Radical Simplification Research Articles

Comparative evaluation of lateral flow assays to diagnose chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection in Bolivia.

Bolivia has the highest incidence of Chagas disease (CD) worldwide. Caused by the parasite Trypanasoma cruzi, CD is generally a chronic condition. Diagnosis is logistically and financially challenging, requiring at least two different laboratory-based serological tests. Many CD cases are missed; in Bolivia it is estimated just 6% of individuals chronically infected with T. cruzi get diagnosed. Achieving control on the way to elimination of CD requires a radical simplification of the current CD testing pathways, to overcome the barriers to accessing CD treatment. We aimed to generate unbiased performance data of lateral flow assays (LFAs) for T. cruzi infection in Bolivia, to evaluate their usefulness for improving T. cruzi diagnosis rates in a precise and efficient manner. This retrospective, laboratory-based, diagnostic evaluation study sought to estimate the sensitivity/specificity of 10 commercially available LFAs for T. cruzi, using the current CD diagnostic algorithm employed in Bolivia as the reference test method. All tests were blinded at the study site and performed by three operators. In total, 470 serum samples were tested, including 221 and 249 characterized as CD-positive/-negative, respectively. The LFAs were scored according to their relative importance using a decision-tree-based algorithm, with the mean decrease in Gini index as the scoring metric. The estimates of sensitivities ranged from 62.2-97.7% (95% confidence interval (CI) lower bound 55.0-94.7%); for specificities the range was 78.6-100% (95% CI lower bound 72.0-97.5%); 5/10 and 6/10 tests had sensitivity >90% and specificity >95%, respectively. Four LFAs showed high values of both sensitivity (93-95%) and specificity (97-99%). The agreement between 6 LFAs and the reference tests was almost perfect (Kappa 0.83-0.94). Most LFAs evaluated thus showed performances comparable with current laboratory-based diagnostic methods.

Rationalizing Government Collection Authorities: A Proposal for Radical Simplification <br>

Rationalizing Government Collection Authorities: A Proposal for Radical Simplification <br>

Counter-Intuitive Features of Particle Dynamics in Nanopores.

Using the framework of a continuous diffusion model based on the Smoluchowski equation, we analyze particle dynamics in the confinement of a transmembrane nanopore. We briefly review existing analytical results to highlight consequences of interactions between the channel nanopore and the translocating particles. These interactions are described within a minimalistic approach by lumping together multiple physical forces acting on the particle in the pore into a one-dimensional potential of mean force. Such radical simplification allows us to obtain transparent analytical results, often in a simple algebraic form. While most of our findings are quite intuitive, some of them may seem unexpected and even surprising at first glance. The focus is on five examples: (i) attractive interactions between the particles and the nanopore create a potential well and thus cause the particles to spend more time in the pore but, nevertheless, increase their net flux; (ii) if the potential well-describing particle-pore interaction occupies only a part of the pore length, the mean translocation time is a non-monotonic function of the well length, first increasing and then decreasing with the length; (iii) when a rectangular potential well occupies the entire nanopore, the mean particle residence time in the pore is independent of the particle diffusivity inside the pore and depends only on its diffusivity in the bulk; (iv) although in the presence of a potential bias applied to the nanopore the "downhill" particle flux is higher than the "uphill" one, the mean translocation times and their distributions are identical, i.e., independent of the translocation direction; and (v) fast spontaneous gating affects nanopore selectivity when its characteristic time is comparable to that of the particle transport through the pore.

A (More) Systematic Exploration of the Trade Effect of Product-Specific Rules of Origin

AbstractRules of Origin (RoO) are critical components of Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs). They are designed to stop products coming into a PTA through the partner that applies the lowest tariff – a phenomenon known as trade deflection. While RoO are necessary, complex RoO may undo the benefits of trade agreements. Using a novel database of RoO, this paper evaluates the incidence and restrictiveness of different types of Product-Specific Rules of Origin (PSRs) across 128 reciprocal PTAs for the period 1990–2015. Results, based on a structural gravity model controlling for confounding factors, display wide heterogeneity across different categories of PSRs attached to preferential margins, with more flexible PSRs associated with a significantly stronger trade effect compared to more restrictive ones where exporters do not have a choice among PSRs or have to satisfy multiple PSRs. A simulation exercise reveals that a radical simplification reform leading to the adoption of flexible PSRs providing alternative choices to prove origin would have increased global trade under PTAs on average by between 2.7 and 4% during the sample period.

