Maxwell's role in turning the concept of model into the methodology of modeling

This is a contribution towards a history and philosophy of modeling in its early stages in electromagnetism. In 1873, James Clerk Maxwell (1831–1879) hinted at the methodology of modeling at the end of his Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism. We focus on Maxwell's impact on physicists who immediately followed him, specifically Oliver Lodge (1851–1940) and George Francis FitzGerald (1851–1901). We begin with the role that the scientific concept of model played in the late nineteenth century, as assessed by Ludwig Boltzmann (1844–1906). We then discuss the role of hypothesis as a methodology, the appeal to (dynamical) illustration, and the way Maxwell applied model and working model in his studies of electromagnetism. We show that for Maxwell these key terms were kept distinct, but Lodge did not maintain these distinctions and, in this regard, FitzGerald followed Lodge. Notwithstanding Lodge's influence, Fitzgerald modified Maxwell's theory based on the mechanical model he designed, thereby implicitly taking the first step towards modeling. This methodology consists in drawing consequences from the (mechanical) model to the (electrodynamic) theory and modifying the latter in light of the functioning of the former. At the core of our argument is the thesis that it was a methodological novelty to move from the concept of model to the methodology of modeling. The introduction of modeling as a new methodology into physics in the late nineteenth century was a major event which deserves proper recognition.     

共享自动驾驶汽车使用意愿模型及其影响因素

为了构建共享自动驾驶汽车(shared autonomous vehicles，SAV) 的使用意愿模型并分析其影响因素，通过使用时机和使用频率来体现公众对SAV的使用意愿；采用验证性因子分析将态度潜变量转化为潜变量得分，以此将态度潜变量引入传统的有序Logit模型；提出SAV使用意愿的有序Logit模型构建方法，并建立基于个人属性、通勤特征、态度潜变量的SAV使用意愿模型.研究发现:是否使用过滴滴拼车、工作单位停车费、自动驾驶态度对使用时机和3种价格(1，2，3元/km) 下的使用频率有显著影响；使用过滴滴拼车、工作单位收取停车费、支持自动驾驶的群体倾向于频繁地、更早地使用SAV出行；公众期望以1元/km或 2元/km即不超过目前滴滴拼车的价格使用SAV.     

Blockage of the NLRP3 inflammasome by MCC950 improves anti-tumor immune responses in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

The NLRP3 inflammasome is a critical innate immune pathway responsible for producing active interleukin (IL)-1β, which is associated with tumor development and immunity. However, the mechanisms regulating the inflammatory microenvironment, tumorigenesis and tumor immunity are unclear. Herein, we show that the NLRP3 inflammasome was over-expressed in human HNSCC tissues and that the IL-1β concentration was increased in the peripheral blood of HNSCC patients. Additionally, elevated NLRP3 inflammasome levels were detected in tumor tissues of Tgfbr1/Pten 2cKO HNSCC mice, and elevated IL-1β levels were detected in the peripheral blood serum, spleen, draining lymph nodes and tumor tissues. Blocking NLRP3 inflammasome activation using MCC950 remarkably reduced IL-1β production in an HNSCC mouse model and reduced the numbers of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), regulatory T cells (Tregs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Moreover, inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation increased the numbers of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in HNSCC mice. Notably, the numbers of exhausted PD-1⁺ and Tim3⁺ T cells were significantly reduced. A human HNSCC tissue microarray showed that NLRP3 inflammasome expression was correlated with the expression of CD8 and CD4, the Treg marker Foxp3, the MDSC markers CD11b and CD33, and the TAM markers CD68 and CD163, PD-1 and Tim3. Overall, our results demonstrate that the NLRP3 inflammasome/IL-1β pathway promotes tumorigenesis in HNSCC and inactivation of this pathway delays tumor growth, accompanied by decreased immunosuppressive cell accumulation and an increased number of effector T cells. Thus, inhibition of the tumor microenvironment through the NLRP3 inflammasome/IL-1β pathway may provide a novel approach for HNSCC therapy.     

Little-known and phylogenetically obscure South African estuarine microgastropods (Mollusca: Truncatelloidea) as living animals

