cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimating Market Power and Strategies: Estimation of Dynamic Games Involving Economic Fundamentals

The previous chapter explained the difference between open-loop and Markov Perfect equilibria. The Markov Perfect equilibrium assumes that firms are rational, insofar as they expect their rivals to respond to changes in the state variable; the equilibrium is subgame perfect. In contrast, the open-loop equilibrium is (in most cases) not subgame perfect. For this reason, the Markov Perfect equilibrium is more consistent with the standard assumption of firms' rationality. However, the open-loop equilibrium is easier to estimate. We start by showing how to estimate open-loop equilibria using two examples of discrete-time, dynamic games with different types of data and objectives. We then briefly discuss an estimation approach when firms use Markov Perfect strategies. OVERVIEW OF TWO EXAMPLES The first of our two discrete-time examples, the sticky price model , shows how to estimate an index of market power in a dynamic setting when the econometrician has only industry-level (rather than firm) data. The market power (“conjectural variation”) parameter nests a family of equilibria, including the leading cases of competition, cartel, and symmetric Cournot. The second example, which is based on Roberts and Samuelson (1988) – the RS model , includes the open-loop equilibrium as a special case. In this example, the econometrician has firm-level data. Because the econometrician assumes that firms behave noncooperatively, rather than estimate an index of market structure, the econometrician is interested in estimating a particular feature of the noncooperative behavior and the implication of that behavior.
Behavioral Correlates of Neuronal Activity Recorded as Single-Units: Promises and Pitfalls as Illustrated by the Rodent Head Direction Cell Signal

The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of a current approach in defining the relationships between the firing patterns of groups of neurons recorded from the freely behaving rodent. The design and construction of a 16-channel headstage and its typical integration with a commercially available multichannel data acquisition system is described in detail. Next, the chapter examines the strategies necessary to test the behavioral significance of firing patterns of individual neurons recorded from behaving animals. A discussion is included that surveys the limitations and advantages inherent in testing how discrete behavioral events are represented in single-unit activity recorded from rodents engaged in spatial and nonspatial behaviors. To expand on the technological and theoretical approaches to establishing the relationship between single-unit activity and behavior, the rodent head direction cell system is described as one useful model system. The head direction cell is considered by many to represent the directional sense of the organism and to be essential for spatial navigation. The chapter provides a critical overview of the studies that have been conducted to date to test this relationship. In short, these are the record while the rodent performs some navigational task experiments. Examination of the results from the studies reveals that there is little clear evidence to support the view that head direction cells guide spatial navigation. The ensuing discussion addresses putative reasons for the division between the empirical data and the theory of head direction cell – behavior relations. The chapter concludes with clear suggestions for alternative experimental approaches that might better address brain–behavior relationships. A plea for increased open dialogue between the fields of behavioral analysis and systems/cellular neurophysiology emerges. Improved understanding of the contributions to the neuroscience field made by behavioral neuroscientists and those by electrophysiologists should raise the bar of modern approaches to brain–behavioral relationship studies using in vivo electrophysiological methods.
Males Can Benefit from Sexual Cannibalism Facilitated by Self-Sacrifice.

Summary In a number of species, males are cannibalized by females after mating (reviewed in [1, 2]), and some males actually appear to facilitate their own cannibalism (reviewed in [3]). Such self-sacrifice can evolve if being eaten sufficiently enhances either fertilization success (mating effort) or offspring number or fitness (paternal effort). While there is some support for the mating-effort hypothesis, few studies have found support for paternal effort. We used two experiments to test the paternal-effort hypothesis in the dark fishing spider, Dolomedes tenebrosus . Males of this species provide themselves as a material contribution: they spontaneously die during copulation and are subsequently eaten by females. In support of the paternal-effort predictions, when females were allowed to consume their mating partner, we found large and significant increases in (1) the number, (2) the size, and (3) the survivorship of the offspring. Similar benefits were not seen when females were allowed to consume a cricket in lieu of a male, suggesting that it is the consumption of the male's body per se that is responsible for these fitness benefits. Together, our results suggest that D. tenebrosus males can benefit from self-sacrifice behavior through paternal effort. Such behavior may be particularly likely to evolve when high rates of postcopulatory cannibalism trap males into investing in their first mate instead of investing in acquiring additional matings and/or if strong first-male sperm precedence reduces the benefits of both investing in additional matings and paternity protection.
Brain Tumor Detection in MRI: Technique and Statistical Validation

