Numerical simulation study of the dynamical behavior of the Niedermayer algorithm

We calculate the dynamic critical exponent for the Niedermayer algorithm applied to the two-dimensional Ising and XY models, for various values of the free parameter $E_0$. For $E_0=-1$ we regain the Metropolis algorithm and for $E_0=1$ we regain the Wolff algorithm. For $-1<E_0<1$, we show that the mean size of the clusters of (possibly) turned spins initially grows with the linear size of the lattice, $L$, but eventually saturates at a given lattice size $\widetilde{L}$, which depends on $E_0$. For $L>\widetilde{L}$, the Niedermayer algorithm is equivalent to the Metropolis one, i.e, they have the same dynamic exponent. For $E_0>1$, the autocorrelation time is always greater than for $E_0=1$ (Wolff) and, more important, it also grows faster than a power of $L$. Therefore, we show that the best choice of cluster algorithm is the Wolff one, when compared to the Nierdermayer generalization. We also obtain the dynamic behavior of the Wolff algorithm: although not conclusive, we propose a scaling law for the dependence of the autocorrelation time on $L$.Comment: Accepted for publication in Journal of Statistical Mechanics: Theory and Experimen

Static output-feedback stabilization of discrete-time Markovian jump linear systems: a system augmentation approach

This paper studies the static output-feedback (SOF) stabilization problem for discrete-time Markovian jump systems from a novel perspective. The closed-loop system is represented in a system augmentation form, in which input and gain-output matrices are separated. By virtue of the system augmentation, a novel necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of desired controllers is established in terms of a set of nonlinear matrix inequalities, which possess a monotonic structure for a linearized computation, and a convergent iteration algorithm is given to solve such inequalities. In addition, a special property of the feasible solutions enables one to further improve the solvability via a simple D-K type optimization on the initial values. An extension to mode-independent SOF stabilization is provided as well. Compared with some existing approaches to SOF synthesis, the proposed one has several advantages that make it specific for Markovian jump systems. The effectiveness and merit of the theoretical results are shown through some numerical example

Thermal behaviour of zircon/zirconia-added chemically durable borosilicate porous glass

Macroporous alkali resistant glass has been developed by making additions of zirconia (ZrO2) and zircon (ZrSiO4) to the sodium borosilicate glass system SiO2–B2O3 Na2O. The glass was made using a traditional high temperature fusion process. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) was carried out to identify the glass transition temperature (Tg) and crystallisation temperature (Tx). Based on these findings, controlled heat-treatments were implemented to separate the glass into two-phases; a silica-rich phase, and an alkali-rich borate phase. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to identify any crystal phases present in the asquenched and heat-treated glasses. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy also proved effective in investigating phase separation and crystallisation behaviour. After leaching, a silica-rich skeleton with an interconnected pore structure and a uniform pore distribution was observed. Pore characterisation was carried out using mercury porosimetry. The size and shape of the pores largely depended on the heattreatment temperature and time. ZrO2/ZrSiO4 additions increased the alkali resistance of the porous glass 3–4 times

A network access control framework for 6LoWPAN networks

Low power over wireless personal area networks (LoWPAN), in particular wireless sensor networks, represent an emerging technology with high potential to be employed in critical situations like security surveillance, battlefields, smart-grids, and in e-health applications. The support of security services in LoWPAN is considered a challenge. First, this type of networks is usually deployed in unattended environments, making them vulnerable to security attacks. Second, the constraints inherent to LoWPAN, such as scarce resources and limited battery capacity, impose a careful planning on how and where the security services should be deployed. Besides protecting the network from some well-known threats, it is important that security mechanisms be able to withstand attacks that have not been identified before. One way of reaching this goal is to control, at the network access level, which nodes can be attached to the network and to enforce their security compliance. This paper presents a network access security framework that can be used to control the nodes that have access to the network, based on administrative approval, and to enforce security compliance to the authorized nodes

Distribuição de Cana-do-Reino (Arundo donax L.) no Distrito Federal, Brasil

Um requisito chave para o efetivo manejo de plantas invasoras é a habilidade de identificar, mapear e monitorar as invasões. O mapeamento em campo combinado com imagens de satélite são técnicas comumente utilizadas para mapear plantas invasoras, direcionando esforços de erradicação. O objetivo desse estudo foi mapear as populações de A. donax no Distrito Federal, Brasil. A coleta de dados em campo foi realizada de março de 2010 a outubro de 2012. Os dados de campo foram combinados com sensoriamento remoto para determinar a distribuição da espécie. A maior concentração de A. donax foi observada na região central do Distrito Federal, onde a maior parte das unidades de conservação estão localizadas. Observou-se também que a presença dessa espécie está relacionada a áreas antropizadas, tais como: rodovias, aterros, depósitos de entulhos e locais em obras, e que um vetor de dispersão da planta no Distrito Federal é a roçagem mecânica. O levantamento realizado é pioneiro para A. donax no Distrito Federal e no Brasil, além de ser de importância para futuras estratégias de manejo, assim como para o monitoramento da expansão dessa espécie. _________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTA key requirement for effective weed management is the ability to identify, map and monitor invasions. Field mapping techniques associated with satellite imagery are commonly used for mapping of invasive plants distribution, directing eradication efforts. The objectives of this study was to map populations of A. donax in the Federal District, Brazil. The field data collection for A. donax mapping was carried out from March 2010 to October 2012. The field data was combined with remote sensing to determine the species occurrence. It was observed that the highest concentration of A. donax is in the central region of the Federal District, where most of the Protected Areas are located. It was also observed that the presence of this species is related to disturbed areas, such as highways, landfills, deposits of debris and construction sites, and an important dispersal vector are mowing activities. This survey is pioneer for A. donax in the Federal District and in Brazil, besides being important for future management strategies, as well as for monitoring the spread of this species. _________________________________________________________________________________ RESUMENUn requisito clave para el manejo eficaz de las malezas es la capacidad de identificar, mapear y monitorear las invasiones. La recolección de datos de campo combinada con imágenes de satélites son técnicas comúnmente utilizadas para mapear plantas invasoras, direccionando los esfuerzos de erradicación. El objetivo de este estudio fue mapear las poblaciones de A. donax en el Distrito Federal, Brasil. La recolección de datos de campo ocurrió desde marzo 2010 a octubre 2012. Los datos de campo fueran combinados con sensoriamento remoto para determinar la distribución de la especie. Se ha observado que la mayor concentración de A. donax se encuentran en la región central del Distrito Federal, donde están la mayoría de las unidades de conservación. También se observó que la presencia de esta especie está relacionada con las áreas perturbadas, tales como carreteras, vertederos, depósitos de escombros y obras, y un importante vector de dispersión es la siega mecánica. Este estudio es pionero para A. donax en el Distrito Federal y en Brasil, además de ser importante para las estrategias futuras de manejo, así como para el monitoreo de la propagación de esta especie

