cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
History, Genealogy, and Gerald of Wales: Medieval Theories of Ethnicity and Their Afterlives

This chapter proceeds with a consideration of a set of medieval texts that raise questions about how the Middle Ages were being constructed and mythologized within the period itself. This chapter provides a vital counterpart to the argument constructed over Chaps. 2 and 3 that are premised upon finding latent ambiguities and ambivalences within medieval narratives. In this chapter Vernon discusses how post-colonial readings can critically intervene into interpretations of Gerald of Wales’ The History and Topography of Ireland and The Conquest of Ireland. This reading foregrounds the flexibility inherent within Geoffrey’s text. The History of the Kings of Britain was not just popular in its own time, the descriptions of Arthur and his linkage between the progress of history and genealogy would form the basis of many later iterations of the Arthurian legend. The most significant of these would be those produced by Sir Walter Scott, who was a vital conduit for American medievalisms throughout the nineteenth century.
Impact of the American health security act of 1993

In the months to come, opponents of President Clinton's proposal will focus on issues of choice among physicians and health plans and on estimates of the economic impact of reform. Others will raise the issue of the efficiency of the administrative structures necessary to implement the Act. These important concerns notwithstanding, people with rheumatic diseases stand to gain much from the passage of the American Health Security Act of 1993, principally the knowledge that they always will have insurance, that their out-of-pocket costs will be limited, that they will have access to a standard set of benefits, and that these benefits are more comprehensive than the current Medicare and Medicaid programs and all but a small percentage of private health insurance plans.
Calculation of Multichannel Eigenvalues and Resonances

The calculation of bound eigenvalues and resonances (position and width) in multichannel systems is discussed. Methods to efficiently determine multichannel eigenvalues with perturbatively corrected trigonometric propagators are reviewed. The propagators can also be generalized the calculate multichannel resonances though complex scaling. For many multichannel problems the location of eigenvalues and resonances is best approached by first finding them for the Born-Oppenheimer or Adiabatic approximation to the coupled channel problem. Trigonometric propagators can be used to determine the eigenvalues for the resulting single channel problems. A new implementation of the variable phase method is effective in determining the location and width of resonances. The method directly calculates the first and second derivative of the phase shift with respect of the collision wave number. Some zeros of the second derivative have energies close to resonances, and the precise location and width of the resonances can be found from the energy dependence of the phase shift and its derivatives in the region of the zeros. The derivatives allow accurate estimation of zero energy phase shifts to determine the number of bound states in a potential. The methods have been applied to collinear reactive scattering and other examples. New resonances at threshold for reactive scattering of vibrationally unexcited HHH, HDH, and HTH are reported.
Interactive social neuroscience to study autism spectrum disorder.

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) demonstrate difficulty with social interactions and relationships, but the neural mechanisms underlying these difficulties remain largely unknown. While social difficulties in ASD are most apparent in the context of interactions with other people, most neuroscience research investigating ASD have provided limited insight into the complex dynamics of these interactions. The development of novel, innovative “interactive social neuroscience” methods to study the brain in contexts with two interacting humans is a necessary advance for ASD research. Studies applying an interactive neuroscience approach to study two brains engaging with one another have revealed significant differences in neural processes during interaction compared to observation in brain regions that are implicated in the neuropathology of ASD. Interactive social neuroscience methods are crucial in clarifying the mechanisms underlying the social and communication deficits that characterize ASD.
EVALUATING AND VISUALIZING EFFECTIVENESS OF STYLE EMULATION IN MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT

We propose general quantitative methods for evaluating and visualizing the results of machine-generated style-specific accompaniment. The evaluation of automated accompaniment systems, and the degree to which they emulate a style, has been based primarily on subjective opinion. To quantify style similarity between machine-generated and original accompaniments, we propose two types of measures: one based on transformations in the neo-Riemannian chord space, andanotherbasedonthedistributionofmelody-chord intervals. The first set of experimentsdemonstrate the methods on an automatic style-specific accompaniment (ASSA) system. They test the effect of training data choice on style emulation effectiveness, and challenge the assumption that more data is better. The second set of experiments compare the output of the ASSA system with those of a rule-based system, and random chord generator. While the examples focus primarily on machine emulation of Pop/Rock accompaniment, the methods generalize to music of other genres.
Introduction: The Nexus of Spirituality and Sustainability

During the past few decades, the topics of spirituality and sustainability have received considerable interest from both industry and academia, influenced by the increase in corporate scandals and industry-related environmental disasters. In this chapter, spirituality will be examined from a secular perspective, and sustainability from a pragmatic business perspective. The interconnectedness of spirituality and sustainability will be explored within the context of traditional and non-traditional religious doctrine, and contemporary thought. This foundation of the nexus of spirituality and sustainability will provide a foundation upon which the remaining chapters will build, demonstrating that spirituality and sustainability are beneficial for individual and organizational success. The remaining chapter themes and topics will also be summarized.
Frequency of use of the religious exemption in New Jersey cases of determination of brain death

