Some inequalities on Riemannian manifolds linking Entropy, Fisher information, Stein discrepancy and Wasserstein distance

E-print/Working paper (2021)

For a complete connected Riemannian manifold M let V∊ C^2(M) be such that µ(dx)=exp(-V(x))vol(dx) is a probability measure on M. Taking µ as reference measure, we derive inequalities for probability ... [more ▼]

For a complete connected Riemannian manifold M let V∊ C^2(M) be such that µ(dx)=exp(-V(x))vol(dx) is a probability measure on M. Taking µ as reference measure, we derive inequalities for probability measures on M linking relative entropy, Fisher information, Stein discrepancy and Wasserstein distance. These inequalities strengthen in particular the famous log-Sobolev and transportation-cost inequality and extend the so-called Entropy/Stein-discrepancy/Information (HSI) inequality established by Ledoux, Nourdin and Peccati (2015) for the standard Gaussian measure on Euclidean space to the setting of Riemannian manifolds. [less ▲]

UAV Relay-Assisted Emergency Communications in IoT Networks: Resource Allocation and Trajectory Optimization

in IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications (2021)

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communication hasemerged as a prominent technology for emergency communi-cations (e.g., natural disaster) in the Internet of Things (IoT)networks to enhance the ability of ... [more ▼]

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communication hasemerged as a prominent technology for emergency communi-cations (e.g., natural disaster) in the Internet of Things (IoT)networks to enhance the ability of disaster prediction, damageassessment, and rescue operations promptly. A UAV can bedeployed as a flying base station (BS) to collect data from time-constrained IoT devices and then transfer it to a ground gateway(GW). In general, the latency constraint at IoT devices and UAV’slimited storage capacity highly hinder practical applicationsof UAV-assisted IoT networks. In this paper, full-duplex (FD)radio is adopted at the UAV to overcome these challenges. Inaddition, half-duplex (HD) scheme for UAV-based relaying isalso considered to provide a comparative study between twomodes (viz., FD and HD). Herein, a device is considered tobe successfully served iff its data is collected by the UAV andconveyed to GW timely during flight time. In this context,we aim to maximize the number of served IoT devices byjointly optimizing bandwidth, power allocation, and the UAVtrajectory while satisfying each device’s requirement and theUAV’s limited storage capacity. The formulated optimizationproblem is troublesome to solve due to its non-convexity andcombinatorial nature. Towards appealing applications, we firstrelax binary variables into continuous ones and transform theoriginal problem into a more computationally tractable form.By leveraging inner approximation framework, we derive newlyapproximated functions for non-convex parts and then develop asimple yet efficient iterative algorithm for its solutions. Next,we attempt to maximize the total throughput subject to thenumber of served IoT devices. Finally, numerical results showthat the proposed algorithms significantly outperform benchmarkapproaches in terms of the number of served IoT devices andsystem throughput. [less ▲]

Role of higher-order effects in spin-misalignment small-angle neutron scattering of high-pressure torsion nickel

in Physical Review Materials (2021), 5

A research-practice cooperation to support elementary school teachers’ diagnostic competencies based on a working theory of talent development in STEM

in Gifted and Talented International (2021)

We present a teacher professionalization project for promoting elementary school teachers’ diagnostic competencies in recognizing their students’ potential in STEM subjects. Teacher professionalization is ... [more ▼]

We present a teacher professionalization project for promoting elementary school teachers’ diagnostic competencies in recognizing their students’ potential in STEM subjects. Teacher professionalization is fostered through the teachers’ personal involvement in the development of subjectspecific diagnostic materials as well as through continuing training on the fundamental knowledge needed to detect and support gifted students. On the basis of the Talent Development in Achievement Domains (TAD) framework, we reached a common working theory of talent and its development in mathematics and science for elementary school-aged students based on the available scientific evidence and approved by teachers. We share a multidimensional, dynamic view of talent development that includes abilities, personality traits, and skills. We describe how our working theory and diagnostic materials can foster teachers’ diagnostic competencies as well as talent discovery and promotion in order to foster students’ development of creative productivity in STEM fields. [less ▲]

Almost global convergence to practical synchronization in the generalized Kuramoto model on networks over the n-sphere

in Communications Physics (2021), 4

From the flashing of fireflies to autonomous robot swarms, synchronization phenomena are ubiquitous in nature and technology. They are commonly described by the Kuramoto model that, in this paper, we ... [more ▼]

From the flashing of fireflies to autonomous robot swarms, synchronization phenomena are ubiquitous in nature and technology. They are commonly described by the Kuramoto model that, in this paper, we generalise to networks over n-dimensional spheres. We show that, for almost all initial conditions, the sphere model converges to a set with small diameter if the model parameters satisfy a given bound. Moreover, for even n, a special case of the generalized model can achieve phase synchronization with nonidentical frequency parameters. These results contrast with the standard n = 1 Kuramoto model, which is multistable (i.e., has multiple equilibria), and converges to phase synchronization only if the frequency parameters are identical. Hence, this paper shows that the generalized network Kuramoto models for n ≥ 2 displays more coherent and predictable behavior than the standard n = 1 model, a desirable property both in flocks of animals and for robot control. [less ▲]

Towards a computer-assisted aesthetics of user response

in Digital Scholarship in the Humanities (2021)