Impervious surface change mapping with an uncertainty-based spatial-temporal consistency model: a case study in Wuhan city using Landsat time-series datasets from 1987 to 2016

Detailed information on the spatial-temporal change of impervious surfaces is important for quantifying the effects of rapid urbanization. Free access of the Landsat archive provides new opportunities for impervious surface mapping with fine spatial and temporal resolution. To improve the classification accuracy, a temporal consistency (TC) model may be applied on the original classification results of Landsat time-series datasets. However, existing TC models only use class labels, and ignore the uncertainty of classification during the process. In this study, an uncertainty-based spatial-temporal consistency (USTC) model was proposed to improve the accuracy of the long time series of impervious surface classifications. In contrast to existing TC methods, the proposed USTC model integrates classification uncertainty with the spatial-temporal context information to better describe the spatial-temporal consistency for the long time-series datasets. The proposed USTC model was used to obtain an annual map of impervious surfaces in Wuhan city with Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM), Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+), and Operational Land Imager (OLI) images from 1987 to 2016. The impervious surfaces mapped by the proposed USTC model were compared with those produced by the support vector machine (SVM) classifier and the TC model. The accuracy comparison of these results indicated that the proposed USTC model had the best performance in terms of classification accuracy. The increase of overall accuracy was about 4.23% compared with the SVM classifier, and about 1.79% compared with the TC model, which indicates the effectiveness of the proposed USTC model in mapping impervious surfaces from long-term Landsat sensor imagery

The quantum J_{1}-J_{1'}-J_{2} spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet: A variational method study

The phase transition of the quantum spin-1/2 frustrated Heisenberg antiferroferromagnet on an anisotropic square lattice is studied by using a variational treatment. The model is described by the Heisenberg Hamiltonian with two antiferromagnetic interactions: nearest-neighbor (NN) with different coupling strengths J_{1} and J_{1'} along x and y directions competing with a next-nearest-neighbor coupling J_{2} (NNN). The ground state phase diagram in the ({\lambda},{\alpha}) space, where {\lambda}=J_{1'}/J_{1} and {\alpha}=J_{2}/J_{1}, is obtained. Depending on the values of {\lambda} and {\alpha}, we obtain three different states: antiferromagnetic (AF), collinear antiferromagnetic (CAF) and quantum paramagnetic (QP). For an intermediate region {\lambda}_{1}<{\lambda}<1 we observe a QP state between the ordered AF and CAF phases, which disappears for {\lambda} above some critical value {\lambda}_{1}. The boundaries between these ordered phases merge at the quantum critical endpoint (QCE). Below this QCE there is again a direct first-order transition between the AF and CAF phases, with a behavior approximately described by the classical line {\alpha}_{c}{\simeq}{\lambda}/2

Review of Person Re-identification Techniques

Person re-identification across different surveillance cameras with disjoint fields of view has become one of the most interesting and challenging subjects in the area of intelligent video surveillance. Although several methods have been developed and proposed, certain limitations and unresolved issues remain. In all of the existing re-identification approaches, feature vectors are extracted from segmented still images or video frames. Different similarity or dissimilarity measures have been applied to these vectors. Some methods have used simple constant metrics, whereas others have utilised models to obtain optimised metrics. Some have created models based on local colour or texture information, and others have built models based on the gait of people. In general, the main objective of all these approaches is to achieve a higher-accuracy rate and lowercomputational costs. This study summarises several developments in recent literature and discusses the various available methods used in person re-identification. Specifically, their advantages and disadvantages are mentioned and compared.Comment: Published 201

Entropy Production on Cooperative Opinion Dynamics

As one of the most widespread social dynamics, cooperative behavior is among the most fascinating collective phenomena. Several animal species, from social insects to human beings, feature social groups altruistically working for a common benefit. This collaborative conduct pervades the actions and opinions of individuals, yielding strategic decision-making between political, religious, ethnic, and economic social puzzles. Here, we explore how cooperative behavior phenomena impact collective opinion dynamics and entropy generation in social groups. We select a random fraction $f$ of community members as collaborative individuals and model the opinion dynamics using a social temperature parameter $q$ that functions as a social anxiety noise. With probability $q$, regular individuals oppose their companions about a social decision, assuming group dissent. Collaborative agents experience a reduced effective social noise $\mu q$, where $0 < \mu < 1$ is the social anxiety noise sensibility parameter that enhances social validation. We perform numerical simulations and mean-field analysis and find the system undergoes nonequilibrium order-disorder phase transitions with expressive social entropy production. Our results also highlight the effects of an individual social anxiety attenuation level in enhancing group consensus and inducing exuberant collective phenomena in complex systems