209 research outputs found
Sampling Theorem and Discrete Fourier Transform on the Riemann Sphere
Using coherent-state techniques, we prove a sampling theorem for Majorana's
(holomorphic) functions on the Riemann sphere and we provide an exact
reconstruction formula as a convolution product of samples and a given
reconstruction kernel (a sinc-type function). We also discuss the effect of
over- and under-sampling. Sample points are roots of unity, a fact which allows
explicit inversion formulas for resolution and overlapping kernel operators
through the theory of Circulant Matrices and Rectangular Fourier Matrices. The
case of band-limited functions on the Riemann sphere, with spins up to , is
also considered. The connection with the standard Euler angle picture, in terms
of spherical harmonics, is established through a discrete Bargmann transform.Comment: 26 latex pages. Final version published in J. Fourier Anal. App
An Introduction to Data Analysis in Asteroseismology
A practical guide is presented to some of the main data analysis concepts and
techniques employed contemporarily in the asteroseismic study of stars
exhibiting solar-like oscillations. The subjects of digital signal processing
and spectral analysis are introduced first. These concern the acquisition of
continuous physical signals to be subsequently digitally analyzed. A number of
specific concepts and techniques relevant to asteroseismology are then
presented as we follow the typical workflow of the data analysis process,
namely, the extraction of global asteroseismic parameters and individual mode
parameters (also known as peak-bagging) from the oscillation spectrum.Comment: Lecture presented at the IVth Azores International Advanced School in
Space Sciences on "Asteroseismology and Exoplanets: Listening to the Stars
and Searching for New Worlds" (arXiv:1709.00645), which took place in Horta,
Azores Islands, Portugal in July 201
Fear of the unknown: a pre-departure qualitative study of Turkish international students
This paper presents findings from eleven in-depth interviews with Turkish undergraduate students, who were, by the time of data collection, about to spend a semester at a European university under the Erasmus exchange scheme. The students all agreed to be interviewed about their feelings about studying in a foreign culture, and were found to be anxious prior to departure about the quality of accommodation in the new destination, their language ability and the opportunity to form friendships. Fears were expressed about possible misconceptions over Turkey as a Muslim and a developing country. Suggestions are made for HEI interventions to allay student travellersâ concerns
Markov Properties of Electrical Discharge Current Fluctuations in Plasma
Using the Markovian method, we study the stochastic nature of electrical
discharge current fluctuations in the Helium plasma. Sinusoidal trends are
extracted from the data set by the Fourier-Detrended Fluctuation analysis and
consequently cleaned data is retrieved. We determine the Markov time scale of
the detrended data set by using likelihood analysis. We also estimate the
Kramers-Moyal's coefficients of the discharge current fluctuations and derive
the corresponding Fokker-Planck equation. In addition, the obtained Langevin
equation enables us to reconstruct discharge time series with similar
statistical properties compared with the observed in the experiment. We also
provide an exact decomposition of temporal correlation function by using
Kramers-Moyal's coefficients. We show that for the stationary time series, the
two point temporal correlation function has an exponential decaying behavior
with a characteristic correlation time scale. Our results confirm that, there
is no definite relation between correlation and Markov time scales. However
both of them behave as monotonic increasing function of discharge current
intensity. Finally to complete our analysis, the multifractal behavior of
reconstructed time series using its Keramers-Moyal's coefficients and original
data set are investigated. Extended self similarity analysis demonstrates that
fluctuations in our experimental setup deviates from Kolmogorov (K41) theory
for fully developed turbulence regime.Comment: 25 pages, 9 figures and 4 tables. V3: Added comments, references,
figures and major correction
Elevated hematocrit enhances platelet accumulation following vascular injury
Red blood cells (RBCs) demonstrate procoagulant properties in vitro, and elevated hematocrit is associated with reduced bleeding and increased thrombosis risk in humans. These observations suggest RBCs contribute to thrombus formation. However, effects of RBCs on thrombosis are difficult to assess because humans and mice with elevated hematocrit typically have coexisting pathologies. Using an experimental model of elevated hematocrit in healthy mice, we measured effects of hematocrit in 2 in vivo clot formation models. We also assessed thrombin generation, platelet-thrombus interactions, and platelet accumulation in thrombi ex vivo, in vitro, and in silico. Compared with controls, mice with elevated hematocrit (RBCHIGH) formed thrombi at a faster rate and had a shortened vessel occlusion time. Thrombi in control and RBCHIGH mice did not differ in size or fibrin content, and there was no difference in levels of circulating thrombin-antithrombin complexes. In vitro, increasing the hematocrit increased thrombin generation in the absence of platelets; however, this effect was reduced in the presence of platelets. In silico, direct numerical simulations of whole blood predicted elevated hematocrit increases the frequency and duration of interactions between platelets and a thrombus.Whenhumanwhole blood was perfused over collagen at arterial shear rates, elevating the hematocrit increased the rate of platelet deposition and thrombus growth. These data suggest RBCs promote arterial thrombosis by enhancing platelet accumulation at the site of vessel injury. Maintaining a normal hematocrit may reduce arterial thrombosis risk in humans
On the selection of AGN neutrino source candidates for a source stacking analysis with neutrino telescopes
The sensitivity of a search for sources of TeV neutrinos can be improved by
grouping potential sources together into generic classes in a procedure that is
known as source stacking. In this paper, we define catalogs of Active Galactic
Nuclei (AGN) and use them to perform a source stacking analysis. The grouping
of AGN into classes is done in two steps: first, AGN classes are defined, then,
sources to be stacked are selected assuming that a potential neutrino flux is
linearly correlated with the photon luminosity in a certain energy band (radio,
IR, optical, keV, GeV, TeV). Lacking any secure detailed knowledge on neutrino
production in AGN, this correlation is motivated by hadronic AGN models, as
briefly reviewed in this paper.
