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An archaeometric approach was applied to the study of the hoard found in the Samshvilde fortress, one of the richest areas of archaeological artefacts in Caucasian Georgia, since it is representative of the historical events from the Neolithic period until the most recent epochs. In this context, four coins dated back to the 12th–13th centuries AD to the reign of King Giorgi III, Queen Tamar, and King Giorgi IV of Georgia underwent different analytical methods to collect information about the technological production process, the probable forge location, and their conservation state. Optical microscope observations provided details about the decorations, the stylistic aspects, and a preliminary evaluation of the conservation state. Portable X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed a composition consisting almost exclusively of copper with a lower amount of tin, lead, and silver. Moreover, degradation products (copper chlorides and sulphates) and cuprite patina were identified. The metal-supplying areas could be related to the nearby Bolnisi Mining District, and the forge location could coincide with the hoard location in Samshvilde, but further data and analyses are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating local militias in the counterinsurgency (COIN) operations in Sinai has achieved tangible successes. The presence of local fighters contributed to the penetration of the Islamic State—Sinai Province network. The integration of locals into the ongoing COIN process has imposed a degree of local participation in local governance and decision‐making. Nevertheless, this article argues that there are two approaches to local integration into the COIN operation; the first is institutional integration, in which the state integrates local fighters at an institutional level in the ranks of the security apparatus. The second is the collaborating militia approach. In this pattern, the state resorts to warlords and tribal chiefs to mobilize irregular militias, coordinating with the regular forces in the COIN process without formally merging them into security institutions' ranks. The Egyptian model in the Sinai is one of the latter type. The collaborating militia integration approach into COIN operations contributes to wooing elites to create narrow patronage networks of cronies, preventing systematized community participation in the decision‐making process, which leads to keeping the factors of rebellion alive below the surface even if the rebels are defeated militarily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intuitive predictions about the future can expect upcoming events to conform with a pattern - representativeness heuristic - or to simply repeat the most recent and accessible outcome - availability heuristic. The present work proposes that while representativeness predictions require a relatively abstract comparison process, availability-based predictions reflect a concrete and local use of accessible information. Grounded on the construal level theory, this research pits one heuristic against the other in predictions about random events (rolling dice; coin tosses). Three studies suggest that low construal levels increase predictions consistent with the most accessible and recent outcomes while high levels of construal facilitate representativeness-consistent predictions. The findings highlight how construal level may determine reliance on one heuristic or the other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coinage of Bar Kosiba (Bar Kokhba), the leader of the Second Jewish Revolt (132–135/6 CE), has long been acknowledged as a source of data for understanding the ideology and goals of the rebel regime he headed. In particular, the imagery and legends on Bar Kosiba's tetradrachms have been the subject of many interpretations and controversies. This article proposes that the facade of the temple on the obverse of Bar Kosiba's tetradrachms and the four species on its reverse side are complementary symbols, joined together to represent the future inauguration ceremony of the restored temple. Furthermore, this imagery on the tetradrachms may have been intended to respond to the coins issued to commemorate the founding of the colony of Aelia Capitolina on the site of Jerusalem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heat equation, based on Fourier's law, is commonly used for description of heat conduction. However, Fourier's law is valid under the assumption of local thermodynamic equilibrium, which is violated in very small dimensions and short timescales, and at low temperatures. In the paper Kovács and Ván (Int J Heat Mass Transf 83:613–620, 2015), a ballistic-conductive (BC) model of heat conduction was developed. In this paper, we study the behavior of solutions to an initial value problem in 1D in the framework of the linearized BC model. As a result of the study, an unphysical effect has been found when part of the initial thermal energy does not spread anywhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the quantum walk as a tool for generating various probability distributions and quantum entanglements is a topic of current interest. In the present work, we use extensive numerical simulations to investigate the influence of generic quantum coins on the hybrid entanglement and spreading behavior of different quantum walks with time- and position-dependent coin operations based on the binary Fibonacci, Thue–Morse and Rudin–Shapiro sequences. We find that each considered walk is differently but significantly influenced by the choice of quantum coins. We demonstrate that the dynamic Fibonacci walk exhibits localized behavior for certain coin parameters. This behavior brings new information about the role played by dynamic coin disorder, considered before as always a generator of non-localized behavior. We also reveal the significant role played by the nature of superposition of spin up and spin down states during coin operation. We find that the coin parameter controlling the nature of said superposition can distinctly tune the spreading and entanglement behavior of the considered quantum walks. An increase in the value of the parameter can enhance both the standard deviation of the position distribution of the walker and the hybrid entanglement from significant low to significantly high values depending on the coin and the nature of coin operations. The present work may thus be considered as one step toward understanding the role of coins in inhomogeneous quantum walks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• μXCT accelerates the numismatic identification process, outperforming current protocols. • It is performed on coins prior physical cleaning, without sample preparation. • Enables