Two novel fractal-based texture features are exploited for pediatric brain tumor segmentation and classification in MRI. One of the two texture features uses piecewise-triangular-prism-surface-area (PTPSA) algorithm for fractal feature extraction. The other texture feature exploits our novel fractional Brownian motion (fBm) framework that combines both fractal and wavelet analyses for fractal wavelet feature extraction. Three MRI modalities such as Tl (gadolinium-enhanced), T2 and fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) are exploited in this work. The self-organizing map (SOM) algorithm is used for tumor segmentation. For a total of 204 Tl contrast-enhanced, T2 and FLAIR MR images obtained from nine different pediatric patients, the successful tumor segmentation rate is 100%. Two classification methods, multi-layer feedforward neural network and support vector machine (SVM), are used to classify the tumor regions from non-tumor regions. For neural network classifier, at a threshold value of 0.7, the true positive fraction (TPF) values range from 75% to 100% for different patients, with the average value of 90%. For SVM classifier, the average accuracy rate is 95% and 92% when we use 1/3 and 1/2 of data for testing respectively.
Functional evaluation of Class F systems

The concept of functional testing of materials in combination in systems and its value beyond simple material property tests has been widely accepted by the electrical industry and the insulation materials suppliers, The accelerated interest in insulation systems and in the testing of systems is shown by the tremendous increase in published articles and magazine and technical journal coverage of all phases of electrical insulation in the last ten years as well as the highly successful technical sessions of this conference in its short life since the first meeting in Cleveland in 1958.
Effect of Different Packaging Treatments on Microbiological and Sensory Evaluation of Precooked Beef Roasts.

Thirty boneless top round roasts were used in each of two trials to determine the effects of various packaging treatments on precooked roast beef acceptability. Roasts were dry roasted to an internal temperature of 60°C, cooled for 1 h and packaged by one of three methods: (a) vacuum packaging, (b) packaging in 100% CO2 atmosphere or (c) packaging in 15% CO2:30% O2:55% N2 atmosphere. Roasts were held at 4°C for up to 21 d. Enumeration of mesophiles and psychrotrophs, sensory evaluations and shrinkage percentages were determined at 0, 7, 14 and 21 d of storage to evaluate acceptability. Counts of mesophiles and psychrotrophs from 100% CO2-treated roasts were significantly lower (P 0.05) different. After 7 d of storage, microbial numbers were similar, regardless of treatment. Sensory evaluation analyses showed that vacuum-packaged roasts exhibited little deterioration of quality characteristics at 21 d of storage, whereas both gas-treated roasts demonstrated quality deterioration by 14 and 21 d of storage. Vacuum-packaged roasts were preferred by panelists at 14 and 21 d, but CO2-treated roasts were preferred at 7 d. No treatment effects were evident upon shrinkage until 21 storage days. At 21 d, vacuum-packaged roasts exhibited the lowest moisture loss.
Effects of Preprinted Response Cards on Students' Participation and Off-Task Behavior in a Rural Kindergarten Classroom:

Teachers in rural schools benefit from efficient, low-tech, low cost interventions to improve student engagement, achievement, and overall classroom-related social behaviors. The response cards str...
Impact of managed woodland grazing on forage quantity, quality and livestock performance: the potential for silvopasture in Central Minnesota, USA

Over 177,000 ha of woodlands in Minnesota, USA are grazed. In general, these woodlands are not managed specifically for timber or cattle benefits. This lack of management often leads to decreased timber value and reduced forage yields. Silvopasture is a potential alternative to overcome this lack of land management on Minnesota woodlots. However, very limited information are available about silvopasture use in Minnesota. This three-year study evaluated the potential for silvopasture in Minnesota by comparing the production of unmanaged woodland grazing, silvopastoral, and open pasture systems. Three farmers from Central Minnesota collaborated in this study to assess these grazing systems. Silvopasture paddocks were established when thinning and seeding were performed on woodland areas. We assessed forage production, forage quality, and livestock performance. Forage production was generally greater in silvopastoral systems compared with unmanaged woodland grazing systems, while forage quality was lower in open pasture systems, at least during the first year. Livestock performance was similar between the grazing systems. Results indicate that silvopasture has potential in Minnesota, but more research is required to develop specific management guidelines as well as to monitor silvopasture production systems for longer periods of time.
Specific Antigens Produced by Oncogenic Viruses

Although it has been known for many years that certain viruses have something to do with tumor induction, in most instances there has been no specific evidence that the individual tumor cell had been directly transformed by a given virus. This sort of evidence was available only in the case of those RNA viruses, such as the avian leukoses, where the infected transformed cell continues to produce infectious virus. In the DNA virus-induced tumors, which are frequently free of infectious virus, there was no easy, direct way of establishing the etiological relationship. However, with the discovery in recent years that virus-induced tumors contain specific new antigens, a ready means of identification became available. There is good reason to believe that these antigens will be present in all virus-induced tumors, since one type or another has been found in all classes of tumors thus far adequately examined.
Mass Multifractality in Cluster Growth Models

It is demonstrated that clusters constructed by asymmetric recursion rules can be described in terms of mass multifractality. The set of generalized dimensions D q associated with the geometry of such objects is determined numerically for the growing asymmetric Cantor set using the box counting and the sand box methods. These approaches are not found equally efficient in evaluating the D q values. The direct determination of the f(α) spectrum corresponding to the singular distribution of mass in very large off-lattice diffusion-limited aggregates indicates the mass multifractality of these clusters as well.
Kurath, Hans (1891–1992)

