"Building" exact confidence nets

Confidence nets, that is, collections of confidence intervals that fill out the parameter space and whose exact parameter coverage can be computed, are familiar in nonparametric statistics. Here, the distributional assumptions are based on invariance under the action of a finite reflection group. Exact confidence nets are exhibited for a single parameter, based on the root system of the group. The main result is a formula for the generating function of the coverage interval probabilities. The proof makes use of the theory of "buildings" and the Chevalley factorization theorem for the length distribution on Cayley graphs of finite reflection groups.Comment: 20 pages. To appear in Bernoull

On stochastic aspects of impact modeling of the innovation incentive system and business internationalization: evidence from Portuguese SMEs

Multivariate normal distribution is base for many statistical techniques, including ordinary least square inference. Here we show that in order to make research on Internationalization of Companies, more flexible approach is needed, namely partial least squares (PLS). It is a nonparametric technique, used in Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), which makes no distributional assumptions and also may be applied with small sample sizes. In this study we discuss on regularity conditions for PLS from the perspective of semi-continuous covariance which fills the gap in the current studies. The stochastic aspects, especially those related to usage of PLS-SEM, can be well integrated to the topologically grounded regression, where jumps in the covariances can occur. The purpose of the research is to analyze and understand the impact of the Incentive System (IS) for Innovation, within the scope of the National Strategic Reference Framework (QREN) 2014-2020, on the Internationalization of Portuguese Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). We study stochastic aspects of theoretical model which aggregates the variables Product Innovation, Marketing Innovation, Organizational Innovation and Working Conditions as determinants of Internationalization of Companies. Data were collected based on a quantitative methodology, through a self-completion questionnaire using the Likert psychometric scale, which registered 120 participants. Organizational Innovation (exogenous latent construct) and Product Innovation have shown a statistically significant indirect effect on the Internationalization of Companies (endogenous latent construct) through Marketing Innovation. The latter has a direct effect on the Internationalization (target construct). However, Working Conditions has the greatest impact on Internationalization, meaning that measures such as increasing wages, decreasing the use of temporary work and precarious work conversion into labor effective relations have a very relevant direct effect on the Internationalization of Portuguese SMEs.FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., under the scope of the projects UIDB/00297/2020 and UIDP/00297/2020 (Center for Mathematics and Applications)

Multiphoton Transitions in a Spin System Driven by Strong Bichromatic Field

EPR transient nutation spectroscopy is used to measure the effective field (Rabi frequency) for multiphoton transitions in a two-level spin system bichromatically driven by a transverse microwave (MW) field and a longitudinal radio-frequency (RF) field. The behavior of the effective field amplitude is examined in the case of a relatively strong MW field, when the derivation of the effective Hamiltonian cannot be reduced to first-order perturbation theory in w_{1} / w_{rf} (w_{1} is the microwave Rabi frequency, w_{rf} is the RF frequency). Experimental results are consistently interpreted by taking into account the contributions of second and third order in w_{1} / w_{rf} evaluated by Krylov-Bogolyubov-Mitropolsky averaging. In the case of inhomogeneously broadened EPR line, the third-order correction modifies the nutation frequency, while the second-order correction gives rise to a change in the nutation amplitude due to a Bloch-Siegert shift.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure

Extensive range persistence in peripheral and interior refugia characterizes Pleistocene range dynamics in a widespread Alpine plant species (Senecio carniolicus, Asteraceae)

Recent evidence suggests that survival of arctic-alpine organisms in peripheral or interior glacial refugia are not mutually exclusive and may both be involved in shaping an organism’s Pleistocene history, yet potentially at different time levels. Here, we test this hypothesis in a high-mountain plant (diploid lineage of Senecio carniolicus, Asteraceae) from the Eastern European Alps, in which patterns of morphological variation and current habitat requirements suggest survival in both types of refugia. To this end, we used AFLPs, nuclear and plastid DNA sequences and analysed them, among others, within a graph theoretic framework and using novel Bayesian methods of phylogeographic inference. On the basis of patterns of genetic diversity, occurrence of rare markers, distribution of distinct genetic lineages and patterns of range connectivity both interior refugia in the formerly strongly glaciated central Alps and peripheral refugia along the southern margin of the Alps were identified. The presence of refugia congruently inferred by markers resolving at different time levels suggests that these refugia acted as such throughout several glacial cycles. The high degree of range persistence together with gradual range expansion, which contrasts with the extent of range shifts implied for other Alpine species, is likely responsible for incipient lineage differentiation evident from the genetic data. Replacing a simplistic peripheral vs. interior refugia dualism by more complex models involving both types of refugia and considering different time levels will help identifying common phylogeographic patterns with respect to, for instance, location of refugia and colonization routes and elucidating their underlying genetic and/or ecological causes

Stability of scaling regimes in d≥2d\geq 2 developed turbulence with weak anisotropy

The fully developed turbulence with weak anisotropy is investigated by means of renormalization group approach (RG) and double expansion regularization for dimensions $d\ge 2$. Some modification of the standard minimal substraction scheme has been used to analyze stability of the Kolmogorov scaling regime which is governed by the renormalization group fixed point. This fixed point is unstable at $d=2$; thus, the infinitesimally weak anisotropy destroyes above scaling regime in two-dimensional space. The restoration of the stability of this fixed point, under transition from $d=2$ to $d=3,$ has been demonstrated at borderline dimension $2<d_c<3$. The results are in qualitative agreement with ones obtained recently in the framework of the usual analytical regularization scheme.Comment: 23 pages, 2 figure

Impact of Mechanical Unloading on Microvasculature and Associated Central Remodeling Features of the Failing Human Heart

ObjectivesThis study investigates alterations in myocardial microvasculature, fibrosis, and hypertrophy before and after mechanical unloading of the failing human heart.BackgroundRecent studies demonstrated the pathophysiologic importance and significant mechanistic links among microvasculature, fibrosis, and hypertrophy during the cardiac remodeling process. The effect of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) unloading on cardiac endothelium and microvasculature is unknown, and its influence on fibrosis and hypertrophy regression to the point of atrophy is controversial.MethodsHemodynamic data and left ventricular tissue were collected from patients with chronic heart failure at LVAD implant and explant (n = 15) and from normal donors (n = 8). New advances in digital microscopy provided a unique opportunity for comprehensive whole-field, endocardium-to-epicardium evaluation for microvascular density, fibrosis, cardiomyocyte size, and glycogen content. Ultrastructural assessment was done with electron microscopy.ResultsHemodynamic data revealed significant pressure unloading with LVAD. This was accompanied by a 33% increase in microvascular density (p = 0.001) and a 36% decrease in microvascular lumen area (p = 0.028). We also identified, in agreement with these findings, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical evidence of endothelial cell activation. In addition, LVAD unloading significantly increased interstitial and total collagen content without any associated structural, ultrastructural, or metabolic cardiomyocyte changes suggestive of hypertrophy regression to the point of atrophy and degeneration.ConclusionsThe LVAD unloading resulted in increased microvascular density accompanied by increased fibrosis and no evidence of cardiomyocyte atrophy. These new insights into the effects of LVAD unloading on microvasculature and associated key remodeling features might guide future studies of unloading-induced reverse remodeling of the failing human heart

Q methodology and rural research

Traditionally, rural scholarship has been limited in its methodological approach. This has begun to change in recent years as rural researchers have embraced a range of different methodological tools. The aim of this article is to contribute to greater methodological pluralism in rural sociology by introducing readers to a method of research that is rarely engaged in the field, that is, Q methodology. The article describes the defining features of the approach as well as providing examples of its application to argue that it is a method that offers particular opportunities and synergies for rural social science research