cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
To Study the Clinical, Biochemical and Radiological Features of Acute Pancreatitis in HIV and AIDS.

Background: Pancreatitis complicating HIV infection, even in the Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) era, remains a management challenge. We felt there is a need to discern patterns in the biochemical markers, radiological studies, co-infections, length of stay (LOS) in patients with HIV or AIDS AND pancreatitis. Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted from June, 2008 to August, 2010 on patients admitted with acute pancreatitis to our hospital. We extracted and compared the following parameters: biochemical markers, HBV markers (surface antigen, core antibody and surface antibody), HCV antibody, radiological studies, and length of stay (LOS). The Balthazar Grade score was used to assess radiological severity of disease. We stratified the cohort into comparison subsets according to CD4 count. Results: Ninety-four admissions met the criteria for HIV or AIDS AND pancreatitis; 67 unique patients comprised the cohort. Median age was 48 years (range, 23 to 60 years). Thirty seven (55%) were male, 30 (45%), female. Two third (n = 51) (76%) were African American. Known risk factors included a history of pancreatitis, 17 (25%); cholecystitis, 13 (19%); alcohol abuse, 25 (37%); Intravenous drug abuse, 18 (27%). Only 36 (38%) admissions were on HAART regimen. Biochemical features on admission were: WBC, 6,100/mm3 (900 - 25,700); amylase, 152 U/L (30 - 1,344); lipase, 702.5 U/L (30 - 5,766), triglyceride, 65 mg/dL (57 - 400); glucose, 94 mg/dL (60 - 1,670); lactate, 2.3 mmol/L (1.09 - 5.49); AST, 61.5 U/L (9 - 1,950); LDH, 762 U/L (394 - 5,500); bicarbonate 19.5 mEq/L (3.3 - 82.7). Interestingly, 62% patients had normal pancreas on CT scan on admission. Of 67 individuals, hepatitis profile was available in 43, 21 (49%) were positive for HCV, 11 (26%) had markers for HBV. Four of 11 patients (36) with CD4 200. P = 0.03 via t-test comparison. One patient with CD4 < 50 died due to acute pancreatitis. Conclusion: Pancreatitis remains a major cause of morbidity in HIV-infected individuals. This study has provided detailed features in the HAART therapy era about the clinical, biochemical and radiological features of pancreatitis. Half of our patients were positive for HCV; additionally, 36% with CD4 < 50 had persistent HBV. As opposed to earlier studies, we did not find a female predominance. Patients with CD4 < 200 had a 2.67-fold increase length of stay. Future studies are needed for a closer look on viral cofactors which might precipitate episodes of acute pancreatitis . doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/jocmr1040w
Pleistocene cataclysmic flooding along the Big Lost River, east central Idaho

Relationships between cataclysmic flood-generated landforms and flood hydraulics were investigated along Box Canyon, an 11 km long bedrock gorge of the lower Big Lost River. Geomorphic mapping along Box Canyon indicates that a cataclysmic flood completely inundated the gorge, resulting in large-scale erosional and depositional features on the adjacent basalt upland. Step-backwater hydraulic modeling indicates that a discharge of 60,000 m 3 s- ~ was required to produce the geologic paleostage evidence. Maximum stream power per unit area of bed locally attained values of 26,000 W m-2 during the peak, ranking the Big Lost River flood third, in terms of power, behind the famous Missoula and Bonneville floods. The spatial distribution of unit stream power indicates that bedrock erosion and boulder deposition on the basalt upland adjacent to Box Canyon were governed primarily by decreasing unit stream power and/or fluctuating unit stream power gradients. A preliminary depositional threshold for the largest flood boulders defines a lower limit of flood power required to sustain boulder transport along this bedrock fluvial system. Ultimately, hydrodynamic controls on Box Canyon flood erosion and deposition derive from the irregular volcanic rift topography of the eastern Snake River Plain. Outburst floods from a glacial lake in headwater regions during the late Pleistocene may have induced the torrential discharges within Box Canyon.
Commutative cipher based en-route filtering in wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks offer unprecedented capabilities to monitor the physical world by reporting the occurrence of interesting events. Unfortunately, such networks are vulnerable to event fabrication attacks, in which the compromised nodes inject bogus reports into the network, fabricating non-existent events "appearing" at arbitrary locations. Most existing security solutions to these attacks need to share symmetric keys among sensor nodes. In this paper, we propose a commutative cipher based en-route filtering scheme (CCEF) that drops fabricated reports en-route without symmetric key sharing. In CCEF, the source node establishes a secret association with the base station on a per-session basis, while the intermediate forwarding nodes are equipped with a witness key. Through the usage of a commutative cipher, a forwarding node can use the witness key to verify the authenticity of the reports without knowing the original session key. As a result, CCEF can achieve stronger security protection than the existing symmetric key sharing approach.
Generation of mesoscale F layer structure and electric fields by the combined Perkins and E s layer instabilities, in simulations

