32,665 research outputs found
On Describing Multivariate Skewness: A Directional Approach
Most multivariate measures of skewness in the literature measure the overall skewness of a distribution. While these measures are perfectly adequate for testing the hypothesis of distributional symmetry, their relevance for describing skewed distributions is less obvious. In this article, we consider the problem of characterising the skewness of multivariate distributions. We define directional skewness as the skewness along a direction and analyse parametric classes of skewed distributions using measures based on directional skewness. The analysis brings further insight into the classes, allowing for a more informed selection of particular classes for particular applications. In the context of Bayesian linear regression under skewed error we use the concept of directional skewness twice. First in the elicitation of a prior on the parameters of the error distribution, and then in the analysis of the skewness of the posterior distribution of the regression residuals.Bayesian methods, Multivariate distribution, Multivariate regression, Prior elicitation, Skewness.
Vector field models of modified gravity and the dark sector
We present a comprehensive investigation of cosmological constraints on the
class of vector field formulations of modified gravity called Generalized
Einstein-Aether models. Using linear perturbation theory we generate cosmic
microwave background and large-scale structure spectra for general parameters
of the theory, and then constrain them in various ways. We investigate two
parameter regimes: a dark-matter candidate where the vector field sources
structure formation, and a dark-energy candidate where it causes late-time
acceleration. We find that the dark matter candidate does not fit the data, and
identify five physical problems that can restrict this and other theories of
dark matter. The dark energy candidate does fit the data, and we constrain its
fundamental parameters; most notably we find that the theory's kinetic index
parameter can differ significantly from its CDM
value.Comment: 16 pages, 11 figure
Initial pseudo-steady state & asymptotic KPZ universality in semiconductor on polymer deposition
The Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) class is a paradigmatic example of universality
in nonequilibrium phenomena, but clear experimental evidences of asymptotic
2D-KPZ statistics are still very rare, and far less understanding stems from
its short-time behavior. We tackle such issues by analyzing surface
fluctuations of CdTe films deposited on polymeric substrates, based on a huge
spatio-temporal surface sampling acquired through atomic force microscopy. A
\textit{pseudo}-steady state (where average surface roughness and spatial
correlations stay constant in time) is observed at initial times, persisting up
to deposition of monolayers. This state results from a fine
balance between roughening and smoothening, as supported by a phenomenological
growth model. KPZ statistics arises at long times, thoroughly verified by
universal exponents, spatial covariance and several distributions. Recent
theoretical generalizations of the Family-Vicsek scaling and the emergence of
log-normal distributions during interface growth are experimentally confirmed.
These results confirm that high vacuum vapor deposition of CdTe constitutes a
genuine 2D-KPZ system, and expand our knowledge about possible
substrate-induced short-time behaviors.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures, 2 table
Transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy impact on health-related quality of life
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Modifying gravity with the Aether: an alternative to Dark Matter
There is evidence that Newton and Einstein's theories of gravity cannot
explain the dynamics of a universe made up solely of baryons and radiation. To
be able to understand the properties of galaxies, clusters of galaxies and the
universe on the whole it has become commonplace to invoke the presence of dark
matter. An alternative approach is to modify the gravitational field equations
to accommodate observations. We propose a new class of gravitational theories
in which we add a new degree of freedom, the Aether, in the form of a vector
field that is coupled covariantly, but non-minimally, with the space-time
metric. We explore the Newtonian and non-Newtonian limits, discuss the
conditions for these theories to be consistent and explore their effect on
cosmology.Comment: Updated version: Notation improved - TG
Mass for Plasma Photons from Gauge Symmetry Breaking
We derive the effective masses for photons in unmagnetized plasma waves using
a quantum field theory with two vector fields (gauge fields). In order to
properly define the quantum field degrees of freedom we re-derive the classical
wave equations on light-front gauge. This is needed because the usual scalar
potential of electromagnetism is, in quantum field theory, not a physical
degree of freedom that renders negative energy eigenstates. We also consider a
background local fluid metric that allows for a covariant treatment of the
problem. The different masses for the longitudinal (plasmon) and transverse
photons are in our framework due to the local fluid metric. We apply the
mechanism of mass generation by gauge symmetry breaking recently proposed by
the authors by giving a non-trivial vacuum-expectation-value to the second
vector field (gauge field). The Debye length is interpreted as an
effective compactification length and we compute an explicit solution for the
large gauge transformations that correspond to the specific mass eigenvalues
derived here. Using an usual quantum field theory canonical quantization we
obtain the usual results in the literature. Although none of these ingredients
are new to physicist, as far as the authors are aware it is the first time that
such constructions are applied to Plasma Physics. Also we give a physical
interpretation (and realization) for the second vector field in terms of the
plasma background in terms of known physical phenomena.
Addendum: It is given a short proof that equation (10) is wrong, therefore
equations (12-17) are meaningless. The remaining results are correct being
generic derivations for nonmagnetized plasmas derived in a covariant QFT
framework.Comment: v1: 1+6 pages v2: Several discussions rewritten; Abstract rewritten;
References added; v3: includes Addendu
- …