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The present study analyzes the representation of the anomaly in Oscar de profundis by Catherine Mavrikakis. This inexplicable event is paradoxically ever-present and completely absent in end of world literature. In particular, we will examine the role of ruins in the portrayal of the post-catastrophe scenario. This paper argues that the anomaly invites the reader to investigate further. However, they will only find ruins which are a constant reminder of what was lost and not an explanation of how these memories were erased from the collective conscience. The concept of depicting the anomaly through ruins will allow us to better understand how end of world literature may propose a critique of contemporary society.

There is a growing demand for detailed building façade models (Level-of-Detail 3: LoD 3) in a variety of applications. Despite the increasing number of papers addressing this issue in the literature, occlusions are still a significant problem when processing building façade elements. Conversely, depending on the view angle of the images, the detected elements might not be projected to their accurate locations causing uncertainties in their 3D locations. In this paper, we address the aforementioned issues utilizing multi-view images. Using a building footprint layer, we first locate the points belonging to buildings. We then detect the 2D windows and doors in images by combining Faster R-CNN and Segment Anything (SAM) deep learning models. The 2D borders are projected into the 3D object space using a pinhole camera model and collinearity equations. Utilizing the multi-view capabilities of mobile scanning systems, this method effectively mitigates uncertainties associated with occlusion and exterior orientation parameters (EOP). This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of 3D spatial accuracy, achieving an average of 84% Intersection over Union (IoU) accuracy for 12 different single-sided façades over 750 multi-view images for 312 windows and doors of various sizes with rectangular and curved shapes.

According to the infrared patch image (IPI) model theory, the infrared image background has a low rank and the target is sparse. The low-rank model can be used to separate the background and identify the target. However, in a noisy environment, the recognition effect will be affected. The higher the noise, the harder it would be to detect a small target. The residual strong fault and background edges could reduce the detection rate and increase false alarms. The traditional IPI model is adaptable to the background with the lower noise. This paper combines weighted nuclear norm minimization (WNNM) optimization with sparse representation based on the local IPI model. The background details are described more prominently by improving the nuclear norm weighting factor. The target is much easier to detect under the specific bright clouds and ground buildings background with high noise. At the same time, post-processing with image local contrast analysis is performed to compare traditional spatial filtering and local infrared patch image model algorithms. Our method has a good suppression effect on complex noise backgrounds and achieves a higher signal to clutter ratio gain (SCRG). It could also improve the target detection rate and reduce false alarms.

Accurate three-dimensional mapping and digital twinning provides a powerful tool for effective maintenance of civil infrastructure and supports efficient future planning of new developments. Three-dimensional mapping can be efficiently performed with a Mobile Mapping System (MMS) that records geospatial data from platform-mounted sensors. However, it is expensive to continuously update datasets by re-capturing with MMS. This paper outlines a novel method allowing camera-only approaches for updating and change detection. It resolves key issues with inherent resolution differences between MMS laser scanner point-clouds and camera images. An intermediary is used to register two disparate datasets. This novel approach to synthetic camera images (SCIs) bridges the differences between MMS point-clouds and camera images and aid in coarse registration of camera images to an outdoor MMS point-cloud. SCI coarse registration precision is maximized by generating surfaces, interpolating intensity values, and reducing noise with a median filter. Landmark features coarsely register the camera image to the MMS point-cloud. The coarse registration is most precise when the whole scene is captured either from the same location as the SCI or further from the scene. Landmarks precisely detect scenes when changes are less than 20%, and foliage does not exceed 20% of the camera image.

Ultraviolet (UV)-reflectance is an essential signal of many plant species, which use wavelength-selective pigments in floral reproductive structures to determine the color of flowers and how they appear to their aerial pollinators, primarily bees. This paper presents a pollinator-inspired remote-sensing system incorporating UV reflectance into a flower detector for strawberry crops. We designed a compact, cost-effective UV-sensitive camera for aerial remote sensing over crop rows. Our camera and a deep-learning algorithm comprise our Nature-Inspired Detector (NID) system. We trained YOLOv5 and Faster R-CNN on our dataset of strawberry images incorporating the UV spectrum (300–400 nm). Our results showed that NID-based YOLO V5 outperformed NID-based Faster R-CNN in training time (0.3 vs. 4.5–5.5 hours) and mean Average Precision—mAP (0.951 vs. 0.934). We also present the field-test of our NID-based YOLOv5 system on a drone platform to validate its ability to detect strawberry flowers.

In this paper, the central Indian Ocean (60°–95°E, 0°–37°S) has been selected as the research area, and Argo salinity data are used as the measured values. The Catboost algorithm is introduced for the first time to retrieve sea surface salinity, and a comparison is made with the traditional artificial neural network (ANN) and random forest (RF) machine learning algorithm. The results show that: (1) Through linear fitting with the Argo salinity, the R2 of the three machine learning methods are 0.9299, 0.88 and 0.83, respectively. The corresponding RMSE were 0.2360, 0.3004, and 0.3156 psu, and MAE were 0.1816, 0.2486, and 0.2641 psu, respectively. (2) The spatial distribution of salinity of Argo and SMOS was compared with the inversion results of the model. It was found that the salinity of the sea area was lower at (83°–88°E, 24°–27°S) and (68°–72°E, 17°–20°S), and higher at 30°–35° south latitude, showing consistent with Argo. (3) The stability of the model was independently verified using the data from January to March 2020, and it was found that the R2 of the RF model shows the best stability, while the R2 of the ANN model shows the worst stability.

