Discrete Correlation Research Articles

Long-term optical and radio variability analysis of BL Lacertae 2200+420

Based on the radio light curves in 22 GHz and 37 GHz from the Metsahovi monitoring program and the optical light curves in BVRI bands from previously published results and the “Whole Earth Blazar Telescope” (WEBT) archives, we analyze the time delay among 22 GHz, 37 GHz and optical bands (B, V, R, I) of BL Lacertae by means of discrete correlation method. The results suggest there exist strong correlation among 22 GHz, 37 GHz and optical bands (B, V, R, I) with zero-lag. The 37 GHz lags behind R band by 11 months. The correlation of brightness and color index among BVRI bands, brightness and spectral index between 37 GHz and 22 GHz are also investigated. The results show a clear trend of bluer-when-brighter.

HINTS OF CORRELATION BETWEEN BROAD-LINE AND RADIO VARIATIONS FOR 3C 120

In the paper, we investigate correlation between broad-line and radio variations for broad-line radio galaxy 3C 120. By the z-transformed discrete correlation function method and the model-independent flux randomization/random subset selection (FR/RSS) Monte Carlo method, we find that the broad Hbeta line variations lead the 15 GHz variations. The FR/RSS method shows that the Hbeta line variations lead the radio variations by a factor of tau_{ob}=0.34 +/- 0.01 yr. This time lag can be used to locate the position of emitting region of radio outbursts in jet, on the order of ~ 5 light-years, from the central engine. This distance is much larger than the size of broad-line region. The large separation of the radio outburst emitting region from the broad-line region will observably influence the gamma-ray emission in 3C 120.

3C 273 variability at 7 mm: evidence of shocks and precession in the jet

We report 4 years of observations of 3C273 at 7 mm obtained with the Itapetinga Radiotelescope, in Brazil, between 2009 and 2013. We detected a flare in 2010 March, when the flux density increased by 50% and reached 35 Jy. After the flare, the flux density started to decrease and reached values lower than 10 Jy. We suggest that the 7 mm flare is the radio counterpart of the $\gamma$-ray flare observed by Fermi/LAT in 2009 September, in which the flux density at high energies reached a factor of fifty of its average value. A delay of 170 days between the radio and $\gamma$-ray flares was revealed using the Discrete Correlation Function (DCF) that can be interpreted in the context of a shock model, in which each flare corresponds to the formation of a compact superluminal component that expands and becomes optically thin at radio frequencies at latter epochs. The difference in flare intensity between frequencies and at a different times, is explained as a consequence of an increase in the Doppler factor $\delta$, as predicted by the 16 year precession model proposed by Abraham & Romero, which has a large effect on boosting at high frequencies while does not affect too much the observed optically thick radio emission. We discuss other observable effects of the variation in $\delta$, as the increase in the formation rate of superluminal components, the variations in the time delay between flares and the periodic behaviour of the radio light curve that we found compatible with changes in the Doppler factor.

The awakening of BL Lacertae: observations by Fermi, Swift and the GASP-WEBT★

Since the launch of the Fermi satellite, BL Lacertae has been moderately active at gamma-rays and optical frequencies until May 2011, when the source started a series of strong flares. The exceptional optical sampling achieved by the GLAST-AGILE Support Program (GASP) of the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) in collaboration with the Steward Observatory allows us to perform a detailed comparison with the daily gamma-ray observations by Fermi. Discrete correlation analysis between the optical and gamma-ray emission reveals correlation with a time lag of 0 +- 1 d, which suggests cospatiality of the corresponding jet emitting regions. A better definition of the time lag is hindered by the daily gaps in the sampling of the extremely fast flux variations. In general, optical flares present more structure and develop on longer time scales than corresponding gamma-ray flares. Observations at X-rays and at millimetre wavelengths reveal a common trend, which suggests that the region producing the mm and X-ray radiation is located downstream from the optical and gamma-ray-emitting zone in the jet. The mean optical degree of polarisation slightly decreases over the considered period and in general it is higher when the flux is lower. The optical electric vector polarisation angle (EVPA) shows a preferred orientation of about 15 deg, nearly aligned with the radio core EVPA and mean jet direction. Oscillations around it increase during the 2011-2012 outburst. We investigate the effects of a geometrical interpretation of the long-term flux variability on the polarisation. A helical magnetic field model predicts an evolution of the mean polarisation that is in reasonable agreement with the observations. These can be fully explained by introducing slight variations in the compression factor in a transverse shock waves model.

MINUTE-SCALE RAPID VARIABILITY OF THE OPTICAL POLARIZATION IN THE NARROW-LINE SEYFERT 1 GALAXY PMN J0948+0022

We report on optical photopolarimetric results of the radio-loud narrow-line Seyfert 1 (RL-NLSy1) galaxy PMN J0948+0022 on 2012 December to 2013 February triggered by flux enhancements in the near infrared and γ-ray bands. With the one-shot polarimetry of the Hiroshima One-shot Wide field Polarimeter installed on the Kanata Telescope, we detected very rapid variability in the polarized-flux (PF) light curve on MJD 56281 (2012 December 20). The rise and decay times were about 140 s and 180 s, respectively. The polarization degree (PD) reached 36% ± 3% at the peak of the short-duration pulse, while the polarization angle remained almost constant. In addition, temporal profiles of the total flux and PD showed highly variable but well correlated behavior and discrete correlation function analysis revealed that no significant time lag of more than 10 minutes was present. The high PD and minute-scale variability in PF provides clear evidence of synchrotron radiation from a very compact emission region of ∼1014 cm size with a highly ordered magnetic field. Such micro-variability of polarization is also observed in several blazar jets, but its complex relation between total flux and PD are explained by a multi-zone model in several blazars. The implied single emission region in PMN J0948+0022 might reflect a difference of jets between RL-NLSy1s and blazars.

In vitro chloroquine resistance for Plasmodium vivax isolates from the Western Brazilian Amazon

BackgroundChloroquine (CQ) and primaquine (PQ) are still the drugs of choice to treat Plasmodium vivax malaria in many endemic areas, Brazil included. There is in vivo evidence for the P. vivax resistance to CQ in the Brazilian Amazon, where the increase in the proportion of P. vivax malaria parallels the increase of unusual clinical complications related to this species. In this study, in vitro CQ and mefloquine (MQ)-susceptibility of P. vivax isolates from the Western Brazilian Amazon was tested using the double-site enzyme-linked lactate dehydrogenase immunodetection (DELI) assay.MethodsA total of 112 P. vivax isolates were tested in vitro for CQ-susceptibility and out of these 47 were also tested for MQ-susceptibility. The DELI assay was used to detect P. vivax growth at 48-hour short-term culture in isolates with ring stages ranging from 50 to %. Each isolate was tested in triplicate and geometric means of IC50’s was obtained. Nineteen isolates were genetically characterized for pvdhfr, pvmrp1, pvmdr1 and pvdhps candidate genes likely related to CQ resistance (10 with IC50<40 nM and 9 with IC50 >100 nM).ResultsTwelve out of 112 isolates were considered resistant to CQ, resulting in 10.7% (IC95% 5.0-16.4), while 3 out of 47 (6.4%; IC95% 0.0-12.8) were resistant to MQ. A discrete correlation was observed between IC50’s of CQ and MQ (Spearman=0.294; p=0.045). For pvdhps gene, a non-synonymous mutation was found at codon 382 (S→C) in 5/8 CQ-sensitive samples and 1/9 CQ-resistant samples (p=0.027). The other molecular markers were not associated to CQ-susceptibility.ConclusionsIn vitro CQ-resistance estimated in this study, estimated by the DELI test, was very similar to that observed in clinical trials, suggesting that in vitro procedures developed by capable local laboratories are useful in the surveillance of CQ-resistance in the Amazon; concurrent Amazon P. vivax strains with both CQ and MQ resistance may be common; and a non-synonymous mutation at pvdhps codon 382 (S→C) was associated to in vitro susceptibility to CQ, needing further studies to be confirmed.

Time Lag in the Intra-Day Variability of Sagittarius A between Light Curves at 90 and 102 GHz

Abstract We performed observations of the flux densities of Sgr A$ ^\star$ at 90 and 102 GHz in order to detect any time lag between these frequencies using the Nobeyama Millimeter Array, which was previously reported at lower frequencies. We detected a radio flare during the observation period on 2005 April 6, and calculated the z-transformed discrete correlation function between the light curves. No time lag between these frequencies was detected. If the expanding plasma model, which explains a time lag at lower frequencies, is valid, the light curve at 90 GHz would be delayed in respect to that at 102 GHz. This result suggests that plasma blobs ejected close to the Galactic center black hole may be widely diverse, especially in optical thickness. Another possibility is that a major portion of the flux above 100 GHz does not originate in blobs.

Discrete Neural Correlates for the Recognition of Negative Emotions: Insights from Frontotemporal Dementia

Patients with frontotemporal dementia have pervasive changes in emotion recognition and social cognition, yet the neural changes underlying these emotion processing deficits remain unclear. The multimodal system model of emotion proposes that basic emotions are dependent on distinct brain regions, which undergo significant pathological changes in frontotemporal dementia. As such, this syndrome may provide important insight into the impact of neural network degeneration upon the innate ability to recognise emotions. This study used voxel-based morphometry to identify discrete neural correlates involved in the recognition of basic emotions (anger, disgust, fear, sadness, surprise and happiness) in frontotemporal dementia. Forty frontotemporal dementia patients (18 behavioural-variant, 11 semantic dementia, 11 progressive nonfluent aphasia) and 27 healthy controls were tested on two facial emotion recognition tasks: The Ekman 60 and Ekman Caricatures. Although each frontotemporal dementia group showed impaired recognition of negative emotions, distinct associations between emotion-specific task performance and changes in grey matter intensity emerged. Fear recognition was associated with the right amygdala; disgust recognition with the left insula; anger recognition with the left middle and superior temporal gyrus; and sadness recognition with the left subcallosal cingulate, indicating that discrete neural substrates are necessary for emotion recognition in frontotemporal dementia. The erosion of emotion-specific neural networks in neurodegenerative disorders may produce distinct profiles of performance that are relevant to understanding the neurobiological basis of emotion processing.

Application of three-dimensional spatial correlation properties of coherent noise in phase noise suppression for digital holographic microscopy

The inherited coherent noise degrades the phase imaging quality in digital holographic microscopy (DHM). To overcome the problem, an experimental investigation on the three-dimensional (3D) spatial correlation properties of coherent noise is carried out. Multiple blank holograms are recorded without any specimen in DHM setup by consecutively shifting camera along the optical axis, and a series of phase distribution of coherent noise can be obtained by numerical reconstruction. Then, based on the phase distributions, the lateral and longitudinal correlation properties of coherent noise are analyzed by a discrete correlation algorithm. Furthermore, a method for reducing phase noise is proposed by use of multiple holograms. Firstly, a series of holograms are recorded by shifting the camera longitudinally with the step more than longitudinal correlation length of coherent noise field. Secondly, the reconstruction of the holograms leads to a series of phase images of object, in which the coherent noise has different patterns. Consequently, by averaging the phase images, the reductions of phase noise are achieved. The applicability of the method is demonstrated by imaging of the resolution targets and the grating.

A new fast method for solving contact plasticity and its application in analyzing elasto-plastic partial slip

This paper presents a new method of contact plasticity analysis, based on Galerkin vectors, to solve the stresses caused by eigenstrain or plastic strain. The plastic strain region below the contact surface is divided into a number of elementary cuboids, where the plastic strains are assumed to be constant in every cuboidal element. The influence coefficients, relating plastic strains to residual displacements or residual stresses, can be divided into four terms: one due to the plastic strains in the full space, and others due to the image plastic strains in the virtual half space. Each term can be solved quickly and efficiently by using the three-dimensional discrete convolution and fast Fourier transform or the three-dimensional combined discrete convolution and correlation and fast Fourier transform. This new method is used to analyze the contact plastic residual displacements and residual stresses for several contact cases to reveal its efficiency. Partial slip contact involving an elasto-plastic body is investigated. Results show that the stick–slip behavior is affected by the plastic strains, and the surface stresses exhibit more complex behavior than those from a pure elastic partial slip contact.

The energy density in the planar Ising model

We study the critical Ising model on the square lattice in bounded simply connected domains with + and free boundary conditions. We relate the energy density of the model to a discrete fermionic correlator and compute its scaling limit by discrete complex analysis methods. As a consequence, we obtain a simple exact formula for the scaling limit of the energy field one-point function in terms of the hyperbolic metric. This confirms the predictions originating in physics, but also provides a higher precision.

Long-term optical and infrared variability of the BL Lac object PKS 0537 – 441

The long-term optical and infrared variability of the BL Lac object PKS 0537 − 441 has been studied. The source exhibits strong variability in the optical and infrared bands, and long-term variations of spectral indices have been analysed. The results indicate that there is a complex relationship between the spectral index and the brightness. In the low state, a redder-whenbrighter chromatism has been found, in the sense that the spectrum steepens as the brightness increases, whereas in the high state, the source shows an opposite trend. The correlations between different bands have been investigated by means of the discrete correlation function method. The results show that the variations in the various optical and infrared bands are strongly correlated, but with no significant lags. It is, however, expected that there will be time lags of minutes to hours between the bands. Therefore, any attempt to detect the time lag needs a much denser monitoring of the source. Structure function analysis suggests that the source varies with a short-term time-scale of 34–46 d. An intra-day variability with a 24.5-min time-scale has been detected in the optical V band. The optical emission diameter is estimated to be 4.33 × 10 14 cm, and the mass of the central black hole is estimated to be 2.3 × 10 8 M� .

Ultraviolet and X-ray variability of NGC 4051 over 45 days with XMM-Newton and Swift

We analyse 15 XMM–Newton observations of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4051 obtained over 45 d to determine the ultraviolet (UV) light curve variability characteristics and search for correlated UV/X-ray emission. The UV light curve shows variability on all time-scales, however with lower fractional rms than the 0.2–10 keV X-rays. On days–weeks time-scales the fractional variability of the UV is Fvar ∼ 8 per cent, and on short (∼ hours) time-scales Fvar ∼ 2 per cent. The within-observation excess variance in 4 of the 15 UV observations was found to be much higher than the remaining 11. This was caused by large systematic uncertainties in the count rate masking the intrinsic source variance. For the four ‘good’ observations we fit an unbroken power-law model to the UV power spectra with slope −2.6 ± 0.5. We compute the UV/X-ray cross-correlation function for the ‘good’ observations and find a correlation of ∼0.5 at a time lag of ∼3 ks, where the UV lags the X-rays. We also compute for the first time the UV/X-ray cross-spectrum in the range 0–28.5 ks and find a low coherence and an average time lag of ∼3 ks. Combining the 15 XMM–Newton and the Swift observations we compute the discrete correlation function over ±40 d but are unable to recover a significant correlation. The magnitude and direction of the lag estimate from the four ‘good’ observations indicate a scenario where ∼25 per cent of the UV variance is caused by thermal reprocessing of the incident X-ray emission.

Adherence to preexposure chemoprophylaxis

Remarkable advances in the use of antiretroviral medication in the prevention of HIV acquisition are receiving well deserved widespread attention. The behavioral and social-cultural factors that contextualize use of study product or preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are comparatively poorly understood. Given that PrEP is a bio-behavioral intervention, optimizing the potential impact of PrEP on individual and public health requires a better understanding of the behavioral aspects of PrEP adherence. This review culls across available clinical trial findings to suggest a behavioral agenda for research and practice. Product use differs dramatically both within and between recent PrEP trials; however, numerous issues with measuring use have emerged. Factors influencing use or adherence are not well identified and continue to focus on the individual and discrete correlates. Presently, execution and cyclical use of open-label PrEP is unknown but is under investigation in a number of demonstration and open-label projects. Research to identify methods for assessing product and PrEP use, factors influencing individual and community-level PrEP uptake and use, development of comprehensive models of protection of sexual health via multiple strategies now available, and strategies to best support adherence to dosing and HIV-testing requirements are identified as critical in a behavioral research agenda.

Time-correlated structure in spin fluctuations in pulsars

We study statistical properties of stochastic variations in pulse arrival times, timing noise, in radio pulsars using a new analysis method applied in the time domain. The method proceeds in two steps. First, we subtract low-frequency wander using a high-pass filter. Second, we calculate the discrete correlation function of the filtered data. As a complementary method for measuring correlations, we introduce a statistic that measures the dispersion of the data with respect to the data translated in time. The analysis methods presented here are robust and of general usefulness for studying arrival time variations over timescales approaching the average sampling interval. We apply these methods to timing data for 32 pulsars. In two radio pulsars, PSRs B1133+16 and B1933+16, we find that fluctuations in arrival times are correlated over timescales of 10 - 20 d with the distinct signature of a relaxation process. Though this relaxation response could be magnetospheric in origin, we argue that damping between the neutron star crust and interior liquid is a more likely explanation. Under this interpretation, our results provide the first evidence independent from pulsar spin glitches of differential rotation in neutron stars. PSR B0950+08, shows evidence for quasi-periodic oscillations that could be related to mode switching.

MULTIWAVELENGTH VARIATIONS OF 3C 454.3 DURING THE 2010 NOVEMBER TO 2011 JANUARY OUTBURST

We present multiwavelength data of the blazar 3C 454.3 obtained during an extremely bright outburst from November 2010 through January 2011. These include flux density measurements with the Herschel Space Observatory at five submillimeter-wave and far-infrared bands, the Fermi Large Area Telescope at gamma-ray energies, Swift at X-ray, ultraviolet (UV), and optical frequencies, and the Submillimeter Array at 1.3 mm. From this dataset, we form a series of 52 spectral energy distributions (SEDs) spanning nearly two months that are unprecedented in time coverage and breadth of frequency. Discrete correlation anlaysis of the millimeter, far-infrared, and gamma-ray light curves show that the variations were essentially simultaneous, indicative of co-spatiality of the emission, at these wavebands. In contrast, differences in short-term fluctuations at various wavelengths imply the presence of inhomegeneities in physical conditions across the source. We locate the site of the outburst in the parsec-scale core, whose flux density as measured on 7 mm Very Long Baseline Array images increased by 70 percent during the first five weeks of the outburst. Based on these considerations and guided by the SEDs, we propose a model in which turbulent plasma crosses a conical standing shock in the parsec-scale region of the jet. Here, the high-energy emission in the model is produced by inverse Compton scattering of seed photons supplied by either nonthermal radiation from a Mach disk, thermal emission from hot dust, or (for X-rays) synchrotron radiation from plasma that crosses the standing shock. For the two dates on which we fitted the model SED to the data, the model corresponds very well to the observations at all bands except at X-ray energies, where the spectrum is flatter than observed.

Metallogeny of deep structures of the Earth’s crust in Southern Sikhote-Alin: Evidence from gravity data

The spatial relations between ore deposits in Sikhote-Alin and deep density inhomogeneities of the Earth’s crust down to a depth of 30 km have been examined. The ore areas and regions show a discrete correlation with the anomalies of the normalized density of the equivalent spherical sources of gravity anomalies at depths of 1 to 2, 4 to 5, 10–12, and 24 km presumably provoked by magmatic bodies of different compositions. The depth of the magmatic bodies with the intermediate-to-basic composition of the initial magmas and the southeastward-decreasing vertical range of their correlation with the ore regions depend on their structural position. In the case of magmatic bodies of felsic and mixed compositions, the metallogenic specialization of the corresponding ore-magmatic systems is correlated with their inferred vertical range. Tin ore systems are characterized by a smaller vertical range (5–10 km) of the correlation with density inhomogeneities, whereas tin-tungsten-gold ore systems are marked by a wider range (20–25 km). Tin-lead-zinc systems occupy an intermediate position (12–20 km). The ore-controlling role of the boundaries between the lithostructural complexes of the Earth’s crust and the central-type structures in the distribution of deep sources of ore mineralization is shown.

Time Lag in Sgr A* Intra-Day Variability between the light curves at 90 and 102 GHz

AbstractWe performed the observation of the flux densities of Sgr A* at 90 and 102 GHz on 6 April 2005 using the Nobeyama Millimeter Array in order to detect the time lag between these frequencies. We constructed light curves covering a few hour with 1 min bin, and the Intra-Day Variability, which had a rising phase and intensity peak, of Sgr A* is clearly seen at both frequencies. We calculated the z-transformed discrete correlation function between the light curves of Sgr A* at 90 and 102 GHz. The derived time lag of the flares at these frequencies was approximately zero, contrary to our expectations based on the previously reported time lag at lower frequencies. If the radio flares of Sgr A* are explained by the expanding plasma model, the light curve at 90 GHz would be delayed with respect to the one at 102 GHz. However, we could not find such a delay with statistical significance in our data.

Discrete and Continuous Correlation

It is well understood that the choice of a discrete and continuous compounding model affects investment returns, but leaves end-of-period wealth unaffected. In a previous research note , we have shown that the compounding model also does not affect Sharpe Ratios when calculated properly, i.e. using arithmetic average and volatility when working with continuous returns, geometric averages and volatilities with geometric returns. In this research note, we analyze whether the compounding model affects asset dependence, provide a formula to convert continuous and discrete correlations and assess whether the conversion is relevant in real-world applications.

Experimental study of inspection on a metal plate with defect using ultrasound lock-in thermographic technique

The ultrasound lock-in thermographic technique was developed to detect interfacial defects and cracks in a metal plate. Discrete correlation method (DCM), Fourier transformation method (FTM), Short Time Fourier transformation (STF) and Discrete Wavelet Transformation (DWT) algorithms were used to extract the characteristic information of the thermal wave signal generated by ultrasonic wave modulated. It is found that STF and DWT algorithms are available for analyzing the thermal wave signal generated by ultrasonic wave modulated due to higher signal–noise ratio. Experiments were performed to investigate the effect on the amplitude contrast and phase angle contrast by the ultrasound transducer position, initial sonotrode action force and modulation frequency, respectively. Experimental results show that transducer position closed to the defect, higher initial sonotrode action force loaded and optimal modulation frequency selected are help to detect the defects of metal plate using ultrasound lock-in thermographic technique.