Formulation Of Theory Research Articles

Algorithmic formalization: Impacts on administrative processes

AbstractThis paper investigates the influence of algorithms on the administrative processes within public organizations, utilizing the foundational theory of formalization from Walsh and Dewar (1987) as a framework. Introduces the concept of “algorithmic formalization”, a new form of formalization induced by the adoption of algorithms, which fundamentally alters administrative workflows. Focusing on COMPAS algorithm used in the US judiciary for risk assessment, the paper illustrates how the algorithm serves multiple roles – as code, channel, and standard – systematizing administrative processes related to risk assessment and judicial decisions. By delving into COMPAS case study, the research sheds light on the novel concept of algorithmic formalization, emphasizing its significant repercussions for analyzing and applying algorithmic administrative processes.

Multichannel Quantum Defect Theory with a Frame Transformation for Ultracold Atom-Molecule Collisions in Magnetic Fields.

We extend the powerful formalism of multichannel quantum defect theory combined with a frame transformation to ultracold atom-molecule collisions in magnetic fields. By solving the coupled-channel equations with hyperfine and Zeeman interactions omitted at short range, the extended theory enables a drastically simplified description of the intricate quantum dynamics of ultracold molecular collisions in terms of a small number of short-range parameters. We apply the formalism to ultracold Mg+NH collisions in a magnetic field, achieving a 10^{4}-fold reduction in computational effort.

Exploring the molecular solvatochromism, stability, reactivity, and non-linear optical response of resveratrol.

This work analyzes the isomerization effects and solvent contributions to the stability, electronic excitations, reactivity, and non-linear optical properties (NLO) of resveratrol molecules within the formalism of the Density Functional Theory. The findings suggest that resveratrol solvatochromism is significantly influenced by solvent polarization. The electronic and free energies (E and G) indicate that trans is the most stable conformer. The system is classified as a strong nucleophile. However, the analysis of the Fukui functions and the Mulliken charges indicate that cis-trans isomerization jointly affects the reactive indices of the carbon and hydrogen atoms. The results also suggest that solvent is relevant to solvatochromism and the NLO response. Both cis and trans conformers present strong excitations that undergo a visible hypsochromic change when the polarity of the solvent increases. Once the absorption spectra are connected to the first hyperpolarization ( ) by the Oudar and Chemla relation, the hypsochromism of resveratrol is the reason for the drop in the generation of the second harmonic when the ambient polarity decreases. The CAM-B3LYP DFT results suggest that resveratrol is interesting for NLO applications. Depending on the choice of solvent, values 50 times those observed for urea ( esu), which is a standard NLO material. The optimized geometries of cis and trans isomers of resveratrol in vacuum were obtained using Density Functional Theory (DFT) with the hybrid exchange-correlation function (CAM-B3LYP) and Pople basis set functions, specifically 6-311++G(d,p). The solvent effect on the geometries of both isomers was included using the polarizable continuum model (PCM) with the same level of QM calculation. Vibrational analysis was conducted to confirm that all optimized geometries correspond to the minimum energy. Various electronic properties, including dipole moments, molecular orbitals, transition energy, dipole polarizabilities, and global reactivity parameters, were calculated using both continuum and discrete solvation models based on the sequential QM/MM methodology. All QM calculations were performed with the Gaussian 09 program and the MC simulations with the DICE program. All NLO analysis was carried out using the Multiwfn code.

On the (in)consistency of perturbation theory at finite temperature

A well-known difficulty of perturbative approaches to quantum field theory at finite temperature is the necessity to address theoretical constraints that are not present in the vacuum theory. In this work, we use lattice simulations of scalar correlation functions in massive ϕ4 theory to analyse the extent to which these constraints affect the perturbative predictions. We find that the standard perturbative predictions deteriorate even in the absence of infrared divergences at relatively low temperatures, and that this is directly connected to the analytic structure of the propagators used in the expansion. This suggests that the incorporation of non-perturbative thermal effects in the propagators is essential for a consistent perturbative formulation of scalar quantum field theories at finite temperature. By utilising the spectral constraints imposed on finite-temperature correlation functions, we explore how these effects manifest themselves in the lattice data, and discuss why the presence of distinct thermoparticle excitations provides a potential resolution to these issues.

