264 research outputs found
Enhanced Nadaraya-Watson kernel regression: surface approximation for extremely small samples
The function approximation problem is to find the appropriate relationship between a dependent and independent variable(s). Function approximation algorithms generally require sufficient samples to approximate a function. Insufficient samples may cause any approximation algorithm to result in unsatisfactory predictions. To solve this problem, a function approximation algorithm called Weighted Kernel Regression (WKR), which is based on Nadaraya-Watson kernel regression, is proposed. In the proposed framework, the original Nadaraya-Watson kernel regression algorithm is enhanced by expressing the observed samples in a square kernel matrix. The WKR is trained to estimate the weight for the testing phase. The weight is estimated iteratively and is governed by the error function to find a good approximation model. Two experiments are conducted to show the capability of the WKR. The results show that the proposed WKR model is effective in cases where the target surface function is non-linear and the given training sample is small. The performance of the WKR is also compared with other existing function approximation algorithms, such as artificial neural networks (ANN)
Urinary Continence Recovery after Radical Prostatectomy-Anatomic/Reconstructive and Nerve Sparing Techniques to Improve Outcomes
In an editorial board moderated debate format, two experts in prostate cancer surgery are challenged with presenting the key strategies in radical prostatectomy that improve urinary functional outcomes. Dr Bernardo Rocco was tasked with arguing the facts that support the anatomic preservation and reconstruction steps that improve continence. Drs. Christian Pavlovich and Sasha Druskin were tasked with arguing the facts supporting neurovascular bundle and high anterior release surgical planes that improve continence. Associate Editor John Davis moderates the debate, and outlines the current status of validated patient questionnaires that can be used to evaluate urinary continence, and recent work that allows measuring what constitutes a "clinically significant" difference that either or both of these surgical techniques could influence. A review of raw data from a publication from Dr. Pavlovich's team demonstrates how clinically relevant differences in patient reported outcomes can be correlated to technique. A visual atlas is presented from both presenting teams, and Dr. Davis demonstrates further reproducibility of technique. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Terahertz superlattice parametric oscillator
We report a GaAs/AlAs superlattice parametric oscillator. It was pumped by a
microwave field (power few mW) and produced 3rd harmonic radiation (frequency
near 300 GHz). The nonlinearity of the active superlattice was due to Bragg
reflections of conduction electrons at the superlattice planes. A theory of the
nonlinearity indicates that parametric oscillation should be possible up to
frequencies above 10 THz. The active superlattice may be the object of further
studies of predicted extraordinary nonlinearities for THz fields.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure
Brownian motion exhibiting absolute negative mobility
We consider a single Brownian particle in a spatially symmetric, periodic
system far from thermal equilibrium. This setup can be readily realized
experimentally. Upon application of an external static force F, the average
particle velocity is negative for F>0 and positive for F<0 (absolute negative
mobility).Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, to be published in PR
Original Articles PERCUTANEOUS RADIO FREQUENCY ABLATION OF SMALL RENAL TUMORS: INITIAL RESULTS
ABSTRACT Purpose: Thermal tissue ablation with radio frequency energy is an experimental treatment of renal tumor. We report early results of an ongoing trial of percutaneous radio frequency ablation for small renal tumors. Materials and Methods: Patients with percutaneously accessible renal tumors were evaluated for radio frequency ablation. Tumors were solid on computerized tomography (CT), 3 cm. or less in diameter and enlarging during at least 1 year. Ablation was performed at the Interventional Radiology suite under ultrasound and/or CT guidance. A 50 W., 460 kHz. electrosurgical generator delivered radio frequency energy via a percutaneously placed 15 gauge coaxial probe. At least 2, 10 to 12-minute ablation cycles were applied to each lesion. Patients were observed overnight before discharge from hospital and reevaluated 2 months later. Results Conclusions: Percutaneous radio frequency ablation of small renal tumor is well tolerated and minimally invasive. It will remain experimental until procedural and imaging parameters that correlate with tumor destruction are validated
Nonequilibrium phenomena in high Landau levels
Developments in the physics of 2D electron systems during the last decade
have revealed a new class of nonequilibrium phenomena in the presence of a
moderately strong magnetic field. The hallmark of these phenomena is
magnetoresistance oscillations generated by the external forces that drive the
electron system out of equilibrium. The rich set of dramatic phenomena of this
kind, discovered in high mobility semiconductor nanostructures, includes, in
particular, microwave radiation-induced resistance oscillations and
zero-resistance states, as well as Hall field-induced resistance oscillations
and associated zero-differential resistance states. We review the experimental
manifestations of these phenomena and the unified theoretical framework for
describing them in terms of a quantum kinetic equation. The survey contains
also a thorough discussion of the magnetotransport properties of 2D electrons
in the linear response regime, as well as an outlook on future directions,
including related nonequilibrium phenomena in other 2D electron systems.Comment: 60 pages, 41 figure
Quantum dynamics in strong fluctuating fields
A large number of multifaceted quantum transport processes in molecular
systems and physical nanosystems can be treated in terms of quantum relaxation
processes which couple to one or several fluctuating environments. A thermal
equilibrium environment can conveniently be modelled by a thermal bath of
harmonic oscillators. An archetype situation provides a two-state dissipative
quantum dynamics, commonly known under the label of a spin-boson dynamics. An
interesting and nontrivial physical situation emerges, however, when the
quantum dynamics evolves far away from thermal equilibrium. This occurs, for
example, when a charge transferring medium possesses nonequilibrium degrees of
freedom, or when a strong time-dependent control field is applied externally.
Accordingly, certain parameters of underlying quantum subsystem acquire
stochastic character. Herein, we review the general theoretical framework which
is based on the method of projector operators, yielding the quantum master
equations for systems that are exposed to strong external fields. This allows
one to investigate on a common basis the influence of nonequilibrium
fluctuations and periodic electrical fields on quantum transport processes.
Most importantly, such strong fluctuating fields induce a whole variety of
nonlinear and nonequilibrium phenomena. A characteristic feature of such
dynamics is the absence of thermal (quantum) detailed balance.Comment: review article, Advances in Physics (2005), in pres
First observations of separated atmospheric nu_mu and bar{nu-mu} events in the MINOS detector
The complete 5.4 kton MINOS far detector has been taking data since the beginning of August 2003 at a depth of 2070 meters water-equivalent in the Soudan mine, Minnesota. This paper presents the first MINOS observations of nuµ and [overline nu ]µ charged-current atmospheric neutrino interactions based on an exposure of 418 days. The ratio of upward- to downward-going events in the data is compared to the Monte Carlo expectation in the absence of neutrino oscillations, giving Rup/downdata/Rup/downMC=0.62-0.14+0.19(stat.)±0.02(sys.). An extended maximum likelihood analysis of the observed L/E distributions excludes the null hypothesis of no neutrino oscillations at the 98% confidence level. Using the curvature of the observed muons in the 1.3 T MINOS magnetic field nuµ and [overline nu ]µ interactions are separated. The ratio of [overline nu ]µ to nuµ events in the data is compared to the Monte Carlo expectation assuming neutrinos and antineutrinos oscillate in the same manner, giving R[overline nu ][sub mu]/nu[sub mu]data/R[overline nu ][sub mu]/nu[sub mu]MC=0.96-0.27+0.38(stat.)±0.15(sys.), where the errors are the statistical and systematic uncertainties. Although the statistics are limited, this is the first direct observation of atmospheric neutrino interactions separately for nuµ and [overline nu ]µ
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