Rule Violations Research Articles

Oligonucleotide therapeutics in sports? An antidoping perspective.

Within the last two decades, the European Medicines Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration have approved several gene therapies. One category is oligonucleotide therapeutics, which allow for the regulation of the expression of target genes. Besides already approved therapeutics, there are several preclinical and clinical trials ongoing. The World Anti-Doping Agency prohibits the use of "nucleic acids or nucleic acid analogs that may alter genome sequences and/or alter gene expression by any mechanism" as a nonspecified method at all times. Hence, the administration of nucleic acids or analogs by athletes would cause an Anti-Doping Rule Violation. Herein, we discuss types of oligonucleotide therapeutics, their potential to be misused in sports, and considerations to sample preparation and mass spectrometric approaches with regard to antidoping analysis.

Inclusive intervention design for vulnerable road users: Applying co-design and behaviour change model in Bangladesh

In developing countries, it is debatable whether poor design of facilities or violation of traffic rules by road users is the leading cause of pedestrian injuries and deaths. Professionals, pedestrians and drivers tend to blame each other. Shared responsibility for road safety is crucial for protecting vulnerable road users such as commuting students and workers who face higher injury risks while crossing highways. While the Safe System approach emphasises authorities’ responsibility for safe facilities, understanding user needs and promoting behaviour change remain underexplored. This study investigates the current design practices in Bangladesh. It compares the impact of conventional design with co-design on intervention quality and examines the further benefits of integrating a behaviour change model ‘COM-B’.Local road agency professionals applied the design process and suggested interventions at four highway sites. Subsequently, four focus group sessions were conducted with students and workers, followed by four design workshops. In each workshop, participants were randomly assigned to two design groups (without and with the application of the behaviour change model), where they designed interventions facilitated by professionals. Lastly, perception ratings of stakeholders and safety assessments by four experts were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of all interventions.The findings highlight major usability problems in conventional designs, while co-designed interventions demonstrate clear improvements. Notably, integrating a behaviour change model further enhances effectiveness. Stakeholder interviews reveal that co-design fosters shared responsibility and addresses the blame culture. The co-design approach and application of the behaviour change model can address design flaws and promote the proper use of facilities.

Investigating the driving skills-attitudes nexus for safer roads

While current research extensively delves into the importance of driving skills and attitudes concerning traffic safety, a conspicuous gap remains in substantiating a meaningful correlation between self-reported driving skills and attitudes toward traffic safety. This underscores the need for more in-depth investigation and empirical evidence to better elucidate the nature of the relationship between self-perceived driving skills and attitudes in the context of traffic safety. This study investigates the relationship between drivers' skills and their attitudes toward traffic safety. Data from 664 drivers were collected through self-report questionnaires covering driving skills, attitudes, and demographic information. Factor analysis revealed three distinct factors for both driving skills (perceptual-motor skills, safety skills, and decisional skills) and driving attitudes (attitudes toward rule violations and speeding, attitudes toward careless driving of others, and attitudes toward drinking and driving). Structural equation models unveiled a significant connection between drivers' attitudes and safety skills, as well as decisional skills. Improved safety skills correlated with less favorable attitudes toward rule violations, speeding, careless driving of others, and drinking and driving. Similarly, enhanced decisional skills were associated with a rise in attitudes toward rule violations, speeding, and disregarding careless driving of others. Demographic analysis indicated an inverse correlation between age and attitude factors/decisional skills, coupled with a positive correlation with safety skills. Older individuals had less favorable attitudes toward rule violation, speeding, careless driving of others, the combination of drinking and driving, and their decisional skills were lower. Gender analysis revealed that men had a lower favorable viewpoint toward all three attitude dimensions and reported higher perceptual-motor and decisional skills compared to safety skills. The findings underscore the significance of safety and decisional skills in shaping attitudes toward traffic safety. Demographic factors, particularly age and gender, play a role in influencing these skills and attitudes, offering valuable insights for interventions and policy considerations.

