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The authors of the concept Health-Related Digital Autonomy (HRDA) have laid the first building block to examine the interactions between artificial intelligence (AI), social media, and depression f...

Motivation Based on the concept that contiguous cytosine-phosphorothioate-guanine (CpG) sites in the same DNA strand may be modified by a methyltransferase or demethylase together, current study found that the combination of multiple CpGs into a single block may promote cancer diagnosis. However, there is no R package available for building models based on methylation correlated blocks. Results Here, we present a package named stacked ensemble of machine learning models for methylation correlated blocks (EnMCB) to build signatures based on DNA methylation correlated blocks for survival prediction. The Cox regression, support vector regression, mboost and elastic-net model were combined in the ensemble model. Methylation profiles from The Cancer Genome Atlas were used as real datasets. The package automatically partitions the genome into blocks of tightly co-methylated CpG sites, termed methylation correlated blocks. After partitioning and modeling, the diagnostic capacities for predicting patients’ survivals are given. Availability and implementation EnMCB is freely available for download at GitHub (https://github.com/whirlsyu/EnMCB/) and Bioconductor (http://bioconductor.org/packages/release/bioc/html/EnMCB.html). Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Block-based programming is a popular approach to teaching introductory programming. Block-based programming often works in the context of microworlds, where students solve specific puzzles. It is u...

Due to the lack of any specific study about the sidewalls and other blocks’ changes in the case of hydraulic and scour downstream, the present study was conducted to investigate this issue. For this purpose, drainage projects and spillway chutes, as well as many baffle block chutes, were designed and constructed with the parallel sidewalls and trapezoidal shape using the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) instructions. Three divergence ratios of b 1 / b 2 = 1.45 , 1.75 , and 2.45 , a parallel sidewall of b 1 / b 2 = 1 , and also three geometry blocks including trapezoidal USBR, trihedral, and semicircle blocks were applied and tested in the hydraulic laboratory using a baffle chute with the slope of (2 : 1), (H : V). The material used in this study was sediment sand with a uniform grain size of d50 = 1.2 mm, 15 cm of thickness, and 2 m of length. The experiment was conducted with seven different discharges in lasting condition, and the flow characteristic and scour hole dimensions were measured. The results revealed that in comparison with the USBR blocks, changes in the baffle sidewall and block shape made an approximate 50% reduction in the maximum depth of the scour hole. Thus, increasing the divergence ratio from 1 to 2.45 had a significant effect on reducing the maximum depth and the topographic shape of the scour hole. According to the range mentioned in the literature for the Weber number, the scale effect was negligible for the chute with baffle blocks. Generally, it can be concluded that the sidewall changes also can make a reduction in the number of overbaffle blocks, causing a reduction in the construction cost.

From the acquisition of a press for Concrete Earth Blocks (CEB) that is in disuse and as part of the project of a workshop for a small construction company, this research is carried out on the production process of these Interlocked Concrete Earth Blocks, the selection of suitable soils and stabilizers selected for its elaboration, the execution of masonry with this type of block, the study of its production costs and comparison with the costs of other masonry.

The article presents the results of computer simulation of the propagation of the combustion wave of "self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS)" process in an atomic layered structure. In each layer of the structure, nanosized blocks of two types alternate: a block of the first type is composed as a packet of unit cells of Ni atoms, and a block of the second type is composed of a packet of elementary cells of Al atoms. In each pair of layers adjacent to each other, sequences of alternating blocks of two types are shifted relative to each other by one block, so the full layered structure of the layers with alternating blocks in them is associated with a chessboard pattern. Computer simulation of SHS in such a structure was carried out using the LAMMPS software package taking into account parallel computations, which uses the molecular dynamics method and the interatomic interaction potential in the embedded atom" model (EAM). In addition to the LAMMPS package, the authors implemented program procedures for calculating the temperature and density profiles of the substance along the motion direction of the SHS combustion wave front, which made it possible to carry out temperature analysis of the SHS microkinetics (to estimate the velocity of the combustion wave front) and recognition of intermetallic phases in the reaction volume of the Ni-Al system when using the OVITO package.

Accurately tracing the state of learner knowledge contributes to providing high-quality intelligent support for computer-supported programming learning. However, knowledge tracing is difficult when learners have only had a few practice opportunities, which is often common in block-based programming. This article proposed two knowledge tracing models that can exploit the problem-solving process data generated by learners from a single programming task. A novel metric, the approaching index, was developed using the tree edit distance in abstract syntax trees to measure the similarities between the learners’ intermediate solutions and the optimal solution. The proposed method allows for each learner's programming path to be represented as a raw approaching index sequence ( AISeq ) or as a single variable ( AIScore ) by averaging the AISeq . A logistic regression model was first designed to predict the learners’ performances using their AIScore , the number of attempts, and their current performance. A second model, a recurrent neural network model, was also developed to directly use the AISeq and to make predictions. To verify the effectiveness of these models, a series of statistical analyses and experiments were conducted on two existing large-scale block-based programming datasets, the results from which revealed that the proposed models were competitive with four state-of-the-art models on multiple metrics, such as the precision-recall curve, accuracy, specificity, and Cohen's Kappa. Especially, the proposed models were found to be more robust than the compared models in predicting who would fail to complete the tasks.

Too many pre-clinical experiments are giving results which cannot be reproduced. This may be because the experiments are incorrectly designed. In “Completely randomized” (CR) and “Randomised block” (RB) experimental designs, both the assignment of treatments to experimental subjects and the order in which the experiment is done, are randomly determined. These designs have been used successfully in agricultural and industrial research and in clinical trials for nearly a century without excessive levels of irreproducibility. They must also be used in pre-clinical research if the excessive level of irreproducibility is to be eliminated. A survey of 100 papers involving mice and rats was used to determine whether scientists had used the CR or RB designs. The papers were assigned to three categories “Design acceptable”, “Randomised to treatment groups”, so of doubtful validity, or “Room for improvement”. Only 32 ± 4.7% of the papers fell into the first group, although none of them actually named either the CR or RB design. If the current high level of irreproducibility is to be eliminated, it is essential that scientists engaged in pre-clinical research use “Completely randomised” (CR), “Randomised block” (RB), or one of the more specialised named experimental designs described in textbooks on the subject.