Hans Kurath contributed extensively to American dialectology and Middle English lexicography. He is perhaps best known as editor of the Middle English Dictionary at the University of Michigan and as director of the Linguistic Atlas of the United States project.
Terrorism Risk Forecasting by Ideology

The purpose of the present study is to produce foresights on terrorism. For the first time in the literature, we test the predictive validity of risk terrain modeling to forecast terrorism. Because the relevant literature suggests that target selection and the places where terrorist attacks occur are related to a group’s strategies, we also investigate whether and how violent terrorist acts vary with respect to their surroundings in the same jurisdiction when the ideology is the point of comparison. Separatist and leftist terrorist groups committed 1152 violent terrorist acts between 2008 and 2012 in Istanbul, Turkey. Our analysis begins with a comparison of targets and risk factors by the ideology of the perpetrators for 857 separatist and 295 leftist terrorist incidents. After identifying high-risk locations, we test the predictive validity of risk terrain modeling. The study results showed that context and spatial influence—the risky areas of terrorism—vary by the nature of the ideology in the jurisdiction. Practical implications also are discussed.
Verbal Decision Analysis

Verbal Decision Analysis is a new methodological approach for the construction of decisions methods with multiple criteria. The approach is based on cognitive psychology, applied mathematics, and computer science. Problems of eliciting exact quantitative estimations from the decision makers may be overcome by using preferential information from the decision makers in the ordinal form (e.g., “more preferable”, “less preferable”,⋯). This type of judgments is known to be much more stable and consistent. Ways of how to obtain and use ordinal judgments for multicriteria alternatives’ evaluation are discussed. Decision methods ZAPROS, and ORCLASS based on the approach are briefly described.
Male infertility: the element of disguise.

The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore the element ol disguise in the intertility experience of men. I conducted a secondary analysis of data from a previous study oil 10 men experiencing intertility. Three categories of disguise were identified: disguise to protect themselves, disguise to protect their partner, and disguise to protect both themselves and their partner. This study's results indicate that health care professionals need to increase their awareness of the element of disguise and provide interventions for men experiencing intertility.
Monosaccharide Isomer Interconversions Become Significant at High Temperatures

Quantum-chemical calculations show how low barriers to anomerization and shifting equilibria cause a significant presence of different monosaccharide isomers in high-temperature processes such as pyrolysis. The transition between isomeric forms of monosaccharides is long-studied, but examination has typically been limited to the solution phase and to pyranose isomers. Processes and rates of anomerization by reversible, gas-phase ring-opening and -closing reactions were predicted for the monosaccharides d-glucose, d-mannose, d-galactose, d-xylose, l-arabinose, and d-glucuronic acid. Structures and thermochemistry were computed for stable species and pericyclic transition states using CBS-QB3, and high-pressure-limit Arrhenius reaction parameters were predicted and fitted from 300 to 1000 K. Activation energies for the ring-opening reactions were 162–217 kJ/mol for four-center pericyclic separation of the lactol group but were reduced by catalytic participation of a hydroxyl group within the monosaccharide ...
The shifting relationship between weight and pediatric obstructive sleep apnea: A historical review.

Objectives For more than a century, pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was associated with failure to thrive. However, that association has faded over the last few decades. A 21st century child with OSA is much more likely to be overweight than underweight. This raises the question: Has pediatric OSA changed over time, or has the rise of childhood obesity in the United States created a new, separate disease? This literature review explores the historical shift in the relationship between weight and OSA, and the associated changes in treatment. Results We demonstrate a clear transition in the prevalence of failure to thrive and obesity in the OSA literature in the mid-2000s. What is less clear is whether these two clinical phenotypes should be considered two distinct diseases, or whether subtle differences in one set of pathophysiologic pathways-adenotonsillar hypertrophy, altered inflammation, and increased energy expenditure-can lead to divergent metabolic outcomes. More research is needed to fully elucidate the pathophysiology of OSA in children with obesity. Conclusions We may need new and different treatments for obesity-associated OSA as adenotonsillectomy-which is effective at reversing failure to thrive in OSA-is not as effective at treating OSA in children with obesity. One option is drug-induced sleep endoscopy, which could personalize and improve surgical treatment of OSA. There is some evidence that therapies used for OSA in adults (e.g., weight loss and positive airway pressure) are also helpful for overweight/obese children with OSA. Laryngoscope, 129:2414-2419, 2019.
Nucleosome positions establish an extended mutation signature in melanoma.

