553 research outputs found
Interpolation and Extrapolation of Toeplitz Matrices via Optimal Mass Transport
In this work, we propose a novel method for quantifying distances between
Toeplitz structured covariance matrices. By exploiting the spectral
representation of Toeplitz matrices, the proposed distance measure is defined
based on an optimal mass transport problem in the spectral domain. This may
then be interpreted in the covariance domain, suggesting a natural way of
interpolating and extrapolating Toeplitz matrices, such that the positive
semi-definiteness and the Toeplitz structure of these matrices are preserved.
The proposed distance measure is also shown to be contractive with respect to
both additive and multiplicative noise, and thereby allows for a quantification
of the decreased distance between signals when these are corrupted by noise.
Finally, we illustrate how this approach can be used for several applications
in signal processing. In particular, we consider interpolation and
extrapolation of Toeplitz matrices, as well as clustering problems and tracking
of slowly varying stochastic processes
Estimating Sparse Signals Using Integrated Wideband Dictionaries
In this paper, we introduce a wideband dictionary framework for estimating
sparse signals. By formulating integrated dictionary elements spanning bands of
the considered parameter space, one may efficiently find and discard large
parts of the parameter space not active in the signal. After each iteration,
the zero-valued parts of the dictionary may be discarded to allow a refined
dictionary to be formed around the active elements, resulting in a zoomed
dictionary to be used in the following iterations. Implementing this scheme
allows for more accurate estimates, at a much lower computational cost, as
compared to directly forming a larger dictionary spanning the whole parameter
space or performing a zooming procedure using standard dictionary elements.
Different from traditional dictionaries, the wideband dictionary allows for the
use of dictionaries with fewer elements than the number of available samples
without loss of resolution. The technique may be used on both one- and
multi-dimensional signals, and may be exploited to refine several traditional
sparse estimators, here illustrated with the LASSO and the SPICE estimators.
Numerical examples illustrate the improved performance
Generalized Sparse Covariance-based Estimation
In this work, we extend the sparse iterative covariance-based estimator
(SPICE), by generalizing the formulation to allow for different norm
constraints on the signal and noise parameters in the covariance model. For a
given norm, the resulting extended SPICE method enjoys the same benefits as the
regular SPICE method, including being hyper-parameter free, although the choice
of norms are shown to govern the sparsity in the resulting solution.
Furthermore, we show that solving the extended SPICE method is equivalent to
solving a penalized regression problem, which provides an alternative
interpretation of the proposed method and a deeper insight on the differences
in sparsity between the extended and the original SPICE formulation. We examine
the performance of the method for different choices of norms, and compare the
results to the original SPICE method, showing the benefits of using the
extended formulation. We also provide two ways of solving the extended SPICE
method; one grid-based method, for which an efficient implementation is given,
and a gridless method for the sinusoidal case, which results in a semi-definite
programming problem
Long Gamma-Ray Burst Host Galaxies and their Environments
In this book-chapter we first briefly discuss some basic observational issues
related to what a GRB host galaxy is (whether they are operationally well
defined as a class) and sample completeness. We then describe some of the early
studies of GRB hosts starting with statistical studies of upper limits done
prior to the first detections, the first host detection after the BeppoSAX
breakthrough and leading up to the current Swift era. Finally, we discuss the
status of efforts to construct a more complete sample of GRBs based on Swift
and end with an outlook. We only consider the host galaxies of long-duration
GRBs.Comment: 31 pages, 14 figures; Chapter 13 in "Gamma-Ray Bursts", eds. C.
