Fixed versus random triangulations in 2D simplicial Regge calculus

We study 2D quantum gravity on spherical topologies using the Regge calculus approach with the $dl/l$ measure. Instead of a fixed non-regular triangulation which has been used before, we study for each system size four different random triangulations, which are obtained according to the standard Voronoi-Delaunay procedure. We compare both approaches quantitatively and show that the difference in the expectation value of $R^2$ between the fixed and the random triangulation depends on the lattice size and the surface area $A$. We also try again to measure the string susceptibility exponents through a finite-size scaling Ansatz in the expectation value of an added $R^2$ interaction term in an approach where $A$ is held fixed. The string susceptibility exponent $\gamma_{str}'$ is shown to agree with theoretical predictions for the sphere, whereas the estimate for $\gamma_{str}$ appears to be too negative.Comment: 4 latex pages + 4 ps-figs. + espcrc2.sty, poster presented by W. Janke at LATTICE96(gravity

Ising Spins on a Gravitating Sphere

We investigated numerically an Ising model coupled to two-dimensional Euclidean gravity with spherical topology, using Regge calculus with the $dl/l$ path-integral measure to discretize the gravitational interaction. Previous studies of this system with toroidal topology have shown that the critical behavior of the Ising model remains in the flat-space Onsager universality class, contrary to the predictions of conformal field theory and matrix models. Implementing the spherical topology as triangulated surfaces of three-dimensional cubes, we find again strong evidence that the critical exponents of the Ising transition are consistent with the Onsager values, and that KPZ exponents are definitely excluded.Comment: 13 pages, self unpacking uuencoded PostScript file, including all the figures. Paper also available at http://www.physik.fu-berlin.de/~holm

Simplicial Quantum Gravity on a Randomly Triangulated Sphere

We study 2D quantum gravity on spherical topologies employing the Regge calculus approach with the dl/l measure. Instead of the normally used fixed non-regular triangulation we study random triangulations which are generated by the standard Voronoi-Delaunay procedure. For each system size we average the results over four different realizations of the random lattices. We compare both types of triangulations quantitatively and investigate how the difference in the expectation value of the squared curvature, $R^2$, for fixed and random triangulations depends on the lattice size and the surface area A. We try to measure the string susceptibility exponents through finite-size scaling analyses of the expectation value of an added $R^2$-interaction term, using two conceptually quite different procedures. The approach, where an ultraviolet cut-off is held fixed in the scaling limit, is found to be plagued with inconsistencies, as has already previously been pointed out by us. In a conceptually different approach, where the area A is held fixed, these problems are not present. We find the string susceptibility exponent $\gamma_{str}'$ in rough agreement with theoretical predictions for the sphere, whereas the estimate for $\gamma_{str}$ appears to be too negative. However, our results are hampered by the presence of severe finite-size corrections to scaling, which lead to systematic uncertainties well above our statistical errors. We feel that the present methods of estimating the string susceptibilities by finite-size scaling studies are not accurate enough to serve as testing grounds to decide about a success or failure of quantum Regge calculus.Comment: LaTex, 29 pages, including 9 figure

Developing Career Pathways in UAS for Non-Traditional Students through Collaborative, Online Learning Environments

The integration of drone technologies through online simulation platforms and uncrewed system scenarios offer opportunities to introduce STEM concepts from the fields of robotics, computer science, mechatronics, and aviation. New software technology developments will increase student engagement in STEM education and support learning of uncrewed systems applications and operating competencies. The use of drone simulation software creates a collaborative environment for group activities and sharing of results with peer review

Utilization of Simulation Software to Enhance the Learning Experience for Students at the Worldwide Campus

The purpose of this presentation is to introduce benefits, best practices and examples of simulation software in online course environments. The research team does not have any affiliation with the introduced software platforms

Standardization Roadmap for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Version 1.0

