Before revision:  Despite the fact that the MEM was introduced in 1913, and has been in widespread usage as a numerical technique since as far back as 1955, to the best of the authors' knowledge, a precise , quantitative characterization of the asymptotic rate of convergence of the MEM has not been obtained.
After revision:  Despite the fact that the MEM was introduced in 1913, and has been in widespread usage as a numerical technique since as far back as 1955, to the best of the authors' knowledge, a precise characterization of the asymptotic rate of convergence of the MEM has not been obtained.