Ramp-shaped neural tuning supports graded population-level representation of the object-to-scene continuum

We can easily perceive the spatial scale depicted in a picture, regardless of whether it is a small space (e.g., a close-up view of a chair) or a much larger space (e.g., an entire class room). How does the human visual system encode this continuous dimension? Here, we investigated the underlying neural coding of depicted spatial scale, by examining the voxel tuning and topographic organization of brain responses. We created naturalistic yet carefully-controlled stimuli by constructing virtual indoor environments, and rendered a series of snapshots to smoothly sample between a close-up view of the central object and far-scale view of the full environment (object-to-scene continuum). Human brain responses were measured to each position using functional magnetic resonance imaging. We did not find evidence for a smooth topographic mapping for the object-to-scene continuum on the cortex. Instead, we observed large swaths of cortex with opposing ramp-shaped profiles, with highest responses to one end of the object-to-scene continuum or the other, and a small region showing a weak tuning to intermediate scale views. Importantly, when we considered the multi-voxel patterns of the entire ventral occipito-temporal cortex, we found smooth and linear representation of the object-to-scene continuum. Thus, our results together suggest that depicted spatial scale is coded parametrically in large-scale population codes across the entire ventral occipito-temporal cortex.

The New Novel Discrete Distribution with Application on COVID-19 Mortality Numbers in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Latvia

This paper aims to introduce a superior discrete statistical model for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality numbers in Saudi Arabia and Latvia. We introduced an optimal and superior statistical model to provide optimal modeling for the death numbers due to the COVID-19 infections. This new statistical model possesses three parameters. This model is formulated by combining both the exponential distribution and extended odd Weibull family to formulate the discrete extended odd Weibull exponential (DEOWE) distribution. We introduced some of statistical properties for the new distribution, such as linear representation and quantile function. The maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) method is applied to estimate the unknown parameters of the DEOWE distribution. Also, we have used three datasets as an application on the COVID-19 mortality data in Saudi Arabia and Latvia. These three real data examples were used for introducing the importance of our distribution for fitting and modeling this kind of discrete data. Also, we provide a graphical plot for the data to ensure our results.

Improving Hillslope Link Model Performance from Non-Linear Representation of Natural and Artificially Drained Subsurface Flows

This study evaluates the potential for a newly proposed non-linear subsurface flux equation to improve the performance of the hydrological Hillslope Link Model (HLM). The equation contains parameters that are functionally related to the hillslope steepness and the presence of tile drainage. As a result, the equation provides better representation of hydrograph recession curves, hydrograph timing, and total runoff volume. The authors explore the new parameterization’s potential by comparing a set of diagnostic and prognostic setups in HLM. In the diagnostic approach, they configure 12 different scenarios with spatially uniform parameters over the state of Iowa. In the prognostic case, they use information from topographical maps and known locations of tile drainage to distribute parameter values. To assess performance improvements, they compare simulation results to streamflow observations during a 17-year period (2002–2018) at 140 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauging stations. The operational setup of the HLM model used at the Iowa Flood Center (IFC) serves as a benchmark to quantify the overall improvement of the model. In particular, the new equation provides better representation of recession curves and the total streamflow volumes. However, when comparing the diagnostic and prognostic setups, the authors found discrepancies in the spatial distribution of hillslope scale parameters. The results suggest that more work is required when using maps of physical attributes to parameterize hydrological models. The findings also demonstrate that the diagnostic approach is a useful strategy to evaluate models and assess changes in their formulations.

The Influence of Selected Strain-Based Failure Criteria on Ship Structure Damage Resulting from a Collision with an Offshore Wind Turbine Monopile

Offshore wind farms are developing well all over the world, providing green energy from renewable sources. The evaluation of possible consequences of a collision involves Finite Element computer simulations. The goal of this paper was to analyse the influence of selected strain-based failure criteria on ship damage resulting from a collision with an offshore wind turbine monopile. The case of a collision between an offshore supply vessel and a monopile-type support structure was examined. The results imply that simulation assumptions, especially the failure criteria, are very important. It was found that, using the strain failure criteria according to the minimum values required by the design rules, can lead to an underestimation of the ship damage by as much as 6 times, for the length of the hull plate, and 9 times, for the area of the ship hull opening. Instead, the adjusted formula should be used, taking into account both the FE element size and the shell thickness. The influence of the non-linear representation of the stress-strain curve was also pointed out. Moreover, a significant influence of the selected steel grade on collision damages was found.