FROM REGIONS TO THE WORLD: GLOBAL CRISES FROM THE THIRD CENTURY TO TODAY

FROM REGIONS TO THE WORLD: GLOBAL CRISES FROM THE THIRD CENTURY TO TODAY

Continuity and Change in New Dialect Formation: Tú vs. Usted in New York City Spanish

Abstract This study uses an innovative translation task method to explore second person singular (2ps) address patterns in New York City Spanish (nycs), a new dialect that formed in contact with English and among multiple dialects of Spanish. Results reveal more continuity than disruption in address choice with source varieties of Spanish, unlike some other diasporic language communities that show radical simplification in address systems. However, there was acceleration of trends found in most Spanish-speaking regions with greater use of the familiar tuteo variant over the formal ustedeo in apparent time. Our findings also point to spending adolescence in nyc as a key predictor of conformity to nycs patterns. This finding contrasts with studies of formal features in new dialect formation that have found middle childhood to be when conformity to local patterns mostly occurs.

Vocalic contrasts in Hnaring Lutuv

Lutuv, sometimes called Lautu, is an under-documented Chin language from the Tibeto-Burman language family spoken in Chin State in western Burma by 15 000 to 18 000 people (Eberhard et al., 2022, citing 2005 data that do not account for current military violence and displacement). Lutuv is also spoken in diaspora communities worldwide, including by about 1000 people in the Chin refugee community of Indianapolis (community estimate). Ongoing fieldwork with the Hnaring variety has revealed that, compared to related languages, Lutuv has undergone radical syllable structure simplification and attendant vowel inventory expansion. In addition to the low vowel /a/ and mid vowels /e, ə, ɔ/, Lutuv contains six to ten high vowels. These tentatively include four diphthongal vowels (/ie, yə, uɔ, Ɯə/) as well as six monophthongs /i, y, ɨ, ʉ, Ɯ, u/. We explore the distribution of the vowels via a combination of acoustic and comparative data in an effort to better understand the articulatory and featural specifications thereof, with special attention paid to the high vowels. If all of these monophthongs truly are high, it would represent a startlingly large and typologically uncommon high vowel inventory.

In the name of the nation: Authoritarian practices, capital accumulation, and the radical simplification of development in China’s global vision

ABSTRACT This article explores how the nationalist, business-centric, elite-led and labour-subsuming logics of development in contemporary China are mirrored in contingent and locally-mediated ways in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In China’s present ‘de-revolutionary’ moment [Wang, 2006], non-elite populations are conceived as labour inputs to be used and moulded in the pursuit of national development through market means. This same developmental ethos, mediated by a plethora of Chinese and non-Chinese actors, underpins the authoritarian tendencies of BRI-branded projects across the world. While authoritarian practices in China have both Leninist and capitalist genealogies and drivers, I argue here that Global China’s most tangible and remarkable impacts on international authoritarianism are found in the practices required to secure capital accumulation along the BRI.

