Unsupervised genome-wide cluster analysis: nucleotide sequences of the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 are similar to sequences from early 2020

The GISAID database contains more than 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 genomes, including sequences of the recently discovered SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant and of prior SARS-CoV-2 strains that have been collected from patients around the world since the beginning of the pandemic. We applied unsupervised cluster analysis to the SARS-CoV-2 genomes, assessing their similarity at a genome-wide level based on the Jaccard index and principal component analysis. Our analysis results show that the omicron variant sequences are most similar to sequences that have been submitted early in the pandemic around January 2020. Furthermore, the omicron variants in GISAID are spread across the entire range of the first principal component, suggesting that the strain has been in circulation for some time. This observation supports a long-term infection hypothesis as the omicron strain origin.

On operational search support of special operations

The problem of operational-search support of special operations with the help of a complex of operational-search measures and other auxiliary tactical methods of actions that contribute to the effective achievement of goals and the solution of special operations tasks is considered. Based on the definitions of the concepts «special operation», «operational-search operation» and the opinions of researchers, the author proposed a definition of an operational-search support of special operations, tasks and stages of its implementation are formulated. It is noted that the entire range of tasks can be solved only with the widespread use of the undercover method, the use of an operational game, which implies the use of an organizational and tactical form - an operational search operation. If it is necessary to urgently conduct a special operation in conditions of extremely limited operational illumination, only certain measures of operational-search support are possible, which do not include an operational-search operation. Analyzing the experience of the practical activities of the internal affairs bodies of Russia, the author concludes about the consideration of special and operational-search operations in their dialectical interaction, when one type of operation by tactical methods of action can solve problems inherent in it, and at the same time it can ensure the actions of another type of operation. When analyzing the operational-search support, the author determines its most effective organizational and tactical form – the operational-search operation.

SYNTHESIS OF CONTROL SYSTEM OF ENERGY CONSUMING TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESS BASED ON D PARTITIONING

The work is aimed at solving the applied problem of developing an automatic control system for the evaporator using the principle of D-partition. Since there is always uncertainty in real problems, the solution of the problem of synthesis of the control system is reduced to the synthesis of a robust regulator. As a result, the area of robust stability of the object was obtained and an array of PI controller settings was formed, which ensures the stability of the object in the entire range of uncertainty.

A Methodology for the Historiography of Ancient Religion

Starting from a discussion about the usefulness of a historical approach to ancient religion, I propose basing the historiography of ancient religion on a set of three concepts, replacing three others that have been widely used. First, I contend that we need to shift our focus from questions of identity to questions of agency, not least in the face of earlier traditions of historiography of regions outside the imperial capitals. The application of an agentic perspective entails a further unavoidable consequence. The concept of “religions” must be replaced by that of “lived religion”, even for the past, once again shifting the focus to the local and the entire range of social agents and their cultural production. This agentic and material focus is further supplemented by a spatial one. Thus, I propose moving away from the widespread focus on civic religion in cities to embrace the perspective of urban religion. Lastly, I briefly touch upon the problem of the selection of forms of contemporary historiography of religion.

A new species of red toad, Schismaderma Smith, 1849 (Anura: Bufonidae), from central Angola

A new species of red toad, from the previously monotypic genus Schismaderma, is described. The new species was found in Malanje Province, and seems endemic to central Angola, occurring approximately 500 km west of the closest known records of Schismaderma carens. Unusual adult colouration and geographical distance to remaining S. carens populations suggested specific differentiation. In an integrative approach, we compared the red toads from central Angola with S. carens from across the entire range, including molecular data, morphology of adults and tadpoles, and male advertisement calls. Phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial (12S, 16S, COI) and nuclear (CXCR4, RAG1) markers, retrieved the Angolan clade as monophyletic, and revealed intra-specific substructuring among the remaining Schismaderma. Genetic distances supported specific differentiation of the central Angolan material compared with other S. carens. Adults from the new Angolan species have bolder ventral patterning and smaller body size than S. carens. No obvious differences were detected between the tadpoles and the advertisement calls of the two Schismaderma species. This discovery adds to the knowledge of the herpetofauna of the Angolan Miombo woodlands, a poorly understood ecoregion, and likely more biodiverse than previously assumed. The result of past river basin dynamics in central Angola likely led to the evolution of this new species of Schismaderma.