Abstract. The generic equilibrium configuration of the nighttime midlatitude ionosphere consists of an F layer held up against gravity by winds and/or electric fields, and a sporadic E (Es) layer located by a sheared wind field, which experiences the same electric fields as the F layer. This configuration is subject to two large-scale (e.g. >10 km) "layer instabilities": one of the F layer known as the Perkins instability, and another of the Es layer which has been called the Es layer instability. Electric fields on scales larger than (about) 10 km map very efficiently between the Es and F layers, and the two instabilities have a similar geometry, allowing them to interact with one another. As shown through a linear growth rate analysis, the two most important parameters governing the interaction are the relative horizontal velocity between the Es and F layers, and the integrated conductivity ratio ΣH/ΣPF, where ΣH and ΣPF are the field line integrated Hall conductivity of the Es layer, and the field line integrated Pedersen conductivity of the F layer, respectively. For both large and small relative velocities the growth rate was found to be more than double that of the Perkins instability alone, when ΣH ΣPF =1.8. However, the characteristic eigenmode varies considerably with relative velocity, and different nonlinear behavior is expected in these two cases. As a follow up to the linear growth rate analysis, we explore in this article the nonlinear evolution of the unstable coupled system subject to a 200 km wavelength initial perturbation of the F layer, using a two-dimensional numerical solution of the two-fluid equations, as a function of relative horizontal velocity and ΣH ΣPF . We find that when ΣH ΣPF ⪝0.5 the Perkins instability is able to control the dynamics and modulate the F layer altitude in 2 to 3 h time. However, the electric fields remain small until the altitude modulation is extremely large, and even then they are not large enough to account for the observations of large midlatitude electric fields. When ΣH ΣPF ⪞1 the Es layer becomes a major contributor to the F layer dynamics. The Es layer response involves the breaking of a wave, with associated polarization electric fields, which modulate the F layer. Larger electric fields form when the relative velocity between the Es and F layers is large, whereas larger modulations of the F layer altitude occur when the relative velocity is small. In the latter case the F layer modulation grows almost twice as fast (for ΣH ΣPF =1) as when no Es layer is present. In the former case the electric fields associated with the Es layer are large enough to explain the observations (~10 mV/m) , but occur over relatively short temporal and spatial scales. In the former case also there is evidence that the F layer structure may present with a southwestward trace velocity induced by Es layer motion.
Analytical and Numerical Studies of the Relative Convergence Phenomenon Arising in the Solution of an Integral Equation by the Moment Method

The relative convergence phenomenon that occurs in the numerical solution of the integral equation for the iris discontinuity problem is studied both analytically and numerically. It is shown that the solution for the aperture field can be highly dependent upon the manner in which the kernel and the unknown function are approximated in the process of constructing a matrix equation by the moment method. An analytical explanation is provided for the above phenomenon and the theoretical predictions are verified numerically. Also incIuded is a suggested numerical algorithm for detecting and alleviating the relative convergence behavior for more general problems.
Medicare versus private insurance: rhetoric and reality.

