The (Coarse) Fine-Grained Structure of NP-Hard SAT and CSP Problems

We study the fine-grained complexity of NP-complete satisfiability (SAT) problems and constraint satisfaction problems (CSPs) in the context of the strong exponential-time hypothesis (SETH) , showing non-trivial lower and upper bounds on the running time. Here, by a non-trivial lower bound for a problem SAT (Γ) (respectively CSP (Γ)) with constraint language Γ, we mean a value c 0 > 1 such that the problem cannot be solved in time O ( c n ) for any c < c 0 unless SETH is false, while a non-trivial upper bound is simply an algorithm for the problem running in time O ( c n ) for some c < 2. Such lower bounds have proven extremely elusive, and except for cases where c 0 =2 effectively no such previous bound was known. We achieve this by employing an algebraic framework, studying constraint languages Γ in terms of their algebraic properties. We uncover a powerful algebraic framework where a mild restriction on the allowed constraints offers a concise algebraic characterization. On the relational side we restrict ourselves to Boolean languages closed under variable negation and partial assignment, called sign-symmetric languages. On the algebraic side this results in a description via partial operations arising from system of identities, with a close connection to operations resulting in tractable CSPs, such as near unanimity operations and edge operations . Using this connection we construct improved algorithms for several interesting classes of sign-symmetric languages, and prove explicit lower bounds under SETH. Thus, we find the first example of an NP-complete SAT problem with a non-trivial algorithm which also admits a non-trivial lower bound under SETH. This suggests a dichotomy conjecture with a close connection to the CSP dichotomy theorem: an NP-complete SAT problem admits an improved algorithm if and only if it admits a non-trivial partial invariant of the above form.

Rituals in Traditional Chinese Medicine: Taking a Case of Infertility as an Example

Ritual is one of the most classic research topics in the field of Anthropology, and rituals have close connection with medial practice. However, the research on this topic from the experience of Traditional Chinese Medicine is limited. This paper presents the whole story that a patient suffering from infertility got cured got cured by a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) and finally became a mother. With the detailed description of each medical practice, including pulse-taking, traditional Chinese herb therapy, and postpartum confinement, this paper analyzes the ritualized elements in the whole process, interprets how ritual play a role in the practice of TCM, and points out ritual’s essential significance in contributing to human’s well being and adjusting the relationships between individual and the world.

TRACES OF NATIONAL TURKIC CULTURE IN THE KHAKASS' ALYPTYG NYMAKHS

В данной статье на анализе героических сказаний «Алтын Арыг» и «Книга моего отца Коркута» показано сопоставление с другими сказаниями тюрко - монгольских народов, подчёркнута схожесть типологически сходных явлений. Богатырские сказания хакасского народа отражают в себе историю народа, которая на долгие века сохранила их для будущего поколения всего тюркского мира. Изучение алыптыг нымахов, в частности свадебный обряд (выбор спутника жизни, испытания, девятидневный пиртой, расплетение шестидесяти косичек, заплетение одной косы и т. д.), традиционные сюжеты, действия главных героев показывают их тесную связь с эпосами других тюркских народов. Следы общетюркской культуры встречаются во всех сферах жизни героев героических сказаний. Мотив суженых имеет реальную историко - бытовую основу, восходящую к экзогамии, когда невесту брали из другого рода. In this article, based on the analysis of "Altyn Aryg" and "The book of my father Korkut', the comparison with other legends of Turkic - Mongolian peoples is shown, and the similarity of typologically similar phenomena is emphasized. The Khakass people's heroic tales reflect the history of the people, which preserved them for the future generation of the entire Turkic world for many centuries to come. The study of alyptyg nymakhs, in particular, the wedding ceremony (choosing a life partner, trials, a nine - day feast - toi, unwinding sixty braids, braiding one braid, etc.), traditional plots and actions of the main characters show their close connection with eposes of other Turkic peoples. Traces of national Turkic culture are found in all spheres of life of heroes of heroic tales. The motif of the betrothed has a real historical and everyday basis, dating back to exogamy, when a bride was taken from another kin.

Влияние фрактальной структуры на электрическое поле в грозовых облаках

The paper considers the degree of fractal structure impact on the electric field intensity inside thunderstorm clouds using the apparatus of fractional integrodifferentiation. We propose a mathematical model of intensity dynamics of a static electric field in the thunderstorm clouds, taking into account media with fractal dimension. The results obtained confirm the close connection of electrophysical processes in thunderclouds with the fractal medium itself. В статье с помощью аппарата дробного интегро-дифференцирования рассматривается степень влияния фрактальной структуры на напряженность электрического поля внутри грозовых облаков. Предлагается математическая модель динамики напряженности статического электрического поля в грозовых облаках с учетом сред с фрактальной размерностью. Полученные результаты подтверждают тесную связь электрофизических процессов в грозовых облаках с самой фрактальной средой В статье с помощью аппарата дробного интегро-дифференцирования рассматривается степень влияния фрактальной структуры на напряженность электрического поля внутри грозовых облаков. Предлагается математическая модель динамики напряженности статического электрического поля в грозовых облаках с учетом сред с фрактальной размерностью. Полученные результаты подтверждают тесную связь электрофизических процессов в грозовых облаках с самой фрактальной средой.

