147,652 research outputs found
Bayesian Nonparametric Hidden Semi-Markov Models
There is much interest in the Hierarchical Dirichlet Process Hidden Markov
Model (HDP-HMM) as a natural Bayesian nonparametric extension of the ubiquitous
Hidden Markov Model for learning from sequential and time-series data. However,
in many settings the HDP-HMM's strict Markovian constraints are undesirable,
particularly if we wish to learn or encode non-geometric state durations. We
can extend the HDP-HMM to capture such structure by drawing upon
explicit-duration semi-Markovianity, which has been developed mainly in the
parametric frequentist setting, to allow construction of highly interpretable
models that admit natural prior information on state durations.
In this paper we introduce the explicit-duration Hierarchical Dirichlet
Process Hidden semi-Markov Model (HDP-HSMM) and develop sampling algorithms for
efficient posterior inference. The methods we introduce also provide new
methods for sampling inference in the finite Bayesian HSMM. Our modular Gibbs
sampling methods can be embedded in samplers for larger hierarchical Bayesian
models, adding semi-Markov chain modeling as another tool in the Bayesian
inference toolbox. We demonstrate the utility of the HDP-HSMM and our inference
methods on both synthetic and real experiments
TumorML: Concept and requirements of an in silico cancer modelling markup language
This paper describes the initial groundwork carried out as part of the European Commission funded Transatlantic Tumor Model Repositories project, to develop a new markup language for computational cancer modelling, TumorML. In this paper we describe the motivations for such a language, arguing that current state-of-the-art biomodelling languages are not suited to the cancer modelling domain. We go on to describe the work that needs to be done to develop TumorML, the conceptual design, and a description of what existing markup languages will be used to compose the language specification
Enhanced superconductivity and lattice instability in Nb-Rh alloys
Superconductivity with transition temperature above 10 °K has been observed in a new Nb-Rh intermediate phase. The new metastable phase is obtained by liquid quenching the binary alloy or by the addition of a small percentage of carbon to form a stable ternary alloy
Underwater optical wireless communications : depth dependent variations in attenuation
Depth variations in the attenuation coefficient for light in the ocean were calculated using a one-parameter model based on the chlorophyll-a concentration Cc and experimentally-determined Gaussian chlorophyll-depth profiles. The depth profiles were related to surface chlorophyll levels for the range 0–4 mg/m2, representing clear, open ocean. The depth where Cc became negligible was calculated to be shallower for places of high surface chlorophyll; 111.5 m for surface chlorophyll 0.8<Cc<2.2 mg/m3 compared with 415.5 m for surface Cc<0.04 mg/m3. Below this depth is the absolute minimum attenuation for underwater ocean communication links, calculated to be 0.0092 m−1 at a wavelength of 430 nm. By combining this with satellite surface-chlorophyll data, it is possible to quantify the attenuation between any two locations in the ocean, with applications for low-noise or secure underwater communications and vertical links from the ocean surface
Geometry of Banach spaces and biorthogonal systems
A separable Banach space X contains isomorphically if and only if X
has a bounded wc_0^*-stable biorthogonal system. The dual of a separable Banach
space X fails the Schur property if and only if X has a bounded
wc_0^*-biorthogonal system
Radio emission from the massive stars in the Galactic Super Star Cluster Westerlund 1
Current mass-loss rate estimates imply that main sequence winds are not
sufficient to strip away the H-rich envelope to yield Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars.
The rich transitional population of Westerlund 1 (Wd 1) provides an ideal
laboratory to observe mass-loss processes throughout the transitional phase of
stellar evolution. An analysis of deep radio continuum observations of Wd 1 is
presented. We detect 18 cluster members. The radio properties of the sample are
diverse, with thermal, non-thermal and composite thermal/non-thermal sources
present. Mass-loss rates are ~10^{-5} solar mass/year across all spectral
types, insufficient to form WRs during a massive star lifetime, and the stars
must undergo a period of enhanced mass loss. The sgB[e] star W9 may provide an
example, with a mass-loss rate an order of magnitude higher than the other
cluster members, and an extended nebula of density ~3 times the current wind.
