Honey bee as an alternative model invertebrate organism

Insects perfectly fit the flagship principle of animal research – 3R: to reduce (the number of animals), to replace (animals with alternative models) and to refine (methods). Bees have the most important advantages of a model organism: they cause minimal ethical controversy, they have a small and fully known genome, and they permit the use of many experimental techniques. Bees have a fully functional DNMT toolkit. Therefore, they are used as models in biomedical/genetic research, e.g. in research on the development of cancer or in the diagnostics of mental and neuroleptic diseases in humans. The reversion of aging processes in bees offers hope for progress in gerontology research. The cellular mechanisms of learning and memory coding, as well as the indicators of biochemical immunity parameters, are similar or analogous to those in humans, so bees may become useful in monitoring changes in behavior and metabolism. Bees are very well suited for studies on the dose of the substance applied to determine the lethal dose or the effect of a formula on life expectancy. Honeybees have proven to be an effective tool for studying the effects of a long-term consumption of stimulants, as well as for observing behavioral changes and developing addictions at the individual and social levels, as well as for investigating the effects of continuously delivering the same dose of a substance. The genomic and physiological flexibility of bees in dividing tasks among workers in a colony makes it possible to create a Single- Cohort Colony (SCC) in which peers compared perform different tasks. Moreover behavioral methods (e.g. Proboscis Extension Reflex – PER, Sting Extension Reflex – SER, free flying target discrimination tasks or the cap pushing response) make it possible to analyse changes occurring in honeybee brains during learning and remembering. Algorithms of actions are created based on the behavior of a colony or individual, e.g. Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm (ABCA). Honeybees are also model organisms for profiling the so-called intelligence of a swarm or collective intelligence. Additionally, they serve as models for guidance systems and aviation technologies. Bees have inspired important projects in robotics, such as B-droid, Robobee and The Green Brain Project. It has also been confirmed that the apian sense of smell can be used to detect explosive devices, such as TNT, or drugs (including heroin, cocaine, amphetamines and cannabis). This inconspicuous little insect can revolutionize the world of science and contribute to the solution of many scientific problems as a versatile model.

Penetration of Energised Metal Fragments to Porcine Thoracic Tissues

Energised fragments from explosive devices have been the most common mechanism of injury to both military personnel and civilians in recent conflicts and terrorist attacks. Fragments that penetrate into the thoracic cavity are strongly associated with death due to the inherent vulnerability of the underlying structures. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of fragment-simulating projectiles (FSPs) to tissues of the thorax in order to identify the thresholds of impact velocity for perforation through these tissues and the resultant residual velocity of the FSPs. A gas-gun system was used to launch 0.78-g cylindrical and 1.13-g spherical FSPs at intact porcine thoracic tissues from different impact locations. The sternum and rib bones were the most resistant to perforation, followed by the scapula and intercostal muscle. For both FSPs, residual velocity following perforation was linearly proportional to impact velocity. These findings can be used in the development of numerical tools for predicting the medical outcome of explosive events, which in turn can inform the design of public infrastructure, of personal protection, and of medical emergency response.

Problems of providing protection of cyber space from the activities of terrorist organizations.

The problems of ensuring the protection of cyberspace from the activities of terrorist organizations have been studied. The existing definitions of terrorism in cyberspace in the legal literature are considered. There is an analysis of legislative acts in the field of counter-terrorism, among which the Cyber ​​Security Strategy of Ukraine and the Concept of Counter-Terrorism stand out. The article covers main tendencies of development of activity of the international terrorist organizations with use of information technologies, main tasks of which are reduced to: propaganda of terrorism, including with use of the Internet; recruiting and training new members; obtaining information about the objects of possible terrorist attacks; ensuring terrorist activities; distribution of instructional materials for the manufacture of explosive devices. On the basis of the analysis of innovations of the anti-terrorist legislation of the EU countries the ways of improvement of counteraction of activity of the terrorist organizations in cyberspace are offered.

Deployment Of Robot Arms With A Leader-Follower Approach For Bomb Disposal

<div>Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) have been developed over the years across many nations around the world. IEDs used by terrorist actions and in warfare cause devastating death, injuries and damage. To protect the public, many emergency responders have to risk their lives by performing extremely hazardous tasks such as interacting with suspected IEDs. To prevent the emergency response teams from being negatively impacted by IEDs, many different kinds of response robots have been deployed in many locations worldwide – allowing first responders a safe way to interact with these menaces from a distance. This thesis contributes to the understanding of using robot arms with a Leader–Follower (LF) approach to help humans with performing dexterous operations like those which are inevitably required for manipulating IEDs remotely. The LF approach allows operators to remotely manipulate a robot arm without putting operators’ lives in danger. By physically controlling one arm from a safe distance, operators can successfully copy its movements to a second arm. As a result, we argue, this approach can be helpful for minimizing operator risk when interacting with suspicious devices while at the same time facilitating more intuitive remote control.</div>

Deployment Of Robot Arms With A Leader-Follower Approach For Bomb Disposal

<div>Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) have been developed over the years across many nations around the world. IEDs used by terrorist actions and in warfare cause devastating death, injuries and damage. To protect the public, many emergency responders have to risk their lives by performing extremely hazardous tasks such as interacting with suspected IEDs. To prevent the emergency response teams from being negatively impacted by IEDs, many different kinds of response robots have been deployed in many locations worldwide – allowing first responders a safe way to interact with these menaces from a distance. This thesis contributes to the understanding of using robot arms with a Leader–Follower (LF) approach to help humans with performing dexterous operations like those which are inevitably required for manipulating IEDs remotely. The LF approach allows operators to remotely manipulate a robot arm without putting operators’ lives in danger. By physically controlling one arm from a safe distance, operators can successfully copy its movements to a second arm. As a result, we argue, this approach can be helpful for minimizing operator risk when interacting with suspicious devices while at the same time facilitating more intuitive remote control.</div>

Possibilities of Application of Methods of X-Ray Phase and X-Ray Diffraction Analysis in the Forensic Science

The paper reflects various aspects of the use of X-ray investigation methods, their advantages and application in forensic science of the phase composition of metals, paint and varnish coatings and paintwork materials, fragments of explosive devices. Practical examples of X-ray diffraction analysis application for thin film specimens made on the basis of paints containing alkyd varnish, pigments, fillers and solvents of various colour range have been examined. Influence of true physical broadening, on lines of diffractograms taken for samples exposed to shock wave action was also studied. It was found that this broadening is directly connected with influence of microstrains and fine dispersion of mosaic structure blocks. Based on the obtained X-ray diffraction analysis data, the dislocation density was calculated by three methods. Based on summarized experimental and literature data, the dependence of microstrains on the explosive weight was plotted, which can be used as a reference standard for comparison in expert studies of samples exposed to shock-wave impact.

Penetrating Scrotal Injuries: A War Time Experience in a Civilian Setup

AIM: To present our experience in managing testicular involvement in penetrating scrotal injuries, trying to highlight a possible role for conservative management of selected cases. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively all-penetrating scrotal injuries presented to Alyarmook teaching hospital for the period between January 2009 and November 2015, including only those injured victims who reached the hospital alive. Patients’ charts reviewed regarding their demographic data including age, status being civilian or military, and married or single. We documented as well the cause of injury (bullets vs. explosive devices), laterality, associated injured organs, and type of management performed whether operative or non-operative conservative approach. Postoperative complications were recorded while in-patient and after a follow-up period of at least 1 month. RESULTS: Thirty-one penetrating scrotal injuries were identified, resulted in 34 injured testicles. The patients’ mean age was 34.35 years (±12.89standard deviation [SD]) (18–70 years). Most of the victims 24 (77.4%) were civilians. Explosive devices were the cause of injury in 23 patients (74.2%), while bullets were the cause in the remaining 8 patients (25.8%). Orchidectomy needed to be done in 17 (50%) testicles, while 11 (32.4%) injured testes were repaired by suturing. Six cases (17.6%) were treated conservatively without any surgical intervention. The overall testicular salvage rate was (50%). Twenty-one patients (68%) had associated injuries, mostly fractures. Complications occurred in 10 (32.2%) patients, including two mortalities. CONCLUSIONS: Management of genitourinary injuries continues to be a challenging task. In our penetrating testicular injured series, we succeeded to salvage 50% of the injured testes. Non -surgical treatment is feasible in selected patients, an approach that needs further study and longer follow-up.

Military thoracic gunshot wounds: A systematic review

A systematic review of the literature was carried out using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method to investigate the frequency of military thoracic gunshot wounds (GSWs) and deaths in combat theatres since World War Two (WW2). An electronic database search of World of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed and Microsoft Academic was conducted using the keywords ‘combat, casualties, thorax, gunshot, and military’ to identify peer-reviewed journals and conference papers on the topic. Twenty-three sources relevant to this review were identified and covered multiple theatres of operation. While there is a downward trend in the frequency of thoracic GSWs and fatalities likely due to the improvement of body armour, the improvement in medical treatment and increased frequency of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the review shows that the advancement has not removed the likelihood of thoracic GSWs, which still accounted for approximately 15% of all thoracic injuries in the most recent combat theatres. The systematic review identifies that GSWs of the thorax continue to be a risk in military theatres and therefore, medical personnel should be aware of the frequency and severity of thoracic GSWs and should be prepared to treat these life-threatening injuries, as timely intervention is essential.