Polynomial Relations in the Centre of U_q(sl(N))

When the parameter of deformation q is a m-th root of unity, the centre of U_q(sl(N))$ contains, besides the usual q-deformed Casimirs, a set of new generators, which are basically the m-th powers of all the Cartan generators of U_q(sl(N)). All these central elements are however not independent. In this letter, generalising the well-known case of U_q(sl(2)), we explicitly write polynomial relations satisfied by the generators of the centre. Application to the parametrization of irreducible representations and to fusion rules are sketched.Comment: 8 pages, minor TeXnical revision to allow automatic TeXin

Classification and Verification of Online Handwritten Signatures with Time Causal Information Theory Quantifiers

We present a new approach for online handwritten signature classification and verification based on descriptors stemming from Information Theory. The proposal uses the Shannon Entropy, the Statistical Complexity, and the Fisher Information evaluated over the Bandt and Pompe symbolization of the horizontal and vertical coordinates of signatures. These six features are easy and fast to compute, and they are the input to an One-Class Support Vector Machine classifier. The results produced surpass state-of-the-art techniques that employ higher-dimensional feature spaces which often require specialized software and hardware. We assess the consistency of our proposal with respect to the size of the training sample, and we also use it to classify the signatures into meaningful groups.Comment: Submitted to PLOS On

A multi-level approach to flood frequency regionalisation

A multi-level approach to flood frequency regionalisation is given. Based on observed flood data, it combines physical and statistical criteria to cluster homogeneous groups in a geographical area. Seasonality analysis helps identify catchments with a common flood generation mechanism. Scale invariance of annual maximum flood, as parameterised by basin area, is used to check the regional homogeneity of flood peaks. Homogeneity tests are used to assess the statistical robustness of the regions. The approach is based on the appropriate use of the index flood method (Dalrymple, 1960) in regions with complex climate and topography controls. An application to north-western Italy is presented.</p> <p style='line-height: 20px;'><b>Keywords:</b> homogeneity, multi-level approach, regionalisation, seasonality, scale invariance, similarity, test

Universal Statistics of the Critical Depinning Force of Elastic Systems in Random Media

We study the rescaled probability distribution of the critical depinning force of an elastic system in a random medium. We put in evidence the underlying connection between the critical properties of the depinning transition and the extreme value statistics of correlated variables. The distribution is Gaussian for all periodic systems, while in the case of random manifolds there exists a family of universal functions ranging from the Gaussian to the Gumbel distribution. Both of these scenarios are a priori experimentally accessible in finite, macroscopic, disordered elastic systems.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Flower, a Model for the Analysis of Hydraulic Networks and Processes

We have developed in the past years a model that describes hydraulic networks that are typical of the cryogenic interconnection of superconducting magnets. The original model, called Flower, was used mostly to provide consistent boundary conditions for the operation of a magnet. The main limitations were associated with the number and nature of modelling elements available, and to the maximum size of the model that could be solved. Here we present an improvement of the model largely relaxing the above limitations by the addition of new modelling elements, such as parallel flow heat exchangers, and by a significant improvement in the numerics of the solver, using sparse matrix storage and solution techniques. We finally show a typical application to the case of a magnet quench in the LHC string

Distinguishing noise from chaos: objective versus subjective criteria using Horizontal Visibility Graph

A recently proposed methodology called the Horizontal Visibility Graph (HVG) [Luque {\it et al.}, Phys. Rev. E., 80, 046103 (2009)] that constitutes a geometrical simplification of the well known Visibility Graph algorithm [Lacasa {\it et al.\/}, Proc. Natl. Sci. U.S.A. 105, 4972 (2008)], has been used to study the distinction between deterministic and stochastic components in time series [L. Lacasa and R. Toral, Phys. Rev. E., 82, 036120 (2010)]. Specifically, the authors propose that the node degree distribution of these processes follows an exponential functional of the form $P(\kappa)\sim \exp(-\lambda~\kappa)$, in which $\kappa$ is the node degree and $\lambda$ is a positive parameter able to distinguish between deterministic (chaotic) and stochastic (uncorrelated and correlated) dynamics. In this work, we investigate the characteristics of the node degree distributions constructed by using HVG, for time series corresponding to $28$ chaotic maps and $3$ different stochastic processes. We thoroughly study the methodology proposed by Lacasa and Toral finding several cases for which their hypothesis is not valid. We propose a methodology that uses the HVG together with Information Theory quantifiers. An extensive and careful analysis of the node degree distributions obtained by applying HVG allow us to conclude that the Fisher-Shannon information plane is a remarkable tool able to graphically represent the different nature, deterministic or stochastic, of the systems under study.Comment: Submitted to PLOS On

Two-channel analysis of QUELL experimental results

We have improved the model presently used in the thermo-hydraulic code Gandalf, adapting it to cable-in-conduit conductors with central cooling channel such as those developed for the model coils of ITER. In particular the helium flow in an arbitrary number of parallel channels have now independent velocity and thermodynamic state (pressure and temperature). We demonstrate the capability of the new model by means of comparison to measurements taken during the QUELL experiment in SULTAN. We compare in particular data on heat slug at zero current and field in a broad range of energy inputs, as well as data on quench propagation, to simulation results obtained with the single channel approximation and the newly implemented two-channel model. The latter achieves significantly better agreement with experimental data, in particular in the case of slow heating transients such as in heat slug propagation tests. (10 refs)

Factors affecting the vaccination choices of pregnant women for their children. A systematic review of the literature

In recent years, an increase in vaccine hesitancy has led to a decrease in vaccination coverage in several countries. We conducted a systematic review of studies that assessed knowledge of and attitudes toward pediatric vaccinations, and the vaccination choices and their determinants among pregnant women. A total of 6,277 records were retrieved, and 16 full texts were included in the narrative synthesis. The published literature on the topic shows that, overall, pregnant women believe that vaccines are important for the protection of their children and the community, but various concerns and misunderstandings persist around vaccine safety and efficacy, which reduce the trust of expectant mothers in immunization. Nevertheless, such attitudes and choices vary depending on the vaccine being considered and the corresponding determinants should therefore be studied in the context of each specific vaccination. Further research on this topic is needed, particularly in non-western countries