Stochastic geometry and topology of non-Gaussian fields

Gaussian random fields pervade all areas of science. However, it is often the departures from Gaussianity that carry the crucial signature of the nonlinear mechanisms at the heart of diverse phenomena, ranging from structure formation in condensed matter and cosmology to biomedical imaging. The standard test of non-Gaussianity is to measure higher order correlation functions. In the present work, we take a different route. We show how geometric and topological properties of Gaussian fields, such as the statistics of extrema, are modified by the presence of a non-Gaussian perturbation. The resulting discrepancies give an independent way to detect and quantify non-Gaussianities. In our treatment, we consider both local and nonlocal mechanisms that generate non-Gaussian fields, both statically and dynamically through nonlinear diffusion.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

Evaluation of enzyme immunoassays in the diagnosis of camel (Camelus dromedarius) trypanosomiasis:a preliminary investigation

Three enzyme immunoassays were used for the serodiagnosis of Trypanosoma evansi in camels in the Sudan in order to evaluate their ability to discriminate between infected and non-infected animals. Two assays were used for the detection of trypanosomal antibodies, one using specific anti-camel IgG conjugate and another using a non-specific Protein A conjugate. The third assay detected the presence of trypanosomal antigens using anti-T. evansi antibodies in a double antibody sandwich assay. Inspection of the frequency distribution of assay results suggested that the ELISA for circulating trypanosomal antibodies using specific antisera and the ELISA for circulating antigens can distinguish between non-infected camels and infected camels exhibiting patent infections or not. The ELISA using Protein A conjugate to bind non-specifically to camel immunoglobulin did not appear to discriminate between infected and non-infected animals

Effects of rotation on coolant passage heat transfer. Volume 1: Coolant passages with smooth walls

An experimental program was conducted to investigate heat transfer and pressure loss characteristics of rotating multipass passages, for configurations and dimensions typical of modern turbine blades. The immediate objective was the generation of a data base of heat transfer and pressure loss data required to develop heat transfer correlations and to assess computational fluid dynamic techniques for rotating coolant passages. Experiments were conducted in a smooth wall large scale heat transfer model

Feature weighting techniques for CBR in software effort estimation studies: A review and empirical evaluation

Context : Software effort estimation is one of the most important activities in the software development process. Unfortunately, estimates are often substantially wrong. Numerous estimation methods have been proposed including Case-based Reasoning (CBR). In order to improve CBR estimation accuracy, many researchers have proposed feature weighting techniques (FWT). Objective: Our purpose is to systematically review the empirical evidence to determine whether FWT leads to improved predictions. In addition we evaluate these techniques from the perspectives of (i) approach (ii) strengths and weaknesses (iii) performance and (iv) experimental evaluation approach including the data sets used. Method: We conducted a systematic literature review of published, refereed primary studies on FWT (2000-2014). Results: We identified 19 relevant primary studies. These reported a range of different techniques. 17 out of 19 make benchmark comparisons with standard CBR and 16 out of 17 studies report improved accuracy. Using a one-sample sign test this positive impact is significant (p = 0:0003). Conclusion: The actionable conclusion from this study is that our review of all relevant empirical evidence supports the use of FWTs and we recommend that researchers and practitioners give serious consideration to their adoption

Infinite partition monoids

Let $\mathcal P_X$ and $\mathcal S_X$ be the partition monoid and symmetric group on an infinite set $X$. We show that $\mathcal P_X$ may be generated by $\mathcal S_X$ together with two (but no fewer) additional partitions, and we classify the pairs $\alpha,\beta\in\mathcal P_X$ for which $\mathcal P_X$ is generated by $\mathcal S_X\cup\{\alpha,\beta\}$. We also show that $\mathcal P_X$ may be generated by the set $\mathcal E_X$ of all idempotent partitions together with two (but no fewer) additional partitions. In fact, $\mathcal P_X$ is generated by $\mathcal E_X\cup\{\alpha,\beta\}$ if and only if it is generated by $\mathcal E_X\cup\mathcal S_X\cup\{\alpha,\beta\}$. We also classify the pairs $\alpha,\beta\in\mathcal P_X$ for which $\mathcal P_X$ is generated by $\mathcal E_X\cup\{\alpha,\beta\}$. Among other results, we show that any countable subset of $\mathcal P_X$ is contained in a $4$-generated subsemigroup of $\mathcal P_X$, and that the length function on $\mathcal P_X$ is bounded with respect to any generating set

