9,335 research outputs found
Performance Bounds for Parameter Estimation under Misspecified Models: Fundamental findings and applications
Inferring information from a set of acquired data is the main objective of
any signal processing (SP) method. In particular, the common problem of
estimating the value of a vector of parameters from a set of noisy measurements
is at the core of a plethora of scientific and technological advances in the
last decades; for example, wireless communications, radar and sonar,
biomedicine, image processing, and seismology, just to name a few. Developing
an estimation algorithm often begins by assuming a statistical model for the
measured data, i.e. a probability density function (pdf) which if correct,
fully characterizes the behaviour of the collected data/measurements.
Experience with real data, however, often exposes the limitations of any
assumed data model since modelling errors at some level are always present.
Consequently, the true data model and the model assumed to derive the
estimation algorithm could differ. When this happens, the model is said to be
mismatched or misspecified. Therefore, understanding the possible performance
loss or regret that an estimation algorithm could experience under model
misspecification is of crucial importance for any SP practitioner. Further,
understanding the limits on the performance of any estimator subject to model
misspecification is of practical interest. Motivated by the widespread and
practical need to assess the performance of a mismatched estimator, the goal of
this paper is to help to bring attention to the main theoretical findings on
estimation theory, and in particular on lower bounds under model
misspecification, that have been published in the statistical and econometrical
literature in the last fifty years. Secondly, some applications are discussed
to illustrate the broad range of areas and problems to which this framework
extends, and consequently the numerous opportunities available for SP
researchers.Comment: To appear in the IEEE Signal Processing Magazin
Testicular histopathology, semen analysis and FSH, predictive value of sperm retrieval: supportive counseling in case of reoperation after testicular sperm extraction (TESE)
Background: To provide indicators for the likelihood of sperm retrieval in patients undergoing testicular sperm extraction is a major issue in the management of male infertility by TESE. The aim of our study was to determine the impact of different parameters, including testicular histopathology, on sperm retrieval in case of reoperation in patients undergoing testicular sperm extraction. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 486 patients who underwent sperm extraction for intracytoplasmic sperm injection and testicular biopsy. Histology was classified into: normal spermatogenesis; hypospermatogenesis (reduction in the number of normal spermatogenetic cells); maturation arrest (absence of the later stages of spermatogenesis); and Sertoli cell only (absence of germ cells). Semen analysis and serum FSH, LH and testosterone were measured. Results: Four hundred thirty patients had non obstructive azoospermia, 53 severe oligozoospermia and 3 necrozoospermia. There were 307 (63%) successful sperm retrieval. Higher testicular volume, lower levels of FSH, and better histological features were predictive for sperm retrieval. The same parameters and younger age were predictive factors for shorter time for sperm recovery. After multivariable analysis, younger age, better semen parameters, better histological features and lower values of FSH remained predictive for shorter time for sperm retrieval while better semen and histology remained predictive factors for successful sperm retrieval. The predictive capacity of a score obtained by summing the points assigned for selected predictors (1 point for Sertoli cell only, 0.33 points for azoospermia, 0.004 points for each FSH mIU/ml) gave an area under the ROC curve of 0.843. Conclusions: This model can help the practitioner with counseling infertile men by reliably predicting the chance of obtaining spermatozoa with testicular sperm extraction when a repeat attempt is planne
Hadronization in heavy ion collisions: Recombination and fragmentation of partons
We argue that the emission of hadrons with transverse momentum up to about 5
GeV/c in central relativistic heavy ion collisions is dominated by
recombination, rather than fragmentation of partons. This mechanism provides a
natural explanation for the observed constant baryon-to-meson ratio of about
one and the apparent lack of a nuclear suppression of the baryon yield in this
momentum range. Fragmentation becomes dominant at higher transverse momentum,
but the transition point is delayed by the energy loss of fast partons in dense
matter.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures; v2: reference [8] added; v3: Eq.(2) corrected,
two references added, version to appear in PR
Particle correlations at RHIC from parton coalescence dynamics -- first results
A new dynamical approach that combines covariant parton transport theory with
hadronization channels via parton coalescence and fragmentation is applied to
Au+Au at RHIC. Basic consequences of the simple coalescence formulas, such as
elliptic flow scaling and enhanced proton/pion ratio, turn out to be rather
sensitive to the spacetime aspects of coalescence dynamics.Comment: Contribution to Quark Matter 2004 (January 11-17, 2004, Oakland, CA).
