37,273 research outputs found
Objective Classification of Galaxy Spectra using the Information Bottleneck Method
A new method for classification of galaxy spectra is presented, based on a
recently introduced information theoretical principle, the `Information
Bottleneck'. For any desired number of classes, galaxies are classified such
that the information content about the spectra is maximally preserved. The
result is classes of galaxies with similar spectra, where the similarity is
determined via a measure of information. We apply our method to approximately
6000 galaxy spectra from the ongoing 2dF redshift survey, and a mock-2dF
catalogue produced by a Cold Dark Matter-based semi-analytic model of galaxy
formation. We find a good match between the mean spectra of the classes found
in the data and in the models. For the mock catalogue, we find that the classes
produced by our algorithm form an intuitively sensible sequence in terms of
physical properties such as colour, star formation activity, morphology, and
internal velocity dispersion. We also show the correlation of the classes with
the projections resulting from a Principal Component Analysis.Comment: submitted to MNRAS, 17 pages, Latex, with 14 figures embedde
Local quasi hidden variable modelling and violations of Bell-type inequalities by a multipartite quantum state
We introduce for a general correlation scenario a new simulation model, a
local quasi hidden variable (LqHV) model, where locality and the
measure-theoretic structure inherent to an LHV model are preserved but
positivity of a simulation measure is dropped. We specify a necessary and
sufficient condition for LqHV modelling and, based on this, prove that every
quantum correlation scenario admits an LqHV simulation. Via the LqHV approach,
we construct analogs of Bell-type inequalities for an N-partite quantum state
and find a new analytical upper bound on the maximal violation by an N-partite
quantum state of S_{1}x...xS_{N}-setting Bell-type inequalities - either on
correlation functions or on joint probabilities and for outcomes of an
arbitrary spectral type, discrete or continuous. This general analytical upper
bound is expressed in terms of the new state dilation characteristics
introduced in the present paper and not only traces quantum states admitting an
S_{1}x...xS_{N}-setting LHV description but also leads to the new exact
numerical upper estimates on the maximal Bell violations for concrete N-partite
quantum states used in quantum information processing and for an arbitrary
N-partite quantum state. We, in particular, prove that violation by an
N-partite quantum state of an arbitrary Bell-type inequality (either on
correlation functions or on joint probabilities) for S settings per site cannot
exceed (2S-1)^{N-1} even in case of an infinite dimensional quantum state and
infinitely many outcomes.Comment: Improved, edited versio
Threshold bounds for noisy bipartite states
For a nonseparable bipartite quantum state violating the
Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt (CHSH) inequality, we evaluate amounts of noise
breaking the quantum character of its statistical correlations under any
generalized quantum measurements of Alice and Bob. Expressed in terms of the
reduced states, these new threshold bounds can be easily calculated for any
concrete bipartite state. A noisy bipartite state, satisfying the extended CHSH
inequality and the perfect correlation form of the original Bell inequality for
any quantum observables, neither necessarily admits a local hidden variable
model nor exhibits the perfect correlation of outcomes whenever the same
quantum observable is measured on both "sides".Comment: 9 pages; v.2: minor editing corrections; to appear in J. Phys. A:
Math. Ge
Not throwing out the baby with the bathwater: Bell's condition of local causality mathematically 'sharp and clean'
The starting point of the present paper is Bell's notion of local causality
and his own sharpening of it so as to provide for mathematical formalisation.
