Efficient estimation of Banach parameters in semiparametric models

Consider a semiparametric model with a Euclidean parameter and an infinite-dimensional parameter, to be called a Banach parameter. Assume: (a) There exists an efficient estimator of the Euclidean parameter. (b) When the value of the Euclidean parameter is known, there exists an estimator of the Banach parameter, which depends on this value and is efficient within this restricted model. Substituting the efficient estimator of the Euclidean parameter for the value of this parameter in the estimator of the Banach parameter, one obtains an efficient estimator of the Banach parameter for the full semiparametric model with the Euclidean parameter unknown. This hereditary property of efficiency completes estimation in semiparametric models in which the Euclidean parameter has been estimated efficiently. Typically, estimation of both the Euclidean and the Banach parameter is necessary in order to describe the random phenomenon under study to a sufficient extent. Since efficient estimators are asymptotically linear, the above substitution method is a particular case of substituting asymptotically linear estimators of a Euclidean parameter into estimators that are asymptotically linear themselves and that depend on this Euclidean parameter. This more general substitution case is studied for its own sake as well, and a hereditary property for asymptotic linearity is proved.Comment: Published at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/009053604000000913 in the Annals of Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aos/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

Effective non-intercommutation of local cosmic strings at high collision speeds

We present evidence that Abrikosov-Nielsen-Olesen (ANO) strings pass through each other for very high speeds of approach due to a double intercommutation. In near-perpendicular collisions numerical simulations give threshold speeds bounded above by $\sim 0.97 c$ for type I, and by $\sim 0.90 c$ for deep type II strings. The second intercommutation occurs because at ultra high collision speeds, the connecting segments formed by the first intercommutation are nearly static and almost antiparallel, which gives them time to interact and annihilate. A simple model explains the rough features of the threshold velocity dependence with the incidence angle. For deep type II strings and large incidence angles a second effect becomes dominant, the formation of a loop that catches up with the interpolating segments. The loop is related to the observed vortex - antivortex reemergence in two-dimensions. In this case the critical value for double intercommutation can become much lower.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures. data points added, plots for deep type II regime showing lower critical velocities, some minor changes in tex

Kinematic Constraints on Formation of Bound States of Cosmic Strings - Field Theoretical Approach

Superstring theory predicts the potential formation of string networks with bound states ending in junctions. Kinematic constraints for junction formation have been derived within the Nambu-Goto thin string approximation. Here we test these constraints numerically in the framework of the Abelian-Higgs model in the Type-I regime and report on good agreement with the analytical predictions. We also demonstrate that strings can effectively pass through each other when they meet at speeds slightly above the critical velocity permitting bound state formation. This is due to reconnection effects that are beyond the scope of the Nambu-Goto approximation.Comment: 6 pages, 12 eps figures - matches the published versio

Constraints on massive sterile neutrino species from current and future cosmological data

Sterile massive neutrinos are a natural extension of the Standard Model of elementary particles. The energy density of the extra sterile massive states affects cosmological measurements in an analogous way to that of active neutrino species. We perform here an analysis of current cosmological data and derive bounds on the masses of the active and the sterile neutrino states as well as on the number of sterile states. The so-called (3+2) models with three sub-eV active massive neutrinos plus two sub-eV massive sterile species is well within the 95% CL allowed regions when considering cosmological data only. If the two extra sterile states have thermal abundances at decoupling, Big Bang Nucleosynthesis bounds compromise the viability of (3+2) models. Forecasts from future cosmological data on the active and sterile neutrino parameters are also presented. Independent measurements of the neutrino mass from tritium beta decay experiments and of the Hubble constant could shed light on sub-eV massive sterile neutrino scenarios.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures. Journal versio

Translation and validation of EORTC QLQ-C30 into Indonesian version for cancer patients in Indonesia.

The Indonesian version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 can be used as a questionnaire to assess quality of life in Indonesian cancer patients with high-emetogenic treatments

Impact of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting on quality of life in indonesian patients with gynecologic cancer.

Patients reported a negative impact on the QoL of delayed emesis after chemotherapy. Poor prophylaxis of patients' nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy interferes with patients' QoL. Medical and behavioral interventions may help to alleviate the negative consequences of chemotherapeutic treatment in patients with gynecologic cancers treated with suboptimal antiemetics

Exploiting Cross Correlations and Joint Analyses

In this report, we present a wide variety of ways in which information from multiple probes of dark energy may be combined to obtain additional information not accessible when they are considered separately. Fundamentally, because all major probes are affected by the underlying distribution of matter in the regions studied, there exist covariances between them that can provide information on cosmology. Combining multiple probes allows for more accurate (less contaminated by systematics) and more precise (since there is cosmological information encoded in cross-correlation statistics) measurements of dark energy. The potential of cross-correlation methods is only beginning to be realized. By bringing in information from other wavelengths, the capabilities of the existing probes of dark energy can be enhanced and systematic effects can be mitigated further. We present a mixture of work in progress and suggestions for future scientific efforts. Given the scope of future dark energy experiments, the greatest gains may only be realized with more coordination and cooperation between multiple project teams; we recommend that this interchange should begin sooner, rather than later, to maximize scientific gains.Comment: Report from the "Dark Energy and CMB" working group for the American Physical Society's Division of Particles and Fields long-term planning exercise ("Snowmass"

A direct probe of cosmological power spectra of the peculiar velocity field and the gravitational lensing magnification from photometric redshift surveys

The cosmological peculiar velocity field (deviations from the pure Hubble flow) of matter carries significant information on dark energy, dark matter and the underlying theory of gravity on large scales. Peculiar motions of galaxies introduce systematic deviations between the observed galaxy redshifts z and the corresponding cosmological redshifts z_cos. A novel method for estimating the angular power spectrum of the peculiar velocity field based on observations of galaxy redshifts and apparent magnitudes m (or equivalently fluxes) is presented. This method exploits the fact that a mean relation between z_cos and m of galaxies can be derived from all galaxies in a redshift-magnitude survey. Given a galaxy magnitude, it is shown that the z_cos(m) relation yields its cosmological redshift with a 1-sigma error of sigma_z~0.3 for a survey like Euclid (~10^9 galaxies at z<~2), and can be used to constrain the angular power spectrum of z-z_cos(m) with a high signal-to-noise ratio. At large angular separations corresponding to l<~15, we obtain significant constraints on the power spectrum of the peculiar velocity field. At 15<~l<~60, magnitude shifts in the z_cos(m) relation caused by gravitational lensing magnification dominate, allowing us to probe the line-of-sight integral of the gravitational potential. Effects related to the environmental dependence in the luminosity function can easily be computed and their contamination removed from the estimated power spectra. The amplitude of the combined velocity and lensing power spectra at z~1 can be measured with <~5% accuracy.Comment: 22 pages, 3 figures; added a discussion of systematic errors, accepted for publication in JCA

Bestrijding van de wortelvlieg door middel van zaadcoating in peen, 2003 : toetsen van insecticiden op de wortelvlieglarve

In de teelt van peen (Daucus carota) is de wortelvlieg (Psila rosae (F.) ) een van de belangrijkste plagen. In Nederland kunnen drie generaties aanwezig zijn. Chloorfenvinfos als zaadbehandeling kan op basis van milieubelasting, hoewel op hectare basis slechts een fractie wordt gebruikt vergeleken met de granulaat toepassing, op termijn de toelating verliezen. Om deze redenen worden nieuwe middelen die minder milieu belastend zijn getoetst op hun effectiviteit om aantasting door de wortelvliegmade te voorkomen