4 pages, 2 EPS figs, IOP style fil
GRBs with optical afterglow and known redshift: a statistical study
We present a correlation between two intrinsic parameters of GRB optical
afterglows. These are the isotropic luminosity at the maximum of the light
curve (Lpeak) and the time-integrated isotropic energy (Eiso) radiated after
the observed maximum. We test the correlation between the logarithms of (Eiso)
and (Lpeak) and finally we value the effect of the different samples of GRBs in
according with the first optical observation reduced to proper time.Comment: To be published in the proceedings of the conference "SWIFT and GRBs:
Unveiling the Relativistic Universe", Venice, June 5-9, 200
Event anisotropy of identified , photon and electron compared to charged , , and deuteron in = 200 GeV Au+Au at PHENIX
We report the recent results of event anisotropy analysis focused on in
= 200 GeV Au+Au collisions at PHENIX.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, contribution to the proceedings of the 17th
International Conference on Ultra-Relativistic Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions
(Quark Matter, Oakland, January 11-17, 2004). To appear in the proceedings
(Journal of Physics G
Current state and future of biogas and digestate production
Over the past few years, the worldwide cost of energy has increased significantly, due to a growing global demand for energy and the decreasing availability of fossil fuel sources. Many countries are adopting environmental policies promoting the production and consumption of alternative, sustainable and renewable energy sources. Among these sources is green energy production through the anaerobic digestion of agricultural feedstock, like animal manure and food industry by-products, mainly aimed at producing biogas. Nevertheless, only a very small part of the biogas potential is currently used, while many European countries are facing huge problems caused by the overproduction of organic waste from industry, agriculture and households. Biogas production is an excellent way of using organic waste for energy generation, followed by the recycling of the digested substratum (digestate) as fertiliser. Many factors, like chemical composition and pH of raw materials, environmental temperature and microbial composition, influence the efficiency and reliability of the anaerobic digestion process. This paper reviews the current state and perspectives of biogas and digestate production, including the above factors influencing the biogas and digestate yields of anaerobic digestion
Recombination Models
We review the current status of recombination and coalescence models that
have been successfully applied to describe hadronization in heavy ion
collisions at RHIC energies. Basic concepts as well as actual implementations
of the idea are discussed. We try to evaluate where we stand in our
understanding at the moment and what remains to be done in the future.Comment: Plenary Talk at Quark Matter 2004, submitted to J. Phys. G, 8 pages,
3 figure
Magnetic Reconnection and Intermittent Turbulence in the Solar Wind
A statistical relationship between magnetic reconnection, current sheets and
intermittent turbulence in the solar wind is reported for the first time using
in-situ measurements from the Wind spacecraft at 1 AU. We identify
intermittency as non-Gaussian fluctuations in increments of the magnetic field
vector, , that are spatially and temporally non-uniform. The
reconnection events and current sheets are found to be concentrated in
intervals of intermittent turbulence, identified using the partial variance of
increments method: within the most non-Gaussian 1% of fluctuations in
, we find 87%-92% of reconnection exhausts and 9% of current
sheets. Also, the likelihood that an identified current sheet will also
correspond to a reconnection exhaust increases dramatically as the least
intermittent fluctuations are removed from the dataset. Hence, the turbulent
solar wind contains a hierarchy of intermittent magnetic field structures that
are increasingly linked to current sheets, which in turn are progressively more
likely to correspond to sites of magnetic reconnection. These results could
have far reaching implications for laboratory and astrophysical plasmas where
turbulence and magnetic reconnection are ubiquitous.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Physical Review Letter
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