Rate Region Research Articles

Two-Phase Globally Coupled Low-Density Parity Check Decoding Aided with Early Termination and Forced Convergence

To enhance the decoding efficiency of Globally Coupled (GC) LDPC codes, we incorporated Early Termination (ET) and Forced Convergence (FC) into the local/global two-phase decoding algorithm to expedite the decoding process. The two-phase decoding scheme integrates the ET technique to halt unnecessary iterations in the local decoding phase while employing the FC technique to accelerate convergence in the global phase decoding. The application of ET technology in the local decoding of GC-LDPC codes will not cause performance loss as in traditional block codes and will cause considerable complexity gains. For a longer code length and larger convergence differences between nodes’ global codes, the FC technique operates more efficiently in global code than local code. Two variants are proposed for the ET scheme in the local decoding, namely ET-1 and ET-2. The initial variant, ET-1, predicts whether local decoding can be successful according to data characteristics and stop the local decoding iteration that is not expected to be successful in time. In the case of ET-2, the saved local iterations are transformed to global decoding equally. The results show that ET-1 saves considerable decoding time complexity and ET-2 improves the performance of the GC-LDPC code with the same decoding time complexity. The combined approach of ET-1 with FC reduces the decoding time complexity up to 42% at a low Signal Noise Rate region while maintaining its performance; ET-2-FC two-phase decoding saves approximately 25% decoding time complexity while improving the BER by about 0.18 dB and FER by about 0.23 dB.

Critical Points in the Noiseberg Achievable Region of the Gaussian Z-Interference Channel

The Gaussian signaling strategy with power control for the Gaussian Z-interference channel with weak interference is reviewed in this paper. In particular, we study the various communication strategies that may arise at various points of the capacity region and identify the locations of the phase transitions between the various strategies. The Gaussian Z-interference channel with weak interference is known to have two critical points in its capacity region, where the slope of the region shows a sudden change. They occur at the points of the unconditional maximum rate for one of the users and the maximum rate that can be accommodated by the other user. In this paper, we discuss additional critical points (locations of phase transitions) in the achievable region of this channel. These turn out to be second-order phase transitions, i.e., we do not observe a discontinuous slope in the achievable rate region, but there is a discontinuity in the second derivative of the rate contour of the achievable region. This review paper is mainly based on some of our ITA (Information Theory and Applications Workshop, UCSD, San Diego, CA, USA) papers since 2011.

Incidence of foodborne diseases in Ecuador.

Motivation for the study. In Ecuador, foodborne disease (FBD) incidence rates adjusted for population size have not been estimated, which will serve to identify priority geographic areas. Main findings. Between 2015-2020, 113,695 cases of FBD were identified, with "other food poisoning" and hepatitis A being most common. The highest incidence rates were found in the Amazon region. There is marked variability by geographic region in the incidence rates during the study period. Public health implications. It is necessary to optimize the registry system, establish detection and treatment protocols, analyze the causes related to the higher incidence of FBD in the Amazon region, and design a health promotion program focused on preventing contamination and establishing diagnostic and treatment protocols. In order to describe the incidence rates per 100 000 population of foodborne disease (FBD) cases during the period 2015-2020 in Ecuador, we carried out a secondary analysis of epidemiological surveillance records and population projections from the National Institute of Statistics and Census. A total of 113,695 cases were reported with an incidence of more than 100 cases per 100 000 population (2015-2019). In 2020, the records are considerably lower than those reported in previous years. Most cases were reported as "other food poisoning". The highest incidence rates of FBD were found in the Amazon region. In general, there is a marked annual variability in the incidence of FBD according to the geographic regions of Ecuador. In conclusion, FBD represent a public health problem in Ecuador. Comprehensive preventive strategies should be designed with special emphasis on the Amazon region.

Multiphase Coexistence in an Ionic Liquid: 1-Decyl-3-methylimidazolium Nitrate.

Complicated phase transitions were observed in a single-component 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium nitrate ([C10mim][NO3]) ionic liquid (IL) using Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SWAXS). Time-resolved synchrotron SWAXS could distinguish the phase transitions depending upon the cooling rate. Low-Q peaks representing a few kinds of layered structures were decomposed. Multiphase coexistence was observed in [C10mim][NO3] at specific cooling rates (8-9 K/min). Ionic liquid crystals (ILCs), hybrid-layered crystals, and hexagonal close-packed structures coexisted simultaneously. At the cooling rate region, the reentrant phase transition of the ILC phase upon heating was observed.