ABSTRACT: Many policymakers have called for the remodeling of Medicare to more closely resemble private insurance, which is often assumed to work better than public programs do. However, evidence f...
GUCY2C lysosomotropic endocytosis delivers immunotoxin therapy to metastatic colorectal cancer

The emergence of targeted cancer therapy has been limited by the paucity of determinants which are tumor-specific and generally associated with disease, and have cell dynamics which effectively deploy cytotoxic payloads. Guanylyl cyclase C (GUCY2C) may be ideal for targeting because it is normally expressed only in insulated barrier compartments, including intestine and brain, but over-expressed by systemic metastatic colorectal tumors. Here, we reveal that GUCY2C rapidly internalizes from the cell surface to lysosomes in intestinal and colorectal cancer cells. Endocytosis is independent of ligand binding and receptor activation, and is mediated by clathrin. This mechanism suggests a design for immunotoxins comprising a GUCY2C-directed monoclonal antibody conjugated through a reducible disulfide linkage to ricin A chain, which is activated to a potent cytotoxin in lysosomes. Indeed, this immunotoxin specifically killed GUCY2C-expressing colorectal cancer cells in a lysosomal- and clathrin-dependent fashion. Moreover, this immunotoxin reduced pulmonary tumors >80% (p<0.001), and improved survival 25% (p<0.001), in mice with established colorectal cancer metastases. Further, therapeutic efficacy was achieved without histologic evidence of toxicity in normal tissues. These observations support GUCY2Ctargeted immunotoxins as novel therapeutics for metastatic tumors originating in the GI tract, including colorectum, stomach, esophagus, and pancreas.
Electoral Cycles and the Politics of State Tax Policy

This article contributes to the empirical literature on the political economy of tax policy through the use of a panel data set on statutory rate changes and new tax adoptions by state governments during the postwar period. A principal finding is that there is little evidence in support of recent models of political policy cycles that emphasize the use of short-run fiscal policy instruments (such as a tax cut) as an election draws near to enhance reelection prospects. The timing of tax increases is clearly linked with election cycles, however, with the largest share of rate increases and new adoptions occurring during the first year of a governor's term in office. Also examined is the political consequence of state tax policy actions. Evidence is presented showing that voters tend to blame governors more than the legislature for rate increases on broad-based taxes, especially for increases enacted in an election year.
An integrative approach to the study of social competence in adolescence

Few studies have examined social competence in adolescents utilizing multiple sources of data, or have examined the role of the internal representation of others in terms of social problem-solving skills and social competence. The purpose of this study was to examine how constructs within social-cognitive (i.e., the problem-solving skill involving perspective integration) and object relations theory (i.e., internal representation of others) are related to adolescents' social adjustment assessed via self-report, teacher ratings, and behavioral observations. Results indicated that adolescents (N = 56) with more advanced problem-solving skills reported fewer behavioral/emotional problems, were rated as less aggressive by teachers, and were rated as more competent in behavioral interactions. Furthermore, adolescents' problem-solving skills appeared to mediate the relationship between the representation of others and behavioral ratings of competence. These results suggest that a broader understanding of social competence in adolescence can be attained by including information on the internal representation of others, which is consistent with the approach that involves integrating concepts from different theoretical viewpoints (i.e., social cognitive and object relations).
Consensus learning for distributed coverage control

A decentralized controller is presented that causes a network of robots to converge to a near optimal sensing configuration, while simultaneously learning the distribution of sensory information in the environment. A consensus (or flocking) term is introduced in the learning law to allow sharing of parameters among neighbors, greatly increasing learning convergence rates. Convergence and consensus is proven using a Lyapunov-type proof. The controller with parameter consensus is shown to perform better than the basic controller in numerical simulations.
The new mathematics of architecture, by Jan Burry and Mark Burry

