Boundary G/G Theory and Topological Poisson–Lie Sigma Model

We study a boundary version of the gauged WZW model with a Poisson–Lie group G as the target. The Poisson–Lie structure of G is used to define the Wess–Zumino term of the action on surfaces with boundary. We clarify the relation of the model to the topological Poisson sigma model with the dual Poisson–Lie group G ^* as the target and show that the phase space of the theory on a strip is essentially the Heisenberg double of G introduced by Semenov–Tian–Shansky.     

Finite element three-dimensional analysis of the vibrational behaviour of the Langevin-type transducer

The vibrational behaviour of the Langevin transducer is usually analysed using 1D Mason model which is valid when the lateral dimensions of the transducer are smaller than a quarter wavelength at the fundamental longitudinal resonance. In this work a 3D finite element analysis of the Langevin transducer's behaviour operating in the underwater sonar range of frequencies (30-140 kHz) is presented. Several samples with total length greater, comparable to, and smaller than the diameter of the transducer are analysed. For each sample, the resonance frequencies in the observed frequency range are computed and compared with those obtained experimentally from the measurements carried out using several in-house built prototypes. For the most important aspect ratios the resonance displacement distributions are presented and discussed. The results obtained permit to gain insight into the coupling phenomenon between thickness-extensional and radial modes and suggest that in practical applications transducers with diameters comparable to or greater than total length of the active stack can also be used. The trade-off between the efficiency and power handling ability for different designs is also discussed.     

An Adaptive Rank Aggregation-Based Ensemble Multi-Filter Feature Selection Method in Software Defect Prediction

Feature selection is known to be an applicable solution to address the problem of high dimensionality in software defect prediction (SDP). However, choosing an appropriate filter feature selection (FFS) method that will generate and guarantee optimal features in SDP is an open research issue, known as the filter rank selection problem. As a solution, the combination of multiple filter methods can alleviate the filter rank selection problem. In this study, a novel adaptive rank aggregation-based ensemble multi-filter feature selection (AREMFFS) method is proposed to resolve high dimensionality and filter rank selection problems in SDP. Specifically, the proposed AREMFFS method is based on assessing and combining the strengths of individual FFS methods by aggregating multiple rank lists in the generation and subsequent selection of top-ranked features to be used in the SDP process. The efficacy of the proposed AREMFFS method is evaluated with decision tree (DT) and naïve Bayes (NB) models on defect datasets from different repositories with diverse defect granularities. Findings from the experimental results indicated the superiority of AREMFFS over other baseline FFS methods that were evaluated, existing rank aggregation based multi-filter FS methods, and variants of AREMFFS as developed in this study. That is, the proposed AREMFFS method not only had a superior effect on prediction performances of SDP models but also outperformed baseline FS methods and existing rank aggregation based multi-filter FS methods. Therefore, this study recommends the combination of multiple FFS methods to utilize the strength of respective FFS methods and take advantage of filter–filter relationships in selecting optimal features for SDP processes.     

Accurate singular values and differential qd algorithms

Summary. We have discovered a new implementation of the qd algorithm that has a far wider domain of stability than Rutishauser's version. Our algorithm was developed from an examination of the {Cholesky~LR} transformation and can be adapted to parallel computation in stark contrast to traditional qd. Our algorithm also yields useful a posteriori upper and lower bounds on the smallest singular value of a bidiagonal matrix. The zero-shift bidiagonal QR of Demmel and Kahan computes the smallest singular values to maximal relative accuracy and the others to maximal absolute accuracy with little or no degradation in efficiency when compared with the LINPACK code. Our algorithm obtains maximal relative accuracy for all the singular values and runs at least four times faster than the LINPACK code. Received August 8, 1993/Revised version received May 26, 1993     

The equation of state of solids

An equation of state for solids, in reduced variables, is obtained within the context of a system-independent formulation of the thermodynamics of high pressures. This formulation is valid for materials obeying a linear relationship between shock and particle velocities. An adequate set of scaling factors for pressure, compression, specific energy, and temperature, is first introduced. A modified Mie-Grüneisen equation, as well as many other thermodynamic relationships and coefficients, are then expressed in terms of reduced variables. Explicit expressions for the temperature along the Hugoniot, and for the equation of state, are obtained. It is also shown that when given in their reduced form, each of the two thermodynamic coefficients appearing in the equation of state can be considered as having the same constant value for many different materials. The possibility and convenience of using a “standard material” is discussed. Numerical results obtained using this reduced variables formalism are in good agreement with those computed or measured, by different authors, for various materials over a wide range of pressures. This is a good indication of the “universality” of the reduced equations obtained, and of the usefulness of the formalism.     

