Panel Data Models with Multiple Time-Varying Individual Effects

This paper considers a panel data model with time-varying individual effects. The data are assumed to contain a large number of cross-sectional units repeatedly observed over a fixed number of time periods. The model has a feature of the fixed-effects model in that the effects are assumed to be correlated with the regressors. The unobservable individual effects are assumed to have a factor structure. For consistent estimation of the model, it is important to estimate the true number of factors. We propose a generalized methods of moments procedure by which both the number of factors and the regression coefficients can be consistently estimated. Some important identification issues are also discussed. Our simulation results indicate that the proposed methods produce reliable estimates.panel data, time-varying individual effects, factor models

cDNA Cloning of Biologically Active Chicken Interleukin-18

By searching a chicken EST database, we identified a cDNA clone that appeared to contain the entire open reading frame (ORF) of chicken interleukin-18 (ChIL-18). The encoded protein consists of 198 amino acids and exhibits approximately 30% sequence identity to IL-18 of humans and various others mammals. Sequence comparisons reveals a putative caspase-1 cleavage site at aspartic acid 29 of the primary translation product, indicating that mature ChIL-18 might consist of 169 amino acids. Bacterially expressed ChIL-18 in which the N-terminal 29 amino acids of the putative precursor molecule were replaced by a histidine tag induced the synthesis of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in cultured primary chicken spleen cells, indicating that the recombinant protein is biologically active

Fingerprints of spin-orbital physics in cubic Mott insulators: Magnetic exchange interactions and optical spectral weights

The temperature dependence and anisotropy of optical spectral weights associated with different multiplet transitions is determined by the spin and orbital correlations. To provide a systematic basis to exploit this close relationship between magnetism and optical spectra, we present and analyze the spin-orbital superexchange models for a series of representative orbital-degenerate transition metal oxides with different multiplet structure. For each case we derive the magnetic exchange constants, which determine the spin wave dispersions, as well as the partial optical sum rules. The magnetic and optical properties of early transition metal oxides with degenerate $t_{2g}$ orbitals (titanates and vanadates with perovskite structure) are shown to depend only on two parameters, viz. the superexchange energy $J$ and the ratio $\eta$ of Hund's exchange to the intraorbital Coulomb interaction, and on the actual orbital state. In $e_g$ systems important corrections follow from charge transfer excitations, and we show that KCuF$_3$ can be classified as a charge transfer insulator, while LaMnO$_3$ is a Mott insulator with moderate charge transfer contributions. In some cases orbital fluctuations are quenched and decoupling of spin and orbital degrees of freedom with static orbital order gives satisfactory results for the optical weights. On the example of cubic vanadates we describe a case where the full quantum spin-orbital physics must be considered. Thus information on optical excitations, their energies, temperature dependence and anisotropy, combined with the results of magnetic neutron scattering experiments, provides an important consistency test of the spin-orbital models, and indicates whether orbital and/or spin fluctuations are important in a given compound.Comment: 34 pages, 16 figure

Higher spin AdS_3 holography with extended supersymmetry

We propose a holographic duality between a higher spin AdS_3 gravity with so(p) extended supersymmetry and a large N limit of a 2-dimensional Grassmannian-like model with a specific critical level k=N and a non-diagonal modular invariant. As evidence, we show the match of one-loop partition functions. Moreover, we construct symmetry generators of the coset model for low spins which are dual to gauge fields in the supergravity. Further, we discuss a possible relation to superstring theory by noticing an N=3 supersymmetry of critical level model at finite k,N. In particular, we examine BPS states and marginal deformations. Inspired by the supergravity side, we also propose and test another large N CFT dual obtained as a Z_2 automorphism truncation of a similar coset model, but at a non-critical level.Comment: 44 pages, published versio

Cosmological Simulations with Self-Interacting Dark Matter I: Constant Density Cores and Substructure

We use cosmological simulations to study the effects of self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) on the density profiles and substructure counts of dark matter halos from the scales of spiral galaxies to galaxy clusters, focusing explicitly on models with cross sections over dark matter particle mass \sigma/m = 1 and 0.1 cm^2/g. Our simulations rely on a new SIDM N-body algorithm that is derived self-consistently from the Boltzmann equation and that reproduces analytic expectations in controlled numerical experiments. We find that well-resolved SIDM halos have constant-density cores, with significantly lower central densities than their CDM counterparts. In contrast, the subhalo content of SIDM halos is only modestly reduced compared to CDM, with the suppression greatest for large hosts and small halo-centric distances. Moreover, the large-scale clustering and halo circular velocity functions in SIDM are effectively identical to CDM, meaning that all of the large-scale successes of CDM are equally well matched by SIDM. From our largest cross section runs we are able to extract scaling relations for core sizes and central densities over a range of halo sizes and find a strong correlation between the core radius of an SIDM halo and the NFW scale radius of its CDM counterpart. We construct a simple analytic model, based on CDM scaling relations, that captures all aspects of the scaling relations for SIDM halos. Our results show that halo core densities in \sigma/m = 1 cm^2/g models are too low to match observations of galaxy clusters, low surface brightness spirals (LSBs), and dwarf spheroidal galaxies. However, SIDM with \sigma/m ~ 0.1 cm^2/g appears capable of reproducing reported core sizes and central densities of dwarfs, LSBs, and galaxy clusters without the need for velocity dependence. (abridged)Comment: 26 pages, 16 figures, all figures include colors, submitted for publication in MNRA

