Tattoos as a window onto cross-linguistic differences in scalar implicature

This paper addresses the question of how to predict which alternatives are active in scalar implicature calculation, and the nature of this activation. It has been observed that finger implicates 'not thumb', and a Manner-based explanation for this has been proposed, predicting that if English had the simplex Latin word pollex meaning 'thumb or big toe', then finger would cease to have the implicature 'not thumb' that it has. It has also been suggested that this hypothetical pollex would have to be sufficiently colloquial in order to figure in scalar implicature calculation. This paper makes this thought experiment into a real one by using a language that behaves in exactly this way: Spanish has pulgar 'thumb' (< pollex), a non-colloquial form. We first use a fill-in-the-blank production task with both English and Spanish speakers to guage the likelihood with which a speaker will produce a given form as a way of describing a given digit. Production frequency does not perfectly track complexity, so we can then ask whether comprehension follows production frequency or complexity. We do so using a forced choice comprehension task, which reveals cross-linguistic differences in comprehension tracking production probabilities. A comparison between two RSA models -- one in which the speaker perfectly replicates our production data and a standard one in which the speaker chooses based on a standard cost/accuracy trade-off -- illustrates the fact that comprehension is much more closely tied to production probability than to the mere existence of sufficiently simple alternatives.

Scattering from production in 2d

In 1968, Atkinson proved the existence of functions that satisfy all S-matrix axioms in four spacetime dimensions. His proof is constructive and to our knowledge it is the only result of this type. Remarkably, the methods to construct such functions used in the proof were never implemented in practice. In the present paper, we test the applicability of those methods in the simpler setting of two-dimensional S-matrices. We solve the problem of reconstructing the scattering amplitude starting from a given particle production probability. We do this by implementing two numerical iterative schemes (fixed-point iteration and Newton’s method), which, by iterating unitarity and dispersion relations, converge to solutions to the S-matrix axioms. We characterize the region in the amplitude-space in which our algorithms converge, and discover a fractal structure connected to the so-called CDD ambiguities which we call “CDD fractal”. To our surprise, the question of convergence naturally connects to the recent study of the coupling maximization in the two-dimensional S-matrix bootstrap. The methods exposed here pave the way for applications to higher dimensions, and expose some of the potential challenges that will have to be overcome.

Multi-objective chance-constrained blending optimization of zinc smelter under stochastic uncertainty

<p style='text-indent:20px;'>Considering the uncertainty of zinc concentrates and the shortage of high-quality ore inventory, a multi-objective chance-constrained programming (MOCCP) is established for blending optimization. Firstly, the distribution characteristics of zinc concentrates are obtained by statistical methods and the normal distribution is truncated according to the actual industrial situation. Secondly, by minimizing the pessimistic value and maximizing the optimistic value of object function, a MOCCP is decomposed into a MiniMin and MaxiMax chance-constrained programming, which is easy to handle. Thirdly, a hybrid intelligent algorithm is presented to obtain the Pareto front. Then, the furnace condition of roasting process is established based on analytic hierarchy process, and a satisfactory solution is selected from Pareto solution according to expert rules. Finally, taking the production data as an example, the effectiveness and feasibility of this method are verified. Compared to traditional blending optimization, recommended model both can ensure that each component meets the needs of production probability, and adjust the confident level of each component. Compared with the distribution without truncation, the optimization results of this method are more in line with the actual situation.</p>

Design of Polypropylene Electret Melt Blown Nonwovens with Superior Filtration Efficiency Stability through Thermally Stimulated Charging

Electret filters are widely used in particulate matter filtration due to their filtration efficiency that can be greatly improved by electrostatic forces without sacrificing the air resistance. However, the attenuation of the filtration efficiency remains a challenge. In this study, we report a novel strategy for producing an electret melt blown filter with superior filtration efficiency stability through a thermally stimulated charging method. The proposed approach optimizes the crystal structure and therefore results in the increased production probability of the charge traps. In addition, the re-trapping phenomenon caused by the thermal stimulation during the charging process can greatly increase the proportion of deep charge to shallow charge and improve the charge stability. A superior electret melt blown filtration material with a high filtration efficiency of 99.65%, low pressure drop of 120 Pa, and satisfactory filtration efficiency stability was produced after three cyclic charging times. The excellent filtration performance indicated that the developed material is a good air filtration candidate component for personal protection applications.

Quantum field-theoretical descriprion of neutrino oscillations in T2K experiment

We consider neutrino oscillations in the T2K experiment using a new quantum field-theoretical approach to the description of processes passing at finite space-time intervals. It is based on the Feynman diagram technique in the coordinate representation, supplemented by modified rules of passing to the momentum representation. Effectively this leads to the Feynman propagators in the momentum representation being modified, while the rest of the Feynman rules remain unchanged. The approach does not make use ofwave packets, the initial and final particle states are described by plane waves, which essentially simplifies the calculations. The oscillation fading out due to momentum distribution of the initial particles is taken into account. The obtained results reproduce the predictions of the standard description and confirm that the far detector position corresponds to the first minimum for muon production probability and the first maximum for electron production probability.

Reliable Design: Basic Approach

The knowledge and experience learnt from product designing have resulted in development of their reliability theory. The classical concept of safe – life is based on product over dimensioned design that considers safety factor or safety margin for measure. However, practical engineering has found this concept in a manner inconvenient as design fault-resistance to determine the ultimate condition and operating stress are random values. A way out is in the concept of stochastic approach to reliability design resulting from the defect-production probability distribution law. That concept allows product designing with predetermined reliability, such as in the example contained in this paper.

Crossover-model approach to QCD phase diagram, equation of state and susceptibilities in the 2+1 and 2+1+1 flavor systems

We construct a simple model for describing the hadron–quark crossover transition by using lattice QCD (LQCD) data in the [Formula: see text] flavor system, and draw the phase diagram in the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] flavor systems through analyses of the equation of state (EoS) and the susceptibilities. In the present hadron–quark crossover (HQC) model, the entropy density [Formula: see text] is defined by [Formula: see text] with the hadron-production probability [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is calculated by the hadron resonance gas model that is valid in low temperature [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is evaluated by the independent quark model that explains LQCD data on the EoS in the region [Formula: see text] for the [Formula: see text] flavor system and [Formula: see text] for the [Formula: see text] flavor system. The [Formula: see text] is determined from LQCD data on [Formula: see text] and susceptibilities for the baryon-number [Formula: see text], the isospin [Formula: see text] and the hypercharge [Formula: see text] in the [Formula: see text] flavor system. The HQC model is successful in reproducing LQCD data on the EoS and the flavor susceptibilities [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] in the [Formula: see text] flavor system, without changing the [Formula: see text]. We define the hadron–quark transition temperature with [Formula: see text]. For the [Formula: see text] flavor system, the transition line thus obtained is almost identical in [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] planes, when the chemical potentials [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] are smaller than 250 MeV. This [Formula: see text] approximate equivalence is also seen in the [Formula: see text] flavor system. We plot the phase diagram also in [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] planes in order to investigate flavor dependence of transition lines. In the [Formula: see text] flavor system, [Formula: see text] quark does not affect the [Formula: see text] flavor subsystem composed of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. Temperature dependence of the off-diagonal susceptibilities and the [Formula: see text] show that the transition region at [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text] for both the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] flavor systems.