviation from the basic principles, are removed by strict following to these principles. Other problems have been solved by introducing new principles or changing old ones, but also on the basis of facts. Therefore, these solutions, in one form or another, will enter the new physics that is initiated by them. The contours and prospects of the theoretical physics of 21st century are considered. The causes of the crisis in the foundations of theoretical physics of the 20th century and ways to overcome it are discussed. It is shown that the main cause of the crisis was the departure of the scientific community from the methodology and ethics of the natural sciences, and the theoretical physics of 21st century is now being formed as a result of a return to them.

PLK1 controls centriole distal appendage formation and centrobin removal via independent pathways.

Centrioles are central structural elements of centrosomes and cilia. In human cells, daughter centrioles are assembled adjacent to existing centrioles in S-phase and reach their full functionality with the formation of distal and subdistal appendages one-and-a-half cell cycles later, as they exit their second mitosis. Current models postulate that the centriolar protein centrobin acts as placeholder for distal appendage proteins that must be removed to complete distal appendage formation. Here, we investigated, in non-transformed human epithelial RPE1 cells, the mechanisms controlling centrobin removal and its effect on distal appendage formation. Our data are consistent with a speculative model in which centrobin is removed from older centrioles due to a higher affinity for the newly born daughter centrioles, under the control of the centrosomal kinase PLK1. This removal also depends on the presence of subdistal appendage proteins on the oldest centriole. Removing centrobin, however, is not required for the recruitment of distal appendage proteins, even though this process is equally dependent on PLK1. We conclude that PLK1 kinase regulates centrobin removal and distal appendage formation during centriole maturation via separate pathways.

The Extent of Using E-Integrated Marketing Communication and its Effect on Algerian Tourism: Case Study on Algerian Tourism Agencies

This study sought to investigate the usage profile of Electronic Integrated Marketing Communication (E-IMC) and its impact on the Performance of the Algerian tourism sector. To accomplish so, the study examines the extent to which E-IMC has been used, as well as the level of awareness, internal and external hurdles, problems, and benefits of employing it in the context of touristic marketing performance. In addition, the study had to include the characteristics of touristic agencies in terms of type, job sector, number of employees, and export experience. A mixed-method approach was utilized to study these research concerns. Following a detailed literature analysis, a speculative model of tourist market performance was developed. A questionnaire was created and given to 111 tourism agencies as part of the study. A total of 39 questioners were collected, resulting in a 35% response rate.

Finding Moons’ Hidden Oceans with Induced Magnetic Fields

A principal component analysis of speculative models can more confidently predict the presence of a planetary object’s subsurface ocean than previous techniques.