Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unwinding the model manifold: Choosing similarity measures to remove local minima in sloppy dynamical systems.

In this paper, we consider the problem of parameter sensitivity in models of complex dynamical systems through the lens of information geometry. We calculate the sensitivity of model behavior to variations in parameters. In most cases, models are sloppy, that is, exhibit an exponential hierarchy of parameter sensitivities. We propose a parameter classification scheme based on how the sensitivities scale at long observation times. We show that for oscillatory models, either with a limit cycle or a strange attractor, sensitivities can become arbitrarily large, which implies a high effective dimensionality on the model manifold. Sloppy models with a single fixed point have model manifolds with low effective dimensionality, previously described as a "hyper-ribbon. " In contrast, models with high effective dimensionality translate into multimodal fitting problems. We define a measure of curvature on the model manifold which we call the winding frequency that estimates the density of local minima in the model's parameter space. We then show how alternative choices of fitting metrics can "unwind" the model manifold and give low winding frequencies. This prescription translates the model manifold from one of high effective dimensionality into the hyper-ribbon structures observed elsewhere. This translation opens the door for applications of sloppy model analysis and model reduction methods developed for models with low effective dimensionality.
An Analytical Loading Model for $n$ -Tendon Continuum Robots

One of the key design parameters in tendon-driven continuum robots is the number of tendons and the tendon loading distribution. A load model is also helpful for avoiding slack in tendons that causes control inefficiency and inaccuracy. A quasi-static model of $n$-tendon continuum robots is derived using the Euler–Lagrange formulation. The model is employed to derive an analytical loading model for equidistant tendon tensions for any given beam configuration within the workspace. The model accounts for the bending and axial compliance of the manipulator as well as tendon compliance. Features of the proposed model are discussed and some of the potential applications are explained. Based on the proposed model, a slack avoidance algorithm with analytical formulation is developed to dynamically optimize the tendon loads while preventing slack in tendons for a given configuration. The proposed model is experimentally validated in a multitendon continuum robot system for four case studies of three- to six-tendon arrangements in open-loop control architecture. A stereo vision-based three-dimensional reconstruction system measures the beam configuration and properties for each of the three- to six-tendon continuum robots. The effect of number of tendons on the tension loads in $n$-tendon continuum robots is studied. A quantitative dimensionless relationship between the number of tendons, the maximum tendon loads, and the bending angles is developed that may be used as a design tool for tradeoff among the complexity and required force and size.
Cross-Linguistic Interplay of Lexical Aspect and (Non-)Literalness

Verbs often exhibit non-literal meanings, besides their literal senses. Recent literature has suggested interesting correlations between (non)-literalness and key dimensions of verb semantics. One tendency observed for various languages is that linguistic material that is optional when a verb is used literally may become compulsory for non-literal senses. For example, McNally and Spalek (2017) observe for English that non-literal interpretations sometimes require a particle that is optional in the literal use; e.g. their (1a) requires off in order for cut to be used as a paraphrase of stop. We observe similar contrasts for German (that uses verb particles like English); e.g. steigen ‘raise’ can be used without particle in (1c), but not in (1b).
Potential impacts of using sewage sludge biochar on the growth of plant forest seedlings

Sewage sludge has long been successfully used in the production of nursery plants; however, some restriction may apply due to its high pathogenic characteristics. The process of charring the organic waste significantly reduces that undesired component and may be as effective as the non-charred residue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sewage sludge biochar on the growth and morphological traits of eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus grandis L.) seedlings, and compare results with those observed when using uncharred sewage sludge. Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design, in a 2 x 2 factorial scheme, with four replications. Charred and non-charred sewage sludge were tested with and without NPK addition. A control treatment was also evaluated. Ten weeks old eucalyptus seedlings were transferred to the pots and grew for eight weeks. Chlorophyll content, plant height and stem diameter were measured at 0, 30 and 60 days after transplant. Shoot and root biomass were measured after plant harvest. Dickson Quality Index was calculated to evaluate the overall quality of seedlings. Biochar was effective in improving the seedlings quality, and had similar effects as the non-charred waste. Therefore, sewage sludge biochar has the potential to improve the process of production of forest species seedlings and further reduce the environmental risks associated with the use of non-charred sewage sludge.
Palmprint Recognition using Multimodal Biometrics and Generation of One Time Password