The Influence Of Total Production, NTP And Grdp On Labor Absorption In The Coconut Plantation Subsector In Riau Province

This research aims to determine the effect of total production, Farmer Exchange Rate (NTP) and Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) on labor absorption in the smallholder coconut plantation subsector in Riau Province in 2012-2023. In this research, multiple linear regression techniques were used using the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method. The research results show that the simultaneous test (F test) shows that total production, NTP and GRDP together have a significant influence on labor absorption in the coconut plantation subsector in Riau Province in 2012-2023. Meanwhile, the partial regression test (t test) shows that total production has a positive and significant effect on labor absorption, NTP has a positive and significant effect on labor absorption, and GRDP has a negative and insignificant effect on labor absorption. The results of the coefficient of determination (R2) of the independent variable on the dependent variable obtained a value of 0.973238. This means that the contribution of the independent variables (total production, NTP and GRDP) to the dependent variable (demand for employment) is 97.32% and the remaining 2.68% is influenced by other variables outside the regression model in this research.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease attributable to air pollution in the South Asian countries: global burden of disease study 1990 - 2019.

This study investigates the burden of COPD attributable to air pollution in South Asia using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study from 1990 to 2019. Method Data for this study were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The burden was measured in terms of death, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and Years of life lost (YLLs). Results Since 1990, several countries in South Asia registered substantial declines in mortality rates attributed to COPD, ranging from -37.47% in Pakistan to -66.25% in Bangladesh. Similar trends were observed for DALYs and YLLs as well, which have potentially contributed to a considerable decrease in mortality rates at the regional level (-43.13%) compared to a 32.59% decline in Low SDI and 56.87% decline globally. Conclusion Despite significant declines since 1990, the burden of COPD attributable to air pollution reductions in the South Asian region's rates remains alarmingly high.

A multivariate piecewise interpolation model for viscosity representation and its application to the numerical simulation of non-isothermal polymer melt flow

In this study, a multivariate piecewise interpolation model is introduced to represent melt viscosity based on temperature and shear rate. The model does not require a predefined functional form for the entire data range, instead finding a suitable line between adjacent measured viscosity data points to obtain viscosity as a function of shear rate and temperature. To assess the effect of viscosity representation on polymer melt flow, a two-dimensional (2D) flow past a cylinder problem and a three-dimensional (3D) single screw extruder problem are numerically solved using different viscosity models. The pressure drop (ΔP) from the shift-factor model deviates by more than 10% at an average velocity (Uav) of 1 m/s due to overestimation of viscosity in the high shear rate region. The dimensionless thicknesses of the thermal boundary layer near the channel wall (δT/H) at wall temperature (Tw) of 210 °C are also misevaluated by more than 4% using both the shift-factor model and the Klein model, reflecting their poor viscosity evaluation. It is noteworthy that in all viscosity models, a high Tw leads to the formation of a thin thermal boundary layer, which adversely affects the heat transfer. In single screw extruder applications, viscosity misevaluation in high shear rate regions causes issues in pure drag flow cases, while misevaluation in low shear rate regions causes issues in pure back-pressure flow cases. These analyses highlight the accuracy and versatility of our multivariate piecewise interpolation model compared to existing viscosity models.

Study of the Physiological Characteristics of Drivers Facing Apparent Changes in Highway Tunnel Structures

The increasing frequency of structural damage and reinforcement repairs in long-term highway tunnels necessitates an understanding of their effects on drivers. This study examines drivers’ physiological responses to visible structural changes in highway tunnels. Using a vehicle static in-the-loop platform, we created various models of apparent tunnel structure changes for simulated driving experiments. These experiments enabled a detailed analysis of the effects of such changes on driver safety, utilizing metrics such as eye movements, regions of interest, heart rate, and vehicle speed. The results show that visible alterations in tunnel structures significantly affect drivers’ physiological responses. Structural spalling and fire residues within tunnel structures notably increased drivers’ vigilance and psychological stress, resulting in a 14.7% increase in the average number of fixations, a 26.35% increase in the average duration of fixations, and a 36.05% increase in heart rate variability. Additionally, tunnel spalling tends to cause drivers to accelerate or exceed the speed limit, with maximum speeds reaching 17.87% above the designed speed. In contrast, repairs involving cover arch erection had minimal impact on drivers, with eye movement and heart rate data similar to those in ordinary tunnels. However, reinforcement with steel strips and corrugated steel in tunnels has attracted significant attention, with the area of interest exceeding 50% of the tunnel area, potentially leading to distracted driving. This study clarifies the extent of the influence of visible tunnel structure changes on drivers, providing a reference for damage assessment, reinforcement, and repair measures for long-term operated tunnels.

