Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
String Theory Bounds on the Cosmological Constant, the Higgs Mass, and the Quark and Lepton Masses

In this paper, we elaborate on the new understanding of the cosmological constant and the gauge hierarchy problems in the context of string theory in its metastring formulation, based on the concepts of modular spacetime and Born geometry. The interplay of phase space (and Born geometry), the Bekenstein bound, the mixing between ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) physics and modular invariance in string theory is emphasized. This new viewpoint is fundamentally rooted in quantum contextuality and not in statistical observer bias (anthropic principle). We also discuss the extension of this point of view to the problem of masses of quarks and leptons and their respective mixing matrices.
Carpet cloaking consisting of reflectarray with omega-shaped elements

This paper presents omega-shaped resonant elements constructing a reflectarray for a carpet cloak. The dimension of a unit cell in the x and the y directions are dx = dy = 10.0 [mm] and the thickness of dielectric substrate with permittivity ¥r = 1.67 is h = 5.0 [mm]. We use 12 kinds of elements at the design frequency 10GHz. To verify usefulness of the proposed elements, a carpet cloak constructed by them is designed and fabricated for experimental consideration. The scatterer has a triangular shape, and the horizontal width and the height are 240 [mm] and 35 [mm], respectively. The effectiveness is verified thorough evaluation of the calculated and the measured radiation patterns.
Theory of expansion and compression of polymeric materials

We extend classical Flory-Rehner theory for the expansion and compression of porous materials such as cross-linked polymer networks. The theory includes volume exclusion, affinity with the solvent, and finite stretching of the polymer chains. We also modify this equilibrium theory -- that applies to equal expansion of a material in all directions -- to the situation that a material can only expand in a single direction, as is the case when a thin layer is tightly bound to a support structure. We extend this equilibrium model to the case that a pressure is applied across such a thin layer of the polymer material, for instance a membrane, and liquid flows across this layer. The theory describes how in the direction of liquid flow the membrane is increasingly compacted (becomes less porous), and the more so at higher applied pressures. We provide results of example calculations for a thick membrane with significant changes in compaction across its thickness, and a thin membrane for which compaction due to flow is minor. In the last section we model the dynamics of the change of size of a porous material in time after a step change in the solvent-polymer attraction parameter.
Curiosity-Driven Reinforcement Learning based Low-Level Flight Control

Curiosity is one of the main motives in many of the natural creatures with measurable levels of intelligence for exploration and, as a result, more efficient learning. It makes it possible for humans and many animals to explore efficiently by searching for being in states that make them surprised with the goal of learning more about what they do not know. As a result, while being curious, they learn better. In the machine learning literature, curiosity is mostly combined with reinforcement learning-based algorithms as an intrinsic reward. This work proposes an algorithm based on the drive of curiosity for autonomous learning to control by generating proper motor speeds from odometry data. The quadcopter controlled by our proposed algorithm can pass through obstacles while controlling the Yaw direction of the quad-copter toward the desired location. To achieve that, we also propose a new curiosity approach based on prediction error. We ran tests using on-policy, off-policy, on-policy plus curiosity, and the proposed algorithm and visualized the effect of curiosity in evolving exploration patterns. Results show the capability of the proposed algorithm to learn optimal policy and maximize reward where other algorithms fail to do so.
Bike Assisted Evacuation on a Line of Robots with Communication Faults

Two autonomous mobile robots and a non-autonomous one, also called bike, are placed at the origin of an infinite line. The autonomous robots can travel with maximum speed $1$. When a robot rides the bike its speed increases to $v>1$, however only exactly one robot at a time can ride the bike and the bike is non-autonomous in that it cannot move on its own. An Exit is placed on the line at an unknown location and at distance $d$ from the origin. The robots have limited communication behavior; one robot is a sender (denoted by S) in that it can send information wirelessly at any distance and receive messages only in F2F (Face-to-Face), while the other robot is a receiver (denoted by R) in that it can receive information wirelessly but can send information only F2F. The bike has no communication capabilities of its own. We refer to the resulting communication model of the ensemble of the two autonomous robots and the bike as S/R. Our general goal is to understand the impact of the non-autonomous robot in assisting the evacuation of the two autonomous faulty robots. Our main contribution is to provide a new evacuation algorithm that enables both robots to evacuate from the unknown Exit in the S/R model. We also analyze the resulting evacuation time as a function of the bike's speed $v$ and give upper and lower bounds on the competitive ratio of the resulting algorithm for the entire range of possible values of $v$.
Power Transfer between Two Antenna Arrays in the Near Field

