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The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) identify attentional foci (AF) and coping strategies used by young fencers during matches and (b) explore the links between these variables using a grounded-theory approach. Using a naturalistic qualitative video-assisted approach, analyses revealed the emergence of five categories of AF (movements and techniques, strategies and tactics, situation evaluation, states, and extraneous attention) and six categories of coping strategies (mastery coping, internal regulation, goal-withdrawal strategies, behavioral regulation, no regulation, and automatic regulation). The grounded theory highlighted that pleasant emotional experiences tended to be related to mastery coping, which in turn favored the orientation of the attention toward AF that appeared to be most effective in winning points (i.e., opponent, distance, plan). Conversely, unpleasant emotional experiences were consistently associated with goal-withdrawal strategies (or no regulation), which generally led to a lack of AF and lower performance. Intervention suggestions are made in relation to the results of the proposed grounded theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oldest known European fight book, Royal Armouries MS I.33 has puzzled scholars and sword fighting enthusiasts alike with its occasionally strange looking illustrations. This paper argues that some of them contain multiple view planes or perspectives 'folded' into one, as it also occurs elsewhere in contemporary Gothic manuscript painting. To the modern observer who has no first-hand experience of the type of sword fighting depicted, these specialised drawing conventions are difficult to identify and, consequently, to decode. By comparing ostensibly similar situations as they are illustrated in later fight books that employ different artistic means, this paper suggests a new way of looking at I.33's illustrations that could be relevant beyond the examples discussed here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fences disturb the movements of terrestrial species, altering migration patterns, limiting access to vital resources, and reducing genetic diversity. With almost 40% of the Earth's land surface converted for agriculture, farm fencing to protect crops and corral livestock is expected to stretch into the millions of kilometers. As semi‐terrestrial ectotherms, freshwater turtles are threatened by fences that limit access to resources and increase risks of desiccation, entanglement, and overheating, often resulting in death. To determine the effect of fences, we quantified the movement patterns for a population of eastern long‐necked turtles (Chelodina longicollis) inhabiting an agricultural landscape near Armidale, New South Wales, Australia from November 2022 to September 2023. There was considerable variation in the distance traveled, home range size, and movement corridor selection between turtles that was not explained by the morphological factors of size, mass, or the loss of a limb (likely due to predation attempts). On average, 38% ± 4.70 (x¯ $\bar{x}$ ± SE) of turtle movements were terrestrial (overland) during their active season (spring and summer) during which they encountered fences frequently because of a complex matrix of paddocks. Fence design dictated the distance turtles traveled to locate a suitable passage point. The majority of fences allowed turtles to pass (turtle‐friendly fences, 71.4% of total fence distance) as opposed to turtle‐unfriendly fences (28.6% of total fence distance). Turtles were required to travel almost 4 times the distance to locate a suitable crossing point (a gap or fault in the fence) when they encountered an unfriendly fence (85.32 m ± 29.81) compared to a turtle‐friendly fence (25.85 m ± 3.58). Our results highlight the need for land managers to avoid small‐diameter exclusion fencing and fence designs containing chicken wire that extend to or below ground level. In settings where small‐diameter wire fencing is required, we recommend the installation of turtle gates for small terrestrial fauna or elevating bottom wires at least 50 mm above ground level to facilitate fence permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a transposition cipher algorithm based on cascaded spin shuffle (CSS). The plaintext is shuffled on a two-dimensional grid using CSS, where the letters are arranged based on spin motion, creating diverse permutations. The cascading technique prevents dead-ends at the grid's edge cells by wrapping around to the opposite side, resulting in complex permutations and allowing flexible placement of the initial spinning point. Unlike traditional transposition ciphers, such as columnar, route, and rail fence, which suffer from fixed-period repetition, the CSS technique avoids such limitations using the spinning and cascading mechanisms. Compared to the Advanced ciphers' Permutation Box (P-Box), which suffers from predictability with frequent patterns, key management, and high computation requirements, CSS offers a novel approach with unpredictable, arbitrary distribution and a variable-length key that enhances key space and simplifies implementation. The results of the proposed cipher using randomly generated files and keys showed that the proposed cipher maintains low correlation, Pearson, Spearman, Chi-Square, and Kolmogorov-Smirnov values. Compared to the existing ciphers, the proposed cipher implements a single round, thus reducing the time requirements. In terms of security, the proposed CSS algorithm defeats the n-gram statistical analysis and the simple cipher guessing. The proposed cipher was also analyzed for plaintext and key sensitivity. The performance analysis indicates its robustness and effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gated communities house 40% of Bogotá’s population today. Streets formed when two gated communities face each other, dominated by fences and walls are a common sight. Situating our research on informal social control and critical security theories, we analyse how gated communities shape non-exclusionary access and security in the streets and public spaces outside the gates. Applying systematic observations