152 research outputs found
Data clustering and noise undressing for correlation matrices
We discuss a new approach to data clustering. We find that maximum likelihood
leads naturally to an Hamiltonian of Potts variables which depends on the
correlation matrix and whose low temperature behavior describes the correlation
structure of the data. For random, uncorrelated data sets no correlation
structure emerges. On the other hand for data sets with a built-in cluster
structure, the method is able to detect and recover efficiently that structure.
Finally we apply the method to financial time series, where the low temperature
behavior reveals a non trivial clustering.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, completely rewritten and enlarged version of
cond-mat/0003241. Submitted to Phys. Rev.
A New Method to Estimate the Noise in Financial Correlation Matrices
Financial correlation matrices measure the unsystematic correlations between
stocks. Such information is important for risk management. The correlation
matrices are known to be ``noise dressed''. We develop a new and alternative
method to estimate this noise. To this end, we simulate certain time series and
random matrices which can model financial correlations. With our approach,
different correlation structures buried under this noise can be detected.
Moreover, we introduce a measure for the relation between noise and
correlations. Our method is based on a power mapping which efficiently
suppresses the noise. Neither further data processing nor additional input is
needed.Comment: 25 pages, 8 figure
A new generation of Parsec-Colibri stellar isochrones including the TP-AGB phase
We introduce a new generation of PARSEC-COLIBRI stellar isochrones that includes a detailed treatment of the thermally pulsing asymptotic giant branch (TP-AGB) phase, covering a wide range of initial metallicities (0.0001. < Z(i) < 0.06). Compared to previous releases, the main novelties and improvements are use of new TP-AGB tracks and related atmosphere models and spectra for M and C-type stars; inclusion of the surface H+He +CNO abundances in the isochrone tables, accounting for the effects of diffusion, dredge-up episodes and hot-bottom burning; inclusion of complete thermal pulse cycles, with a complete description of the in-cycle changes in the stellar parameters; new pulsation models to describe the long-period variability in the fundamental and firstovertone modes; and new dust models that follow the growth of the grains during the AGB evolution, in combination with radiative transfer calculations for the reprocessing of the photospheric emission. Overall, these improvements are expected to lead to a more consistent and detailed description of properties of TP-AGB stars expected in resolved stellar populations, especially in regard to their mean photometric properties from optical to mid-infrared wavelengths. We illustrate the expected numbers of TP-AGB stars of different types in stellar populations covering a wide range of ages and initial metallicities, providing further details on the "C-star island" that appears at intermediate values of age and metallicity, and about the AGB-boosting effect that occurs at ages close to 1.6-Gyr for populations of all metallicities. The isochrones are available through a new dedicated web server
Mutant Prourokinase with Adjunctive C1-Inhibitor Is an Effective and Safer Alternative to tPA in Rat Stroke
A single-site mutant (M5) of native urokinase plasminogen activator (prouPA) induces effective thrombolysis in dogs with venous or arterial thrombosis with a reduction in bleeding complications compared to tPA. This effect, related to inhibition of two-chain M5 (tcM5) by plasma C1-inhibitor (C1I), thereby preventing non-specific plasmin generation, was augmented by the addition of exogenous C1I to plasma in vitro. In the present study, tPA, M5 or placebo +/− C1I were administered in two rat stroke models. In Part-I, permanent MCA occlusion was used to evaluate intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) by the thrombolytic regimens. In Part II, thromboembolic occlusion was used with thrombolysis administered 2 h later. Infarct and edema volumes, and ICH were determined at 24 h, and neuroscore pre (2 h) and post (24 h) treatment. In Part I, fatal ICH occurred in 57% of tPA and 75% of M5 rats. Adjunctive C1I reduced this to 25% and 17% respectively. Similarly, semiquantitation of ICH by neuropathological examination showed significantly less ICH in rats given adjunctive C1I compared with tPA or M5 alone. In Part-II, tPA, M5, and M5+C1I induced comparable ischemic volume reductions (>55%) compared with the saline or C1I controls, indicating the three treatments had a similar fibrinolytic effect. ICH was seen in 40% of tPA and 50% of M5 rats, with 1 death in the latter. Only 17% of the M5+C1I rats showed ICH, and the bleeding score in this group was significantly less than that in either the tPA or M5 group. The M5+C1I group had the best Benefit Index, calculated by dividing percent brain salvaged by the ICH visual score in each group. In conclusion, adjunctive C1I inhibited bleeding by M5, induced significant neuroscore improvement and had the best Benefit Index. The C1I did not compromise fibrinolysis by M5 in contrast with tPA, consistent with previous in vitro findings
Surface and Temporal Biosignatures
Recent discoveries of potentially habitable exoplanets have ignited the
prospect of spectroscopic investigations of exoplanet surfaces and atmospheres
for signs of life. This chapter provides an overview of potential surface and
temporal exoplanet biosignatures, reviewing Earth analogues and proposed
applications based on observations and models. The vegetation red-edge (VRE)
remains the most well-studied surface biosignature. Extensions of the VRE,
spectral "edges" produced in part by photosynthetic or nonphotosynthetic
pigments, may likewise present potential evidence of life. Polarization
signatures have the capacity to discriminate between biotic and abiotic "edge"
features in the face of false positives from band-gap generating material.