In order to reveal the structure of the process of developing the professional competence of a future computer science teacher when teaching computer science, we will use modeling as a method of cognition of complex objects, processes and phenomena. In order to develop the professional competence of a future computer science teacher in the process of teaching computer science, a structural and logical model was developed. This article is devoted to the creation of a structural and logical model for the development of professional competence of future computer science teachers in the process of teaching computer science at a pedagogical University. The developed model includes a target, content, organizational-activity, and performance-criteria block. The methodological basis for designing a structural and logical model for the development of information and computing competence of a future computer science teacher was the system, activity, and competence approaches. Each block of the structural and logical model has functions, content, and methodological features. The levels of formation of information and computing competence of future computer science teachers are represented by low, medium and high levels.

Background Since its inception, the erector spinae plane block has been used for a variety of truncal surgeries with success in both adults and children. However, the anatomical features, route of spread, and dermatomal coverage are still not fully understood in a pediatric population. Objectives To identify the anatomical features of the erector spinae fascial plane space by replicating an erector spinae plane block in a fresh neonatal cadaveric sample. The primary aim was to determine the spread of the dye within the fascial plane, while the secondary aims were to determine whether the needle direction or entry site affected the spread. Methods The block was replicated bilaterally using 0.1 mL/kg of iodinated contrast dye in nine fresh unembalmed preterm neonatal cadavers. The dye was introduced under ultrasound guidance at vertebral level T5 and T8. Additionally, the needle was oriented cranial-caudal vs caudal-cranial to determine if the needle orientation influenced the spread of dye. The block was also replicated midway between the adjacent transverse processes as opposed to the lateral tip of the transverse process to determine the spread. Results From the total sample size, 14 "blocks" were successfully replicated, while 4 "blocks" were either incomplete or failed blocks. Contrast dye was found in the paravertebral, intercostal, and epidural spaces, including posteriorly over the neural foramina. Results revealed that the needle direction or entry site did not influence the spread within the fascial plane. Conclusion Contrast material was found in the paravertebral, epidural, and intercostal spaces over an average of 5 vertebral levels when using 0.1 mL/kg.

Pine needle char beehive blocks are the alternate source of energy utilizing the abundantly available perilous pine needle biomass in the Uttarakhand state. The blocks were previously made with traditional method, which becomes obsolete. This research provides a significantly amended modified approach. The traditional approach and modified approach of pine needle char block making were evaluated based on economics, production rate and proximate analysis. The cost of each piece of char:soil block made traditionally was Rs. 8 whereas Rs. 3.20 for modified block. The modified approach has a greater capacity of 24 kg/h than the traditional approach of 7.20 kg/h. The production rate of traditional approach was 12 blocks/h, whereas modified approach has 48 blocks/h production rate. The proximate analysis shows that the modified blocks have low moisture content, ash content and high volatile matter than the traditionally prepared blocks. The calorific values of traditional blocks were in the range of 18–20 MJ/kg whereas 18.7–28.9 MJ/kg for modified blocks. The modified approach to pine needle char beehive blocks production is an advanced technique with enhanced fuel characteristics properties of blocks that will encourage rural development and self-employment in the hilly region of India.

In the article the working results on one section of the thematic dictionary of Samara dialects are summarized. The study is novel in the application of the ideographic description technique to the large lexical material, which was extracted from the unpublished files of dialectological expeditions in the villages of the Samara region. The author of the article reported that the language corps of vocabulary fixations was used as the main source of the thematic group of zoological vocabulary, which was compiled using the thematic questionnaire, given to respondents. The thematic zoological vocabulary was classified and divided into two main semantic blocks: Wild Animals and Home Animals.The author states that both semantic blocks represent complex system formations with developed differentiation of dialect nominations. Attention is drawn to the fact that the first block is dominated by the names of fish, birds, insects, and reptiles, while the most part of the second block consists of the animals and birds names grown in the household. In the Samara dialects there is a variety of word-formation dialect modifications of words, the presence of productive affixes. The author raises the question, if it is possible to represent systematically the names of individual members of the animal world, which were borrowed by Russians from the other languages of the Volga region people, in the dialect dictionary. The author claims that the material of the Samara dialects is optimally reflected in the dictionary compiled using the technique of ideographic description. The article concludes that the systemic connections identified as a result of the study in the thematic group of zoological names can be used in the complex characteristic of secondary dialects of the Volga region, along with the facts of other dialect languages levels.

The Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) has gained a lot of attention for solving large-scale and objective-separable constrained optimization. However, the two-block variable structure of the ADMM still limits the practical computational efficiency of the method, because one big matrix factorization is needed at least once even for linear and convex quadratic programming. This drawback may be overcome by enforcing a multi-block structure of the decision variables in the original optimization problem. Unfortunately, the multi-block ADMM, with more than two blocks, is not guaranteed to be convergent. On the other hand, two positive developments have been made: first, if in each cyclic loop one randomly permutes the updating order of the multiple blocks, then the method converges in expectation for solving any system of linear equations with any number of blocks. Secondly, such a randomly permuted ADMM also works for equality-constrained convex quadratic programming even when the objective function is not separable. The goal of this paper is twofold. First, we add more randomness into the ADMM by developing a randomly assembled cyclic ADMM (RAC-ADMM) where the decision variables in each block are randomly assembled. We discuss the theoretical properties of RAC-ADMM and show when random assembling helps and when it hurts, and develop a criterion to guarantee that it converges almost surely. Secondly, using the theoretical guidance on RAC-ADMM, we conduct multiple numerical tests on solving both randomly generated and large-scale benchmark quadratic optimization problems, which include continuous, and binary graph-partition and quadratic assignment, and selected machine learning problems. Our numerical tests show that the RAC-ADMM, with a variable-grouping strategy, could significantly improve the computation efficiency on solving most quadratic optimization problems.