Save A Leg – Exploring Disparities in Community Characteristics Between Regions of High and Low Leg Amputation Rates

ObjectiveTo explore the disparities in community characteristics between the regions with the highest and lowest leg amputation rates. ApproachThis study used an exploratory method to describe the disparities between community characteristics of these two regions. The study team used several data sources: 1) We used the Dartmouth Atlas Healthcare Map to identify the highest and lowest leg amputation areas. This data was based on leg amputations per 1,000 Medicare enrollees by Hospital referral regions (HRRs) in 2015. 2) We used population estimates and income data from The Census Bureau. 3) We gathered climate, crime index, walk score, bike lanes, and park data from numerous websites. ResultsFlorence, SC has the highest leg amputation rate and Bridgeport, CT has the lowest across the nation. Florence also shows higher cardiovascular disease and diabetes discharge rates. Florence’s population has a slightly higher percentage of persons 65 years and over, a higher percentage of bachelor’s degrees, a higher per capita income, and a lower poverty rate. Florence also has fewer parks, is less walkable or bikeable, and has worse crime. It is worth noting that Bridgeport is close to Yale New Haven Hospital, which has a Limb Preservation Program that could contribute to the region’s extremely low leg amputation rate. ConclusionsThere are disparities in community characteristics between the regions with the highest and lowest leg amputation rates. ImplicationsFuture work needs to investigate the association between community characteristics and leg amputation rates and assess the impact of the Limb Preservation Program.

Investigation of [formula omitted] formation in non-premixed, swirl-stabilised, wet hydrogen/air gas turbine combustor

In line with the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the use of fossil fuels is to be phased out in the coming decades. Fossil-free hydrogen is a promising candidate for decarbonising the energy sector. However, hydrogen combustion is known to produce undesirable emissions such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and calls for mitigation measures such as steam-diluted hydrogen combustion, which is known to reduce the NOx emissions. This study focuses on improving the understanding of NOx formation in a swirl-stabilised, steam-diluted, non-premixed hydrogen/air combustion using high-fidelity large eddy simulation (LES) and zero-dimensional (0D) perfectly stirred reactors (PSR). The LES results are used to identify four salient points in the domain where the NOx chemistry is analysed in detail. These points are chosen in the main flame, flame tail, post-flame and central recirculation regions. Note, the high heat release rate (HRR) region is referred to as the main flame while the flame tail denotes the low-HRR and V-shaped flame region adjacent to the main flame. Based on the LES data at these chosen points, the contribution of the major NO production pathways such as the Zeldovich mechanism, extended Zeldovich mechanism, N2O route and the NNH route are studied and reveal different rates of production of NO (i.e. ROPNO). Also, the role of individual reactions in NO production and consumption is investigated. Furthermore, reaction pathway diagrams illustrating the chemical pathways leading to NO are visualised. The sensitivity of NO to each reaction is also reported. These analyses provide insights into the NO chemical pathways observed at the salient points across the domain. The dominance of the Zeldovich mechanism remains but is much less compared to that in dry hydrogen combustion as its contribution to ROPNO is less than 20% at all the points considered. However, the extended Zeldovich mechanism is significant at all the points. The NNH route is observed to be important in the flame regions. The major NNH reaction contributing to ROPNO in the flame regions is NNH+O⇌NH+NO. Furthermore, the complex NO chemistry at all the identified points is presented in great detail using the above-mentioned analyses and illustrations. This work highlights the possibility of combining a high-fidelity simulation and a simple 0D ideal reactor to decipher the nuances of NO chemical pathways in a practical swirl-stabilised gas turbine combustor and provide new understanding for assisting engineers in designing clean burners.

