Witnessing objectivity on a quantum computer

Understanding the emergence of objectivity from the quantum realm has been a long standing issue strongly related to the quantum to classical crossover. Quantum Darwinism provides an answer, interpreting objectivity as consensus between independent observers. Quantum computers provide an interesting platform for such experimental investigation of quantum Darwinism, fulfilling their initial intended purpose as quantum simulators. Here we assess to what degree current NISQ devices can be used as experimental platforms in the field of quantum Darwinism. We do this by simulating an exactly solvable stochastic collision model, taking advantage of the analytical solution to benchmark the experimental results.

Human Factors Linked with Initial and Continuous Trust in Autonomous Systems: A Literature Review

Many autonomous systems are being developed to assist older adults to age in place. However, there is little research related to the human factors associated with why older adults may initially and continuously trust these autonomous systems. More research in this area on older adults and trust in autonomy is needed to facilitate the technologies better everyday use. The current study conducted a literature review on the prevalent human factors that enable people to trust their interactions with smart technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, navigational structures). Articles were collected from various disciplines on concepts such as trust in autonomy, human-computer interactions and teamwork. Thematic analysis revealed two convergent areas that were associated with initial and continuous trust: human and technological characteristics. Human characteristics are defined by a person’s ability to understand and use autonomous systems. Generally, people with higher competency and abilities with autonomous systems demonstrated the ease of use to carry out desired actions with smart technology. Technological characteristics are defined by the system’s performance, explainability, and its intended purpose between trust. Essentially, people were less critical of autonomous systems that were perceived to be useful, transparent, and predictable. Overall, the autonomous system's ability to perform its intended purpose and the users knowledge and technical qualifications dominate the relationship between initial and continuous trust with autonomous systems. These are the prevalent factors that need to be considered for the creation of trusted autonomous technologies for older adults to help them age in the approaching more advanced technological world.

The Use of Soil Originated by the Pulp and Paper Waste Industry to Intensify the Recultivation Succession of Disturbed Lands

The utilization of waste resulting from the pulp and paper industry as soil for technical and biological recultivation of disturbed lands, industrial waste discharges and other applications in line with their intended purpose use have been explored. Analysis of soil resulting from the frozen sediments of lignin settled sludge of JSC "BPPM" with the WAS resulting from the sewage treatment facilities have been carried out, chemical and agrochemical composition as well as toxicological properties have been studied. It is established that the resulting soil can intensify the recultivation succession of disturbed lands and contribute to plants growth and biomass increase, and their reproduction ability.

Understanding the Basics of Commonly Used Wires in Interventional Radiology

A wide variety of wires are available for use in interventional radiology, with wires demonstrating differences in construction, diameter, length, coating, shape, and taper. It is crucial to understand the difference in characteristics between these wires to select the most effective and safe wire for the intended purpose when undertaking a procedure. This article reviews the qualities and functions of different types of wires to aid in this decision-making process.

Application of the alveograph device for the development of requirements for the quality of flour for the production of a wafer sheet

Due to the constantly growing demand for flour confectionery and culinary products, it became necessary to develop specialized requirements for the quality of wheat flour as a raw material. To date, there are no such requirements in our country, and for the production of these products, bakery flour obtained according to the traditional wheat grind scheme was used, the quality of which had to be leveled depending on the range of confectionery products. One way to solve this problem is to differentiate the properties of wheat flour according to its intended purpose and their rationing. The purpose of the study is to develop quality requirements for Russian wheat flour for the production of wafer sheets according to objectively and reliably determined indicators of the dough rheological properties using an alveograph device to create, in the future, a system for classifying wheat flour by its intended purpose. Flour quality assessment was carried out using domestic devices and laboratory equipment (MOK system, Falling-number value, etc.); the dough rheological properties were evaluated by an alveograph device (company Chopin, France), wafer sheets were baked and evaluated using methods previously developed by the authors. The analysis of the interdependence of standardized quality indicators, as well as newly developed ones, was conducted to identify indicators that differentiate the quality of wheat flour by its intended purpose, i.e. by finished products. For this, methods of mathematical statistics were applied.