An improved variant of quantitative randomized response techniques using forced responses

The randomized response technique has gained a wide popularity among survey researchers over the past few decades. Randomized response procedure is applicable in a variety of fields including sociology, psychology, business, and education, etc. It is a useful method which helps the researcher in dealing with the high non-response rates in sample surveys on sensitive issues such as monthly income, traffic rules violations, income tax amount, and expenditure on luxury items, etc. We introduce an optimal scrambling technique which uses forced responses. The algebraic properties of the estimator of population mean using the suggested technique have been derived. For the purpose of comparison with existing models, the different measures of model-evaluation have been obtained. Our analysis suggests that the new quantitative technique using forced responses is better than the available scrambling techniques not only in efficiency, but also in the combined metric of model’s efficiency and level of privacy, which make it more useful than the available models for practical problems. Using real-world example, we illustrate its practical implementation to sensitive sample surveys.

Analysis of fiscal sustainability and its impact on enhancing economic growth in Iraq for the period (2004-2021)

The research aims to analyze and measure the reality of the Iraqi economy for the period (2004-2021)by applying the concept of financial sustainability and its indicators on economic growth. The paper's problem lies in the weak implementation of financial sustainability and indicators in most financial decisions in Iraq, negatively impacting economic growth in most economic sectors in Iraq. The paper started from the hypothesis that the weak implementation of financial sustainability in most of Iraq has contributed to the weakness of economic growth. The validity of the hypothesis has been proven using a standard model known as the Multiple Regression Model (ARDL), the study has yielded several results, the most important being the inverse relationship between the budget deficit as an independent variable and economic growth as a dependent variable. The budget deficit reached (59%) of the "gross domestic Product" indicating a deviation from the 3% deficit defined by the Maastricht treaty to ensure deficit coverage. Iraq's deviation from this percentage will lead to a decrease in economic growth. The paper also revealed an inverse relationship between public debt as an independent variable and economic growth as a dependent variable due to Iraq's violation of the golden rule, which dictates allocating debt to the investment side rather than consumptive spending. Paper type: Research paper.

Socioeconomic and behavioral factors of road traffic accidents among drivers in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta analysis

BackgroundRoad traffic accidents (RTAs) are a pressing public health issue in Ethiopia, exacerbated by rapid urbanization and motorization. Despite efforts, escalating rates persist due to various factors like human behavior and road infrastructure deficiencies. This study addresses the need for comprehensive data on RTAs in Ethiopia, aiming to uncover socioeconomic and behavioral factors to inform evidence-based policies.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted from March to April 2024, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Major databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library were searched using specific keywords related to RTAs and Ethiopia. Studies conducted between 2014 and 2024 were included, with eligibility criteria. Data extraction followed a standardized Microsoft Excel format. Study quality was assessed using the JBI checklist, with high-quality articles included. Statistical analysis, conducted using STATA version 17, included descriptive analysis, forest plots for RTA prevalence, and examination of publication bias using Egger and Begs tests. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression explored moderating factors and sources of heterogeneity.ResultsThe systematic review identified eight studies meeting inclusion criteria, conducted between 2014 and 2022. RTA prevalence was 36% (95% CI: 23; 49). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the estimated prevalence. Publication bias was detected via Egger’s test, though Begg’s test was non-significant. Meta-regression found no significant influence of publication year or sample size on RTA prevalence. Socioeconomic factors like income level and driving experience, alongside behavioral factors like traffic rule violations and substance use, were identified as key drivers of RTAs in Ethiopia.ConclusionsThe study highlights the significant burden of road traffic accidents in Ethiopia, influenced by socioeconomic and behavioral factors. Socioeconomic factors such as income level and driving experience, along with behavioral factors like traffic rule violations and substance use, emerged as prominent determinants of RTAs. Policymakers should prioritize evidence-based interventions targeting these factors to improve road safety nationwide.

