Schur Indices, BPS Particles, and Argyres-Douglas Theories

We conjecture a precise relationship between the Schur limit of the superconformal index of four-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=2$ field theories, which counts local operators, and the spectrum of BPS particles on the Coulomb branch. We verify this conjecture for the special case of free field theories, $\mathcal{N}=2$ QED, and $SU(2)$ gauge theory coupled to fundamental matter. Assuming the validity of our proposal, we compute the Schur index of all Argyres-Douglas theories. Our answers match expectations from the connection of Schur operators with two-dimensional chiral algebras. Based on our results we propose that the chiral algebra of the generalized Argyres-Douglas theory $(A_{k-1},A_{N-1})$ with $k$ and $N$ coprime, is the vacuum sector of the $(k,k+N)$ $W_{k}$ minimal model, and that the Schur index is the associated vacuum character.Comment: 46 pages, 12 figures. v2: revisions to section 1, references adde

Data transfer between Cad system and RP system: a report

Rapid Prototyping (RP) is a technology that transform a design generated in Computer Aided Design (CAD) to a 3D model parts. CAD models are usually done on a CAD system and then transported into the RP system. A good interface between the CAD and the RP system is one of the key factors of producing a good quality prototype. This paper reports on the results of an experimentation carried out to identify the problems in transferring data between a CAD system (UNIGRAPHICS) and an RP system (QUICKSLICE). Based on the experimentation’s results and analysis, a basic guideline is proposed for a safer data transfer between the CAD system (UNIGRAPHICS) and an RP system (QUICKSLICE)

An application protocol for CAD to CAD transfer of electronic information

The exchange of Computer Aided Design (CAD) information between dissimilar CAD systems is a problem. This is especially true for transferring electronics CAD information such as multi-chip module (MCM), hybrid microcircuit assembly (HMA), and printed circuit board (PCB) designs. Currently, there exists several neutral data formats for transferring electronics CAD information. These include IGES, EDIF, and DXF formats. All these formats have limitations for use in exchanging electronic data. In an attempt to overcome these limitations, the Navy's MicroCIM program implemented a project to transfer hybrid microcircuit design information between dissimilar CAD systems. The IGES (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification) format is used since it is well established within the CAD industry. The goal of the project is to have a complete transfer of microelectronic CAD information, using IGES, without any data loss. An Application Protocol (AP) is being developed to specify how hybrid microcircuit CAD information will be represented by IGES entity constructs. The AP defines which IGES data items are appropriate for describing HMA geometry, connectivity, and processing as well as HMA material characteristics

b-coloring graphs with large girth

A b-coloring of a graph is a coloring of its vertices such that every color class contains a vertex that has a neighbor in all other classes. The b-chromatic number of a graph is the largest integer k such that the graph has a b-coloring with k colors. We show how to compute in polynomial time the b-chromatic number of a graph of girth at least 9. This improves the seminal result of Irving and Manlove on trees

A role for the cleaved cytoplasmic domain of E-cadherin in the nucleus

Cell-cell contacts play a vital role in intracellular signaling, although the molecular mechanisms of these signaling pathways are not fully understood. E-cadherin, an important mediator of cell-cell adhesions, has been shown to be cleaved by γ-secretase. This cleavage releases a fragment of E-cadherin, E-cadherin C-terminal fragment 2 (E-cad/CTF2), into the cytosol. Here, we study the fate and function of this fragment. First, we show that coexpression of the cadherin-binding protein, p120 catenin (p120), enhances the nuclear translocation of E-cad/CTF2. By knocking down p120 with short interfering RNA, we also demonstrate that p120 is necessary for the nuclear localization of E-cad/CTF2. Furthermore, p120 enhances and is required for the specific binding of E-cad/CTF2 to DNA. Finally, we show that E-cad/CTF2 can regulate the p120-Kaiso-mediated signaling pathway in the nucleus. These data indicate a novel role for cleaved E-cadherin in the nucleus

How to discriminate between computer-aided and computer-hindered decisions: a case study in mammography