The 1981 Uniform Determination of Death Act (UDDA) established the validity of both cardio-respiratory and neurological criteria of death. However, many religious traditions including most forms of Haredi Judaism (ultra-orthodox) and many varieties of Buddhism strongly disagree with death by neurological criteria (DNC). Only one state in the U.S., New Jersey, allows for both religious exemptions to DNC and provides continuation of health insurance coverage when an exception is invoked in its 1991 Declaration of Death Act (NJDDA). There is yet no quantitative or qualitative data on the frequencies of religious exemptions in New Jersey. This study gathered information about the frequency of religious exemptions and policy in New Jersey that was created out of respect for religious beliefs. Literature and internet searches on topics related to religious objections to DNC were conducted. Fifty-three chaplains and heads of bioethics committees in New Jersey hospitals were contacted by phone or email requesting a research interview. Respondents answered a set of questions about religious exemptions to DNC at the hospital where they worked that explored the frequency of such religious exemptions in the past five years, the religious tradition indicated, and whether any request for a religious exemption had been denied. This study was approved by the Northeastern University Institutional Review Board (IRB #: 16–03-15). Eighteen chaplains and bioethics committee members participated in a full research interview. Of these, five reported instances of religious exemptions to DNC occurring at the hospital at which they worked for a total of approximately 30–36 known exemptions in the past five years. Families sought religious exemptions because of faith in an Orthodox Judaism tradition and nonreligious reasons. No failed attempts to obtain an exemption were reported. Religious exemptions to DNC in New Jersey do occur, although very infrequently. Prior to this study, there was no information on their frequency. Considering religious exemptions do occur, there is a need for national or state policies that addresses both religious objections to DNC and hospital resources. More information is needed to better understand the impact of granting religious exemptions before new policy can be established.
Supporting healthful lifestyles during pregnancy: a health coach intervention pilot study

Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) is associated with adverse health outcomes in both the mother and child. Many previous lifestyle interventions in women with excess weight during pregnancy encouraging appropriate GWG have been unsuccessful, and there remains no consensus about the content, format, or theoretical framework of GWG interventions. We assessed the feasibility and acceptability of a remote health coach intervention to promote healthful lifestyle behaviors and appropriate GWG among overweight pregnant women. At one northeastern US clinic, we enrolled 30 overweight (pre-pregnancy BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) pregnant women at a median gestation of 12.5 weeks (IQR: 11–15) into a one-arm trial. We connected participants with a health coach to provide behavioral support to help participants adopt healthful lifestyles during pregnancy. Health coaches contacted participants by phone every 2–3 weeks to monitor goals, and sent emails and text messages between calls. Participants completed baseline (N = 30) and follow-up (N = 26) surveys at the end of the intervention (36 weeks gestation), as well as follow-up phone interviews (N = 18). Among 30 participants, median age was 32 years (IQR: 28–33), median self-reported pre-pregnancy BMI was 27.3 kg/m2 (IQR: 25.7–31.1), and 17/30 were white, 9/30 African-American, and 3/30 Asian. Three-quarters (22/29) of participants completed at least a college degree. Although 25/30 participants reported in baseline surveys that they worried about being able to lose the weight postpartum that they expected to gain during pregnancy, just 12/26 participants reported the same at follow-up (P < 0.001). In follow-up surveys, 21/26 participants reported that health coaches were helpful in keeping them motivated, and 22/26 thought the phone conversations helped them face problems and find solutions. Based on qualitative assessment, several themes emerged in follow-up interviews about the quality of the intervention including accountability and support from health coaches. Participants also expressed desire for more visual resources and integration with standard clinical care to improve the intervention. We demonstrated feasibility and high participant satisfaction with our remote health coach intervention during pregnancy. We identified areas in which we could refine the intervention for inclusion in a full-scale RCT, such as integration with clinical care and additional visual resources. Retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT03080064 , 3/14/2017).
Evaluating the extent of a large-scale transformation in gateway science courses

We evaluate the impact of an institutional effort to transform undergraduate science courses using an approach based on course assessments. The approach is guided by A Framework for K-12 Science Education and focuses on scientific and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and core ideas, together called three-dimensional learning. To evaluate the extent of change, we applied the Three-dimensional Learning Assessment Protocol to 4 years of chemistry, physics, and biology course exams. Changes in exams differed by discipline and even by course, apparently depending on an interplay between departmental culture, course organization, and perceived course ownership, demonstrating the complex nature of transformation in higher education. We conclude that while transformation must be supported at all organizational levels, ultimately, change is controlled by factors at the course and departmental levels.
Measuring Market Integration: US Stock and REIT Markets