We present numerical results with a focus on power transfer between two standard linear antenna arrays placed in the near field, where a much smaller active multi-antenna feeder (AMAF) space feeds a far larger passive array referred to as a reflective intelligent surface (RIS). The interest is in the regime of focal length to diameter ratio ($F/D$) less than unity. We address the question of center feed vs. end feed for array fed array antenna architectures and present the following novel findings and contributions: 1. In the regime of $F/D$ ratio less than one, the AMAF-RIS power transfer deviates from the classical inverse square law. Furthermore, the behavior of the power transmission coefficient is more sensitive to the $F/D$ ratio than to a particular RIS size. 2. For an end feed, non-eigenmodes provide better beam shapes than the eigenmodes, which are still inferior to beam shapes from the center feed eigenmodes. 3. The center feed provides more power gain than an end feed. This clearly illustrates that the center feed configuration should be used for array fed arrays, in contrast to the classical parabolic geometry.
Modelling of COVID-19 Using Fractional Differential Equations (preprint)

In this work, we have described the mathematical modeling of COVID-19 transmission using fractional differential equations. The mathematical modeling of infectious disease goes back to the 1760s when the famous mathematician Daniel Bernoulli used an elementary version of compartmental modeling to find the effectiveness of deliberate smallpox inoculation on life expectancy. We have used the well-known SIR (Susceptible, Infected and Recovered) model of Kermack & McKendrick to extend the analysis further by including exposure, quarantining, insusceptibility and deaths in a SEIQRDP model. Further, we have generalized this model by using the solutions of Fractional Differential Equations to test the accuracy and validity of the mathematical modeling techniques against Canadian COVID-19 trends and spread of real-world disease. Our work also emphasizes the importance of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and impact of social distancing on controlling the spread of COVID-19.
Exposing Hidden Attackers in Industrial Control Systems Using Micro-Distortions

For industrial control systems (ICS), many existing defense solutions focus on detecting attacks only when they make the system behave anomalously. Instead, in this work, we study how to detect attackers who are still in their hiding phase. Specifically, we consider an off-path false-data-injection attacker who makes the original sensor’s readings unavailable and then impersonates that sensor by sending out legitimate-looking fake readings, so that she can stay hidden in the system for a prolonged period of time (e.g., to gain more information or to launch the actual devastating attack on a specific time). To expose such hidden attackers, our approach relies on continuous injection of “micro distortion” to the original sensor’s readings, either through digital or physical means. We keep the distortions strictly within a small magnitude (e.g., 0.5% of the possible operating value range) to ensure that it does not affect the normal functioning of the ICS. Micro-distortions are generated based on secret key(s) shared only between the targeted sensor and the defender. For digitally-inserted micro-distortions, we propose and discuss the pros and cons of a two-layer least-significant-bit-based detection algorithm. Alternatively, when the micro-distortions are added physically, a main design challenge is to ensure the introduced micro-distortions do not get overwhelmed by the fluctuation of actual readings and can still provide accurate detection capability. Towards that, we propose a simple yet effective Filtered- $\Delta $ -Mean-Difference algorithm that can expose the hidden attackers in a highly accurate and fast manner. We demonstrate the effectiveness and versatility of our defense by using real-world sensor reading traces from different industrial control (including smart grid) systems.
High-order Discontinuity Detection Physics-Informed Neural Network