virtual reconstruction, preventing risks linked to manual handling. • Digitisation allows for information preservation and guides further cleaning. This study utilises X-ray Computed Micro-Tomography (μXCT) as a non-destructive and non-invasive method to recover the original surface features and reveal the characteristics of encrusted, illegible Roman copper-based coins before any physical cleaning process is performed. The coins were retrieved from the topsoil during an archaeological survey in the countryside of the ancient city of Aquileia, Italy, and were severely degraded, covered with accumulated matter and pronounced encrustations developed over centuries of aging buried in soil. Despite their condition, most of the coins were identified from a numismatic standpoint using tomographic data alone, with the aid of reference images. They were subsequently cleaned using traditional manual methods and the results compared with μXCT. X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis of the coins after the physical cleaning confirmed their numismatic attribution and revealed information regarding the influence of different alloy compositions on the applicability of the μXCT method, as well as on the corrosion process of the coins. This study showcases how the application of μXCT on fragile corroded metal artifacts prior to any intrusive manual procedures can expedite the identification process, mitigating the risk of information loss caused by physical handling and cleaning. This approach proves particularly valuable when dealing with large numbers of coins that would typically require restoration for identification purposes. It also emphasises the numerous advantages of using μXCT for coin identification, provenance determination, dating, virtual restoration, digitisation, and long-term preservation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Foreign body ingestion is a common problem in pediatric population. The present study was conducted in a tertiary care center with high pediatric population census to describe the clinical, radiographic and management characteristics in pediatric patients with FB ingestion. Methods: A retrospective descriptive and analytical study was performed on pediatric patients admitted with foreign body ingestion over a five-year-period from July, 2016 to July, 2021. The inclusion criteria were patients from 0 to 12 years of age who presented to the emergency department with FB swallow during the study period. . Results: Ninety-four patients were included. The mean age was 3.28+2.14 years. The most commonly ingested FB was coins (44.68%), followed by magnets (27.65%), button batteries (12.76%), sharp FB (9.57%), other blunt objects (5.31%). Upper GI endoscopy was used for extraction of the ingested object in 34 patients (36.17%) and successful retrieval was accomplished in 21 patients. Coin ingestion was the predominant type in children under 5 years compared to older children (49.29% vs 30.43%), resulting in 2.2-fold increased risk in children under 5 years. Conclusion: Foreign body ingestion in pediatrics is a common problem. Coins are the most prevalent while batteries are more dangerous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The supply of metal materials for mintage is important for state governance, and the patterns of which appear to reflect the rise and decline of the central authority to some extent. Many details about this issue in the early western Han dynasty, China, still need to be verified, such as what is the pattern of metal supply for mintage and whether other sources exist in addition to the domestically exploited raw metal? In this paper, 15 early Western Han Banliang半两 coins excavated from the Guanghuacun光华村 cemetery, Chengdu city, Southwest China, were studied via scientific analyses (SEM–EDS, ICP–AES and MC-ICP-MS etc.). The results reveal three types of alloys and might constitute the first scientific identification of Cu-Sb-As alloyed ancient Chinese coins. By combining the comparisons of alloying techniques and lead isotopic ratios, with the archaeological context and historical texts, it can be inferred that many coins should be made of domestically exploited metal from the Xiaoqinling region, which was also the main provenance of the material for the Banliang coins of the Qin dynasty, while the materials of others are probably derived from the Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou Rhombic Block region, Southwest China, which was outside of Han’s control. This finding provides new insight into the weakness of the central government in the early stage of the Han empire and reflects the communication between the Central Plains dynasty and the culture in Southwest China in this era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the emergence of blockchain, how to improve its transaction throughput and reduce transaction latency has always been an important issue. Hostuff has introduced a pipeline mechanism and combined it with a chain structure to improve the performance of blockchain networks. HCA has introduced a revoting mechanism on the basis of Hostuff, further reducing transaction latency, but it has also brought some problems. In HCA, if the leader is malicious, it would be possible to continuously call on the replica nodes to revote, which can lead to network congestion. This paper employs the global perfect coin technology to guarantee that every replica can obtain a globally consistent and the freshest candidate proposal during the Revote phase, thereby improving the robustness of the HCA protocol. The performance improvement of RHCA in attack scenarios has been verified through experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The observed weights of ancient coins are usually less than the nominal "ideal" weights of the coin standards to which they belong because state authorities took a fee—"seigniorage"—for minting coins to cover costs and to make a profit. The basis for calculating the amount taken by the state and the way it administered manufacture are not well understood. Here we analyze the weights of 1344 of the earliest coins of Athens (c. 550–479 bce). We reveal a parabolic relationship between the cost of the silver and the weights of the coins whereby a progressively higher proportion was taken as the denomination decreased, meaning that the smaller the coin, the larger was the proportion of silver taken from it. There was tight control of the minting process and mathematical sophistication in precisely adjusting the silver content from the first introduction of coinage. It also made minting a profitable business. Changes in minting practice can be detected with the introduction of the Athenian "owl" coins, when the percentage of silver taken by the state increased and the spread of weights