Tests of financial market integration traditionally test for equality of risk premia for a common set of assumed risk factors. Failure to reject the equality of market risk premia can arise because the markets do not share a common factor, i.e. the underlying factor model assumptions are incorrect. In this paper we propose a new methodology that solves this joint hypothesis problem. The first step in our approach tests for the presence of common factors using canonical correlation analysis. The second step of our approach subsequently tests for the equality of risk premia using Generalized Method of Moments (GMM). We illustrate our methodology by examining market integration of US Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) and Stock markets over the period from 1985 to 2013. We find strong evidence that REIT and stock market integration varies through time. In the earlier part of our data period, the markets do not share a common factor, consistent with markets not being integrated. We also show that during this period, the GMM tests fail to reject the equality of risk premia, highlighting the joint hypothesis problem. The markets in the latter half of our sample show evidence of both a common factor and the equality of risk premia suggesting that REIT and Stock markets are integrated in more recent times.
Statistical Inference Enables Bad Science; Statistical Thinking Enables Good Science

Scientific research of all kinds should be guided by statistical thinking: in the design and conduct of the study, in the disciplined exploration and enlightened display of the data, and to avoid s...
Using Collaborative Cross Mouse Population to Fill Data Gaps in Risk Assessment: A Case Study of Population-Based Analysis of Toxicokinetics and Kidney Toxicodynamics of Tetrachloroethylene.

Background: Interindividual variability in susceptibility remains poorly characterized for environmental chemicals such as tetrachloroethylene (PERC). Development of population-based experimental m...
Medicaid Access & State Flexibility: Negotiating Federalism

Medicaid is a persistent target of federalism-based accusations that the federal government is infringing states’ sovereignty in the area of health care. Such claims have been used to advance policy proposals to radically reduce Medicaid funding and roll back entitlements, in the name of protecting state power and increasing state flexibility. Such claims have also played a prominent role in legal disputes over Medicaid administration as states push for the elimination or curtailment of private rights enforcement of federal spending conditions. The stakes are high in both instances. And for both, we need to move past simplistic and outdated accounts of federalism that treat federal power as an inherent threat to state authority and states as passive recipients of burdensome federal mandates imposed from on high. This view is inconsistent with the modern reality of the federal-state relationship in Medicaid as one that is often negotiated, dynamic, and in which states are powerful, if not equal, partners. This more modern federalism account has two implications. In the legal arena, it provides useful context for understanding the Supreme Court’s recent decisions around preemption–based enforcement of federal spending conditions. The decisions arose out of challenges to state Medicaid rate setting, an area of Medicaid administration in which we see negotiated or dynamic federalism constantly at work. The Court’s rate-setting decisions reflect a nuanced approach to determining the availability of equitable relief from state violations of spending conditions – one that exhibits a deep respect for state flexibility consistent with federal program goals, while also affirming the importance of private enforcement of certain Medicaid protections. A modern understanding of the federal-state relationship in Medicaid shows why this balanced approach – as opposed to the wholesale rejection of rights enforcement advanced by the states – is more faithful to the legislative balance struck in the Medicaid statute. In the policy arena, this modern insight supports preserving this balance. The negotiated federalism model undermines claims that a dramatic rollback of Medicaid entitlements and block granting funds are necessary or even effective for achieving greater state flexibility. Indeed, such proposals would create de facto constraints on state power that would reduce flexibility in areas of state discretion, while threatening essential access guarantees that for decades have been understood to be non-negotiable.
The reaction of gaseous bromine pentafluoride with uranium compounds — II: The kinetics of the reaction with U3O8, UO2 and UO3[1]☆

The kinetics of the reaction of BrF5 with U3O8, UO3 have been determined. The following equations represent the combined temperature and pressure dependence of the reactions U3O8;logk1=0·90logP−2000T−0·220 U2O2;logk1=0·84logP−1630T−0·270 U3O8;logk1=0·05logP−1680T−0·767 Activation energies of 9·2, 7·5 and 7·7 kcal/mole were calc. for reactions of U3O8, UO2 and UO3, respectively. Bromine was the other volatile product of the reaction along with UF6 and oxygen. These reactions proceed through the formation of UO2F2 as an intermediate. The presence of UF4 in the reaction of U3O8 and BrF5 was probably due to the interaction of the product UF6 with U3O8.
Characterization of soil, sediment, and wastewater samples from hydraulic fracturing processes using the comparative NAA method