(The ancient tradition concerning Pythagoras of Samos’ role as the founder of physiognomy): This paper collects and analyzes ancient sources that refer to Pythagoras of Samos as the founder of physiognomy. Interest in physiognomy, which deals with the relationship between the body and the spirit, has become more popular over the last few years; however, many aspects of research into the topic are still obscure and worthy of further study. Physiognomy was assumed by ancient authors to be the method by which candidates were selected to enter the Pythagorean community, used by the Greek philosopher and his followers. Information about Pythagoras, who – by simply looking at somebody – could recognize their character appears, in the works of Aulus Gellius, Hippolytus, Porphyry, Iamblichos, Proclos and Olympiodorus. Apart from discussing testimonia about Pythagoras and his physiognomic examinations, the text explores the role of physiognomy during the selection process for the Pythagorean community in order to provide a better understanding of elite traditions within society. The paper also supplies further insight with regards to the methodology behind physiognomical surveys, which were popular during antiquity.

(Tiberius’ Actions in Selected Regions as Instruments of Diplomatic Policy from 20 BCE to 37 CE): This article is devoted to the diplomatic activities of Tiberius which can be divided into two main phases. The first period concerns the time before Tiberius became emperor (20 BCE–14 CE), whilst the second relates to his time as ruler of the Empire (14–37). The composition of the work is geographical, because in some regions Tiberius acted as a diplomatic envoy of Augustus and later as the emperor. The paper discusses his role and how effective his actions were with regards to the following regions: (I) Armenia and Parthia; (II) Pannonia; (III) Germania; (IV) Thrace; (V) Cappadocia, Commagene, Amanus and Pontus; (VI) Greek cities; (VII) Palestine and Syria.

Introduction In the new globalized world, noise pollution has started to become a public health problem. We searched for publications about noise pollution in our study. In our study, we examined the noise pollution articles in the Web of Science (WoS) database. Material and Methods A total of 2722 papers were identified which were published between 2001 and 2020, finally, 1815 articles were analyzed. VOSviewer (version 1.6.11) tool used for bibliometric web visualizations. Results When trend analysis was applied to the number of articles by years, a statistically significant increase was detected. The United States contributed the most publications. The countries with the most articles per million population were determined to be Scotland, Singapore, and Ireland, respectively. Most articles on noise pollution were published in the journal Applied Acoustics. The three most used keywords are “noise pollution”, “noise” and “traffic noise”. Conclusions This study showed that there has been a trend of an increasing number of articles on noise pollution in recent years. Also it can be considered that this bibliometric study will help identify gaps in the current research data.

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Francis Bacon says knowledge is power. The creation of knowledge and its dissemina-tion largely depends on the creation of literary works. The great works of Shakespeare, da Vinci, Homer, Picasso, Milton, Tagore etc. have been a treasure trove of mankind. Human beings have enjoyed the work, been inspired by the work, taken joy and eternal bliss in such works. However, the creation of knowledge is dependent on pre-existing knowledge. Creators create a work which requires hard work, imagi-nation, creativity and which is incentivised by recognition of their work. The legal order of a couth society affords protection to such a work by copyright law & fair use. Fair use allows a person to use a work by duly acknowledging and referencing the work. Issue of plagiarism and abuse of fair use was aggravated by human greed. The economic implication of copyright infringement aggravated the whole issue. Referencing turned into war. The Bluebook, the Maroonbook, the ALWD, the APA and OSCOLA citation styles engaged in some kind of a war. Reference management systems like Zotero, Endnote, Mendeley etc. just fanned the flame. Disruptive and generative artificial intelligence has created a serious challenge to academic research. In this paper, the author attempts to delve into the inter-linkage of academic writing, research, citation, copyright, referencing mechanism and plagiarism in contempo-rary society, and the aftermath of it. The author attempts to investigate the challenges of writing and the protection of works vis-a-vis referencing tools and techniques

This paper retraces the epistemological history of an English-language research tradition stemming from political planning and management, from the 1970s to the present day. This school of thought has developed notions such as « ill-structured problems, » « fuzzy problems, » « wicked problems, » and even « super-wicked problems, » which aim to account for the difficulty of political problems and question the Cartesian image of the problem as fully definable and soluble. We seek to evaluate the epistemological content of these concepts, describe the debates they provoke over their definition, their operationality, and their possible uses for political science. But the main question is whether this research tradition, which gives rise to a philosophy of education and to pedagogical proposals, is capable of fertilizing an education in politics, within the framework of the socially acute questions now introduced in school curricula and in relation to the problems that worry us most today, such as climate change or pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The paper intends to show that the Rise from Despair to Hope in Shakespeare’s Hamlet emerges as a significant societal transformation of Elizabethan land. The paper maintains that this social change reflects the upward movement of the Elizabethan society engaged on the way to familial and brotherhood reconstruction. This shift represents a new direction and by the way, constitutes a rewarding phase for Shakespeare because it celebrates the break with the past. By a sociocritical analysis, the paper also accesses the Elizabethan social shift with a ray of expectations since a new Elsinore is born from the ashes of the chaotic situation in which Claudius is the lead-promoter. Keywords: fratricide, brotherhood, reconstruction, despair, hope.