and interviews in streets outside gated communities in Bogotá, we collect data from all public space users. We show that in these spaces, the passer-by is perceived as a threat and hence not welcomed. We find that gated communities are redistributing access and security not just inside but also outside the gates, serving the needs of some, while dismissing the collective interest of inclusive and secure public spaces for all and hence are a threat to the democratic nature of cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper traces the changes to the intellectual classification of fencing. The authors of fencing treatises attempted to shift the perception of fencing from its long held violent connotations and towards a more elevated and legitimate practice. This change was prompted by multiple factors, key amongst them were the proliferation of print, the rise of the duel, and courtesy books, such as Castiglione’s Book of the Courtier. These factors allowed fencing to be reconceived with new methods and to reach a wider audience. However, to appeal to a larger and increasingly educated audience, early modern fencing treatises adopted new pedagogical tools and made efforts to legitimise fencing, elevating their new methods above fencing’s violent nature. To achieve this elevation, authors of fencing treatises attempted to raise fencing’s intellectual standing through the application of the trivium and later geometry and humanistic learning, in order to reposition fencing as a practice worthy of gentlemanly study. In this paper, I outline the process of this change and argue that, despite concerted effort to intellectualise fencing, as a means to obtain legitimacy, attempts were never wholly successful, due to an inability to completely separate conceptions of violence from the new science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the connections between John Florio and William Shakespeare, specifically focusing on Florio's language lesson manual called Second Fruits. It suggests that Florio's manuals, which contained dialogs and proverbs, may have influenced Shakespeare's works. The article also discusses Florio's involvement in the theatrical environment of London and his ambivalence towards theater, which could have influenced Shakespeare's portrayal of plays. Overall, the article highlights the cultural and linguistic influences on early modern theater and the impact of Florio's work on Shakespeare's oeuvre. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Tens of thousands of deer are hit by cars in the UK each year. Many die, many immediately run away despite injury, but some are incapacitated and a vet may be called to the animal by the driver, a passer‐by or the police. Less often a deer is brought to a veterinary practice. Occasionally, vets may be asked to attend deer trapped in fencing or incapacitated in other ways. As more rural practices have come to serve companion animals only, and more wild deer have been moving into suburban and even urban environments, companion animal vets unfamiliar with deer have occasionally found themselves having to deal with these species. Aim of the article: This article provides relevant information for situations where companion animal vets are tasked with dealing with injured wild deer, including legal, practical, ethical and welfare issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Golmud-Korla Railway in the Gobi area faces operational challenges due to sand hazards, caused by strong and variable winds. This study addresses these challenges by conducting wind tunnel tests to evaluate the protective benefits of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) board sand fences, focusing on their orientation relative to various wind directions (referred to as 'wind angle'). This study found that the size of the low-velocity zone on the leeward side of the sand fences (LSF) expanded with an increase in the wind angle (WA). At 1H (the height of the sand fence) and 2H positions on the LSF, the wind speed profiles (WSP) exhibited a segmented logarithmic growth, constrained by Z = H at varying WAs. The efficacy of the sand fence in obstructing airflow escalated as WA increased. The size of the WA has a significant impact on the protective efficiency of HDPE board sand fences. Furthermore, compared to typical sandy surfaces, the rate of sand transport across the Gobi surface diminishes more slowly with height, attributed to the gravel's rebound effect. This phenomenon allows some sand particles to bypass the fences, rendering them less effective at blocking wind and trapping sand than in sandy environments. This paper offers scientific evidence supporting the practical use and enhancement of HDPE board sand fences in varied wind conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric fences are widely used in human–elephant conflict mitigation. However, elephants constantly challenge and overcome fences, which is a growing concern. We studied how elephants crossed the perimeter electric fence around the Udawalawe National Park (UWNP), Sri Lanka. Using camera traps, we monitored 18 fence posts and an open gate in the fence over 605 days from 2016 to 2019. Photographs of 3097 fence crossings were analysed to obtain demographic data for fence crossing elephants, crossing methods, and the daily and seasonal timing of fence crossing. We identified 77 adult males and 12 adult females that crossed the fence, which represent about 17% of the adult elephants in UWNP. Most of the crossings were through the open gate at night. Elephants used a variety of crossing methods, comprised of crossing at the open gate, at previously toppled posts, by crashing through wires and stepping over wires, as well as by using the trunk or forefeet to topple posts. Fence voltage was not a determinant of fence crossing. The frequency and timing of fence crossings varied between locations with later exits and less time spent outside, at crossing points bordering human dominated areas. Our results emphasis on the importance of taking into account the problem solving abilities of elephants in fence design and location, such as energising fence posts and constructing exclosure fences at the boundaries of crop fields and settlements, in employing electric fences to mitigate human‐elephant conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment of rockfall protection systems for low‐energy areas Current studies on the subject of rockfall protection structures generally focus on medium to high impact energies. Systems with an energy absorption capacity of up to approx. 