Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Statistical mechanics of boundary driven systems

Statistical mechanics is concerned with finding the macroscopic behaviour of a physical system given its microscopic characteristics. At equilibrium there is a general framework given in terms of the various statistical ensembles that describes how to calculate the macroscopic quantity that is desired. Out of equilibrium there is no such framework, leading to the treatment of microscopic models on an individual basis and the investigation of arbitrarily defined models. However, there exists a recent theory of boundary driven steady states and an associated nonequilibrium counterpart to detailed balance due to Evans. In this thesis I first review this theory of boundary driven steady states and the associated nonequilibrium counterpart to detailed balance due to Evans, before applying the theory to some toy models of driven athermal systems. These initial attempts do not reproduce the qualitative behaviour of granular systems such as jamming but are a valuable and novel starting point for a more thorough investigation of this technique. I then move on to the general theory of boundary driven systems and formulate a nonequilibrium free energy principle. The physical content of this is illustrated through a simple diffusion model. I then provide a reformulation of the principle which is more suitable for calculation and demonstrate its validity in a more complex model. Finally I investigate a particular example of a boundary driven system, a toy model of a complex fluid called the rotor model. I first use simulation to investigate the model and its phase behaviour, before using an analytical approach to do the same. This approach takes the form of a nonequilibrium real space renormalisation group calculation, and qualitatively reproduces some of the features seen in the simulations.
Dynamical formation of Black Hole Low-Mass X-Ray Binaries in the field - an alternative to common envelope

Very wide binaries (> 500 AU) are subject to numerous encounters with flying-by stars in the Galactic field and can be perturbated into highly eccentric orbits (e ~ 0.99). For such systems tidal interactions at close pericenter passages can lead to orbit circularization and possibly mass transfer, consequently producing X-Ray binaries without the need for common envelope. We test this scenario for the case of Black Hole Low-Mass X-Ray Binaries (BH LMXBs) by performing a population synthesis from primordial binaries with numerical treatment of random stellar encounters. We test various models for the threshold pericenter distance under which tidal forces cause circularization. We estimate that fly-by interactions can produce a current population of ~ 60$-$220 BH LMXBs in the Galactic field. The results are sensitive to the assumption on tidal circularization efficiency and zero to very small BH natal kicks of a few km/s are required. We show that the most likely donors are low-mass stars (< 1 Msun; at the onset of mass transfer) as observed in the population of known sources (~ 20). However, the low number of systems formed along this route is in tension with most recent observational estimate of the number of dormant BH LMXBs in the Galaxy 10$^4-$10$^8$ (Tetarenko et al. 2016). If indeed the numbers are so high, alternative formation channels of BHs with low-mass donors need to be identified.
Lorentz-Covariant Theory of Gravity Founded on Inertial Frame of Center of Mass

We suggest a Lorentz-covariant theory of gravity that is equivalent to general relativity in weak gravitational field. We first derive the mass variation of a body falling freely in static gravitational field based on the principle of equivalence and the mass-energy relation. We then modify the standards of space-time in local gravitational field to keep them consistent with the standards in inertial frame of reference at infinity based on the influence of gravitational field on the light. The metric thus obtained agrees with Schwarzschild metric at first order approximation. The gravitational vector potential produced by a moving gravitational source can be obtained by applying Lorentz transformations in local gravitational field. Although inertial and non-inertial frames are equally valid in describing the motion of bodies in gravitational field, we still regard inertial frame, i.e. center of mass of the system, as the preferred frame of reference. This is because Newton's laws of motion only hold for inertial frames. The apsidal motion of binary system and the expansion of the universe can be explained more reasonably when observed from their respective centers of mass than that from relative motions. The expression of static metric in our theory does not contain gravitational radius, thus black hole and singularity do not exist. In our theory, the gravity in the presence of matter is the same as that in the vacuum, i.e. TOV equation does not hold. The maximum mass of a neutron star is about five times of solar mass based on our computation.
Joint reconstructions of growth and expansion histories from stage-IV surveys with minimal assumptions: Dark energy beyond 
Λ

Combining Supernovae, Baryon Acoustic Oscillations and Redshift-Space Distortions data from the next generation of (Stage-IV) cosmological surveys, we aim to reconstruct the expansion history up to large redshifts using forward-modeling of $f_{\mathrm DE}(z) = \rho_\mathrm{DE}(z)/\rho_\mathrm{DE,0}$ with Gaussian processes (GP). In order to reconstruct cosmological quantities at high redshifts where few or no data are available, we adopt a new approach to GP which enforces the following minimal assumptions: a) Our cosmology corresponds to a flat Friedman-Lema\^itre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) universe; b) An Einstein de Sitter (EdS) universe is obtained on large redshifts. This allows us to reconstruct the perturbations growth history from the reconstructed background expansion history. Assuming various DE models, we show the ability of our reconstruction method to differentiate them from $\Lambda$CDM at $\gtrsim2\sigma$.
NEUTRAL MASSIVE SPIN ½ PARTICLES EMISSION IN A RINDLER SPACE

