Sensitivity to initial conditions in self-organized critical systems

We discuss sensitivity to initial conditions in a model for avalanches in granular media displaying self-organized criticality. We show that damage, due to a small perturbation in initial conditions, does not spread. The damage persists in a statistically time-invariant and scale-free form. We argue that the origin of this behavior is the Abelian nature of the model, which generalizes our results to all Abelian models, including the BTW model and the Manna model. An ensemble average of the damage leads to seemingly time dependent damage spreading. Scaling arguments show that this numerical result is due to the time lag before avalanches reach the initial perturbation.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Physical Review Letter

Universality Class of One-Dimensional Directed Sandpile Models

A general n-state directed `sandpile' model is introduced. The stationary properties of the n-state model are derived for n < infty, and analytical arguments based on a central limit theorem show that the model belongs to the universality class of the totally asymmetric Oslo model, with a crossover to uncorrelated branching process behavior for small system sizes. Hence, the central limit theorem allows us to identify the existence of a large universality class of one-dimensional directed sandpile models.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Transposing Musical Skill: Sonification of movement as concurrent augmented feedback enhances learning in a bimanual task

Concurrent feedback provided during acquisition can enhance performance of novel tasks. The ‘guidance hypothesis’ predicts that feedback provision leads to dependence and poor performance in its absence. However, appropriately-structured feedback information provided through sound (‘sonification’) may not be subject to this effect. We test this directly using a rhythmic bimanual shape-tracing task in which participants learned to move at a 4:3 timing ratio. Sonification of movement and demonstration was compared to two other learning conditions: (1) sonification of task demonstration alone and (2) completely silent practice (control). Sonification of movement emerged as the most effective form of practice, reaching significantly lower error scores than control. Sonification of solely the demonstration, which was expected to benefit participants by perceptually unifying task requirements, did not lead to better performance than control. Good performance was maintained by participants in the sonification condition in an immediate retention test without feedback, indicating that the use of this feedback can overcome the guidance effect. On a 24-hour retention test, performance had declined and was equal between groups. We argue that this and similar findings in the feedback literature are best explained by an ecological approach to motor skill learning which places available perceptual information at the highest level of importance

Personalisation model of Head Related Transfer Functions

A suggested method in improving the personalisation of current HRTF models.Architecture & Allied Art

Is Kantian ethics left defenseless in the face of evil?

Within this essay the question of whether Kantian ethics is left defenseless in the face of evil is unfolded. Some thinkers claim that it is not advisable to rigorously adhere to the categorical imperative. That is to say, it is prudent only to follow the categorical imperative, acting in such a way that you may will that the maxim of your actions becomes a universal law, when one is dealing with other ethical beings. However, when dealing with evil, it is claimed that we should develop other special principles that allow for consequences favorable to the ethical party. This essay takes exception with this claim, demonstrating that for Kant such a problem would not have even appeared. Furthermore, this essay argues that to deviate from the moral principle does damage to the truth and humanity as a whole

37 - Does the Quality or Quantity of Friendships Improve Emotions?

Does the Quality or Quantity of Friendships Improve Emotions? Friendship is defined by researchers as a reciprocal, mutual, voluntary relationship with strong emotional bonds (Rubin, Bukowski, & Bowker, 2015). Having close friends during adolescence promotes a subjective sense of well-being (Jose, 2015). However, previous research on friendship has failed to clarify the differential effect of friendship quality and the total amount of friends on positive and negative emotions, particularly in Chinese culture. The goal of the current study was to examine the effect of friendship quality and the amount of friends on positive and negative emotions among Chinese adolescents. In order to do this, we collected data from 674 adolescents in Central China. The amount of friends was identified by using peer-nominations and the quality of friendships was measured by using a self-report measure of security, satisfaction, intimacy, helping and trust. In addition, positive and negative emotions were assessed using a self-report measure. Regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of friendship quality and the amount of friends on emotions. Results showed that the amount of friends (β = .082, p \u3c .05), satisfaction with friends (β = .123, p \u3c .05), and intimacy between friends (β = .173, p \u3c .05) were significant predictors of positive emotions, F (3, 670) = 21.22, p \u3c .01. Security (β = -.097, p \u3c .05) was a significant predictor of negative emotions, F (1, 672) = 6.39, p \u3c .01. The discussion focuses on friendships in Chinese culture and its implications for adolescents’ subjective well-being and social skills interventions. Keywords: friendship quality, Chinese culture, adolescents, emotions, amount of friend

A Pandemic in the Educational Sphere: Collecting and Understanding Students\u27 Responses to University Communication on COVID-19

This dissertation addresses the lived experiences of Florida college students during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically the communication that was provided to them through their university on the subject of the pandemic. This two-stage research process first involved the collection of survey responses on a variety of pandemic communication-centered topics from 39 university students from three universities (University of Central Florida, University of Florida, and University of South Florida). Second, a subsequent interview with 7 students provided qualitative information to further explicate themes and trends seen through data analysis. Using health and technical communication alongside crisis communication analyses to understand what elements of university information transmission were most effective and recollected, the triangulation of data points and recommendations for future pandemic communication were able to be created in an effort to provide a better framework for student expectations in the future pandemics. Results of students’ opinions on their university’s communication were that overall messaging was strong and confidence in their institution was generally high, with some negative sentiments on how universities handled the struggle of clubs and universities and onboarding new students into the academic environment during the pandemic. Recommendations were made for universities to prepare frameworks for university students to maintain their abilities to organize and join clubs during significant disruptions to campus life, to retain and build on the confidence students had in their position as an authority on health information, and to resume pandemic messaging due to the ongoing risks to health from long COVID and reinfection