Pavlovian safety learning: An integrative theoretical review.

Safety learning involves associating stimuli with the absence of threats, enabling the inhibition of fear and anxiety. Despite growing interest in psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience, safety learning lacks a formal consensus definition, leading to inconsistent methodologies and varied results. Conceptualized as a form of inhibitory learning (conditioned inhibition), safety learning can be understood through formal learning theories, such as the Rescorla-Wagner and Pearce-Hall models. This review aims to establish a principled conceptualization of 'Pavlovian safety learning', identifying cognitive mechanisms that generate safety and the boundary conditions that constrain it. Based on these observations, we define Pavlovian safety learning as an active associative process, where surprising threat-omission (safety prediction error) acts as a salient reinforcing event. Instead of producing merely neutral or nonaversive states, safety learning endows stimuli with active positive associations to 'safety'. The resulting stimulus-safety memories counteract the influence of fear memories, promoting fear regulation, positive affect, and relief. We critically analyze traditional criteria of conditioned inhibition for their relevance to safety and propose areas for future innovation. A principled concept of Pavlovian safety learning may reduce methodological inconsistencies, stimulate translational research, and facilitate a comprehensive understanding of an indispensable psychological construct.

Engels' Theoretical Contribution to Historical Materialism and its Contemporary Value Implication

As Marx's close comrade-in-arms and revolutionary partner, Engels undertook the major mission of perfecting Marxist philosophy in defense of Marx after Marx's death, but Engels's interpretation of Marxism caused scholars to explore the academic relationship between Marx and Engels, and his book Ludwig Feuerbach and the End of Classical German Philosophy (hereinafter referred to as Engels’Ludwig Feuerbach of 1888) became the focal point of the research on the academic relationship between the two. The work presents Engels' systematic interpretation of the materialist conception of history, his innovative formulation of Engels' theory of historical synergy and the fundamental question of phi-losophy, and is a strong proof of the consistency between the ideas of Marx and Engels. Engels' theoretical contribution to the materialist conception of history in the work still has valuable theoretical value in contemporary times, and inspires us to hold on to Marxism without wavering, and to innovate without stopping, in order to better guide our practice.

Waves and strings in an interacting conformal chiral 2-form theory in six dimensions

In six dimensions there exists a unique one-parameter family of nonlinear conformal electrodynamics for a chiral 2-form gauge field that includes (in a free-field limit) the linear chiral 2-form theory and is related, by dimensional reduction, to the four-dimensional ModMax electrodynamics. In this work, we present the first exact solutions of this theory in presence of gravity. In particular, we will consider plane wave, Robinson-Trautman, and self-dual dyonic string configurations, generalizing well-known solutions of this type in six-dimensional supergravities with linear chiral 2-form multiplets. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Formal verification of timely knowledge propagation in airborne networks

Ensuring timely coordination between autonomous aircraft is a challenging problem in decentralized air traffic management (ATM) applications for urban air mobility (UAM) scenarios. This paper presents an approach for formally guaranteeing timely progress in a Two-Phase Acknowledge distributed knowledge propagation protocol by probabilistically modeling the delays using the theory of the Multicopy Two-Hop Relay protocol and the M/M/1 queue system. The guarantee states a probabilistic upper bound to the time for progress as a function of the probabilities of the total transmission and processing delays following two specific distributions. The proof uses a general library of formal theories, that can be used for the rigorous mechanical verification of autonomous aircraft coordination protocols using the Athena proof checker and assistant.

Post-Minkowskian theory meets the spinning effective-one-body approach for two-body scattering