Abstract: Ibrahim Al-Koni is celebrated for his vivid depiction of the desert and its diverse inhabitants—humans, animals, and even flora—within a unified and innovative narrative framework. His literary works reveal the mysterious world of the Tuareg, delving into their psychological landscape and life philosophy, and examining a mindset nearly erased from our collective human consciousness. Al-Koni skillfully interlaces factual accounts with mythological elements, offering a reflection on human nature that is both deep and universally applicable. Al-Koni’s narratives, with their distinct focus on the desert and its fundamental life rituals, brilliantly expand these themes to address broader aspects of human culture, prompting critical questions about humanity’s relationship with the cosmos and nature. His creations provide a window into a critical segment of history and a cultural memory on the verge of fading. In Al-Koni's portrayal, desert inhabitants resist a sedentary existence, confronting the desert's inhospitable forces—a stark contrast to life—in pursuit of a freedom that resonates with their existential beliefs. The desert, with its severe austerity, exposes the essence of entities and tests the human soul against fate. This clash with the harsh desert landscape forces a profound reevaluation of existence from a uniquely different perspective. This paper seeks to clarify this perspective on life and existence as experienced by desert inhabitants, especially emphasizing the pivotal role of animals. These creatures exceed their functional roles, becoming companions and sources of inspiration. This analysis, centered on Al-Koni’s "The Bleeding of the Stone" and "Gold Dust," explores the depth of his engagement with and reverence for desert life despite its brutality. It investigates: How does Al-Koni depict the extraordinary symbiosis between humans and animals, particularly through the dappled Mahri camel and the Barbary sheep? Furthermore, how does he utilize the element of the sublime in his narratives, drawing from mythological constructs to shape the narrative structure? Keywords: Novel, Desert, Myths, Traditions, Human

Abstract: In higher education, fostering critical reading strategies across cultural literary contexts presents a formidable challenge. As educational paradigms shift towards interdisciplinary approaches, educators must grapple with the complex interplay of diverse cultural perspectives within the realm of literary analysis. This paper explores the significance of interdisciplinary perspectives in teaching critical reading skills, particularly in navigating the rich tapestry of cultural literary contexts. Drawing upon insights from various disciplines such as literature, cultural studies, and education, it examines strategies for effectively integrating diverse texts and methodologies into the curriculum. Furthermore, it addresses the challenges inherent in engaging students with interdisciplinary teaching strategies and offers recommendations for enhancing pedagogical practices. By embracing interdisciplinary approaches, educators can cultivate a more nuanced understanding of literature across cultural boundaries and empower students to critically engage with texts in an increasingly globalized world. Keywords: Fostering, literature, critical, reading, strategies

The paper focuses on the multi-faceted personality and work of Piero Calamandrei – an outstanding protagonist in the sphere of law, academia, institutions and culture – highlighting how many provisions of the Constitution are indebted to his proposals. In particular, Calamandrei contributed to the drafting of norms on civil rights, the constitutionalisation of social rights, and the protection of the autonomy and independence of the judiciary, an aspect to which the Author pays specific attention along with the principle of the separation of powers, which constitutes the ‘beating heart’ of the relations between politics and the judiciary.

The aim of this paper is to reconstruct the main features and historical-political reasons behind the presidentialism proposal advanced by Piero Calamandrei in the Constituent Assembly. The Author illustrates this proposal not only within the context of the Florentine jurist’s thought, but also within the broader field of institutional reforms and the Italian political system, highlighting the factors that undermine the stability of the executive.

The paper concerns the contribution given by Calamandrei with the Mexican conferences to the transformative constitutionalism that spread in Latin America. In particular, it dwells on the role of the judge as an engine of social transformation. After a brief introduction on the role of the judge in pre-1944 works, the Author emphasizes the liberal-socialist culture as the matrix of the social justice promised in the Republican Constitution. Secondly, the Author focuses on the inaugural conference of the 1950 International Congress, in which Calamandrei invites us to read the trial in the light of the constitutional principles of the welfare state. The Mexican conferences, in which the judge becomes an engine of social transformation, are then analysed. The paper concludes with an analysis of the legacy of the Mexican conferences in Latin America: the ‘transformative constitutionalism’.

The paper focuses on the Risorgimento roots of Piero Calamandrei’s thought, on his firm and open opposition to Fascism from the very beginning, and on his relationship with the Resistance. Through the pages of his Diary, the atmosphere of heavy oppression endured by many anti-fascist intellectuals is reconstructed. For Calamandrei, the liberation struggle became a historical moment of reconciliation not only with the ‘homeland’ vilified by Fascism, but also with the generation of which his son Franco was part, who had made a fundamental contribution to the Resistance.