How to Lay Bricks: Local-Global Alignment Predicts Preference for Shifted Tile Patterns

We examine the aesthetic characteristics of row tile patterns defined by repeating strips of polygons. In experiment 1 participants rated the perceived beauty of equilateral triangle, square and rectangular tilings presented at vertical and horizontal orientations. The tiles were shifted by one-fourth increments of a complete row cycle. Shifts that preserved global symmetry were liked the most. Local symmetry by itself did not predict ratings but tilings with a greater number of emergent features did. In a second experiment we presented row tiles using all types of three- and four-sided geometric figures: acute, obtuse, isosceles and right triangles, kites, parallelograms, a rhombus, trapezoid, and trapezium. Once again, local polygon symmetry did not predict responding but measures of correspondence between local and global levels did. In particular, number of aligned polygon symmetry axes and number of aligned polygon sides were significantly and positively correlated with beauty ratings. Preference was greater for more integrated tilings, possibly because they encourage the formation of gestalts and exploration within and across levels of spatial scale.

A one-dimensional modified TASEP model on a track of variable length: analytical and computational results

We present analytical solutions and Monte Carlo simulation results for a one-dimensional modified TASEP model inspired by the interplay between molecular motors and their cellular tracks of variable lengths, known as microtubules. Our TASEP model incorporates rules for changes in the length of the track based on the occupation of the first two sites. Using mean-field theory, we derive analytical results for the particle densities and particle currents and compare them with Monte Carlo simulations. These results show the limited range of mean-field methods for models with localized high correlation between particles. The variability in length adds to the complexity of the model, leading to emergent features for the evolution of particle densities and particle currents compared to the traditional TASEP model.

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING APPLICATIONS İN ENGINEERING AND TEACHER EDUCATION: A BRIEF REVIEW

Problem-based learning (PBL) is an alternative instructional method used to help students acquire scientific and technical knowledge. It has various uses in different disciplines ranging from language learning to nursing. Considering the effectiveness and common usage of problem-based learning, this study is a brief literature review that focused on the use of PBL in two different disciplines, namely, in engineering and teacher training. To this end, the researcher chose 4 articles that are among the most cited studies on Google scholar's web page. The review was conducted to identify the research areas such as scope, research questions, methodologies, common emergent features and overall implications of those studies. As for analysis, coding and categorizing the themes were done in all studies to find common aspects. The emergent themes were discussed, and implications were examined successively. The results showed that applications and utilization of PBL in engineering and teacher training were proven to be beneficial both for the educators and the students of the target area. The study also demonstrated that while analytic thinking, quick decision making, and synthesizing were the primary targets of the use of PBL in engineering, collaboration and comprehension skills are targeted by the practice of PBL in teacher training.

Automated Framework for the Inclusion of a His–Purkinje System in Cardiac Digital Twins of Ventricular Electrophysiology

Personalized models of cardiac electrophysiology (EP) that match clinical observation with high fidelity, referred to as cardiac digital twins (CDTs), show promise as a tool for tailoring cardiac precision therapies. Building CDTs of cardiac EP relies on the ability of models to replicate the ventricular activation sequence under a broad range of conditions. Of pivotal importance is the His–Purkinje system (HPS) within the ventricles. Workflows for the generation and incorporation of HPS models are needed for use in cardiac digital twinning pipelines that aim to minimize the misfit between model predictions and clinical data such as the 12 lead electrocardiogram (ECG). We thus develop an automated two stage approach for HPS personalization. A fascicular-based model is first introduced that modulates the endocardial Purkinje network. Only emergent features of sites of earliest activation within the ventricular myocardium and a fast-conducting sub-endocardial layer are accounted for. It is then replaced by a topologically realistic Purkinje-based representation of the HPS. Feasibility of the approach is demonstrated. Equivalence between both HPS model representations is investigated by comparing activation patterns and 12 lead ECGs under both sinus rhythm and right-ventricular apical pacing. Predominant ECG morphology is preserved by both HPS models under sinus conditions, but elucidates differences during pacing.

On the Many-Body Expansion of an Interaction Energy of Some Supramolecular Halogen-Containing Capsules

A tetramer model was investigated of a remarkably stable iodine-containing supramolecular capsule that was most recently characterized by other authors, who described emergent features of the capsule’s formation. In an attempt to address the surprising fact that no strong pair-wise interactions between any of the respective components were experimentally detected in condensed phases, the DFT (density-functional theory) computational model was used to decompose the total stabilization energy as a sum of two-, three- and four-body contributions. This model considers complexes formed between either iodine or bromine and the crucial D4h-symmetric form of octaaryl macrocyclic compound cyclo[8](1,3-(4,6-dimethyl)benzene that is surrounded by arenes of a suitable size, namely, either corannulene or coronene. A significant enthalpic gain associated with the formation of investigated tetramers was revealed. Furthermore, it is shown that the total stabilization of these complexes is dominated by binary interactions. Based on these findings, comments are made regarding the experimentally observed behavior of related multicomponent mixtures.

