1,481 research outputs found
A dynamic nonstationary spatio-temporal model for short term prediction of precipitation
Precipitation is a complex physical process that varies in space and time.
Predictions and interpolations at unobserved times and/or locations help to
solve important problems in many areas. In this paper, we present a
hierarchical Bayesian model for spatio-temporal data and apply it to obtain
short term predictions of rainfall. The model incorporates physical knowledge
about the underlying processes that determine rainfall, such as advection,
diffusion and convection. It is based on a temporal autoregressive convolution
with spatially colored and temporally white innovations. By linking the
advection parameter of the convolution kernel to an external wind vector, the
model is temporally nonstationary. Further, it allows for nonseparable and
anisotropic covariance structures. With the help of the Voronoi tessellation,
we construct a natural parametrization, that is, space as well as time
resolution consistent, for data lying on irregular grid points. In the
application, the statistical model combines forecasts of three other
meteorological variables obtained from a numerical weather prediction model
with past precipitation observations. The model is then used to predict
three-hourly precipitation over 24 hours. It performs better than a separable,
stationary and isotropic version, and it performs comparably to a deterministic
numerical weather prediction model for precipitation and has the advantage that
it quantifies prediction uncertainty.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/12-AOAS564 the Annals of
Applied Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aoas/) by the Institute of
Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org
Fractional vortices on grain boundaries --- the case for broken time reversal symmetry in high temperature superconductors
We discuss the problem of broken time reversal symmetry near grain boundaries
in a d-wave superconductor based on a Ginzburg-Landau theory. It is shown that
such a state can lead to fractional vortices on the grain boundary. Both
analytical and numerical results show the structure of this type of state.Comment: 9 pages, RevTeX, 5 postscript figures include
Virtual competitors influence rowers
Highly immersive environments for sports simulation can help elucidate if and how athletes perform under high pressure situations. We used a rowing simulator with a CAVE setup to test the influence of virtual competitors on 10 experienced rowers. All participants were using the simulator for the first time. The objective was to assess the degree of presence by quantifying how the actions of the virtual competitors triggered behavioral changes in the experienced rowers. The participants completed a virtual 2000 m race with two competing boats, one being behind and one ahead of the participant. For two trials, each boat would come closer to the participant without overtaking, resulting in four experimental conditions. The behavior of the participants was assessed with biomechanical variables, questionnaires, and an interview after the race. Behavioral changes were detected with statistically significant differences in the extracted variables of oar angles, timing variables, velocities, and work. The results for biomechanical variables indicate individual response patterns depending on perception of competitors and self-confidence. Self-reporting indicated a high degree of presence for most participants. Overall, the experimental paradigm worked but was compromised by perceptive and subjective factors. In future, the setup will be used to investigate rowing performance further with a focus on motor learning and training of pressure situations
The potential of mid-infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy for the detection of various doping agents used by athletes
The feasibility of laser-photoacoustic measurements for the detection and the analysis of different isolated doping agents in the vapour phase is discussed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that photoacoustic vapour-phase measurements of doping substances have been presented. Spectra of different doping classes (stimulants, anabolica, diuretica, and beta blockers) are shown and discussed in terms of their detection sensitivity and selectivity. The potential of laser spectroscopy for detecting the intake of prohibited substances by athletes is explore
Modulated resonant versus pulsed resonant photoacoustics intrace gas detection
Modulated resonant photoacoustics is a sensitive technique widely used for trace gas sensing. Generally, a continuous-wave laser is modulated at a frequency corresponding to an acoustic resonance of a photoacoustic cell. Another mode of operation—which we propose to call the pulsed resonant mode—consists in matching the frequency repetition rate of a pulsed laser to an acoustic resonance of the cell. We present a theoretical model to compare the performance of these two configurations. For a given average power of the incoming light inside the cell, the pulsed resonant mode of operation (nanosecond pulses or shorter) produces π/2 times higher photoacoustic signals than the modulated resonant scheme (the latter is optimized for a 50% duty cycle). This result agrees with experiments during which both cases were investigated at 532nm using the same photoacoustic cell containing trace concentrations of NO
One-dimensional Kondo lattice at partial band filling
An effective Hamiltonian for the localized spins in the one-dimensional Kondo
lattice model is derived via a unitary transformation involving a bosonization
of delocalized conduction electrons. The effective Hamiltonian is shown to
reproduce all the features of the model as identified in various numerical
simulations, and provides much new information on the ferro- to paramagnetic
phase transition and the paramagnetic phase.Comment: 11 pages Revtex, 1 Postscript figure. To appear in Phys. Rev. Let
Phenomenological theory of the 3 Kelvin phase in Sr2RuO4
We model the 3K-phase of Sr2RuO4 with Ru-metal inclusion as interface state
with locally enhanced transition temperatures. The resulting 3K-phase must have
a different pairing symmetry than the bulk phase of Sr2RuO4, because the
symmetry at the interface is lower than in the bulk. It is invariant under time
reversal and a second transition, in general, above the onset of bulk
superconductivity is expected where time reversal symmetry is broken. The
nucleation of the 3K-phase exhibits a ``capillary effect'' which can lead to
frustration phenomena for the superconducting states on different
Ru-inclusions. Furthermore, the phase structure of the pair wave function gives
rise to zero-energy quasiparticle states which would be visible in
quasiparticle tunneling spectra. Additional characteristic properties are
associated with the upper critical field Hc2. The 3K-phase has a weaker
anisotropy of Hc2 between the inplane and z-axis orientation than the bulk
superconducting phase. This is connected with the more isotropic nature
Ru-metal which yields a stronger orbital depairing effect for the inplane
magnetic field than in the strongly layered Sr$_2RuO4. An anomalous temperature
dependence for the z-axis critical field is found due to the coupling of the
magnetic field to the order parameter texture at the interface. Various other
experiments are discussed and new measurements are suggested.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure
Local Moments Coupled to a Strongly Correlated Electron Chain
A 1D model hamiltonian that is motivated by the recent discovery of the
heavy-fermion behavior in the cuprates of the type is studied. It
consists of interacting conduction electrons coupled to a lattice of
localized spins through a Kondo exchange term . Exact diagonalization and
density matrix renormalization group methods are used. The latter method is
generalized to arbitrary densities. At half-filling, a spin gap opens for all
. Away from half-filling it is shown that, at strong % , the
ground state is an unsaturated ferromagnet . At weak the system is in a
paramagnetic phase with enhanced RKKY correlations. The importance of
self-screening of the local moments in the depletion regime is discussed. We
argue that these findings transcend the specifics of the model.Comment: 10 pages, Latex, 4 figures included, to be published in PRB (Rapid
Communications
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