Manipulation-Robust Regression Discontinuity Designs

In regression discontinuity designs, manipulation threatens identification. A known channel of harmful manipulations is precise control over the observed assignment, but this channel is only an example. This study uncovers the only other channel: sample selection by deciding manipulation precisely based on the given assignment status. For example, in the assignment design of a qualification exam, self-selection by allowing test retakes precisely based on failing the exam is a precise decision. This precise decision harms identification without precisely controlling the final assignment. For instance, retaking the test never ensures passage, but it distorts the qualification assignment because some students that failed then pass. However, students that have already passed, never fail. This novel channel redefines the justification for identification. Furthermore, under a new auxiliary condition, McCrary (2008)'s test is able to confirm identification and the existing worst-case bounds are nested within our new bounds. In a replication study, another sample selection by analysts appears critical in the robustness of their original conclusion.Comment: This work has been circulated as "Harmless and Detectable Manipulations of the Running Variable in Regression Discontinuity Designs: Tests and Bounds.

Attempt of automated space network operations at ETS-VI experimental data relay system

National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) is to perform experimental operations to acquire necessary technology for the future inter-satellite communications configured with a data relay satellite. This paper intends to overview functions of the experimental ground system which NASDA has developed for the Engineering Test Satellite VI (ETS-VI) Data Relay and Tracking Experiment, and to introduce Space Network System Operations Procedure (SNSOP) method with an example of Ka-band Single Access (KSA) acquisition sequence. To reduce operational load, SNSOP is developed with the concept of automated control and monitor of both ground terminal and data relay satellite. To perform acquisition and tracking operations fluently, the information exchange with user spacecraft controllers is automated by SNSOP functions

An electroelastic problem of a semi-infinite body with D∞ symmetry subjected to distributed surface loading

Electroelastic field in an semi-infinite body with D symmetry subjected to a locally uniform electric potential on its surface is investigated. By extending a potential function method for transversely isotropic bodies, the electroelastic field inside the body is formulated. Furthermore, numerical calculation is performed to investigate the field qualitatively and quantitatively

Joint diagnostic test of regression discontinuity designs: multiple testing problem

Current diagnostic tests for regression discontinuity (RD) design face a multiple testing problem. We find a massive over-rejection of the identifying restriction among empirical RD studies published in top-five economics journals. Each test achieves a nominal size of 5%; however, the median number of tests per study is 12. Consequently, more than one-third of studies reject at least one of these tests and their diagnostic procedures are invalid for justifying the identifying assumption. We offer a joint testing procedure to resolve the multiple testing problem. Our procedure is based on a new joint asymptotic normality of local linear estimates and local polynomial density estimates. In simulation studies, our joint testing procedures outperform the Bonferroni correction

Nanorod Size Dependence of Coherent Coupling between Individual and Collective Excitations via Transverse Electromagnetic Field

Plasmon is a collective excitation in metals formed through the Coulomb interaction between individual excitations of electron-hole pairs. In many previous studies on the plasmonic response, the role of the longitudinal field has been focused almost exclusively on the light-induced plasmonic phenomena, e.g., hot-carrier generation. In our previous study [Phys. Rev. B 105, 165408 (2022)], we have revealed the significant contribution of the transverse electromagnetic field to connect plasmons and electron-hole pairs in nanostructures based on the self-consistent and nonlocal response theory. In this study, we examine how this contribution appears depending on the system parameters, e.g., length and refractive index. The elucidation of roles of coherent coupling between the collective and individual excitations by the transverse field will lead to the principle of controlling bidirectional energy transfer between the plasmons and electron-hole pairs, which could significantly enhance hot-carrier generation efficiency.Comment: 17 pages, 4 figures, accepted in J. Phys. Soc. Jp

Endothelial Function as a Possible Significant Determinant of Cardiac Function during Exercise in Patients with Structural Heart Disease

This study was investigated the role that endothelial function and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) play in determining cardiac function reserve during exercise by a new ambulatory radionuclide monitoring system (VEST) in patients with heart disease. The study population consisted of 32 patients. The patients had cardiopulmonary stress testing using the treadmill Ramp protocol and the VEST. The anaerobic threshold (AT) was autodetermined using the V-slope method. The SVR was calculated by determining the mean blood pressure/cardiac output. Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) was measured in the brachial artery to evaluate endotheilial function. FMD and the percent change f'rom rest to AT in SVR correlated with those from rest to AT in ejection fraction and peak ejection ratio by VEST, respectively. Our findings suggest that FMD in the brachial artery and the SVR determined by VEST in patients with heart disease can possibly reflect cardiac function reserve during aerobic exercise