This paper proposed a ‘self-contained’ structural system for structural columns and ring beams and used recycled concrete blocks (RCBs) as wall materials. Based on this design concept, a full-scale model of a new masonry building structure was established. The Castaic wave, the Taft wave, and an artificial wave were sequentially input to the shaking table, and the effects of different ground motions on the structural model were simulated. The changes in the natural frequency and damping ratio of the test model and the acceleration, displacement, and strain responses of the structure were studied under different seismic wave excitations. Finally, the overall seismic resistance of the model was determined. The results showed that the ‘self-contained’ structure system exhibited excellent cooperative performance. Moreover, the test model can fully meet the degree-7 seismic fortification requirements, in which the damage sustained from small earthquakes is not substantial, the damage sustained from moderate earthquakes can be repaired, and the damage sustained from large earthquakes does not cause structural failure. The results showed that RCBs can replace ordinary concrete blocks in practical engineering projects. However, the construction measures for the door and window openings should be strengthened in actual projects.

Scratch which is one of the block-based software for facilitating programming teaching is commonly used for beginners of learning programming. However, there is a lack of studies about the perceptions of information and communication technologies (ICT) teachers regarding the contributions of this visual programming language. Therefore, this study deals with developing a scale for measuring ICT teachers’ perceptions based on unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) about Scratch’s contributions in teaching programming. The sample of the study includes 265 ICT teachers from Turkish Ministry of National Education (MoNE) secondary schools who used Scratch software in their courses. According to exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses results, final version for perceptions scale of ICT teachers regarding the contributions of block-based visual programming language (Scratch) includes 28 items. The Cronbach Alpha coefficient is 0.97. This scale can help the practitioners who aims at understanding the contributions of Scratch and the other block-based visual programming languages from ICT teachers’ perspective; the researchers who wish to investigate this contribution according to various variables and the decision-makers of using Scratch in programming instruction programs.

This article evaluates the thermal and energy performance of mortar blocks containing local agricultural waste. The mortar blocks were cast by the replacement of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with varying amounts of date palm ash (DPA) in the range of 10–30%. Experiments and simulations were carried out to assess the thermal characteristics and energy performance of the specimens. A prototype office building was modeled and simulated in DesignBuilder (Version 6.1.06) with modified blocks prepared with DPA under the Arabian Gulf environment characterized by hot and humid climatic conditions of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The developed blocks are characterized as lightweight blocks based on density data which satisfy the requirement of ASTM C55-11. The analysis and simulation indicate that the incorporation of DPA improves the thermal resistance of up to 47%, enhances the indoor environment and yields annual energy consumption of up to 7.6%, consequently reduces the cost of masonry block production by ~ 11% without compromising the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. The masonry blocks prepared with DPA found to be economical than conventional masonry blocks. It is postulated that the novel DPA-based developed blocks are significantly sustainable products which will contribute to the valorization of DPA waste along with the reduction in the cost of construction and operational cost of the building.

Block-based visual programming tools, such as Scratch, Alice, and MIT App Inventor, provide an intuitive and easy-to-use editing interface through which to promote programming learning for novice students of various ages. However, very little attention has been paid to investigating these tools’ overall effects on students’ academic achievement and the study features that may moderate the effects of block-based visual programming from a comprehensive perspective. Thus, the present study carried out a meta-analysis to systemically examine 29 empirical studies (extracting 34 effect sizes) using experimental or quasi-experiments involving the programming learning effects of employing block-based visual programming tools to date (until the end of 2019). The results showed a small to medium significant positive overall mean effect size (fixed-effect model g = 0.37; random-effects model g = 0.47) of the use of these block-based visual programming tools with respect to students’ academic achievement. Furthermore, the overall mean effect size was significantly affected by the educational stage, programming tool used, experimental treatment, and school location. Discussions and implications based on the findings are provided.

Виходячи з результатів патентного пошуку за 2011—2020 рр. проаналізовано стан розвитку сфери виготовлення книжкової продукції. Систематизовано та класифіковано отримані дані. Досліджені чинники появи експлуатаційних пошкоджень і руйнувань клейових окантовувальних полімерних пластин, утворених в процесі незшивного скріплення блоків і скріплення блоків, зшитих нитками. Визначено, що пошкодження книжкової продукції, в силу конструктивних особливостей, відбуваються в тих його складових, на які здійснюється найбільший вплив експлуатаційних навантажень, і які втрачають визначені стандартами на технологічне виготовлення належні властивості міцності, в першу чергу. Виявлені поліграфічні методи підвищення стійкості корінцевої частини книжкових блоків під час експлуатації книжкового видання. Розроблена класифікація методів підвищення зносостійкості корінців книжкових блоків дозволяє систематизувати відомості щодо критичних навантажень, які несуть книжкові блоки в період їх експлуатації, та врахувати їх для організації досліджень з розробки та удосконалення технології окантування книжкових блоків зшитих нитками. Результати патентного пошуку книжково-журнальній галузі за період 2011-2020 рр. дають підстави стверджувати, що найперспективнішими є напрямки досліджень в скріпленні корінцевої частини книжкового блоку, як зшитих нитками так і незшивним клейовим скріпленням. Based on the results of the patent search for 2011–2020, the state of development of the sphere of book production was analyzed. The obtained data are systematized and classified. The factors of occurrence of operational damages and destructions of the adhesive edging polymer plates formed in the process of non-stitched fastening of blocks and fastening of the blocks sewn by threads are investigated. Damage to book products, due to design features, occurs in those components that are most affected by operating loads, and which lose the guaranteed service life, defined by the standards for technological production, in the first place. Mechanical damage to book products that occur over a long period of intensive use affects the preservation of geometric parameters, competitive appearance, operational stability and plastic ability to reach the opening angles of book blocks up to 180. In the process of active reading, as well as copying on flat devices for scanning originals, high quality playback and proper image transmission is provided only from the pages of the most open blocks. The destruction of the adhesive film of the root part of the book blocks during the long operation of the book is one of the most common defects that occur during the use of book products. The destruction of the adhesive film leads to deformation of the root of the block and the loss of presentability of the book product. Polygraphic methods for increasing the stability of the root part of book blocks during the operation of the book edition are determined. The developed classification of methods to increase the wear resistance of the roots of book blocks allows you to systematize information on the critical loads carried by book blocks during their operation, and take them into account for research to develop and improve the technology of edging book blocks sewn with threads. The results of the patent search of the book and magazine industry for the period 2011–2020 give grounds to claim that the most promising areas of research are in the bonding of the root part of the book block, both sewn with threads and unstitched adhesive bonding.