Algorithmic fairness through group parities? The case of COMPAS-SAPMOC

Machine learning classifiers are increasingly used to inform, or even make, decisions significantly affecting human lives. Fairness concerns have spawned a number of contributions aimed at both identifying and addressing unfairness in algorithmic decision-making. This paper critically discusses the adoption of group-parity criteria (e.g., demographic parity, equality of opportunity, treatment equality) as fairness standards. To this end, we evaluate the use of machine learning methods relative to different steps of the decision-making process: assigning a predictive score, linking a classification to the score, and adopting decisions based on the classification. Throughout our inquiry we use the COMPAS system, complemented by a radical simplification of it (our SAPMOC I and SAPMOC II models), as our running examples. Through these examples, we show how a system that is equally accurate for different groups may fail to comply with group-parity standards, owing to different base rates in the population. We discuss the general properties of the statistics determining the satisfaction of group-parity criteria and levels of accuracy. Using the distinction between scoring, classifying, and deciding, we argue that equalisation of classifications/decisions between groups can be achieved thorough group-dependent thresholding. We discuss contexts in which this approach may be meaningful and useful in pursuing policy objectives. We claim that the implementation of group-parity standards should be left to competent human decision-makers, under appropriate scrutiny, since it involves discretionary value-based political choices. Accordingly, predictive systems should be designed in such a way that relevant policy goals can be transparently implemented. Our paper presents three main contributions: (1) it addresses a complex predictive system through the lens of simplified toy models; (2) it argues for selective policy interventions on the different steps of automated decision-making; (3) it points to the limited significance of statistical notions of fairness to achieve social goals.

Lateral stability control system for front two-wheel independent driving electric vehicle

High specific indicators of power and torque of modern electric motors, as well as the relative ease of implementation of electric drive system,determinesthe feasibility of using in electric vehicles independentdrives fortwo or more wheels. The configuration of pure electric vehicleswith two driving front wheels, which is considered in this paper, is still uncommon, but it has the advantage of a radical simplification of transmission and steering mechanism. A specific feature of this configuration is the ability to perform by front-wheel drive systems, in addition to the main function of traction and braking bythe low-level of control, a number of additional functions atthe high-levelof control. In addition to the previously developed functions of the electronic differential, electric strengthening of steering and damping of spring oscillations of the steering mechanism, this paper also adds the function of lateral vehicle stability control in electric vehiclescornering. The article considers a seven-degreeof freedom mathematical model of dynamics of a four-wheeledvehicle and shows how this model can be simplified to a two-degree of freedom model describing the dynamics of antwo-wheeled vehicle. This model is sufficient to assess the lateral stabilityof electric vehiclesin cornering and forformation the reference ofadditional yaw-moment, which would regulate the yaw-rate to prevent the electric vehiclesskidding. On this basis, the structure of the lateral vehicle stabilitysystem was developed, which corrects the electromagnetic torques of the drive motors of the frontwheels to form the desired yaw-moment. For the studied electric vehicles with the set parameters, the dependences of the allowable yaw-rate on the set by a driver electric vehiclesspeed and angle of wheels turn in different traction conditions of wheels with a roadway are calculated. A general functional model of a front driving by twoindependentmotorselectric vehicleswith a two-level control system that performs all the above functions has been developed. In the Matlab/Simulink environment, a computer mathematical model of this electric vehiclewas built and simulation studies were conducted, which demonstrate the operation of the proposed lateral vehicle stabilitysystem.

Chromatic splitting for the K(2)–local sphere at p = 2

We calculate the homotopy type of $L_1L_{K(2)}S^0$ and $L_{K(1)}L_{K(2)}S^0$ at the prime 2, where $L_{K(n)}$ is localization with respect to Morava $K$-theory and $L_1$ localization with respect to $2$-local $K$ theory. In $L_1L_{K(2)}S^0$ we find all the summands predicted by the Chromatic Splitting Conjecture, but we find some extra summands as well. An essential ingredient in our approach is the analysis of the continuous group cohomology $H^\ast_c(\mathbb{G}_2,E_0)$ where $\mathbb{G}_2$ is the Morava stabilizer group and $E_0 = \mathbb{W}[[u_1]]$ is the ring of functions on the height $2$ Lubin-Tate space. We show that the inclusion of the constants $\mathbb{W} \to E_0$ induces an isomorphism on group cohomology, a radical simplification.