Biometrics was developed with the aim of improving the overall security level in all society contexts. A biometric system describes a set of techniques to analyze certain individual's biometric features, store and then using those patterns to identify or verify the identity of a person. The palmprint contains not only principal curves and wrinkles but also rich texture and miniscule points, so the palmprint identification is able to achieve a high accuracy because of available rich information in palmprint. Various palmprint identification methods, such as coding based methods and principal curve methods have been proposed in past decades. In addition to these methods, subspace based methods can also perform well for palmprint identification. Combining the left and right palmprint images to perform multibiometrics is easy to implement and can obtain better results. Multimodal biometrics can provide higher identification accuracy than single or unimodal biometrics, so it is more suitable for some real-world personal identification applications that need high-standard security. A onetime password is included for higher security and accuracy. One time passwords generally expire after using once. They are generated for using it within a certain time period after which it is useless. These passwords are set as a secondary security measure for the primary palmprint recognition. Keywords—palmprints, biometrics, multimodal biometrics, One Time Password, matching score, feature extraction
Reconstruction of Hydraulic Fractures Using Passive Ultrasonic Travel-Time Tomography

The knowledge of hydraulic fracture morphology is significant for the analysis of fracture mechanisms. This paper utilizes passive Ultrasonic Travel-time Tomography (UTT) to characterize the hydraulic fracture. We constructed a velocity model based on X-ray computerized tomography (X-CT) images scanned on a real hydraulically fractured shale column. Then, ray-paths and travel times corresponding to the source-receiver configuration were calculated by curved ray-tracing schemes. Lastly, we performed tomographic inversions using total variation regularization (TVR). The simulation results showed that 3D passive UTT based on TVR is an accurate, efficient, and stable method to reconstruct the velocity structures with fractures, even in the case of sparse ray-coverage or high noise level. Meanwhile, we also verified that the passive UTT is a valid alternative to X-CT in depicting the hydraulic fracturing rock via a proper interpretation method.
Developed liquid film passing a trailing edge under the action of gravity and capillarity

We consider the asymptotic structure of a steady developed viscous thin film passing the sharp trailing edge of a horizontally aligned flat plate under the weak action of gravity acting vertically and surface tension. The surprisingly rich details of the flow in the immediate vicinity of the trailing edge are elucidated both analytically and numerically. As a central innovation, we demonstrate how streamline curvature serves to regularise the edge singularity apparent on larger scales via generic viscous–inviscid interaction. This is shown to be provoked by weak disturbances of accordingly strong exponential downstream growth, which we trace from the virtual origin of the flow towards the trailing edge. They represent a prototype of the precursor to free interaction in the most general sense, which, interestingly, has not attracted due attention previously. Moreover, we delineate how an increased effect of gravity involves marginally choked flow at the edge.
Liberty in Law? Intellectual Property Rights and Global Alliance Networks

Do formal legal institutions complement or substitute social network mechanisms of knowledge protection? We explore how the composition and structure of firms’ international alliance networks changes in response to the passage of intellectual property rights (IPR) laws in their home countries. We find that, when IPR laws are strengthened, firms form more international alliances, particularly if they operate in IP intensive industries, and do so with partners from a greater diversity of countries. The significance of status (centrality) as a predictor of international alliance formation decreased after the passage of IPR laws, in line with a substitution effect that ‘democratized’ access to the global network by increasing the participation of firms that were peripheral before the legal changes. In contrast, the closure of firms’ alliance networks increased with stronger IPR laws, in line with a complementarity effect that increased the use of social control. The increase in closure was strongest in the networks of the low status entrants into the global network. Using a difference-in-difference empirical design, we found that these changes coincided exactly with the timing of the passage of the laws across thirteen countries between 1988 and 2005. This study addresses issues of great theoretical and practical importance to the literatures on institutions, networks, and IPR.
An improved scheme for calculating the bulk and surface Green's functions within quantum transport theory for systems with long unit cells: Application to carbon nanotubes

We derive an improved version of the renormalization decimation algorithm (RDA) of L\'opez Sancho, which is used in quantum transport theory to calculate the bulk and the surface Green's function of a device. We consider the case of very long unit cells (in transport direction). This covers not only long unit cells itself but also supercell-like calculations for defective structures. For such large systems, short-range interactions lead to a sparse real space Hamiltonian matrix. We show how this and a corresponding subdivision of the unit cell in combination with the decimation technique can be used to previously reduce the system size. The result are separate RDA calculation of much smaller effective Hamiltonian matrices for each Green's function. Finally, we present the performance properties of our improved algorithm as well a some exemplary results for chiral carbon nanotubes.
arXiv : FPGA Based Pico-second Time Measurement System for a DIRC-like TOF Detector