In order to solve the problem of the difficult direct measurement of temperature field in fluid machinery under high-speed compressible conditions, this study combines high-order finite difference numerical format, Weighted Essentially Non-Oscillatory (WENO) discontinuity detection, and traditional Physics-Informed Neural Network (PINN) to develop a high-order discontinuity detection PINN (Hodd-PINN) that can achieve temperature field inversion with a small number of measurement points. When dealing with pure convection problems, Hodd-PINN introduces a 7th-order discretization for the convection term, reducing an additional 9.7% error compared to traditional low-order discretization methods. When dealing with pure diffusion problems, Hodd-PINN introduces an 8th-order discretization for the diffusion term, reducing an additional 12.8% error compared to traditional low-order discretization methods. In addition, this paper develops a loss function based on WENO discontinuity detection technology, which helps eliminate false discontinuities, allowing Hodd-PINN to successfully identify sparse waves that are easily overlooked in PINN's predicted results, reducing the error by 24.2%. Through extensive testing, this paper points out that the Hodd-PINN, which incorporates high-order discretization and discontinuity detection technology, can further reduce the prediction error of PINN, effectively reducing the data requirement, and can effectively solve the problem of false discontinuities. This method has important value for the inversion of temperature and velocity fields in fluid machinery under high-speed compressible conditions.
Trajectory Optimization for Cellular-Enabled UAV with Connectivity and Battery Constraints

In this paper, we address the problem of path planning for a cellular-enabled UAV with connectivity and battery constraints. The UAV’s mission is to deliver a payload from an initial point to a final point, while maintaining connectivity with a BS and adhering to the battery constraint. The UAV’s battery can be replaced by a fully charged battery at a charging station, which takes some time. Our key contribution lies in proposing an algorithm that efficiently computes an optimal path that minimizes the mission completion time, solvable in polynomial time. We achieve this by transforming the problem into an equivalent two-level shortest path finding problem over weighted graphs and leveraging graph theoretic approaches to solve it. In more detail, we first find an optimal path and speed to travel between each pair of charging stations without replacing the battery, and then find the optimal order of visiting charging stations. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach, we compare it with previously proposed algorithms and show that our algorithm outperforms those in terms of both computational complexity and performance.
Efficient Classical Simulation of Clifford Circuits from Framed Wigner Functions

The Wigner function formalism serves as a crucial tool for simulating continuous-variable and odd-prime dimensional quantum circuits, as well as assessing their classical hardness. However, applying such a formalism to qubit systems is limited due to the negativity in the Wigner function induced by Clifford operations. In this work, we introduce a novel classical simulation method for non-adaptive Clifford circuits based on the framed Wigner function, an extended form of the qubit Wigner function characterized by a binary-valued frame function. Our approach allows for updating phase space points under Clifford circuits without inducing negativity in the Wigner function by switching to a suitable frame when applying each Clifford gate. By leveraging this technique, we establish a sufficient condition for efficient classical simulation of Clifford circuits even with non-stabilizer inputs, where direct application of the Gottesmann-Knill tableau method is not feasible. We further develop a graph-theoretical approach to identify classically simulatable marginal outcomes of Clifford circuits and explore the number of simulatable qubits of log-depth circuits. We also present the Born probability estimation scheme using the framed Wigner function and discuss its precision. Our approach opens new avenues for quasi-probability simulation of quantum circuits, thereby expanding the boundary of classically simulatable circuits.
Introduction [Préface]

L’apprentissage automatique (ou apprentissage artificiel) est, suivant la définition de Tom Mitchell dans (Mitchell, 1997), l’étude des algorithmes qui permettent aux programmes de s’améliorer automatiquement par expérience. Le domaine a connu ces dernières années un développement considérable, et ses interactions avec le TAL sont de plus en plus étroites et fréquentes, comme l’illustre par exemple (Manning et Schütze, 1999).
Recurrence and transience of a multi-excited random walk on a regular tree

We study a model of multi-excited random walk on a regular tree which generalizes the models of the once excited random walk and the digging random walk introduced by Volkov (2003). We show the existence of a phase transition and provide a criterion for the recurrence/transience property of the walk. In particular, we prove that the asymptotic behaviour of the walk depends on the order of the excitations, which contrasts with the one dimensional setting studied by Zerner (2005). We also consider the limiting speed of the walk in the transient regime and conjecture that it is not a monotonic function of the environment.
A novel image fusion algorithm using an NSCT and a PCNN with digital filtering

