5,627 research outputs found

    Continuity of Local Time: An applied perspective

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    Continuity of local time for Brownian motion ranks among the most notable mathematical results in the theory of stochastic processes. This article addresses its implications from the point of view of applications. In particular an extension of previous results on an explicit role of continuity of (natural) local time is obtained for applications to recent classes of problems in physics, biology and finance involving discontinuities in a dispersion coefficient. The main theorem and its corollary provide physical principles that relate macro scale continuity of deterministic quantities to micro scale continuity of the (stochastic) local time.Comment: To appear in: "The fascination of Probability, Statistics and Their Applications. In honour of Ole E. Barndorff-Nielsen on his 80th birthday

    On finite monoids of cellular automata.

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    For any group G and set A, a cellular automaton over G and A is a transformation τ:AG→AGτ:AG→AG defined via a finite neighbourhood S⊆GS⊆G (called a memory set of ττ) and a local function μ:AS→Aμ:AS→A. In this paper, we assume that G and A are both finite and study various algebraic properties of the finite monoid CA(G,A)CA(G,A) consisting of all cellular automata over G and A. Let ICA(G;A)ICA(G;A) be the group of invertible cellular automata over G and A. In the first part, using information on the conjugacy classes of subgroups of G, we give a detailed description of the structure of ICA(G;A)ICA(G;A) in terms of direct and wreath products. In the second part, we study generating sets of CA(G;A)CA(G;A). In particular, we prove that CA(G,A)CA(G,A) cannot be generated by cellular automata with small memory set, and, when G is finite abelian, we determine the minimal size of a set V⊆CA(G;A)V⊆CA(G;A) such that CA(G;A)=⟨ICA(G;A)∪V⟩CA(G;A)=⟨ICA(G;A)∪V⟩

    Evolutionary-game-based dynamical tuning for multi-objective model predictive control

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    Model predictive control (MPC) is one of the most used optimization-based control strategies for large-scale systems, since this strategy allows to consider a large number of states and multi-objective cost functions in a straightforward way. One of the main issues in the design of multi-objective MPC controllers, which is the tuning of the weights associated to each objective in the cost function, is treated in this work. All the possible combinations of weights within the cost function affect the optimal result in a given Pareto front. Furthermore, when the system has time-varying parameters, e.g., periodic disturbances, the appropriate weight tuning might also vary over time. Moreover, taking into account the computational burden and the selected sampling time in the MPC controller design, the computation time to find a suitable tuning is limited. In this regard, the development of strategies to perform a dynamical tuning in function of the system conditions potentially improves the closed-loop performance. In order to adapt in a dynamical way the weights in the MPC multi-objective cost function, an evolutionary-game approach is proposed. This approach allows to vary the prioritization weights in the proper direction taking as a reference a desired region within the Pareto front. The proper direction for the prioritization is computed by only using the current system values, i.e., the current optimal control action and the measurement of the current states, which establish the system cost function over a certain point in the Pareto front. Finally, some simulations of a multi-objective MPC for a real multi-variable case study show a comparison between the system performance obtained with static and dynamical tuning.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

    Order by disorder and spiral spin liquid in frustrated diamond lattice antiferromagnets

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    Frustration refers to competition between different interactions that cannot be simultaneously satisfied, a familiar feature in many magnetic solids. Strong frustration results in highly degenerate ground states, and a large suppression of ordering by fluctuations. Key challenges in frustrated magnetism are characterizing the fluctuating spin-liquid regime and determining the mechanism of eventual order at lower temperature. Here, we study a model of a diamond lattice antiferromagnet appropriate for numerous spinel materials. With sufficiently strong frustration a massive ground state degeneracy develops amongst spirals whose propagation wavevectors reside on a continuous two-dimensional ``spiral surface'' in momentum space. We argue that an important ordering mechanism is entropic splitting of the degenerate ground states, an elusive phenomena called order-by-disorder. A broad ``spiral spin-liquid'' regime emerges at higher temperatures, where the underlying spiral surface can be directly revealed via spin correlations. We discuss the agreement between these predictions and the well characterized spinel MnSc2S4

    Perivascular Spaces Segmentation in Brain MRI Using Optimal 3D Filtering

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    Perivascular Spaces (PVS) are a recently recognised feature of Small Vessel Disease (SVD), also indicating neuroinflammation, and are an important part of the brain's circulation and glymphatic drainage system. Quantitative analysis of PVS on Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI) is important for understanding their relationship with neurological diseases. In this work, we propose a segmentation technique based on the 3D Frangi filtering for extraction of PVS from MRI. Based on prior knowledge from neuroradiological ratings of PVS, we used ordered logit models to optimise Frangi filter parameters in response to the variability in the scanner's parameters and study protocols. We optimized and validated our proposed models on two independent cohorts, a dementia sample (N=20) and patients who previously had mild to moderate stroke (N=48). Results demonstrate the robustness and generalisability of our segmentation method. Segmentation-based PVS burden estimates correlated with neuroradiological assessments (Spearman's ρ\rho = 0.74, p << 0.001), suggesting the great potential of our proposed metho