Areas of the Knysna estuarine bay in the Western Cape are dominated by three endemic South African truncatelloid microgastropods, temporarily known as ‘Hydrobia’ knysnaensis (Krauss), ‘Assiminea’ capensis (Sowerby) and ‘Assiminea’ globulus Connolly. Although first described 80–170 years ago and present in abundance (up to 100,000 m^?2), they remain surrounded by confusion and still await taxonomic assignment, largely because they appear most atypical members of their groups by virtue of anatomy and/or biogeography and/or habitat. This study contributes in-life perspectives to morphological and phylogenetic analyses known to be on-going. At Knysna, they are syntopic: at least two occurring in >85% and all three in >40% of individual 0.0026 m² samples from their region of dominance. Nevertheless, they tend to greater abundance in divergent microhabitats; ‘A.’ globulus dominating higher tidal levels, and ‘A.’ capensis and ‘Hydrobia’ lower ones; the former especially unvegetated sediment, the latter, if anything, seagrass. Interspecific feeding interactions appear unlikely to be responsible for these patterns, other evidence suggesting that all are maintained below carrying capacity. Field biology of ‘H.’ knysnaensis generally appears equivalent to that of northern-hemisphere intertidal hydrobiids and that of ‘A.’ globulus is typically assimineid, albeit at atypically low shore height. Unlike assimineids, however, ‘A.’ capensis is truly aquatic. The success of these truncatelloids in unusual circumstances may be consequent on the absence from South Africa of other microgastropod groups that fill their niches elsewhere in the southern hemisphere.     

利用SRTM数据修测高山区地貌的探讨

在高海拔区域测制地形图,如青藏高原地区,所获取的遥感影像局部存在着大范围的高山阴影或云雪覆盖,造成立体观测地貌困难的现象,探讨应用SRTM数据对这类特殊区域地貌进行修测补绘。介绍了数据处理的作业过程,并对实验区SRTM与SPOT5影像立体测图成果进行实验对比分析,成果符合要求。     

迹为整数的3×3阶正交矩阵的谱

讨论了3×3阶正交矩阵的特征值和迹的关系,证明了迹为整数的3×3阶正交矩阵的谱可由迹确定,为应用广泛的3×3阶正交矩阵的谱的计算提供了简单实用的方法.     

Methods for backcasting,nowcasting and forecasting using factor‐MIDAS: With an application to Korean GDP

We utilize mixed‐frequency factor‐MIDAS models for the purpose of carrying out backcasting, nowcasting, and forecasting experiments using real‐time data. We also introduce a new real‐time Korean GDP dataset, which is the focus of our experiments. The methodology that we utilize involves first estimating common latent factors (i.e., diffusion indices) from 190 monthly macroeconomic and financial series using various estimation strategies. These factors are then included, along with standard variables measured at multiple different frequencies, in various factor‐MIDAS prediction models. Our key empirical findings as follows. (i) When using real‐time data, factor‐MIDAS prediction models outperform various linear benchmark models. Interestingly, the “MSFE‐best” MIDAS models contain no autoregressive (AR) lag terms when backcasting and nowcasting. AR terms only begin to play a role in “true” forecasting contexts. (ii) Models that utilize only one or two factors are “MSFE‐best” at all forecasting horizons, but not at any backcasting and nowcasting horizons. In these latter contexts, much more heavily parametrized models with many factors are preferred. (iii) Real‐time data are crucial for forecasting Korean gross domestic product, and the use of “first available” versus “most recent” data “strongly” affects model selection and performance. (iv) Recursively estimated models are almost always “MSFE‐best,” and models estimated using autoregressive interpolation dominate those estimated using other interpolation methods. (v) Factors estimated using recursive principal component estimation methods have more predictive content than those estimated using a variety of other (more sophisticated) approaches. This result is particularly prevalent for our “MSFE‐best” factor‐MIDAS models, across virtually all forecast horizons, estimation schemes, and data vintages that are analyzed.     

基于高斯字典原子稀疏表示的高精度宽角SAR成像方法

为了提高从宽角合成孔径雷达(synthetic aperture radar, SAR)图像中提取目标后向散射各向异性特性的性能,在宽角SAR字典稀疏表示模型的基础上,提出一种基于高斯字典原子的高精度宽角SAR成像方法。在字典构造上,采用不同中心位置、相同方差的高斯函数。在求解稀疏表示系数上,采用广义最小最大凹惩罚稀疏重构算法求解。最后，根据稀疏表示系数的重构结果以及构造的字典得到目标的后向散射各向异性特性。通过仿真实验和Backhoe数据对算法进行验证,结果表明,该方法能够高精度地提取目标的后向散射各向异性特性。     

Hierarchical Community Detection Based on Partial Matrix Convergence Using Random Walks

Random walks are a standard tool for modeling the spreading process in social and biological systems.But in the face of large-scale networks,to achieve convergence,iterative calculation of the transition matrix in random walk methods consumes a lot of time.In this paper,we propose a three-stage hierarchical community detection algorithm based on Partial Matrix Approximation Convergence(PMAC) using random walks.First,this algorithm identifies the initial core nodes in a network by classical measurement and then utilizes the error function of the partial transition matrix convergence of the core nodes to determine the number of random walks steps.As such,the PMAC of the core nodes replaces the final convergence of all the nodes in the whole matrix.Finally,based on the approximation convergence transition matrix,we cluster the communities around core nodes and use a closeness index to merge two communities.By recursively repeating the process,a dendrogram of the communities is eventually constructed.We validated the performance of the PMAC by comparing its results with those of two representative methods for three real-world networks with different scales.