The article focuses on the analysis of the user as an aesthetic category and proposes a methodology for evaluating user response within a framework that combines theoretical background from different ... [more ▼]

The article focuses on the analysis of the user as an aesthetic category and proposes a methodology for evaluating user response within a framework that combines theoretical background from different areas, the theory of aesthetic response, psycholinguistics, appraisal theory, dialogism, and affective stylistics, with the application of digital tools for corpus linguistics and sentiment analysis. Four user types were derived from the corpus linguistics analysis referred to as immersed, distant, sceptical, and enthusiastic users. Each type may encompass a certain degree of intentionality and convey an attitude, implying features such as commitment and honesty, objectivity and engagement with the audience, critical reflection and circumspection, openness to technological novelty, and enjoyment. This assumes that the users involved in usability testing are not neutral or undifferentiated informational entities placed in an experimental context but individuals that respond to the same stimuli and express themselves differently in light of psycholinguistic factors and rules of social interaction. On the other hand, the results of sentiment analysis showed that an experiential analysis, centred not only on the artefact but also on the response and the experience it generates, may enable understanding the user as involved in a hermeneutic process of interpretation during his/her interaction with the studied artefact. Given the small scale of the analysed data, the study does not intend to provide evidence for general or definitive statements but formulates and illustrates a set of interpretative hypotheses and methodological directions for further enquiry aiming at developing an ‘aesthetics’ of user response. [less ▲]

ARL – Akademie für RaumePostwachstum und Raumentwicklung – Denkanstöße für Wissenschaft und Praxis.

Report (2021)

This position paper, drawn up by members of the ARL’s Working Group on Post-Growth Economies (2016 – 2020), situates the international post-growth debate and discusses its relevance for spatial ... [more ▼]

This position paper, drawn up by members of the ARL’s Working Group on Post-Growth Economies (2016 – 2020), situates the international post-growth debate and discusses its relevance for spatial development and spatial science research. In addition to sectoral approaches and findings, the authors make concrete proposals for post-growth focuses in planning, research and teaching, distinguishing between changes that can be achieved in the short term and measures designed for the medium to long term. [less ▲]

Numerical study on design rules for minimum degree of shear connection in propped steel-concrete composite beams

in Engineering Structures (2021), 241

This manuscript presents a numerical study on simply supported propped composite beams with ductile shear connectors subjected to uniformly distributed load. The aim is to assess the performance of the ... [more ▼]

This manuscript presents a numerical study on simply supported propped composite beams with ductile shear connectors subjected to uniformly distributed load. The aim is to assess the performance of the revised rules for the minimum degree of shear connection (CEN/TC250/SC4.T3) with respect to the occurring slip. First, a non-linear 3D finite element model was developed through the software ABAQUS 2017 and validated against analytical values of the elastic stiffness and plastic bending resistance. Then, 91 configurations were analysed for different degrees of shear connection η=0.2,0.4…1.0. The span ranges from 6 to 25 m while the geometrical and mechanical properties varied within their typical field of applicability. According to both current and revised rules, 16 configurations with relatively deep beam and “weak” concrete slab exhibited allowable slip values smax significantly higher than 6 m. Therefore, the authors proposed a reduction of the maximum degree of utilization to these special cases. If the proposed reduction is included in the revised rules, none of the considered cases exhibit a slip smax higher than 8 mm while few cases have smax between 6 and 8 mm. For the ease of use, a design proposal is reformulated as a conditional reduction of the plastic bending resistance of the composite section. [less ▲]

Psychological wellbeing of parents of very young children with type 1 diabetes – baseline assessment

in Frontiers in Endocrinology (2021), 12(721028),

Background: Type 1 diabetes in young children is a heavy parental burden. As part of pilot phase of the KIDSAP01 study, we conducted a baseline assessment in parents to study the association between ... [more ▼]

Background: Type 1 diabetes in young children is a heavy parental burden. As part of pilot phase of the KIDSAP01 study, we conducted a baseline assessment in parents to study the association between hypoglycemia fear, parental wellbeing and child behavior. Methods: All parents were invited to fill in baseline questionnaires: hypoglycemia fear survey (HFS), WHO-5, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results: 24 children (median age: 5-year, range 1-7 years, 63% male, mean diabetes duration: 3 ± 1.7 years) participated. 23/24 parents filled out the questionnaires. We found a higher score for the hypoglycemia fear behavior 33.9 ± 5.6 compared to hypoglycemia worry 34.6 ± 12.2. Median WHO-5 score was 16 (8 - 22) with poor well-being in two parents. Median daytime sleepiness score was high in five parents (>10). For six children a high total behavioral difficulty score (>16) was reported. Pro social behavior score was lower than normal in six children (<6). Parental well-being was negatively associated with HFS total (r = - 0.50, p <.05) and subscale scores (r = - 0.44, p <.05 for HFS-Worry and HFS-Behavior), child behavior (r = - 0.45, p = .05) and positively with child age (r = 0.58, p <.01). HFS, parental well-being nor daytime sleepiness are associated with the HbA1c. Conclusion: Regular screening of parental well-being, hypoglycemia fear and child behavior should be part of routine care to target early intervention. [less ▲]

Ernährungssouveränität: Transformation des Ernährungssystems

Article for general public (2021)