Background. Computer aids can affect decisions in complex ways, potentially even making them worse; common assessment methods may miss these effects. We developed a method for estimating the quality of decisions, as well as how computer aids affect it, and applied it to computer-aided detection (CAD) of cancer, reanalyzing data from a published study where 50 professionals (“readers”) interpreted 180 mammograms, both with and without computer support. Method. We used stepwise regression to estimate how CAD affected the probability of a reader making a correct screening decision on a patient with cancer (sensitivity), thereby taking into account the effects of the difficulty of the cancer (proportion of readers who missed it) and the reader’s discriminating ability (Youden’s determinant). Using regression estimates, we obtained thresholds for classifying a posteriori the cases (by difficulty) and the readers (by discriminating ability). Results. Use of CAD was associated with a 0.016 increase in sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.003–0.028) for the 44 least discriminating radiologists for 45 relatively easy, mostly CAD-detected cancers. However, for the 6 most discriminating radiologists, with CAD, sensitivity decreased by 0.145 (95% CI, 0.034–0.257) for the 15 relatively difficult cancers. Conclusions. Our exploratory analysis method reveals unexpected effects. It indicates that, despite the original study detecting no significant average effect, CAD helped the less discriminating readers but hindered the more discriminating readers. Such differential effects, although subtle, may be clinically significant and important for improving both computer algorithms and protocols for their use. They should be assessed when evaluating CAD and similar warning systems

Current Account Deficits, Macroeconomic Policy Stance and Governance: An Empirical Investigation

This paper empirically investigates the effects of institutional and macroeconomic policy stance variables on current account deficits (CAD). Based on cross-section data for a broad number of developing and industrial countries, the results strongly suggest that better governance increases whilst the presence of original sin decreases the ability of an economy to sustain CAD. Exchange rate flexibility and openness appear to put a discipline on CAD. Consistent with the equity home bias and Feldstein-Horioka puzzle, CAD decrease with country size. The net impacts of the financial deepening and monetary credibility on CAD are found to be insignificant.Current Account, Exchange Rate Regimes, Original Sin

Laser forming: non-contact metal bending offers silversmithing potential

Laser forming is an emerging rapid prototyping (RP) technique that has undergone research worldwide since the mid 1980s. It is a thermo-mechanical process whereby the localized heat input of the laser induces compressive stresses within the material causing it to bend. The process belongs under the umbrella of CAD/CAM technologies, since software can be used to convert a CAD drawing into the data required to drive the axes

Human factors consideration in the interaction process with virtual environment

Newrequirements are needed by industry for computer aided design (CAD) data. Some techniques of CAD data management and the computer power unit capabilities enable an extraction of a virtual mock-up for an interactive use. CAD data may also be distributed and shared by different designers in various parts of the world (in the same company and with subcontractors). The use of digital mock-up is not limited to the mechanical design of the product but is dedicated to a maximum number of trades in industry. One of the main issues is to enable the evaluation of the product without any physical representation of the product but based on its virtual representation. In that objective, most of main actors in industry domain use virtual reality technologies. These technologies consist basically in enabling the designer to perceive the product in design process. This perception has to be rendered to guarantee that the evaluation process is done as in a real condition. The perception is the fruit of alchemy between the user and the VR technologies. Thus, in the experiment design, the whole system human-VR technology has to be considered

Large-scale gene-centric analysis identifies novel variants for coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) has a significant genetic contribution that is incompletely characterized. To complement genome-wide association (GWA) studies, we conducted a large and systematic candidate gene study of CAD susceptibility, including analysis of many uncommon and functional variants. We examined 49,094 genetic variants in ∼2,100 genes of cardiovascular relevance, using a customised gene array in 15,596 CAD cases and 34,992 controls (11,202 cases and 30,733 controls of European descent; 4,394 cases and 4,259 controls of South Asian origin). We attempted to replicate putative novel associations in an additional 17,121 CAD cases and 40,473 controls. Potential mechanisms through which the novel variants could affect CAD risk were explored through association tests with vascular risk factors and gene expression. We confirmed associations of several previously known CAD susceptibility loci (eg, 9p21.3:p<10−33; LPA:p<10−19; 1p13.3:p<10−17) as well as three recently discovered loci (COL4A1/COL4A2, ZC3HC1, CYP17A1:p<5×10−7). However, we found essentially null results for most previously suggested CAD candidate genes. In our replication study of 24 promising common variants, we identified novel associations of variants in or near LIPA, IL5, TRIB1, and ABCG5/ABCG8, with per-allele odds ratios for CAD risk with each of the novel variants ranging from 1.06–1.09. Associations with variants at LIPA, TRIB1, and ABCG5/ABCG8 were supported by gene expression data or effects on lipid levels. Apart from the previously reported variants in LPA, none of the other ∼4,500 low frequency and functional variants showed a strong effect. Associations in South Asians did not differ appreciably from those in Europeans, except for 9p21.3 (per-allele odds ratio: 1.14 versus 1.27 respectively; P for heterogeneity = 0.003). This large-scale gene-centric analysis has identified several novel genes for CAD that relate to diverse biochemical and cellular functions and clarified the literature with regard to many previously suggested genes