In model-based diagnostics, a simulation model is used to simulate the same operating conditions as the system to be diagnosed to detect and identify anomalies. For this type of analysis, the diagnostic results may be affected by multiple sources of uncertainty. The most common uncertainty to consider is measurement noise. Other sources of uncertainties may originate from the simulation model, instrumentation setup and numerical issues, such as tolerances. While these are often overlooked, they may affect the result to various extent.

In this paper, a multi-point model-based gas path analysis method is proposed and evaluated in the presence of both measurement noise and model uncertainties. The multi-point algorithm addresses the issue of the diagnostic system being underdetermined, having more health parameters than measurements available for diagnostics. It obtains a unique solution through an optimization, where the deviation in health parameter estimation for the operating conditions going into the analysis is minimised. Model uncertainties are introduced in the system by intentionally skewing the characteristics of the rotating components. The objective function is then reconfigured with a, for the gas turbine diagnostic field, novel method taking model uncertainties of the component maps into account. Through this it is possible to reduce the effect of model uncertainties on the diagnostic result. The study shows that through this approach, the uncertainties in diagnostic results are reduced by $3.7{\rm{\% }}$ for the evaluated operating conditions.

We discuss the Singer conjecture and Gromov–Lück inequality $\chi\geq |\sigma|$ for aspherical complex surfaces. We give a proof of the Singer conjecture for aspherical complex surfaces with residually finite fundamental group that does not rely on Gromov’s Kähler groups theory. Without the residually finiteness assumption, we observe that this conjecture can be proven for all aspherical complex surfaces except possibly those in Class $\mathrm{VII}_0^+$ (a positive answer to the global spherical shell conjecture would rule out the existence of aspherical surfaces in this class). We also sharpen the Gromov-Lück inequality for aspherical complex surfaces that are not in Class $\mathrm{VII}_0^+$. This is achieved by connecting the circle of ideas of the Singer conjecture with the study of Reid’s conjecture.

This paper describes the application of the differential evolution (DE) method for synthesizing radiation patterns of two 4×4 microstrip planar antenna arrays. The performance of the DE algorithm was evaluated by optimizing beam steering with simultaneous sidelobe level (SLL) control. Additionally, the algorithm optimizes the cross-polarization decoupling (XPD) to improve the polarization purity. In the optimization process, the active element patterns were incorporated into the DE algorithm to account for mutual coupling and truncation of the ground plane and the substrate in the determination of the excitation coefficients of each array element. The results demonstrate that the DE method can be effectively used to optimize radiation patterns particularly in terms of main beam pointing direction, SLL control, and XPD with fast convergence and low computational cost.

Türkiye is a country with many seismic fault lines and has experienced major earthquakes throughout its history. In history, 2 major earthquakes occurred in Kahramanmaraş province in 1544 and 1795, causing serious destruction and damage. On February 6, 2023, 2 major earthquakes of 7.7 Mw and 7.6 Mw occurred, centered in Kahramanmaraş (Elbistan and Pazarcık). This great disaster affected 11 cities (about 14 million people), mostly Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, and Malatya. According to the latest official report, it resulted in 50 783 deaths and more than 122 000 injuries.1,2

Undoubtedly, the imperial coinage of Faustina the Younger is the largest surviving primary source for the portraiture and public image of the empress, and excellent work on the subject has already been done.1 Martin Beckmann (B.) sets out to reevaluate the coinage, portraits, and public image of Faustina the Younger, primarily based on a die study of her gold coinage (aurei) from the imperial mint in Rome.2 Die studies are a time-consuming and tedious task, but the results often allow us to better understand the workings of the mint and the (relative) chronology of coins and the images they carry. This is of primary importance for the coins of imperial women, as they are not dated. Moreover, the attribution and chronology of the sculptured portraits almost entirely depends on the coins. Only a correct interpretation of the numismatic evidence allows us to securely establish the relative and absolute chronology of Faustina’s portraiture.

The papers in this special themed section reflect on, explore, and analyse national and local government policy responses to the recent pandemic between 2020 and 2022, and the short- and longer-term impacts on human security for different groups of people and places, with a particular focus on the UK and Korea. Drawing on an integrated critical human security and state capacity approach and qualitative methodology, they contribute to and further develop debates on the social policy responses to the pandemic and their scarring effects. They also highlight the key role that a state capacity for human security approach can play in promoting inclusive risk governance, recognising and addressing constellations of vulnerability, risk and insecurity, and highlighting the rapid and uneven distribution of the benefits of digital technologies and its potential from compromising as well as enhancing human security.

A celadonitic clay deposit is located ∼40 km north-west of Yazlıca-Kütahya (Türkiye) and has promising reserves for ceramic production. To evaluate the potential use of this region, 10 representative clay samples were collected and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), polarized-light microscopy (PM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). According to the Chemical Index of Alteration and Chemical Index of Weathering, the celadonitic clay samples were formed by strong chemical alteration of the Kızıltepe volcanic rocks occurring in the study area. Based on XRD data, SEM-EDS data and chemical and thermal analysis results, the primary minerals present were celadonite-Al, montmorillonite and nontronite in the clay samples formed by the weathering of basaltic rocks. The clay samples were used in thermal and physical tests. Firing properties, including water absorption, dry shrinkage, firing shrinkage, total shrinkage and glaze adhesion, were determined. The white clay specimens are suitable for more decorative and less load-bearing applications, having high porosity and low strength. The green clay samples, however, are ideal for technical and industrial ceramics, having an extremely compact structure and high strength. The properties of these two clays are beneficial for application in different areas in terms of their mechanical and ceramic performance. Additionally, the representative green celadonitic clay samples were used in recipes for opaque, transparent and matte glazes, creating artistic glaze effects for pigments. Hence, the green clay samples could be used as a ceramic pigment.

I offer an interpretation of Kant’s doctrine of cognitive spontaneity that explains how the understanding can function outside of the efficient-causal structure of nature, without being part of what McDowell calls ‘the domain of responsible freedom’. Contemporary literature is dominated by the ‘cognitive agency’ approach, which identifies cognitive spontaneity with a kind of freedom. Against this view, the ‘cognitive processing view’ banishes agential notions from its account but also reduces the understanding to mere mechanism. I argue that neither of these interpretations is obligatory, motivating a teleological but non-agential account that resists assimilation into either of the current approaches.