Emerging New Media Syntax, Violation of English Syntactic Rules, and Meaning Misrepresentations

A new variety of English syntax emerged with the new media. This study examines new media syntax to show instances of mindless violation of grammatical rules and the misrepresentation of meanings among student users of the new media. The study relies on selected social media posts. Descriptive survey, textual and content analyses, and interpretive techniques are employed. The analysis demonstrates that new media syntax, a corrupted or bastardized form of the English syntax, is characterized by syntactic deviations, grammatical violations, misrepresentation of meanings, and informal features, which affect the performance of students in English Language courses or subjects because most of them transfer the syntactic features of new media syntax to their formal compositions. The study concludes that the strained use of new media exerts adverse effects on English syntax and students’ writing and performance because they lose marks to the transferred features of new media syntax to the formal English syntax, which causes solecism, violation of grammatical rules and misrepresentation of meanings. Teachers are charged to consistently teach students how to use new media language for its associated informal contexts and purposes alone rather than mixing it with the formal variety in formal compositions.

Influence of pseudo-Jahn-Teller activity on the singlet-triplet gap of azaphenalenes.

We analyze the possibility of symmetry-lowering induced by pseudo-Jahn-Teller interactions in six previously studied azaphenalenes that are known to have their first excited singlet state (S1) lower in energy than the triplet state (T1). The primary aim of this study is to explore whether Hund's rule violation is observed in these molecules when their structures are distorted from C2v or D3h point group symmetries by vibronic coupling. Along two interatomic distances connecting these point groups to their subgroups Cs or C3h, we relaxed the other internal degrees of freedom and calculated two-dimensional potential energy subsurfaces. The many-body perturbation theory (MP2) suggests that the high-symmetry structures are the energy minima for all six systems. However, single-point energy calculations using the coupled-cluster method (CCSD(T)) indicate symmetry lowering in four cases. The singlet-triplet energy gap plotted on the potential energy surface also shows variations when deviating from high-symmetry structures. A full geometry optimization at the CCSD(T) level with the cc-pVTZ basis set reveals that the D3h structure of cyclazine (1AP) is a saddle point, connecting two equivalent minima of C3h symmetry undergoing rapid automerization. The combined effects of symmetry lowering and high-level corrections result in a nearly zero singlet-triplet gap for the C3h structure of cyclazine. Azaphenalenes containing nitrogen atoms at electron-deficient sites - 2AP, 3AP, and 4AP - exhibit more pronounced in-plane structural distortion; the effect is captured by the long-range exchange-interaction corrected DFT method, ωB97XD. Excited state calculations of these systems indicate that in their low-symmetry energy minima, T1 is indeed lower in energy than S1, upholding the validity of Hund's rule. Jahn-Teller analysis predicts the symmetries of the in-plane distortion vibrational modes as or B2: C2v → Cs agreeing with the vibrational frequencies of the saddle-points.

Features of the use of unmanned aircraft during the inspection of the scene of the incident during the investigation of violations of the road safety rules or vehicle operation

The article highlights the procedural and tactical features of the inspection of the scene of a traffic accident with the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle. To achieve this goal, the forensic features of conducting an inspection of the scene during the pretrial investigation of crimes of violations of road safety rules or vehicle operation at each of the preparatory, working, and final stages are revealed. The current state and prospects of the use of unmanned aerial vehicles by the bodies and units of the National Police during the inspection of the scene of a traffic accident were studied. The advantages of using an unmanned aerial vehicle during the inspection of the scene of a traffic accident are given, the concept of an unmanned aerial vehicle is defined, the methods and tactical methods of using an unmanned aerial vehicle. Scientific and practical recommendations are given on the procedure for recording crimes with the help of an unmanned aerial vehicle regarding violations of the rules of road traffic safety or vehicle operation during the inspection of the scene of the incident. It was concluded that the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle in the activity of the investigator during the investigation of traffic accidents is legitimate and provides much more advantages than the use of other methods of recording, such as measuring with a manual or laser tape measure, taking photos or video recording with cameras or video cameras. The use of UAVs during the inspection of the scene of the incident significantly reduces the time of its inspection, while providing the opportunity to obtain high-quality and sufficient evidentiary material.

