113 research outputs found
Subdiffusive transport in intergranular lanes on the Sun. The Leighton model revisited
In this paper we consider a random motion of magnetic bright points (MBP)
associated with magnetic fields at the solar photosphere. The MBP transport in
the short time range [0-20 minutes] has a subdiffusive character as the
magnetic flux tends to accumulate at sinks of the flow field. Such a behavior
can be rigorously described in the framework of a continuous time random walk
leading to the fractional Fokker-Planck dynamics. This formalism, applied for
the analysis of the solar subdiffusion of magnetic fields, generalizes the
Leighton's model.Comment: 7 page
Low-lying GT(+) strength in Co-64 studied via the Ni-64(d,He-2)Co-64 reaction
The Ni-64(d,He-2)Co-64 reaction was studied at the AGOR cyclotron of KVI, Groningen, with the Big-Bite Spectrometer and the EuroSuperNova detector using a 171-MeV deuteron beam. An energy resolution of about 110 keV was achieved. In addition to the J(pi) = 1(+) ground state, several other 1(+) states could be identified in Co-64 and the strengths of the corresponding Gamow-Teller transitions were determined. The obtained strength distribution was compared with theoretical predictions and former (n,p) experimental results and displayed a good agreement. Due to the good energy resolution, detailed spectroscopic information was obtained, which supplements the data base needed for network calculations for supernova scenarios
Convolution-type derivatives, hitting-times of subordinators and time-changed -semigroups
In this paper we will take under consideration subordinators and their
inverse processes (hitting-times). We will present in general the governing
equations of such processes by means of convolution-type integro-differential
operators similar to the fractional derivatives. Furthermore we will discuss
the concept of time-changed -semigroup in case the time-change is
performed by means of the hitting-time of a subordinator. We will show that
such time-change give rise to bounded linear operators not preserving the
semigroup property and we will present their governing equations by using again
integro-differential operators. Such operators are non-local and therefore we
will investigate the presence of long-range dependence.Comment: Final version, Potential analysis, 201
Feller Processes: The Next Generation in Modeling. Brownian Motion, L\'evy Processes and Beyond
We present a simple construction method for Feller processes and a framework
for the generation of sample paths of Feller processes. The construction is
based on state space dependent mixing of L\'evy processes.
Brownian Motion is one of the most frequently used continuous time Markov
processes in applications. In recent years also L\'evy processes, of which
Brownian Motion is a special case, have become increasingly popular.
L\'evy processes are spatially homogeneous, but empirical data often suggest
the use of spatially inhomogeneous processes. Thus it seems necessary to go to
the next level of generalization: Feller processes. These include L\'evy
processes and in particular Brownian motion as special cases but allow spatial
inhomogeneities.
Many properties of Feller processes are known, but proving the very existence
is, in general, very technical. Moreover, an applicable framework for the
generation of sample paths of a Feller process was missing. We explain, with
practitioners in mind, how to overcome both of these obstacles. In particular
our simulation technique allows to apply Monte Carlo methods to Feller
processes.Comment: 22 pages, including 4 figures and 8 pages of source code for the
generation of sample paths of Feller processe
Fractional Cauchy problems on bounded domains: survey of recent results
In a fractional Cauchy problem, the usual first order time derivative is
replaced by a fractional derivative. This problem was first considered by
\citet{nigmatullin}, and \citet{zaslavsky} in for modeling some
physical phenomena.