The rheological behavior of aqueous magnetic fluids over a wide range of shear rates

Abstract A rheological measurement system was constructed to investigate the rheological behavior of magnetic fluids under a wide range of shear rates, and its feasibility was verified. The system is capable of measuring a shear rate range spanning five orders of magnitude, with a maximum shear rate of 106 s−1. It was utilized to study the time required for aqueous magnetic fluids in a magnetic field to reach a steady state, taking into account the coupling effect of the flow field and magnetic field. Additionally, the time needed for the magnetic fluids to return to their initial state after demagnetization was also measured. Based on these measurements, the rheological behavior of magnetic fluids with varying concentrations and magnetic field directions was studied. Results indicate that the residence time of the magnetic fluids in the magnetic field and the de-magnetization time have almost no effect on their viscosity. When the magnetic field direction is perpendicular to the flow direction, regardless of concentration, aqueous magnetic fluids exhibit shear thinning behavior; when it is parallel to the flow direction, high-concentration aqueous magnetic fluids show shear thickening, while low-concentration ones behave as Newtonian fluids. In this study’s shear rate range, no Newtonian regions were found in either high- or low-shear rate regions.

Sustainable concrete production: Mechanical and durability behaviour of slag-based geopolymer containing recycled geopolymer aggregate

Geopolymer binders, synthesized by activating aluminous and silicate-rich materials with alkalis, are attracting great interest as an environmentally friendly building material to replace cement due to their low CO2 emissions and the possibility of disposing of industrial wastes. Intensive research on geopolymer binders and the prospect of their future widespread use have raised questions about end-of-life strategies for geopolymer concrete (GPC). In this study, the durability and mechanical properties of new geopolymer concrete (GRAC) produced from aggregate derived from one-part slag-based GPC subjected to ambient curing were investigated. In addition to the properties of recycled geopolymer aggregates (RGAs) such as ASR reactivity, water absorption rate, organic matter content, specific gravity, the effects of RGA size and amount on mechanical strength, SEM analysis, surface topography and length variation of new GRAC produced by adding different proportions of fine and coarse RGAs (30 %, 60 % and 100 %) were investigated. Consequently, it was observed that GRAC exhibited a mechanical strength comparable to that of GPC produced with natural aggregate, while the void content, water absorption rate, surface pores and microcracks of GRAC increased with the increase in RGA content. In addition, the resistance of GRAC to environmental degradation (acid, sulfate, salt and water effect) decreased with the increase in porosity. The high water absorption rate, porous structure and weak interface region (ITZ) of RGAs make GRAC produced with these aggregates more sensitive to external aggressive chemicals.

Feeder bus service design under spatially heterogeneous demand

In rapidly sprawling urban areas and booming intercity express rail networks, efficiently designed feeder bus systems are more essential than ever to transport passengers to and from trunk-line rail terminals. When the feeder service region is sufficiently large, the spatial heterogeneity in demand distribution must be considered. This paper develops continuum approximation models for optimizing a heterogeneous fixed-route feeder network in a rectangular service region next to a rail terminal. Our work enhances previous studies by: (i) optimizing heterogeneous stop spacings along with line spacings and headways; (ii) accounting for passenger boarding and alighting numbers on bus dwell times and patron transfer delays at the rail terminal; and (iii) examining the advantages of asymmetric coordination between trunk and feeder schedules in both service directions. To tackle the increased modeling complexity, we introduce a semi-analytical method that combines analytically derived properties of the optimal solution with an iterative search algorithm. Local transit agencies can readily utilize this approach to design a real fixed-route feeder system.This paper reveals many findings and insights not previously reported. For instance, integrating the heterogeneous stop spacing optimization further reduces the system cost (by 4% under specific operating conditions). The cost savings increase with demand heterogeneity but decrease with the demand rate and service region size. Choosing the layout of feeder lines where buses pick up and drop off passengers along the service region’s shorter side also significantly lowers the system cost (by 6% when the service region’s aspect ratio is 1 to 2). Furthermore, coordinating trunk and feeder schedules in both service directions yields an additional cost saving of up to 20%.

Optimizing Distributions for Associated Entropic Vectors via Generative Convolutional Neural Networks.