Regulatory monitoring of oil and gas development requires the accurate multi-elemental analysis of wellbore samples on a regular basis. In this study, an unconventional method, comparative neutron activation analysis (comparative NAA), was applied for the multi-elemental characterization of solid and liquid hydraulic fracturing samples at the ppm level. The obtained values from three wastewater samples were compared with the most probable values determined via an inter-laboratory study, which involved 15 different laboratories from the United States, Canada, and Germany. The comparison showed that 15 out of 19 comparative NAA trace element concentration values were considered acceptable, providing a new technique to determine elemental concentrations in high salinity hydraulic fracturing samples.
Electronic and optical properties of highly boron-doped epitaxial Ge/AlAs(001) heterostructures

The impact of elemental boron (B) doping on the structural, optical, and magnetotransport properties of epitaxial Ge/AlAs/GaAs(001) heterostructures, grown by solid-source molecular beam epitaxy, w...
Trends in revisional bariatric surgery using the MBSAQIP database 2015-2017.

Abstract Background The third most common bariatric surgery is revisional bariatric surgery. The American College of Surgeons tracks outcomes using the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Initiative Program database. We used this database to examine trends in revisional bariatric surgery. Objective To evaluate how trends in bariatric revisional surgery have changed in recent years. Setting University Hospital, United States. Methods The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Initiative Program database for 2015 to 2017 was examined for revisions of bariatric surgery. Patients who underwent revisional bariatric surgery were identified by the primary Current Procedural Terminology code, the REVCONV and PREVIOUS_SURGERY field as well as secondary Current Procedural Terminology codes. There is no exact code for sleeve gastrectomy (SG) to laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB), so we used 43644 (GB)+REVCONV+PREVIOUS_SURGERY for this. Results For the years 2015 to 2017 there were 57,683 revisions/conversions of 528,081 patients. The number of revisions increased over the study period by 5213 cases. The most common revision was laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) to SG with 15,433 cases and the second was LAGB to LRYGB with 10,485 cases. There were 14,715 LAGB removals. It is more difficult to track SG to LRYGB but there were 8491 unlisted cases, which may have been sleeve to bypass. Conclusion LAGBs are being taken out or converted, and this group makes up the largest portion of revisions and conversions. It is difficult to track SG to LRYGB, but the number of unlisted cases continues to climb. This will likely surpass LAGB conversions with time. The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation Quality Initiative Program should be modified to capture revisions/conversions of SG.
Enabling room temperature ferromagnetism in monolayer MoS 2 via in situ iron-doping

Two-dimensional semiconductors, including transition metal dichalcogenides, are of interest in electronics and photonics but remain nonmagnetic in their intrinsic form. Previous efforts to form two-dimensional dilute magnetic semiconductors utilized extrinsic doping techniques or bulk crystal growth, detrimentally affecting uniformity, scalability, or Curie temperature. Here, we demonstrate an in situ substitutional doping of Fe atoms into MoS2 monolayers in the chemical vapor deposition growth. The iron atoms substitute molybdenum sites in MoS2 crystals, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and Raman signatures. We uncover an Fe-related spectral transition of Fe:MoS2 monolayers that appears at 2.28 eV above the pristine bandgap and displays pronounced ferromagnetic hysteresis. The microscopic origin is further corroborated by density functional theory calculations of dipole-allowed transitions in Fe:MoS2. Using spatially integrating magnetization measurements and spatially resolving nitrogen-vacancy center magnetometry, we show that Fe:MoS2 monolayers remain magnetized even at ambient conditions, manifesting ferromagnetism at room temperature. Ferromagnetism with a Curie temperature above room temperature in 2D materials is highly desirable for practical spintronics applications. Here, the authors demonstrate such phenomenon in monolayer MoS2 via in situ iron-doping and measured local magnetic field strength up to 0.5 ± 0.1 mT.
Energy Dissipation at Interfaces Drives Multicompartment Remodeling

In this issue of Chem, Cheng and Perez-Mercader use the dissipative assembly of amphiphilic polymers coupled to a Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction to generate dynamic compartments. The results highlight the importance of active interfacial processes in driving compartment formation and provide a route for controlling the dynamic self-assembly of molecules into life-like assemblies.
Do Cover Crop And Soil-Mediated Legacy Influence Succeeding Wheat Production?