The new mathematics of architecture, by Jan Burry and Mark Burry, New York, Thames & Hudson, 2010, 272 pp., US$55.00 (hardback), ISBN 978-0-500-34264-0. This book serves as a good starting point fo...
7 Seksuele diversiteit

Seksualiteit kent vele sterk universele aspecten, waaronder bijvoorbeeld de fysiologische geslachtskenmerken van vrouwen en mannen en het menselijk vermogen tot orgasme en zwangerschap.
Judith Pettigrew, Maoists at the Hearth: Everyday Life in Nepal's Civil War

In Maoists at the Hearth, Judith Pettigrew ethnographically reveals the quotidian qualities of violence perpetuated during Nepal's Civil War (1996–2006). Her book is a welcome departure from the su...
Large-scale magnetic fields can explain the baryon asymmetry of the Universe

Helical hypermagnetic fields in the primordial Universe can produce the observed amount of baryon asymmetry through the chiral anomaly without any ingredients beyond the standard model of particle physics. While they generate no $B\ensuremath{-}L$ asymmetry, the generated baryon asymmetry survives the spharelon washout effect, because the generating process remains active until the electroweak phase transition. Solving the Boltzmann equation numerically and finding an attractor solution, we show that the baryon asymmetry of our Universe can be explained, if the present large-scale magnetic fields indicated by the blazar observations have a negative helicity and existed in the early Universe before the electroweak phase transition. We also derive the upper bound on the strength of the helical magnetic field, which is tighter than the cosmic microwave background constraint, to avoid the overproduction of baryon asymmetry.
Delayed presentation of popliteal artery injury during Ilizarov limb lengthening.

Abstract Major vascular injury can result during use of the Ilizarov technique for lower extremity limb lengthening. Vascular reconstruction may be accomplished while leaving the external fixation ring in place. Continued distraction is made possible by leaving sufficient redundancy in the vascular graft.
PRICING BEHAVIOUR OF SMALL FIRMS: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS

ABSTRACT This exploratory study of 247 small firms representing the manufacturing, service and trade sectors attempts to provide a description of the pricing behaviour of small businesses and insights as to the extent to which they reason about pricing decisions. The results suggest that pricing practice among small firms is primarily costoriented, intuitive, mechanical and simplistic. Only a small minority use sophisticated techniques such as marginal analysis, demand-based methods or market research to determine optimum price levels. Yet, despite the shortcomings of the pricing methods used, there is evidence of an effort on the part of small firms to maximize profits through less-sophisticated pricing methods. The study also uncovered an unwillingness among small businesses to lower or raise prices according to market conditions. This lack of flexibility places small firms in a weak position and renders them ineffective in adapting to demand and market pressures.
Interpreting 2D gesture annotations in 3D augmented reality

A 2D gesture annotation provides a simple way to annotate the physical world in augmented reality for a range of applications such as remote collaboration. When rendered from novel viewpoints, these annotations have previously only worked with statically positioned cameras or planar scenes. However, if the camera moves and is observing an arbitrary environment, 2D gesture annotations can easily lose their meaning when shown from novel viewpoints due to perspective effects. In this paper, we present a new approach towards solving this problem by using a gesture enhanced annotation interpretation. By first classifying which type of gesture the user drew, we show that it is possible to render the 2D annotations in 3D in a way that conforms more to the original intention of the user than with traditional methods. We first determined a generic vocabulary of important 2D gestures for an augmented reality enhanced remote collaboration scenario by running an Amazon Mechanical Turk study with 88 participants. Next, we designed a novel real-time method to automatically handle the two most common 2D gesture annotations — arrows and circles — and give a detailed analysis of the ambiguities that must be handled in each case. Arrow gestures are interpreted by identifying their anchor points and using scene surface normals for better perspective rendering. For circle gestures, we designed a novel energy function to help infer the object of interest using both 2D image cues and 3D geometric cues. Results indicate that our method outperforms previous approaches by better conveying the meaning of the original drawing from different viewpoints.
In Memoriam Richard Warren Berry (1933–2014)

