An analytic family of representations for the mapping class group of punctured surfaces

We use quantum invariants to define an analytic family of representations for the mapping class group Mod(Σ) of a punctured surface Σ. The representations depend on a complex number A with |A|≤1 and act on an infinite-dimensional Hilbert space. They are unitary when A is real or imaginary, bounded when |A|<1, and only densely defined when |A|=1 and A is not a root of unity. When A is a root of unity distinct from ±1 and ±i the representations are finite-dimensional and isomorphic to the “Hom” version of the well-known TQFT quantum representations. The unitary representations in the interval [−1,0] interpolate analytically between two natural geometric unitary representations, the SU(2)–character variety representation studied by Goldman and the multicurve representation induced by the action of Mod(Σ) on multicurves. The finite-dimensional representations converge analytically to the infinite-dimensional ones. We recover Marché and Narimannejad’s convergence theorem, and Andersen, Freedman, Walker and Wang’s asymptotic faithfulness, that states that the image of a noncentral mapping class is always nontrivial after some level r0. When the mapping class is pseudo-Anosov we give a simple polynomial estimate of the level r0 in terms of its dilatation

Adaptive Automation: status of research and future challenge

Automation modifies workplaces, tools, and production activities, leading to new modalities of human-machine interaction. Traditionally, the allocation of functions in automated systems is static over time, i.e., functions are assigned to humans or machines. Adaptive Automation (AA) makes functions allocation dynamic, resulting from system conditions, performance, and human attributes to face emerging or unpredictable contingencies, and to cope with traditional automation challenges and limits. Tracing the evolutionary stages of the topic, the paper provides an extensive literature review. First, the review details the current definition of AA, the starting motivations for AA, and the temporal evolution of the topic considering the pioneers’ theories. Then, the paper presents the design elements involved in AA systems, i.e., the Level Of Automation (LOA), the Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), and the different approaches than can guide the adaptive shift. Finally, the practical applications of AA in manufacturing are reported. In such a way, the research offers the state of the art of the topic, providing the main distinguishing features between static and AA, also outlining the open challenges and the future developments in manufacturing

Scanning electron microscope investigation of copper oxides formed electrochemically in alkaline solutions

This thesis study examined samples from waveguides using scanning electron microscopy with the idea of gaining a better understanding of why the oxidation improves the bond interface

Turbulence structure of open channel flows over permeable and impermeable beds : A comparative study

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Riemergenza del poliovirus ed implicazioni per la vaccinazione anti-poliovirus in Italia

Nel 1988, l\u2019Organizzazione mondiale della Sanit\ue0 (OMS) ha approvato il piano di eradicazione mondiale della poliomielite con l\u2019obiettivo di annullare la circolazione del virus a partire dall\u2019anno 2000. Tale target, per motivi economici, organizzativi, culturali, bellici e financo religiosi, \ue8 stato successivamente spostato in avanti negli anni fino a giungere attualmente al 2015. A seguito di questo impegno, negli anni si \ue8 registrata una riduzione dell\u2019incidenza di poliomielite di oltre il 99%, passando dai 350.000 casi annui di polio paralitica documentati nel 1988 in 125 paesi, alle poche centinaia di casi riscontrati nel 2013 sia negli ultimi 3 paesi endemici (Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan) sia in paesi polio-free spesso confinanti con quelli endemici ed interessati da un corollario di epidemie di dimensioni variabili

Human-technology integration with industrial conversational agents: A conceptual architecture and a taxonomy for manufacturing

Conversational agents are systems with great potential to enhance human-computer interaction in industrial settings. Although the number of applications of conversational agents in many fields is growing, there is no shared view of the elements to design and implement for chatbots in the industrial field. The paper presents the combination of many research contributions into an integrated conceptual architecture, for developing industrial conversational agents using Nickerson's methodology. The conceptual architecture consists of five core modules; every module consists of specific elements and approaches. Furthermore, the paper defines a taxonomy from the study of empirical applications of manufacturing conversational agents. Indeed, some applications of chatbots in manufacturing are available but those have never been collected in single research. The paper fills this gap by analyzing the empirical cases and presenting a qualitative analysis, with verification of the proposed taxonomy. The contribution of the article is mainly to illustrate the elements needed for the development of a conversational agent in manufacturing: researchers and practitioners can use the proposed conceptual architecture and taxonomy to more easily investigate, define, and develop all the elements for chatbot implementation

Non semi-simple sl(2) quantum invariants, spin case

Invariants of 3-manifolds from a non semi-simple category of modules over a version of quantum sl(2) were obtained by the last three authors in [arXiv:1404.7289]. In their construction the quantum parameter $q$ is a root of unity of order $2r$ where $r>1$ is odd or congruent to $2$ modulo $4$. In this paper we consider the remaining cases where $r$ is congruent to zero modulo $4$ and produce invariants of $3$-manifolds with colored links, equipped with generalized spin structure. For a given $3$-manifold $M$, the relevant generalized spin structures are (non canonically) parametrized by $H^1(M;\mathbb C/2\mathbb Z)$.Comment: 13 pages, 16 figure

Fault detection, diagnosis, and prognosis of a process operating under time-varying conditions

In the industrial panorama, many processes operate under time-varying conditions. Adapt¬ing high-performance diagnostic techniques under these relatively more complex situations is ur¬gently needed to mitigate the risk of false alarms. Attention is being paid to fault anticipation, requiring an in-depth study of prediction techniques. Predicting remaining life before the occurrence of faults allows for a comprehensive maintenance management protocol and facilitates the wear management of the machine, avoiding faults that could permanently compromise the integrity of such machinery. This study focuses on canonical variate analysis for fault detection in processes operating under time-varying conditions and on its contribution to the diagnostic and prognostic analysis, the latter of which was performed with machine learning techniques. The approach was validated on actual datasets from a granulator operating in the pharmaceutical sector