Kouveliotou, R. A. M. J. Wijers, S. E. Woosley, Cambridge University Press,
201
Sparse Semi-Parametric Chirp Estimator
In this work, we present a method for estimating the parameters detailing an unknown number of linear chirp signals, using an iterative sparse reconstruction framework. The proposed method is initiated by a re-weighted Lasso approach, and then use an iterative relaxation-based refining step to allow for high resolution estimates. The resulting estimates are found to be statistically efficient, achieving the Cramér-Rao lower bound. Numerical simulations illustrate the achievable performance, offering a notable improvement as compared to other recent approaches
Sparse Semi-Parametric Estimation of Harmonic Chirp Signals
In this work, we present a method for estimating the parameters detailing an unknown number of linear, possibly harmonically related, chirp signals, using an iterative sparse reconstruction framework. The proposed method is initiated by a re-weighted group-sparsity approach, followed by an iterative relaxation-based refining step, to allow for high resolution estimates. Numerical simulations illustrate the achievable performance, offering a notable improvement as compared to other recent approaches. The resulting estimates are found to be statistically efficient, achieving the corresponding Cram´er-Rao lower bound
Functional Studies of microRNAs in Neural Stem Cells: Problems and Perspectives
In adult mammals, neural stem cells (NSCs) are found in two niches of the brain; the subventricular zone by the lateral ventricles and the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus. Neurogenesis is a complex process that is tightly controlled on a molecular level. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated to play a central role in the regulation of NCSs. miRNAs are small, endogenously expressed RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. However, functional studies of miRNAs are complicated due to current technical limitations. In this review we describe recent findings about miRNAs in NSCs looking closely at miR-124, miR-9, and let-7. In addition, we highlight technical strategies used to investigate miRNA function, accentuating limitations, and potentials
Effects of Different Types of Lower Body Resistance Exercise on Upper-body Strength in Men and Women, with Special Reference to Anabolic Hormones
International Journal of Exercise Science 14(3): 1052-1069, 2021. Resistance exercise has been shown to induce an acute hormonal response. The purpose of this study was to examine upper-body adaptations and the endocrine response to strength training in men and women when subjected to two different types of lower-body resistance training protocols. Nine males and eight females were assigned to either a Heavy Load (HL) (N = 10) or Mixed Load (ML) (N = 7) training routine three times per week for ten weeks. The HL-group executed low-volume, high-load resistance exercise for both lower and upper-body (4-6 reps at 80-90% of one repetition maximum (1-RM), three-minute inter-set rest). The ML-group performed the HL-protocol for the upper-body, but a high-volume, moderate-load protocol for the lower body (10-15 reps at 60-70% of 1-RM, one-minute inter-set rest). Volume load, 1-RM strength and hormonal measurements were analyzed by repeated-measures linear mixed models. Both groups increased their 1-RM in all assessments (p \u3c 0.01) with no significant difference between groups at any time. Growth hormone (GH), testosterone and bioavailable testosterone (T/SHBG) increased in both groups during a standardized exercise session (p \u3c 0.01) with ML having a greater increase in GH. The notion that acute elevations in anabolic hormones is important for muscle strength adaptation cannot be supported by the present study
GRBs as Probes of Massive Stars Near and Far
Long-duration gamma-ray bursts are the manifestations of massive stellar
death. Due to the immense energy release they are detectable from most of the
observable universe. In this way they allow us to study the deaths of single
(or binary) massive stars possibly throughout the full timespan massive stars
have existed in the Universe. GRBs provide a means to infer information about
the environments and typical galaxies in which massive stars are formed. Two
main obstacles remain to be crossed before the full potential of GRBs as probes
of massive stars can be harvested: i) we need to build more complete and well
understood samples in order not to be fooled by biases, and ii) we need to
understand to which extent GRBs may be intrinsically biased in the sense that
they are only formed by a limited subset of massive stars defined by most
likely a restricted metallicity interval. We describe the status of an ongoing
effort to build a more complete sample of long-duration GRBs with measured
redshifts. Already now we can conclude that the environments of GRB progenitors
are very diverse with metallicities ranging from solar to a hundredth solar and
extinction ranging from none to A_V>5 mag. We have also identified a sightline
with significant escape of Lyman continuum photons and another with a clear
2175AA extinction bump.Comment: Invited review - in "Massive Stars as Cosmic Engines", IAU Symp. 250
(Kauai), ed. F. Bresolin, P. A. Crowther, and J. Puls (Cambridge University
Press), p. 443-456. Typos and refs correcte
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