The fractional derivative models time delays in a diffusion process. We will
give a survey of the recent results on the fractional Cauchy problem and its
generalizations on bounded domains D\subset \rd obtained in \citet{m-n-v-aop,
mnv-2}. We also study the solutions of fractional Cauchy problem where the
first time derivative is replaced with an infinite sum of fractional
derivatives. We point out a connection to eigenvalue problems for the
fractional time operators considered. The solutions to the eigenvalue problems
are expressed by Mittag-Leffler functions and its generalized versions. The
stochastic solution of the eigenvalue problems for the fractional derivatives
are given by inverse subordinators
Randomly Stopped Nonlinear Fractional Birth Processes
We present and analyse the nonlinear classical pure birth process
\mathpzc{N} (t), , and the fractional pure birth process
\mathpzc{N}^\nu (t), , subordinated to various random times, namely the
first-passage time of the standard Brownian motion , , the
-stable subordinator \mathpzc{S}^\alpha(t), , and
others. For all of them we derive the state probability distribution , and, in some cases, we also present the corresponding
governing differential equation. We also highlight interesting interpretations
for both the subordinated classical birth process \hat{\mathpzc{N}} (t),
, and its fractional counterpart \hat{\mathpzc{N}}^\nu (t), in
terms of classical birth processes with random rates evaluated on a stretched
or squashed time scale. Various types of compositions of the fractional pure
birth process \mathpzc{N}^\nu(t) have been examined in the last part of the
paper. In particular, the processes \mathpzc{N}^\nu(T_t),
\mathpzc{N}^\nu(\mathpzc{S}^\alpha(t)), \mathpzc{N}^\nu(T_{2\nu}(t)), have
been analysed, where , , is a process related to fractional
diffusion equations. Also the related process
\mathpzc{N}(\mathpzc{S}^\alpha({T_{2\nu}(t)})) is investigated and compared
with \mathpzc{N}(T_{2\nu}(\mathpzc{S}^\alpha(t))) = \mathpzc{N}^\nu
(\mathpzc{S}^\alpha(t)). As a byproduct of our analysis, some formulae
relating Mittag--Leffler functions are obtained
Antiinflammatory Therapy with Canakinumab for Atherosclerotic Disease
Background: Experimental and clinical data suggest that reducing inflammation without affecting lipid levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Yet, the inflammatory hypothesis of atherothrombosis has remained unproved. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of canakinumab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, involving 10,061 patients with previous myocardial infarction and a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level of 2 mg or more per liter. The trial compared three doses of canakinumab (50 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg, administered subcutaneously every 3 months) with placebo. The primary efficacy end point was nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: At 48 months, the median reduction from baseline in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was 26 percentage points greater in the group that received the 50-mg dose of canakinumab, 37 percentage points greater in the 150-mg group, and 41 percentage points greater in the 300-mg group than in the placebo group. Canakinumab did not reduce lipid levels from baseline. At a median follow-up of 3.7 years, the incidence rate for the primary end point was 4.50 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group, 4.11 events per 100 person-years in the 50-mg group, 3.86 events per 100 person-years in the 150-mg group, and 3.90 events per 100 person-years in the 300-mg group. The hazard ratios as compared with placebo were as follows: in the 50-mg group, 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.07; P = 0.30); in the 150-mg group, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.98; P = 0.021); and in the 300-mg group, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; P = 0.031). The 150-mg dose, but not the other doses, met the prespecified multiplicity-adjusted threshold for statistical significance for the primary end point and the secondary end point that additionally included hospitalization for unstable angina that led to urgent revascularization (hazard ratio vs. placebo, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.95; P = 0.005). Canakinumab was associated with a higher incidence of fatal infection than was placebo. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for all canakinumab doses vs. placebo, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.06; P = 0.31). Conclusions: Antiinflammatory therapy targeting the interleukin-1β innate immunity pathway with canakinumab at a dose of 150 mg every 3 months led to a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events than placebo, independent of lipid-level lowering. (Funded by Novartis; CANTOS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01327846.
Treatment of canine atopic dermatitis: 2015 updated guidelines from the International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals (ICADA)
Background: In 2010, the International Task Force on Canine Atopic Dermatitis (now International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals, ICADA) published the first consensus guidelines for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) in dogs. This is the first 5-year minor update of this document. Results: The treatment of acute flares of AD should involve the search for, and then elimination of, the cause of the flares, bathing with mild shampoos, and controlling pruritus and skin lesions with interventions that include topical and/or oral glucocorticoids or oclacitinib. For chronic canine AD, the first steps in management are the identification and avoidance of flare factors, as well as ensuring that there is adequate skin and coat hygiene and care;this might include more frequent bathing and possibly increasing essential fatty acid intake. The medications currently most effective in reducing chronic pruritus and skin lesions are topical and oral glucocorticoids, oral ciclosporin, oral oclacitinib, and, where available, injectable recombinant interferons. Allergen-specific immunotherapy and proactive intermittent topical glucocorticoid applications are the only interventions likely to prevent or delay the recurrence of flares of AD. Conclusions: This first 5-year minor update of the international consensus guidelines for treatment of AD in dogs further establishes that the treatment of this disease is multifaceted, and that interventions should be combined for a proven (or likely) optimal benefit. Importantly, treatment plans are likely to vary between dogs and, for the same dog, between times when the disease is at different stages
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