Metric adjusted skew information

We extend the concept of Wigner-Yanase-Dyson skew information to something we call ``metric adjusted skew information'' (of a state with respect to a conserved observable). This ``skew information'' is intended to be a non-negative quantity bounded by the variance (of an observable in a state) that vanishes for observables commuting with the state. We show that the skew information is a convex function on the manifold of states. It also satisfies other requirements, proposed by Wigner and Yanase, for an effective measure-of-information content of a state relative to a conserved observable. We establish a connection between the geometrical formulation of quantum statistics as proposed by Chentsov and Morozova and measures of quantum information as introduced by Wigner and Yanase and extended in this article. We show that the set of normalized Morozova-Chentsov functions describing the possible quantum statistics is a Bauer simplex and determine its extreme points. We determine a particularly simple skew information, the ``lambda-skew information,'' parametrized by a lambda in (0,1], and show that the convex cone this family generates coincides with the set of all metric adjusted skew informations. Key words: Skew information, convexity, monotone metric, Morozova-Chentsov function, lambda-skew information.Comment: Edited the abstract and the introductio

Inequalities for quantum skew information

We study quantum information inequalities and show that the basic inequality between the quantum variance and the metric adjusted skew information generates all the multi-operator matrix inequalities or Robertson type determinant inequalities studied by a number of authors. We introduce an order relation on the set of functions representing quantum Fisher information that renders the set into a lattice with an involution. This order structure generates new inequalities for the metric adjusted skew informations. In particular, the Wigner-Yanase skew information is the maximal skew information with respect to this order structure in the set of Wigner-Yanase-Dyson skew informations. Key words and phrases: Quantum covariance, metric adjusted skew information, Robertson-type uncertainty principle, operator monotone function, Wigner-Yanase-Dyson skew information

Viscosity and thermal conductivity of model Jupiter atmospheres

The viscosity and thermal conductivity coefficient are estimated for three models of the atmosphere of Jupiter: a heavy model consisting of 22% helium and 78% hydrogen, a nominal model consisting of 11% helium and 89% hydrogen, and a light model consisting of pure hydrogen. The effect of trace elements is neglected. Linearized approximations are used for the transport coefficients of the mixtures; these are found to be in almost constant ratio to the values for pure hydrogen, independent of temperature. Short Basic language programs for computing the coefficients are listed

Estimating bayesian decision problems with heterogeneous priors

In many areas of economics there is a growing interest in how expertise and preferences drive individual and group decision making under uncertainty. Increasingly, we wish to estimate such models to quantify which of these drive decision making. In this paper we propose a new channel through which we can empirically identify expertise and preference parameters by using variation in decisions over heterogeneous priors. Relative to existing estimation approaches, our \PriorBased Identi cation" extends the possible environments which can be estimated, and also substantially improves the accuracy and precision of estimates in those environments which can be estimated using existing methods

Trace functions as Laplace transforms

We study trace functions on the form t\to\tr f(A+tB) where $f$ is a real function defined on the positive half-line, and $A$ and $B$ are matrices such that $A$ is positive definite and $B$ is positive semi-definite. If $f$ is non-negative and operator monotone decreasing, then such a trace function can be written as the Laplace transform of a positive measure. The question is related to the Bessis-Moussa-Villani conjecture. Key words: Trace functions, BMV-conjecture.Comment: Minor change of style, update of referenc

Dynamic Rearrangements and Packing Regimes in Randomly Deposited Two-Dimensional Granular Beds

We study the structural properties of two-dimensional granular packings prepared by random deposition from a source line. We consider a class of random ballistic deposition models based on single-particle relaxation rules controlled by a critical angle, and we show that these local rules can be formulated as rolling friction in the framework of dynamic methods for the simulation of granular materials. We find that a packing prepared by random deposition models is generically unstable, and undergoes dynamic rearrangements. As a result, the dynamic method leads systematically to a higher solid fraction than the geometrical model for the same critical angle. We characterize the structure of the packings generated by both methods in terms of solid fraction, contact connectivity and anisotropy. Our analysis provides evidence for four packing regimes as a function of solid fraction, the mechanisms of packing growth being different in each regime.Comment: 36 pages, 17 figures to be published in Phys.Rev E. September 200

How many nucleosynthesis processes exist at low metallicity?

Abundances of low-metallicity stars offer a unique opportunity to understand the contribution and conditions of the different processes that synthesize heavy elements. Many old, metal-poor stars show a robust abundance pattern for elements heavier than Ba, and a less robust pattern between Sr and Ag. Here we probe if two nucleosynthesis processes are sufficient to explain the stellar abundances at low metallicity, and we carry out a site independent approach to separate the contribution from these two processes or components to the total observationally derived abundances. Our approach provides a method to determine the contribution of each process to the production of elements such as Sr, Zr, Ba, and Eu. We explore the observed star-to-star abundance scatter as a function of metallicity that each process leads to. Moreover, we use the deduced abundance pattern of one of the nucleosynthesis components to constrain the astrophysical conditions of neutrino-driven winds from core-collapse supernovae.Comment: 13 pages, published in Ap

Extensions of Lieb's concavity theorem

The operator function (A,B)\to\tr f(A,B)(K^*)K, defined on pairs of bounded self-adjoint operators in the domain of a function f of two real variables, is convex for every Hilbert Schmidt operator K, if and only if f is operator convex. As a special case we obtain a new proof of Lieb's concavity theorem for the function (A,B)\to\tr A^pK^*B^{q}K, where p and q are non-negative numbers with sum p+q\le 1. In addition, we prove concavity of the operator function (A,B)\to \tr(A(A+\mu_1)^{-1}K^* B(B+\mu_2)^{-1}K) on its natural domain D_2(\mu_1,\mu_2), cf. Definition 4.1Comment: The format of one reference is changed such that CiteBase can identify i