A unique yet technically simple type of joint allows for the high mobility of scorpion tails

Although being one of the most well-known animal groups, functional and constructional aspects of scorpions and especially of their tail (metasoma) have so far been overlooked. This tail represents a special construction, as it consists of five tube-shaped segments made up of strong cuticle, which are movable against each other and thus manoeuvre the notorious stinger both quickly and very precisely in space. This high mobility of an exoskeletal structure can be attributed to the connection between the segments described here for the first time. This joint allows for the twisting and bending at the same time in a single, simple construction: adjoining metasomal segments each possess an almost circular opening posteriorly, where the next segment is lodged. Anteriorly, these segments possess two saddle-like protrusions laterally, which are able to rotate in two directions on the rim of the posterior circular opening of the previous segment allowing for twisting and bending. The metasomal joint is particularly noteworthy since its mechanism can be compared to that of arthropod appendages. The scorpion metasoma is actually the only known case in Chelicerata, in which an entire body section has been modified to perform tasks similar to that of an appendage while containing digestive organs. The joint mechanism can also inspire technical applications, for instance in robotics.

S.N. Durylin’s Easter story “On someone else's grave”: genre update

The article explores poetics of the unpublished Easter story by S.N. Durylin “On an unrelated grave” (1922). The story is important mainly because the author manages to renew the genre not only by returning to the original spiritual meanings, but also presenting the unique ontological project. Taking into account the experience of the predecessors-classics, first of all, A.P. Chekhov and his story “Holy night” (1886), the writer expands possibilities of the biblical subtext by creating an intertextual evangelical plot that unfolds in parallel with the main one. Using modernist experience of L.N. Andreev and M. Gorky, the symbolist writers, Durylin disputes it, disagreeing with travesty and fantastic versions of the interpretation of Easter story. The author depicts the plot of the resurrection of the soul of the main character Andrei Omutov, who, experiencing the tragic death of his mother, thinks about eternity for the first time. The author’s ontological concept, affirming infinity and the absence of boundaries, is expressed by the special construction of the temporal triad “past — present — future”. The idea of transcendental reality, suggesting Absolute, is formed by alternating passages in present and future tense: these are descriptions of mother’ existence and church hymns quotations. In the past tense, the story of hero’s childhood and his mother’s death are given. The spiritual path to the eternal “to be” represents the inner plot of this story. The milestones of this plot are intertextually indicated by Easter exapostillarium, which is quoted three times: in the epigraph, at the time when it sounds at Easter services and, finally, on a grave of a stranger during matin service, conducted by Father Alexander, when the hero’s spiritual resurrection occurs.

Acquisition of Ownership for Unauthorized Construction

Legal relations concerning spontaneous construction are a special construction, which is not a classic example of civil relations, which are characterized by legal equality, free will, property independence of their participants, which are collectively considered the fundamental foundations of civil law. The study identifies and reveals the components of the basis for the acquisition of ownership of unauthorized construction, including: ownership can be recognized as a person for the property, which must have certain characteristics, necessary and integral features (characteristics); such property, by its legal nature, must belong to immovable property; construction must be under construction or already built; illegality (illegality) of such construction; constructed real estate or property that is under construction is located on a land plot that has not been allocated for this purpose, property is built or is being built with significant violations of applicable building codes and regulations, etc. Provisions on the understanding of each of the components of the basis for the acquisition of ownership of unauthorized construction are disclosed. Peculiarities of application of norms on unauthorized construction depending on the will of the owner of the land plot on which the unauthorized construction was carried out are stated, as well as attention is paid to the possibility of acquiring ownership of unauthorized construction by a person who did not carry out construction or the land owner. Opinions were expressed regarding the referral of the issue of acquiring the right of ownership for unauthorized construction to judicial jurisdiction.

Measurement of Straightness and Verticality of Sheet Piling

Sheet piling is commonly used in various areas of special construction. Embedded in the ground before carrying out excavation works, sheet piling constitutes an enclosure and protection for the designed excavation. It is a temporary enclosure and protection for excavations made for communication structures, launch shafts built for microtunnel construction, etc. In order to assess the quality of the engineering works related to the construction of sheet piling, measurements were made of straightness and verticality of the sheet piling used for the technological chambers. The measurements concerned two technological chambers of 7.2 and 6.4 m height. Inventory measurements were made using a total station of 1” accuracy and a leveling staff with the appliance of the so-called projection method. The two technological chambers were built in the investment area called “Infrastructure construction for rainwater drainage, water supply and sanitary sewage collection from the John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice.”

PECULIARITIES OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY FORENSIC STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING AND ECONOMIC EXAMINATIONS APPOINTMENT

A growing number of crimes in the field of construction necessitates the development of a certain course of actions aimed to ensure their speedy disclosure. Forensic expert practice shows that the most common violation while conducting construction work involving budget funds is overvaluation of cost of carried out construction work. Investigation of complex mechanisms of committing crimes in the construction field is impossible without the use of special construction and technical knowledge, and illegal transfer of budget funds cannot be established without special economic knowledge. Attention should be drawn to multidisciplinary forensic structural engineering and economic examination, as an effective procedural instrument for seeking truth while investigating economic crimes in this area. The article considers peculiarities of forensic economic examination appointment during investigation of crimes in the construction field. The existing problems and shortcomings that arise in practice when assigning multidisciplinary forensic structural engineering and economic examination are outlined. An example of the most common task that arises while investigation of economic crimes in the field of construction and progress of its implementation are provided.