Effective-one-body (EOB) waveforms employed by the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration have primarily been developed by resumming the post-Newtonian expansion of the relativistic two-body problem. Given the recent significant advancements in post-Minkowskian (PM) theory and gravitational self-force formalism, there is considerable interest in creating waveform models that integrate information from various perturbative methods in innovative ways. This becomes particularly crucial when tackling the accuracy challenge posed by upcoming ground-based detectors (such as the Einstein Telescope and Cosmic Explorer) and space-based detectors (such as LISA, TianQin, or Taiji) expected to operate in the next decade. In this context, we present the derivation of the first spinning EOB (SEOB) Hamiltonian that incorporates PM results up to three-loop order: the SEOB-PM model. The model accounts for the complete hyperbolic motion, encompassing nonlocal-in-time tails. To evaluate its accuracy, we compare its predictions for the conservative scattering angle, augmented with dissipative contributions, against numerical-relativity data of nonspinning and spinning equal-mass black holes. We observe very good agreement, comparable, and in some cases slightly better to the recently proposed wEOB-potential model, of which the SEOB-PM model is a resummation around the probe limit. Indeed, in the probe limit, the SEOB-PM Hamiltonian and scattering angles reduce to the one of a test mass in Kerr spacetime. Once complemented with nonlocal-in-time contributions for bound orbits, the SEOB-PM Hamiltonian can be utilized to generate waveform models for spinning black holes on quasicircular orbits. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

On the Operational Theory of the CPS-Calculus: Towards a Theoretical Foundation for IRs

The continuation-passing style translation often employed by compilers gives rise to a class of intermediate representation languages where functions are not allowed to return anymore. Though the primary use of these intermediate representation languages is to expose details about a program's control flow, they may be equipped with an equational theory in order to be seen as specialized calculi, which in turn may be related to the original languages by means of a factorization theorem. In this paper, we explore Thielecke's CPS-calculus, a small theory of continuations inspired by compiler implementations, and study its metatheory. We extend it with a sound reduction semantics that faithfully represents optimization rules used in actual compilers, and prove that it acts as a suitable theoretical foundation for the intermediate representation of Appel's and Kennedy's compilers by following the guidelines set out by Plotkin. Finally, we prove that the CPS-calculus is strongly normalizing in the simply typed setting by using a novel proof method for reasoning about reducibility at a distance, from which logical consistency follows. Taken together, these results close a gap in the existing literature, providing a formal theory for reasoning about intermediate representations.

A Coherent Analysis of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson Using Segmented Discourse Representation Theory

Shirley Jackson's The Lottery is a powerful narrative widely analyzed for its social, cultural, and literary dimensions. However, the linguistic intricacies of Jackson's work remain underexplored. This study addresses this gap by applying Segmented Discourse Representation Theory (SDRT) to analyze the discourse structure of The Lottery. SDRT, a formal theory of discourse that emphasizes coherence relations, provides a systematic framework for examining how different narrative segments interact to create a cohesive and impactful story. By employing SDRT, this research uncovers the intricate ways in which Jackson's linguistic choices contribute to the story's thematic depth and emotional resonance. This analysis not only enhances our understanding of Jackson's narrative techniques but also demonstrates the applicability of SDRT in literary discourse analysis, offering new insights into the dynamic development of discourse within literary texts.

Cell as a reference point in medicine (185 years of cell theory)

the cellular theory, formulated by T. Schwann in 1839, defines the cell as the elementary unit of living things, and has retained its relevance even now as a basic concept of medicine. Aim is to substantiate the definition of the concept of a cell as a reference point for the use of ideas about its organization and properties as a tool for the study of vital processes/pathology in the human body and in experiments. The progress of biology and medicine over the past century and a half has led to numerous attempts to revise the formulation and content of the cell theory. In fact, attempts were made to expand the interpretation/definition of the semantic parts of the initial content of its definition, namely: what is a cell (structure, composition, and properties); what is an elementary unit (taking into account the existence of proto- and eukaryotes, unicellular and multicellular organisms); what is this living thing? Systemic analysis of the organization of the cell allows, as an option, to consider it as a system for the vital activity of which such subsystems are necessary and sufficient as: the carrier of hereditary information (genome), the system of implementation of hereditary information, the plastic support system, the energy supply system, the regulatory system, the reproduction system. Ideas about these functional life support systems can be extrapolated to a multicellular organism. T. Schwann 's idea that a cell is the elementary unit of a living thing, and R. Virchow’s idea that a pathological process is a manifestation of cell changes are generally accepted today. Accordingly, cellular acts as a reference point for analyzing the development of the pathological process and methods of its correction. From these positions, the disease begins with a change in a some pattern of cells associated with changes in their genetic landscape or life support systems. Cells dysfunction of a certain differentiation leads to a lesion of the tissue specific function and the corresponding organ, and ultimately to a lesion of the organism vital activity as a whole. Accordingly, the systematization of facts and the clear definition of certain ideas about the composition, properties of the cell, the nature of its differentiation and the formation of tissue in the composition of the organs of the body is an effective tool for solving many applied questions of medicine.

