A Note on Optimal Inference in the Linear IV Model

This paper considers tests and confidence sets (CS’s) concerning the coefficient on the endogenous variable in the linear IV regression model with homoskedastic normal errors and one right-hand side endogenous variable. The paper derives a finite-sample lower bound function for the probability that a CS constructed using a two-sided invariant similar test has infinite length and shows numerically that the conditional likelihood ratio (CLR) CS of Moreira (2003) is not always very close to this lower bound function. This implies that the CLR test is not always very close to the two-sided asymptotically-efficient (AE) power envelope for invariant similar tests of Andrews, Moreira, and Stock (2006) (AMS) On the other hand, the paper establishes the finite-sample optimality of the CLR test when the correlation between the structural and reduced-form errors, or between the two reduced-form errors, goes to 1 or -1 and other parameters are held constant, where optimality means achievement of the two-sided AE power envelope of AMS. These results cover the full range of (non-zero) IV strength. The paper investigates in detail scenarios in which the CLR test is not on the two-sided AE power envelope of AMS. Also, the paper shows via theory and numerical work that the CLR test is close to having greatest average power, where the average is over a grid of concentration parameter values and over pairs alternative hypothesis values of the parameter of interest, uniformly over pairs of alternative hypothesis values and uniformly over the correlation between the structural and reduced-form errors. The paper concludes that, although the CLR test is not always very close to the two-sided AE power envelope of AMS, CLR tests and CS’s have very good overall properties

Multi-output programmable quantum processor

By combining telecloning and programmable quantum gate array presented by Nielsen and Chuang [Phys.Rev.Lett. 79 :321(1997)], we propose a programmable quantum processor which can be programmed to implement restricted set of operations with several identical data outputs. The outputs are approximately-transformed versions of input data. The processor successes with certain probability.Comment: 5 pages and 2 PDF figure

The Effect of Integrating Travel Time

This contribution demonstrates the potential gain for the quality of results in a simulation of pedestrians when estimated remaining travel time is considered as a determining factor for the movement of simulated pedestrians. This is done twice: once for a force-based model and once for a cellular automata-based model. The results show that for the (degree of realism of) simulation results it is more relevant if estimated remaining travel time is considered or not than which modeling technique is chosen -- here force-based vs. cellular automata -- which normally is considered to be the most basic choice of modeling approach.Comment: preprint of Pedestrian and Evacuation 2012 conference (PED2012) contributio

Positive Maps Which Are Not Completely Positive

The concept of the {\em half density matrix} is proposed. It unifies the quantum states which are described by density matrices and physical processes which are described by completely positive maps. With the help of the half-density-matrix representation of Hermitian linear map, we show that every positive map which is not completely positive is a {\em difference} of two completely positive maps. A necessary and sufficient condition for a positive map which is not completely positive is also presented, which is illustrated by some examples.Comment: 4pages,The Institute of Theoretical Physics, Academia Sinica, Beijing 100080, P.R. Chin

Unusual presentation of uterine rupture following laparoscopic myomectomy: a case report and literature review

Laparoscopic myomectomy is preferred to the laparotomy approach as the former promises a better postoperative course, with fewer complications and faster recovery. It is increasingly performed in younger women in recent years. However, although rare, uterine rupture is an important and dangerous complication. Authors report a case of 36-year-old lady who presented at 23 weeks and 4 days gestation of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy with spontaneous uterine rupture. She underwent a laparoscopic myomectomy three year prior for a 4.5cm fundal fibroid. Her presenting symptoms include acute onset of epigastric pain. Uterine rupture was confirmed using Computed Tomography scan. She underwent an exploratory laparotomy and the placenta was found extruding from a 4cm defect on the posterior fundus along the previous myomectomy scar with active bleeding. Current literature suggests it is difficult to predict when uterine rupture may happen. Proper selection criteria for suitable cases may allow trial of labour after myomectomy to be a viable option. Potential considerations include interval between myomectomy and conception, scar integrity, method of repair, and the use of electrocoagulation. This case reports the worrying features of an early antepartum rupture presenting with atypical symptomatology. In pregnant patients presenting with abdominal pain or haemodynamic instability, it is imperative to consider uterine rupture so as to perform timely intervention. Those with a history of laparoscopic myomectomy should be considered high risk and counseled about the risk of rupture with extensive discussion about mode of delivery.

