The perturbative invariants of rational homology 3-spheres can be recovered from the LMO invariant

We show that the perturbative ${\frak g}$ invariant of rational homology 3-spheres can be recovered from the LMO invariant for any simple Lie algebra ${\frak g}$, i.e, the LMO invariant is universal among the perturbative invariants. This universality was conjectured in [25]. Since the perturbative invariants dominate the quantum invariants of integral homology 3-spheres [13,14,15], this implies that the LMO invariant dominates the quantum invariants of integral homology 3-spheres.Comment: 30 page

Quantifying the GCM-related uncertainty for climate change impact assessment of rainfed rice production in Cambodia by a combined hydrologic - rice growth model

The effects of climate change on agriculture are a major concern for global food security. In this study, the impacts of climate change on rainfed rice production in the granary of Cambodia were examined on a basin scale by developing and applying a combined model consisting of a crop model and a basin-scale distributed hydrological model. The response of rice production to soil-water availability was simulated for past (1981–2000) and future (2041–2060, 2081–2100) periods. From 34 general circulation models (GCMs) that participated in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5), 5 GCMs were selected by evaluating monthly rainfall in the past. Although annual rainfall was projected to increase by all five selected GCMs, notable decreases in rainfed rice production were projected with 3 GCMs, while small changes were projected with the other 2 GCMs. The main factor restricting future rice production was soil water availability, brought by the projected change in the seasonal distribution of rainfall and the projected more severe dry spells in the early monsoon season. The results suggest the importance of the selection and bias correction of GCMs to force rice crop models and of the simulation of soil water flow on a basin scale for the assessment of rain-fed rice production. In particular, improvements in projections of rainfall amounts over shorter periods rather than annual or seasonal periods, which fit within the time scales of rice plant growth, were suggested to be important

Graphical Evaluation Method for Void Distribution in Direct Energy Deposition

AbstractDirect energy deposition (DED) process attracts attention from industries because of its applicability to production of complex shape parts. However, technical challenges still remain in DED, such as void evolution inside of the produced object. This paper provides a new graphical evaluation method of void distribution. Binarizing a cross-sectional image of the cladded object and applying a 2-dimensional Gaussian window, the void distribution rate is separately evaluated in each local area on the cross section. To clarify the relation between void evolution and deposition condition in Inconel 625, the void distribution is experimentally evaluated through the various tests

Surgical Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Elderly

Objective The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical-radiological outcome and incidence of perioperative complications of MIS-TLIF at lower lumbar levels for elderly (Age >65 years) and younger patients (Age65 years and group B<65 years). Perioperative clinical (co-morbidities, surgical time, blood loss, hospital stay, fusion level, VAS, ODI), radiological parameters (fusion, cage subsidence, implant failure), postoperative complications and satisfactory outcomes in the form of Wang’s criteria were evaluated in both the groups. A statistical analysis between two matched groups was done with logistic regression analysis, chi-square and student t-test. Results There was no statistical difference in blood loss, surgical time, mobilization and hospital stay between two groups however elderly patients took longer time to become pain free (p=0.001). Both groups showed significant improvement in ODI, VAS and Wang’s outcome score however, no statistically significant difference noted in outcome between two groups at final follow up. General complications not affecting outcome were common in elderly group but no statistically significant difference noted among neurological events between both groups. Conclusion MISS-TLIF surgery in elderly can produce successful clinical outcome and satisfaction after surgery in judiciously selected patients with proper preoperative risk assessment and optimization of medical co-morbidities. Elder age does not prove deterrent to outcome and should not be a contraindication to perform MISS-TLIF in lumbar degenerative diseases

Sociodemographic, Disease, Health System, and Contextual Factors Affecting the Initiation of Biologic Agents in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Longitudinal Study

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/107532/1/acr22244.pd