Cyborg insects are a major part of the vision of future interactions of the living world and technology, including but not limited to the Internet of Living Things (IoLT). They are crawling or flying insects with additional electronic circuitry allowing remote control of their movement and collection of sensory data. In this critical review, we survey the historical development of cyborg insects engineering, from the first backpacks on insects used for communication and sensing, to different methods of control and actuation of insects’ locomotion. We review the suggested applications of cyborg insects ranging from military use to agriculture, pointing out the problematic connotations of swarms and cyborgs in these contexts. We address the applications and the narratives around engineered insects from the perspective of philosophy, economy, law, and politics. We add perspectives on emancipatory potential of cyborg technology and where the future of it could lie.

This paper aims at providing a framework suitable for justification of classical convolution integral and Fourier transform in many cases not covered by the usual definition of integral used for signal theory applications. Generalized functions approach from functional analysis is used, simplifying it to be approachable for engineers while retaining the rigor. The generalized functions approach results in an elegant and applicable definition of integral known before in the mathematical literature which is readily applicable in signal theory, justifying formulae usually seen as dubious and criticised for lack of rigor. The study offers a rigorous, simple and understandable definition of integral for use in analog signal theory, helping the formalization of engineering education by means of rigor. Main advantage of this approach is retaining the classical notation used in signal theory as well as its straightforward justification of key formulae in signal theory resulting from convolution and/or Fourier transform.

In this paper we examine the representations of quantum theory and technology in visual media. Namely, we conduct a thorough content analysis of film scripts in science fiction and fantasy to discover ways quantum physics and computing are portrayed: examples include quantum computer scepticism, quantum as proxy for complexity/intelligence, and quantum theory as a vehicle for mysticism. We proceed with motif analysis in quantum theory and technology illustrations in outlets representative of modern global north economy, news, and science writing. There we extract the dominant symbols of quantum discourse and compare them to quantum technology imaginaries in literature. We recognise the repeated and replicated bias towards quantum technology as fuzzy, non­binary, subjective, mystical, as well as a venue of a new arms/space race.

We aimed to investigate whether the addition of whole-body vibration (WBV) to resistance training (RT) will be more beneficial in improving lower limbs muscle strength, power and sprinting performance than RT alone in young basketball players. We recruited 30 young basketball players to participate in four weeks of training and assessments. They were randomized into the WBV resistance training group (VRTG, n=15) and a conventional resistance training group (RTG, n=15), performed 3 times per week. At the beginning and end of the four weeks a back squat one-repetition maximum (1RMBS), Countermovement jump (CMJ), Squat jump (SJ), 10 meters (10m) and 20 meters sprint (20m) were performed. We found that: a) VRTG when added to RT can induce greater improvements in 1RMBS (percentage difference [PD], 8.4%, p < 0.001), CMJ (PD = 4.7%, p = 0.001) and SJ (PD = 1.6, p = 0.02) than RT alone. In contrary, significant time*group interactions were found for sprint times at 10m (p=0.08, F=3.2) and 20m (p=0.17, F=1.93). An additional 4-week WBV resistance training program proved effective in improving lower limb power and strength in young basketball players. When performed on a vibration platform (with accurate and constant vibration stimulus parameters), the resistance exercises were superior to their conventional forms and resulted in additional gains on measures of muscle power and strength, while sprint performance remained unchanged.

Circulation of the Omicron variant with the reemergence of the N501Y mutation along with many others in the spike protein has once again stirred the academic community. Interestingly, tracing the genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 shed light on a less frequent N501Y+ Delta variant which has been in the global circulation for some time before the Omicron appearance. This paper aims to present the molecular characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike_N501Y+ Delta variant detected in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The study was conducted during November and December 2021. All patients were tested using real-time RT-PCR for detection of SARS-CoV-2. A representative number of SARS-CoV-2 positive samples was pre-screened using VirSNiP SARS-CoV-2 Spike N501Y kit. The characterization of the viruses was carried out with Illumina RNA Prep with enrichment and the Respiratory Virus Oligo Panel kit. Among the analyzed sequences, we found two isolates of the Delta variant that differ from their most related clade- GK AY.4.3 in additional mutations N501Y and L54F. In this study, we described the presence of a rare form of Delta variant with Spike_N501Y mutation in the shadow of the Omicron emergence. Despite the set of mutations in the Spike protein, this form of Delta variant does not indicate the large-scale consequences for the general population. Further functional studies of this form could provide more information about its antigenicity and infectivity.

Digital technologies change the way how manufacturing firms create offers for customers. These new technologies transform traditional Product-Service Systems into Digital Product-Service Systems. This paper investigates the use of digital technologies for the creation of new products and smart services in manufacturing firms. Additionally, this paper investigates the service orientation in Product-Service Systems. The data for this research were collected at the end of 2021 through the ASAP Service Management Forum in the manufacturing sector of the Republic of Serbia. The empirical results indicate that more than 60% of manufacturing firms use digital technologies for the creation of new products and less than 50% for the creation of new smart services. Moreover, results indicated that most services are product-oriented with 25% of share in a sample, followed by results-oriented services with 20% of share in a sample and use-oriented services with 11% of share in the total sample.