Non-Extensive Quantum Statistics with Particle - Hole Symmetry

Based on Tsallis entropy and the corresponding deformed exponential function, generalized distribution functions for bosons and fermions have been used since a while. However, aiming at a non-extensive quantum statistics further requirements arise from the symmetric handling of particles and holes (excitations above and below the Fermi level). Naive replacements of the exponential function or cut and paste solutions fail to satisfy this symmetry and to be smooth at the Fermi level at the same time. We solve this problem by a general ansatz dividing the deformed exponential to odd and even terms and demonstrate that how earlier suggestions, like the kappa- and q-exponential behave in this respect

The Dense Plasma Torus Around the Nucleus of an Active Galaxy NGC 1052

A subparsec-scale dense plasma torus around an active galactic nucleus (AGN) is unveiled. We report on very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations at 2.3, 8.4, and 15.4 GHz towards the active galaxy NGC 1052. The convex spectra of the double-sided jets and the nucleus imply that synchrotron emission is obscured through free--free absorption (FFA) by the foreground cold dense plasma. A trichromatic image was produced to illustrate the distribution of the FFA opacity. We found a central condensation of the plasma which covers about 0.1 pc and 0.7 pc of the approaching and receding jets, respectively. A simple explanation for the asymmetric distribution is the existence of a thick plasma torus perpendicular to the jets. We also found an ambient FFA absorber, whose density profile can be ascribed to a spherical distribution of the isothermal King model. The coexistence of torus-like and spherical distributions of the plasma suggests a transition from radial accretion to rotational accretion around the nucleus.Comment: 10 pages, to appear in Publ. Astron. Soc. Japan, vol.53, No.2 (2001

Testing of a novel web browser interface for the Chinese market

This paper compares the perspicacity, appropriateness and preference of web browser icons from leading software providers with those of a culture-specific design. This online study was conducted in Taiwan and involved 103 participants, who were given three sets of web browser icons to review, namely Microsoft Internet Explorer, Macintosh Safari, and culturally specific icons created using the Culture-Centred Design methodology. The findings of the study show that all three sets have generally high recognition rates, but that some icon functions (e.g. Go/Visit and Favourite) in all three sets have poor recognition rates and are considered inappropriate

I-pot: a new approach utilising visual and contextual cues to support users in graphical web browser revisitation.

With a quarter of the world’s population now having access to the internet, the area of web efficiency and optimal use is of growing importance to all users. The function of revisitation, where a user wants to return to a website that they have visited in the recent past becomes more important. Current static and textual approaches developed within the latest versions of mainstream web browsers leave much to be desired. This paper suggests a new approach via the use of organic visual and contextual cues to support users in this task area

Using music and motion analysis to construct 3D animations and visualizations

This paper presents a study into music analysis, motion analysis and the integration of music and motion to form creative natural human motion in a virtual environment. Motion capture data is extracted to generate a motion library, this places the digital motion model at a fixed posture. The first step in this process is to configure the motion path curve for the database and calculate the possibility that two motions were sequential through the use of a computational algorithm. Every motion is then analysed for the next possible smooth movement to connect to, and at the same time, an interpolation method is used to create the transitions between motions to enable the digital motion models to move fluently. Lastly, a searching algorithm sifts for possible successive motions from the motion path curve according to the music tempo. It was concluded that the higher ratio of rescaling a transition, the lower the degree of natural motion

The provision of digital information in the seat comfort of the seat design

A great number of factors affect the uncomfortable of seats. Apart from external appearance, the most important is the comfort for users in designing an un-adjustable seat. A system or suggested principles which assist designers in designing the comfort of the seats to testees will benefit waist of users, and hence prevent them from potential discomfort and injuries. This study attempts to develop digital design platforms, and allows designers to measure the design scale of the comfort. We expect to find the association between seat parameter interaction and comfort. For example, when the seat height is much lower than the knee of testees, they can stretch calf forward if the space allows, so that their thighs contact the surface of the seat to share sciatic pressure in greater comfort. We believe to have changes of comfort in opposition to different seat parameter combinations. The final results will help effective reference parameters of comfort in seat design