widened to include coins weighing more than the nominal weight. The latter indicates a significant shift toward monetization of the economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there is a renewed debate concerning the role of perspective in vision. Morales et al. (2020) present evidence that, in the case of viewing a rotated coin, the visual system is sensitive to what has often been called "perspectival shapes." It has generated vigorous discussions, including an online symposium by Morales and Cohen, an exchange between Linton (2021) and Morales et al. (2021), and most recently, a fierce critique by Burge and Burge (2022), in which they launch various conceptual and empirical objections. Although Morales and Firestone (2022) have responded to them recently, and we are in agreement with Morales and Firestone in general, there are further problems in Burge and Burge (2022) that are worth highlighting. The main point of this comment is that what the Burge–Burge team call "viewpoint-dependent relational properties" are simply instances of what the Morales–Firestone team call "perspectival shapes"; the confusion arises from Burge and Burge's misconstrual of Morales et al.'s claims. This shows that conceptually, the two teams are in large agreement, as Morales and Firestone (2022) also point out, and the focus should be put on the empirical disagreements, which has been covered by Morales and Firestone (2022). Relatedly, we argue that Burge and Burge (2022) misinterpret Morales et al. (2020) as supporting a new entity in perception science, and that this misinterpretation is a primary source of their apparent disagreement. This is worth pointing out because such misunderstanding generates many unnecessary quarrels that hinder progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the research of the present author in the archeology museum of the Alanya district, where Korakesion, one of the eastern cities of the ancient Pamphylia region, is located, 115 regal Macedonian coins have been identified. 69 of them are silver issues. Among them, one specimen from Paionia region of Balkan Peninsula is notably interesting. This is the specimen of an emission among the coins dated to the first quarter of the 3rd century BC and thought to have been minted by Audoleon, the king of Paionia. As it carries the basic silver coin type of Alexander III and bear the king's name, it is a posthumous silver coin. We also know specimens of this coin in hoards from Asia Minor. The circulation of this coin in Cilicia, which is quite far from the territory where it was minted, must be related to the Syrian wars, which caused the region to change hands between the Ptolemies and Seleucids during the 3rd century BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essay "A Gold Coin from Jastrzębniki, Kalisz District (PL). On Late Celtic Coinage in Central Europe" examines the continuation of gold coinage in Central Europe after the collapse of the Bohemian-Moravian oppida. The study focuses on three minting centers that imitated late Boii gold coins. These mints recycled popular shell staters with sun and moon motifs and also issued various small coins made of electrum alloys. The coins were circulated in the Oder and Vistula basins and likely had a regional prestige value. One reason for the disappearance of local coin traditions among the northern barbarian elites may have been the massive influx of Roman coins in the second century AD. [Extracted from the article]

The present paper presents the analytical study of an unusual Peruvian 1899 dinero coin whose authenticity has been questioned since the 1970's. This coin, which is present in some numismatic collections although there is no record of having been minted officially, has been characterized using non-destructive techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results are consistent with a cast counterfeit coin made at the turn of the 19th and 20th using a copper base alloy that was silver-platted to pass unnoticed among the public. The alloy used, generally known as german silver, was common for counterfeits in North America and Europe in that period. The historical reasons for the appearance of this unexpected coin in Peru during a time of economic difficulties, where the public experienced a shortage of small-change coins, are briefly outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay focuses on a British‐made coin commissioned in 1811 by the first king of the northern part of the newly independent Haiti, Henry Christophe (1767–1820). The coin potently encapsulates the Kingdom of Hayti's central claims of racial equality, sovereignty and international recognition articulated in the wake of the Haitian Revolution. Here it is considered as the product of early nineteenth‐century Anglo‐Haitian relations, as an expression of Christophe's kingly ambitions, and as a striking entrant into the wider field of circum‐Atlantic numismatics that can help illuminate the paradoxes of the postrevolutionary kingdom's aesthetic regime. Christophe's numismatic image both depends upon and overwrites conventional forms and meanings of European coins, medals, and cameos. At the same time, it demands interpretation in relation to distinctively Caribbean interpretations of Black kingship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theoretical and applied studies of quantum walks are abundant in quantum science and technology thanks to their relative simplicity and versatility. Here we derive closed-form expressions for the probability distribution of quantum walks on a line. The most general two-state coin operator and the most general (pure) initial state are considered in the derivation. The general coin operator includes the common choices of Hadamard, Grover, and Fourier coins. The method of Fibonacci-Horner basis for the power decomposition of a matrix is employed in the analysis. Moreover, we also consider mixed initial states and derive closed-form expression for the probability distribution of the Quantum walk on a line. To prove the accuracy of our derivations, we retrieve the simulated probability distribution of Hadamard walk on a line using our closed-form expressions. With a broader perspective in mind, we argue that our approach has the potential to serve as a helpful mathematical tool in obtaining precise analytical expressions for the time evolution of qubit-based systems in a general context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a summary of the findings and research in medieval archaeology in Britain and Ireland in 2022. It focuses on the reports from the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), which records archaeological finds discovered by the public in England and Wales. The PAS database contains a significant number of records, including early-medieval finds, high and later medieval finds, and coins from various periods and regions. The article highlights interesting discoveries such as saucer brooches and a seal matrix, as well as the focus on coinage in 2022. It also mentions notable finds, including rare coins from specific mints and foreign coins from Scotland, the Low Countries, and Venice. In addition to coinage, the PAS recorded a variety of medieval objects that provide insights into everyday life. The text discusses different archaeological finds from various time periods and regions in England, providing details about their design and significance. It also describes two brooches that may be evidence of a plough-damaged burial and a seal matrix associated with a powerful family in Northumberland. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the Josephus problem, a game of elimination that dates back to ancient times. It focuses on a probabilistic version of the game, where a coin is flipped to determine elimination. The article discusses different strategies to make the game fair and analyzes a two-player, two-coin version of the game. It also discusses the fairness of two-player and three-player games involving coins and presents a system of equations to illustrate this concept. The text concludes by proposing a strategy to eliminate Player 2's advantage in a coin-tossing game. Additionally, the article discusses the convergence conditions of an alternating theta series and explores the characterization of sequences that result in a fair game. The authors, Osvaldo Marrero and Paul C. Pasles, have backgrounds in mathematics and have published papers in various fields. [Extracted from the article]

A Carolingian coin has recently been acquired by the Centre Charlemagne in Aachen which represents an entirely unexpected and truly historic addition to our knowledge of the reign of Charlemagne, as it bears the name of his wife Fastrada. It is the first known example of a queen being named on a Carolingian coin, and because the coin type was only introduced in 793 and Fastrada died in August 794, it can be very precisely dated. Charles was almost certainly prompted to strike it by learning of pennies of Cynethryth minted by Offa in the late 780s. The coinage reflects both the affection in which Charlemagne held Fastrada and the power he was prepared to share with her. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between numismatic research and archaeological stratigraphy is one of the most significant resources for defining the economic and social mechanisms of the Middle Ages. A numismatic assemblage comprising 146 coins – mostly unpublished – recovered from the late sixth-century Visigothic settlement of Reccopolis in Guadalajara, Spain, is the focus of this study. Through characterisation of the deposits and monetary finds it has been possible to establish a contextual interpretation in which indicators of durability, continuity and rituality in the use of currency can be observed. In connection with this, a substantial number of coins have been found concentrated in specific sectors of the site, especially in the neighbourhood of the church, where the foundational value of some hoards has been reinterpreted. This study establishes a constant connection between chronological dating and stratigraphic contextualisation, exploring the complex periods of continuity in use of certain specimens, while also stressing the importance of interpreting coinage within wider material assemblages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The history of coin and medal minting methods spans millennia, reflecting the advancement of technology and the changing needs of societies. This technical analysis explores the evolution of coin and medal minting techniques, from ancient civilizations to modern industrial processes. By examining the key innovations and methodologies employed throughout history, this study sheds light on the fascinating journey of numismatic craftsmanship. The study begins by delving into the earliest forms of coin and medal production, highlighting the techniques used by ancient civilizations such as the Greeks, Romans, and Chinese. It explores the manual methods of hand-striking coins and casting medals, shedding light on the intricacies of engraving and die-making. As we progress through history, this analysis identifies pivotal developments. The transition from manual labor to mechanized minting processes revolutionized the precision and efficiency of coin production. Furthermore, this analysis investigates the emergence of modern coin and medal minting techniques, including the use of computer-aided design (CAD), digital engraving, and advanced metallurgical processes. These innovations have allowed for greater intricacy in design, increased durability, and enhanced security features, meeting the demands of contemporary economies and collectors. Additionally, the study addresses the environmental and ethical concerns associated with coin and medal production, including the use of sustainable materials and responsible sourcing. The evolution of minting methods also includes the development of eco-friendly practices to minimize the environmental impact of coin and medal production. Ultimately, this technical analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of coin and medal minting methods, demonstrating the intricate balance between tradition and innovation. By understanding this evolution, we gain insights into the cultural, technological, and economic shifts that have shaped the world of numismatics, offering valuable perspectives for collectors, historians, and scholars alike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muslim women activists in the Islamic Movement who are citizens of Israel, a Jewish-majority state, and members of a Palestinian minority live in a complex tangle of identities: religious, national, gender, and civilian. To cope with this complicated reality, they use patriarchal bargains based on social strategies such as gaining higher education, work, daʿwah (dissemination of religious knowledge to encourage the return to Islam), and political involvement. Within the framework of those bargains, female Islamic Movement activists subsequently have become involved in informal politics and gained power and influence in their society. In addition, they follow religious principles like musayarah (flowing with reality) and tawriyah (concealment, sending a double message to avoid provocations with their Israeli surroundings.