Beyond the Liver: Liver-Eye Communication in Clinical and Experimental Aspects

The communication between organs participates in the regulation of body homeostasis under physiological conditions and the progression and adaptation of diseases under pathological conditions. The communication between the liver and the eyes has been received more and more attention. In this review, we summarized some molecular mediators that can reflect the relationship between the liver and the eye, and then extended the metabolic relationship between the liver and the eye. We also summarized some typical diseases and phenotypes that have been able to reflect the liver-eye connection in the clinic, especially non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR). The close connection between the liver and the eye is reflected through multiple pathways such as metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation. In addition, we presented the connection between the liver and the eye in traditional Chinese medicine, and introduced the fact that artificial intelligence may use the close connection between the liver and the eye to help us solve some practical clinical problems. Paying attention to liver-eye communication will help us have a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of certain communication between liver diseases and eyes, and provide new ideas for their potential therapeutic strategy.

RUSSIAN DRAMA DURING THE CRIMEAN WAR OF 1853–1856

The Crimean War of 1853–1856 became a real challenge for Russian society and was reflected in the culture and art of that time, including drama. Already during the war, plays dedicated to this historical event were being created and staged in theatres. This article analyses four plays – “For the Faith, the Tsar and the Fatherland” by Pyotr Grigor’yev, “The Veteran and the Recruit” by Aleksey Pisemsky, “The Feat of the Mother” by Orest Miller, “The Russians in 1854” by Adelaida Tal’tseva. The general ideological message of those dramatic works included patriotism, glorification of the greatness of the Fatherland and the strength of the Russian people, the Orthodox faith, in connection with which the plays created the image of a Russian soldier for whom participation in the war is a matter of honour and faith. The study establishes the correspondence of dramatic works of the period of the Crimean War of 1853–1856 to the requirements of the time, their close connection with the historical context of the era, as well as an orientation towards ease of perception by the audience. The author of the article defines the general features of patriotic plays of the Crimean War period at the plot and ideological level.

THE FREEDOM AND THE HAPPINESS OF MAN IN WORKS OF MYCHAIL KOTZIUBYNSKYJ

The interpretation of freedom and happiness as existential problems of personality in the works of M. Kotsyubynsky is considered. Freedom is closely linked to happiness - this is understood by the lyrical heroes of the writer’s works. Freedom is also a value for every hero of his works, because he writed about mercenaries and serfs. The works emphasize that freedom is associated with real life, and only a free life can make a person’s happiness. Lyrical heroes of M. Kotsyubynsky’s works are, first of all, strong personalities, ready to fight for freedom at the cost of their own lives. Sense of human dignity and sacrifice of the characters in the name of freedom and happiness are impressed. Real freedom and happiness associated with it are felt only in the bosom of nature, in close connection with it in the novel “Intermezzo”.

Dramaturgical self-efficacy and opportunity structures for white-collar crime

Perceived self-efficacy is often held to be the most focal mechanism of human agency. It has shown strong potential to explain action in multiple areas highly relevant to understanding crime, at least when the concept is formulated in close connection with the conditions that characterize the criminal acts it is supposed to explain. This article introduces the concept in the context of white-collar crime. To advance our understanding of how opportunities for such crime work, self-efficacy is defined with regard to one’s ability to control others’ impression of financially relevant information, or what is called dramaturgical self-efficacy. The presentation of this concept and its various elements is illustrated with contemporary empirical cases of white-collar crime and is preceded by a discussion of how opportunity structures and perceived self-efficacy have been understood in previous research relevant to the field. The article also discusses how the concept can be further developed with regard to the relationship between motivation and opportunity for white-collar crime.

The Institution

Attention is devoted to the diffusion, terminology, and foundation of the institution of the gymnasium in Ptolemaic Egypt, including the possible link with the army and the evidence from archaeology. The chapter shows how gymnasia in Egypt were introduced both in the three poleis of the country as well as in villages, throughout the Ptolemaic period. It highlights the close connection that the institution had with military settlers but stresses how the gymnasium was not a military institution but rather the by-product of the settlers’ residence habits, promoted by Ptolemaic policies. Finally, it offers an account of the first and so far only archaeologically attested Hellenistic gymnasium of Egypt, recently uncovered in the village of Philoteris in the Arsinoite nome.

RUSSIAN THINKERS ABOUT THE BASES OF PHYSICAL REALITY

The article is devoted to the discussion of research in the field of fundamental theoretical physics in Russia. The role of fundamental physics and the attitude of a number of colleagues to it are shown. A close connection between the development of modern fundamental physics and the principles of metaphysics is indicated. Important considerations about the foundations of fundamental physics, expressed by well-known Russian scientists in the middle of the 20th century and at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, are presented.