Sexual taboos and euphemisms in Igbo: An anthropolinguistic appraisal

Due to face-threatening effect of taboo words, euphemisms are used to replace them for the sake of politeness. Several studies have been carried out on sexual taboos across cultures, including Igbo, but most have centrally focused on euphemisms for sex organs, with inadequate attention paid to the sex act itself. As a result, this study examines euphemisms about sex or copulation in Igbo with a view to delineating the categories and strategies employed by Igbo to express them. Through Participant and Non-participant Observation, data (11 conversations) were collected, from 22 participants comprising 16 men and 6 women across 6 different settings in Lagos State, Nigeria. The result showed that participants used two major strategies (idiomatic expressions and symbols) and coinage to euphemise the act of sex. Two broad categories of sex found were explicit euphemisms representing the common type, and opaque euphemisms representing the uncommon type. However, both categories are existing words in the language that are imbued with new meanings to achieve the censoring objective. The alternative forms adequately serve the intended purpose because they mask and obscure the tabooed subject and hence save the face of interlocutors.

Terminological Analysis of the Term “Monograph”

Today the term “monograph” requires careful consideration, since the essence of the term itself is being changed over time and it takes into account the changing conditions in scholarly communication. The purpose of article is by means of the terminological analysis to identify the essential attributes of monograph, reflected in its various definitions. The article considers the terminological analysis of the term “monograph” according to a number of attributes: its material structure, intended purpose, presentation of material, coverage, number of authors, target audience, functions of a monograph for an author and a reader. The author used Russian language and English language dictionaries and research results as the main sources. There considered several approaches to understanding the term “monograph” (natural science interpretation of a monograph as a description of individual types and subjects, a monograph as a treatise on a single theme or problem, and a monograph as a separate publication in the form of a book). Main results are: the determination of the the attributes of a monograph reflecting its essence from the point of view of Russian speaking and English speaking practice, as well as the attributes of a scholarly monograph. The distinction among scholarly, industrial-practical and popular science monographs is typical only for Russian speaking practice, while monograph is primarily a treatise (scientific edition) for English sources. A reputational function of a monograph can become the prevailing function for an author, and sometimes it can be the only one purpose to write it. It is concluded that the main attributes of a scholarly monograph can be considered: the intended purpose - a scholarly one; the coverage - one theme or a problem; the number of authors - one or more authors; the target audience - specialists; the function for an author - the reputational one; the function for a reader - the informative one.

Mono-6-Substituted Cyclodextrins—Synthesis and Applications

Cyclodextrins are well known supramolecular hosts used in a wide range of applications. Monosubstitution of native cyclodextrins in the position C-6 of a glucose unit represents the simplest method how to achieve covalent binding of a well-defined host unit into the more complicated systems. These derivatives are relatively easy to prepare; that is why the number of publications describing their preparations exceeds 1400, and the reported synthetic methods are often very similar. Nevertheless, it might be very demanding to decide which of the published methods is the best one for the intended purpose. In the review, we aim to present only the most useful and well-described methods for preparing different types of mono-6-substituted derivatives. We also discuss the common problems encountered during their syntheses and suggest their optimal solutions.

Soft Gripper with EGaIn Soft Sensor for Detecting Grasp Status

With the Fourth Industrial Revolution, many factories aim for efficient mass production, and robots are being used to reduce human workloads. In recent years, the field of gripper robots with a soft structure that can grip and move objects without damaging them has attracted considerable attention. This paper proposes a variable-stiffness soft gripper, based on previous designs, with an added silicone coating for increased friction and an EGaIn soft sensor for monitoring grip forces. The variable-stiffness structure used in this study was constructed by connecting soft structures to rigid structures and using tendons fixed to the rigid structures. Furthermore, a more responsive EGaIn soft sensor compared to existing sensors was designed by adding bumps to the path traced by the alloy. After selecting the appropriate fingertip shape, changes in the output of the EGaIn soft sensor corresponding to the object held by the soft gripper were observed, confirming that the strength of the device could be changed according to the intended purpose.