![Figure][1] Dr. Richard (Dick) W. Berry, Professor Emeritus of Geological Sciences at San Diego State University, passed away suddenly at his home in Avon, Connecticut, on March 10, 2014, in the company of his wife, JoAnne. Dick had undergone heart surgery back in November 2013 but had been quite upbeat and positive about the results and seemingly on the mend. Around Valentine’s Day he reported feeling great and was putting the final coat of polyurethane on a cabinet of drawers for his mineral specimens. … [1]: pending:yes
Suprainguinal Ectopic Scrotum and Associated Anomalies

Abstract We describe 3 children with a suprainguinal ectopic scrotum. Of 10 cases reported in the literature with this anomaly 7 have had significant ipsilateral upper urinary tract anomalies, whereas none of the reported patients with infrainguinal ectopic scrotum or accessory perineal scrotum has had renal abnormalities. An ectopic scrotum probably results from a gubernacular defect.
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Ataxias

Ataxia refers to deficits in coordination of movement and balance. This chapter focuses on recessively and dominantly inherited as well as sporadic degenerative ataxias. These diseases are characterized by neurodegeneration in the cerebellar system, including the cerebellum and its afferent and efferent connections, and frequently also in other brain regions such as the pontine nuclei. They display great pathological diversity, as well as phenotypic variability; thus there is a great need for imaging biomarkers that reflect the underlying pathology and that can be used for diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment monitoring purposes. Despite technical challenges of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in the cerebellum and brainstem, MRS has been shown to be sensitive to neurochemical alterations in various degenerative ataxias. Namely, early neurochemical abnormalities have been detected by MRS in ataxias prior to the structural atrophy detectable by conventional MRI and prior to symptoms. Correlations with clinical status and pathological severity were demonstrated in clinical and animal model studies, respectively. MRS was also shown to distinguish different ataxia subtypes, with potential utility in differential diagnosis, especially valuable for sporadic ataxias in the absence of genetic testing. Finally, a few studies have utilized MRS for treatment monitoring in clinical trials of recessive ataxias, and a great need exists in this area for all degenerative ataxias. More longitudinal investigations and standardization of advanced MRS methodology for multi-site trials will be critical in this respect.
Methodology for Using 3-Dimensional Sonography to Measure Fetal Adrenal Gland Volumes in Pregnant Women With and Without Early Life Stress

Fetal adrenal gland volumes on 3-dimensional sonography have been studied as potential predictors of preterm birth. However, no consistent methodology has been published. This article describes the methodology used in a study that is evaluating the effects of maternal early life stress on fetal adrenal growth to allow other researchers to compare methodologies across studies. Fetal volumetric data were obtained in 36 women at 20 to 22 and 28 to 30 weeks' gestation. Two independent examiners measured multiple images of a single fetal adrenal gland from each sonogram. Intra- and inter-rater consistency was examined. In addition, fetal adrenal volumes between male and female fetuses were reported. The intra- and inter-rater reliability was satisfactory when the mean of 3 measurements from each rater was used. At 20 weeks' gestation, male fetuses had larger average adjusted adrenal volumes than female fetuses (mean, 0.897 versus 0.638; P = .004). At 28 weeks' gestation, the fetal weight was more influential in determining values for adjusted fetal adrenal volume (0.672 for male fetuses versus 0.526 for female fetuses; P = .034). This article presents a methodology for assessing fetal adrenal volume using 3-dimensional sonography that can be used by other researchers to provide more consistency across studies.
Interstitial flow differentially increases patient-derived glioblastoma stem cell invasion via CXCR4, CXCL12, and CD44-mediated mechanisms.