Vocalic contrasts in Hnaring Lutuv

Lutuv, sometimes called Lautu, is an under-documented Chin language from the Tibeto–Burman language family spoken in Chin State in Western Burma by approximately 15 000 people (Eberhard et al., 2021, citing 2005 data that do not account for current military violence and displacement). Lutuv is also spoken in diaspora communities worldwide, including by about 1000 people in the Chin refugee community of Indianapolis (community estimate). Ongoing fieldwork with the Hnaring variety has revealed that, compared to related languages, Lutuv has undergone radical syllable structure simplification and attendant vowel inventory expansion. In addition to the low vowel /a/ and mid vowels /e ə ɔ/, Lutuv contains six to ten high vowels. These tentatively include four diphthongal vowels (/ie yə uɔ Ɯə) as well as six monophthongs /i y ɨ ʉ Ɯ u/. We explore the distribution of the vowels via a combination of acoustic and comparative data in an effort to better understand the articulatory and featural specifications thereof, with special attention paid to the high vowels. If all of these monophthongs truly are high, it would represent a startlingly large and typologically uncommon high vowel inventory.

Dynamical Systems Implementation of Intrinsic Sentence Meaning

This paper proposes a model for implementation of intrinsic natural language sentence meaning in a physical language understanding system, where 'intrinsic' is understood as 'independent of meaning ascription by system-external observers'. The proposal is that intrinsic meaning can be implemented as a point attractor in the state space of a nonlinear dynamical system with feedback which is generated by temporally sequenced inputs. It is motivated by John Searle's well known (Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 3: 417–57, 1980) critique of the then-standard and currently still influential computational theory of mind (CTM), the essence of which was that CTM representations lack intrinsic meaning because that meaning is dependent on ascription by an observer. The proposed dynamical model comprises a collection of interacting artificial neural networks, and constitutes a radical simplification of the principle of compositional phrase structure which is at the heart of the current standard view of sentence semantics because it is computationally interpretable as a finite state machine.

Adapting a Participatory and Ecosystem-Based Assessment Impacted by the Pandemic: Lessons Learned With Farmers in Tajikistan

The paper presents a systemic and participatory assessment approach and scrutinizes how methodological changes necessitated during the Covid-19 pandemic implicated the process and its outcomes. The approach was applied in rural Tajikistan to evaluate changes effected by a development project that promoted the enhancement of biodiversity and ecosystem services in agrarian landscapes. The central building block of the assessment consisted of participatory workshops in 2018 and 2020 with farmers and other stakeholders to develop a systemic knowledge map and to evaluate the promoted strategies based on local expertise. The methodological basis was MARISCO (adaptive MAnagement of vulnerability and RISk at COnservation sites), a holistic and participatory approach to ecosystem-based assessment and management that requires well-trained facilitators. While the activities in 2018 could be implemented as planned, major changes in the work plan were necessary in 2020 due to severe travel restrictions and social distancing rules. Conducting virtual workshops was not possible, as it would have excluded key stakeholders from the process. Instead of conducting a comprehensive assessment workshop guided by two German MARISCO facilitators as originally planned, a series of short and small workshops could be realized. These workshops were facilitated by Tajik scientists after receiving virtual training from their German colleagues. Although it was possible to bring the assessment to a satisfactory conclusion, the methodological changes revealed significant drawbacks. Radical simplifications of the methods were necessary that led to reduced depth of the assessment and missed learning opportunities for participants. Limited experience in workshop guidance by the new facilitators posed challenges to the participatory process and the quality of its outcomes. While the adapted method created training effects that would otherwise have been missed, it also put additional pressure on the capacities of local partners. Our experience during the pandemic offers valuable lessons learned for future applications of systemic-participatory approaches. Whereas, a complete shift to remote applications is problematic, there is a need to put greater emphasis on capacitating local partners. Methodological trade-offs are necessary for partially remote working processes, but principles of participation and systemic thinking should not be compromised.

Thermodynamics of germanium chemical vapor deposition via germane and digermane

Chemical vapor deposition is notoriously a challenging chemical process. Growth rates are stated either under mass-transfer control or under kinetic control at lower temperature. But a few drastic assumptions enable a radical simplification of the reaction mechanism. And both growth regimes are unified with Sedgwick’s simplified thermodynamic model. Linear functions of temperature akin to Gibbs free energy of reaction are mined out of germanium deposition experiments. Two growth mechanisms are identified, one with ΔHro = 83.4 kcal/mol (Ge–H bond) and a second one with ΔHro = 104.2 kcal/mol (H – H bond). The contribution of higher order germane is also discerned in germane thermal decomposition. The square root coupling of growth rates to input flows is neatly demonstrated with thermodynamics. Finally, chemical vapor deposition growth rate vs. precursor partial pressure plot fingerprints a hydrogen Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The adsorption isotherm reveals a thermodynamic contribution beneath a mass-transfer control.