Supernova limits on QCD axionlike particles

In this paper, we explore the phenomenology of massive axionlike particles (ALPs) coupled to quarks and gluons, dubbed “QCD ALPs,” with an emphasis on the associated low-energy observables. ALPs coupled to gluons and quarks not only induce nuclear interactions at scales below the QCD scale, relevant for ALP production in supernovae (SNe), but naturally also couple to photons similarly to the QCD axion. We discuss the link between the high-energy formulation of ALP theories and their effective couplings with nucleons and photons. The induced photon coupling allows ALPs with masses ma≳1 MeV to efficiently decay into photons, and astrophysical observables severely constrain the ALP parameter space. We show that a combination of arguments related to SN events rule out ALP-nucleon couplings down to gaN≳10−11–10−10 for ma≳1 MeV—a region of the parameter space that was hitherto unconstrained. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

No time to derive: unraveling total time derivatives in in-in perturbation theory

The in-in formalism provides a way to systematically organize the calculation of primordial correlation functions. Although its theoretical foundations are now firmly settled, the treatment of total time derivative interactions, incorrectly trivialized as “boundary terms”, has been the subject of intense discussions and conceptual mistakes. In this work, we demystify the use of total time derivatives — as well as terms proportional to the linear equations of motion — and show that they can lead to artificially large contributions cancelling at different orders of the in-in operator formalism. We discuss the treatment of total time derivative interactions in the Lagrangian path integral formulation of the in-in perturbation theory, and we showcase the importance of interaction terms proportional to linear equations of motion. We then provide a new route to the calculation of primordial correlation functions, which avoids the generation of total time derivatives, by working directly at the level of the full Hamiltonian in terms of phase-space variables. Instead of integrating by parts, we perform canonical transformations to simplify interactions. We explain how to retrieve correlation functions of the initial phase-space variables from the knowledge of the ones after canonical transformations. As an important first application, we find the explicit sizes of Hamiltonian cubic interactions in single-field inflation with canonical kinetic terms and for any background evolution, straight in terms of the primordial curvature perturbation and its canonical conjugate momentum, as well as the corresponding ones in the tensor sector, and the ones mixing scalars and tensors. We also briefly comment on quartic interactions. Our results are important for performing complete calculations of exchange diagrams in inflation, such as the (scalar and tensor) exchange trispectrum and the one-loop power spectrum. Being already written in a form amenable to characterize quantum properties of primordial fluctuations, they also promise to shed light on the non-linear dynamics of quantum states during inflation.

The O-Defective g-ZnO Sensor for VOC Gases: The Adsorption-Desorption, Electronic, and Sensitivity Properties.

Adsorption-desorption performance, electronic properties, and sensitivity of O-defective g-ZnO (ODZO) gas sensors for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are calculated using density functional theory and nonequilibrium Green's formalism. The VOCs are CH2O, CH4, C2H4O, CH4O, and C2H6. The intrinsic g-ZnO (IZO) and ODZO exhibit strong adsorption capabilities for C2H4O and CH4O. The IZO (0.118 e) and ODZO (0.059 e), which act as electron donors, exhibit the highest charge transfer to CH2O, indicating a strong interaction. The VOCs adsorption on the IZO and ODZO systems maintain nonmagnetic semiconductor characteristics. Additionally, the introduction of an O-defect causes the adsorption energy and charge transfer amount of ODZO to show an overall decrease, indicating better desorption ability. Notably, the sensitivity results show that the ODZO gas sensors exhibit high sensitivity to CH2O (39.3%), C2H4O (29.0%), and CH4O (19.6%) at a voltage of 2.6 V, consistent with the adsorption-desorption performance and electronic properties.