ABSTRACT Image fusion is an important task in both image processing and computer vision research that use multisensor processing and multiscale analysis. This paper proposed a novel image fusion algorithm using a nonsubsampled contourlet transform (NSCT) and a pulse-coupled neural network (PCNN) with digital filtering. First, we decomposed two original images into a low-frequency and a series of high-frequency subband coefficients based on the NSCT and repeated that step for the next low-frequency subband. Second, each low-frequency subband coefficient in different levels in the frequency domain for both images was duplicated, and then these low-frequency subband coefficients of different levels from two different images were processed through a Laplacian filter and an average filter. The Laplacian filter can improve the performance of both edge and texture representation; the average filter can implement image smoothing for creating a superior reconstruction of an image via the low-frequency subband coefficients of the frequency domain in image processing. Moreover, the coupling coefficients from different images were fused by using the PCNN. Finally, reconstructed a fused image based on low- and high-frequency subband coefficients in different scales and directions using the inverse NSCT. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is superior to state-of-the-art conventional image fusion algorithms.
Quality of life of transgender people under the lens of social determinants of health: a scoping review protocol

Introduction There is an urgent need for knowledge about the transgender population to inform the development of clinical protocols and training of health professionals on the unique issues affecting this population. Discussing transgender quality of life (QoL) through the lens of social determinants of health (SDOHs) would enable gender-specific health interventions. Here, we aimed to review the evidence on the QoL of transgender people from an SDOH perspective. Methods and analysis A scoping review (ScR) protocol following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews statement and guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute was used. MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus and registry sites such as ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO ICTRP will be searched. Additional sources to be searched include ProQuest Dissertations/Theses Global, British Library, Google Scholar and Preprints for Health Sciences-medRXiv. Two independent researchers will carry out the selection, data charting and data synthesis. No date restriction will be applied in this ScR. The search will be restricted to articles published in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The results will be presented in tables, narrative summaries and graphs and will be graded on the type of data presented and the results. The search strategy will be updated in April 2023. The expected completion date of this ScR is July 2023. Ethics and dissemination This ScR protocol does not require ethical approval. Dissemination plans include peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations to be shared with experts in the field, and advisory groups to inform discussions on future research. It is hoped that our findings will be of interest to practitioners, researchers, stakeholders, public and private managers, and the general population concerned with this emerging public health issue. Trial registration number osf.io/9ukz6.
Studies of quantum chromodynamics and measurement of the strong coupling constant with jets from the CMS experiment at the LHC

