Robust Structured Low-Rank Approximation on the Grassmannian

Over the past years Robust PCA has been established as a standard tool for reliable low-rank approximation of matrices in the presence of outliers. Recently, the Robust PCA approach via nuclear norm minimization has been extended to matrices with linear structures which appear in applications such as system identification and data series analysis. At the same time it has been shown how to control the rank of a structured approximation via matrix factorization approaches. The drawbacks of these methods either lie in the lack of robustness against outliers or in their static nature of repeated batch-processing. We present a Robust Structured Low-Rank Approximation method on the Grassmannian that on the one hand allows for fast re-initialization in an online setting due to subspace identification with manifolds, and that is robust against outliers due to a smooth approximation of the $\ell_p$-norm cost function on the other hand. The method is evaluated in online time series forecasting tasks on simulated and real-world data

Berry Phase of a Resonant State

We derive closed analytical expressions for the complex Berry phase of an open quantum system in a state which is a superposition of resonant states and evolves irreversibly due to the spontaneous decay of the metastable states. The codimension of an accidental degeneracy of resonances and the geometry of the energy hypersurfaces close to a crossing of resonances differ significantly from those of bound states. We discuss some of the consequences of these differences for the geometric phase factors, such as: Instead of a diabolical point singularity there is a continuous closed line of singularities formally equivalent to a continuous distribution of `magnetic' charge on a diabolical circle; different classes of topologically inequivalent non-trivial closed paths in parameter space, the topological invariant associated to the sum of the geometric phases, dilations of the wave function due to the imaginary part of the Berry phase and others.Comment: 28 pages Latex, three uuencoded postcript figure

Diffusion bonding of TiC or TiB reinforced Ti–6Al–4V matrix composites to conventional Ti–6Al–4V alloy

The diffusion bonding of conventional alloy Ti–6Al–4V (Ti-64) and composites of this alloy with 10% of TiC or TiB fabricated using blended elemental powder metallurgy was successfully carried out at 850–1000°C, with a holding time of 60 min under 0.7–1.5 MPa pressure. The metallographic and electron backscattered diffraction studies as well as the bending and microhardness tests across the bonds are presented as the evidence of joint integrity. The selected experimental parameters do not cause undesirable structural changes (degradation) in the base metals adjacent to the bond interface. Particle reinforcement at ∼10% did not appear to modify bonding parameters when compared to the unreinforced Ti-64 alloy

Sildenafil Protects Endothelial Cells From Radiation-Induced Oxidative Stress

Introduction: The etiology of radiation-induced erectile dysfunction (ED) is complex and multifactorial, and it appears to be mainly atherogenic. Aim: To focus on vascular aspects of radiation-induced ED and to elucidate whether the protective effects of sildenafil are mediated by attenuation of oxidative stress and apoptosis in the endothelial cells. Methods: Bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs), with or without pretreatment of sildenafil (5 μM at 5 minutes before radiation), were used to test endothelial dysfunction in response to external beam radiation at 10–15 Gy. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was studied. Extracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was measured using the Amplex Red assay and intracellular H2O2 using a fluorescent sensor. In addition, ROS superoxide (O2•-) was measured using a O2•- chemiluminescence enhancer. Both H2O2 and O2•- are known to reduce the bioavailability of nitric oxide, which is the most significant chemical mediator of penile erection. Generation of cellular peroxynitrite (ONOO−) was measured using a chemiluminescence assay with the PNCL probe. Subsequently, we measured the activation of acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) enzyme by radioenzymatic assay using [14C-methylcholine] sphingomyelin as substrate, and the generation of the proapoptotic C16-ceramide was assessed using the diacylglycerol kinase assay. Endothelial cells apoptosis was measured as a readout of these cells’ dysfunction. Main Outcome Measures: Single high-dose radiation therapy induced NADPH oxidases (NOXs) activation and ROS generation via the proapoptotic ASMase/ceramide pathway. The radio-protective effect of sildenafil on BAECs was due to inhibition of this pathway. Results: Here, we demonstrate for the first time that radiation activated NOXs and induced generation of ROS in BAECs. In addition, we showed that sildenafil significantly reduced radiation-induced O2•- and as a result there was reduction in the generation of peroxynitrite in these cells. Subsequently, sildenafil protected the endothelial cells from radiation therapy-induced apoptosis. Strengths and Limitations: This is the first study demonstrating that single high-dose radiation therapy induced NOXs activation, resulting in the generation of O2•- and peroxynitrite in endothelial cells. Sildenafil reduced ROS generation by inhibiting the ASMase/ceramide pathway. These studies should be followed in an animal model of ED. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that sildenafil protects BAECs from radiation-induced oxidative stress by reducing NOX-induced ROS generation, thus resulting in decreased endothelial dysfunction. Therefore, it provides a potential mechanism to better understand the atherogenic etiology of postradiation ED. Wortel RC, Mizrachi A, Li H, et al. Sildenafil Protects Endothelial Cells From Radiation-Induced Oxidative Stress. J Sex Med 2019;16:1721–1733. © 201

