1,487 research outputs found
Approximation by finite mixtures of continuous density functions that vanish at infinity
Given sufficiently many components, it is often cited that finite mixture
models can approximate any other probability density function (pdf) to an
arbitrary degree of accuracy. Unfortunately, the nature of this approximation
result is often left unclear. We prove that finite mixture models constructed
from pdfs in can be used to conduct approximation of various
classes of approximands in a number of different modes. That is, we prove
approximands in can be uniformly approximated, approximands
in can be uniformly approximated on compact sets, and
approximands in can be approximated with respect to the
, for . Furthermore, we also prove
that measurable functions can be approximated, almost everywhere
Simple Combined Model for Nonlinear Excitations in DNA
We propose a new simple model for DNA denaturation bases on the pendulum
model of Englander\cite{A1} and the microscopic model of Peyrard {\it et
al.},\cite{A3} so called "combined model". The main parameters of our model
are: the coupling constant along each strand, the mean stretching
of the hydrogen bonds, the ratio of the damping constant and driven force
. We show that both the length of unpaired bases and the velocity
of kinks depend on not only the coupling constant but also the
temperature . Our results are in good agreement with previous works.Comment: 6 pages, 10 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.
Thermal kinetic inductance detectors for ground-based millimeter-wave cosmology
We show measurements of thermal kinetic inductance detectors (TKID) intended
for millimeter wave cosmology in the 200-300 GHz atmospheric window. The TKID
is a type of bolometer which uses the kinetic inductance of a superconducting
resonator to measure the temperature of the thermally isolated bolometer
island. We measure bolometer thermal conductance, time constant and noise
equivalent power. We also measure the quality factor of our resonators as the
bath temperature varies to show they are limited by effects consistent with
coupling to two level systems.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures. Submitted to Journal of Low Temperature Physic
Development and Evaluation of a Peer Mentorship Program for Aboriginal University Students
Although Aboriginal students encounter educational challenges, few post-secondary mentorship programs that facilitate positive educational and mental health outcomes within this population are described in the literature. This study describes the development and evaluation of a mentorship program for Aboriginal university students. Program development was informed by a literature review and needs assessment. Using a mixed-methods design, 12 Aboriginal students completed pre- and post-program measures of resilience and ethnic identity awareness. Post-program, improvements in social competence resiliency, other-group ethnic orientation, and school engagement were identified. Research and community stakeholders are encouraged to develop mentorship programs to improve the well-being of Aboriginal students.
Design an Intelligent System to automatically Tutor the Method for Solving Problems
Nowadays, intelligent systems have been applied in many real-word domains. The Intelligent chatbot is an intelligent system, it can interact with the human to tutor how to work some activities. In this work, we design an architecture to build an intelligent chatbot, which can tutor to solve problems, and construct scripts for automatically tutoring. The knowledge base of the intelligent tutoring chatbot is designed by using the requirements of an Intelligent Problem Solver. It is the combination between the knowledge model of relations and operators, and the structures of hint questions and sample problems, which are practical cases. Based on the knowledge base and tutoring scripts, a tutoring engine is designed. The tutoring chatbot plays as an instructor for solving real-world problems. It simulates the working of the instructor to tutor the user for solving problems. By utilizing the knowledge base and reasoning, the architecture of the intelligent chatbot are emerging to apply in the real-world. It is used to build an intelligent chatbot to support the learning of high-school mathematics and a consultant system in public administration. The experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed method in comparison with the existing systems
A Method for Knowledge Representation to Design Intelligent Problems Solver in Mathematics Based on Rela-Ops Model
Knowledge-base is a fundamental platform in the architecture of an intelligent system.
Relations and operators are popular knowledge in practice knowledge domains. In this paper, we propose a
method to represent the model by combining these kinds of knowledge, called the Rela-Ops model. This
model includes foundation components consisting of concepts, relations, operators, and inference rules.