Development of a concept for building a critical infrastructure facilities security system

To effectively protect critical infrastructure facilities (CIF), it is important to understand the focus of cybersecurity efforts. The concept of building security systems based on a variety of models describing various CIF functioning aspects is presented. The development of the concept is presented as a sequence of solving the following tasks. The basic concepts related to cyberattacks on CIF were determined, which make it possible to outline the boundaries of the problem and determine the level of formalization of the modeling processes. The proposed threat model takes into account possible synergistic/emergent features of the integration of modern target threats and their hybridity. A unified threat base that does not depend on CIF was formed. The concept of modeling the CIF security system was developed based on models of various classes and levels. A method to determine attacker's capabilities was developed. A concept for assessing the CIF security was developed, which allows forming a unified threat base, assessing the signs of their synergy and hybridity, identifying critical CIF points, determining compliance with regulatory requirements and the state of the security system. The mathematical tool and a variety of basic models of the concept can be used for all CIFs, which makes it possible to unify preventive measures and increase the security level. It is proposed to use post-quantum cryptography algorithms on crypto-code structures to provide security services. The proposed mechanisms provide the required stability (230–235 group operations), the rate of cryptographic transformation is comparable to block-symmetric ciphers (BSC) and reliability (Perr 10–9–10–12)

Emergent features of species: existence between populations and communities

The key block of tasks in defining species as a phenomenon, as a concept, and as a category — its emergent features, is considered. These include 5 systems of features, such as 1) diagnosis (primarily morphological, including unique apomorphies); 2) genotype in the broadest sense (including karyotype); 3) system of reproduction and protection of the gene pool from mixing with foreign forms (reproductive isolation); 4) geographical range (including type habitats and distribution limits); 5) system of variability (including the presence and features of age-related changes, sexual differences, and trends in geographical variation). There is evidence that species as a reality is characterized by the properties of "repeating structures". To the latter the author includes the following six: 1) limited volumes of species composition of communities; 2) limited body-size rows of guilds; 3) parallelisms and the phenomenon of isomorphism; 4) limited number of ecotypes and the phenomenon of vicariates; 5) homeomorphies and restrictions of morphological types; 6) synperates as overlaps of range boundaries. Areas of non-alternative application of the concept of "species", including red lists, checklists, descriptions of unique parts of communities (endemics, rarities, etc.), and objects of economic value are given.

Actin and Microtubules Differently Contribute to Vacuolar Targeting Specificity during the Export from the ER

Plants rely on both actin and microtubule cytoskeletons to fine-tune sorting and spatial targeting of membranes during cell growth and stress adaptation. Considerable advances have been made in recent years in the comprehension of the relationship between the trans-Golgi network/early endosome (TGN/EE) and cytoskeletons, but studies have mainly focused on the transport to and from the plasma membrane. We address here the relationship of the cytoskeleton with different endoplasmic reticulum (ER) export mechanisms toward vacuoles. These emergent features of the plant endomembrane traffic are explored with an in vivo approach, providing clues on the traffic regulation at different levels beyond known proteins’ functions and interactions. We show how traffic of vacuolar markers, characterized by different vacuolar sorting determinants, diverges at the export from the ER, clearly involving different components of the cytoskeleton.

Self-Supervised Deep-Learning Encodes High-Resolution Features of Protein Subcellular Localization

Elucidating the diversity and complexity of protein localization is essential to fully understand cellular architecture. Here, we present cytoself, a deep learning-based approach for fully self-supervised protein localization profiling and clustering. cytoself leverages a self-supervised training scheme that does not require pre-existing knowledge, categories, or annotations. Applying cytoself to images of 1311 endogenously labeled proteins from the recently released OpenCell database creates a highly resolved protein localization atlas. We show that the representations derived from cytoself encapsulate highly specific features that can be used to derive functional insights for proteins on the sole basis of their localization. Finally, to better understand the inner workings of our model, we dissect the emergent features from which our clustering is derived, interpret these features in the context of the fluorescence images, and analyze the performance contributions of the different components of our approach.

Teachers’ Perspectives on the Intertwining of Tangible and Digital Modes of Activity with a Drawing Robot for Geometry

The GeomBot is a drawing robot that combines the well-known strengths and opportunities offered by Scratch with those of Papert’s original robotic drawing-turtle. In this study we look at the GeomBot as a physical programmable artifact around which action research with a group of teachers and a researcher was carried out with the aim of designing, implementing and discussing geometry activities for primary school classes. The aim of this article is to investigate teachers’ positioning and perspectives with respect to the activities and the educational environment emerging around the Geombot in the action research. The action research meetings between September 2018 and June 2019 included nine primary school teachers from seven different Italian schools, who met regularly with the first author. After the design and experimentation sessions, in June 2019, the teachers shared their experiences during a final meeting and group discussion guided by the first author. The data collected from the teachers were analyzed using cultural categories from the Semiotic Systems of Cultural Signification, theorized by the Theory of Objectification, to identify the most significant features defining the teachers’ perspectives and identity. The seven emergent features cover teachers’ positioning with respect to: forms of rationality and language and languages: sensuous cognition and the use of ideal and material semiotic resources; accepted teaching practices, problems and situations; mathematical knowledge; the conception of the student; social interaction and forms of rationality; ethical issues; technology.