10,000 kJ already exist for flexible rockfall protection fences. In many regions, however, the risk of falling rocks and boulders is often associated with significantly lower energies. This is particularly the case along infrastructure such as transport routes. The Bavarian State Construction Administration therefore uses wire fences as roll‐off protection, which explicitly cover the area with an energy absorption capacity of up to 60 kJ. The wire fences consist of commercially available components stored by specialist companies and were tested by the Central Office for Engineering Structures and Georisks (ZIG) at a height of 2.30 m in a quarry near Passau. During the tests, the University of Innsbruck, Geotechnics Department, measured the relevant cable forces and evaluated the kinematics of the test blocks using video analyses. The article describes the construction details of the wire fence, the boundary conditions of the 1 : 1 load tests, the evaluation of the measurement data and the further findings for the design. In addition, the temporal path of the force is analysed when determining the design actions on anchors and foundations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss some fundamental issues regarding the roles that statistical models play in surveys. Many survey applications "borrow strength" from statistical models such as regression models and mixed effects models, even though these popular statistical models rarely hold exactly, if at all, in the real world. Yet, the idea of borrowing strength carries on, and the practice proves to be useful in many cases. We discuss basic ideas of borrowing strength via a statistical model and suggest practical criteria for evaluating a model, knowing that it is likely to be incorrect in a strict sense. Furthermore, we discuss a model selection strategy, known as the fence methods, which can incorporate practical interests into the selection criterion. Examples are used for illustration. Further remarks on challenging problems are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 31st Morris Hansen Lecture gave a broad overview of some fundamental issues regarding the roles of statistical models in surveys, with an emphasis on a method of model selection known as the fence. This discussion provides some general lecture remarks and expands on the possible applicability of the fence methods in small area estimation. Unit-level and area-level small area estimation modeling illustrations are provided. A general variable selection framework for small area estimation is presented, along with recent application studies and ideas for expansion to include the fence methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a resettlement of reptiles from a planned construction area in the Brandenburg municipality of Velten, the effectiveness of drift fences was compared with bucket traps, wooden sheets and catching by hand for the capture of sand lizards, common lizards and slow worms. Of the two lacertid species, over 90% of the individuals were caught in the trapping fences, whereas more than 43,5% of the slow worms were found under wooden boards and 56,6% in trapping fences. In addition to the results on the efficiency of the catching methods, data on the phenology and annual activity of the three species are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article discusses the construction of post-Removal mounds in Oklahoma as a form of Indigenous architectural design and cultural revitalization. These new mounds aim to re-tell the history and significance of ancient mounds and mound-building cultures, appealing to both Native and non-Native audiences. The article explores the innovative designs and continuities of these new mounds, highlighting their role in Indigenous aesthetics and architectural design for the future. The text also questions the binary of historical versus futuristic orientations and explores alternative perspectives for understanding the meaning and significance of these mounds. The First Americans Museum, in particular, offers visitors opportunities to learn and reflect through its integrated Mound Path and emphasizes Indigenous cultural continuity and ethical standards in museum collections. [Extracted from the article]

This article examines two photographic series by Kang Yong Suk that explore the landscapes and lives of people living in state villages near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). These villages were established for ideological propaganda and to prevent military conflicts within the DMZ. Kang's photographs focus on Yugok-ri village and show how it has changed over time. The article also discusses the importance of border art in understanding border transformation and representing individuals in border regions. Kang's photographs challenge traditional visual styles and aim to bring attention to marginalized individuals and challenge dominant narratives. [Extracted from the article]