The Unruh effect for the rate of emission and absorption of neutral massive Majorana spinor particles — plausible constituents of the Dark Matter — in a Rindler space–time is thoroughly investigated. The corresponding Bogoliubov coefficients are explicitly calculated and the consistency with Fermi–Dirac statistics and the Pauli principle is actually verified.
Improved Performance of Hybrid PV and Wind Generating System Connected to the Grid Using Finite-Set Model Predictive Control

This article proposes coordinated model predictive control (MPC) techniques for a DC-coupled hybrid microgrid system with solar photovoltaic and wind generated system. To achieve optimum power generation in the microgrid, the finite-control-set MPC (FCS-MPC) controls both PV-wind generated power using a DC-DC converter and a controlled rectifier. The mathematical formulation of the proposed hybrid microgrid system is described, and maximum power point tracking is employed to guarantee that the grid receives the maximum power. Furthermore, the 3- $\Phi $ bidirectional two-level inverter is connected between the DC-bus and AC grid which is controlled by the grid side FCS-MPC controller. The FCS-MPC is used in all system control parts, eliminating the use of four proportional controllers (PI) and giving a better dynamic response. Additionally, the outcomes are evaluated in comparison to current techniques. The proposed power management technique is also based on the relationship between the overall demand and the produced power provided by both WDG and PV sources. Due to the unpredictability of the sources, several scenarios, including (i) Fixed radiation and fixed wind speed, (ii) Wind speed variation and constant radiation, and (iii) Changing solar radiation and steady wind speed, are considered to validate the performance of the proposed scheme. The findings are then discussed.
Period-Luminosity relations derived from the OGLE-III First-overtone mode Cepheids in the Magellanic Clouds

We present multi-band Period-Luminosity (PL) relations for first-overtone mode Cepheids in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). We derive optical band PL relations and the Wesenheit function using $VI$ mean magnitudes from the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE-III) survey. We cross-match OGLE-III first-overtone mode Cepheids to the 2MASS and SAGE-SMC catalogs to derive PL relations at near-infrared ($JHK_s$) and mid-infrared ($3.6~\&~4.5\mu\mathrm{m}$) wavelengths. We test for possible non-linearities in these PL relations using robust statistical tests and find a significant break only in the optical-band PL relations at 2.5 days for first-overtone mode Cepheids. We do not find statistical evidence for a non-linearity in these PL relations at 1 day. The multi-band PL relations for fundamental-mode Cepheids in the SMC also exhibit a break at 2.5 days. We suggest that the period break around 2.5 days is related to sharp changes in the light curve parameters for SMC Cepheids. We also derive new optical and mid-infrared band PL relations for first-overtone mode Cepheids in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). We compare multi-band PL relations for first-overtone mode Cepheids in the Magellanic Clouds and find a significant difference in the slope of the $V$-band PL relations but not for $I$-band PL relations. The slope of PL relations are found to be consistent in most of the infrared bands. A relative distance modulus of $\Delta\mu=0.49\pm0.02$~mag between the two clouds is estimated using multi-band PL relations for the first-overtone mode Cepheids in the SMC and LMC.
Stabilization of projection‐based reduced‐order models

A rigorous method for stabilizing projection‐based linear reduced‐order models without significantly affecting their accuracy is proposed. Unlike alternative approaches, this method is computationally efficient. It requires primarily the solution of a small‐scale convex optimization problem. Furthermore, it is nonintrusive in the sense that it operates directly on readily available reduced‐order operators. These can be precomputed using any data compression technique including balanced truncation, balanced proper orthogonal decomposition, proper orthogonal decomposition, or moment matching. The proposed method is illustrated with three applications: the stabilization of the reduction of the Computational Fluid Dynamics‐based model of a linearized unsteady supersonic flow, the reduction of a Computational Structural Dynamics system, and the stabilization of the reduction of a coupled Computational Fluid Dynamics–Computational Structural Dynamics model of a linearized aeroelastic system in the transonic flow regime. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Beamforming Optimization for Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface With Power Splitting Aided Broadcasting Networks

Reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) has emerged as a promising technology for the 6G networks. In this article, we study a RIS with power splitting aided broadcasting network where one access point (AP) transmits identical messages to multiple users. The RIS is capable of reflecting a part of the incident signals to assist the AP and harvesting energy from the other part to achieve power self-sustainability by controlling reflect amplitude coefficients. We aim at minimizing the AP transmit power while ensuring the quality of service at users and the self-sustainability of the RIS by optimizing the AP transmit beamforming vector and the RIS reflect beamforming matrix which involves the reflect amplitude and phase shift coefficients. To tackle the beamforming optimization problem which is non-convex, an algorithm is proposed by employing the block coordinate descent, convex approximation and alternating direction method of multipliers techniques. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Game Mods: Design, Theory and Criticism