Increasing the productivity of oil palm is one of criteria success for field assistant in manage of afdeling/division. Field assistant in oil palm plantation has responsibility to control 500-800 ha depend on the policy of company. All acreage are divided block by block which size is 25-30 ha each. Block is designed to be homogeneous by arrange plant, silt, road, and etc appropriate the criteria, that makes easy to manage. But the facts, blocks has various for one to another and then must be handling with various way. Management Block Approach is one of the best way to evaluate and find the root cause. This methode can use to increase oil palm productivity. Problems in blocks not singular but many factors must be analysis. 3 Steps use in management block are gap analysis, analysis of root cause by fishbone method and Problem Identifications and Corrective Action (PICA) concepts. This method have tried in many company.

Musical interval identification is a valuable skill for holistic and sophisticated musicianship. Yet, discriminating and identifying intervals is often challenging, especially for musical novices. Drawing on cognitive psychological principles, we built two experiments that investigated the utility of interleaving in enhancing novices’ aural identification of melodic ascending intervals. Specifically, we designed a novel programmed intervention during which novices learnt six interval types in an interleaved schedule (different interval types learnt interspersed) and six interval types in a blocked schedule (each interval type drilled several times before proceeding to the next) within a single session. When implemented in combination with familiar reference songs and singing as supplementary learning aids, interleaving and blocking yielded comparable performance on a test requiring participants to classify novel instances of the studied interval types (Experiment 1). However, in the absence of reference songs and singing, a robust interleaving effect emerged—interleaving produced superior musical interval identification than blocking (Experiment 2). Yet, most participants were unaware of the benefits of interleaving, and misjudged blocking to be more effective. These findings highlight the potential influence of context under which interleaving is a beneficial technique for learning melodic musical intervals.

The present study explores the blocks that were reused in the southern chamber of Amenhotep II's edifice at the Karnak Temple. This edifice is located between the IXth and the Xth pylons. The blocks are sandstone and contain scenes and texts. The author describes and translates them to investigate their association with the rituals that occur in the edifice. Although the scenes of the blocks under investigation date back to Amenhotep II’s second jubilee, they were reused in other places. Some of them depict scenes of the king with a deity, such as a block that showed King Amenhotep II embraced by the god Amun. Moreover, they contained various scenes, such as purification and offering. For example, the offering scenes depict the offerings of three vessels, bread, goose, flowers, plants and fruits, and title of Amenhotep II. The author will conduct further studies on the edifice of Amenhotep II. When completing the study, the author will virtually reconstruct the edifice.

As we know the game is one of the interesting applications found in gadgets. Many people who play games use their gadgets. The fans of this game come from various age segments. Although the majority is dominated by children and adolescents. Molemash is one of the popular games since time immemorial. This Molemash game is played by touching certain characters that appear on the gadget's screen. The aim of developing this Molemash game is as a media to entertain children during the Covid-19 pandemic. Another goal is to introduce programming to today's parents. The development method used is Rapid Application Development (RAD). One application that supports the RAD method is MIT App Inventor 2. MIT App Inventor 2 is one of the tools that supports the RAD method because it implements block programming so that it allows efficiency in terms of program lines that must be written. One block at MIT App Inventor 2 represents dozens or even hundreds of program lines. Users only need to arrange the blocks according to the desired logic flow. Therefore MIT App Inventor 2 is suitable for rapid software development. The result of developing this Molemash game is that children get alternative entertainment during the Covid-19 pandemic. Whereas in terms of parents get new knowledge related to game development on Android.

Teaching computer programming to children and adolescents has become popular in recent years. This popularity has resulted in increased research into techniques for teaching introductory programming using visual languages, especially block-based languages. This study aims to explore new possibilities for teaching programming by adopting a hybrid environment between the descriptive and flow-oriented paradigm. The use of the Semiotic Engineering’s Communicability Evaluation Method (CEM), a theoretical line of Human-Computer Interaction based on communication, was applied to assess its usefulness to a high school audience. The teaching activities took place in cycles, with successive refinements, forming an action-research strategy. In this way, we conducted a descriptive case study with a qualitative analysis of the data, in which we collected a participant observation scheme. Our results established that the use of CEM in education was appropriate, that the proposed environment was suitable for the study, and the topics were relevant to the target audience.