Glioblastoma (GBM) prognosis remains dismal due in part to the invasiveness of GBM cells. Interstitial fluid flow (IFF) has been shown to increase invasion of glioma cells in vitro through the CXCR4 receptor interacting with autologous, pericellular gradients of CXCL12 (autologous chemotaxis) or through the CD44 receptor interactions with the extracellular matrix (hyaluronan-mediated mechanotransduction). These mechanisms have not been examined together and thus we hypothesized that both mechanisms contribute to invasion in populations of cancer cells. Therefore, we examined IFF-stimulated CXCR4-, CXCL12-, and CD44-dependent invasion in patient-derived glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). Using our 3D in vitro assay and correlative in vivo studies we demonstrated GSC lines show increased invasion with flow. This flow-stimulated invasion was reduced by blockade of CXCR4, CXCL12, and/or CD44, revealing that GSC invasion may be mediated simultaneously by both mechanisms. Characterization of CXCR4+, CXCL12+, and CD44+ populations in four GSC lines revealed different percentages of protein positive subpopulations for each line. We developed an agent-based model to identify the contributions of each subpopulation to flow-stimulated invasion and validated the model through comparisons with experimental blocking studies. Clinically relevant radiation therapy increased flow-stimulated invasion in one GSC line. Our agent-based model predicted that IFF-stimulated invasion is driven primarily by CXCR4+CXCL12+ populations, and, indeed our irradiated cells had an increase in this subpopulation. Together, these data indicate that different mechanisms govern the flow response across GSCs, but that within a single patient, there are subpopulations of GSCs that respond to flow via either CD44- or CXCR4–CXCL12 mechanisms.
Antihypertensive therapy. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, and calcium antagonists.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonists, and calcium antagonists have been introduced more recently than other antihypertensive agents; consequently, their special benefits in preventing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are still being explored in randomized, controlled clinical trials. They are effective in reducing blood pressure and are well tolerated when administered as monotherapy, but both the Fifth and Sixth Reports of the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC V 25 and JNC-VI 26 ) have suggested that the ACE inhibitors and calcium antagonists be considered alternative drugs to be prescribed when diuretics or β-blockers have proved unacceptable or ineffective or there are special indications for alternative agents (e.g., ACE inhibitors in congestive heart failure owing to systolic dysfunction or type I diabetes mellitus with nephropathy). Only the diuretics and β-blockers have been shown to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in long-term, randomized clinical trials involving a broad spectrum of hypertensive patients. 3,20,25,39 Clinical experience with the AII receptor antagonists is limited because the first drug of this class, losartan, was marketed in late 1995. These agents were not available when the JNC-V report was prepared, but are included as alternatives for first line therapy for JNC-VI. 26
Wetland-tree growth responses to hydrologic variability derived from development and optimization of a non-linear radial growth model

Abstract Growth responses of wetland trees to flooding and climate variations are a critical link in hydrological control of wetland carbon budgets, but they are difficult to model because they depend on multiple interacting and nonlinear factors. To more generally understand hydrological influence on tree growth, we modeled non-linear responses of tree ring growth to flooding and climate at sub-annual time steps using a new model employing Vaganov-Shashkin response functions. The model was developed and calibrated to explain six baldcypress tree-ring chronologies from two hydrologically distinct sites in southern Louisiana. The model outperformed traditional multiple linear regression. More importantly, optimized response parameters were similar among sites with different hydrologic conditions and consistent across time periods, suggesting generality to the response functions. Model forms that included hysteretic growth responses to flooding performed better than those without, indicating that wetland tree responses to present hydrologic conditions vary with previous hydrologic conditions. Optimal parameter values suggested that growth inhibition by flooding was rare and lower water levels were more often limiting.
The Pedagogy of the Power and Influence of Film for Mexican-American Students in Todayâ€™s Political Climate: A Case of the Discursive Construction of Extremist Ideologies on "Fixing" the Urban School "Problem"