Peculiarities of the criminalization of smuggling of goods and its importance for filling the state budget

Smuggling of goods is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that has a significant impact on the economic and social situation in the country. The illegal movement of goods across the border not only undermines economic stability, but also poses a threat to national security, contributing to the development of the shadow economy and corruption. In the conditions of globalization and the growing integration of international markets, the issue of combating smuggling becomes especially urgent, because this phenomenon is becoming more and more large-scale and difficult for state control. Criminalization of the smuggling of goods is a key mechanism for countering this negative phenomenon, which involves the establishment of stricter liability for violations of customs rules. It should be noted that the effectiveness of the criminalization of customs offenses depends on a number of factors, including the presence of effective legislation capable of adequately responding to new challenges, the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies, as well as the level of international cooperation in this area, etc. However, given the specifics of the Ukrainian economy and the country’s geopolitical location, the smuggling of goods remains a serious problem that requires a deeper analysis and an effective solution. One of the key aspects of the fight against the smuggling of goods, which became one of the main reasons for its criminalization, is its impact on filling the state budget. Illegal trade in goods deprives the state of significant financial revenues that could be directed to the development of social programs, infrastructure projects and ensuring economic growth. The loss of these resources weakens the country’s economic potential, undermines trust in state institutions, and contributes to growing social tensions. The article examines the impact of smuggling on the state’s economy, emphasizing the negative consequences for filling the state budget. Examples of significant economic losses incurred by the state due to smuggling are considered, as well as the role of customs authorities in combating this phenomenon is highlighted. A set of measures is proposed to reduce the level of smuggling, including changes to legislation, increasing the effectiveness of customs control and strengthening international cooperation.

Different subregions of monkey lateral prefrontal cortex respond to abstract sequences and their components.

Sequential information permeates daily activities, such as when watching for the correct series of buildings to determine when to get off the bus or train. These sequences include periodicity (the spacing of the buildings), the identity of the stimuli (the kind of house), and higher-order more abstract rules that may not depend on the exact stimulus (e.g. house, house, house, business). Previously, we found that the posterior fundus of area 46 in the monkey lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) responds to rule changes in such abstract visual sequences. However, it is unknown if this region responds to other components of the sequence, i.e., image periodicity and identity, in isolation. Further, it is unknown if this region dissociates from other, more ventral LPFC subregions that have been associated with sequences and their components. To address these questions, we used awake functional magnetic resonance imaging in three male macaque monkeys during two no-report visual tasks. One task contained abstract visual sequences, and the other contained no visual sequences but maintained the same image periodicity and identities. We found the fundus of area 46 responded only to abstract sequence rule violations. In contrast, the ventral bank of area 46 responded to changes in image periodicity and identity, but not changes in the abstract sequence. These results suggest a functional specialization within anatomical substructures of LPFC to signal different kinds of stimulus regularities. This specialization may provide key scaffolding to identify abstract patterns and construct complex models of the world for daily living.Significance Statement Daily tasks, such as a bus commute, require tracking or monitoring your place (same, same, same, different building) until your stop. Sequence components such as rule, periodicity (timing), and item identity are involved in this process. While prior work located responses to sequence rule changes to area 46 of monkey lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) using awake monkey fMRI, less was known about other components. We found that LPFC subregions differentiated between sequence components. Area 46 posterior fundus responded to abstract visual sequence rule changes, but not to changes in image periodicity or identity. The converse was true for the more ventral, adjacent shoulder region. These results suggest that interactions between adjacent LPFC subregions provide key scaffolding for complex daily behaviors.