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the multifactorial nature of the integration processes of migrants, this article analyzes the correlation between inclusion in the labor market and the integration of Moroccan women residing in Andalusia. An intersectional approach is used, addressing three key variables: youth, gender, and ethnicity. To this end, a qualitative methodology has been developed based on conducting twenty-nine in-depth interviews with Moroccan women residing in Andalusia. Non-probabilistic intentional sampling has been used through the snowball technique. The results have shown the ambivalence that insertion in the labor market implies for these women, being, on the one hand, an area of oppression, rejection, and discrimination, and on the other, one of the essential factors to achieve the full integration of the protagonists, granting them agency and resistance. It concludes by highlighting the importance of favoring the successful transition and inclusion in the labor market of these women, being fundamental to the development of strategies and political proposals aimed at reducing, even eliminating, the structural violence that continues to prevail in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the canonical recognition of Jean Bassand's partially skeletonized mummy, digital X-ray examination and computed tomography scanning revealed the presence of 5 coins from Italian mints (15th-16th century). The coins were recovered endoscopically: in the pelvis 3 quattrini of the Republic of Florence (one of which with signs of withdrawal from circulation) dating after 1472, and 1 cavallo of Aquila coined under Charles VIII of Valois (1495-1496); in the skull 1 quattrino of Pier Luigi Farnese, duke of Castro (1537-1545). These items, possibly survived from a richer deposit, may represent part of the offerings, which have become chronological indicators of ceremonies (50th and 100th anniversaries). Probably, they were intentionally repositioned during further inspections following earthquakes (1703) or desecrations (1529, 1799). The study aims to establish the period of production and free flow - in the Aquila's area - of these coins, in order to determine possible historiographical relationships with the body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines quantum random walk search algorithm with walk coin constructed by generalized Householder reflection and additional phase shift factor. The results from numerical simulations with neural network show that, with such a construction of the walk coin, the algorithm is more robust to inaccuracies in the specific values of its parameters, as long as it is possible to control the phase difference between the phase shift factor and the phase involved in the Householder reflection. This paper explicitly shows how achieving a properly designed phase difference would make quantum random walk search on a hypercube more robust for coin register consisting of one, two and three qubits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum walk followed by some amplitude amplification technique has been successfully used to search for marked vertices on various graphs. Lackadaisical quantum walk can search for target vertices on graphs without the help of any additional amplitude amplification technique. These studies either exploit AKR or SKW coin to distinguish the marked vertices from the unmarked vertices. The success of AKR coin-based quantum walk search algorithms highly depends on the arrangements of the set of marked vertices on the graph. For example, it fails to find adjacent vertices, diagonal vertices and other exceptional configurations of vertices on a two-dimensional periodic square lattice and on other graphs. These coins also suffer from low success probability while searching for marked vertices on a one-dimensional periodic lattice and on other graphs for certain arrangements for marked vertices. In this article, we propose a modified coin for the lackadaisical quantum walk search. It allows us to perform quantum walk search for the marked vertices by doing Grover search on the coin space. Our model finds the marked vertices by searching the self-loops associated with the marked vertices. It can search for marked vertices irrespective of their arrangement on the graph with high success probability. For all analysed arrangements of the marked vertices, the time complexity for 1d-lattice and 2d-lattice is O (N M) and O N M log N M , respectively, with constant and high success probability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study provides new data from the analysis of 111 copper-based and 11 silver-alloy coins from the ancient city of Rhodes, Greece. This is the first time that an elemental analysis has been carried out on copper-based coins issued by the Rhodian mint from the mid-4th c. BCE to the 2nd c. CE. Based on the μ-XRF results, three different groups of copper-based alloys are formed, with tin and lead as their major alloying components. The elemental composition shows that most of the coins are binary, leaded and ternary bronzes, while two samples—confirmed as imports—belong to a different technological tradition. All impurities present, such as iron, nickel, cobalt, antimony, or lead, are typical of copper ores, while the diminutive amounts of tin, lead and/or arsenic in some coins could indicate the use of alloys made from copper scrap. Based on a complex and extensive set of compositional data and using silhouette analysis for k-means clustering, we identified the existence of four distinct groups clustered on the basis of similar trace element values. The groups give indication to the raw materials used for minting and provided valuable insights into the technological and origin-related aspects of Rhodian coin production. In the silver coins, four groups of different silver grades can be identified on the basis of the most important alloying elements. Overall, the differences in the composition of the silver coins become clear, but a more extensive sample is needed to better understand the evolution of Rhodian silver coinage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several forged 3-Polker coins have been reported in historical sources on the financial crisis that occurred between 1619 and 1623 at the start of the 30-year-long war. Supposedly, belligerent countries forged other countries' coins which were then used for external payments as a war strategy. Thus, a lot of 3-Polker coins (e.g., Sigismund-III-type) were forged, and the markets became flooded with poor currency. In the present day, these pre-modern forgeries are rare archeological findings. Only five forged 3-Polker coins randomly found in Transylvania were available for the current study. There are deeper implications of silver and tin in the forgery techniques that need to be considered. Thus, the forged 3-Polker coins were investigated via nondestructive methods: SEM microscopy coupled with EDS elemental spectroscopy for complex microstructural characterization