Objective probability and quantum fuzziness

This paper offers a critique of the Bayesian interpretation of quantum mechanics with particular focus on a paper by Caves, Fuchs, and Schack containing a critique of the "objective preparations view" or OPV. It also aims to carry the discussion beyond the hardened positions of Bayesians and proponents of the OPV. Several claims made by Caves et al. are rebutted, including the claim that different pure states may legitimately be assigned to the same system at the same time, and the claim that the quantum nature of a preparation device cannot legitimately be ignored. Both Bayesians and proponents of the OPV regard the time dependence of a quantum state as the continuous dependence on time of an evolving state of some kind. This leads to a false dilemma: quantum states are either objective states of nature or subjective states of belief. In reality they are neither. The present paper views the aforesaid dependence as a dependence on the time of the measurement to whose possible outcomes the quantum state serves to assign probabilities. This makes it possible to recognize the full implications of the only testable feature of the theory, viz., the probabilities it assigns to measurement outcomes...Comment: 21 pages, no graphics, inspired by "Subjective probability and quantum certainty" (quant-ph/0608190 v2

Human Tracking Function for Robotic Dog

With the increase the increase in automation and humans and robots working side by side, there is a need for a more organic way of controlling robots. The goal of this project is to create a control system for Boston dynamics robotic dog Spot that implements human tracking image software to follow humans using computer vision as well as using hand tracking image software to allow for control input through hand gestures

Random Polynomials Over Finite Fields

The idea of this thesis is to take some questions about polynomials over finite fields and 'answer' them using probability theory; that is, we give the average behaviour of certain properties of polynomials. We tend to deal with multivariate polynomials, so questions about factorisation are not considered. Questions which are considered are ones concerning images and pre-images under a random polynomial mapping, and more generic questions which lead to results on the distributions of certain character sums over finite fields. The methods used are based on those used by Odoni (details in Chapter 2). The probability space from which our random polynomial is chosen is essentially the set of all polynomials up to a given degree d, and we define a random variable associated with this space (for example, the number of zeros of a random polynomial). Once we have enough information about the random variable in question, we obtain asymptotic results about the distribution of this variable by letting both d and the size of the field, q, tend to infinty. The results in this work tend to rely on comparisons between random polynomials (of degree up to d) and random mappings. We therefore do a certain amount of work with random mappings, exploiting nice combinatorial properties which they exhibit, and also using some non-trivial results from the classical theory of random maps. The resulting theorems for random polynomials, when interpreted number-theoretically, are often what one would expect, but every once in a while they cough up a surprise

Mount Carmel Jr./Sr. High School Greenhouse Curriculum and Maintenance Plan

The goal of the project presented in this report was to revitalize the greenhouse at the Mount Carmel Area Jr./Sr. High School in Mount Carmel, PA. The greenhouse had not been used since the early 2000s and it was in need of cleaning, maintenance, and planting before it could be used again. The school hoped for the greenhouse to be revived in order to benefit the students through hands-on course work, as well as various extracurricular activities in order to further engage the students in gardening and sustainability. Along with restoring the greenhouse, the group created curriculum materials for different classroom activities that incorporate the greenhouse. This entry includes three items: the main 26 page project report Mount Carmel Jr./Sr. High School Greenhouse Curriculum and Maintenance Plan, a 2 page Brief Overview of Mount Carmel Greenhouse Project listed under Additional Files, and a short 1 min 46 second video which shows the group\u27s work at the greenhouse. This project was completed for Environmental Studies 411 (ENST 411), a senior capstone course taught by Prof. Ben Marsh

A Comprehensive Quantitative Assay for Amine Transaminases

The development of effective high-throughput screening assays has contributed greatly to the wealth of designer enzymes available, by enabling rapid identification of desired variants from large mutant libraries. Here, we report a general and operationally simple end-point assay for transaminases that enables the screening of both amine donors and acceptors in liquid phase. The spectrophotometric-based screen exploits the amine donor 2aminoethylaniline (2-AEA) and relies on reaction of in situ generated indole with Ehrlich’s reagent. The assay has also been adapted to allow screening in the reverse direction by addition of indole and subsequent spectrophotometric analysis. Importantly, the screen provides qualitative information on the enantio-preference of the individual biocatalysts. To increase the assay throughput, an engineered expression strain (E. coli BL21(DE3) ΔtnaA) lacking tryptophanase activity, was generated to enable reliable and direct evaluation of individual colonies arrayed on agar plates

How Do Uterine Natural Killer and Innate Lymphoid Cells Contribute to Successful Pregnancy?

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are the most abundant immune cells in the uterine mucosa both before and during pregnancy. Circumstantial evidence suggests they play important roles in regulating placental development but exactly how they contribute to the successful outcome of pregnancy is still unclear. Uterine ILCs (uILCs) include subsets of tissue-resident natural killer (NK) cells and ILCs, and until recently the phenotype and functions of uILCs were poorly defined. Determining the specific roles of each subset is intrinsically challenging because of the rapidly changing nature of the tissue both during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) and high dimensional flow and mass cytometry approaches have recently been used to analyse uILC populations in the uterus in both humans and mice. This detailed characterisation has significantly changed our understanding of the heterogeneity within the uILC compartment. It will also enable key clinical questions to be addressed including whether specific uILC subsets are altered in infertility, miscarriage and pregnancy disorders such as foetal growth restriction and pre-eclampsia. Here, we summarise recent advances in our understanding of the phenotypic and functional diversity of uILCs in non-pregnant endometrium and first trimester decidua, and review how these cells may contribute to successful placental development

How Do Uterine Natural Killer and Innate Lymphoid Cells Contribute to Successful Pregnancy?

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are the most abundant immune cells in the uterine mucosa both before and during pregnancy. Circumstantial evidence suggests they play important roles in regulating placental development but exactly how they contribute to the successful outcome of pregnancy is still unclear. Uterine ILCs (uILCs) include subsets of tissue-resident natural killer (NK) cells and ILCs, and until recently the phenotype and functions of uILCs were poorly defined. Determining the specific roles of each subset is intrinsically challenging because of the rapidly changing nature of the tissue both during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) and high dimensional flow and mass cytometry approaches have recently been used to analyse uILC populations in the uterus in both humans and mice. This detailed characterisation has significantly changed our understanding of the heterogeneity within the uILC compartment. It will also enable key clinical questions to be addressed including whether specific uILC subsets are altered in infertility, miscarriage and pregnancy disorders such as foetal growth restriction and pre-eclampsia. Here, we summarise recent advances in our understanding of the phenotypic and functional diversity of uILCs in non-pregnant endometrium and first trimester decidua, and review how these cells may contribute to successful placental development