The article is devoted to the study of foreign and domestic experience in using augmented reality applications in classes in various disciplines, including tools that a teacher can use in everyday activities to increase the effectiveness of teaching school curriculum subjects. The review of modern mobile applications with augmented reality elements suitable for use in the educational process is presented. For example, the article describes the applications Quiver and Animal AR 3D Safari for kids; Surface math AR, Geometry — Augmented Reality, AR Geometry applications for studying mathematics; AR Human Atlas, Anatomy AR Book for studying medicine; Mondly AR for studying foreign languages. The new technology Merge Cube (a hologram in pupils' hands), which is used in applications Mr. Body and AR Medical to study anatomy, Galaxy Explorer to study the solar system, Museum Viewer to visit a virtual museum and study history is described in the article. The availability of augmented reality technology for use in the educational process is demonstrated on the basis of constructors such as HP Reveal, CoSpaces Edu and EV Toolbox. For example, HP Reveal and CoSpaces Edu were used to create interactive content such as video content and a dynamic animal gallery to explore the world around. CoSpaces Edu was used for creating interactive dialogs in English based on elements of block visual programming. EV Toolbox was used to create the simple application that was the project based on marker technology to study the history of the V. I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University.

Internet filters are a method to block access to web content (Lawrence & Fry, 2016). Instantaneously, the word ‘blocks’ causes advocates of intellectual freedom to stand at attention. Intellectual freedom is one of the core values of librarianship which guide the decisions librarians make, as outlined within the American Library Association’s (ALA) Code of Ethics (1939/2008). The ALA’s Library Bill of Rights (1939/2019) states that, “a person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views” (para. IV). More specific to the topic at hand: “the use of Internet filters to block constitutionally protected speech … compromises First Amendment freedoms and the core values of librarianship” (ALA, n.d., para. 1). This paper will investigate and discuss the function of and methodology behind internet filters, with specific attention to their application in Canada. Following a general overview, a discussion follows of what library professionals in public and school libraries should do to uphold and protect intellectual freedom.

Relying on the classification of the indecomposable liftable modules in arbitrary blocks with non-trivial cyclic defect groups by the first author and Naehrig we give a complete classification of the trivial source modules lying in such blocks, describing in particular their associated path on the Brauer tree of the block in the sense of Janusz’ classification of the indecomposable modules of such blocks. Furthermore, the appendix contains a minor correction to the statement of the classification theorem of the indecomposable liftable modules, as well as a description of the minimal distance from an arbitrary indecomposable liftable module to the boundary of the stable Auslander-Reiten quiver of the block.

The proposed calculation of the amount of adhesive composition, to envelop the W-like spine of the book blocks takes into account their geometric features and creates conditions for minimizing the glue spread in the technological process.

Zonal disintegration widely exists in the excavation roadways and caverns in deep rock masses. Ultra-low friction can be generated in the deep fractured rock masses, which reduces or disappears under dynamic loading. In this paper, granite blocks were processed into cube specimens with a cylindrical hole in center. Static loads and sinusoidal disturbances were applied to study the sliding phenomenon between blocks. During the experiments, real-time images, and acoustic emissions were recorded. Results indicate blocks above the cylindrical hole slide during the second half of the sinusoidal disturbance, and block sliding is caused by a reduction of friction between the blocks. The existence of ultra-low friction can be inferred from this experiment.

This study aimed to clarify the degree of difference in radiopacity between sixteen CAD/CAM composite resin blocks, one ceramic block, and teeth of the same thickness on radiographs. The radiographic density of CAD/CAM composite resin blocks was measured and the results were compared with the corresponding values for enamel and dentin. Additionally, the study analyzed the constituent elements of each type of CAD/CAM composite resin block and conducted an examination to identify those elements exerting an influence on radiopacity. Compared to the enamel, there were five blocks with significantly higher radiopacity, two blocks with the same level in radiopacity, and ten blocks with notably lower radiopacity. Compared to the dentin, there were ten blocks with significantly higher radiopacity, one block with the same level in radiopacity, and six blocks with notably lower radiopacity. All of the CAD/CAM composite resin blocks for molars contained barium and strontium. This result suggests that the addition of heavy metals, for example, barium, strontium, and zirconium, would be effective in providing CAD/CAM composite resin blocks with radiopacity.

In this paper, we study the problem of query answering with guarded existential rules (also called GNTGDs) under stable model semantics. Our goal is to use existing answer set programming (ASP) solvers. However, ASP solvers handle only finitely-ground logic programs while the program translated from GNTGDs by Skolemization is not in general. To address this challenge, we introduce two novel notions of (1) guarded instantiation forest to describe the instantiation of GNTGDs and (2) prime block to characterize the repeated infinitely-ground program translated from GNTGDs. Using these notions, we prove that the ground termination problem for GNTGDs is decidable. We also devise an algorithm for query answering with GNTGDs using ASP solvers. We have implemented our approach in a prototype system. The evaluation over a set of benchmarks shows encouraging results.

Depth has been shown beneficial to neural network models. In this paper, we make an attempt to make the encoder-decoder model deeper for sequence generation. We propose a module that can be plugged into the middle between the encoder and decoder to increase the depth of the whole model. The proposed module follows a nested structure, which is divided into blocks with each block containing several recurrent transition steps. To reduce the training difficulty and preserve the necessary information for the decoder during transitions, inter-block connections and intra-block connections are constructed in our model. The inter-block connections provide the thought vectors from the current block to all the subsequent blocks. The intra-block connections connect all the hidden states entering the current block to the current transition step. The advantages of our model are illustrated on the image captioning and code captioning tasks.

The effectiveness of the use of teaching aids that are associated with cognitive development of early childhood, with the strategy of applying the method of playing blocks in the Kindergarten Plus Cinangka Sawangan Depok conducted by the teachers will determine the success of the effectiveness of the cognitive development of students, which are then developed routinely in accordance with the learning objectives It has been planned to be associated with the strategy of applying the method of playing blocks in accordance with basic competencies and learning indicators. Learning practices that use block media at TK Permata Plus are less than optimal due to the ratio of learners whose number exceeds the number of available beam props, so learning cannot be maximized. The active involvement of children is needed to improve their abilities and further research is needed from various variations to contribute to the learning problem. Playing with blocks can improve cognitive abilities of early childhood including: recognizing geometric shapes, recognizing colors. Make a Beam shape creation, sort objects based on five size or color seriations and classify objects into the same or similar group or in pairs with two variations.