An evaluation of the data space dimension in phase retrieval: results in Fresnel zone

<div>In this paper, we address the problem of computing the dimension of data space in phase retrieval problem. Starting from the quadratic formulation of the phase retrieval, the analysis is performed in two steps. First, we exploit the lifting technique to obtain a linear representation of the data. Later, we evaluate the dimension of data space by computing analytically the number of relevant singular values of the linear operator that represents the data. The study is done with reference to a 2D scalar geometry consisting of an electric current strip whose square amplitude of the electric radiated field is observed on a two-dimensional extended domain in Fresnel zone.</div>

From Photon to Oganesson: Lie Algebra Realization of the Standard Model Extending over the Periodic Table

As reported in a series of previous PIRT conferences, a direct SU(3) structural realization of the Standard Model has been developed based upon Marius Sophus Lie’s original Norwegian Ph.D. thesis Over en Classe Geometriske Transformationer from 1871 (and thus due for a most deserved 150-year anniversary). It elucidates how “the theory of main tangential curves can be brought back to that of rounded curves”, anticipating a coherent linear representation of the elementary particles instead of the rotational chosen since they were considered point-like and amorphous when they many years later entered the stage. Under these premises the Standard Model has built a magnificent, undoubtedly true but congested multi-particle system whereas the Lie continuous transformation element, the partial derivative ’straight line of length equal to zero’ outlines an isotropic vector matrix lattice of crystallographic Killing root space diagram A3 form which from the Nucleon and inwards can backtrack the Standard Model geometrically, as well as continue outward iterating to a space-filling solid state R3×SO(3) wave-packet complex tessellating the whole periodic table with electron shells and subshells, isotope spectrum, neutron captures, radiative channels, oxidation states, molecular binding sites etc. in successive layers also including the Lanthanides in the sixth period and the Actinides in the seventh, in which now the concluding Oganesson has been reached in perfectly well-built saturated noble gas shape and condition.

Modified kinetic models for Cr (VI) adsorption in polymer inclusion membranes

Hexavalent chromium is a highly toxic environmental inorganic pollutant. To eliminate toxic Cr (VI) ions in natural waters, polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) have been developed for highly selective metal ion transport applications. The investigation of the effectiveness of Cr (VI) recovery in aqueous solutions using PIMs with varying amounts of plasticizer was studied. The pseudo-first order (PFO) kinetic model was modified to describe the amount of Cr (VI) ions that have accumulated onto the PIMs at a specific time and to evaluate the performance of the PIMs. A quantitative analysis of the modified PFO a model based on their non-linear representation and using the coefficient of determination indicates that the adsorptive properties of the PIMs are best described by the modified non-linear pseudo-first-order kinetic model (R2 > 0.9748), suggesting that the sorption process is physisorption. To show the applicability of the modified model to other transport studies, modified PFO was fitted into the experimental data that studies the transport of Zn (II) ions onto PIM (R2 > 0.95).

Multi Expression Programming - an in-depth description

Multi Expression Programming (MEP) is a Genetic Programming variant that uses a linear representation of chromosomes. MEP individuals are strings of genes encoding complex computer programs. When MEP individuals encode expressions, their representation is similar to the way in which compilers translate C or Pascal expressions into machine code. A unique MEP feature is the ability to store multiple solutions to a problem in a single chromosome. Usually, the best solution is chosen for fitness assignment. When solving symbolic regression or classification problems (or any other problems for which the training set is known before the problem is solved) MEP has the same complexity as other techniques storing a single solution in a chromosome (such as GP, CGP, GEP, or GE). Evaluation of the expressions encoded into an MEP individual can be performed by a single parsing of the chromosome. Offspring obtained by crossover and mutation is always syntactically correct MEP individuals (computer programs). Thus, no extra processing for repairing newly obtained individuals is needed.

Generalized Cardioid Distributions for Circular Data Analysis

The Cardioid (C) distribution is one of the most important models for modeling circular data. Although some of its structural properties have been derived, this distribution is not appropriate for asymmetry and multimodal phenomena in the circle, and then extensions are required. There are various general methods that can be used to produce circular distributions. This paper proposes four extensions of the C distribution based on the beta, Kumaraswamy, gamma, and Marshall–Olkin generators. We obtain a unique linear representation of their densities and some mathematical properties. Inference procedures for the parameters are also investigated. We perform two applications on real data, where the new models are compared to the C distribution and one of its extensions.