Finite nilpotent semigroups of small coclass

The parameter coclass has been used successfully in the study of nilpotent algebraic objects of different kinds. In this paper a definition of coclass for nilpotent semigroups is introduced and semigroups of coclass 0, 1, and 2 are classified. Presentations for all such semigroups and formulae for their numbers are obtained. The classification is provided up to isomorphism as well as up to isomorphism or anti-isomorphism. Commutative and self-dual semigroups are identified within the classification.Comment: 11 page

Regularization of RIF blind image deconvolution

Blind image restoration is the process of estimating both the true image and the blur from the degraded image, using only partial information about degradation sources and the imaging system. Our main interest concerns optical image enhancement, where the degradation often involves a convolution process. We provide a method to incorporate truncated eigenvalue and total variation regularization into a nonlinear recursive inverse filter (RIF) blind deconvolution scheme first proposed by Kundar, and by Kundur and Hatzinakos (1996, 1998). Tests are reported on simulated and optical imaging problems.published_or_final_versio

Achieving Actionable Intelligence: Legacy Information Technology Systems and the Improvised Explosive Device Global Threat

43 PagesThe expanding use of the improvised explosive device (IED) around the globe requires Department of Defense (DoD) government and military organizational leaders and associated support staff to focus on achieving actionable intelligence aimed at successfully countering this enduring and evolving threat. This annotated bibliography focuses on literature published between 2012 and 2016 and discusses the use of decentralized legacy information technologies by the DoD and the impact on gathering, analyzing and sharing of critical IED exploitation data

Two Derivations of the Master Equation of Quantum Brownian Motion

Central to many discussion of decoherence is a master equation for the reduced density matrix of a massive particle experiencing scattering from its surrounding environment, such as that of Joos and Zeh. Such master equations enjoy a close relationship with spontaneous localization models, like the GRW model. This aim of this paper is to present two derivations of the master equation. The first derivation is a pedagogical model designed to illustrate the origins of the master equation as simply as possible, focusing on physical principles and without the complications of S-matrix theory. This derivation may serve as a useful tutorial example for students attempting to learn this subject area. The second is the opposite: a very general derivation using non-relativistic many body field theory. It reduces to the equation of the type given by Joos and Zeh in the one-particle sector, but correcting certain numerical factors which have recently become significant in connection with experimental tests of decoherence. This master equation also emphasizes the role of local number density as the ``preferred basis'' for decoherence in this model.Comment: 19 pages, RevTe

How Many Scientists Fabricate and Falsify Research? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Survey Data

The frequency with which scientists fabricate and falsify data, or commit other forms of scientific misconduct is a matter of controversy. Many surveys have asked scientists directly whether they have committed or know of a colleague who committed research misconduct, but their results appeared difficult to compare and synthesize. This is the first meta-analysis of these surveys

Introduction to special section on the Phoenix Mission: Landing Site Characterization Experiments, Mission Overviews, and Expected Science

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/94752/1/jgre2486.pd

Chaos, decoherence and quantum cosmology

In this topical review we discuss the connections between chaos, decoherence and quantum cosmology. We understand chaos as classical chaos in systems with a finite number of degrees of freedom, decoherence as environment induced decoherence and quantum cosmology as the theory of the Wheeler - DeWitt equation or else the consistent history formulation thereof, first in mini super spaces and later through its extension to midi super spaces. The overall conclusion is that consideration of decoherence is necessary (and probably sufficient) to sustain an interpretation of quantum cosmology based on the Wave function of the Universe adopting a Wentzel - Kramers - Brillouin form for large Universes, but a definitive account of the semiclassical transition in classically chaotic cosmological models is not available in the literature yet.Comment: 40 page