Consistency of Markov chain quasi-Monte Carlo on continuous state spaces

The random numbers driving Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation are usually modeled as independent U(0,1) random variables. Tribble [Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms using completely uniformly distributed driving sequences (2007) Stanford Univ.] reports substantial improvements when those random numbers are replaced by carefully balanced inputs from completely uniformly distributed sequences. The previous theoretical justification for using anything other than i.i.d. U(0,1) points shows consistency for estimated means, but only applies for discrete stationary distributions. We extend those results to some MCMC algorithms for continuous stationary distributions. The main motivation is the search for quasi-Monte Carlo versions of MCMC. As a side benefit, the results also establish consistency for the usual method of using pseudo-random numbers in place of random ones.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/10-AOS831 the Annals of Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aos/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

Generalized curve fit and plotting (GECAP) program

Program generates graphs on 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper and is designed to be used by engineers and scientists who are not necessarily professional programers. It provides fast and efficient method for display of plotted data without having to generate any additional FORTRAN instructions

A family of filters to search for frequency dependent gravitational wave stochastic backgrounds

We consider a three dimensional family of filters based on broken power law spectra to search for gravitational wave stochastic backgrounds in the data from Earth-based laser interferometers. We show that such templates produce the necessary fitting factor for a wide class of cosmological backgrounds and astrophysical foregrounds and that the total number of filters required to search for those signals in the data from first generation laser interferometers operating at the design sensitivity is fairly smallComment: 4 pages, 4 figures, uses iopart.cls, accepted for publications on Classical and Quantum Gravity (Special Issue, Proceedings of Amaldi 2003

Optimal randomized multilevel algorithms for infinite-dimensional integration on function spaces with ANOVA-type decomposition

In this paper, we consider the infinite-dimensional integration problem on weighted reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces with norms induced by an underlying function space decomposition of ANOVA-type. The weights model the relative importance of different groups of variables. We present new randomized multilevel algorithms to tackle this integration problem and prove upper bounds for their randomized error. Furthermore, we provide in this setting the first non-trivial lower error bounds for general randomized algorithms, which, in particular, may be adaptive or non-linear. These lower bounds show that our multilevel algorithms are optimal. Our analysis refines and extends the analysis provided in [F. J. Hickernell, T. M\"uller-Gronbach, B. Niu, K. Ritter, J. Complexity 26 (2010), 229-254], and our error bounds improve substantially on the error bounds presented there. As an illustrative example, we discuss the unanchored Sobolev space and employ randomized quasi-Monte Carlo multilevel algorithms based on scrambled polynomial lattice rules.Comment: 31 pages, 0 figure

c-Src drives intestinal regeneration and transformation

The non‐receptor tyrosine kinase c‐Src, hereafter referred to as Src, is overexpressed or activated in multiple human malignancies. There has been much speculation about the functional role of Src in colorectal cancer (CRC), with Src amplification and potential activating mutations in up to 20% of the human tumours, although this has never been addressed due to multiple redundant family members. Here, we have used the adult <i>Drosophila</i> and mouse intestinal epithelium as paradigms to define a role for Src during tissue homeostasis, damage‐induced regeneration and hyperplasia. Through genetic gain and loss of function experiments, we demonstrate that Src is necessary and sufficient to drive intestinal stem cell (ISC) proliferation during tissue self‐renewal, regeneration and tumourigenesis. Surprisingly, Src plays a non‐redundant role in the mouse intestine, which cannot be substituted by the other family kinases Fyn and Yes. Mechanistically, we show that Src drives ISC proliferation through upregulation of EGFR and activation of Ras/MAPK and Stat3 signalling. Therefore, we demonstrate a novel essential role for Src in intestinal stem/progenitor cell proliferation and tumourigenesis initiation <i>in vivo.</i&gt

The Motion of a Body in Newtonian Theories

A theorem due to Bob Geroch and Pong Soo Jang ["Motion of a Body in General Relativity." Journal of Mathematical Physics 16(1), (1975)] provides the sense in which the geodesic principle has the status of a theorem in General Relativity (GR). Here we show that a similar theorem holds in the context of geometrized Newtonian gravitation (often called Newton-Cartan theory). It follows that in Newtonian gravitation, as in GR, inertial motion can be derived from other central principles of the theory.Comment: 12 pages, 1 figure. This is the version that appeared in JMP; it is only slightly changed from the previous version, to reflect small issue caught in proo

Low voltage control of ferromagnetism in a semiconductor p-n junction

The concept of low-voltage depletion and accumulation of electron charge in semiconductors, utilized in field-effect transistors (FETs), is one of the cornerstones of current information processing technologies. Spintronics which is based on manipulating the collective state of electron spins in a ferromagnet provides complementary technologies for reading magnetic bits or for the solid-state memories. The integration of these two distinct areas of microelectronics in one physical element, with a potentially major impact on the power consumption and scalability of future devices, requires to find efficient means for controlling magnetization electrically. Current induced magnetization switching phenomena represent a promising step towards this goal, however, they relay on relatively large current densities. The direct approach of controlling the magnetization by low-voltage charge depletion effects is seemingly unfeasible as the two worlds of semiconductors and metal ferromagnets are separated by many orders of magnitude in their typical carrier concentrations. Here we demonstrate that this concept is viable by reporting persistent magnetization switchings induced by short electrical pulses of a few volts in an all-semiconductor, ferromagnetic p-n junction.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figure

A Comprehensive Radio and Optical Study of Abell 2256: Activity from an Infalling Group

Abell 2256 is a nearby (z~0.06), rich cluster of galaxies with fascinating observed properties across a range of wavelengths. Long believed to represent a cluster merger, recent X-ray and optical results have suggested that in addition to the primary cluster and subcluster there is evidence for a third, poorer system. We present wide-field, high sensitivity 1.4 GHz VLA radio observations of Abell 2256 in conjunction with optical imaging and additional spectroscopy. Over 40 cluster radio galaxies are identified, with optical spectroscopy indicating the emission source (star formation or AGN) for most of them. While the overall fraction of galaxies exhibiting radio emission is consistent with a large sample of other nearby clusters, we find an increase in the activity level of galaxies belonging to the third system (hereafter, the ``Group''). Specifically, the Group has relatively more star formation than both the primary cluster and main subcluster. The position of the Group is also coincident with the observed cluster radio relic. We suggest that the Group recently (~0.3 Gyr) merged with the primary cluster and that this merger, not the ongoing merger of the primary and the main subcluster, might be responsible for many of the unusual radio properties of Abell 2256. Furthermore, the greater star formation activity of the Group suggests that the infall of groups is an important driver of galaxy evolution in clusters.Comment: 21 pages plus 13 JPEG figures; to appear in the Astronomical Journa