Are games worthy of academic attention? Can they be used effectively in the classroom, in the research laboratory, as an innovative design tool, as a persuasive political weapon? Game Mods: Design Theory and Criticism aims to answer these and more questions. It features chapters by authors chosen from around the world, representing fields as diverse as architecture, ethnography, puppetry, cultural studies, music education, interaction design and industrial design. How can we design, play with and reflect on the contribution of game mods, related tools and techniques, to both game studies and to society as a whole?
Effect of human–elephant conflict on local attitudes toward the conservation of wild Asian elephants in Myanmar

ABSTRACT The study of attitudes toward wild elephants and human–elephant conflict (HEC) is vital to understanding what attitudes are held by local people and how to incorporate them into wild elephant conservation. This study investigated the interlinkages between the HEC experience and local people’s attitudes toward the conservation of wild elephants and which exploratory factors influence these attitudes. We used a Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) framework to highlight the interlinkages between HEC and people’s attitudes. The basic BBN model indicated that HEC was central in determining the attitudes of local people. Although people generally hold positive attitudes toward elephants, people support having elephants in the country but not in their own regions. Conservation willingness was not obvious due to the lack of deliberate assistance from the government to the affected communities. We suggest implementing education programs to promote local awareness of conflict mitigation techniques.
Wald Criteria for Jointly Testing Equality and Inequality

The amino acid sequence of a biologically active polypeptide hormone isolated from calf thymus termed thymosin alpha 1 has been determined. Thymosin alpha 1 is a heat stable acidic molecule composed of 28 amino acid residues. This peptide is one of several present in thymosin fraction 5 which participate in the regulation, differentiation and function of thymic dependent lymphocytes (T cells).
An Improved Elephant Herding Optimization for Energy-Saving Assembly Job Shop Scheduling Problem with Transportation Times

The energy-saving scheduling problem (ESSP) has gained increasing attention of researchers in the manufacturing field. However, there is a lack of studies on ESSPs in the assembly job shop environment. In contrast with traditional scheduling problems, the assembly job shop scheduling problem (AJSP) adds the additional consideration of hierarchical precedence constraints between different jobs of each final product. This paper focuses on developing a methodology for an energy-saving assembly job shop scheduling problem with job transportation times. Firstly, a mathematical model is constructed with the objective of minimizing total energy consumption. Secondly, an improved elephant herding optimization (IEHO) is proposed by considering the problem’s characteristics. Finally, thirty-two different instances are designed to verify the performance of the proposed algorithm. Computational results and statistical data demonstrate that the IEHO has advantages over other algorithms in terms of the solving accuracy for the considered problem.
INTERESTING FEATURES IN THE COMBINED GALEX AND SLOAN COLOR DIAGRAMS OF SOLAR-LIKE GALACTIC POPULATIONS

We report on intriguing photometric properties of Galactic stars observed in the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) satellite's far-UV (FUV) and near-UV (NUV) bandpasses, as well as from the ground-based Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and the Kepler Input Catalog. The first property is that the (FUV − NUV) color distribution of stars in the Kepler field consists of two well-separated peaks. A second and more perplexing property is that for stars with spectral types G or later the mean (FUV − NUV) color becomes much bluer, contrary to expectation. Investigating this tendency further, we found in two samples of mid-F through K type stars that 17%–22% of them exhibit FUV excesses relative to their NUV fluxes and spectral types. A correction for FUV incompleteness of the FUV magnitude-limited star sample brings this ratio to 14%–18%. Nearly the same fractions are also discovered among members of the Kepler Eclipsing Binary Catalog and in the published list of Kepler Objects of Interest. These UV-excess (“UVe”) colors are confirmed by the negative UV continuum slopes in GALEX spectra of members of the population. The SDSS spectra of some UVe stars exhibit metallic line weakening, especially in the blue. This suggests an enhanced contribution of UV flux relative to photospheric flux of a solar-type single star. We consider the possibility that the UV excesses originate from various types of hot stars, including white dwarf DA and sdB stars, binaries, and strong chromosphere stars that are young or in active binaries. The space density of compact stars is too low to explain the observed frequency of the UVe stars. Our model atmosphere-derived simulations of colors for binaries with main-sequence pairs with a hot secondary demonstrate that the color loci conflict with the observed sequence. As a preferred alternative we are left with the active chromospheres explanation, whether in active close binaries or young single stars, despite the expected paucity of young, chromospherically active stars in the field. We also address a third perplexing color property, namely, the presence of a prominent island of “UV red” stars surrounded by “UV blue” stars in the diagnostic (NUV−g), (g − i) color diagram. We find that the subpopulation composing this island is mainly horizontal branch stars. These objects do not exhibit UV excesses and therefore have UV colors typical for their spectral types. This subpopulation appears “red” in the UV only because the stars' colors are not pulled to the blue by the inclusion of UVe stars.
Isotopic niches do not follow the expectations of niche conservatism in the bird genus Cinclodes