Simple rules and the Political Economy of Income Taxation: the strengths of a uniform expense rule

The complexity of the U.S. income tax system emerged in part from the differentiated fiscal treatment of specific investments and various sorts of business expenditures that, as Richard Wagner says, creates “a tax code so large that no one can read it and which creates nearly a unique tax liability for each taxpayer.” While tax scholarship documents the costs of complexity, current scholarship lacks a normative legal theory that could inspire an alternative to this practice of targeted credits and deduction rules. This paper builds on Epstein’s general Simple Rules framework to develop a radical simplification of income tax: the operationalization of a uniform expense rule, i.e., the application of a single deduction scheme across all expenses and investments. With regard to the trade-off between targeted rules and this general approach, this paper investigates the nature of a uniform expense rule and reveals its strengths with respect to political economy. First, a stable and universal expense rule would narrow the scope of politicians’ ability to concentrate benefits on special-interest groups and would limit rent-seeking. The abolition of deviating rules for investments would restrict the scope of tax optimization, meaning that individual and corporate tax liabilities would be more determined by the ability to pay them. The same policy would save companies and government millions of dollars that they currently spend on tax compliance and administration of the tax system, respectively. Last, a deduction rule that applies across all businesses and industries would be less price distortive and thus would enhance the quality of the price signal.

Taming the Bubble

Taming the Bubble

Discovering Radical Simplification through Geometry Connections

Students explore equivalent radical expressions using the relationship between area and side lengths of a square.

Governing Under Pressure: German Policy Making During the Coronavirus Crisis.

The global threat of the coronavirus pandemic has forced policy makers to react quickly with totally new policy‐making approaches under conditions of uncertainty. This article focuses on such crisis‐driven policy learning, examining how the experiences of China and South Korea as early responder states influenced the subsequent coronavirus crisis management in Germany. The first reaction of the German core executive was the quick concentration of decision‐making power at the top of the political hierarchy. Asserting the prerogatives of the executive included the radical simplification of the relationship between politics, law and science. State actors took emergency measures by recourse to a single piece of legislation—the ‘infection protection law’ (Infektionsschutzgesetz)—overriding other elements of the legal order. They also limited the government’s use of scientific expertise to a small number of advisors, thereby cutting short debates about the appropriateness or otherwise of the government’s crisis measures. Finally, German actors failed to understand that some of the earlier Chinese and Korean responses required a precondition—namely public willingness to sacrifice privacy for public health—that is absent in the German case.

Toward a Uniform Expense Rule

The complexity of the U.S. income tax system emerged in part from the differentiated fiscal treatment of specific investments and various sorts of business expenditures that, as Richard Wagner says, creates “a tax code so large that no one can read it and which creates nearly a unique tax liability for each taxpayer.” While tax scholarship documents the costs of complexity, current scholarship lacks a normative legal theory that could inspire an alternative to this practice of targeted credits and deduction rules. This paper builds on Epstein’s general Simple Rules framework to develop a radical simplification of income tax: the operationalization of a uniform expense rule, i.e., the application of a single deduction scheme across all expenses and investments. With regard to the trade-off between targeted rules and this general approach, this paper investigates the nature of a uniform expense rule and reveals its strengths with respect to political economy. First, a stable and universal expense rule would narrow the scope of politicians’ ability to concentrate benefits on special-interest groups and would limit rent-seeking. The abolition of deviating rules for investments would restrict the scope of tax optimization, meaning that individual and corporate tax liabilities would be more determined by the ability to pay them. The same policy would save companies and government millions of dollars that they currently spend on tax compliance and administration of the tax system, respectively. Last, a deduction rule that applies across all businesses and industries would be less price distortive and thus would enhance the quality of the price signal.