Ultraviolet (UV) light-induced mutations are unevenly distributed across skin cancer genomes, but the molecular mechanisms responsible for this heterogeneity are not fully understood. Here, we assessed how nucleosome structure impacts the positions of UV-induced mutations in human melanomas. Analysis of mutation positions from cutaneous melanomas within strongly positioned nucleosomes revealed a striking ~10 base pair (bp) oscillation in mutation density with peaks occurring at dinucleotides facing away from the histone octamer. Additionally, higher mutation density at the nucleosome dyad generated an overarching “translational curvature” across the 147 bp of DNA that constitutes the nucleosome core particle. This periodicity and curvature cannot be explained by sequence biases in nucleosomal DNA. Instead, our genome-wide map of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) indicates that CPD formation is elevated at outward facing dinucleotides, mirroring the oscillation of mutation density within nucleosome-bound DNA. Nucleotide excision repair (NER) activity, as measured by XR-seq, inversely correlated with the curvature of mutation density associated with the translational setting of the nucleosome. While the 10 bp periodicity of mutations is maintained across nucleosomes regardless of chromatin state, histone modifications, and transcription levels, overall mutation density and curvature across the core particle increased with lower transcription levels. Our observations suggest structural conformations of DNA promote CPD formation at specific sites within nucleosomes, and steric hindrance progressively limits lesion repair towards the nucleosome dyad. Both mechanisms create a unique extended mutation signature within strongly positioned nucleosomes across the human genome.
Parallax Mitigation for Real-Time Close Field Video Stitching

In this paper, we consider the task of stitching video frames captured by an array of micro-cameras in order to create an enlarged field of view video for surgical applications. We propose a method for mitigating the problem of parallax when dealing with non-planar scenes with moving objects that cross boundaries of adjacent views, causing discontinuities at view boundaries of the stitched video. The discontinuities created by parallax are especially noticeable when the object has long straight lines that cross the boundary. In this work, we propose a method of aligning the edges of objects affected by the parallax in the scene using epipolar geometry and then applying secondary transformations to correct parallax discontinuities. Our method leverages the regular shape of the object and is suitable for surgical applications where few if any feature points may be extracted from the appearance of the objects.
Contributions of feedforward and feedback control in a manual trajectory-tracking task

Abstract In joint human-cyber-physical systems, the human operator may rely on a combination of reactive (feedback) and predictive (feedforward) control. This paper proposes an experimental and analytical approach to simultaneously identify the human feedback and feedforward controllers in the context of human-cyber-physical systems (HCPS). In our experiments, participants play a 1DOF reference-tracking video game, tasked to guide a cursor to follow a pseudo-random trajectory. For such tasks, the model inversion hypothesis suggests that the human operator would implement as a feedforward controller the inverse of the cyber-physical-system dynamics. Our results indicate that at lower frequencies (≤ 0.15 Hz), individuals capably invert the system dynamics to implement a feedforward controller, but at higher frequencies, the magnitudes of the estimated feedforward transformation are approximately half those of the exact model inverse. This suggests that a frequency limit at which individuals are unable to follow the system dynamics, and thus, the model inversion prediction is only applicable at lower frequencies.
Is Inclusive Digital Innovation Inclusive? An Investigation of M-Shwari in Kenya

Inclusive digital innovations are IT-enabled innovations with the potential to promote inclusive socioeconomic development for the poor and underserved inhabitants of developing countries. This paper inquires about the extent to which this worthy objective has actually been achieved. Specifically, the paper focuses on M-Shwari, the Kenyan mobile savings and credit service. Although members of the development community and other stakeholders might hope M-Shwari to serve poor, rural, and financially underserved Kenyans, the research findings show that M-Shwari primarily reaches wealthier urban inhabitants who are already financially served. These results call for greater scholarly attention to excluded groups when evaluating the impacts of digital innovations in developing countries.
A simplified constitutive and finite element model of plain weave fabric reinforcements for the biaxial loading

Soft matrices reinforced by textile preforms are considered as flexible composites that can undergo large elastic deformation. The mechanical behaviors of these composites are highly nonlinear, involving both material and geometric nonlinearities. To conduct a finite element analysis studying woven fabric structures, one of the desired approaches is to develop an equivalent continuum model representing the mechanical behavior of the fabric’s unit cell. During large deformation, significant fabric architecture rearrangement occurs. To include this geometrical nonlinearity into a continuum model, it is always a challenge. In this work, the constitutive model of weave fabrics under biaxial loadings has been derived considering the large nonlinear elastic deformations. This model assumes that the fabric consists of monofilaments, where the yarn is treated as a thin isotropic solid bar which follows the sinusoidal shape. The effects of the yarn’s crimp interchange, and bending are considered in the constitutive equations. One of the special advantages to use this constitutive model is that the geometry can be completely defined by the commonly given information for a fabric (i.e., crimps, number of yarns per unit fabric length). Good agreement has been found between predictions and experiments under various biaxial loadings. The theoretical predictions also agree well with FEA simulations of the mechanical behaviors of the unit cell.
Regularized stochastic BFGS algorithm

