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We briefly review contemporary extragalactic γ-ray propagation models. It is shown that the Extragalactic Magnetic Field (EGMF) strength and structure are poorly known. Strict lower limits on the EGMF strength in voids are of order 10−17 − 10−20 G, thus allowing a substantial contribution of a secondary component generated by electromagnetic cascades to the observable spectrum. We show that this \"electromagnetic cascade model\" is supported by data from imaging Cherenkov telescopes and the Fermi LAT detector.

The integration of smart manufacturing technologies presents both technological and human resource challenges for developing economies transitioning toward Industry 4.0. This study developed and implemented a comprehensive machine learning framework that optimizes manufacturing processes while effectively integrating human resource capabilities across 50 manufacturing facilities in Uzbekistan's automotive, textile, and food processing sectors. The research implemented a three-tier machine learning framework combining random forest algorithms, k-means clustering, and deep neural networks, while simultaneously developing workforce capabilities through structured training programs. Data collection utilized 1,250 IoT sensors per facility, complemented by workforce performance metrics. The implementation yielded significant improvements: Overall Equipment Effectiveness increased by 18.7%, unplanned downtime decreased by 32.4%, defect rates reduced from 3.8% to 1.0%, and workforce digital competency improved by 45%. The framework demonstrated robust performance across all sectors, with the automotive sector showing the highest improvements. The study provides empirical evidence that machine learning frameworks, when integrated with human resource development, can significantly enhance manufacturing performance in developing industrial contexts.

There are indications that a secondary component of cascade photons is present in the spectra of some bright blazars. The main spectral signatures are considered using the electromagnetic model. The simplest version of the hadronic cascade model can be distinguished from the electromagnetic cascade at a significance level of ~3 σ for a typical observation of a blazar at the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA).

Ultrahigh energy protons and nuclei from extragalactic cosmic ray sources initiate intergalactic electromagnetic cascades, resulting in observable fluxes of \\(\\gamma\\)-rays in the GeV-TeV energy domain. The total spectrum of such cascade \\(\\gamma\\)-rays of hadronic nature is significantly harder than the one usually expected from blazars. The spectra of some sources known as \"extreme TeV blazars\" could be well-described by this \"intergalactic hadronic cascade model\" (IHCM). We calculate the shape of the observable point-like spectrum, as well as the observable angular distibution of \\(\\gamma\\)-rays, for the first time taking into account the effect of primary proton deflection in filaments and galaxy clusters of the extragalactic magnetic field assuming the model of Dolag et al. (2005). We present estimates of the width of the observable \\(\\gamma\\)-ray angular distribution derived from simple geometrical considerations. We also employ a hybrid code to compute the observable spectral and angular distributions of \\(\\gamma\\)-rays. The observable point-like spectrum at multi-TeV energies is much softer than the one averaged over all values of the observable angle. The presence of a high-energy cutoff in the observable spectra of extreme TeV blazars in the framework of the IHCM could significantly facilitate future searches of new physics processes that enhance the apparent \\(\\gamma\\)-ray transparency of the Universe (for instance, \\(\\gamma \\rightarrow ALP\\) oscillations). The width of the observable angular distribution is greater than or comparable to the extent of the point spread function of next-generation \\(\\gamma\\)-ray telescopes.

Most of the recent research on extragalactic \\(\\gamma\\)-ray propagation focused on the study of the \\(\\gamma\\gamma \\rightarrow e^{+}e^{-}\\) absorption process (\"absorption-only model\"). Starting from a possible anomaly at very high energies (VHE, E >100 GeV), we briefly review several existing deviations from this model. The exotic interpretation of the VHE anomaly is not supported by the recent works. On the other hand, the process of intergalactic electromagnetic cascade development naturally explains these effects. We discuss phenomenology of intergalactic cascades and the main spectral signatures of the electromagnetic cascade model. We also briefly consider the hadronic cascade model; it also may explain the data, but requires low strength of magnetic field around the source of primary protons or nuclei.

Blazars may accelerate protons and/or nuclei as well as electrons. The hadronic component of accelerated particles in blazars may constitute the bulk of their high-energy budget; nevertheless, this component is elusive due to a high value of the energy threshold of proton interaction with photon fields inside the source. However, broad line regions (BLRs) of some flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) may contain a sufficient amount of matter to render primary protons \"visible\" in \\(\\gamma\\) rays via hadronuclear interactions. In the present paper we study the persistent \\(\\gamma\\)-ray emission of the FSRQ PKS 1510-089 in its low state utilizing the publicly-available Fermi-LAT data, as well as using the spectrum measured with the MAGIC imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. We find an indication for an excess of \\(\\gamma\\) rays at the energy range \\(\\gtrsim 20\\) GeV with respect to a simple baseline log-parabolic intrinsic spectral model. This excess could be explained in a scenario invoking hadronuclear interactions of primary protons on the BLR material with the subsequent development of electromagnetic cascades in photon fields. We present a Monte Carlo calculation of the spectrum of this cascade component, taking as input the BLR photon field spectrum calculated with the Cloudy code. To our knowledge, this is the first calculation of electromagnetic cascade spectrum inside a blazar based on a direct calculation of the photon field spectrum with a spectral synthesis code.

We present a study of a directional search for Dark Matter boosted forward when scattered by cosmic-ray nuclei, using a module of the NEWSdm experiment. The boosted Dark Matter flux at the edge of the Earth's atmosphere is expected to be pointing to the Galactic Center, with a flux 15 to 20 times larger than in the transverse direction. The module of the NEWSdm experiment consists of a 10 kg stack of Nano Imaging Trackers, i.e.~newly developed nuclear emulsions with AgBr crystal sizes down to a few tens of nanometers. The module is installed on an equatorial telescope. The relatively long recoil tracks induced by boosted Dark Matter, combined with the nanometric granularity of the emulsion, result in an extremely low background. This makes an installation at the INFN Gran Sasso laboratory, both on the surface and underground, viable. A comparison between the two locations is made. The angular distribution of nuclear recoils induced by boosted Dark Matter in the emulsion films at the surface laboratory is expected to show an excess with a factor of 3.5 in the direction of the Galactic Center. This excess allows for a Dark Matter search with directional sensitivity. The surface laboratory configuration prevents the deterioration of the signal in the rock overburden and it emerges as the most powerful approach for a directional observation of boosted Dark Matter with high sensitivity. We show that, with this approach, a 10 kg module of the NEWSdm experiment exposed for one year at the Gran Sasso surface laboratory can probe Dark Matter masses between 1 keV/c\\(^2\\) and 1 GeV/c\\(^2\\) and cross-section values down to \\(10^{-30}\\)~cm\\(^2\\) with a directional sensitive search.

Secondary {\\gamma}-rays from intergalactic cascades may contribute to observable spectra of blazars, also modifying observable angular and temporal distributions. In this paper we briefly review basic features of intergalactic electromagnetic cascade physics, suggest a new approximation for {\\gamma}-ray mean free path, consider angular patterns of magnetically broadened cascade emission, and present an example of a fit to the observable blazar spectrum.