Measuring the Physiologic Properties of Oral Lesions Receiving Fractionated Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can treat superficial, early‐stage disease with minimal damage to underlying tissues and without cumulative dose‐limiting toxicity. Treatment efficacy is affected by disease physiologic properties, but these properties are not routinely measured. We assessed diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) for the noninvasive, contact measurement of tissue hemoglobin oxygen saturation (StO2) and total hemoglobin concentration ([tHb]) in the premalignant or superficial microinvasive oral lesions of patients treated with 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA)‐PDT. Patients were enrolled on a Phase 1 study of ALA‐PDT that evaluated fluences of 50, 100, 150 or 200 J cm−2 delivered at 100 mW cm−2. To test the feasibility of incorporating DRS measurements within the illumination period, studies were performed in patients who received fractionated (two‐part) illumination that included a dark interval of 90–180 s. Using DRS, tissue oxygenation at different depths within the lesion could also be assessed. DRS could be performed concurrently with contact measurements of photosensitizer levels by fluorescence spectroscopy, but a separate noncontact fluorescence spectroscopy system provided continuous assessment of photobleaching during illumination to greater tissue depths. Results establish that the integration of DRS into PDT of early‐stage oral disease is feasible, and motivates further studies to evaluate its predictive and dosimetric value.Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy with a contact probe was employed as part of a fluorescence and reflectance spectroscopy system to measure the tissue hemoglobin oxygen saturation and hemoglobin content of lesions of premalignant or early microinvasive cancer of the oral cavity. Studies demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating these measurements into treatment with fractionated (two‐part) photodynamic therapy (PDT) using 5‐aminolevulinic acid. Patient‐specific differences in physiologic parameters were detectable at baseline and at times during and after PDT. Photobleaching of photosensitizer was measured by its fluorescence. Results establish the utility of rationally designed spectroscopy probes toward personalized dosimetry in PDT of oral disease.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/113767/1/php12475.pd

Generation of solar spicules and subsequent atmospheric heating

Spicules are rapidly evolving fine-scale jets of magnetized plasma in the solar chromosphere. It remains unclear how these prevalent jets originate from the solar surface and what role they play in heating the solar atmosphere. Using the Goode Solar Telescope at the Big Bear Solar Observatory, we observed spicules emerging within minutes of the appearance of opposite-polarity magnetic flux around dominant-polarity magnetic field concentrations. Data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory showed subsequent heating of the adjacent corona. The dynamic interaction of magnetic fields (likely due to magnetic reconnection) in the partially ionized lower solar atmosphere appears to generate these spicules and heat the upper solar atmosphere

Manganites at Quarter Filling: Role of Jahn-Teller Interactions

We have analyzed different correlation functions in a realistic spin-orbital model for half-doped manganites. Using a finite-temperature diagonalization technique the CE phase was found in the charge-ordered phase in the case of small antiferromagnetic interactions between $t_{2g}$ electrons. It is shown that a key ingredient responsible for stabilization of the CE-type spin and orbital-ordered state is the cooperative Jahn-Teller (JT) interaction between next-nearest Mn$^{+3}$ neighbors mediated by the breathing mode distortion of Mn$^{+4}$ octahedra and displacements of Mn$^{+4}$ ions. The topological phase factor in the Mn-Mn hopping leading to gap formation in one-dimensional models for the CE phase as well as the nearest neighbor JT coupling are not able to produce the zigzag chains typical for the CE phase in our model.Comment: 16 pages with 16 figures, contains a more detailed parameter estimate based on the structural data by Radaelli et al. (accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. B

The Energy Landscape, Folding Pathways and the Kinetics of a Knotted Protein

The folding pathway and rate coefficients of the folding of a knotted protein are calculated for a potential energy function with minimal energetic frustration. A kinetic transition network is constructed using the discrete path sampling approach, and the resulting potential energy surface is visualized by constructing disconnectivity graphs. Owing to topological constraints, the low-lying portion of the landscape consists of three distinct regions, corresponding to the native knotted state and to configurations where either the N- or C-terminus is not yet folded into the knot. The fastest folding pathways from denatured states exhibit early formation of the N-terminus portion of the knot and a rate-determining step where the C-terminus is incorporated. The low-lying minima with the N-terminus knotted and the C-terminus free therefore constitute an off-pathway intermediate for this model. The insertion of both the N- and C-termini into the knot occur late in the folding process, creating large energy barriers that are the rate limiting steps in the folding process. When compared to other protein folding proteins of a similar length, this system folds over six orders of magnitude more slowly.Comment: 19 page