Biotic interaction of cover crops (CCs) can have a legacy effect on succeeding crops mediated by changes in nutrient dynamics. Depending on species, CCs influence nitrogen (N) dynamics by sequester...
GREEN DESIGN STANDARDS AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDINGS

Issues of energy efficiency in building and construction are constantly discussed by the academic community, practical researchers, construction companies and citizens.Green standards such as; LEED and BREAM considered as the most useful methods to achieved energy consumption in building in addition to achieve the thermal comfort inside space.A building shouldn’t have to be new to follow green standards and achieve energy consumption. Today‘s building owners are retrofitting buildings, converting existing buildings into models of sustainability. They are using new financing tools such as performance contracting to minimize financial risk and maximize energy savings. With an emphasis on ―whole building rather than piecemeal approaches, existing buildings can significantly lower energy consumption while producing financial rewards for owners.A building could be achieved ZERO ENERGY USE by following the reduction, absorption, reclamation and generation steps., and also could reduce energy usage by using alternative sources of lighting, shading devices, solar technologies, type of window's glazing and structure power supply.The main purpose of this work is to review modern ideas and approaches in green standards to achieve energy efficiency in the office buildings in different countries and to study the extent of their environmental and material impact. In addition to studying the efficiency of isolating the facades of the administrative buildings in plants and the role of the quality of glass used in reducing the thermal acquisition within the building to achieve efficiency Energy consumption.The methodology includes the literature review and environmental assessment systems and their role in improving the environmental impact of the building on the surrounding natural environment, as well as presenting some analytical examples that have achieved energy efficiency and zero energy use. Then the study reviews the practical part, including the experience of the treatment for the building envelope (walls and openings), which reduced the consumption of energy inside the building (administrative building of the Canadian University in the administrative capital) by 23% in the case of isolating the walls by plants (west and east orientation) and 33% by using LOW-E glass in the openings as well as isolating the walls with plants. Finally, the research ends with some recommendations on how to reduce energy consumption in the administrative buildings in addition to the recommendations that should be considered in the case of isolating the facades of buildings with plants to reduce the thermal gains inside the building, which in turn reduces energy consumption.
Neoadjuvant Nivolumab in Patients with High-risk Nonmetastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Abstract Neoadjuvant immune checkpoint blockade represents a novel approach for potentially decreasing the risk of recurrence in patients with nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In this early phase clincal tiral, we evaluated the safety and tolerability of neoadjuvant treatment with the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor nivolumab in patients with nonmetastatic high-risk RCC. Nonprimary endpoints included objective radiographic tumor response rate, immune-related pathologic response rate, quality of life alterations, and metastasis-free and overall survival. In total, 17 patients were enrolled in this study and underwent surgery without a delay after receiving three every-2-wk doses of neoadjuvant nivolumab. Adverse events (AEs) of any grade occurred in 14 (82.4%) patients, with two (11.8%) experiencing grade 3 events. Ten (58.8%) patients experienced an AE of any grade potentially attributable to nivolumab (all grade 1–2), and no grade 4–5 AEs occurred regardless of treatment attribution. The most common AEs were grade 1 fatigue (41.2%), grade 1 pruritis (29.4%), and grade 1 rash (29.4%). All evaluable patients had stable disease as per established radiographic criteria, with one (6.7%) demonstrating features of an immune-related pathologic response. Quality of life remained stable during treatment, with improvements relative to baseline noted at ≥6 mo postoperatively. Metastasis-free survival and overall survival were 85.1% and 100% at 2 yr, respectively. Patient summary In this study, we evaluated the safety and tolerability of preoperative administration of three doses of the immune checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab in patients with clinically localized high-risk renal cell carcinoma. We demonstrated the safety of this approach and found that, although most patients will not experience a radiographic response to treatment, a subset may have features of an immune-related pathologic response.
A Review on Application of Model Based Systems Engineering to Manufacturing and Production Engineering Systems

Abstract Increasing complexity in today’s manufacturing and production industry due to the need for higher flexibility and competitiveness is leading to inconsistencies in the iterative exchange loops of the system design process. To address these complexities and inconsistencies, an ongoing industry trend for organizations to make a transition from document-centric principles and applications to being model-centric is observed. In this paper, a literature review is presented highlighting the current need for an industry-wide transition from document-centric systems engineering to Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). Further, investigating the tools and languages used by the researchers for facilitating the transition to and the integration of MBSE approach, we identify the most commonly used tools and languages to highlight the applicability of MBSE in the manufacturing and production industry.
Critical computing literacy: Possibilities in K-12 computer science education

We recommend the conceptualization of computing as a critical literacy, and ground this conceptualization in considerations of historical and current realities in computing. The frameworks of conne...
Gaming as Family Time: Digital Game Co-play in Modern Parent-Child Relationships

The role of digital gaming on parenthood and parent-child relationships is a common research interest in HCI and CHI PLAY. Yet, how technology co-use, such as co-playing digital games, affords and impacts parent-child relationships is still understudied. Using 20 in-depth interviews of adults who had co-played modern digital games with their parents and/or children, in this paper we investigate parent-child relationships mediated by co-playing modern digital games. We update prior HCI and CHI PLAY research on game-mediated parent-child relationships by suggesting a "democratized" family life and a fading digital divide for families with favorable digital game co-play experiences. We also contribute to HCI and CHI PLAY by providing new perspectives of technology co-use in the context of gaming, such as an important relational tool that parents can use to promote conversations with their child(ren). These insights can further inform the design of future play to better support parent-child interactions during digital game co-play.
The Impact of Multi-Layered Data-Blocks on Controller Performance