Governance and policy implications of the Inflation Reduction Act: A European perspective

AbstractThis paper examines the US 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) alongside the EU's Net‐Zero Industry Act (NZIA) and Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) of 2023. We analyze their differential approaches to accelerating investment in clean technology, enhancing energy security and fortifying supply chains. Both regions share the objective of diminishing reliance on Chinese dominance in clean industries. The US seeks to stimulate private investment primarily via uncapped tax credits from 2022 to 2031, some of them subject to stringent domestic content requirements. The EU has reacted to the potential violation of World Trade Organization's rules and a possible green investment shift to the US In doing so, the EU is relying heavily on a regulatory strategy, with emphasis on the simplification of procedures. However, the EU's public funding model is vague and leaves details to the discretion of member states, risking fragmentation within the single market. Through the application of a dynamic computable general equilibrium model, we show that a 50% increase in demand for the IRA's uncapped tax credits could nearly triple US GDP outcomes by 2027. We highlight the contrast between the IRA's immediate fiscal incentives and the NZIA's regulatory approach, emphasising that the former are more attractive for firms.

Анализ состояния дорожно-транспортного травматизма, связанный со средствами индивидуальной мобильности в Хабаровском крае

This scientific article analyzes the situation related to road accidents occurring with personal vehicles in the Khabarovsk Territory. The analysis found that the main factors influencing the level of road accidents are speeding, violation of traffic rules and improper behavior of drivers. Most accidents occur with the participation of motorcycles, scooters and bicycles, which indicates insufficient road culture of the owners of such vehicles Purpose: to analyze the state of road traffic injuries associated with personal mobility devices in the Khabarovsk Territory. Methods: statistical analysis of data on road accidents in the Khabarovsk Territory for 2022. Results: dased on the results obtained, specific measures were proposed aimed at reducing the number of road accidents in the Khabarovsk Territory. One of the main directions of work is conducting educational work among the population about the need to comply with traffic rules and responsible behavior on the roads. Also important is the improvement of road infrastructure and the creation of safe conditions for the movement of pedestrians and cyclists. Practical importance: in general, the results of this study can be recommended to government agencies and road safety specialists when developing programs to reduce road accidents in the Khabarovsk Territory.

Polysomatic intergrowths between amphiboles and non-classical pyriboles in magnetite: Smallest-scale features recording a protracted geological history

Abstract Non-classical pyriboles (NCPs) have tetrahedral silicate chains (Ibeam) of multiplicity higher than single (pyroxene) or double (amphibole) Ibeams and are known from amphiboles in altered mafic-ultramafic complexes. NCPs, their polysomatic sequences, and inherent chain-width disorder are petrogenetic tools for interpreting igneous and metamorphic processes. Magnetite, a refractory mineral that can trap and preserve NCPs is a major constituent of iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) deposits. We undertook a nanoscale study to show that NCPs and amphiboles are hosted within magnetite cores from the Jatobá Ni-bearing IOCG deposit, Carajás Mineral Province, Brazil. Monoclinic amphiboles and NCPs form polysomatic intergrowths or occur as sparse inclusions along {111}magnetite. There are two chemical populations of amphiboles: Mg-Fe- and Ca-(Al)-amphiboles, the latter including Ce-bearing Mg-hornblende and (ferro)tschermakite. The occurrence contains one of the widest ranges of chain silicates ever recorded, from simple intergrowths of single to triple Ibeam zippers, including pyroxene slabs, to longer NCP polysomes up to 15-Ibeam chains. Clinojimthompsonite (Cjim) is observed for the first time within magnetite. Although no discrete polysomes could be defined, the NCP-amphibole intergrowths have compositions between Mg-Fe amphiboles and Cjim based on Ibeam averages of 2.5–2.7. Relationships between increase in the number of C and A cations from amphibole (2-Ibeam) to n chain silicates (nIbeam) are formulated as nIbeam = T(2 + n) = C(5 + 3n) = A(1 + n), n = integer. Empirical models of crystal structures, validated by STEM simulation, are shown for 4- and 5-Ibeam chain silicates. Co-crystallization of double- and triple-chain silicate structures with rhythmic intergrowths as larger blocks along b is often accompanied by rhythmic Ca-Fe zonation along a, supporting primary NCP crystallization via self-patterning during amphibole growth within magnetite in a close-to-equilibrium system. Chain-width disorder is documented from defects including planar faults, derailments, jogs, and swells. Violations of zipper termination rules indicate primary growth rather than replacement. Amphibole-NCPs inclusions support a multi-stage evolution for Jatobá magnetite. They formed during the first cycle of magnetite overprinting within a mafic/ultramafic lithology that records syn-shearing events. Subsequent formation of calcicamphiboles, including Ce-bearing species, indicate IOCG-related fluids at the onset of mineralization. (Ferro) tschermakite formed at ~7.5 kbar during high-pressure shearing is preserved during main ore deposition. The multi-stage amphibole-NCPs generations in magnetite revealed by our nanoscale study emphasize the interpretive value of magnetite for overprinting events in terranes with protracted geological histories. Analogous NCPs are likely to be abundant in magnetite from magmatic-hydrothermal deposits hosted by greenstone belts and altered mafic/ultramafic complexes. Likewise, discovery of Ce-rich hornblende provides new avenues to understand the early, alkali-calcic alteration stages of IOCG systems and models for REE incorporation into, and subsequent release from chain silicates.