This structure is reminiscent of luminous blue variables, and one with evidence
of two eras of high, possibly eruptive, mass loss. Three OB supergiants are
detected, implying unusually dense winds. They also may have composite spectra,
suggesting binarity. Spatially resolved nebulae are associated with three of
the four RSGs and three of the six YHGs in the cluster, which are due to
quiescent mass loss rather than outbursts. For some of the cool star winds, the
ionizing source may be a companion star though the cluster radiation density is
sufficiently high to provide the necessary ionizing radiation. Five WR stars
are detected with composite spectra, interpreted as arising in colliding-wind
binaries.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy and
Astrophysic
Universal characteristics of resonant-tunneling field emission from nanostructured surfaces
We have performed theoretical and experimental studies of field emission from
nanostructured semiconductor cathodes. Resonant tunneling through
electric-field-induced interface bound states is found to strongly affect the
field-emission characteristics. Our analytical theory predicts power-law and
Lorentzian-shaped current-voltage curves for resonant-tunneling field emission
from three-dimensional substrates and two-dimensional accumulation layers,
respectively. These predicted line shapes are observed in field emission
characteristics from self-assembled silicon nanostructures. A simple model
describes formation of an accumulation layer and of the resonant level in these
systems.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, RevTex, to appear in J. Appl. Phy
The long gamma-ray burst rate and the correlation with host galaxy properties
To answer questions on the start and duration of the epoch of reionisation,
periods of galaxy mergers and properties of other cosmological encounters, the
cosmic star formation history (CSFH), is of fundamental importance. Using the
association of long gamma-ray bursts (LGRBs) with the death of massive stars
and their ultra-luminous nature, the CSFH can be probed to higher redshifts
than current conventional methods. Unfortunately, no consensus has been reached
on the manner in which the LGRB rate (LGRBR) traces the CSFH, leaving many of
the questions mentioned mostly unexplored by this method. Observations by the
GRB NIR detector (GROND) over the past 4 years have, for the first time,
acquired highly complete LGRB samples. Driven by these completeness levels and
new evidence of LGRBs also occurring in more massive and metal rich galaxies
than previously thought, the possible biases of the LGRBR-CSFH connection are
investigated over a large range of galaxy properties. The CSFH is modelled
using empirical fits to the galaxy mass function and galaxy star formation
rates. Biasing the CSFH by metallicity cuts, mass range boundaries, and other
unknown redshift dependencies, a LGRBR is generated and compared to the highly
complete GROND sample. It is found that there is no strong preference for a
metallicity cut or fixed galaxy mass boundaries and that there are no unknown
redshift effects, in contrast to previous work which suggest values of
Z/Z_sun~0.1-0.3. From the best-fit models, we predict that ~1.2% of the LGRB
burst sample exists above z=6. The linear relationship between the LGRBR and
the CSFH suggested by our results implies that redshift biases present in
previous LGRB samples significantly affect the inferred dependencies of LGRBs
on their host galaxy properties. Such biases can lead to, e.g., an
interpretation of metallicity limitations and evolving LGRB luminosity
functions.Comment: 15 pages, 14 figures, 7 tables, accepted for publication in Astronomy
& Astrophysic
Modeling fatigue crack growth in cross ply titanium matrix composites
In this study, the fatigue crack growth behavior of fiber bridging matrix cracks in cross-ply SCS-6/Ti-15-3 and SCS-6/Timetal-21S laminates containing center holes was investigated. Experimental observations revealed that matrix cracking was far more extensive and wide spread in the SCS-6/Ti-15-3 laminates compared to that in the SCS-6/Timetal-21S laminates. In addition, the fatigue life of the SCS-6/Ti-15-3 laminates was significantly longer than that of the SCS-6/Timetal-21S laminates. The matrix cracking observed in both material systems was analyzed using a fiber bridging (FB) model which was formulated using the boundary correction factors and weight functions for center hole specimen configurations. A frictional shear stress is assumed in the FB model and was used as a curve fitting parameter to model matrix crack growth data. The higher frictional shear stresses calculated in the SCS-6/Timetal-21S laminates resulted in lower stress intensity factors in the matrix and higher axial stresses in the fibers compared to those in the SCS-6/Ti-15-3 laminates at the same applied stress levels
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