A regularized stochastic version of the Broyden-Fletcher- Goldfarb-Shanno (BFGS) quasi-Newton method is proposed to solve optimization problems with stochastic objectives that arise in large scale machine learning. Stochastic gradient descent is the currently preferred solution methodology but the number of iterations required to approximate optimal arguments can be prohibitive in high dimensional problems. BFGS modifies gradient descent by introducing a Hessian approximation matrix computed from finite gradient differences. This paper utilizes stochastic gradient differences and introduces a regularization to ensure that the Hessian approximation matrix remains well conditioned. The resulting regularized stochastic BFGS method is shown to converge to optimal arguments almost surely over realizations of the stochastic gradient sequence. Numerical experiments showcase reductions in convergence time relative to stochastic gradient descent algorithms and non-regularized stochastic versions of BFGS.
Prevalence, Comorbidities, and Mortality of Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome in United States Children

Purpose: Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome is an illness caused by exfoliative toxins released from Staphylococcus aureus. SSSS is characterized by erythema, blistering, and scalding of the skin. This study aimed to look at predictors of SSSS and its related morbidity …
Stackelberg Game Theory-Based Optimization Model for Design of Payment Mechanism in Performance-Based PPPs

AbstractPayment mechanisms lie at the heart of public-private partnership (PPP) contracts. A good design of the payment mechanism should consider the owner’s goals in the project, allocate risks ap...
Multipulse laser ablation of BiSn eutectic: Noncongruent element transfer and morphology analysis

The surface of a eutectic BiSn target was ablated by several series of pulses at different spots using an excimer laser with a wavelength of 351 nm and a pulse duration of 20 ns. Morphology of ablation craters formed under a different number of pulses was analyzed with a scanning electron microscope, an optical profilometer, and an energy dispersion spectroscope (EDS). Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) measurements were taken for each crater with the last pulse in the series of pulses. The ratio of peak intensities (Bi I peak at 472.25 nm and Sn I 563.16 nm) of LIBS spectra for craters formed by different series of pulses decreased from maximum at a single pulse to a stable magnitude after a series of 70 pulses. EDS mapping of crater areas for different series of pulses shows a decrease in Bi atoms abundance, in correlation with the decrease in normalized intensity of Bi peak LIBS spectra. The change of the chemical composition in the ablation area is explained based on the Knudsen evaporation model. For the first time, pronounced hydrodynamic effects resulting in the formation of 50 μm-high rims were observed. The unusual morphology of the ablated area is explained on the basis of hydrodynamic effects and recoil pressure.
Financial frictions and changing macroeconomic volatility

Abstract This paper studies the impact of changing financial frictions on the Great Moderation using an estimated, nonlinear New Keynesian model. The model features financial frictions, parameter drift, and stochastic volatility. The estimation results show that financial frictions fell during the 1980s and remained low throughout the Great Moderation. Based on counterfactual studies, the reduction in financial frictions was an important reason for the reduction in volatility observed during the Great Moderation. The results show little role for changing monetary policy or reduced shock volatility, two common explanations, in causing the Great Moderation.
Minimax regret and failure to converge to efficiency in large markets

Abstract This paper studies minimax regret traders in a sealed bid double auction. Unlike the expected utility maximizers that populate typical market models, these traders do not determine their actions using a single prior. The analysis proves that, with no restrictions on beliefs about others' types and strategies, minimax regret traders will not converge to price-taking as the size of the market increases, contrary to standard economic intuition. In fact, minimax regret traders' bids and asks are invariant to the number of traders in the market. Thus, the robustness of the sealed bid double auction is sensitive to traders' preferences.
Gastrointestinal Helminths in Nactus spp. (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Six Papua New Guinean Islands

A sample of 128 individuals of the slender-toed geckos Nactus spp. from six islands of Papua New Guinea (Bougainville, Fergusson, Misima, New Britain, Rossel, Sudest) was examined for gastrointestinal helminths. Found were one species of Digenea, Mesocoelium brevicaecum; one species of Cestoda, Gekkotaenia novaeguineaensis; one species of Acanthocephala, Sauracanthorhynchus sphenomorphicola; and eight species of Nematoda, Aplectana zweifeli, Bakeria bakeri, Cosmocerca zugi, Meteterakis crombiei, Parapharyngodon maplestoni, Physalopteroides milnensis, Abbreviata sp. (larvae in cysts), Rictulariidae gen. sp. (larvae in cysts). A total of 1,256 helminths was found. Aplectana zweifeli (n = 447), Parapharyngodon maplestoni (n = 238), and Meteterakis crombiei (n = 221) were the most abundant helminths. Ten new host records are reported for Nactus spp. There was a mean of 7.3 ± 3.1 (3–11) helminth species per island. Bougainville Island had the fewest number of helminth species (3) and Misima Island (11) the highest. Nactus spp. are parasitized by generalist helminths that also infect other lizard species.
Newly Diagnosed Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Post COVID-19 Vaccine Administration

A few individuals are believed to have developed immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) following the administration of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. This phenomenon has been reported in a few case reports and also in some recent news articles. In this report, we discuss a case of a 54-year-old Caucasian female who presented to the emergency room with life-threatening thrombocytopenia in the setting of de novo ITP following COVID-19 vaccine administration. Due to the relapsing nature of ITP, it is unclear if the patient has achieved complete remission of the disease.
Norms and equivalences for MoCA-30, MoCA-22, and MMSE in the oldest-old.