It is built based on ontology and object-oriented approaches. Besides the structure, each concept of the
Rela-Ops model is a class of objects which also have behaviors to solve problems on their own. The
processing of algorithms for solving problems on the Rela-Ops model combines the knowledge of relations
and operators in the reasoning. Furthermore, we also propose a knowledge model for multiple knowledge
domains, in which each sub-domain has the form as the Rela-Ops model. These representation methods have
been applied to build knowledge bases of Intelligent Problems Solver (IPS) in mathematics. The knowledge
base of 2D-Analytical Geometry in a high-school is built by using the Rela-Ops model, and the knowledge
base of Linear Algebra in university is designed by using the model for multiple knowledge domains. The IPS
system can automatically solve basic and advanced exercises in respective courses. The reasoning of their
solutions is done in a step-by-step approach. It is similar to the solving method by humans. The solutions are
also pedagogical and suitable for the learner’s level and easy to be used by students studying 2D-Analytical
Geometry in high-school and Linear Algebra in university.This work was supported in part by the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) under Research University Grant Vot-20H04, in part by the
Malaysia Research University Network (MRUN) Vot 4L876 and in part by the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) Vot
5F073 through the Ministry of Education Malaysia
Regional and local emissions in red river delta, Northern Vietnam
Fine (PM2.2) and coarse (PM2.2–10) particles concurrently collected in urban (Hanoi) and rural (Lucnam) areas were analyzed for ionic and elemental compositions to provide input for PMF receptor modeling of emission sources in the Red River Delta (RRD), a key economic development region in Vietnam. Long-range transport (LRT) aerosol, coal fly ash from major coal-fired plants in RRD, and marine aerosols are regional sources, which explain the minor variability of the mass concentrations of fine particles across the region. Local sources include soil/resuspended road dust, local coal fly ash, and biomass burning. Soil/resuspended road dust is the largest source component of coarse particles at the two sites. It is more abundant in Hanoi than in Lucnam reflecting the urban–rural contrast in traffic and construction works. Receptor models reveal the incorporation of secondary sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium into the various primary particles, i.e., soot, minerals, soil organic matter, and sea salt. Soot particles from LRT carry the largest amounts of sulfate and ammonium mass concentrations measured at the two sites. Based on receptor models, the yields and possible chemical forms of secondary sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium in different types of primary particles can be inferred
Probing the Geometry and Circumstellar Environment of SN 1993J in M81
We have monitored the polarized radiation of the Type IIb SN 1993J in M81
over a period of 41 days, starting from 7 days after the explosion on 1993
March 27.5 (UT). Our data show clear evidence that the intrinsic continuum
polarization of SN 1993J evolved from being essentially negligible on April
3-4, to a peak value of ~ 1% in late April 1993, and started to decline by the
middle of May. The polarized flux spectrum in late April strongly resembled
spectra of Type Ib supernovae, with prominent He I lines but redshifted ~ 3380
km/s relative to the total flux spectrum. These data are consistent with models
of Hoflich; they suggest that the polarization was most likely produced by
either an asymmetric helium core configuration of material and/or flux, or
scattering from an asymmetric circumstellar distribution of dusty material. A
combination of electron and dust scattering, as well as a clumpy or stratified
distribution of the emitting gas, are possible as the polarization mechanism of
the continuum and emission lines. The latter interpretation is supported by the
fact that 1-2 months after the explosion, the observed rotations of
polarization position angle across prominent line features remain even after
correction for effects of interstellar polarization. This indicates that
emission lines of He I, Fe II, [O I], and H are all intrinsically polarized at
position angles different from that of the continuum, with the non-Balmer lines
generally being most highly polarized. If the supernova had an oblate geometry,
our data are consistent with a small viewing angle (i.e., more or less
equator-on), although the degree of asphericity that gave rise to the
polarization at early times is probably smaller (minor to major axis ratio >
0.7) than has been previously suggested.Comment: 27 pages, 14 figures to be published in "Publ. Astron. Soc. Pac.",
May 199
Sustainable Farming Systems in the Sub-Sahelian Zone of Burkina Faso : Key Factors
Rapid population growth and climatic change threatens the sustainability of natural resources. Farming practices can mitigate environmental change and degradation. The aim of this research conducted in Yatenga region was to describe and to analyse manure practices management. In 2005, a survey was carried out to assess the evolution of farming practices. A survey was initially conducted with a sample of 44 farmers, selected randomly in the three neighbouring villages. Subsequently, 18 farms were selected for in-depth interviews. The grain yield was measured and the different practices of soil and water conservation developed by farmers were compared. According to the enquiries, two practices, called “zaï” and “djengo”, were largely used in cereals production. The “zaï” practice, known as a traditional technique for restoration of degraded soil, is characterized by the capture of runoff by micro-watersheds and a localized organic matter supply at the soil-plant system scale. The “djengo” practice is based on the same principle of the “zaï” practice but was applied on the sandy soil as traditionally “zaï” concerned the degraded and crusty soils. The two practices could increase grain crop production but moreover could limit the risk of crops failure. In addition, our observations also showed that frequent tree regenerations occurred in plots and watersheds where “zaï” or “djengo” practices were used. This study highlights the necessity of better controlling soil, water and organic matter to improve agrosystem sustainability in sub Saharan Africa.Rapid population growth and climatic change threatens the sustainability of natural resources. Farming practices can mitigate environmental change and degradation. The aim of this research conducted in Yatenga region was to describe and to analyse manure practices management. In 2005, a survey was carried out to assess the evolution of farming practices. A survey was initially conducted with a sample of 44 farmers, selected randomly in the three neighbouring villages. Subsequently, 18 farms were selected for in-depth interviews. The grain yield was measured and the different practices of soil and water conservation developed by farmers were compared. According to the enquiries, two practices, called “zaï” and “djengo”, were largely used in cereals production. The “zaï” practice, known as a traditional technique for restoration of degraded soil, is characterized by the capture of runoff by micro-watersheds and a localized organic matter supply at the soil-plant system scale. The “djengo” practice is based on the same principle of the “zaï” practice but was applied on the sandy soil as traditionally “zaï” concerned the degraded and crusty soils. The two practices could increase grain crop production but moreover could limit the risk of crops failure. In addition, our observations also showed that frequent tree regenerations occurred in plots and watersheds where “zaï” or “djengo” practices were used. This study highlights the necessity of better controlling soil, water and organic matter to improve agrosystem sustainability in sub Saharan Africa
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