This article reports on a laboratory experiment that looks at complexity in air traffic and information. The authors hope to better understand the important relationships between the controller's cognitive processing and the environment. With the push to increase the capacity of the National Airspace System, air traffic control displays are showing increasing amounts of information, not only the number of aircraft, but also airspeed, altitude and other associated data. Often they are superimposed on a map, leading to cluttered displays. An experiment was conducted to better understand the degree to which this phenomenon could interfere with controllers' ability to register the information and act on it appropriately. Specifically, the experiment tested the effectiveness of data-block design and the effect on controller performance of increasing data-block lines. Embedded versus layered data-blocks were one major area of comparison for one element of the study. Four data-block designs were tested. Task loads were varied, as were priority settings for the data-blocks. The task used for testing these effects was an aircraft vectoring task. The experiment showed that data-blocks should not reduce reaction so that there is not enough to create situational awareness.
Risky choice, risk sharing and decision analysis

Abstract This paper provides a brief overview of decision and preference analysis concepts and demonstrates an application of these techniques to the project-valuation problem faced by resource managers. Our major focus is on the use of the exponential utility function, the utility function most frequently used by resource companies. We discuss the important and practical risk-sharing problem faced by managers in the resource sector, that is, how to choose the optimal share of a risky project. We demonstrate that with decision and preference analysis tools it can be quite straightforward for managers to identify their optimal share in risky projects. We then explore these techniques further and demonstrate that they can lead to some seemingly counter-intuitive results. In particular, we explore how the firm's optimal share changes with exogeneous changes in project parameters. What we find is that while many of the changes in share are intuitive, some are not. In fact, when the firm's estimate of the potential upside payoff upon finding reserves increases, it is sometimes better to decrease the firm's share than it is to increase it. This is important, because by recognizing this counter-intuitive result, we can work to improve our intuition by understanding it. We summarize our findings and offers some guidelines resource managers should consider when considering a choice of utility function.
Something for the Ladies: The Impact of Women on the House Judiciary Committee

The question remains, what is the effect of an increased presence of women in Congress? How, if at all, does the gender composition of Congressional committees affect the success of women’s issues bills? Implicit in the expectation that the presence of women will uniquely affect policy outcomes is the theory that inherent gender differences will ultimately yield distinctive policy preferences between men and women. I hypothesize that as the proportion of women on the House Judiciary Committee increases over time, the number of women’s issue legislation that the committee considers will increase, as will the rate that the committee reports women’s issues bills to the full chamber. I also hypothesize that these affects may be offset by the Republican takeover of Congress in the 104th Congress. To study the effects of the proportion of women in the House Judiciary Committee, I analyze bills in the 88th to 107th Congresses that were referred to the House Judiciary Committee, I then focus on four issues. Overall, the results indicate that as the proportion of women on the House Judiciary Committee increases, so do the number of some women’s issues bills referred to the committee.
England's Culture Wars: Puritan Reformation and Its Enemies in the Interregnum, 1649–1660

Following the regicide, many of those who wished to rid their communities of sinful behavior harnessed the Commonwealth and Protectorate's spirit of reform to launch new and invigorate old drives r...
Prehistoric Cultures of North America: The Woodland and Mississippian Traditions

Prehistoric Cultures of North America: The Woodland and Mississippian Traditions. An online exhibition of the Logan Museum of Anthropology, Beloit College.THOMAS J.PLUCKHAHN
Slide: An I/O Hardware Descriptive Language

This paper describes the SLIDE language—a hardware-descriptive language desigued for the description of input/output, interfaces, and interconnected digital systems. The language allows the description of asynchronous, concurrent processes which can communicate. Timing and synchronization mechanisms are capable of being described as well. Current research applications include the use of the SLIDE language for I/O simulation and for verification of synchronization mechanisms.
Maximizing Energy Density of Weaning Foods Used by Developing Countries

Abstract A major factor contributing to the incidence of infant malnutrition within developing countries is the consumption of viscous, high bulk, low energy density weaning foods. This study examined the use of oilseed and seed germination as methods for increasing the energy density of four experimental weaning blends. Experimental blends composed of non-germinated and germinated flours were formulated using a 60% cereal (pearl millet and teff) to 40% legume (cowpea and peanut) ratio. Cooked blends were prepared using a 15% (w/v) concentration. Proximate analyses and viscosity measurements were performed on each weaning blend within each treatment group. Energy density was calculated using proximate analysis data. All blends exceeded the recommended minimum of 370Kcal/100g (dry basis). Peanut-based blends were significantly higher (P
Transforming Growth Factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and TGF-β2 Decrease Expression of CD36, the Type B Scavenger Receptor, through Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Phosphorylation of Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor-γ

