Using gamma regression for photometric redshifts of survey galaxies

Machine learning techniques offer a plethora of opportunities in tackling big data within the astronomical community. We present the set of Generalized Linear Models as a fast alternative for determining photometric redshifts of galaxies, a set of tools not commonly applied within astronomy, despite being widely used in other professions. With this technique, we achieve catastrophic outlier rates of the order of ~1%, that can be achieved in a matter of seconds on large datasets of size ~1,000,000. To make these techniques easily accessible to the astronomical community, we developed a set of libraries and tools that are publicly available.Comment: Refereed Proceeding of "The Universe of Digital Sky Surveys" conference held at the INAF - Observatory of Capodimonte, Naples, on 25th-28th November 2014, to be published in the Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings, edited by Longo, Napolitano, Marconi, Paolillo, Iodice, 6 pages, and 1 figur

Vorton Formation

In this paper we present the first analytic model for vorton formation. We start by deriving the microscopic string equations of motion in Witten's superconducting model, and show that in the relevant chiral limit these coincide with the ones obtained from the supersonic elastic models of Carter and Peter. We then numerically study a number of solutions of these equations of motion and thereby suggest criteria for deciding whether a given superconducting loop configuration can form a vorton. Finally, using a recently developed model for the evolution of currents in superconducting strings we conjecture, by comparison with these criteria, that string networks formed at the GUT phase transition should produce no vortons. On the other hand, a network formed at the electroweak scale can produce vortons accounting for up to 6% of the critical density. Some consequences of our results are discussed.Comment: 41 pages; color figures 3-6 not included, but available from authors. To appear in Phys. Rev.

Constraining the evolution of the CMB temperature with SZ measurements from Planck data

The CMB temperature-redshift relation, T_CMB(z)=T_0(1+z), is a key prediction of the standard cosmology, but is violated in many non standard models. Constraining possible deviations to this law is an effective way to test the LambdaCDM paradigm and to search for hints of new physics. We have determined T_CMB(z), with a precision up to 3%, for a subsample (104 clusters) of the Planck SZ cluster catalog, at redshift in the range 0.01-- 0.94, using measurements of the spectrum of the Sunyaev Zel'dovich effect obtained from Planck temperature maps at frequencies from 70 to 353 GHz. The method adopted to provide individual determinations of T_CMB(z) at cluster redshift relies on the use of SZ intensity change, Delta I_SZ(nu), at different frequencies, and on a Monte-Carlo Markov Chain approach. By applying this method to the sample of 104 clusters, we limit possible deviations of the form T_CMB(z)=T_0(1+z)^(1-beta) to be beta= 0.022 +/- 0.018, at 1 sigma uncertainty, consistent with the prediction of the standard model. Combining these measurements with previously published results we get beta=0.016+/-0.012.Comment: submitted to JCAP, 21 pages, 8 figure

Carrapato dos bovinos: controle estratégico nas diferentes regiões brasileiras.

bitstream/item/65401/1/COT-36-Carrapato-dos-bovinos.pd

Desinfestação de segmentos nodais de Eucalyptus dunnii visando estabelecimento in vitro.

A espécie Eucalyptus dunnii apresenta potencial econômico e técnico de exploração na metade sul do Rio Grande do Sul. Esta espécie tem como característica produzir poucas sementes, o que dificulta sua propagação. A cultura de tecidos oferece grande potencial para a propagação in vitro de espécies lenhosas. A micropropagação só pode ocorrer se o processo de desinfestação obtiver sucesso. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar e adequar o processo de desinfestação de segmentos nodais pertencentes à espécie Eucalyptus dunnii. Foram realizados tratamentos com hipoclorito de sódio (NaClO) á 0%; 0,5%; 1,0%; 1,5% e 2,0% de cloro ativo. As avaliações nos tratamentos foram em relação as contaminações fúngicas e bacterianas; oxidações; sobrevivência e o estabelecimento dos explantes. Observou-se que não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos, porém, os níveis de contaminações diminuíram quando submetidos nas diferentes variações de concentração de (NaClO) em relação ao tratamento testemunha. Pode-se verificar que os explantes submetidos nas concentrações de 1,5% e 2,0% de (NaClO), obtiveram melhores resultados quando comparados aos demais tratamentos

Simulated ecology-driven sympatric speciation

We introduce a multi-locus genetically acquired phenotype, submitted to mutations and with selective value, in an age-structured model for biological aging. This phenotype describes a single-trait effect of the environment on an individual, and we study the resulting distribution of this trait among the population. In particular, our simulations show that the appearance of a double phenotypic attractor in the ecology induces the emergence of a stable polymorphism, as observed in the Galapagos finches. In the presence of this polymorphism, the simulations generate short-term speciation, when mating preferences are also allowed to suffer mutations and acquire selective value.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, 1 table, uses package RevTe