A prototype of DIRC-like Time-of-Flight detector (DTOF), including a pico-second time measurement electronics, is developed and tested preliminarily. The basic structure of DTOF is composed of a fused silica radiator connected to fast micro-channel plate PMTs (MCP-PMT), and readout by a dedicated FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) based front-end electronics. The full electronics chain consists of a programmable differential amplifier, a dual-threshold differential discriminator, and a timestamp Time-to-Digital convertor. By splitting a MCP-PMT output signal into two identical electronics chains, the coincidence time resolution (CTR) of pure electronics was measured as 5.6 ps. By the beam test in H4 (150GeV/c, Muon) at CERN, the intrinsic CTR of the whole detector prototype reaches 15.0 ps without using time-amplitude correction. The test results demonstrate that the FPGA based front-end electronics could achieve an excellent time performance for TOF detectors. It is very compact, cost effective with a high multi-channel capacity and short measurement dead time, which is very suitable for practical applications of large-scale high performance TOF detectors in particle physics spectrometer.
Possible implications of self-similarity for tornadogenesis and maintenance

Self-similarity in tornadic and some non-tornadic supercell flows is studied and power lawsrelating various quantities in such flows are demonstrated. Magnitudes of the exponents in these powerlaws are related to the intensity of the corresponding flow and thus the severity of the supercell storm.The features studied in this paper include the vertical vorticity and pseudovorticity, both obtained fromradar observations and from numerical simulations, the tangential velocity, and the energy spectrum asa function of the wave number. Power laws for the vertical vorticity, pseudovorticity, and tangentialvelocity obtained from radar observations studied in the literature are summarized. Further support isgiven to the existence of a power law for vorticity by the analysis of data obtained from a numericalsimulation of a tornadic supercell. A possible explanation for an increase in vorticity in a developingtornado is provided, as well as an argument that tornadoes have approximate fractal cross sections andnegative temperatures. A power law that relates the increase of the approximate fractal dimension ofthe cross section of a negative temperature vortex to its energy content is derived, and the possibleapplicability of the box-counting method to determine this quantity from suitable radar images isdemonstrated.
The Quality of Acoustic Environments and the Meaning of Soundscapes

Currently, different methods exist to determine the acoustic environment – SoundScape – by means of complex procedures or measurements. The parameter yielded is the A-weighted sound pressure level. The question whether this parameter is also sufficient to describe the subjectively perceived sound quality or annoyance by environmental noises has been discussed for a long time. The aurally-adequate sound analysis uses an artificial head measurement system to record the soundfield comparable to that of human hearing. The aurally-related psychoacoustic analyses will be used to receive a better objective description of the subjectively perceived sound quality. A simple example the so-called pass-by measurement shows that on the one hand the change of the Aweighted sound pressure level can be calculated in dependence on distance in a relatively simple way, but on the other hand psychoacoustical parameters, particularly loudness, roughness and sharpness cannot easily be converted as a function of distance. The human hearing works as a “pattern recognition processor” which means that the spectral distribution on the one hand and the time structure on the other hand are important for the classification of a hearing event. This pattern recognition process is working widely independent of the absolute A-weighted sound pressure level.
Dissipative Landau-Zener problem and thermally assisted Quantum Annealing

We revisit the issue of thermally assisted quantum annealing by a detailed study of the dissipative Landau-Zener problem in presence of a Caldeira-Leggett bath of harmonic oscillators, using both a weak-coupling quantum master equation and a quasi-adiabatic path-integral approach. Building on the known zero-temperature exact results (Wubs et al., PRL 97, 200404 (2006)), we show that a finite temperature bath can have a beneficial effect on the ground-state probability only if it couples also to a spin-direction that is transverse with respect to the driving field, while no improvement is obtained for the more commonly studied purely longitudinal coupling. In particular, we also highlight that, for a transverse coupling, raising the bath temperature further improves the ground-state probability in the fast-driving regime. We discuss the relevance of these findings for the current quantum-annealing flux qubit chips.
Fabrication of Microspheres Based on Poly(4-butyltriphenylamine) Blends with Poly(methyl methacrylate) and Block Copolymer by Solvent Evaporation Method

Micron-sized polymer particles from single poly(4-butyltriphenylamine) (PBTPA) homopolymer, binary polymer blend [PBTPA/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)], and ternary polymer blend (PBTPA/PBTPA-b-PMMA/PMMA) via a solvent evaporation method, and the surface morphologies and inside structure of resulting particles were investigated. Spherical homopolymer particles with smooth surface were resulted from PBTPA with low molecular weight. In the case of binary blends (PBTPA/PMMA = 1/1), Janus (low molecular weight) and dumbbell (high molecular weight) type morphologies were observed. The particles based on ternary blends containing PBTPA-b-PMMA showed core-shell type morphologies (PMMA; core, PBTPA; shell). Degree of engulfment of PMMArich domain increased with the content of the block copolymer. The decrease of domain size was not observed although the block copolymer had a suitable structure as a compatibilizer for the blend. It was also found that the initial concentration of polymer solution had an effect on the final morphology.
A Triple Origin for the Heavy and Low-spin Binary Black Holes Detected by LIGO/VIRGO