Phenotypic traits are expected to be more similar among closely related species than among species that diverged long ago (all else being equal). This pattern, known as phylogenetic niche conservatism, also applies to traits that are important to determine the niche of species. To test this hypothesis on ecological niches, we analyzed isotopic data from 254 museum study skins from 12 of the 16 species of the bird genus Cinclodes and measured stable isotope ratios for four different elements: Carbon, Nitrogen, Hydrogen and Oxygen. We find that all traits, measured individually, or as a composite measurement, lack any phylogenetic signal, which in turn suggests a high level of lability in ecological niches. We compared these metrics to the measurements of morphological traits in the same genus and found that isotopic niches are uniquely evolutionarily labile compared to other traits. Our results suggest that, in Cinclodes, the realized niche evolves much faster than expected by the constraints of phylogenetic history and poses the question of whether this is a general pattern across the tree of life.
Partitioning variance in a signaling trade-off under sexual selection reveals among-individual covariance in trait allocation

Understanding the evolution of traits subject to trade-offs is challenging because phenotypes can (co)vary at both the among- and within-individual levels. Among-individual covariation indicates consistent, possibly genetic, differences in how individuals resolve the trade-off, while within-individual covariation indicates trait plasticity. There is also the potential for consistent among-individual differences in behavioral plasticity, although this has rarely been investigated. We studied the sources of (co)variance in two characteristics of an acoustic advertisement signal that trade off with one another and are under sexual selection in the gray treefrog, Hyla chrysoscelis: call duration and call rate. We recorded males on multiple nights calling spontaneously and in response to playbacks simulating different competition levels. Call duration, call rate, and their product, call effort, were all repeatable both within and across social contexts. Call duration and call rate covaried negatively, and the largest covariance was at the among-individual level. There was extensive plasticity in calling with changes in social competition, and we found some evidence for among-individual variance in call rate plasticity. The significant negative among-individual covariance in trait values is perpendicular to the primary direction of sexual selection in this species, indicating potential limits on the response to selection.
Recurrent impairments in visual perception and place avoidance across autism models are causally linked in the haploinsufficiency model of intellectual disability Setd5

Despite the diverse genetic origins of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), affected individuals share strikingly similar and correlated behavioural traits that include perceptual and sensory processing challenges. Notably, the severity of these sensory symptoms is often predictive of the expression of other autistic traits. However, the origin of these perceptual deficits remains largely elusive. Here, we show a recurrent impairment in visual threat perception that is similarly impaired in three independent models of ASD with different molecular aetiologies. Interestingly, this deficit is associated with reduced avoidance of threatening environments - a non-perceptual trait. Focusing on a common cause of ASDs, the Setd5 gene mutation, we define the molecular mechanism. We show that the perceptual impairment is caused by a potassium channel (Kv1) mediated hypoexcitability in a subcortical node essential for the initiation of escape responses, the dorsal periaqueductal grey (dPAG). Targeted pharmacological Kv1 blockade rescued both perceptual and place avoidance deficits, causally linking seemingly unrelated trait deficits to the dPAG. Our findings reveal a link between rapid perception controlled by subcortical pathways and appropriate learned interactions with the environment, and define a non-developmental source of such deficits in ASD.
The establishment and transmission of novel foraging techniques indicates a capacity for culture in bumblebees (Bombus terrestris)

The astonishing behavioural repertoires of social insects have been thought largely innate, but these insects have repeatedly demonstrated remarkable capacities for both individual and social learning. Using the bumblebee Bombus terrestris as a model, we developed a two-option puzzle box task and used open diffusion paradigms to observe the transmission of novel, non-natural foraging behaviours through populations. Box-opening behaviour spread through colonies seeded with a demonstrator trained to perform one of the two possible behavioural variants, and the observers acquired the demonstrated variant. This preference persisted among observers even when the alternative technique was discovered. In control diffusion experiments that lacked a demonstrator, some bees spontaneously opened the puzzle boxes but were significantly less proficient than those that learned in the presence of a demonstrator. This suggested that social learning was crucial to proper acquisition of box-opening. Additional open diffusion experiments where two behavioural variants were initially present in similar proportions ended with a single variant becoming dominant, due to stochastic processes. This could lead to the emergence and maintenance of local cultural variation. These results suggest that bumblebees, like mammals and birds, may have the capacity for culture and to sustain cultural variation.