Dust Coagulation Regulated by Turbulent Clustering in Protoplanetary Disks

The coagulation of dust particles is a key process in planetesimal formation. However, the radial drift and bouncing barriers are not completely resolved, especially for silicate dust. Since the collision velocities of dust particles are regulated by turbulence in a protoplanetary disk, turbulent clustering should be properly treated. To that end, direct numerical simulations (DNSs) of the Navier–Stokes equations are requisite. In a series of papers, Pan & Padoan used a DNS with Reynolds number Re ~ 1000. Here, we perform DNSs with up to Re = 16,100, which allow us to track the motion of particles with Stokes numbers of 0.01 lesssim St lesssim 0.2 in the inertial range. Through the DNSs, we confirm that the rms relative velocity of particle pairs is smaller by more than a factor of two, compared to that by Ormel & Cuzzi. The distributions of the radial relative velocities are highly non-Gaussian. The results are almost consistent with those by Pan & Padoan or Pan et al. at low Re. Also, we find that the sticking rates for equal-sized particles are much higher than those for different-sized particles. Even in the strong-turbulence case with α-viscosity of 10−2, the sticking rates are as high as gsim50% and the bouncing probabilities are as low as ~10% for equal-sized particles of St lesssim 0.01. Thus, turbulent clustering plays a significant role in the growth of centimeter-sized compact aggregates (pebbles) and also enhances the solid abundance, which may lead to the streaming instability in a disk

Efficacy of fragmin/protamine microparticles containing fibroblast growth factor-2 (F/P MPs/FGF-2) to induce collateral vessels in a rabbit model of hindlimb ischemia

ObjectivesThe localized delivery of exogenous, angiogenic growth factors such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 has become a promising alternative treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and critical limb ischemia (CLI). The present study describes the efficacy of fragmin/protamine microparticles containing FGF-2 (F/P-MPs/FGF-2) to promote vessel growth in a rabbit model of hindlimb ischemia.MethodsA total of 24 rabbits were used to construct a model of hindlimb ischemia by resection of the left femoral artery. The rabbits were randomly divided into four groups 10 days after surgery (day 0); group A: control (non-treated; 1 mL of phosphate-buffered saline [PBS]); group B: FGF-2 (100 μg FGF-2 in 1 mL PBS)-treated; group C: F/P-MPs (12 mg dried F/P MPs in 1 mL PBS)-treated; and group D; F/P MPs/FGF-2 (100 μg FGF-2 and 12 mg dried F/P MPs in 1 mL PBS)-treated (n = 6 each). The drugs were administered intramuscularly to each group. Blood flow and blood pressure were measured in each group on days 0, 14, and 28. Angiography was performed to assess arteriogenesis on day 28. The number of capillaries on day 28 was determined by direct counting CD31− and α-smooth muscle antibody (α-SMA)-positive vessels.ResultsNeither death nor wound infection was observed throughout the experiment. The F/P MPs/FGF-2-treated group showed marked improvement in the blood flow ratio, blood pressure ratio, and capillary number in comparison to the control group, FGF-2-treated group, and F/P MPs-treated group. The F/P MPs-treated group showed intermediate improvement in blood flow ratio and capillary number in comparison to the control group and FGF-2-treated group.ConclusionsThe F/P MPs/FGF-2-treated group strongly induced functional collateral vessels in the rabbit model of hindlimb ischemia, indicating a possible therapy for PAD.Clinical RelevancePAD due to atherosclerotic vascular disease is a major health problem. Despite recent advances in surgical and radiologic vascular techniques, certain patients with CLI are not suitable for revascularization. A variety of strategies have been tried to promote development of collateral vessels. F/P MPs can act as carriers for controlled release of FGF-2. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of F/P MPs/FGF-2 to induce functional collateral vessels in a rabbit model of hindlimb ischemia. This study will lead to F/P MPs/FGF-2-therapy which is an effective therapeutic strategy for treating PAD patients in clinic