As one of the fundamental characteristics of blockchain networks, consensus mechanism has attracted tremendous interests from both the academics and industries. Recently, more attention has been paid to the consensus mechanism with fair multi-miners participation. However, most of them are fixed-miners based and one-by-one block creation, and thus offering opportunities for attackers to launch DoS attack against the fixed miners or manipulate the blocks creation by bribing the fixed miners. Additionally, one-by-one block creation may result in vast transactions waiting to be confirmed, especially in a large scale of blockchain network. In this paper, we propose a novel consensus mechanism called proof-of-negotiation (PoN). With negotiation rules, trust management is introduced to evaluate the trustworthiness of miners, and thus achieving the random-honest miners selection for a round of block creation. To further improve the efficiency of PoN in creating blocks, parallel multi-blocks creation can be implemented synchronously or asynchronously by dividing the miner team as k groups. Meanwhile, a distributed blocks storage scheme is designed with a map function to alleviate the storage volume caused by massive blocks creation. Simulation results show that PoN is more effective than traditional consensus mechanism in one-by-one block creation and more efficient in creating blocks.

The article presents a conceptual model of training of a future doctor of pilosophy for the research and innovation activity. The relevance of the problem is related to the establishment and development of the third level of higher education in Ukraine, which requires the study of foreign experience and its implementation in the practice of domestic higher education institutions. The proposed model consists of five blocks (the target, informative, organizational, operational and diagnostic) and reflects the three steps of this process. At the theoretical and methodological stage represented in the target block, there have been determined the purpose of the research, normative and methodological frameworks for the process of training a future doctor of philosophy. The substantive-practical stage is featured by the informative, organizational and operational blocks of the model. The informative block reveals the content of the training of postgraduate students for the research and innovation activity, which is formed on the basis of the analysis of modern requirements for scientific-pedagogical employees and the constructed profile of a Ph.D., which has been reflected in educational-scientific programs, curricula and individual work plan of a postgraduate student. The organizational block describes the structure, tasks and functions of the innovative educational and scientific environment of the university; the operational block describes the two-component system of training of a Ph.D., where the educational component, along with the traditional-organized learning, includes project-organized learning, as well as additional learning outside the education process. Besides the obligatory work on the thesis research, the scientific component includes other forms and methods of the research and innovation activity at the university as a component of quasi-professional activity of future Ph.Ds. containing measures for the professional development of young scientists. The diagnostic block, which reflects the analytical and productive stage of the research, outlines the criteria, indicators and levels of readiness of the future Ph.D. for the research and innovation activity, outlining methods and tools for their determination. The result of the considered model is the disposition of future Ph.Ds. for the research and innovation activity. A further prospect of the research consists in its testing and experimental verification.

Hierarchical structures are important for transferring and amplifying molecular functions to macroscopic properties of materials. In this regard, rodlike molecules have emerged as one of the most promising molecular building blocks to construct functional materials. Although the self-assembly of conventional molecules containing rodlike components generally results in nematic or layered smectic phases, due to the preferred parallel arrangements of rodlike components, extensive efforts have revealed that rational molecular design provides a versatile platform to engineer rich self-assembled structures. Herein, first successes achieved in polyphilic liquid crystals and rod-coil block systems are summarized. Special attention is paid to recent progress in the conjugation of rodlike building blocks with other molecular building blocks through the molecular Lego approach. Rod-based giant surfactants, sphere-rod conjugates, and dendritic rodlike molecules are covered. Future perspectives of the self-assembly of molecules containing rodlike components are also provided.

The aim of this study is to determine the attitudes of pre-service teachers towards programming, the perceptions of self-efficacy about block-based programming and the opinions of pre-service teachers on the use of educational robots. This research is a quantitative and qualitative research conducted using a mixed research design. The study group of the research consisted of 140 undergraduate students from the universities in Turkey, studying in the Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technologies. The data were collected through the Attitude Scale of Computer Programming Learning, the Self-Efficacy Perception Scale Related to Block-Based Programming and the interview form developed by the researchers. The quantitative data were analyzed by arithmetic mean, standard deviation, pearson r correlation, regression, t-test and ANOVA analysis, and the qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis method and the following results were obtained: the attitudes of pre-service teachers and their perceptions of self-efficacy are above average and interrelated. The pre-service teachers’ perceptions of self-efficacy vary according to grade level. However, their attitudes do not differ according to class level. However, the perceptions of self-efficacy and the attitudes have been found to differ according to the university where they study gender and education. In addition, pre-service teachers’ opinions about educational robots are that educational robots contribute to problem solving and programming skills.

Natural disasters cause long-lasting mental health problems such as PTSD in children. Following the 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan, we witnessed a shift of toy block play behavior in young children who suffered from stress after the disaster. The behavior reflected their emotional responses to the traumatic event. In this paper, we explore the feasibility of using data captured from block-play to assess children's stress after a major natural disaster. We prototyped sets of sensor-embedded toy blocks, AssessBlocks, that automate quantitative play data acquisition. During a three-year period, the blocks were dispatched to fifty-two post-disaster children. Within a free play session, we captured block features, a child's playing behavior, and stress evaluated by several methods. The result from our analysis reveal correlations between block play features and stress measurements and show initial promise of using the effectiveness of using AssessBlocks to assess children's stress after a disaster. We provide detailed insights into the potential as well as the challenges of our approach and unique conditions. From these insights we summarize guidelines for future research in automated play assessment systems that support children's mental health.