Study of a small solar probe /sunblazer/. part ii- spacecraft and payload design progress report, jul. 1, 1964 - jun. 30, 1965

Design considerations for Sunblazer solar probe and payloa

Thrower\u27s Exostosis of the Shoulder: A Systematic Review with a Novel Classification

Background: A variety of thrower\u27s exostoses are grouped under the term Bennett lesion, which makes understanding diagnosis and treatment difficult. Purpose: To identify all types of reported thrower\u27s and overhead athlete\u27s exostoses and categorize them into a classification system to allow a morphology-based classification. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A systematic review of all articles pertaining to Bennett lesions and thrower\u27s exostosis was performed. The classification and treatments were evaluated to describe the types, proposed causes, diagnosis, and treatment options. Results: A total of 27 studies were included in the systematic review. The anatomic locations referenced in the study demonstrated posteroinferior, posterior, and posterosuperior glenoid lesions. Aggregate radiographic data demonstrated 158 of 306 patients (52%) with a thrower\u27s exostosis of any type and location. Of these 158 patients with a radiographic lesion, 119 (75%) patients were symptomatic. The locations were posteroinferior in 110 patients (70%), directly posterior in 2 patients (1.3%), posterosuperior in 44 patients (28%), and unknown in 2 patients (1.3%). Avulsed lesions were present in 9 (5.7%) posteroinferior lesions, 0 direct posterior lesions, and 2 (1.3%) posterosuperior lesions. Treatment plans included both nonoperative and operative strategies, but operative intervention was more commonly reported for detached lesions. After operative intervention, only 61% of reported athletes returned to preinjury performance. Conclusion: Based on a comprehensive review of the literature, we identified several anatomic locations for a thrower\u27s exostosis beyond the classic Bennett lesion. We categorized the reported exostoses into a new classification system for description of location and type (subperiosteal or free fragment) of the thrower\u27s exostosis, which may be used to study future treatments. Current treatment strategies recommend that surgical treatment of thrower\u27s exostosis is considered only after exhausting nonoperative management because reported return to sport is variable after surgery. The effectiveness of excision or repair for both subperiosteal and detached lesions has not been established

Reentrant Peak Effect in an anisotropic superconductor 2H-NbSe_2 : Role of disorder

The reentrant nature of Peak Effect is established in a single crystal of 2H-NbSe_2 via electrical transport and dc magnetisation studies. The role of disorder on the reentrant branch of PE has been examined in three single crystals with varying levels of quenched random disorder. Increasing disorder presumably shrinks the (H,T) parameter space over which vortex array retains spatial order. Although, the upper branch of the PE curve is somewhat robust, the lower reentrant branch of the same curve is strongly affected by disorder.Comment: 5 Pages of text, 4 figure

Chaos and its quantization in dynamical Jahn-Teller systems

We investigate the $E_g \otimes e_g$ Jahn-Teller system for the purpose to reveal the nature of quantum chaos in crystals. This system simulates the interaction between the nuclear vibrational modes and the electronic motion in non-Kramers doublets for multiplets of transition-metal ions. Inclusion of the anharmonic potential due to the trigonal symmetry in crystals makes the system nonintegrable and chaotic. Besides the quantal analysis of the transition from Poisson to Wigner level statistics with increasing the strength of anharmonicity, we study the effect of chaos on the electronic orbital angular momentum and explore the magnetic $g$-factor as a function of the system's energy. The regular oscillation of this factor changes to a rapidly-decaying irregular oscillation by increasing the anharmonicity (chaoticity).Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure