A depolarization scalar metric for Mueller matrices, named Q(M), is derived from the degree of polarization. Q(M) has been recently reported, and it has been deduced from the nine bilinear constraints between the sixteen elements of the Mueller-Jones matrix. We discuss the relations between Q(M) and the depolarization index.

A clustering procedure is introduced based on the Hausdorff distance as a similarity measure between clusters of elements. The method is applied to the financial time series of the Dow Jones industrial average (DJIA) index to find companies that share a similar behavior. Comparisons are made with other linkage algorithms. r 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

We study, through molecular dynamics, a conservative two-dimensional Lennard-Jones-like gas (with attractive potential ∝ r−α). We consider the effect of the range index α of interactions, number of particles, total energy and particle density. We detect negative specific heat when the interactions become long-ranged (0 ≤ α/d < 1). PACS: 05.20.-y, 05.20.Jj, 64.60.Fr

In this paper, two types of patterns, convex and concave patterns, are introduced to characterize finite sequences of a given time series. It is shown with an example that the pattern-based characterization of time series is promising for the purposes of subsequence matching. Statistical properties of the patterns are examined for the historical Dow Jones Index as well.

We obtain an estimate of Voiculescu’s (modified) free entropy dimension for generators of a II1-factor M with a subfactor N containing an abelian subalgebra A of finite multiplicity. It implies in particular that the interpolated free group subfactors of finite Jones index do not have abelian subalgebras of finite multiplicity or Cartan subalgebras.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic information obtainable from administrative data with respect to 30-day mortality following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and to compare it with the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) recorded in a clinical database. METHODS We used a co-morbidity index calculated from administrative data in...

OBJECTIVE To compare the Jarman index with alternative deprivation measures with regard to its usefulness to district health authorities as an indicator of need at small area level. DESIGN The Jarman index (UPA (8)), Townsend's index of material deprivation, the Scottish Development Department's index, the Department of the Environment's basic index, and unemployment rates were compared in re...

Rohrer's ponderal index in newborns (birth weight * 100/height3) has been used as an indicator of fetal growth status, especially to assess asymmetrical intrauterine growth retardation. Low ponderal index or disproportionate intrauterine growth retardation has higher neonatal morbidity and there are some specific guidelines in intrauterine growth retarded infants to control some of their pr...

Financial markets all over the world have witnessed growing integration within as well as across boundaries, spurred by deregulation, globalization and advances in information technology. However, none of the researches have investigated the trading profitability of models that employed the financial market integration information as input variables especially in the case of day trading. Moreov...

BACKGROUND There is limited and conflicting information on the use of co-morbidity instruments to predict mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS We sought to test the validity of the Charlson Index and another co-morbidity instrument, the Adult co-morbidity evaluation 27 (ACE-27), in patients admitted with COPD exacerbations. Co-morbidity scores were ...