In this study, we explored whether access to block play is beneficial to mathematical learning for young children in a low-income country. The research, conducted in Papua New Guinea, explored if access to Duplo Lego blocks, across a 7-month period, in early childhood education settings facilitated mathematical learning for children, aged from 5 to 7 years. The research design of the research involved an intervention group (n = 23) with children from three playschools who had access to the blocks across a period of 7 months. A comparison group (n = 26) included children from three elementary schools who had usual programming and resources across the period of the intervention. Learning outcomes were assessed using the Schedule for Early Number Assessment. Findings from this exploratory study indicated that children in the intervention group had stronger mathematics skills at the end of the intervention period than children in the comparison group. Findings indicated that access to block play had potential to improve mathematics skills in early childhood settings in Papua New Guinea. Greater access to block play could provide a feasible and affordable intervention to support early mathematical learning with potential to improve mathematical skills through primary school.

A systematic literature review is designed to synthesize meaningful knowledge from a large number of studies on a research topic. Over the past decade, management researchers have begun to adopt this review methodology with a goal of providing a comprehensive understanding of a business literature topic. This methodology can provide a context for existing literature, guide future research, and by translating theoretical observations into useable real-world principles, help business leaders make better decisions. A systematic literature review serves a different purpose than a traditional literature review, providing a more organized and complete exploration of research literature. However, systematic literature review is new to many management researchers. To aid in the understanding of this methodology, the editors of Management Review Quarterly, Fisch and Block (Mange Rev Q 68:103–106,2018), present six tips for conducting a systematic literature review. In this paper, we will examine their six tips, which we applied in a recent systematic literature review of leader credibility. By sharing our thoughts on the application of their tips, we hope to bolster the rigor and consistency of future systematic reviews of management literature. In addition to Fisch and Block’s six tips, based on our experiences, we offer three additional tips that became evident in our work to aid in future systematic literature reviews.

Microphase-separated block copolymers composed of electron donor and acceptor blocks may provide morphology control to address many challenges in organic electronics. Crucial to controlling the self-assembly of fully conjugated block copolymers is tuning the interplay between crystallization of the individual blocks and microphase separation between the donor and the acceptor. Thus, we have examined the kinetics of the morphological evolution in P3HT-b-PFTBT block copolymer films during two processes: solution casting and thermal annealing. We use in situ wide-angle and small-angle grazing incidence X-ray scattering to monitor the crystallization of P3HT and microphase separation between the two blocks. We find that during film drying, initial P3HT crystallization happens quickly, before phase separation of the two blocks. However, crystallization is significantly suppressed with respect to neat materials, enabling microphase separation to proceed at time scales after some initial crystallization of the donor block takes place. This enables a mesoscale structure to develop during processes such as thermal annealing because self-assembly of the lamellar structure takes place before the crystallization of the donor block is complete. We also find that significant crystallization of PFTBT blocks after P3HT crystallization is possible at elevated temperatures. Crystallization of both blocks is important to maximize the performance of solar cells and transistors with block copolymer active layers. As a consequence, we exceed 3% average power conversion efficiencies in P3HT-b-PFTBT photovoltaic devices.

The Block of Sciences is a project that includes the contents of Differential and Integral Calculus and Mechanics around learning challenges that students solve along the semester. It becomes evident the development of not only disciplinary but also transversal competencies, so that students learn the contents and solve the challenges. In the concerning to the teaching work, there exist changes due to the fact that a very close communication among the team members during the full semester is necessary. The professor's role in a subject transforms into a learning facilitator or guide in order to create an appropriate environment to produce a better and more meaningful learning. In addition, there is a supervising professor for the challenges, who supports the students through all the process. With respect to the students, they have a key and active role, and as a consequence, they get a more significant learning. Keywords: Competencies, educational innovation, multidisciplinary blocks, teamwork, Tec21.

"Mother nature" utilizes molecular self-assembly as an efficient tool to design several fascinating supramolecular architectures from simple building blocks like amino acids, peptides, and nucleobases. The self-assembling behavior of various biologically important molecules, morphological outcomes, molecular mechanism of association, and finally their applications in the real world draw broad interest from chemical and biological point of views. In this present Feature Article, the amyloid hypothesis is extended to include nonproteinaceous single metabolites that invoke a new paradigm for the pathology of inborn metabolic disorders. In this scenario, we dedicate this paper to understanding the morphological consequences and mechanistic insight of the self-assembly of some important amino acids (e.g., l-phenylalanine, l-tyrosine, glycine, etc.) and nucleobases (adenine and eight uracil moiety derivatives). Using proper spectroscopic and microscopic tools, distinct assembling mechanisms of different amino acids and nucleobases have been established. Again, lanthanides, polyphenolic compounds such as crown ethers, and a worldwide drink, beer, are elegantly employed as inhibitors of the resulting fibrillar aggregated structures. As a consequence, this study will cover literally a vast region in the self-assembling outcomes of single biologically important molecules, and therefore, we expect that a detailed understanding of such morphological outcomes using spectroscopic and microscopic approaches may open a new paradigm in this burgeoning field.