The complete characterization of the almost-entropic region yields rate regions for network coding problems. However, this characterization is difficult and open. In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm to determine whether an arbitrary vector in the entropy space is entropic or not, by parameterizing and generating probability mass functions by neural networks. Given a target vector, the algorithm minimizes the normalized distance between the target vector and the generated entropic vector by training the neural network. The algorithm reveals the entropic nature of the target vector, and obtains the underlying distribution, accordingly. The proposed algorithm was further implemented with convolutional neural networks, which naturally fit the structure of joint probability mass functions, and accelerate the algorithm with GPUs. Empirical results demonstrate improved normalized distances and convergence performances compared with prior works. We also conducted optimizations of the Ingleton score and Ingleton violation index, where a new lower bound of the Ingleton violation index was obtained. An inner bound of the almost-entropic region with four random variables was constructed with the proposed method, presenting the current best inner bound measured by the volume ratio. The potential of a computer-aided approach to construct achievable schemes for network coding problems using the proposed method is discussed.

Microstructural Evolution and Hot Deformation Behavior of Cu‐Containing Twinning‐Induced Plasticity Steel

High manganese twinning‐induced plasticity (TWIP) steels with excellent strength and plasticity have promising applications in automotive manufacturing, but limited corrosion resistance affects their further development. Alloying with Cu is a viable solution to improve corrosion resistance. However, there remains a paucity of research concerning the effect of Cu on the hot deformation behavior of TWIP steels. So, the investigation of the recrystallization behavior and microstructural evolution in Fe‐23Mn‐6Cr‐3Al‐0.2C‐xCu (x = 0, 2.5) TWIP steels has been conducted using uniaxial hot compression test. The results reveal that Cu alloying exerts minimal influence on the high‐temperatur flow behavior, with dynamic recrystallization emerging as the predominant softening mechanism in Cu‐containing TWIP steels. However, owing to the drag effect of solute atoms, Cu alloying increases the activation energy for hot deformation and marginally reduces hot workability. Fine recrystallized grains in Cu‐containing TWIP steels can be achieved by hot deformation at lower temperatures and strain rate regions. The recrystallization behavior of Cu‐containing TWIP steels hot deformed at low temperatures and high strain rates is obviously inhibited by the increase of the activation energy and stacking fault energy, coupled with the hindering effect of Cu solute atoms clustered at grain boundaries on grain boundary migration.

The Service Rate Region Polytope

The Service Rate Region Polytope

Secure beamforming design for MISO URLLC networks in IoT applications

This paper investigates joint beamforming and artificial noise (AN) design for secure multiple-input single-output (MISO) ultra-reliable and low latency communication (URLLC) networks in Internet of Things (IoT) applications. In considered system, a base station (BS) transmits confidential information for individual IoT users using the short-packet communication technique under the wiretap of eavesdroppers. To enhance physical layer security, the BS injects additional dedicated AN symbols to degrade the information retrieval ability at eavesdroppers. In this paper, we aim to joint design the transmit beamforming and AN symbol to maximize the minimum URLLC secrecy rate of IoT user subject to the power budget of the BS. The optimization design problem is highly nonconvex due to coupled variables in the URLLC secrecy rate and channel dispersion expressions, and thus it is mathematically challenging to solve this problem directly. To overcome this issue, we first introduce various convex inner approximations to convexify the nonconvex terms, and then we develop an efficient iterative algorithm based on the sequential convex programming approach. Extensive numerical simulation results are conducted to investigate the URLLC secrecy rate region. In conclusion, the two new URLLC parameters, i.e., the transmit packet blocklength and block error probability, will cause the considerable degradation on the URLLC secrecy rate region when comparing to that of the traditional beamforming design based on the Shannon capacity.

Growth of organized flow coherent motions within a single-stream shear layer: 4D-PTV measurements