Cognitive screening is important for the oldest-old (age 90 +). This age group is the fastest growing and has the highest risk of dementia. However, norms and score equivalence for screening tests are lacking for this group. To provide norms and score equivalence for commonly used cognitive screening tests for the oldest-old. Data on 157 participants of the Center for Healthy Aging Longevity Study aged 90 + were analyzed. First, we derived norms for (1) subtests and cognitive domains of the in-person Montreal Cognitive Assessment having a maximum score of 30 (MoCA-30) and (2) the total MoCA-22 score, obtained from the in-person MoCA-30 by summing the subtests that do not require visual input to a maximum score of 22. These norms were derived from 124 participants with a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) ≥ 27. Second, we derived score equivalences for MMSE to MoCA-30 and MoCA-22, and MoCA-30 to MoCA-22 using equipercentile equating method with log-linear smoothing, based on all 157 participants. MoCA-22 total score norms are: mean = 18.3(standard deviation = 2.2). An MMSE score of 27 is equivalent to a MoCA-30 score of 22 and a MoCA-22 score of 16. Subtest, domain and MoCA-22 norms will aid in evaluation of the oldest-old who cannot complete the MoCA-30 or are tested over the phone. The equivalences of the three cognitive tests (MMSE, MoCA-30, MoCA-22) in the oldest-old will facilitate continuity of cognitive tracking of individuals tested with different tests over time and comparison of the studies that use different cognitive tests.
Myocarditis and Other Cardiovascular Complications of the mRNA-Based COVID-19 Vaccines

Cardiovascular complications following the receipt of mRNA-based (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have not yet been described. In this case series, we describe two patients with clinically suspected myocarditis, one patient with stress cardiomyopathy, and two patients with pericarditis after receiving an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine. The two patients with clinically suspected myocarditis were otherwise healthy young men who presented with acute substernal chest pressure and/or dyspnea after receiving the second dose of the vaccine and were found to have diffuse ST elevations on electrocardiogram (ECG), elevated cardiac biomarkers and inflammatory markers, and mildly reduced left ventricular (LV) function on echocardiography. Both patients met the modified Lake Louise Criteria for acute myocarditis by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. We subsequently discuss a case of a 60-year-old woman with known coronary artery disease (CAD) and previously normal LV function, who presented with new exertional symptoms, ECG changes, and apical akinesis following the second dose of the vaccine, and was diagnosed with a stress cardiomyopathy. Finally, we describe two patients with pericarditis who presented with chest pain, elevated inflammatory markers, and pericardial effusions after receiving the vaccine. Overall, this case series describes the first reported cases of myocarditis, stress cardiomyopathy, and pericarditis after receiving an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine.
Did the COVID-19 Pandemic (Really) Positively Impact the IPO Market? An Analysis of Information Uncertainty

Abstract Anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that the initial public offering (IPO) market performed remarkably well through the COVID-19 pandemic. To further understand this peculiar observation, we carry out a comprehensive analysis of IPOs during the pandemic vis-a-vis IPOs before the pandemic. Our findings imply that IPOs during the pandemic experience greater information uncertainty compared to those before the pandemic, and this greater uncertainty is mainly driven by the IPOs from the high-technology and the healthcare sectors. Furthermore, we find that an average IPO firm experiences larger underpricing and more post-IPO return volatility as the pandemic and the associated government responses increase in severity before the offering. Overall, our study indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic had an adverse impact on the IPO market.
Injustice Through Cultural Lens: A Pilot Qualitative Exploration of Pain-Related Injustice Appraisals Among Arab-Americans with Chronic Low Back Pain.

Abstract The current qualitative study sought to obtain an in-depth understanding of how Arab-Americans conceptualize perceived injustice concerning their chronic low back pain (CLBP) by reflecting on the Injustice Experience Questionnaire (IEQ). Twelve Arab-American adults with CLBP were recruited from a metropolitan area in Alabama using a purposive sampling technique. Participants took part in individual, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews reflecting on each statement from the IEQ. Descriptive data analysis was generated for demographic and pain variables. Directed content analysis was conducted to identify themes and sub-themes. ‘Blame and unfairness’ and ‘severity and irreparability of loss,’ the two established theoretical factors comprising pain-related injustice appraisal were used as predominant themes. Acceptance emerged as an inductive theme with the following sub-themes: positive appraisal and resilience, attempts to reduce pain, religious values and fate, and belief that everything happening for a reason. The influence of religion was noted across all themes. The current pilot findings suggest that Arabic culture, heavily infused with Islamic beliefs, influences how Arab-Americans conceptualize pain-related injustice appraisals. Additional exploration of the cultural appropriateness of the IEQ among individuals of Arab background is needed to further elaborate on the subject of faith and religious belief suggested by the current study. Perspective: Although the study findings largely reflected established injustice literature constructs, several emergent themes regarding pain-related injustice appraisal were influenced by the participants’ culture and religious beliefs. These findings may indicate that specific psychotherapeutic approaches that have been proven effective among some groups may not function similarly in other populations.
Parenthood, Parental Benefits, and Career Goals Among Pediatric Residents: 2008 and 2019.

