Towards Interpretable Machine Learning for Automated Damage Detection Based on Ultrasonic Guided Waves

Data-driven analysis for damage assessment has a large potential in structural health monitoring (SHM) systems, where sensors are permanently attached to the structure, enabling continuous and frequent measurements. In this contribution, we propose a machine learning (ML) approach for automated damage detection, based on an ML toolbox for industrial condition monitoring. The toolbox combines multiple complementary algorithms for feature extraction and selection and automatically chooses the best combination of methods for the dataset at hand. Here, this toolbox is applied to a guided wave-based SHM dataset for varying temperatures and damage locations, which is freely available on the Open Guided Waves platform. A classification rate of 96.2% is achieved, demonstrating reliable and automated damage detection. Moreover, the ability of the ML model to identify a damaged structure at untrained damage locations and temperatures is demonstrated.

Holiday performances in the socio-cultural practices of the present: festival tourism

The purpose of the article is to analyze the main features of the holiday spectacle in the context of the popular socio-cultural practice of today - festival tourism. The research methodology is based on an interdisciplinary combination of methods integrated with culturology, management, history. General scientific methods such as analysis, synthesis, deduction, induction, the method of connecting the abstract and the concrete are also used. The scientific novelty lies in the analysis of the peculiarities of holiday spectacles that shape the popularity of festival tourism. Conclusions. Festivals are the main form of presentation of the cultural and entertainment program of modern travel within the festival tourism. Their main advantages that determine the popularity are the creation of a festive spectacle, taking into account culturally historically determined worldviews; a variety of organizational and artistic means; variability; originality; openness and dialogic; continuity and adaptability; situationally and improvisation; interactivity; humor, irony, and self-irony. Keywords: holiday spectacle, holiday, festival tourism, festival, event, traditional culture.

MODERN PROBLEMS OF APPLYING MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE ASPECT OF ECONOMICS

The penetration of the mathematical apparatus into the economy created the basis for the development of methods of economic analysis, econometrics, mathematical programming, economic statistics, etc. Today, the interpenetration of different branches of knowledge continues, in particular, the application of mathematical methods in the natural and social sciences and in the economic sphere. Among mathematical methods of data processing are polynomial, linear, quadratic, trigonometric, exponential and combined dependencies, differential and algebraic equations. The statistical processing of data from the evaluation of the structure and dynamics of the phenomenon has gone in the direction of correlation analysis and forecasting. The deep penetration of mathematics into specific sciences and the success achieved through a combination of methods from different branches of knowledge is described by many researchers. The possibilities of applying mathematics are increasingly being explored in areas of knowledge where phenomena are poorly structured and characterized by the high complexity of sociology, political science, management and economics. The article presents a retrospective analysis of the development of scientific and applied research concerning the process of mathematics of science and the possibilities of using mathematical methods in economics in particular. Problems and constraints encountered in applying mathematical methods in economic research have been identified. Measures have been identified to ensure the adequacy of the development of economic and mathematical models from the standpoint of approaches to their construction, the improvement of management processes and the improvement of the training of specialists in economic fields.

Evaluating Local Attractiveness for Tourism and Recreation—A Case Study of the Communes in Brzeski County, Poland

For many regions and communes, the development of tourism offers opportunities for economic revival, the stimulation of local entrepreneurship and, as a result, increased budget revenues. Before such objectives can be successfully pursued, however, it is necessary to carefully consider to what degree the conditions present in a particular area are conducive to the development of tourism there, including its tourism resources and the existing state of development. This study analyzes the attractiveness of the seven communes making up Brzeski County (Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Poland) for tourism and recreation. The potential of the communes in this largely rural county was characterized using Gołembski’s index, based on multivariate comparative analysis, assessing the natural and man-made features and the degree of development of each of the communes. This analysis was further complemented using Wejchert’s impression curve, assessing visual attractiveness along selected routes in two of the communes. Of the seven communes analyzed, the Commune of Brzesko was found to have the most extensively developed services, hotel and food-service infrastructure, to be home to many historic buildings and to have a relatively high municipal budget. The Commune of Iwkowa, in turn, which scored lowest in terms of Gołembski’s index (mainly due to its underdeveloped infrastructure, few historic buildings and the fact that it is crossed by a major transit route), was nevertheless found to score significantly higher than Brzesko in terms of Wejchert’s impression curve. These findings confirm that the beauty of the landscape is not always well correlated with tourism development potential. We conclude that such a combination of methods should to be applied to reliably and comprehensively evaluate the relative attractiveness of different parts of a given region for tourism and recreation, for instance so as to inform planning decisions and the allocation of funding.