Should Epstein strip arrangement be changed?

The paper describes effect of texture on the anisotropy of magnetic properties and shows that an Epstein strip arrangement including strips cut in a direction 45° to the rolling direction gives property values that are closer to the average values than the traditional RD+TD arrangement.     

Morphology of the male reproductive system and spermatozoa in Centris Fabricius, 1804 (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Centridini)

The genera Centris and Epicharis constitute the Centridini and are widely distributed in the Neotropical region. Centris is also found in the southern portion of the Neartic region, although both genera are more abundant in the humid tropical regions. To describe the structure of the male reproductive system and spermatozoa, light and transmission electron microscopy were used. The male reproductive system of Centris sp. is formed by a pair of testes, a pair of deferent ducts, a pair of seminal vesicles, a pair of accessory glands and an ejaculatory duct connected to the external genitalia, the aedeagus. In this species, testes and the pre-vesicular deferens ducts as well as the seminal vesicles are encapsulated in a single conjunctive capsule, the scrotal membrane. Each testis consists of four testicular follicles, made up of cysts with up to 64 germinative cells. Histologically, the seminal vesicles are formed by a simple cylindrical epithelium, basal membrane and muscular tunic. The spermatozoa of Centris analis, C. fuscata, C. tarsata and Centris sp. are morphologically similar. They have two easily distinguishable regions: the head and flagellum. The head is formed by the two-layer acrosome, the linear nucleus and the flagellum, the centriole adjunct, the axoneme of pattern 9+9+2 microtubules, two asymmetric mitochondrial derivatives and two accessory bodies. These Centris species share various morphological characteristics of the male reproductive system and spermatozoa with the other bees previously described, indicating that several characteristics are synapomorphic for the family Apidae. Studies on the morphology of the male reproductive system and spermatozoa in Hymenoptera have demonstrated the diversity of the information provided by these reproductive structures, which can be used in taxonomy studies and the phylogeny of this important group of insects.     

Quantum one-time pad in the presence of an eavesdropper

A classical one-time pad allows two parties to send private messages over a public classical channel-an eavesdropper who intercepts the communication learns nothing about the message. A quantum one-time pad is a shared quantum state which allows two parties to send private messages or private quantum states over a public quantum channel. If the eavesdropper intercepts the quantum communication she learns nothing about the message. In the classical case, a one-time pad can be created using shared and partially private correlations. Here we consider the quantum case in the presence of an eavesdropper, and find the single-letter formula for the rate at which the two parties can send messages using a general quantum state as a quantum one-time pad. Surprisingly, the formula coincides with the distillable entanglement assisted by a symmetric channel, an important quantity in quantum information theory, but which lacked a clear operational meaning.     

OXIRIS project: Development of a new XRF device for the simultaneous detection and treatment of cancer

A novel and suitable energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescent (EDXRF) device, currently at the prototype stage, the Project OXIRIS (Orthovoltage X-Ray–Induced Radiation System), is presented for the simultaneous detection and treatment of cancer diseases. Monte Carlo simulation and experimental results of EDXRF signals from a small deep artificial tumor consisting of a solution of gold nanoparticles bio-targeted and immersed in a tissue-bioequivalent matrix are presented and compared. Briefly, the device consists of a dynamic orthovoltage X-ray fluence concentration coupled to confocal with an EDXRF system along with a sample holder for 3D scanning; all integrated and controlled by a dedicated software capable of controlling the whole operation functionalities: the X-ray source, the rotating arm, the sample holder, and the detection system. The software also includes dedicated subroutines for X-ray fluorescent spectra processing to correlate K-lines signal at each acquisition position with the corresponding high atomic number elements' concentration to produce a 3D distribution according to the user-defined grid. The confocal configuration ensures that the detected signal comes exclusively from the excited volume as defined by the bulk of the focal spot. Hence, the 3D image is achieved by scanning the sample holder through the movement of the sample-carrier stretcher moved by step motors in the 3 coordinated axes. The feasibility of the proposed methodology and the design of the prototype have been successfully demonstrated experimentally, targeting gold nanoparticles in water-equivalent phantoms.