OBJECTIVES Examine reported availability of parental benefits for pediatric residents and impact of parenthood on reported importance of characteristics of post-training positions and career goals in 2008 and 2019. METHODS We analyzed data from American Academy of Pediatrics surveys of graduating residents in 2008 and 2019 querying (1) parenthood, (2) benefits during residency, (3) importance of parental benefits and job characteristics in post-training position, and (4) subspecialty career goal. Logistic regression was used to estimate independent effects of gender, partner status, and parenthood via derived predicted values (PVs). RESULTS Of 1021 respondents, three-fourths were women. Respondents in 2019 were less likely than in 2008 to have children (24.5% vs 33.8%, P < .01). In 2019, respondents were less likely to report availability of maternity (PV = 78.5% vs 89.5%, P < .001) or parental leave (PV = 42.5% vs 59.2%, P < .001) and more likely to report availability of lactation space (PV = 77.8% vs 56.1%, P < .001.). Most residents reported control over work hours, family considerations, and number of overnight calls per month as essential or very important characteristics in post-training positions. Controlling for resident characteristics, parenthood was associated with importance of family considerations and overnight calls in post-training position. Parenthood did not associate with subspecialty career goals, but gender did. CONCLUSIONS Residents are less likely to report availability of parental benefits during residency training in 2019. Most residents, both those with children and those without, consider parent friendly characteristics important in post-training positions. Parenthood does not correlate with subspecialty career goals independent from gender.
Raising the differntiability class of a manifold in Euclidean space

Let E Denote the Cuclidean (n+k)-space of Points X with Rectangular Cartesian Coordinates (x 1 ,, X 2 , …, Xn+k). Let M be an n-dimensional Differentiable Manifold of Class C m , M > 0, Regularly Imbedded in E.
Unspeakable Awfulness: America Through the Eyes of European Travelers, 1865-1900

Introduction Chapter 1: Character, Class, Dress, Advertising Chapter 2: The Built Environment: Cities and Boosterism, Accomodations and Transportation Chapter 3: Culture: Aesthetics, Language, Music, Humor, Copyright and Journalism Chapter 4: Personal Habits: Dining, Drinking, Tobacco Chewing, and Gun Use Chapter 5: Domestic Relations: Women, Men, Children and Their Education Chapter 6: Race, Immigration, and Religion Chapter 7: War, Politics, and Patriotism Chapter 8: The West: Landscape, Human Inhabitants, and Decline Conclusion
Reversal, Dissent, and Variability in State Supreme Courts: The Centrality of Jurisdictional Source

State Supreme Courts (SSCs) exercise two major sources of authority: mandatory and discretionary jurisdiction. This article assesses 7,055 SSC cases decided with written opinions in 2003 to provide the first comprehensive study of the relation between jurisdictional source and SSC performance. Approximately half the cases were discretionary and half were mandatory. Jurisdictional source is associated with several important aspects of SSC behavior. Aggregated across states, 51.6 percent of discretionary jurisdiction cases resulted in reversal compared to 28.1 percent for mandatory cases. Dissent rates also vary by jurisdictional source: 26.7 percent of discretionary cases generated at least one dissenting opinion compared to 18.8 percent of mandatory cases. Striking interstate variation overlays the mandatory-discretionary distinction. Reversal rates in SSC discretionary jurisdiction cases ranged from 88 percent in Texas to 31 percent in Ohio. Across courts with substantial mandatory jurisdiction, reversal rates ranged from 68 percent in Arizona to 13 percent in Florida and 9 percent in the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. These results are robust to models that account for state and case category effects. Surprisingly, after controlling for state and case category, discretionary case opinions are short than mandatory case opinions. Our evidence suggests that studies of SSC outcomes, dissent patterns, judicial policy preferences, and other characteristics should take account of jurisdictional source.
Crop Production Using Variable Rate Technology for PK in the United States Midwest: Evaluation of Profitability

This study evaluates profitability of crop production with variable rate technology (VRT) for P&K application relative to profitability of crop production with uniform rate technology (URT) using data from six fields with a corn-soybeans rotation situated in Indiana. The results suggest that crop production using VRT is more profitable than using URT in one of the six fields. In the case of the other five fields profitability of crop production using VRT relative to using URT falls in the range of 85 to 92%. Under the assumption of lower costs for field diagnostic services and variable rate fertilizer application profitability of crop production using VRT increases.
Writ Large: Graffiti and Praxis in Pedagogical Third Spaces