    Thermodynamic analysis of the Quantum Critical behavior of Ce-lattice compounds

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    A systematic analysis of low temperature magnetic phase diagrams of Ce compounds is performed in order to recognize the thermodynamic conditions to be fulfilled by those systems to reach a quantum critical regime and, alternatively, to identify other kinds of low temperature behaviors. Based on specific heat (CmC_m) and entropy (SmS_m) results, three different types of phase diagrams are recognized: i) with the entropy involved into the ordered phase (SMOS_{MO}) decreasing proportionally to the ordering temperature (TMOT_{MO}), ii) those showing a transference of degrees of freedom from the ordered phase to a non-magnetic component, with their Cm(TMO)C_m(T_{MO}) jump (ΔCm\Delta C_m) vanishing at finite temperature, and iii) those ending in a critical point at finite temperature because their ΔCm\Delta C_m do not decrease with TMOT_{MO} producing an entropy accumulation at low temperature. Only those systems belonging to the first case, i.e. with SMO0S_{MO}\to 0 as TMO0T_{MO}\to 0, can be regarded as candidates for quantum critical behavior. Their magnetic phase boundaries deviate from the classical negative curvature below T2.5T\approx 2.5\,K, denouncing frequent misleading extrapolations down to T=0. Different characteristic concentrations are recognized and analyzed for Ce-ligand alloyed systems. Particularly, a pre-critical region is identified, where the nature of the magnetic transition undergoes significant modifications, with its Cm/T\partial C_m/\partial T discontinuity strongly affected by magnetic field and showing an increasing remnant entropy at T0T\to 0. Physical constraints arising from the third law at T0T\to 0 are discussed and recognized from experimental results

    CD69 is a TGF-β/1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 target gene in monocytes

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    CD69 is a transmembrane lectin that can be expressed on most hematopoietic cells. In monocytes, it has been functionally linked to the 5-lipoxygenase pathway in which the leukotrienes, a class of highly potent inflammatory mediators, are produced. However, regarding CD69 gene expression and its regulatory mechanisms in monocytes, only scarce data are available. Here, we report that CD69 mRNA expression, analogous to that of 5-lipoxygenase, is induced by the physiologic stimuli transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1α,25(OH)2D3) in monocytic cells. Comparison with T- and B-cell lines showed that the effect was specific for monocytes. CD69 expression levels were increased in a concentration-dependent manner, and kinetic analysis revealed a rapid onset of mRNA expression, indicating that CD69 is a primary TGF-β/1α,25(OH)2D3 target gene. PCR analysis of different regions of the CD69 mRNA revealed that de novo transcription was initiated and proximal and distal parts were induced concomitantly. In common with 5-lipoxygenase, no activation of 0.7 kb or ~2.3 kb promoter fragments by TGF-β and 1α,25(OH)2D3 could be observed in transient reporter assays for CD69. Analysis of mRNA stability using a transcription inhibitor and a 3′UTR reporter construct showed that TGF-β and 1α,25(OH)2D3 do not influence CD69 mRNA stability. Functional knockdown of Smad3 clearly demonstrated that upregulation of CD69 mRNA, in contrast to 5-LO, depends on Smad3. Comparative studies with different inhibitors for mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) revealed that MAPK signalling is involved in CD69 gene regulation, whereas 5-lipoxygenase gene expression was only partly affected. Mechanistically, we found evidence that CD69 gene upregulation depends on TAK1-mediated p38 activation. In summary, our data indicate that CD69 gene expression, conforming with 5-lipoxygenase, is regulated monocyte-specifically by the physiologic stimuli TGF-β and 1α,25(OH)2D3 on mRNA level, although different mechanisms account for the upregulation of each gene

    A Study of D0 --> K0(S) K0(S) X Decay Channels

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    Using data from the FOCUS experiment (FNAL-E831), we report on the decay of D0D^0 mesons into final states containing more than one KS0K^0_S. We present evidence for two Cabibbo favored decay modes, D0KS0KS0Kπ+D^0\to K^0_SK^0_S K^- \pi^+ and D0KS0KS0K+πD^0\to K^0_SK^0_S K^+ \pi^-, and measure their combined branching fraction relative to D0Kˉ0π+πD^0\to \bar{K} ^0\pi^+\pi^- to be Γ(D0KS0KS0K±π)Γ(D0Kˉ0π+π)\frac{\Gamma(D^0\to K^0_SK^0_SK^{\pm}\pi^{\mp})}{\Gamma(D^0\to \bar{K} ^0\pi^+\pi^-)} = 0.0106 ±\pm 0.0019 ±\pm 0.0010. Further, we report new measurements of Γ(D0KS0KS0KS0)Γ(D0Kˉ0π+π)\frac{\Gamma(D^0\to K^0_SK^0_SK^0_S)}{\Gamma(D^0\to \bar{K} ^0\pi^+\pi^-)} = 0.0179 ±\pm 0.0027 ±\pm 0.0026, Γ(D0K0Kˉ0)Γ(D0Kˉ0π+π)\frac{\Gamma(D^0\to K^0\bar{K} ^0)}{\Gamma(D^0\to \bar{K} ^0\pi^+\pi^-)} = 0.0144 ±\pm 0.0032 ±\pm 0.0016, and Γ(D0KS0KS0π+π)Γ(D0Kˉ0π+π)\frac{\Gamma(D^0\to K^0_SK^0_S\pi^+\pi^-)}{\Gamma(D^0\to \bar{K} ^0\pi^+\pi^-)} = 0.0208 ±\pm 0.0035 ±\pm 0.0021 where the first error is statistical and the second is systematic.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures, typos correcte
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