Increasing life of pit dump truck motor-wheel gearboxes by introducing the monitoring of the actual technical condition

At present, Kuzbass coal strip mines pay great attention to improving quality performance of mining equipment operation, including reliability and durability of components and units. One of the ways of the performance improvement is decreasing number of unforeseen failures. To achieve this purpose a mine dump truck part diagnostics should be introduced into a maintenance service procedure. At the same time the process of diagnostics should not increase the machinery downtime, but effectively reveal a condition of motor-wheel gearboxes in the course of dump truck operation. The aim of the research is to increase the reliability and service life of motor-wheel gearboxes of large BelAZ dump trucks. Failure of a motor-wheel gearbox is a rare phenomenon, but the cost of a new gearbox can vary from 3.5 to 10 million rubles. That is why it is important to implement such methods of diagnostics, which allow revealing the condition of gearboxes in the shortest possible time and without disassembling corresponding units. Determination of the actual technical condition of motor-wheel gearboxes is possible by different methods: vibroacoustic; acoustic; thermal; physical and chemical analysis of spent operating materials. The studies showed that none of these methods can be used as a universal one. When justifying and selecting the most suitable method, different factors should be considered, including technological, or a combination of methods should be applied, which will reduce risks, but at the same time increase costs. It is necessary to develop a better diagnostic method based on the use of several methods simultaneously.

Legal features of the use of big data in the tax activities of the state

Objective: The article is devoted to determining the legal nature of Big Data technology. Some aspects of the problematic in the field of using Big Data technology in public tax activities are investigated. The theoretical and legal approaches to the regulation of Big Data technology in domestic and international law are analyzed. Methods: The authors used a combination of methods: theoretical, general scientific methods and empirical methods. Results: The development of the conceptual and terminological apparatus and the harmonization of domestic and international legislation is indicated as one of the possible directions for the formation of legislation. Conclusion and recommendations: Active implementation of the activities of tax authorities in the digital economy requires the adoption of adequate legal decisions. The thesis that legislation must be formed considering the legal and commercial nature of Big Data technology is considered. The use of Big Data technology must be accompanied by legal and ethical standards.

Vascular Aging and Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms and Influences

Vascular aging plays an important role in the mortality of the elderly, but vascular aging can be dependent on other factors such as diseases. Various diseases such as Alzheimer, diabetes, thalassemia, and other diseases affect the mechanisms of vascular aging. It will harm the recovery process of these patients. There are methods for measuring vascular aging such as instrumental measurements and molecular methods. The best way to measure vascular aging is a combination of methods to determine the mechanism and cause of vascular aging. In this review article, we first summarize the various mechanisms of vascular aging and then discuss the effect of different disease on vascular aging.

Exploring the Cell Stemness and the Complexity of theAdipose Tissue Niche

Adipose tissue is a complex organ composed of different cellular populations, including mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells, adipocytes, and immune cells such as macrophages and lymphocytes. These cellular populations alter dynamically during aging or as a response to pathophysiology such as obesity. Changes in the various inflammatory cells are associated with metabolic complications and the development of insulin resistance, indicating that immune cells crosstalk with the adipocytes. Therefore, a study of the cell populations in the adipose tissue and the extracellular matrix maintaining the tissue niche is important for the knowledge on the regulatory state of the organ. We used a combination of methods to study various parameters to identify the composition of the resident cells in the adipose tissue and evaluate their profile. We analyzed the tissue structure and cells based on histology, immune fluorescence staining, and flow cytometry of cells present in the tissue in vivo and these markers’ expression in vitro. Any shift in cells’ composition influences self-renewal of the mesenchymal progenitors, and other cells affect the functionality of adipogenesis.

SupTech and RegTech initiatives: analysis of the basic characteristics and model risks

Objective: to analyze the SupTech and RegTech initiatives of central banks in the context of their essential characteristics and model risks.Methods: the work used a combination of methods of dialectical, empirical, comparative and logical research.Results: SupTech and RegTech technologies are defined; problems in the legal field existing within the framework of their use and ways to solve them are shown; model risks are assessed, in particular, the risks of adverse consequences resulting from the use of inaccuracies, errors, false assumptions and incorrect settings in models.Scientific novelty: the article identifies the model risks and suggests ways to reduce them, in particular, the risks of adverse consequences resulting from the use of inaccuracies, errors, false assumptions and incorrect settings; the work shows the need for a regulatory legal acts system and offers options for interpreting the models results.Practical significance: the main provisions and conclusions of the article can be used to develop a glossary, terms and definitions of SupTech and RegTech initiatives, the regulatory mechanisms and legal framework for their functioning, as well as to develop methods to reduce risks associated with the implementation and functioning of SupTech and RegTech initiatives.

Pozzolanic Efficiency of Calcined Clays in Blended Cements with Focus on the Early Hydration

The fundamental knowledge about the reaction mechanism of calcined clays in cement and the mutual interaction is important for their assessment as supplementary cementitious material and the resulting concrete properties. In this study, the hydration of two cements differing in alkali content and with the addition of a highly reactive, aluminum-rich metakaolin and one calcined common clay with low kaolinite content was investigated during the first 48 hours. For this purpose, four established methods that describe the early hydration were used: isothermal calorimetry, thermogravimetry, in-situ X-ray diffraction and chemical analysis of pore solution. This so far unique combination of methods enabled the understanding of the complex binder (cement-calcined clay) hydration behavior. The results showed considerable differences depending on type of calcined clay, its chemical-mineralogical composition, fineness and especially towards its reaction mechanism with aluminate clinker phases controlled by the composition of pore solution. The impact of calcined clay on the early clinker hydration exceeds significantly physical effects only.