Relativistic deuteron structure function at large Q^2

The deuteron deep inelastic unpolarized structure function F_2^D is calculated using the Wilson operator product expansion method. The long distance behaviour, related to the deuteron bound state properties, is evaluated using the Bethe-Salpeter equation with one particle on mass shell. The calculation of the ratio F_2^D/F_2^N is compared with other convolution models showing important deviations in the region of large x. The implications in the evaluation of the neutron structure function from combined data on deuterons and protons are discussed.Comment: 7 pages, 1 ps figure, RevTeX source, 1 tar.gz file. Submited to Physical Letter

Bayesian Analysis of Simple Random Densities

A tractable nonparametric prior over densities is introduced which is closed under sampling and exhibits proper posterior asymptotics.Comment: 19 pages; 6 figure

Predictive analysis of microarray data

Microarray gene expression data are analyzed by means of a Bayesian nonparametric model, with emphasis on prediction of future observables, yielding a method for selection of differentially expressed genes and a classifier

Intrinsic Gating Properties of a Cloned G Protein-activated Inward Rectifier K^+ Channel

The voltage-, time-, and K^+-dependent properties of a G protein-activated inwardly rectifying K^+ channel (GIRK1/KGA/Kir3.1) cloned from rat atrium were studied in Xenopus oocytes under two-electrode voltage clamp. During maintained G protein activation and in the presence of high external K^+ (V_K = 0 mV), voltage jumps from V_K to negative membrane potentials activated inward GIRK1 K^+ currents with three distinct time-resolved current components. GIRK1 current activation consisted of an instantaneous component that was followed by two components with time constants T_f~50 ms and T_s~400 ms. These activation time constants were weakly voltage dependent, increasing approximately twofold with maximal hyperpolarization from V_K. Voltage-dependent GIRK1 availability, revealed by tail currents at -80 mV after long prepulses, was greatest at potentials negative to V_K and declined to a plateau of approximately half the maximal level at positive voltages. Voltage-dependent GIRK1 availability shifted with V_K and was half maximal at V_K -20 mV; the equivalent gating charge was ~1.6 e^-. The voltage-dependent gating parameters of GIRK1 did not significantly differ for G protein activation by three heterologously expressed signaling pathways: m2 muscarinic receptors, serotonin 1A receptors, or G protein β1y2 subunits. Voltage dependence was also unaffected by agonist concentration. These results indicate that the voltage-dependent gating properties of GIRK1 are not due to extrinsic factors such as agonist-receptor interactions and G protein-channel coupling, but instead are analogous to the intrinsic gating behaviors of other inwardly rectifying K^+ channels

Entanglement universality of two-qubit X-states

We demonstrate that for every two-qubit state there is a X-counterpart, i.e., a corresponding two-qubit X-state of same spectrum and entanglement, as measured by concurrence, negativity or relative entropy of entanglement. By parametrizing the set of two-qubit X-states and a family of unitary transformations that preserve the sparse structure of a two-qubit X-state density matrix, we obtain the parametric form of a unitary transformation that converts arbitrary two-qubit states into their X-counterparts. Moreover, we provide a semi-analytic prescription on how to set the parameters of this unitary transformation in order to preserve concurrence or negativity. We also explicitly construct a set of X-state density matrices, parametrized by their purity and concurrence, whose elements are in one-to-one correspondence with the points of the concurrence versus purity (CP) diagram for generic two-qubit states.Comment: 24 pages, 6 figures. v2 includes new references and minor changes (accepted version

Modelling Taylor Rule Uncertainty

In recent years, one has witnessed a widespread attention on the way monetary policy is conducted and in particular on the role of the so-called monetary policy rules. The conventional approach in the literature consists in estimating reaction functions for a monetary authority (the Federal Reserve, in most cases) in which a nominal interest rate, directly or indirectly controlled by that monetary authority, is adjusted in response to deviations of inflation (current or expected) from target and of output from potential. These reaction functions, usually called Taylor rules, following John Taylor's seminal paper published in 1993, match a number of normative principles set forth in the literature for optimal monetary policy. This provides a good reason for the growing prominence of indications given by Taylor rule estimations in debates about current and prospective monetary policy stance. However, they are usually presented as point estimates for the interest rate, giving a sense of accuracy that can be misleading. Typically, no emphasis is placed on the risks of those estimates and, at least to a certain extent, the reader is encouraged to concentrate on an apparently precise central projection, ignoring the wide degree of uncertainty and operational difficulties surrounding the estimates. As in any forecasting exercise, there is uncertainty regarding both the estimated parameters and the way the explanatory variables evolve during the forecasting horizon. Our work presents a methodology to estimate a probability density function for the interest rate resulting from the application of a Taylor rule (the Taylor interest rate) which acknowledges that not only the explanatory variables but also the parameters of the rule are random variables.

Analysis of the functional quality of pavements from texture measurements

The surface texture of a pavement, including uneveness, is largely determinant of drivers’safety and comfort. It is undoubtedly a major cause of road traffic accidents all over the world. Statistics show that one million killed and 50 million injured are reported every year by Competent Authorities. The effect of traffic noise has also become a critical public issue. On the road networking the surface characteristics of pavements also contributed to nearly 80-90% of roadway traffic noise. Not only engines or exhaust systems generate noise. The impact of tire-surface at speeds above 50 km/h also needs to be added to prime offenders. Functional requirements such as roadway safety, environmental quality, driving comfort and operating costs in the road network are assessed by indicators whose limits are continuously adjusted. The roadway texture is again a main intervenient. This paper aims at describing the texture indicators that can be used for the assessment of the texture of a pavement from a network point of view, based on profiles acquired at high speeds, including megatexture. First an overview of the concepts related to texture and the effects of texture, including unevenness, on safety, driving comfort, ride quality and environmental quality is given. Then, a case study related to a highly trafficked road in the north of Portugal is presented. This study is the second phase of a broader study that started with the analysis of the structural capacity of that road. In this second phase, a high speed profilometer was used to measure the pavement profile with a sampling rate which is considered to be adequate for the analysis of longitudinal profile, macrotexture and unevenness. Indicators such as the mean profile depth, the IRI and the rutting depth and the corresponding effects were addressed

Definição e características de superfícies de baixo ruído

As superfícies de pavimentos de baixo ruído são atualmente a medida de redução do ruído preferida pela maioria dos decisores por ser uma medida relativamente barata e por estarem na génese do ruído rodoviário. No entanto, para se averiguar se uma determinada superfície pode ser classificada de “baixo ruído” é fundamental a adoção de um sistema de classificação. Os principais objetivos deste trabalho são apresentar o problema da classificação de pavimentos, discutir a seleção de um limite ou de uma superfície de referência para apoiar a seleção de superfícies com desempenho acústico melhorado e identificar as características que conduzem a níveis de ruído de contato pneu-pavimento mais baixos, abordando-se particularmente a contribuição da macro e da megatextura.FEDE