and XRD for phase identification. Three distinct types of forgery methods were identified: the amalgam method is the first used for copper blank silvering (1620), and immersion in melted silver (1621) is the second one. Both methods were used to forge coins with proper legends and inscriptions. The third method is the tin plating of copper coins (with corrupted legend and altered design) (1622, 1623, and 1624). The EDS investigation revealed Hg traces inside the compact silver crusts for the first type and the elongated silver crystallites in the immersion direction, which are well-attached to the copper core for the second type. The third forgery type has a rich tin plating with the superficial formation of Cu6Sn5 compound that assures a good resistance of the coating layer. Therefore, this type should have been easily recognized as fake by traders, while the first two types require proper weighing and margin clipping to ensure their quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports the studies on Li-ion full-cell fabrication using Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) as anode and LiCoO2 (LCO) as cathode materials with emphasis on scaling from coin cell (2032 type) to rectangular pouch-type cells (45 × 58 mm). The electrode materials were synthesized in-house and characterized for their phase purity and morphology using XRD and FE-SEM techniques. Their electrochemical performance is evaluated against Li/Li+ using cyclic voltametry, electrochemical impedence spectrosopy and galvanostatic charge–discharge. The optimized materials were further used for fabrication of full cells in 2032 type initially and later in pouch cell geometry with different negative (N) to positive (P) electrode ratio (N/P ratio) and tested its effect on the cell performance. It is found that cells employing an N/P ≥ 1.0 can give steady and good performance in terms of discharge capacity. In case of 2032 type full cell, for N/P ≥ 1.0, the maximum achieved specific capacity is 118 mAh g−1 while 110 mAh g−1 for pouch cell in the same N/P ratio. The impedance spectroscopy has been employed to support the performance of the cells. This finding can be used as a guideline for preparing full cells for other electrode combinations as well as higher capacity cells. This will also help in designing efficient battery management system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, several researchers have claimed that conclusions obtained from a Bayes factor (or the posterior odds) may contradict those obtained from Bayesian posterior estimation. In this article, we wish to point out that no such "contradiction" exists if one is willing to consistently define one's priors and posteriors. The key for congruence is that the (implied) prior model odds used for testing are the same as those used for estimation. Our recommendation is simple: If one reports a Bayes factor comparing two models, then one should also report posterior estimates which appropriately acknowledge the uncertainty with regards to which of the two models is correct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to make suitable risky decision is necessary for individuals' survival and development. However, individuals vary in risk preference. The current study, adopting a decision task, aimed to explore the emotional sensitivity to missed opportunity and grey matter volume (GMV) of thalamus in high risk‐takers by using voxel‐based morphology analysis. In the task, eight boxes should be opened successively. Seven boxes contained coins and one box contained the devil to zero coins. Once stopped, collected and missed (missed opportunity) coins were presented. Participants were divided into high‐ and low risk‐takers according to their risk‐taking behaviour in the decision task. We found that high risk‐takers showed stronger emotional sensitivity to missed opportunity and smaller GMV of thalamus than low risk‐takers. In addition, the GMV of thalamus partially mediated the effect of emotional sensitivity to missed opportunity on risk‐taking behaviour among all participants. Overall, the current study highlights the role of emotional sensitivity to missed opportunity and the GMV of thalamus in risk‐taking behaviour, which helps us understand the possible reason for the variation among individuals in risk preference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the "classic" vanishing ball illusion (VBI), a magician pretends to throw a ball and the audience sees it go up and then disappear. To gain a better understanding of the mechanisms involved, we conducted two experiments to analyze the permeability of this type of illusion to auditory information. A modified version of the VBI (i.e., the Vanishing Coin Illusion [VCI]), was presented, and this was either accompanied by a sound or was not. The results show that the presence of a sound adds to the success of the illusion (Experiment 1), especially when this sound is congruent with the illusion (Experiment 2). Based on these results, we discuss the mechanisms at work in this illusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We all know that a coin has two sides, which are seen as the beauty of a thing, a person, a place, a thought, and so on. Just as there is unity and diversity, these two phenomena are connected. Unity has several dimensions such as territory, language, etc. Moreover, pilgrimage is another important element of togetherness and falls under the umbrella term of diversity. This paper attempts to capture the need for unity in the present context of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Late Iron Age hillfort site of Kuzelin on Medvednica in south-western Pannonia has yielded a not negligible number of coins, most of which can be classified among the types that are traditionally labelled “Tauriscan”. A single coin can be categorized as an east Celtic type from Transdanubia, while two further coins were struck by pairs of dies that also occur in the Samobor–Okić hoard and were thus produced simultaneously with the bulk of the hoard, whereas the remainder can be classified as recently recognized group of coins produced in the Đurđevac (Gjurgjevac) tradition. The latter represent the debased and reduced in weight and size coins inspired by the tetradrachms deposited as the Đurđevac hoard. They were issued at various sites in south-western Pannonia, testifying to different phases of striking and local developments in their production. Two subtypes of such coins were recognized in the numismatic record of Kuzelin and are here separated out as Kuzelin A and B types. The date of these coins corresponds to the archaeological material excavated at the site, i.e., to the Lt D1 period, ca. 150/130−70/50 BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to build quantum circuits