Study on the biparametrical transudations circuits with distributed parameters

This paper highlights the methods of resenting mode in the transudation with distributed parameters. The transient parameters of the power supply were analyzed. It was discovered that resonance is provided in a small range of movement of the moving component of the sensor in known turbofan engines, indicating that the known techniques of sustaining the resonance mode are flawed. Further study should focus on developing novel methods for preserving resonance mode over the entire range of change of the converted value, general principles of turbojet engine construction, and a complete examination of their resonant circuits, according to the findings.

A CASTLE IN A STATE OF LONG-TERM RUIN AND MEASURES AIMED AT ITS PRESERVATION

In the article, the definitions “castle in a state of long-term ruin” and “architectural revitalization” are given. A list of measures aimed at preserving architectural monuments from the standpoint of their application on castles in a state of long-term ruin is considered. The definitions characterizing permissible activities on architectural monuments specified in the Law of Ukraine “On the Protection of Cultural Heritage” and restoration State Building Standards, however, in theory and practice, much more concepts are used, since the regulated terms do not cover the entire range of possibilities for the preservation and development of architectural monuments. In their works, M. Bevz, A. Rybchynskyi, O. Plamenytska, P. Molski highlight measures for the preservation of architectural monuments. Analyzing the history of the founding of defensive castles, their further restructuring and decline, we form a definition: a castle in a state of long-term ruin is a castle, as a result of destruction during a siege or loss of its defensive functions in the 16th-17th centuries was abandoned without acquiring new owners fell and came to the state of ruin that we can observe today. Looking at conservation measures using the example of castles in a state of long-term ruin, we state the following positions: The conservation method is the main point for keeping castles in a state of long-term ruin. The restoration can only be applied fragmentarily, since a holistic restoration is akin to restoration, which is an unacceptable step, given the lack of sufficient information about the original appearance of the structure. Museumification is excellent, as a method of bringing a castle in ruins to a state suitable for an excursion visit, as well as designation, as a subspecies of museumification, accompanied by both information stands and tracing of foundations reveals the planning structure of the monument. Revitalization measures aimed at revitalizing the degraded space, and renovations, which give an authentic building a touch of novelty and emphasize the period of intervention in the monument are also important. In general, the idea of preserving the castle in a state of long-term ruin should be based on three main positions such as conservation, fragmentary restoration and revitalization, that is, preserving the authentic component and returning life to the object.

Advanced Technologies for the Optimization of Internal Combustion Engines

Even in a scenario where electric vehicles gain market share and the sale of internal combustion engines is gradually reduced, at the present time, there are still no real options that can totally replace the internal combustion (IC) engine over the entire range of its applications [...]

Experimental Analysis of Mechanical Anisotropy of Selected Roofing Felts

In this work, four representatives of roofing felts are under consideration. Special attention is paid to the mechanical behaviour under the tensile load of the samples. The results of strength tests for the entire range of material work, from the first load to sample breaking, are shown with respect to a specific direction of sample cutting. Moreover, a unique study of the microstructure obtained with the scanning electron microscope and chemical composition determined by energy dispersive spectroscopy of the tested materials is presented. The significant mechanical material anisotropy is reported and moreover argued by microstructure characteristics. In perspective, the outcomes can give comprehensive knowledge on optimal usage of roofing felt and proper mathematical modelling.

Influence of Drift on Robot Repeatability and Its Compensation

This paper presents an approach to compensate for the effect of thermal expansion on the structure of an industrial robot and thus to reduce the repeatability difference of the robot in cold and warm conditions. In contrast to previous research in this area that deals with absolute accuracy, this article is focused on determining achievable repeatability. To unify and to increase the robot repeatability, the measurements with highly accurate sensors were performed under different conditions on an industrial robot ABB IRB1200, which was equipped with thermal sensors, mounted on a pre-defined position around joints. The performed measurements allowed to implement a temperature-based prediction model of the end effector positioning error. Subsequent tests have shown that the implemented model used for the error compensation proved to be highly effective. Using the methodology presented in this article, the impact of drift can be reduced by up to 89.9%. A robot upgraded with a compensation principle described in this article does not have to be warmed up as it works with the same low repeatability error in the entire range of the achievable temperatures.