Strangeness-correlations on the pseudocritical line in ( 2+1 )-flavor QCD

We present some lattice QCD results on first (χ1i) and second (χ2i) cumulants of and correlations (χ11ij) among net baryon-number (B), strangeness (S) and electric charge (Q) along the pseudocritical line [Tpc(μB)] in the temperature (T)–baryon chemical potential (μB) phase diagram of (2+1)-flavor QCD. We point out that violations of sum rules among second order cumulants, which hold in the isospin symmetric limit of vanishing electric charge chemical potential, are small along the Tpc(μB) for the entire range of μB covered in the RHIC beam energy scan. For the strangeness neutral matter produced in heavy-ion collisions this leads to a close relation between χ11BS and χ11QS. We compare lattice QCD results for χ11BS/χ2S along the Tpc(μB) line with preliminary experimental measurements of χ11BS/χ2S for collision energies 7.7 GeV≤sNN≤62.4 GeV. While we find good agreements for sNN≥39 GeV, differences are sizeable at smaller values of sNN. Moreover, we compare lattice QCD results for the ratio of the strangeness (μS) to baryon (μB) chemical potentials, which define a strangeness neutral system with fixed electric charge to baryon number density, with experimental results obtained by the STAR collaboration for μS/μB using strange baryon yields on the freeze-out line. Finally, we determine the baryon chemical potential at the freeze-out (μBf) by comparing χ1B/χ2B along the Tpc(μB) with the experimentally measured net-proton cumulants χ1p/χ2p. We find that {μBf,Tpc(μBf)} are consistent with the freeze-out parameters of the statistical-model fits to experimentally measured hadron yields for sNN≥11.5 GeV. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Некоторые особенности осмотра места происшествия по уголовным делам о нарушении правил дорожного движения и эксплуатации транспортных средств

Currently, in conditions of intensive development of infrastructure, the main component of which is transport, one of the main tasks of the state remains to ensure road safety. Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1-r dated 08.01.2018 approved the Road Safety Strategy in the Russian Federation for 2018-2024, which defines the foundations for the formation and implementation of state policy in the field of road safety at various levels (federal, regional, municipal, intersectoral). Improving road safety and striving to achieve zero deaths in road accidents in 2030 is its goal. For 2024, the social risk indicator has been set as a target – no more than 4 deaths per 100,000 people. The article analyzes some features of the inspection of the scene of an accident in criminal cases of violation of traffic rules and operation.