Many of todayâ€™s films are a blending of fiction and reality that present a problem of (mis)representation of Mexican-descent students in urban school settings. When the images of people of color are intertwined with ideological discourse and text in the film that further stereotypes or stigmatizes their community, it offers little glimpse into the other realities that overwhelmingly represent who such people really are and the struggles they endure. One especially egregious and dangerous public pedagogical practice that occurs through film is the intermingling of the reality/ies of urban schools and students of color with extremist ideologies in fictitious story plots. I argue that in todayâ€™s anti-Mexican climate, we must look closely at the extremist ideologies that exist in many of todayâ€™s films that contribute to the undercurrent pedagogy that is dominating the current discourse that influences how the mainstream think and react to people of Mexican-descent.
Safety, Generous Doctors, and Enabling Parents: A Perfect Recipe of Justifications for College Students’ Nonmedical Use of Prescription Painkillers:

National data indicate that prescription painkillers are the second most commonly misused prescription drug on college campuses. Although much research has focused on the motivations given for the nonmedical use of these drugs, few studies explore justifications for use. This article fills that gap by explicating the justifications college students incite to defend their nonmedical use of these drugs. Drawing on semistructured interviews with students (N = 76) from a large public northwestern university, inductive analysis uncovered social learning theories of crime, more specifically Sykes and Matza’s neutralization theory, as helping to inform students’ justifications for use. These justifications were combined to form two broad justification categories: “the safety factor” and “authoritative enabling.” Given that justifications helped students to resolve any guilt, shame, or stigma associated with their deviant use of prescription painkillers, it is important that future research continue to explore an...
Herding and anchoring in macroeconomic forecasts: the case of the PMI

We test whether analysts display multiple biases in forecasting the Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing purchasing manager’s index (PMI). We adopt a test that does not require knowledge of the forecaster’s prior information set and is robust to rational clustering, correlated forecast errors and outliers. We find that analysts forecast the PMI poorly and display multiple biases when forecasting. In particular, forecasters anti-herd and anti-anchor. Anti-herding supports a reputation-based notion that forecasters are rewarded not only for forecast accuracy but also for being the best forecast at a single point in time. Anti-anchoring is consistent with forecasters overreacting to private information. The two biases show a strong positive correlation suggesting that the incentives that elicit anti-herding also elicit anti-anchoring behavior. Both biases result in larger absolute errors, although the effect is stronger for anti-herding.
A Short Presentation of CA_MARKOV

CA_MARKOV is a combined Cellular Automata/Markov Chain/Multi-Criteria/Multi-Objective Land Allocation land cover prediction procedure. CA_MARKOV allocates land based on the suitability of the land for end covers along with a cellular automaton rule to promote spatial contiguity. CA_MARKOV works well when historical land cover data is not available or is not a good predictor of future land cover.
Marketing Capabilities in International Marketing

AbstractThere has been a significant increase in scholarly research focusing on marketing capabilities as an important aspect of marketing theory–based explanations of firm performance. This growing research interest in marketing capabilities has also been reflected in the international marketing literature. However, it is unclear whether and how thinking and research about international marketing capabilities differs from that of marketing capabilities in a domestic market context. To explore this question, the authors conduct a review of studies of marketing capabilities in the most influential journals publishing research in international marketing. They supplement this with insights from interviews with executives in firms engaged to varying degrees in international marketing. The study suggests that there remain numerous important unanswered questions in conceptualizing and empirically researching international marketing capabilities.
Distortions of the Hero: Felix Krull and Cú Chulainn

A significant amount of the graphic detail of the feigned epileptic seizure before the military review board in Thomas Mann’s Die Bekenntnisse des Hochstaplers Felix Krull is traced to Ernst Windis...
Ecosystem, Concept of

Living organisms and their nonliving (abiotic) environment are inseparably interrelated and interact with each other. An ecological system, or ecosystem, is any unit (a biosystem) that includes all the organisms (the biotic community) in a given area interacting with the physical environment so that a flow of energy leads to clearly defined biotic structures and cycling of materials between living and nonliving parts. An ecosystem is more than a geographical unit (or ecoregion); it is a functional system unit with inputs and outputs, and with boundaries that can be either natural or arbitrary.
Regional expression of heat shock protein 72 mRNA following mild and severe hypoxia in neonatal piglet brain.