This study investigates the evolution of a single-stream shear layer (SSSL) originating from a wall boundary layer past a backward-facing step. Utilizing a time-resolved 3D-Particle Tracking Velocimetry (4D-PTV) technique, we track the trajectories of fluorescent particles to gain insight into the flow characteristics of the SSSL. A compact water tunnel facility (Reτ=1240\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\ extrm{Re}_\ au =1\\,240$$\\end{document}) is fabricated to obtain an SSSL with a perpendicular slow entrainment stream past the separation edge. A hybrid interpolation approach that combines ensemble binning and Gaussian weighting is implemented to derive minimally filtered mean and instantaneous lower- and higher-order flow field parameters. Spanwise-dominant coherent motion accompanied by finer flow scales is observed to grow due to flow entrainment through “nibbling” actions of small-scale vortices, “engulfing” by large-scale vortices, and vortex pairing events. Furthermore, the non-zero-speed stream edge grows relatively faster than the zero-speed stream edge, showing a strong asymmetry in mixing composition across a mixing layer. The SSSL reaches self-similarity at a streamwise distance of ≈55θ0\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\approx 55\\,\ heta _{0}$$\\end{document}, where θ0\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\ heta _0$$\\end{document} is the initial momentum thickness from the separation edge, i.e., considerably shorter than reported in previous studies. A literature comparison of growth rate parameters raises intriguing questions regarding a potential inclusive growth scaling unifying the free shear layers. A turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) budget analysis reveals a negative production region immediately downstream of the separation edge attributed to a large positive streamwise gradient of streamwise velocity. In the self-similar region, the phase-averaged flow mapping demonstrates a larger concentration of turbulence production rate around the outer edges of spanwise vortices, specifically at the intersection of braids and vortices. Furthermore, a spatial separation exists in the regions of peak production and dissipation rates within the vortex core region favoring dissipation. The braids exhibit a larger concentration of turbulence diffusion rates, indicating their function as a conduit for exchanging turbulence between neighboring coherent motions.

Reappraising the seismogenic potential of a low-strain rate region: Active faulting in the eastern Siena Basin (southern Tuscany, Italy)

We investigated the active tectonics and earthquake potential of the eastern Siena Basin, a slowly deforming portion of southern Tuscany in the inner Northern Apennines. This region hosts several historical settlements and valuable cultural heritage, but also frequent background seismicity and rare damaging earthquakes in the Mw range 5.0–6.2. We describe in detail an active, capable, and seismogenic fault system that we identified in the eastern Siena Basin, a few kilometers south-east of the city of Siena, thanks to the presence of an active quarry (Cava Capanni) that exploits travertines of Middle Pleistocene-Holocene age. Travertines are unique rock masses that may preserve living evidence of active and seismogenic faulting, thus providing remarkable seismotectonic insight. The active fault system consists of at least two segments rupturing travertines younger than 45 ka, with a cumulative vertical displacement of 111 cm, and an estimated minimum slip rate of 0.02–0.03 mm/y. We maintain that this displacement is the result of at least three coseismic movements accompanied by clastic dykes injected within the fault damage zone due to liquefaction phenomena. The fault system is seen to extend east of the quarry, affecting Pliocene and Mesozoic deposits.The Cava Capanni fault system is evidence of a poorly understood but potentially seismogenic tectonic mechanism of regional extent. Its orientation and kinematics are compatible with the activity of faults that are oriented obliquely or orthogonally to the main chain axis, in contrast with the setting of the axial and outer zone of the Northern Apennines, where extension and compression are accommodated by Apennines-parallel faults.

Jacobian-scaled K-means clustering for physics-informed segmentation of reacting flows

This work introduces Jacobian-scaled K-means (JSK-means) clustering, which is a physics-informed clustering strategy centered on the K-means framework. The method allows for the injection of underlying physical knowledge into the clustering procedure through a distance function modification: instead of leveraging conventional Euclidean distance vectors, the JSK-means procedure operates on distance vectors scaled by matrices obtained from dynamical system Jacobians evaluated at the cluster centroids. The goal of this work is to show how the JSK-means algorithm – without modifying the input dataset – produces clusters that capture regions of dynamical similarity, in that the clusters are redistributed towards high-sensitivity regions in phase space and are described by similarity in the source terms of samples instead of the samples themselves. The algorithm is demonstrated on a complex reacting flow simulation dataset (a channel detonation configuration), where the dynamics in the thermochemical composition space are known through the highly nonlinear and stiff Arrhenius-based chemical source terms. Interpretations of cluster partitions in both physical space and composition space reveal how JSK-means shifts clusters produced by standard K-means towards regions of high chemical sensitivity (e.g., towards regions of peak heat release rate near the detonation reaction zone). The findings presented here illustrate the benefits of utilizing Jacobian-scaled distances in clustering techniques, and the JSK-means method in particular displays promising potential for improving former partition-based modeling strategies in reacting flow (and other multi-physics) applications.