Temporal biosignatures -- modulations in measurable quantities such as gas
abundances (e.g., CO2), surface features, or emission of light (e.g.,
fluorescence, bioluminescence) that can be directly linked to the actions of a
biosphere -- are in general less well studied than surface or gaseous
biosignatures. However, remote observations of Earth's biosphere nonetheless
provide proofs of concept for these techniques and are reviewed here. Surface
and temporal biosignatures provide complementary information to gaseous
biosignatures, and while likely more challenging to observe, would contribute
information inaccessible from study of the time-averaged atmospheric
composition alone.Comment: 26 pages, 9 figures, review to appear in Handbook of Exoplanets.
Fixed figure conversion error
Risk of End-Stage Liver Disease in HIV-Viral Hepatitis Coinfected Persons in North America From the Early to Modern Antiretroviral Therapy Eras
Background. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected patients coinfected with hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses are at increased risk of end-stage liver disease (ESLD). Whether modern antiretroviral therapy has reduced ESLD risk is unknown
Highly Volcanic Exoplanets, Lava Worlds, and Magma Ocean Worlds:An Emerging Class of Dynamic Exoplanets of Significant Scientific Priority
Highly volcanic exoplanets, which can be variously characterized as 'lava
worlds', 'magma ocean worlds', or 'super-Ios' are high priority targets for
investigation. The term 'lava world' may refer to any planet with extensive
surface lava lakes, while the term 'magma ocean world' refers to planets with
global or hemispherical magma oceans at their surface. 'Highly volcanic
planets', including super-Ios, may simply have large, or large numbers of,
active explosive or extrusive volcanoes of any form. They are plausibly highly
diverse, with magmatic processes across a wide range of compositions,
temperatures, activity rates, volcanic eruption styles, and background
gravitational force magnitudes. Worlds in all these classes are likely to be
the most characterizable rocky exoplanets in the near future due to
observational advantages that stem from their preferential occurrence in short
orbital periods and their bright day-side flux in the infrared. Transit
techniques should enable a level of characterization of these worlds analogous
to hot Jupiters. Understanding processes on highly volcanic worlds is critical
to interpret imminent observations. The physical states of these worlds are
likely to inform not just geodynamic processes, but also planet formation, and
phenomena crucial to habitability. Volcanic and magmatic activity uniquely
allows chemical investigation of otherwise spectroscopically inaccessible
interior compositions. These worlds will be vital to assess the degree to which
planetary interior element abundances compare to their stellar hosts, and may
also offer pathways to study both the very young Earth, and the very early form
of many silicate planets where magma oceans and surface lava lakes are expected
to be more prevalent. We suggest that highly volcanic worlds may become second
only to habitable worlds in terms of both scientific and public long-term
interest.Comment: A white paper submitted in response to the National Academy of
Sciences 2018 Exoplanet Science Strategy solicitation, from the NASA Sellers
Exoplanet Environments Collaboration (SEEC) of the Goddard Space Flight
Center. 6 pages, 0 figure
Life Beyond the Solar System: Remotely Detectable Biosignatures
For the first time in human history, we will soon be able to apply to the scientific method to the question "Are We Alone?" The rapid advance of exoplanet discovery, planetary systems science, and telescope technology will soon allow scientists to search for life beyond our Solar System through direct observation of extrasolar planets. This endeavor will occur alongside searches for habitable environments and signs of life within our Solar System. While these searches are thematically related and will inform each other, they will require separate observational techniques. The search for life on exoplanets holds potential through the great diversity of worlds to be explored beyond our Solar System. However, there are also unique challenges related to the relatively limited data this search will obtain on any individual world
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