CD36, the macrophage type B scavenger receptor, binds and internalizes oxidized low density lipoprotein, a key event in the development of macrophage foam cells within atherosclerotic lesions. Expression of CD36 in monocyte/macrophages is dependent on differentiation status and exposure to soluble mediators. In this study, we investigated the effect of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and TGF-beta2 on the expression of CD36 in macrophages. Treatment of phorbol ester-differentiated THP-1 macrophages with TGF-beta1 or TGF-beta2 significantly decreased expression of CD36 mRNA and surface protein. TGF-beta1/TGF-beta2 also inhibited CD36 mRNA expression induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein and 15-deoxyDelta(12,14) prostaglandin J(2), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma ligand, suggesting that the TGF-beta1/TGF-beta2 down-regulated CD36 expression by inactivating PPAR-gamma-mediated signaling. TGF-beta1/TGF-beta2 increased phosphorylation of both mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and PPAR-gamma, whereas MAP kinase inhibitors reversed suppression of CD36 and inhibited PPAR-gamma phosphorylation induced by TGF-beta1/TGF-beta2. Finally, MAP kinase inhibitors alone increased expression of CD36 mRNA and surface protein but had no effect on PPAR-gamma protein levels. Our data demonstrate for the first time that TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 decrease expression of CD36 by a mechanism involving phosphorylation of MAP kinase, subsequent MAP kinase phosphorylation of PPAR-gamma, and a decrease in CD36 gene transcription by phosphorylated PPAR-gamma.
Response to Locke: The issue of misinterpreting field experiments

There are several misconceptions on the part of E. A. Locke regarding a field experiment published by the present writer in 1980. Locke states that participation could be better understood from a "cogni t ive viewpoint," as described in his and Schweiger's 1979 review article (not cited by Neider, 1980). The notion that the participation-performance relationship may be partially mediated by cognitive factors was suggested by Mitchell (1973) several years prior to Locke and Schweiger (and was cited by Neider, 1980). Further, Locke apparently overlooked p. 426 of the Neider article which discusses the basic purpose of the study as being an attempt to clarify one of the cognitive components of the participation process. Specifically, it was suggested that the process may lead to a better understanding of how to perform well in one's job. The study's manipulation checks yielded substantial evidence that this was the case. Before addressing Locke's specific comments, it seems prudent to clarify the content of the study itself. As noted above, it was contended that one process which may occur when employees participate in decisions is that they begin to understand their job role more clearly. Depending on the topic, one of the cognitive processes which may go on during participation sessions is that employees learn how more effort on their part will lead to performance increments (e.g., the expectancy relationship is clarified). Further, if high performance in a company is rewarded by elements that an employee feels are attractive (e.g., valent), performance increases may occur. Since the literature concerning participative decision making is inconsistent regarding whether or not such a process is associated with performance gains, the Neider study was an attempt to delineate the conditions under which participation may be associated with such positive outcomes. It was hypothesized that performance increases will be associated with participation when the process is designed to clarify one's job role (e.g., the effort-performance relation)
Relief and Distress after Marital Separation

Relief and distress as responses to the termination of marriage are examined in a study of a nonprobability sample of 205 individuals in central Pennsylvania. Respondents were interviewed in depth soon after their final separation. Retrospective measures are used to assess the rewards and costs of ending marriage from three sources-attrations in marriage, external pressures to remain married, and alternative attractions. Response to marital termination is assessed by subjective changes in emotional and behavioral symptoms since separation. Response groups include relief, as well as distress and no change. Discriminant analysis demonstrates that 24 percent of the differences in response group membership can be explained by the variables representing the terminal stage of marriage. The results show that relief is a frequent response to marital separation and that group differences in response are associated with the rewards and costs of ending a marriage.
Active‐region evolution and solar rotation variations in solar UV irradiance, total solar irradiance, and soft X rays

Variations in the total solar irradiance, solar UV spectral irradiance, and solar soft X-ray emission caused by active region evolution and solar rotation are analyzed by using concurrent measurements from the NIMBUS 7 and GOES satellites. The observations are interpreted by using simple empirical models that relate ground-based observations of the size and location of sunspots and plages to the full-disk temporal variations. It is found that the major dips in the photospheric total solar irradiance S, which are evident in both satellite measurements and model predictions, are usually not accompanied by outstanding enhancements in the chromospheric and upper photospheric UV spectral irradiance or coronal X rays. The main cause of this difference between the variability of S and of the UV flux is that the total chromospheric plage enhancements are not outstanding at those times when the total sunspot are outstanding. X rays are even more variable because of a much wider CMD sensitivity.
The Impact of Housing Market Conditions on Residential Property Upkeep