This study aims to describe the symbols and geometry that exist in the traditional house of the Lio tribe of Wolokoli Village, Wolowaru District, Ende Regency in ethnomathematics perspective in terms of mathematical concepts. This type of research is qualitative research with an ethnographic approach. The subjects of this study consisted of several informants (chiefs, village heads, teachers and students). Using observation and interview techniques, and using qualitative descriptive analysis. The results showed the existence of symbol shapes and geometry in the building of traditional houses of the Lio tribe of Wolokoli Village, Wolowaru District, Ende Regency. Other symbolic forms include leke (foundation pillars made of stone and wood), there are twenty oval-shaped stone pillars and one rectangular wooden pole, Tenga (lante beam) in the form of a tube. Dalo is rectangular in shape. Rectangular lure. Wisu (four main pillars) shaped beam. Kebi (wall) is rectangular in shape. Mangu (nok pole) shaped beam. Block shaped jara. Pene / Pere is rectangular in shape. Eba beams. Lara is a block. Hubu (roof) is made of trapezoid-shaped reeds. Form symbols and geometrical structures that exist in the traditional Lio Tribe of Wolokoli Village, namely lines, angles, squares, rectangles, triangles, trapezoid, parallelogram, triangles, hexagons, beams, tubes, and triangular prisms. The shape in these parts of the house can change the paradigm of children and society that mathematics has a relationship with daily activities and relationships with culture and can be learned in a fun way in solving problems of learning geometry material.

The duration of time over which bone growth is initiated in large bone defects using tissue-engineered scaffolds is still too long to be of practical relevance. Here, we report a unique design of mechanically stable interlocking blocks wherein the large defect shape is filled using interlocking scaffold blocks coated with bone morphogenic proteins (BMP-2 and BMP-7). The nanocomposite scaffold blocks are made using polycaprolactone and amino acid-modified nanoclays intercalated with mineralized hydroxyapatite. On seeding with human mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts, BMP-coated scaffolds showed higher ECM formation. Also, when assembled, accelerated tissue growth was observed compared with the similar-sized scaffold. Enhanced osteogenic differentiation of MSCs was observed at the interfaces between the blocks as well as the formation of defined fibril-like collagen. The block assembly does not compromise the mechanical integrity of a single cylindrical scaffold. Thus, here a novel BMP-coated interlocking blocks system is presented for accelerated bone growth.

Although there is wide rhetoric that programming should be learnt by all as an element of computational thinking (CT), in practice, it is mostly implemented narrowly as an end in itself consisting of routine practice and traditional testing of the ability to code. This paper discusses a way in which programming could be seen through a wider integrated pedagogical approach as jointly cultivating meaning making of computational concepts in conjunction with the adoption of practices and strategies in a relevant meaningful context for learners. We elaborate on a case of learning to code through digital game modding where programming and other computational concepts coexist. Our design frame includes the principles of black and white box designs, of students as de-buggers of engineered half-baked games and of games embedding both concepts and values in simulations involving wider contested complex issues. We use our analysis of the meaning making of students as they debug a choice-driven simulation game specially designed to bring this integrated kind of learning to the fore. We show elements of context-aware integrated CT connecting otherwise fragmented areas such as databases, block-based programming, Geographical Information Systems design.

The increase in railway speeds and the transition to unmanned transport control result in the growth of the role of operational management technologies exempt from excessive control of corporate headquarters. The objective of the work is to study the subsidiaritybased control as a new technology of controlling moving objects, and to identify borders of its efficiency. A subsidiarity-based control’s feature is that its efficiency may be revealed under certain conditions only and not always. Therefore, the application of subsidiaritybased control requires an analysis of operating conditions of vehicles. Subsidiarity-based control is an alternative to hierarchical control which is more efficient under simpler conditions. The paper reveals the essence of subsidiarity in the social and engineering field, and results of the study on application and applicability of subsidiarity-based control for the railways, its core factors are analyzed. Comparison of signal block and subsidiarity-based control systems is made, followed by description of particularities of identification of the size of blocks within subsidiarity-based control system. Additional factors of subsidiarity-based control, comprising complementarity and astatism, are described. The relationship between subsidiarity-based management and control and implementation of digital railway concept is shown.

A numerical analysis method for block failure is proposed that is based on continuum mechanics. First, a mesh model that includes marked blocks was established based on the grid-based block identification method. Then, expressions of the contact force under various contact states were derived based on the explicit contact force algorithm, and a contact simulation method between blocks and the surrounding rock was proposed. The safety factors of the blocks were calculated based on the strength reduction method. This numerical analysis method can simulate both the continuous deformation of the surrounding rock and the discontinuous failure processes of the blocks. A simple example of a sliding block was used to evaluate the accuracy and rationality of the numerical method. Finally, combined with a deep underground excavation project under complex geological conditions, the stability of the blocks and rock were analyzed. The results indicate that the key blocks are damaged after excavation, the potentially dangerous blocks loosen and undergo large deformations, and the cracks between the blocks and the rock gradually increase as the excavation proceeds. The safety factors of the blocks change during the excavation. The numerical results demonstrate the influence of the surrounding rock on the failure process and on the stability of the blocks, and an effective analysis method is provided for the stability analysis of blocks under complex geological conditions.

A typical mathematics assignment consists of a block of problems devoted to the same topic, yet several classroom-based randomized controlled trials have found that students obtain higher test scores when most practice problems are mixed with different kinds of problems—a format known as interleaved practice. Interleaving prevents students from safely assuming that each practice problem relates to the same skill or concept as the previous problem, thus forcing them to choose an appropriate strategy on the basis of the problem itself. Yet despite the efficacy of interleaved practice, blocked practice predominates most mathematics textbooks. As an illustration, we examined 13,505 practice problems in six representative mathematics texts and found that only 9.7% of the problems were interleaved. This translates to only one or two interleaved problems per school day. In brief, strong evidence suggests that students benefit from heavy doses of interleaved practice, yet most mathematics texts provide scarcely any.

China’s Zen and tea culture has a long history and is extensive and profound. It is in urgent need of inheritance, development and promotion by contemporary people. However, how to apply Zen and tea culture to the landscape sculpture design of the block with modern methods is an important embodiment of Zen and tea culture keeping pace with the times. This paper takes the application of Zen and tea elements in the theme block landscape sculpture as the research object, focusing on the theme, interest, practicability and appreciation of Zen and tea theme block sculpture to carry out the design, in order to provide help for the design of Zen and tea theme related block landscape sculpture.