The method of detection and localization of configuration defects in geodetic networks by means of Tikhonov regularization

In adjusted geodetic networks, cases of local configuration defects (defects in the geometric structure of the network due to missing data or errors in point numbering) can be encountered, which lead to the singularity of the normal equation system in the least-squares procedure. Numbering errors in observation sets cause the computer program to define the network geometry incorrectly. Another cause of a defect may be accidental omission of certain data records, causing local indeterminacy or lowering of local reliability rates in a network. Obviously, the problem of a configuration defect may be easily detectable in networks with a small number of points. However, it becomes a real problem in large networks, where manual checking of all data becomes a very expensive task. The paper presents a new strategy for the detection of configuration defects with the use of the Tikhonov regularization method. The method was implemented in 1992 in the GEONET system (www.geonet.net.pl).

Materialism dialectic și istoric în comunismul românesc (I)

The article (to be published in 2 parts) analyzes the expression and evolution of Marxist philosophy in communist Romania, as seen in the evolution of the official handbooks and courses of dialectical materialism and historical materialism. Its first part looks at the original Marxian foundations (Marx and Engels’ views on metaphilosophy and their actual philosophical practice), the Soviet mediations (the institutional and conceptual reconfigurations of Soviet Marxist philosophy until the death of Stalin) and the initial local configuration, as seen in the first two editions of the handbooks, published in the early 50’s and early 60’s respectively. The second part of the article will follow this evolution further, up to 1989, and will conclude by developing a series of observations on the uses and abuses of Marxist philosophy in communist Romania.

Genetic Analysis of Neuroligin 4Y Gene in Autism Population of India

Background Autism is one of the most complex, heterogeneous neurological disorders. It is characterized mainly by abnormal communication, impaired social interaction, and restricted behaviors. Prevalence of autism is not clear in Indian population. Aim The present study hypothesizes that Y chromosome plays role in sex bias of autism in Indian autistic population. To investigate our hypothesis, we underwent genetic analysis of neuroligin 4Y [NLGN4Y] gene by sequencing 85 male autistic children after screening large population of 1,870 mentally ill children from North Karnataka region of India. Result Detailed sequencing of the single targeted gene revealed nine variants including, one novel missense mutation and eight synonymous variants; this accounts for 88.9% of synonymous variants. A single novel missense mutation is predicted to be nonpathogenic on the functions of neuroligin4Y protein but it slightly affects the local configuration by altering the original structure of a protein by changing charge and size of amino acid. Conclusion Probably NLGN4Y gene may not be the risk factor for autism in male children in Indian autistic population. Functional analysis was an important limitation of our study. Therefore, detailed functional analysis is necessary to determine the exact role of novel missense mutation of neuroligin 4Y [NLGN4Y] gene especially in the male predominance of autism in Indian autistic population.

Mediating the Local Oxygen-Bridge Interactions of Oxysalt/Perovskite Interface for Defect Passivation of Perovskite Photovoltaics

Passivation, as a classical surface treatment technique, has been widely accepted in start-of-the-art perovskite solar cells (PSCs) that can effectively modulate the electronic and chemical property of defective perovskite surface. The discovery of inorganic passivation compounds, such as oxysalts, has largely advanced the efficiency and lifetime of PSCs on account of its favorable electrical property and remarkable inherent stability, but a lack of deep understanding of how its local configuration affects the passivation effectiveness is a huge impediment for future interfacial molecular engineering. Here, we demonstrate the central-atom-dependent-passivation of oxysalt on perovskite surface, in which the central atoms of oxyacid anions dominate the interfacial oxygen-bridge strength. We revealed that the balance of local interactions between the central atoms of oxyacid anions (e.g., N, C, S, P, Si) and the metal cations on perovskite surface (e.g., Pb) generally determines the bond formation at oxysalt/perovskite interface, which can be understood by the bond order conservation principle. Silicate with less electronegative Si central atoms provides strong O-Pb motif and improved passivation effect, delivering a champion efficiency of 17.26% for CsPbI2Br solar cells. Our strategy is also universally effective in improving the device performance of several commonly used perovskite compositions.

Determination of Vacancy Formation Energies in Binary UZr Alloys Using Special Quasirandom Structure Methods

The use of predictive models to examine defect production and migration in metallic systems requires a thorough understanding of the energetics of defect formation and migration. In fully miscible alloys, atomistic properties will all have a range of values that are heavily dependent on local atomic configurations. In this work we have used the atomistic simulation tool Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator (LAMMPS) to investigate the impact of first nearest neighbor configuration on vacancy formation energies at 0 K in γ-U-Zr alloys of varying Zr concentrations. The properties of randomly generated alloy microstructures were also compared with those produced as special quasi-random structures (SQS) using the “mcsqs” code within the Alloy Theoretic Automated Toolkit. Results have confirmed that local configuration can have a significant impact on measured properties and must be considered when characterizing miscible alloy systems. Results also indicated that the generation method of the random structure (i.e., via random species assignment or a method of enforced randomness) does not result in a measurable difference in average vacancy formation energies in miscible U-Zr systems.

ADD-RRV for motion planning in complex environments

In this paper, we present a novel sampling-based motion planning method in various complex environments, especially with narrow passages. We use online the results of the planner in the ADD-RRT framework to identify the types of the local configuration space based on the principal component analysis (PCA). The identification result is then used to accelerate the expansion similar to RRV around obstacles and through narrow passages. We also propose a modified bridge test to identify the entrance of a narrow passage and boost samples inside it. We have compared our method with known motion planners in several scenarios through simulations. Our method shows the best performance across all the tested planners in the tested scenarios.

FRAGMENTED OR COMPACT: THE CASE OF PERIURBAN MUNICIPALITIES IN THE NORTHWEST OF THE METROPOLITAN AREA OF BUENOS AIRES

The accelerated growth of cities since the middle of the last century occupies a prominent place in urban agendas. The development of planning strategies depends on the knowledge and understanding this phenomenon. Therefore, identifying the modification pattern in the spatial configuration is of paramount importance. In this sense, the high level of detail offered by remote sensing technologies makes it possible to estimate the distribution of human settlements and their relationship to other coverages. The information obtained allows to analyze spatial contiguity and general expansion but other indicators are needed to identify spatial singularities. This work aims to present a compaction indicator and fragmentation indicator, useful for identifying local configuration patterns and their temporal variation. The study area consists of the Moreno, Pilar, Gral Rodriguez, Luján and Mercedes municipalities of the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires (AMBA) for the period 1986–2019. The results indicate an increase in impervious surfaces higher than 300% in this period and the detection of new urban centres in those municipalities. In the future it is hoped to replicate the techniques presented throughout the AMBA in order to contribute to medium and long-term territorial planning.