50,053 research outputs found
Computer systems: What the future holds
Developement of computer architecture is discussed in terms of the proliferation of the microprocessor, the utility of the medium-scale computer, and the sheer computational power of the large-scale machine. Changes in new applications brought about because of ever lowering costs, smaller sizes, and faster switching times are included
Parallel tridiagonal equation solvers
Three parallel algorithms were compared for the direct solution of tridiagonal linear systems of equations. The algorithms are suitable for computers such as ILLIAC 4 and CDC STAR. For array computers similar to ILLIAC 4, cyclic odd-even reduction has the least operation count for highly structured sets of equations, and recursive doubling has the least count for relatively unstructured sets of equations. Since the difference in operation counts for these two algorithms is not substantial, their relative running times may be more related to overhead operations, which are not measured in this paper. The third algorithm, based on Buneman's Poisson solver, has more arithmetic operations than the others, and appears to be the least favorable. For pipeline computers similar to CDC STAR, cyclic odd-even reduction appears to be the most preferable algorithm for all cases
Precision in the perception of direction of a moving pattern
The precision of the model of pattern motion analysis put forth by Adelson and Movshon (1982) who proposed that humans determine the direction of a moving plaid (the sum of two sinusoidal gratings of different orientations) in two steps is qualitatively examined. The volocities of the grating components are first estimated, then combined using the intersection of constraints to determine the velocity of the plaid as a whole. Under the additional assumption that the noise sources for the component velocities are independent, an approximate expression can be derived for the precision in plaid direction as a function of the precision in the speed and direction of the components. Monte Carlo simulations verify that the expression is valid to within 5 percent over the natural range of the parameters. The expression is then used to predict human performance based on available estimates of human precision in the judgment of single component speed. Human performance is predicted to deteriorate by a factor of 3 as half the angle between the wavefronts (theta) decreases from 60 to 30 deg, but actual performance does not. The mean direction discrimination for three human observers was 4.3 plus or minus 0.9 deg (SD) for theta = 60 deg and 5.9 plus or minus 1.2 for theta = 30 deg. This discrepancy can be resolved in two ways. If the noises in the internal representations of the component speeds are smaller than the available estimates or if these noises are not independent, then the psychophysical results are consistent with the Adelson-Movshon hypothesis
Incompressibility in finite nuclei and nuclear matter
The incompressibility (compression modulus) of infinite symmetric
nuclear matter at saturation density has become one of the major constraints on
mean-field models of nuclear many-body systems as well as of models of high
density matter in astrophysical objects and heavy-ion collisions. We present a
comprehensive re-analysis of recent data on GMR energies in even-even Sn and Cd and earlier data on 58 A 208
nuclei. The incompressibility of finite nuclei is expressed as a
leptodermous expansion with volume, surface, isospin and Coulomb coefficients
, , and . \textit{Assuming}
that the volume coefficient is identified with , the
= -(5.2 0.7) MeV and the contribution from the curvature
term KA in the expansion is neglected, compelling
evidence is found for to be in the range 250 315
MeV, the ratio of the surface and volume coefficients to be between -2.4 and -1.6 and between -840 and -350 MeV.
We show that the generally accepted value of = (240 20) MeV
can be obtained from the fits provided -1, as predicted by the
majority of mean-field models. However, the fits are significantly improved if
is allowed to vary, leading to a range of , extended to higher
values. A self-consistent simple (toy) model has been developed, which shows
that the density dependence of the surface diffuseness of a vibrating nucleus
plays a major role in determination of the ratio K and
yields predictions consistent with our findings.Comment: 26 pages, 13 figures; corrected minor typos in line with the proof in
Phys. Rev.
Fluid sample collector Patent
Design and development of fluid sample collecto
Continuum
'Continuum' is a project which is a part of Sophie Stone's PhD research into 'Multiplicity as a Process of Experimental Music'. This folder comprises all documentation for 'Continuum', including images, scores, and video and audio recordings
Multiplicity as a process of experimental music
This PhD explores my practice through six new compositions of experimental music: Far Infrared (2015/18/19), “As Sure as Time…” (2016-), Amalgamations (2016-), Continuum (2017-), ُ
وِيَّةُه (Huia) (2018-) and postcard-sized pieces (2020). Using the philosophical concept of multiplicity (discussed by Henri Bergson, Gilles Deleuze, and Alain Badiou) as a framework for the composition, realisation, and experience of this music, I highlight the heterogeneity of seemingly quantitative multiplicities. Key points of focus include considering the experience of sound, silence and durations, indeterminacy and interpretation, the notation, and musical situations (including space and collaboration) as qualitative multiplicities. Extensive research in experimental music, recent approaches to experimental music, and practice research methodologies form the background of this project. Prior knowledge within the field of experimental music is examined and extended, with case studies including Wandelweiser, and specific Wandelweiser composers such as Antoine Beuger and Emmanuelle Waeckerlé, as well as Éliane Radigue.
Realisations of the six new compositions have been documented through audio recordings, videos, photographs, and scores, and are analysed and reflected upon in the exegesis, which influenced future situations and compositions in an iterative, reflexive cycle. As well as new compositions of experimental music, this research offers new perspectives on the concept of multiplicity as a paradigm to understand experimental music, particularly through the compositional process, realisation and listening experience. The compositions of this project explore multiplicity in various ways, such as series, flexibility of score and situations, types and experiences of silences, sustained sounds, duration, and instrumentation. Despite these traditionally being considered as quantitative multiplicities, I argue that they are qualitative through Badiou’s ontology of multiplicity due to their subjectivity, simultaneous and interwoven experiences of past and present, and all experiences not being complete. By considering multiplicities in this way, it highlights the complexity of experimental music practice
Amalgamations
'Amalgamations' is a project which is a part of Sophie Stone's PhD research into 'Multiplicity as a Process of Experimental Music'. This folder comprises all documentation for 'Amalgamations', including images, scores, and video and audio recordings
Far Infrared
'Far Infrared' is a project which is a part of Sophie Stone's PhD research into 'Multiplicity as a Process of Experimental Music'. This folder comprises all documentation for 'Far Infrared', including images, scores, and video and audio recordings
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