Brokering Trust to Enhance Leadership: A Self-Monitoring Approach to Leadership Emergence

What kind of person is likely to emerge as an informal leader in the workplace? Experimental research shows that high self-monitors—who tend to adjust their attitudes and behaviors to the demands of different situations—emerge as informal leaders in temporary groups. By contrast, low self-monitors—who tend to be true to themselves in terms of consistency in attitudes and behaviors across different situations—are less likely to emerge as leaders. But this prior research does not address the criticism that the emergence of high self-monitors as leaders represents ephemeral impression management in the context of laboratory experiments. To address this issue, we collected and analyzed data from a 116-member high-technology firm. Our results show that self-monitoring is related not only to leadership emergence, but also to the provision of advice to co-workers. Further, people who occupied brokerage positions (being trusted by those who did not trust each other) tended to be seen as leaders if they were high rather than low self-monitors. From these results, we build a picture of the high self-monitoring emergent leader as someone who notices problems and ameliorates them through the provision of advice and the brokerage of relationships across social divides. The occupation of a structurally advantageous position may well be more advantageous for some (i.e., high self-monitors) relative to others (i.e., low self-monitors)

Justice from an interdisciplinary perspective: the impact of the revolution in Human Sciences on Peace Research and International Relations

Peace and justice have been a preferred couple in theoretical writings - but what do we know about their empirical relationship? Insights from other disciplines suggest that humans are highly sensitive to violations of justice and that justice concerns permeate social relations. Neuroscientists have located the parts of the brain responsible for negative reactions to violation of claims for justice. Evolutionary biologists have identified rules of distribution and retribution not only in early human societies but among other socially living species as well. Psychologists have observed the emergence of a sense of justice in very early childhood, while behavioral economists have identified behavior of average persons in experiments that deviated significantly from the model of the "economic man" and could only be explained by a sense of justice. The chapter summarizes these findings and outlines their implications for peace research. It highlights the ambivalent nature of justice for social relations. Justice concerns can exacerbate conflicts between individuals and groups but justice can also provide standards for arriving at durable peaceful solutions to conflicts. Understanding these ambivalences and their repercussions for international and intrastate relations provides a promising path towards understanding conflict dynamics

I know people who can and who cannot: A measure of the perception of economic inequality in everyday life

Versión preprintThis paper describes the development of the Perceived Economic Inequality in Everyday Life (PEIEL) scale. It is written and validated in Spanish. We first carried out an exploratory study, using a sample of 205 participants (52.2% men and 47.8% women; age: M = 24.69, SD = 8.95). We then conducted a confirmatory study with a sample size of 215 individuals (43.7% men and 56.3% women; age: M = 23.83, SD = 6.46). Results showed that the PEIEL scale is a valid and reliable unidimensional instrument. This scale negatively predicted tolerance of economic inequality over and above perceived inequality measured by wage gap estimates. In addition, perceived economic inequality in everyday life was negatively associated with tolerance of inequality, particularly in individuals with right-wing political ideology.Universidad de Costa Rica/[OAICE-006-2017]/UCR/Costa RicaUCR::Sedes Regionales::Sede de Occident