The source stacking search for neutrinos from generic AGN classes is
illustrated using the data collected by the AMANDA-II high energy neutrino
detector during the year 2000. No significant excess for any of the suggested
groups was found.Comment: 43 pages, 12 figures, accepted by Astroparticle Physic
Abacavir, efavirenz, didanosine, with or without hydroxyurea, in HIV-infected adults failing initial nucleoside/protease inhibitor-containing regimens
Background: Hydroxyurea (HU) is an immunomodulatory agent that has been documented to enhance the antiretroviral activity of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, such as abacavir (ABC) and didanosine (ddI), and would be expected to improve virologic efficacy. Methods: A 48-week, phase IV, multicenter, open-label, proof-of-concept clinical trial was conducted to evaluate second-line, protease inhibitor (PI)-sparing therapy with ABC/efavirenz (EFV)/ddl plus HU or without HU in HIV-infected subjects failing to achieve HIV-1 RNA Ăąâ°Â€ 400 copies/mL after Ăąâ°Â„ 16 weeks of treatment with lamivudine /zidovudine or lamivudine/stavudine, plus 1 or 2 Pls. Subjects were assigned to ABC (300 mg twice daily)/ EFV (600 mg once daily)/ ddI (400 mg once daily) plus HU (500 mg twice daily) (n = 30) or this regimen without HU (n = 24). Results: Baseline mean HIV-1 RNA was 3.86 log10 copies/mL and CD4+ cell count was 345 cells/mm3. A similar percentage of subjects in the non-HU arm (58%) and HU arm (53%) completed the study. Intent-to-treat: missing = failure analysis showed no differences in proportions of subjects in the non-HU and HU arms achieving undetectable plasma HIV-1 RNA levels at week 24 (<400 copies/mL: 58% [14/24] vs 57% [17/30], P = 0.899; <50 copies/mL (50% [12/24] vs 47% [14/30], P = 0.780). Median change from baseline in CD4+ cell count in the non-HU and HU arms at week 48 was +114 cells/mm3 and -63 cells/mm3 (P = 0.007), respectively. Both regimens were generally well tolerated, although more subjects in the HU arm withdrew prematurely from the study due to adverse events (23% vs 4%). Four cases of possible ABC-related hypersensitivity were observed. Conclusion: ABC/EFV/ddI was an effective and well-tolerated second-line regimen for nucleoside/PI-experienced HIV-infected subjects. The addition of HU blunted the CD4+ cell response, did not appear to enhance antiviral activity, and resulted in more treatment-limiting adverse events
Search for Neutrino-Induced Cascades with AMANDA
We report on a search for electro-magnetic and/or hadronic showers (cascades)
induced by high energy neutrinos in the data collected with the AMANDA II
detector during the year 2000. The observed event rates are consistent with the
expectations for atmospheric neutrinos and muons. We place upper limits on a
diffuse flux of extraterrestrial electron, tau and muon neutrinos. A flux of
neutrinos with a spectrum which consists of an equal mix
of all flavors, is limited to at
a 90% confidence level for a neutrino energy range 50 TeV to 5 PeV. We present
bounds for specific extraterrestrial neutrino flux predictions. Several of
these models are ruled out.Comment: 18 pages, 12 figure
New results from the Antarctic Muon And Neutrino Detector Array
We present recent results from the Antarctic Muon And Neutrino Detector Array
(AMANDA) on searches for high-energy neutrinos of extraterrestrial origin. We
have searched for a diffuse flux of neutrinos, neutrino point sources and
neutrinos from GRBs and from WIMP annihilations in the Sun or the center of the
Earth. We also present a preliminary result on the first energy spectrum above
a few TeV for atmospheric neutrinos.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures, to be published in Nuclear Physics B (Proceedings
Supplement): Proceedings of the XXIst International Conference on Neutrino
Physics and Astrophysics, Paris, June 14-19, 200
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