Quantum state over time is unique

The conventional framework of quantum theory treats space and time in vastly different ways by representing temporal correlations via quantum channels and spatial correlations via multipartite quantum states—an imbalance absent in classical probability theory. Since Leifer and Spekkens [] called for a causally neutral formulation of quantum theory in their seminal work, numerous attempts have been made to rectify this asymmetry by proposing a dynamical description of a quantum system encapsulated by a static , without a definite consensus on which one is most appropriate. In this paper, we propose sets of operationally motivated axioms for quantum states over time alternative to the ones proposed by Fullwood and Parzygnat [], which we show is unable to induce a unique quantum state over time. Our proposed axioms are better suited to describe quantum states over any spacetime regions beyond two points. Through this reformulation, we prove that the Fullwood-Parzygnat state over time uniquely satisfies all these operational axioms, unifying the bipartite spacetime correlations of quantum systems. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Adding stubs to quantum string field theories

Generalizing recent work by Schnabl-Stettinger and Erbin-Fırat, we outline a universal algebraic procedure for ‘adding stubs’ to string field theories obeying the BV quantum master equation. We apply our results to classical and quantum closed string field theory as well as to open-closed string field theory. We also clarify several aspects of the integration-out process in the co-algebraic formulation of string field theory at the quantum level.

Separable Polynomials and Separable Extensions

Summary We continue the formalization of field theory in Mizar [2], [3], [4]. We introduce separability of polynomials and field extensions: a polynomial is separable, if it has no multiple roots in its splitting field; an algebraic extension E of F is separable, if the minimal polynomial of each a ∈ E is separable. We prove among others that a polynomial q(X) is separable if and only if the gcd of q(X) and its (formal) derivation equals 1 – and that a irreducible polynomial q(X) is separable if and only if its derivation is not 0 – and that q(X) is separable if and only if the number of q(X)’s roots in some field extension equals the degree of q(X). A field F is called perfect if all irreducible polynomials over F are separable, and as a consequence every algebraic extension of F is separable. Every field with characteristic 0 is perfect [13]. To also consider separability in fields with prime characteristic p we define the rings Rp = { ap | a ∈ R} and the polynomials Xn − a for a ∈ R. Then we show that a field F with prime characteristic p is separable if and only if F = F p and that finite fields are perfect. Finally we prove that for fields F ⊆ K ⊆ E where E is a separable extension of F both E is separable over K and K is separable over F .

The semi-classical saddles in three-dimensional gravity via holography and mini-superspace approach

We determine the complex geometries dual to the semi-classical saddles in three-dimensional gravity with positive or negative cosmological constant. We examine the semi-classical saddles in Liouville field theory and interpret them in terms of gravity theory. For this, we describe the gravity theory by Chern-Simons theory and classify the possible saddles based on the homotopy group argument. We further realize the semi-classical saddles using the mini-superspace model of quantum gravity and explicitly determine the integral contour. In the case of positive cosmological constant, we recovered the geometry used for no-boundary proposal of Hartle and Hawking. In the case of negative cosmological constant, the geometry can be identified with Euclidean anti-de Sitter space attached with imaginary radius spheres. The geometry should be unphysical and several arguments on this issue are provided. Partial results were already presented in our earlier letter, and more detailed derivations and explanations on the results are given along with additional results. In particular, we reproduce the classical Liouville action from the Chern-Simons formulation of dual gravity theory.

Windage loss characterisation for flywheel energy storage system: Model and experimental validation

In this paper, a windage loss characterisation strategy for Flywheel Energy Storage Systems (FESS) is presented. An effective windage loss modelling in FESS is essential for feasible and competitive design. Unlike generic aerodynamic loss models, FESS require particular attention to their unique characteristics i.e., vacuum, small airgaps, high angular speed, and presence of low friction rotor supports.The proposed model is based on several analytical and semi-empirical windage loss solutions for cylindrical and planar surface interactions, harmonised to manage the transition between laminar and turbulent flows. Also, the model is enriched by introducing corrections for rarefied gasses, using kinetic gas theory formulation. Therefore, it is possible the reduce the windage overestimation occurring with Navier–Stokes equation solutions for laminar flow. The model is compared to case studies from the literature featuring different boundary and operating conditions, to check consistency of all the harmonised models. A dedicated experimental test-rig is developed to validate the corrections to the model for rarefied gas at different vacuum levels. Then, a non-invasive characterisation approach for FESS windage losses in self-discharge phase is proposed and validated on the test-rig.