Η παρούσα διατριβή ασχολείται με την πειραματική επιβεβαίωση της διαταρακτικής Κβαντικής Χρωμοδυναμικής όπως περιγράφεται από το Καθιερωμένο Πρότυπο. Η διατριβή αποτελείται από τρεις αναλύσεις με πίδακες σωματιδίων στην τελική κατάσταση. Τα δεδομένα συλλέχθηκαν από το πείραμα῝ΜΣ κατά την διάρκεια συγκρούσεων προτονίων-προτονίων στον επιταχυντή ΛΗ῝. Η πρώτη ανάλυση μετράει την σταθερά ισχυρής αλληλεπίδρασης, αs, από την ολική διαφορική ενεργό διατομή πιδάκων. Τα δεδομένα συλλέχθηκαν από συγκρούσεις προτονίων-προτονίων σε ενέργεια κέντρου μάζας 7 TeV,και αντιστοιχούν σε ολοκληρωμένη φωτεινότητα 5.0 f b−1 . Η τιμή της σταθεράς στη μάζα του μποζονίου Ζ, βρέθηκε να είναι αs(MZ) = 0.1185 ±0.0019(exp) +0.0037 −0.0060(theo) και είναι σε συμφωνία με τον παγκόσμιο μέσο όρο. Επίσης μελετήθηκε η ασυμπτωτική φύση της σταθεράς και φαίνεται να είναι σε συμφωνία με τους θεωρητικούς υπολογισμούς. Η δεύτερη ανάλυση μετράει την σταθερά ισχυρής αλληλεπίδρασης, ας, από τον λόγο της ενεργής διατομής 3 προς 2 πιδάκων σωματιδίων. Τα δεδομένα συλλέχθηκαν από συγκρούσεις πρωτονίων- πρωτονίων σε ενέργεια κέντρου μάζας 7 TeV, και αντιστοιχούν σε ολοκληρωμένη φωτεινότητα 5.0 f b−1 . Η τιμή της σταθεράς στη μάζα του μποζονίου Ζ, βρέθηκε να είναι αs(MZ) =0.1148 ± 0.0014(exp.) ± 0.0018(P DF) ± 0.0050(theory), συγκρίνοντας την πειραματική μέτρηση και τη θεωρία στην περιοχή, 0.42 < hpT1,2i < 1.39TeV. Αυτή η μέτρηση αποτελεί την πρώτη μέτρηση της σταθεράς ισχυρής αλληλεπίδρασης σε κλίμακα πέραν των 0.6 TeV. Από αυτή την ανάλυση δεν φάνηκε καμία απόκλιση από την θεωρία. Η τρίτη ανάλυση μετράει τις απο συσχετίσεις των αζιμουθιακών γωνιών ανάμεσα στους δύο πίδακες με την μεγαλύτερη εγκάρσια ορμή. Η μέτρηση πραγματοποιήθηκε σε εφτά περιοχές οι οποίες ορίζονται από το μέγεθος της εγκάρσιας ορμής του πίδακα με την μεγαλύτερη εγκάρσια ορμή σε ένα γεγονός. Τα δεδομένα συλλέχθηκαν από συγκρούσεις πρωτονίων-πρωτονίων σε ενέργεια κέντρου μάζας 8 TeV, και αντιστοιχούν σε ολοκληρωμένη φωτεινότητα 19.7 f b−1. Οι αζιμουθιακές αποσυσχετίσεις προκύπτουν από την εκπομπή επιπλέον πιδάκων και εξαρτώνται από την τοπολογία των γεγονότων με πολλαπλούς πίδακες. Τα αποτελέσματα συγκρίνονται με προβλέψεις από τη διαταρακτική Κβαντική Χρωμοδυναμική και προσομοιώσεις γεγονότων από γεννήτορες Monte Carlo. Από τις συγκρίσεις φαίνεται ότι οι γεννήτορες γεγονότων με δύο παρτόνια στην τελική κατάσταση αδυνατούν να περιγράψουν την μέτρηση. Καλύτερη συμφωνία επιτυγχάνεται όταν χρησιμοποιήθηκαν θεωρητικά εργαλεία τα οποία παράγουν τουλάχιστον τρία παρτόνια. Αυτή η παρατήρηση καταδεικνύει την ανάγκη για την βελτίωση των υπολογισμών πολλαπλών πιδάκων.
Reverse Engineering of Authentication Protocol in DesFire

: Nowadays, contactless smart cards are extensively used in applications that need strong authentication and security feature protection. Among different cards from different companies, MIFARE DESFire cards are one of the most used cases. The hardware and software design and implementation details of MIFARE DESFire cards are kept secret by their manufacturer. One of the essential functions is authentication which usually its procedure is secret in cards. MIFARE DESFire EV3 is the fourth generation of MIFARE DESFire products which supports integrity and confidential, protected communication. DESFire EV3 is the latest addition to the MIFARE DESFire family of smart card chipsets from NXP. This type of card is compatible with MIFARE DESFire D40, EV1, and EV2. The details of the authentication protocols in the MIFARE DESFire EV3 cards with three different secure messaging protocols are introduced in this paper. We use ProxMarak4 to obtain the details of the authentication protocol of the DESFire cards as readers and a custom special-purpose board as a card.
An algorithm for triangulating smooth three‐dimensional domains immersed in universal meshes

We describe an algorithm to recover a boundary‐fitting triangulation for a bounded C2‐regular domain Ω⊂R3 immersed in a nonconforming background mesh of tetrahedra. The algorithm consists in identifying a polyhedral domain ωh bounded by facets in the background mesh and morphing ωh into a boundary‐fitting polyhedral approximation Ωh of Ω. We discuss assumptions on the regularity of the domain, on element sizes and on specific angles in the background mesh that appear to render the algorithm robust. With the distinctive feature of involving just small perturbations of a few elements of the background mesh that are in the vicinity of the immersed boundary, the algorithm is designed to benefit numerical schemes for simulating free and moving boundary problems. In such problems, it is now possible to immerse an evolving geometry in the same background mesh, called a universal mesh, and recover conforming discretizations for it. In particular, the algorithm entirely avoids remeshing‐type operations and its complexity scales approximately linearly with the number of elements in the vicinity of the immersed boundary. We include detailed examples examining its performance.