945 research outputs found
Evaluation of bistable systems versus matched filters in detecting bipolar pulse signals
This paper presents a thorough evaluation of a bistable system versus a
matched filter in detecting bipolar pulse signals. The detectability of the
bistable system can be optimized by adding noise, i.e. the stochastic resonance
(SR) phenomenon. This SR effect is also demonstrated by approximate statistical
detection theory of the bistable system and corresponding numerical
simulations. Furthermore, the performance comparison results between the
bistable system and the matched filter show that (a) the bistable system is
more robust than the matched filter in detecting signals with disturbed pulse
rates, and (b) the bistable system approaches the performance of the matched
filter in detecting unknown arrival times of received signals, with an
especially better computational efficiency. These significant results verify
the potential applicability of the bistable system in signal detection field.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figures, MikTex v2.
Validation and verification of the GeneFinder (TM) COVID-19 Plus RealAmp kit on the ELITe InGenius (R) instrument
Background: Throughout the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, a rapid identification of the virus was essential to quickly recognize positive cases and limit further spread by applying appropriate infection prevention. Many diagnostic laboratories use a multiplex Real-Time PCR assay, as they are not only highly sensitive but also specific. Currently, there are several assays and platforms in the market available which target different SARS-CoV-2 genes. The aim of this study was to validate and verify the GeneFinder (TM) COVID-19 PLUS RealAmp kit on the ELITe InGenius (R) instrument and compare to the national reference method. Methods: GeneFinder (TM) COVID-19 PLUS RealAmp kit was evaluated against the routine WHO in- house RealTime PCR assay, which is also the national reference method in the Netherlands and used in our laboratory. The sensitivity was tested using the analytical panel from Qnostics (Glasgow, United Kingdom) and the specificity was tested with patient material comprising of other seasonal respiratory viruses. In addition, 96 clinical samples initially analyzed by routine Real-Time PCR were tested using the GeneFinder (TM) COVID-19 PLUS RealAmp kit on the ELITe InGenius (R) instrument. Results: The GeneFinder (TM) COVID-19 PLUS RealAmp kit had a similar performance compared to routine in-house testing, with a limit of detection of 500 dC/mL for the RdRp-gene and E gene. Meanwhile, the N gene showed a limit of detection of 50 dC/mL. The SARS-CoV-2 test was highly specific and detected no other respiratory viruses. The results of the clinical samples were comparable between both assays with similar Ct values observed for the in-house Real-Time-PCR and the GeneFinder (TM) COVID-19 PLUS RealAmp kit for the N gene. Conclusion: The GeneFinder (TM) COVID-19 PLUS RealAmp kit on the ELITe InGenius (R) instrument had an appropriate sensitivity and specificity that could be used in small scale laboratories or during night shifts where accurate diagnostics are crucial
Escape rate from a metastable state weakly interacting with a heat bath driven by an external noise
Based on a system-reservoir model, where the reservoir is driven by an
external stationary, Gaussian noise with arbitrary decaying correlation
function, we study the escape rate from a metastable state in the energy
diffusion regime. For the open system we derive the Fokker-Planck equation in
the energy space and subsequently calculate the generalized non-Markovian
escape rate from a metastable well in the energy diffusion domain. By
considering the dynamics in a model cubic potential we show that the results
obtained from numerical simulation are in good agreement with the theoretical
prediction. It has been also shown numerically that the well known turnover
feature can be restored from our model.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figure
Stochastic Calculus for a Time-changed Semimartingale and the Associated Stochastic Differential Equations
It is shown that under a certain condition on a semimartingale and a
time-change, any stochastic integral driven by the time-changed semimartingale
is a time-changed stochastic integral driven by the original semimartingale. As
a direct consequence, a specialized form of the Ito formula is derived. When a
standard Brownian motion is the original semimartingale, classical Ito
stochastic differential equations driven by the Brownian motion with drift
extend to a larger class of stochastic differential equations involving a
time-change with continuous paths. A form of the general solution of linear
equations in this new class is established, followed by consideration of some
examples analogous to the classical equations. Through these examples, each
coefficient of the stochastic differential equations in the new class is given
meaning. The new feature is the coexistence of a usual drift term along with a
term related to the time-change.Comment: 27 pages; typos correcte
Doing calories: the practices of dieting using calorie counting app MyFitnessPal
The existing literature on fatness has critically discussed meanings and morals associated with body weight and explored peopleâs experiences of weight loss attempts. However, little attention has been paid to the practices of dieting â how it is âdoneâ. Based on an interview study involving 31 participants, who shared their self-tracking experience of using the MyFitnessPal calorie counting app, we focus on the practices of âdoingâ calories. First, we discuss the practices of temporality of logging food, showing that the use of MyFitnessPal not only has to be fitted into daily routines but can also transform them. Then, we look at the practices of precision or usersâ various ways of turning the âmessinessâ of food into precise numbers. Lastly, we explore usersâ practices of adjustments â their attitudes to adherence to their daily calorie goal and ways of dealing with going above it. Based on our findings we suggest calorie counting is not a straightforward data collection, but one that involves constant practical strategies and negotiations, and can both influence and be influenced by other everyday practices
Size Acceptance: A Discursive Analysis of Online Blogs
This document is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis Group in Fat Studies on 25 May 2018, available online at: https://doi.org/10.1080/21604851.2018.1473704. Under embargo until 25 May 2019.Dominant discourses of âfatnessâ and âfat peopleâ have implications for physical and mental health. Although alternative discourses such as âsize acceptanceâ exist, there has been little consideration of the ways in which these alternative arguments (and speakers) may be positioned to be heard. Using a discursive thematic analysis, the authors demonstrate that size acceptance online bloggers have created a community online that enables them to persuasively provide alternative claims to âexpertise,â which positions their views as credible and legitimate alternatives to those of more established authority figuresâsuch as health professionals. This has implications not only for the lived experience of fat people, but also for researchers by emphasizing the importance of exploring not just what is said, but how, if we are to understand how different articulated positions are to be persuasive.Peer reviewe
Decision and function problems based on boson sampling
Boson sampling is a mathematical problem that is strongly believed to be
intractable for classical computers, whereas passive linear interferometers can
produce samples efficiently. So far, the problem remains a computational
curiosity, and the possible usefulness of boson-sampling devices is mainly
limited to the proof of quantum supremacy. The purpose of this work is to
investigate whether boson sampling can be used as a resource of decision and
function problems that are computationally hard, and may thus have
cryptographic applications. After the definition of a rather general
theoretical framework for the design of such problems, we discuss their
solution by means of a brute-force numerical approach, as well as by means of
non-boson samplers. Moreover, we estimate the sample sizes required for their
solution by passive linear interferometers, and it is shown that they are
independent of the size of the Hilbert space.Comment: Close to the version published in PR
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