that implement discrete-time quantum walks having an arbitrary position-dependent coin operator. The position of the walker is encoded in base 2: with n wires, each corresponding to one qubit, we encode 2 n position states. The data necessary to define an arbitrary position-dependent coin operator is therefore exponential in n. Hence, the exponentiality will necessarily appear somewhere in our circuits. We first propose a circuit implementing the position-dependent coin operator, that is naive, in the sense that it has exponential depth and implements sequentially all appropriate position-dependent coin operators. We then propose a circuit that "transfers" all the depth into ancillae, yielding a final depth that is linear in n at the cost of an exponential number of ancillae. The main idea of this linear-depth circuit is to implement in parallel all coin operators at the different positions. Reducing the depth exponentially at the cost of having an exponential number of ancillae is a goal which has already been achieved for the problem of loading classical data on a quantum circuit (Araujo in Sci Rep 11:6329, 2021) (notice that such a circuit can be used to load the initial state of the walker). Here, we achieve this goal for the problem of applying a position-dependent coin operator in a discrete-time quantum walk. Finally, we extend the result of Welch (New J Phys 16:033040, 2014) from position-dependent unitaries which are diagonal in the position basis to position-dependent 2 × 2 -block-diagonal unitaries: indeed, we show that for a position dependence of the coin operator (the block-diagonal unitary) which is smooth enough, one can find an efficient quantum-circuit implementation approximating the coin operator up to an error ϵ (in terms of the spectral norm), the depth and size of which scale as O (1 / ϵ) . A typical application of the efficient implementation would be the quantum simulation of a relativistic spin-1/2 particle on a lattice, coupled to a smooth external gauge field; notice that recently, quantum spatial-search schemes have been developed which use gauge fields as the oracle, to mark the vertex to be found (Zylberman in Entropy 23:1441, 2021), (Fredon arXiv:2210.13920). A typical application of the linear-depth circuit would be when there is spatial noise on the coin operator (and hence a non-smooth dependence in the position). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent discoveries have greatly increased understanding of the co-called 'Sino- Kharoṣṭhī' coinage of the early kings of Khotan. They confirm the chronology of the coinage in the 1st to early 2nd centuries CE, and show the framework of their internal chronology and of Khotan's monetary system. The coins show strong links between Khotan and the territory ruled by the first four Kushan kings in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kashmir and India. The cultural, economic and administrative contexts of the coins throw some light on why they were issued, but, as they are the only concrete evidence for Khotan at this period apart from the fragmentary commentaries in the Chinese and Tibetan chronicles written centuries later, many questions remain unanswered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses paleographic and linguistic aspects of the Kharoṣṭhī inscriptions on the Tillya-tepe and Pushkalavati coins and adduces some epigraphic and literary parallels. It proposes a syntactically separate reading of the two sides of the Tillya-tepe coin, and concludes that in spite of some differences of execution the coins may have been produced in the same workshop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the rise of the global capitalist economy, the Philippine colonial government localized its monetary system, made up of both silver and gold coins, in the early 1860s. This made the de facto silver currency unstable in the Spanish colonial state in the 1890s and the I Illustrados i (Filipino elites) discussed reforming the currency system; however, such reform was not implemented in the Philippine Revolutionary government. [Extracted from the article]

In 2001, Rutgers University Libraries (RUL) accepted a substantial donation of Roman Republican coins. The work to catalog, house, digitize, describe, and present this collection online provided unique challenges for the institution. Coins are often seen as museum objects; however, they can serve pedagogical purposes within libraries. In the quest to innovate, RUL digitized coins from seven angles to provide a 180-degree view of coins. However, this strategy had its drawbacks; it had to be reassessed as the project continued. RUCore, RUL's digital repository, uses Metadata Object Description Schema (MODS). Accordingly, it was necessary to adapt numismatic description to bibliographic metadata standards.With generous funding from the Loeb Foundation, the resulting digital collection of 1200 coins was added to RUCore from 2012 to 2018. Rutgers's Badian Roman Coins Collection serves as an exemplar of numismatics in a library environment that is freely available to all on the Web. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mast-step coins have been discovered in Roman shipwrecks dating from the 2nd century BCE to the 4th century CE, and their placement at the foot of the ship's mainmast was a deliberate act with significant maritime and religious meaning. This article argues that, in antiquity, mast-step coins were votive offerings to a deity associated with the mast and sails of ancient sailing vessels, and it is proposed that this deity was Isis Pelagia, the inventor of navigation and mistress of the sea. Through a discussion of Isis Pelagia's iconography and other aspects of Isis' cult, including her sailing festivals and aretalogy, it is posited that the mast came to symbolize the goddess whose natural place was on the decks of Roman ships, holding their billowing sails and guiding them safely to shore. Allegorically, these coins may thus have been placed at the feet of Isis Pelagia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unitary coined discrete-time quantum walks (UCDTQW) constitute a universal model of computation, meaning that any computation done by a general purpose quantum computer can either be done using the UCDTQW framework. In the last decades, great progress has been made in this field by developing quantum walk-based algorithms that can outperform classical ones. However, current quantum computers work based on the quantum circuit model of computation, and the general mapping from one model to the other is still an open problem. In this work, we provide a matrix analysis of the unitary evolution operator of UCDTQW, which is composed at a time of a shift and a coin operators. We conceive the shift operator of the system