This Standardization Roadmap for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Version 1.0 (“roadmap”) represents the culmination of the UASSC’s work to identify existing standards and standards in development, assess gaps, and make recommendations for priority areas where there is a perceived need for additional standardization and/or pre-standardization R&D. The roadmap has examined 64 issue areas, identified a total of 60 gaps and corresponding recommendations across the topical areas of airworthiness; flight operations (both general concerns and application-specific ones including critical infrastructure inspections, commercial services, and public safety operations); and personnel training, qualifications, and certification. Of that total, 40 gaps/recommendations have been identified as high priority, 17 as medium priority, and 3 as low priority. A “gap” means no published standard or specification exists that covers the particular issue in question. In 36 cases, additional R&D is needed. The hope is that the roadmap will be broadly adopted by the standards community and that it will facilitate a more coherent and coordinated approach to the future development of standards for UAS. To that end, it is envisioned that the roadmap will be widely promoted and discussed over the course of the coming year, to assess progress on its implementation and to identify emerging issues that require further elaboration

Measure dependence of 2D simplicial quantum gravity

We study pure 2D Euclidean quantum gravity with $R^2$ interaction on spherical lattices, employing Regge's formulation. We attempt to measure the string susceptibility exponent $\gamma_{\rm str}$ by using a finite-size scaling Ansatz in the expectation value of $R^2$. To check on effects of the path integral measure we investigate two scale invariant measures, the "computer" measure $dl/l$ and the Misner measure $dl/\sqrt A$.Comment: 3 pages, self unpacking uuencoded PostScript file, contribution to LATTICE9

Using Small UAS for STEM Education: Introducing Robotics and Mechatronics with Drones

Several global developments point to importance of STEM-related education and studies. Every industry sector faces challenges in the recruiting of qualified personnel, due to retiring employees and general economic growth. Also, several domains, foremost automotive and aviation are undergoing a tremendous shift towards electrification to achieve sustainability. Hence, sparking the interest in STEM studies, education and vocational training cannot start early enough. This paper introduces the benefits of the educational use of sUAS by identifying core benefits in the three domains of learning – cognitive, affective, psycho-motor. Preliminary data and survey results from from several science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) drone providers worldwide will be used to identify and underline the benefits of this educational concepts

The critical behaviour of Ising spins on 2D Regge lattices

We performed a high statistics simulation of Ising spins coupled to 2D quantum gravity on toroidal geometries. The tori were triangulated using the Regge calculus approach and contained up to $512^2$ vertices. We used a constant area ensemble with an added $R^2$ interaction term, employing the $dl/l$ measure. We find clear evidence that the critical exponents of the Ising phase transition are consistent with the static critical exponents and do not depend on the coupling strength of the $R^2$ interaction term. We definitively can exclude for this type of model a behaviour as predicted by Boulatov and Kazakov [Phys. Lett. {\bf B186}, 379 (1987)] for Ising spins coupled to dynamically triangulated surfaces.Comment: 15 pages with 3 figures in form of an uudecoded compressed tar-ps-file. FUB-HEP 06/9

COVID-19 Testing Unit Munich: Impact of Public Health and Safety Measures on Patient Characteristics and Test Results, January to September 2020

To assess the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions, the number of reported positive test results is frequently used as an estimate of the true number of population-wide infections. We conducted a retrospective observational analysis of patient data of the Corona Testing Unit (CTU) in Munich, Bavaria, Germany between January 27th, and September 30th, 2020. We analyzed the course of daily patient numbers over time by fitting a negative binomial model with multiple breakpoints. Additionally, we investigated possible influencing factors on patient numbers and characteristics by literature review of policy papers and key informant interviews with individuals involved in the set-up of the CTU. The 3,963 patients included were mostly young (median age: 34, interquartile range: 27–48), female (66.2%), and working in the healthcare sector (77%). For these, 5,314 real-time RT-PCR tests were conducted with 157 (2.94%) positive results. The overall curve of daily tests and positive results fits the re-ported state-wide incidence in large parts but shows multiple breakpoints with considerable trend changes. These can be most fittingly attributed to testing capacities and -strategies and individual risk behavior, rather than public health measures. With the large impact on patient numbers and pre-test probabilities of various strategic and operational factors, we consider the derived re-ported incidence as a poor measurement to base policy decisions on. Testing units should be prepared to encounter these fluctuations with a quickly adaptable structure