This was a culture composed of teenagers who’d been handed the legacy of the civil Rights Movement and managed to make something out of it together. Our neighborhoods were hard[ly near]by each other’s and we all met on the subway...race relations were both strained and vital. There were legendary, and maybe just rumored, incidents between the mostly white GO Club and the mostly black Pearls, but there were also scores of white kids listening to Parliament and Sly Stone, and black kids, like EZE 1, digging Zeppelin and Sabbath.
Common European Sales Law

Purpose – This article seeks to take a critical look at the proposed Common European Sales Law (CESL).Design/methodology/approach – The article looks at the rationales given to support the enactment of the CESL. The approach is critical in nature seeking to vet the plausibility of the rationales given for a new regulation The article also takes a critical look at the CESL's structure and trilogy of coverage – sale of goods, supply of digital content, and supply of services.Findings – The article exposes some of the shortcomings of the CESL and the dangers to substantive private law of crafting a regulation based on political feasibility.Research limitations/implications – The CESL as proposed offers some innovative ideas in areas of the bifurcation of businesses into large and small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as rules covering digital content and the supply of trade‐related services. In the end, the analysis suggests a more thorough review is needed to better understand the CESL's interre...
Process models in information systems

The classic story of the blind men and the elephant teaches us that in order to fully understand something, we need to observe it from more than one perspective. In this paper, we extend the range of perspectives available for researchers by developing a typology of models. The typology is based on the process-variance dichotomy suggested by Mohr (1982). A selection of empirical IS research is classified with the typology, resulting in the identification of four distinct hybrid models. The research using these four forms is able to make valuable contributions to our knowledge of IS, refuting Mohr’s claim that hybrid models are inferior to pure process and variance models. The analysis of the IS research using the typology is combined with a series of interviews with process researchers to yield a collection of implications for researchers interested in studying process or hybrid models.
Prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassemia.

Abstract In this review I have discussed the state of our knowledge of the molecular basis of β-thalassemia and its prenatal diagnosis. Improved but more complicated genetic counselling is now available as a result of our increased knowledge of the effects of various defects in the β-globin gene. Our knowledge of the heterogenous molecular basis of the thalassemia syndromes has become very impressive and it is hoped that effective therapy will soon follow. However, for the present, prevention of the birth of affected children is the most effective means of reducing the suffering associated with the thalassemia syndromes, and prevention of this type is succeeding in many parts of the world, including North America.
Coarctation of the Left Pulmonary Artery: Effects on the Pulmonary Vasculature of Infants

At autopsy, two infants had unsuspected coarctation of the left pulmonary artery (CoLPA), which was produced by an extension of ductal tissue into the wall of the left pulmonary artery. The first case, a 4-month-old girl, also had a ventricular septal defect and an anomalous branching pattern of the innominate arterial trunk. Pulmonary arterial hypertensive changes were noted in the right lung. In contrast, the left lung showed thin-walled pulmonary arteries. The second case, a term female newborn, had exhibited severe unexplained respiratory distress since birth. Histologic sections of the right lung showed dilated pulmonary arteries with thinned media, whereas the left lung showed a persistent fetal arterial pattern. It is believed that the peripheral pulmonary arterial changes are age-dependent and associated with asymmetric blood flow between the right and left pulmonary arteries. CoLPA is a rare pulmonary artery defect, and early diagnosis of this abnormality is important.
Transcription of oxygen-regulated photosynthetic genes requires DNA gyrase in Rhodobacter capsulatus

Abstract The regulation of the photosynthetic genes by DNA supercoiling in Rhodobacter capsulatus has been studied by using gyrase inhibitors in vivo and by measurement of mRNA levels of more than a dozen genes. The results demonstrate that the levels of mRNA for light-harvesting (I, II) and reaction center (L, M, H) proteins, bacteriochlorophyll biosynthetic enzymes, ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39), and the mRNAs from the open reading frames Q and R decreased immediately and dramatically upon addition of novobiocin and coumermycin. In contrast, the mRNAs for carotenoid biosynthetic enzymes, the cytochrome bc1 complex, and constitutively expressed mRNA under aerobic conditions for light-harvesting I and for reaction center (L, M) proteins are less sensitive to the inhibitors. In accordance with these results, the biosynthesis of bacteriochlorophyll is markedly repressed by gyrase inhibitors novobiocin, coumermycin, nalidixic acid, and oxolinic acid either under anaerobic conditions or during a shift from aerobic to anaerobic conditions. The synthesis of light-harvesting (I, II) bacteriochlorophyll complexes is also inhibited by novobiocin and coumermycin. The kinetics of specific mRNA changes and the differential sensitivity of anaerobic and aerobic genes to the gyrase inhibitors strongly suggest that DNA supercoiling is involved in the differential expression of photosynthetic genes in response to the level of oxygen in R. capsulatus.