Familization risks, defamilization risks and older women

© 2019, © 2019 Taylor & Francis. This article is about the familization and defamilization risks faced by older women. Such risks are generated by the lack of one or both of two conditions: the freedom to choose whether or not to perform certain family roles; and the capacity to maintain a reasonable standard of living. Examples are drawn from findings of a qualitative study in Hong Kong, in which 40 older women aged 65 or above were interviewed to discuss their experiences of issues relating to the risks and their diverse preferences of how these issues should be handled

Modulated Entanglement Evolution Via Correlated Noises

We study entanglement dynamics in the presence of correlated environmental noises. Specifically, we investigate the quantum entanglement dynamics of two spins in the presence of correlated classical white noises, deriving Markov master equation and obtaining explicit solutions for several interesting classes of initial states including Bell states and X form density matrices. We show how entanglement can be enhanced or reduced by the correlation between the two participating noises.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures. To be published in Quantum Information Processing, special issue on Quantum Decoherence and Entanglemen

Establishment of Prognostic Models for Astrocytic and Oligodendroglial Brain Tumors with Standardized Quantification of Marker Gene Expression and Clinical Variables

Background Prognosis models established using multiple molecular markers in cancer along with clinical variables should enable prediction of natural disease progression and residual risk faced by patients. In this study, multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses were done based on overall survival (OS) of 100 glioblastoma multiformes (GBMs, 92 events), 49 anaplastic astrocytomas (AAs, 33 events), 45 gliomas with oligodendroglial features, including anaplastic oligodendroglioma (AO, 13 events) and oligodendraglioma (O, 9 events). The modeling included two clinical variables (patient age and recurrence at the time of sample collection) and the expression variables of 13 genes selected based on their proven biological and/or prognosis functions in gliomas ( ABCG2, BMI1, MELK, MSI1, PROM1, CDK4, EGFR, MMP2, VEGFA, PAX6, PTEN, RPS9, and IGFBP2 ). Gene expression data was a log-transformed ratio of marker and reference ( ACTB ) mRNA levels quantified using absolute real-time qRT-PCR. Results Age is positively associated with overall grade (4 for GBM, 3 for AA, 2_1 for AO_O), but lacks significant prognostic value in each grade. Recurrence is an unfavorable prognostic factor for AA, but lacks significant prognostic values for GBM and AO_O. Univariate models revealed opposing prognostic effects of ABCG2, MELK, BMI1, PROM1, IGFBP2, PAX6, RPS9 , and MSI1 expressions for astrocytic (GBM and AA) and oligodendroglial tumors (AO_O). Multivariate models revealed independent prognostic values for the expressions of MSI1 (unfavorable) in GBM, CDK4 (unfavorable) and MMP2 (favorable) in AA, while IGFBP2 and MELK (unfavorable) in AO_O. With all 13 genes and 2 clinical variables, the model R 2 was 14.2% ( P = 0.358) for GBM, 45.2% ( P = 0.029) for AA, and 62.2% ( P = 0.008) for AO_O. Conclusion The study signifies the challenge in establishing a significant prognosis model for GBM. Our success in establishing prognosis models for AA and AO_O was largely based on identification of a set of genes with independent prognostic values and application of standardized gene expression quantification to allow formation of a large cohort in analysis

Differential Geometry of Bipartite Quantum States

We investigate the differential geometry of bipartite quantum states. In particular the manifold structures of pure bipartite states are studied in detail. The manifolds with respect to all normalized pure states of arbitrarily given Schmidt ranks or Schmidt coefficients are explicitly presented. The dimensions of the related manifolds are calculated.Comment: 10 page