This paper assesses the impact of housing market conditions on the theoretically motivated and empirically observed negative relationship between loan-to-value (LTV) ratios and home maintenance expenditures. If the relationship is causal, then a down housing market will result in significantly decreased upkeep in the housing stock. The large rise and fall in home prices during the 2001–2009 period allows a unique opportunity to analyze the response of homeowners to changing housing market conditions. Data from the American Housing Survey are analyzed to confirm previous work that a negative relationship exists between LTV ratios and routine maintenance expenditures, however, this relationship does not move in the expected direction when examined along with temporal variations in market conditions. Panel analysis reveals a more complex story. Households most likely to be at risk for default decrease maintenance expenditures when default risk increases, but other households actually increased maintenance ex...
Subharmonic Shapiro Steps and Devil's-Staircase Behavior in Driven Charge-Density-Wave Systems

Subharmonic steps in the dc $I\ensuremath{-}V$ characteristics are reported in the model compound Nb${\mathrm{Se}}_{3}$, when subjected to combined dc and ac drives. The steps occur at currents which correspond to frequencies ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\mathrm{int}}=(\frac{p}{q}){\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\mathrm{ext}}$, with $p$ and $q$ integers. These steps cannot be explained in terms of the familiar classical equation of motion in a single degree of freedom, because the inertial term is too small. The observed behavior is compared with the devil's staircase, and a fractal dimension of 0.91 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.03 is extracted.
Commercial-scale sources for the evaporation of elemental Cu, Ga, and In: Modeling, design, and validation

A methodology for the design of commercial-scale sources for the evaporation of Cu, Ga, and In is described. Semi-empirical flow equations are utilized in predicting the internal pressure profile, and compared against temperature profiles generated by finite element modeling. This approach allows for the prediction of condensation within the source, and subsequent droplet ejection towards the substrate. Using this methodology, a commercial-scale prototype source was designed, fabricated, and validated for Cu, Ga, and In evaporation. Deposition profiles were determined, and rates sufficient for commercial-scale manufacturing were achieved.
The Variability of Adjoint Sensitivity with Respect to Model Physics and Basic-State Trajectory

Abstract Adjoint sensitivity fields have generally been viewed deterministically in the atmospheric science literature. However, uncertainty exists in the components of the adjoint model, such as the physics and the basic-state trajectories used to calculate the sensitivity fields. In this paper, the variability of adjoint sensitivity fields is examined for two collections of trajectories, each valid over a single time window: one supplied by three global operational models, and the other from a regional, operational ensemble Kalman filter system. Adjoint sensitivities are also compared using a dry adjoint and dry basic state, a moist adjoint and moist basic state, and a moist basic state and dry adjoint. The goal of these latter experiments is to explore the differences in mesoscale sensitivity fields with and without moisture, and to examine how sensitivities degrade when adjoint models utilize simplified physics. In all cases, 24-h sensitivities are produced with a low-level pressure response function ...
Soft Aggregation Methods in Case Based Reasoning

Our goal is to provide some tools, based on soft computing aggregation methods, useful in the two fundamental steps in case base reasoning, matching the target and the cases and fusing the information provided by the relevant cases. To aid in the first step we introduce a methodology for matching the target and cases which uses a hierarchical representation of the target object. We also introduce a method for fusing the information provided by relevant retrieved cases. This approach is based upon the nearest neighbor principle and uses the induced ordered weighted averaging operator as the basic aggregation operator. A procedure for learning the weights is described.
Giardia lamblia: isolation and axenic cultivation.

Abstract Giardia lamblia trophozoites have been axenically cultured for more than a year. Initially, organisms were established in a complex liquid medium in the presence of the host's intestinal fungi; subcultures were made of these protozoa-fungus mixtures. G. lamblia trophozoites, free of yeast, were obtained by inoculating a protozoafungus culture in one arm of a U-tube, then later removing, from the other arm of the tube, Giardia trophozoites that had migrated across the base. Medium was changed at 2- or 3-day intervals; numerous subcultures were made. Tests for the possible presence of other organisms in these axenic cultures were negative. Trophozoite cultures remained viable, after freezing in the presence of glycerol, for 14 months. This is the first reported axenic culture of this common human intestinal parasite and pathogen; its study in pure culture is now possible.
Modified diphenylamine reaction for increased sensitivity

Abstract A simple organic extraction procedure utilizing amyl acetate is described which produces a four-fold increase in the sensitivity of the standard diphenylamine reaction. The procedure makes possible the detection of DNA at concentrations as low as 1.5 μg/ml solution, and is useful where turbidity of the aqueous phase is present.