The rapid advancement of deep learning and computer vision technologies has given rise to a concerning class of deceptive media, commonly known as deepfakes. This paper addresses emerging trends in deepfakes, including the creation of hyper-realistic facial manipulations, the incorporation of synthesized human voices, and the addition of fabricated subtitles to video content. To effectively combat these multifaceted deepfake threats, we introduce an ensemble-based deepfake detection framework called the "D-Fence" layer. The D-Fence layer consists of two uni-modal classifiers designed to identify tampered facial and vocal elements, as well as two cross-modal classifiers for interactions between Video-Audio and Audio-Text domains to detect deepfakes across multiple modalities. To evaluate the effectiveness of our framework, we introduce two novel adversarial attacks: the "Bogus-in-the-middle" attack, which strategically inserts counterfeit video frames within authentic sequences, and the "Downsampling attack", designed to create deceptive audio. A comparative study of the D-Fence layer against various state-of-the-art multi-modal deepfake detection systems is conducted, demonstrating that our ensemble architecture outperforms existing classifiers. Under diverse adversarial conditions, our D-Fence layer achieves an impressive detection accuracy of 92%, showcasing its ability to detect deepfakes efficiently and reliably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frequency is one of the most significant indicators of power system, which needs accurate estimation to provide a reliable basis for monitoring, control, and protection. Owning to the efficiency, DFT is widely used in the frequency measurement of power systems. However, the inherent defects, that is, the spectral leakage and picket fence effect, decrease the accuracy of DFT. One of the variants, named the windowed phase difference method (WPD), addresses the problem using the phase variation of two windowed sequences in the frequency domain and achieves accurate frequency estimation. Suffering from the ignored negative component and contamination of noise, there are still undesired errors in WPD-based frequency estimation. To reduce the influence of the undesired errors, this paper first analyzes the systematic error of WPD introduced by spectrum leakage and proposes an improved WPD (IWPD) through systematic error compensation to achieve more accurate frequency estimations. Then, the windowing effect on IWPD-based frequency estimation of a noisy signal is studied by deducing the theoretical expression of frequency estimation variance. Finally, the proposed IWPD is validated by extensive computer simulations and practical experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the emotional journey of the narrator as they navigate the loss of their pet, Herman, while attending a book club meeting. Topics include the narrator's memories of caring for Herman, the impact of the pet's absence on their daily life, and the unexpected joy that arises from a friend's acknowledgment of their grief.

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. Virtual fencing technology provides an opportunity to rethink the management of intensive grazing systems in general, yet most studies have used products developed and applied to more extensive livestock systems. This research aimed to assess the application of a virtual fencing technology developed for the intensive pastoral dairy industry. The Halter system uses 2 primary cues (sound and vibration) and one aversive secondary cue (a low-energy electrical pulse) to confine cows to a pasture allocation and remotely herd cows. We studied 2 groups of 40 mid-lactation multiparous dairy cows (Bos taurus , predominantly Friesian and Friesian × Jersey, parity 1–8). Cows were milked twice per day and provided 9 kg of pasture DM/d in a 24-h allocation, supplemented with 7 kg of silage and 6 kg of grain DM/d. Training to the Halter system occurred over 10 d, after which cows were managed with the technology for a further 28 d. The type and time of cues delivered were recorded by each collar and communicated via a base station to cloud data storage. Cows took less than a day to start responding to the sound cues delivered while held on a pasture allocation and were moving to the milking parlor without human intervention by d 4 of training. On training d 1, at least 60% of sound cues resulted in an electrical pulse. Across training d 2 to 10, 6.4% of sound cues resulted in a pulse. After the 10-d training period, 2.6% of sound cues resulted in a pulse. During the management period, 90% of cows spent ≤1.7 min/d beyond the virtual fence, received ≤0.71 pulses/d in the paddock and received ≤1 pulse/d during virtual herding to the parlor. By the final week of the management period, 50% of cows received 0 pulses/week in the paddock and 35% received 0 pulses/week during virtual herding. The number of pulses delivered per day and the pulse/sound cue ratio was lower in this study than that previously reported using other virtual fencing technologies. We conclude that the Halter technology is successful at containing lactating dairy cows in an intensive grazing system as well as at remotely herding animals to the milking parlor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we study the cooperative target‐fencing problem of multiple double‐integrator systems over a state‐dependent communication network. We propose a distributed control law to asymptotically fence a moving target while achieving both collision avoidance and connectivity preservation of the vehicles. In particular, a distributed observer is employed by each vehicle to estimate the position and the velocity of the target. Compared with the existing results, our approach can accommodate a larger class of target's trajectories. Furthermore, our control law is more practical since we do not require all vehicles to know the trajectory of the target. The effectiveness of our approach is illustrated by a numerical example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to explore the ultras phenomenon in the Kolkata maidan as a mediatized spectacle in the context of sports fandom in 21st-century India. In contrast to the typical portrayal of football ultras as violent groups of conservatives in the global paradigm, this paper examines the Kolkata ultras as a distinct community formed by specific fan groups of two prominent football clubs—Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. Exploring the complex configurations of sports fandom and ultras activities, this paper considers the Kolkata football ultras as a pastiche of their European counterparts. Through their gallery activities, including the display of tifos, the Kolkata ultras attempt to narrativize the settlers-migrant conflict between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal in a neoliberal economy. While turning the identarian discourse on a visual level, the paper also analyses how the display foregrounds a change in the politics of sports fandom in India through their anti-NRC-CAA tifos in recent times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]