We explore the masses, merger rates, eccentricities, and spins for field binary black holes (BHs) driven to merger by a third companion through the Lidov–Kozai mechanism. Using a population synthesis approach, we model the creation of stellar-mass BH triples across a range of different initial conditions and stellar metallicities. We find that the production of triple-mediated mergers is enhanced at low metallicities by a factor of ∼100 due to the lower BH natal kicks and reduced stellar mass loss. These triples naturally yield heavy binary BHs with near-zero effective spins, consistent with most of the mergers observed to date. This process produces a merger rate of between 2 and 25 Gpc−3 yr−1 in the local universe, suggesting that the Lidov–Kozai mechanism can potentially explain all of the low-spin, heavy BH mergers observed by Advanced LIGO/Virgo. Finally, we show that triples admit a unique eccentricity and spin distribution that will allow this model to be tested in the near future.
An Investigation of Factors Affecting Instructors ’ Usage of E-Learning Systems at the University of the West Indies

This study seeks to explore the factors that determine the level of instructors’ acceptance of the e-learning platform at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine Campus. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model was used to evaluate responses from over 600 instructors. Four important factors, i.e. subjective norms, facilitating conditions, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use were core to the UTAUT model. After using exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modelling three of the four factors emerged as significant; facilitating conditions, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness.
Integrated Supply Network Maturity Model: Water Scarcity Perspective

Today’s supply chains (SCs) are more than ever prone to disruptions caused by natural and man-made events with water scarcity identified as one of the highest impact events among these. Leading businesses, understanding that natural resource scarcity (NRS) has become a critical supply chain risk factor, extensively incorporate sustainable water management programmes into their corporate social responsibility and environmental management agenda. The question of how industries can efficiently evaluate the progress of these water scarcity mitigation practices, however, remains open. In order to address this question, the present study proposes a conceptual maturity model. The model is rooted in strategies for water scarcity mitigation using a framework developed by Yatskovskaya and Srai and develops an extensive literature review of recent publications on maturity frameworks in the fields of sustainability and operations management. In order to test the proposed proposed, model an exploratory case study with a leading pharmaceutical company was conducted. The proposed maturity model presents an evaluation tool that allows systematic assessment and visualisation of organisational routines and practices relevant to sustainable manufacturing in the context of water scarcity. This model was designed to help illustrate mitigation capabilities evolution over time, where future state desired capabilities were considered through alternative supply network (SN) configurations, network structure, process flow, product architecture, and supply partnerships.
Antibacterial photodynamic therapy: overview of a promising approach to fight antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections

Antibacterial photodynamic therapy (APDT) has drawn increasing attention from the scientific society for its potential to effectively kill multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria and for its low tendency to induce drug resistance that bacteria can rapidly develop against traditional antibiotic therapy. The review summarizes the mechanism of action of APDT, the photosensitizers, the barriers to PS localization, the targets, the in vitro-, in vivo-, and clinical evidence, the current developments in terms of treating Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, the limitations, as well as future perspectives. Relevance for patients: A structured overview of all important aspects of APDT is provided in the context of resistant bacterial species. The information presented is relevant and accessible for scientists as well as clinicians, whose joint effort is required to ensure that this technology benefits patients in the post-antibiotic era.
A Module for Metaphor? The Site of Imagination in the Architecture of the Mind

An influential position in contemporary psychology is that the mind consists of a constellation of domain-specific, spe- cialized computational mechanisms. Controversy remains about how global, integrative cognitive processes such as the imagin- ation fit into such an architecture. I consider three possible conceptualizations of the imagination; as an operation of a domain-general central process in a Fodorian mind; as an opera- tion of a specialized module in a massively modular mind; and finally as a product of low binding selectivity in Clark Barrett's 'cogzyme' mind. This final approach is much the most promising, as the key to the imagination seems to be the mapping of mean- ingful representations between dissimilar cognitive domains. I thus argue, partly through the link between imagination and schizotypy, that we should view imagination as a consequence of incomplete insulation between parallel specialized processes. Such de-insulation permits innovation and novelty, but also makes pos- sible psychotic illness and delusional beliefs. Thus imagination, like any other evolutionary development, is likely to have costs as well as benefits.