as the unitary matrix form of the adjacency matrix associated with the graph on which the UCDTQW takes place, and provide a set of equations to transform the latter into the former and vice versa. However, this mapping modifies the structure of the original graph into a directed multigraph, by splitting single edges and arcs of the original graph into multiple arcs. Thus, the fact that any unitary operator has a quantum circuit representation means that any adjacency matrix that complies with the transformation equations will be automatically associated with a quantum circuit, and any quantum circuit acting on a bipartite system will be always associated with a directed multigraph. Finally, we extend the definition of the coin operator to a superposition of coins in such a way that each coin acts on different vertices of the directed multigraph on which the UCDTQW takes place, and provide a description of how this can be implemented in circuit form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between the late nineteenth and mid-twentieth century, the ongoing crises of the late-colonial Caribbean mingled with an emerging trend: white American and European tourists who flocked in growing numbers to the tropics in search of pleasure, leisure, and adventure. As these travelers arrived in port in the era before commercial flight, they encountered a ubiquitous scene: boys and young men in small rowboats, who would surround the incoming steamship and, nude or nearly nude, dive in the tropical surf for coins tossed overboard. Images and accounts of these coin divers circulated widely in travel media, and were instrumental in constructing a tourist-friendly vision of the Caribbean seaside as exotic, picturesque, erotic, and accessible. In colonial Caribbean sources, however, coin divers were viewed not as an alluring spectacle but as a criminal threat, somewhere between beggar, truant, and sex worker. The divers themselves were working-class youth inhabiting a harbor-world on the periphery of a stratified and shifting society. They experienced firsthand the transition from Caribbean colonialism to mass tourism, and used the harbor to enact a limited autonomy and demand recognition within a system that provided few meaningful alternatives. Analyzing the tensions between these contrasting modes of power—one that commodified and one that criminalized—we can better understand the complex dynamics in the transition from plantation colonialism to tourist neocolonialism in the Caribbean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We reflect on our experience during a ten-week fellowship at a university in the Global South. Colleagues who participate in such collaborations need to be culturally competent and adopt culturally relevant pedagogical practices as they engage their host institutions. Those returning from the diaspora can experience culture shock in the culture in which they grew up after being away. Collaborations and relationships take commitment and time to build, and this should start early. Culturally informed notions of care are important for both partners. Being well emotionally, socially, and physically enables one to research and teach effectively, as environmental and social factors will arise that can affect one's mental state. Autoethnographic methodology is a valuable way to begin to hear the perceptions and experiences of partners in the Global South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zeytinliada is located 250 m offshore of Erdek District of Balikesir Province in the Sea of Marmara. The excavations on the island, known as Artake and Arteceon in Antiquity, started in 2006 and were completed in 2016. The Church of the Virgin Mary, located in the northeast of the island, was unearthed during the excavations carried out in 2006-2009. The church, dating to the Early Byzantine Period, has a basilica plan with 3 naves. In this study, 44 coins, among the small finds unearthed during the excavations in the church, were examined. Of the 44 coins found in the church, 36 were identified, and 8 could not be identified due to excessive deterioration. The coins described belong to the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empire Periods. Coins were minted during the dynastic years of 10 different emperors. The coins found in the Virgin Mary Church in Zeytinliada belong to 4 different mints and are in 7 different units. The earliest dated coins belong to AD 276-282, and the latest dated 1861. The majority of the coins are Byzantine coins, which are contemporary with the church, with 32 coins. 16 Byzantine coins are dated to the Early Byzantine Period and 2 Middle Byzantine Period. The coins we examined provide important information about the dating of the building and the coin circulation of the period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We describe a model of optimal consumer-merchant exchange of cash payments. • Diary data are used to quantify the burden of exchanging currency notes and coins. • The model and data are used to analyze the effects of eliminating the one-penny coin. • Penny elimination would reduce the burden of exchanging cash. • Penny elimination would result in little or no inflationary consequences. • Elimination of the penny and the nickel would not reduce this burden relative to penny elimination only. This article quantifies the burden of exchanging currency notes and coins using a model of optimal consumer-merchant exchange of cash payments and consumer payment choice diary data. The model is then applied to analyze a policy debate whether to eliminate the penny coin from circulation. We find that penny elimination would reduce the burden of exchanging cash and will not have any significant inflationary consequences caused by price rounding. Surprisingly, a removal of both the penny and nickel coins from circulation would slightly increase (not decrease) the burden relative to penny elimination only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism for the conductivity and charging/discharging parameters of the battery has been performed to investigate the performance of the CR2016 coin cell battery, which includes the characteristics of resistance, electrical conductivity as well as the charging and discharging mechanisms of LiFe0.09Gd0.01PO4/C, Lithium Metal Anode (Li), LiPF6 Electrolyte, Polypropylene (PP) membrane separator, and PVDF/NMP active ingredient. A standard deviation (SD) value of 1% with a range of electrical conductivity of 2.2 x 10-2 S/cm -2.4 x 10-2 S/cm was obtained based on the measurements of 8-coin cell battery samples. The highest material charging capacity value was obtained as 125 mAh/g in the 10th cycle and has a lithium diffusion (DLi) of 2.33 x 10-7 S/cm2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]