406 research outputs found
Recent Developments in Complex and Spatially Correlated Functional Data
As high-dimensional and high-frequency data are being collected on a large
scale, the development of new statistical models is being pushed forward.
Functional data analysis provides the required statistical methods to deal with
large-scale and complex data by assuming that data are continuous functions,
e.g., a realization of a continuous process (curves) or continuous random
fields (surfaces), and that each curve or surface is considered as a single
observation. Here, we provide an overview of functional data analysis when data
are complex and spatially correlated. We provide definitions and estimators of
the first and second moments of the corresponding functional random variable.
We present two main approaches: The first assumes that data are realizations of
a functional random field, i.e., each observation is a curve with a spatial
component. We call them 'spatial functional data'. The second approach assumes
that data are continuous deterministic fields observed over time. In this case,
one observation is a surface or manifold, and we call them 'surface time
series'. For the two approaches, we describe software available for the
statistical analysis. We also present a data illustration, using a
high-resolution wind speed simulated dataset, as an example of the two
approaches. The functional data approach offers a new paradigm of data
analysis, where the continuous processes or random fields are considered as a
single entity. We consider this approach to be very valuable in the context of
big data.Comment: Some typos fixed and new references adde
Lorentzian and signature changing branes
General hypersurface layers are considered in order to describe brane-worlds
and shell cosmologies. No restriction is placed on the causal character of the
hypersurface which may thus have internal changes of signature. Strengthening
the results in our previous letter [1], we confirm that a good, regular and
consistent description of signature change is achieved in these brane/shells
scenarios, while keeping the hypersurface and the bulk completely regular. Our
formalism allows for a unified description of the traditional timelike
branes/shells together with the signature-changing, or pure null, ones. This
allows for a detailed comparison of the results in both situations. An
application to the case of hypersurface layers in static bulks is presented,
leading to the general Robertson-Walker geometry on the layer --with a possible
signature change. Explicit examples on anti de Sitter bulks are then studied.
The permitted behaviours in different settings (-mirror branes,
asymmetric shells, signature-changing branes) are analysed in detail. We show
in particular that (i) in asymmetric shells there is an upper bound for the
energy density, and (ii) that the energy density within the brane vanishes when
approaching a change of signature. The description of a signature change as a
`singularity' seen from within the brane is considered. We also find new
relations between the fundamental constants in the brane/shell, its tension,
and the cosmological and gravitational constants of the bulk, independently of
the existence or not of a change of signature.Comment: 23 pages, 2 figure
Safety and efficacy of nateglinide/metformin combination therapy in the treatment of type 2 diabetes
The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes provides impetus for both development of new drugs to improve glycemic control and for reconsideration of treatment strategies with existing agents. Combination therapy with complementary drug classes that act on different aspects of glycemic control has been a particularly effective strategy. This work reviews the published literature reporting efficacy and safety/tolerability of nateglinide, a rapid-onset insulinotropic agent with a predominant effect to reduce postprandial glucose, when combined with metformin, a first-line agent that suppresses hepatic glucose production and thereby reduces fasting plasma glucose. The nateglinide/metformin combination has consistently been found to be both efficacious and well tolerated, whether given as initial combination therapy in drug-naïve patients or when added to metformin monotherapy. Maximum efficacy (Δ glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c]= −1.4% to −1.9%, sustained for up to 2 years of treatment) was seen in studies of drug-naïve patients in whom pharmacotherapy was initiated with the combination of nateglinide and metformin, and modest reductions in HbA1c (Δ = −0.5% to −1.2%, sustained for up to 24 weeks) were found when nateglinide was added to ongoing metformin monotherapy
Empowerment as a Multi-Level Construct: Perceived Control at the Individual, Organizational and Community Levels
Also PCMA Working Paper #40.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/51261/1/495.pd
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