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1. Fourier expansion of light‐cone Eisenstein series

   https://doi.org/10.1112/jlms.12805  

   Kelmer, Dubi; Yu, Shucheng (August 2023, Journal of the London Mathematical Society)

   Abstract In this work, we give an explicit formula for the Fourier coefficients of Eisenstein series corresponding to certain arithmetic lattices acting on hyperbolic ‐space. As a consequence, we obtain results on location of all poles of these Eisenstein series as well as their supremum norms. We use this information to get new results on counting rational points on spheres. 

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2. Quantum Control Machine: The Limits of Control Flow in Quantum Programming

   https://doi.org/10.1145/3649811  

   Yuan, Charles; Villanyi, Agnes; Carbin, Michael (April 2024, Proceedings of the ACM on Programming Languages)

   Quantum algorithms for tasks such as factorization, search, and simulation rely on control flow such as branching and iteration that depends on the value of data in superposition. High-level programming abstractions for control flow, such as switches, loops, higher-order functions, and continuations, are ubiquitous in classical languages. By contrast, many quantum languages do not provide high-level abstractions for control flow in superposition, and instead require the use of hardware-level logic gates to implement such control flow. The reason for this gap is that whereas a classical computer supports control flow abstractions using a program counter that can depend on data, the typical architecture of a quantum computer does not analogously provide a program counter that can depend on data in superposition. As a result, the complete set of control flow abstractions that can be correctly realized on a quantum computer has not yet been established. In this work, we provide a complete characterization of the properties of control flow abstractions that are correctly realizable on a quantum computer. First, we prove that even on a quantum computer whose program counter exists in superposition, one cannot correctly realize control flow in quantum algorithms by lifting the classical conditional jump instruction to work in superposition. This theorem denies the ability to directly lift general abstractions for control flow such as the λ-calculus from classical to quantum programming. In response, we present the necessary and sufficient conditions for control flow to be correctly realizable on a quantum computer. We introduce the quantum control machine, an instruction set architecture featuring a conditional jump that is restricted to satisfy these conditions. We show how this design enables a developer to correctly express control flow in quantum algorithms using a program counter in place of logic gates. 

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3. Arbuscular mycorrhizal Fungi as Inspiration for Sustainable Technology

   https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4030077  

   Torres, Maria J; Moreira, Geisianny; Bhadha, Jehangir H; McLamore, Eric S (September 2024, Encyclopedia)

   This review illuminates established knowledge of root–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)–plant mutualism to study the uptake of phosphorus (P) as a critical element for plant nutrition. We focus on P cycling, underscoring the role of AMF in enhancing P acquisition and plant resilience in the rhizosphere. The role(s) of plant roots, root exudates, and biomolecules in relevant soil processes is emphasized in this manuscript. Enhancing P uptake efficiency through AMF interaction presents a promising avenue for sustainable agriculture, with future research opportunities focusing on understanding underlying mechanisms and developing innovative technologies as a need to transition from the use of AMF as a biofertilizer or as an inoculation alternative for seeds to being an inspiration for the development of technology adapted to different crops. This is important to promote responsible agricultural practices and improve crop yields. We provide definitions of key terms and concepts for one of the best-known natural sustainable phosphorus systems. This manuscript illuminates and aims to inspire technology development to overcome the challenge of plant nutrition under P scarcity conditions. 

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4. Enhancing student experience and learning with iterative design in an intelligent educational game

   https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13526  

   Hare, Ryan; Ferguson, Sarah; Tang, Ying (October 2024, British Journal of Educational Technology)

   With increasing interest in computer‐assisted educa‐ tion, AI‐integrated systems become highly applicable with their ability to adapt based on user interactions. In this context, this paper focuses on understanding and analysing first‐year undergraduate student responses to an intelligent educational system that applies multi‐agent reinforcement learning as an AI tutor. With human–computer interaction at the centre, we discuss principles of interface design and educational gamification in the context of multiple years of student observations, student feedback surveys and focus group interviews. We show positive feedback from the design methodology we discuss as well as the overall process of providing automated tutoring in a gamified virtual environment. We also discuss students' thinking in the context of gamified educational systems, as well as unexpected issues that may arise when implementing such systems. Ultimately, our design iterations and analysis both offer new insights for practical implementation of computer‐assisted educational systems, focusing on how AI can augment, rather than replace, human intelligence in the classroom. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topicAI‐integrated systems show promise for personalizing learning and improving student education.Existing research has shown the value of personalized learner feedback.Engaged students learn more effectively.What this paper addsStudent opinions of and responses to an HCI‐based personalized educational system.New insights for practical implementation of AI‐integrated educational systems informed by years of student observations and system improvements.Qualitative insights into system design to improve human–computer interaction in educational systems.Implications for practice and/or policyActionable design principles for computer‐assisted tutoring systems derived from first‐hand student feedback and observations.Encourage new directions for human–computer interaction in educational systems. 

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5. The emergence of phonological dispersion through interaction: an exploratory secondary analysis of a communicative game

   https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1130837  

   Roberts, Gareth; Clark, Robin (May 2023, Frontiers in Psychology)

   IntroductionWhy is it that phonologies exhibit greater dispersion than we might expect by chance? In earlier work we investigated this using a non-linguistic communication game in which pairs of participants sent each other series of colors to communicate a set of animal silhouettes. They found that above-chance levels of dispersion, similar to that seen in vowel systems, emerged as a result of the production and perception demands acting on the participants. However, they did not investigate the process by which this dispersion came about. MethodTo investigate this we conducted a secondary statistical analysis of the data, looking in particular at how participants approached the communication task, how dispersion emerged, and what convergence looked like. ResultsWe found that dispersion was not planned from the start but emerged as a large-scale consequence of smaller-scale choices and adjustments. In particular, participants learned to reproduce colors more reliably over time, paid attention to signaling success, and shifted towards more extreme areas of the space over time. ConclusionThis study sheds light on the role of interactive processes in mediating between human minds and the emergence or larger-scale structure, as well as the distribution of features across the world's languages. 

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