Starting with Norsen's (2007, 2009) analysis of this formalisation, it is
subjected to a critique that reveals two crucial aspects that have so far not
been properly taken into account. These are (i) the correct understanding of
the notions of sufficiency, completeness and redundancy involved; and (ii) the
fact that the apparatus settings and measurement outcomes have very different
theoretical roles in the candidate theories under study. Both aspects are not
adequately incorporated in the standard formalisation, and we will therefore do
so. The upshot of our analysis is a more detailed, sharp and clean mathematical
expression of the condition of local causality. A preliminary analysis of the
repercussions of our proposal shows that it is able to locate exactly where and
how the notions of locality and causality are involved in formalising Bell's
condition of local causality.Comment: 14 pages. To be published in PSE volume "Explanation, Prediction, and
Confirmation", edited by Dieks, et a
Comments on the superluminal motion in Cygnus X-3
Following the recent discovery that Cyg X-3 exhibits superluminal motion, the
implications of superluminal expansion and contraction are investigated. We
propose that the effect is due to either a propagating photon pattern or to
outwardly moving shells illuminated by an intense beam of radiation.Comment: accepted for publication in MNRAS; 5 pages, 3 figure
Physical Logic
In R.D. Sorkin's framework for logic in physics a clear separation is made
between the collection of unasserted propositions about the physical world and
the affirmation or denial of these propositions by the physical world. The
unasserted propositions form a Boolean algebra because they correspond to
subsets of an underlying set of spacetime histories. Physical rules of
inference, apply not to the propositions in themselves but to the affirmation
and denial of these propositions by the actual world. This physical logic may
or may not respect the propositions' underlying Boolean structure. We prove
that this logic is Boolean if and only if the following three axioms hold: (i)
The world is affirmed, (ii) Modus Ponens and (iii) If a proposition is denied
then its negation, or complement, is affirmed. When a physical system is
governed by a dynamical law in the form of a quantum measure with the rule that
events of zero measure are denied, the axioms (i) - (iii) prove to be too rigid
and need to be modified. One promising scheme for quantum mechanics as quantum
measure theory corresponds to replacing axiom (iii) with axiom (iv) Nature is
as fine grained as the dynamics allows.Comment: 14 pages, v2 published version with a change in the title and other
minor change
On the probabilistic description of a multipartite correlation scenario with arbitrary numbers of settings and outcomes per site
We consistently formalize the probabilistic description of multipartite joint
measurements performed on systems of any nature. This allows us: (1) to specify
in probabilistic terms the difference between nonsignaling, the Einstein-
Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) locality and Bell's locality; (2) to introduce the notion
of an LHV model for an S_{1}x...xS_{N}-setting N-partite correlation
experiment, with outcomes of any spectral type, discrete or continuous, and to
prove both general and specific "quantum" statements on an LHV simulation in an
arbitrary multipartite case; (3) to classify LHV models for a multipartite
quantum state, in particular, to show that any N-partite quantum state, pure or
mixed, admits an Sx1x...x1 -setting LHV description; (4) to evaluate a
threshold visibility for a noisy bipartite quantum state to admit an S_{1}xS_
{2}-setting LHV description under any generalized quantum measurements of two
parties. In a sequel to this paper, we shall introduce a single general
representation incorporating in a unique manner all Bell-type inequalities for
either joint probabilities or correlation functions that have been introduced
or will be introduced in the literature.Comment: 26 pages; added section Conclusions and some references for section
Randomised positive control trial of NSAID and antimicrobial treatment for calf fever caused by pneumonia
One hundred and fifty-four preweaning calves were followed between May and October 2015. Calves were fitted with continuous monitoring temperature probes (TempVerified FeverTag), programmed so a flashing light emitting diode (LED) light was triggered following six hours of a sustained ear canal temperature of ≥39.7°C. A total of 83 calves (61.9 per cent) developed undifferentiated fever, with a presumptive diagnosis of pneumonia through exclusion of other calf diseases. Once fever was detected, calves were randomly allocated to treatment groups. Calves in group 1 (NSAID) received 2 mg/kg flunixin meglumine (Allevinix, Merial) for three consecutive days and group 2 (antimicrobial) received 6 mg/kg gamithromycin (Zactran, Merial). If fever persisted for 72 hours after the initial treatment, calves were given further treatment (group 1 received antimicrobial and group 2 received NSAID). Calves in group 1 (NSAID) were five times more likely (P=0.002) to require a second treatment (the antimicrobial) after 72 hours to resolve the fever compared with the need to give group 2 (antimicrobial) calves a second treatment (NSAID). This demonstrates the importance of ongoing monitoring and follow-up of calves with respiratory disease. However, of calves with fever in group 1 (NSAID), 25.7 per cent showed resolution following NSAID-only treatment with no detrimental effect on the development of repeated fever or daily live weight gain. This suggests that NSAID alone may be a useful first-line treatment, provided adequate attention is given to ongoing monitoring to identify those cases that require additional antimicrobial treatment
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