Improving safe pedestrian behavior through virtual reality: an empirical study

INTRODUCTION. Over the last few years, the number of pedestrian fatalities on urban roads has increased, largely due to infractions associated with their behaviors (e.g., crossing when traffic lights are red). It is argued that these behaviors reflect a lack of risk perception. Road safety programs have tried to raise awareness through various methods, using quite often emotionally powerful experiences (e.g. testimonies of people who have experienced an accident themselves). Recently, Virtual Reality (VR) has been deployed with the aim of increasing the efficacy of these safety programs. Previous studies have demonstrated the potential of VR to improve pedestrian safety, especially when it is accompanied bydebriefing and critical reflection. METHOD. A total of 43 participants (M = 24.5 years old; SD = 5.14; 65.12% female) were involved in an experimental study with a 2x2 factorial design and pre-post measures. They were randomly assigned to one of four groups (Experience a VR accident /Experience VR without an accident; having a debriefing after the VR experience/not having a debriefing after the VR experience). Pre-post measures were of two kinds, (a) self-report measures and (b)VR behavioral measures. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and general linear mixed models (GLMM) were used to analyze the data. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. The main results revealed that (a) participants reported a general reduction in the number of rules violations, regardless of condition, and (b) there was a significant reduction in the number of violations committed in VR (i.e., crossing when the traffic light is red) in the condition where participants had previously experienced an accident. These results support the potential of using VR environments to improve pedestrian safety-related behavior. Implications for future research are delineated.

Singlet-Triplet Inversions in Through-Bond Charge-Transfer States.

Molecules where the lowest excited singlet state is lower in energy than the lowest triplet are highly promising for a number of organic materials applications as efficiency limitations stemming from spin statistics are overcome. All molecules known to possess such singlet-triplet inversions exhibit a pattern of spatially alternating but nonoverlapping HOMO and LUMO orbitals, meaning the lowest excited states are of a local character. Here, we demonstrate that derivatives of the bicyclic hydrocarbon calicene exhibit Hund's rule violations in charge-transfer (CT) states between its rings. These CT states can be tuned with substituents, so that the first excited singlet and triplet state are energetically inverted. This provides a conceptual connection between the emerging fields of inverted gap molecules and existing molecular design rules for state-of-the-art thermally activated delayed fluorescence materials.

Deep reinforcement learning for solving car resequencing with selectivity banks in automotive assembly shops

In the automobile manufacturing process, the complexity of the production environment and the different objectives of the upstream and downstream shops necessitate the resequencing of the car sequences using buffers. This paper addresses a car resequencing problem in automotive assembly shops by utilising selectivity banks to reshuffle the given upstream sequences to minimise the number of violations of sequencing rules in the downstream sequence. A new resequencing approach combining heuristics and deep reinforcement learning is proposed to solve the problem. Heuristics solve the automobile storage problem, while a deep reinforcement learning method based on proximal policy optimisation addresses the automobile release problem. Three state matrices, agent actions, and the reward function are designed based on the characteristics of the objective and selectivity banks. Additionally, a novel network structure combining convolutional neural networks and long short-term memory networks is proposed to train the agent. The results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms two efficient deep reinforcement learning algorithms and two heuristics and obtains better solutions in handling dynamic events.

Останется ли цена ключевым фактором формирования конкурентных стратегий в период цифровизации?

Having a significant impact on separate commodity markets, digitalization affects competitive relationship within these markets. The competitive strategies’ formation in the digital economy has a very specific nature. This concerns primarily the prices’ formation and the occurrence of pricing violations of competition rules. In this article different aspects of digitalization’s impact on pricing condition are examined; the author of the article proves that despite the specifics of price formation in separate commodity markets, primarily price in the digital markets is still the main mechanism of competitive struggle and pricing violation of competition rules can still have an extremely negative impact on these markets.