121,245 research outputs found
Solving the potential field local minimum problem using internal agent states
We propose a new, extended artificial potential field method, which uses dynamic internal agent states. The internal states are modelled as a dynamical system of coupled first order differential equations that manipulate the potential field in which the agent is situated. The internal state dynamics are forced by the interaction of the agent with the external environment. Local equilibria in the potential field are then manipulated by the internal states and transformed from stable equilibria to unstable equilibria, allowiong escape from local minima in the potential field. This new methodology successfully solves reactive path planning problems, such as a complex maze with multiple local minima, which cannot be solved using conventional static potential fields
The density of stationary points in a high-dimensional random energy landscape and the onset of glassy behaviour
We calculate the density of stationary points and minima of a
dimensional Gaussian energy landscape. We use it to show that the point of
zero-temperature replica symmetry breaking in the equilibrium statistical
mechanics of a particle placed in such a landscape in a spherical box of size
corresponds to the onset of exponential in growth of the
cumulative number of stationary points, but not necessarily the minima. For
finite temperatures we construct a simple variational upper bound on the true
free energy of the version of the problem and show that this
approximation is able to recover the position of the whole de-Almeida-Thouless
line.Comment: a revised and shortened version with a few typos corrected and
references added. To appear in JETP Letter
Anisotropy-based mechanism for zigzag striped patterns in magnetic thin films
In this work we studied a two dimensional ferromagnetic system using Monte
Carlo simulations. Our model includes exchange and dipolar interactions, a
cubic anisotropy term, and uniaxial out-of-plane and in-plane ones. According
to the set of parameters chosen, the model including uniaxial out-of-plane
anisotropy has a ground-state which consists of a canted state with stripes of
opposite out-of-plane magnetization. When the cubic anisotropy is introduced
zigzag patterns appear in the stripes at fields close to the remanence. An
analysis of the anisotropy terms of the model shows that this configuration is
related to specific values of the ratio between the cubic and the effective
uniaxial anisotropy. The mechanism behind this effect is related to particular
features of the anisotropy's energy landscape, since a global minima transition
as a function of the applied field is required in the anisotropy terms. This
new mechanism for zigzags formation could be present in monocrystal
ferromagnetic thin films in a given range of thicknesses.Comment: 910 pages, 10 figure
Potential field based navigation for planetary rovers using internal states
The work in this paper aims to introduce analysis and applications for the internal state model which is a new model for a swarm of rovers interacting via pair-wise attractive and repulsive potentials. The internal state model updates the state of the art in overcoming the local minima problem through solving the problem with comparatively lower computation cost than other methods. The simulations results show that using the internal state model, a swarm of planetary rovers, rather than moving in a static potential field, are able to manipulate the potential according to their estimation of whether they are moving towards or away from the goal, which allows them to escape from and maneuver around a local minimum in the potential field to reach a goal. An application of a swarm of rovers to solve the problem for different shaped obstacles is introduced to show the efficiency of the model. The model proves stable convergence to a goal and provides similarities with the behaviour of real groups of animals
Statistical Mechanics of Community Detection
Starting from a general \textit{ansatz}, we show how community detection can
be interpreted as finding the ground state of an infinite range spin glass. Our
approach applies to weighted and directed networks alike. It contains the
\textit{at hoc} introduced quality function from \cite{ReichardtPRL} and the
modularity as defined by Newman and Girvan \cite{Girvan03} as special
cases. The community structure of the network is interpreted as the spin
configuration that minimizes the energy of the spin glass with the spin states
being the community indices. We elucidate the properties of the ground state
configuration to give a concise definition of communities as cohesive subgroups
in networks that is adaptive to the specific class of network under study.
Further we show, how hierarchies and overlap in the community structure can be
detected. Computationally effective local update rules for optimization
procedures to find the ground state are given. We show how the \textit{ansatz}
may be used to discover the community around a given node without detecting all
communities in the full network and we give benchmarks for the performance of
this extension. Finally, we give expectation values for the modularity of
random graphs, which can be used in the assessment of statistical significance
of community structure
Modeling Ultraviolet Wind Line Variability in Massive Hot Stars
We model the detailed time-evolution of Discrete Absorption Components (DACs)
observed in P Cygni profiles of the Si IV lam1400 resonance doublet lines of
the fast-rotating supergiant HD 64760 (B0.5 Ib). We adopt the common assumption
that the DACs are caused by Co-rotating Interaction Regions (CIRs) in the
stellar wind. We perform 3D radiative transfer calculations with hydrodynamic
models of the stellar wind that incorporate these large-scale density- and
velocity-structures. We develop the 3D transfer code Wind3D to investigate the
physical properties of CIRs with detailed fits to the DAC shape and morphology.
The CIRs are caused by irregularities on the stellar surface that change the
radiative force in the stellar wind. In our hydrodynamic model we approximate
these irregularities by circular symmetric spots on the stellar surface. We use
the Zeus3D code to model the stellar wind and the CIRs, limited to the
equatorial plane. We constrain the properties of large-scale wind structures
with detailed fits to DACs observed in HD 64760. A model with two spots of
unequal brightness and size on opposite sides of the equator, with opening
angles of 20 +/- 5 degr and 30 +/- 5 degr diameter, and that are 20 +/- 5 % and
8 +/- 5 % brighter than the stellar surface, respectively, provides the best
fit to the observed DACs. The recurrence time of the DACs compared to the
estimated rotational period corresponds to spot velocities that are 5 times
slower than the rotational velocity. The mass-loss rate of the structured wind
model for HD 64760 does not exceed the rate of the spherically symmetric smooth
wind model by more than 1 %. The fact that DACs are observed in a large number
of hot stars constrains the clumping that can be present in their winds, as
substantial amounts of clumping would tend to destroy the CIRs.Comment: 58 pages, 16 figures, 1 animation. Accepted for publication in The
Astrophysical Journal, Main Journal. More information and animations are
available at http://alobel.freeshell.org/hotstars.htm
Wall following to escape local minima for swarms of agents using internal states and emergent behaviour
Natural examples of emergent behaviour, in groups due to interactions among the group's individuals, are numerous. Our aim, in this paper, is to use complex emergent behaviour among agents that interact via pair-wise attractive and repulsive potentials, to solve the local minima problem in the artificial potential based navigation method. We present a modified potential field based path planning algorithm, which uses agent internal states and swarm emergent behaviour to enhance group performance. The algorithm is used successfully to solve a reactive path-planning problem that cannot be solved using conventional static potential fields due to local minima formation. Simulation results demonstrate the ability of a swarm of agents to perform problem solving using the dynamic internal states of the agents along with emergent behaviour of the entire group
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