The present study examined the effect of hypoxia on expression of 72-kDa heat shock protein (hsp72) mRNA in the newborn brain. The studies were carried out in anesthetized and mechanically ventilated newborn piglets, age 3–5 days. Hypoxic insult was induced by decreasing the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) from 21% to 6% or 10% for 1 h. Oxygen pressure in the microvasculature of the cortex (cortical pO2) was measured by oxygen dependent quenching of the phosphorescence of phosphor dissolved in blood. Following the two hours of normoxic recovery, regional expression of the 72-kDa heat shock protein (hsp72) mRNA was determined using in situ hybridization and autoradiography. Two grades of hypoxia were studied. Mild hypoxia (cortical pO2 = 10–30mm Hg) induced the expression of hsp72 mRNA predominantly in the subcortical white matter. In individual animals of this group, the extent of expression varied from isolated regions to widespread involvement of the white matter. Severe hypoxia (cortical pO2 = 3–10 mm Hg) induced the expression of hsp72 mRNA in both white and gray matter regions, with strong expression occurring in the cerebral cortex of individual animals. The present results indicate that immature white matter is more sensitive than gray matter to the hypoxia induced expression of hsp72 mRNA. Further, increased expression of hsp72 mRNA may be an indicator of a pathologic degree of hypoxic stress, and the observed increase may indicate that in the newborn brain the immature white matter is particularly sensitive to injury by hypoxia-ischemia and reperfusion.
Fetal cerebral oxygenation: the homeostatic role of vascular adaptations to hypoxic stress.

The mammalian fetus is highly adapted for growth in a low-O2 environment in which arterial O2 tensions average near 30 mm Hg. Acute decreases in O2 tension below this value elicit vasodilatation, but the responses are blunted compared to those observed in adults. Chronic hypoxia in the fetus stimulates a pattern of cerebrovascular remodeling that results in an increased wall thickness and decreased overall contractility and also depresses the capacity for cerebral vasodilatation through decreases in NO release, soluble guanylate cyclase activity, and expression of PKG substrates. Many of these hypoxic effects appear to be homeostatic and may be mediated by VEGFs, which increase in direct response to hypoxia and, in turn, can dramatically alter the expression and function of multiple contractile proteins in cerebrovascular smooth muscle through both endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent effects on large artery smooth muscle.
Nanomechanical Characterization of Lead Free Solder Joints

The mechanical properties of a lead free solder are strongly influenced by its microstructure, which is controlled by its thermal history including solidification rate and thermal aging after solidification. In our ongoing research, we are exploring aging effects in lead free solder joints, and correlating the results to measured behavior from miniature bulk tensile samples. As a part of these efforts, the mechanical properties and creep behavior of lead free solders are being characterized by nano-mechanical testing of single SAC305 solder joints extracted from PBGA assemblies. Using nanoindentation techniques, the stress–strain and creep behavior of the SAC solder materials have been explored at the joint scale. Mechanical properties characterized included the elastic modulus, hardness, and yield stress. The test results show that the mechanical properties (modulus, hardness) of single grain SAC305 joints were dependent on the crystal orientation. Using a constant force at max indentation, the creep response of the solder joint materials has also been measured as a function of the applied stress level. An approach has been developed to estimate tensile creep strain rates for low stress levels using nanoindentation creep data measured at very high compressive stress levels.
Methamphetamine use and oral health-related quality of life.

Methamphetamine (MA) is associated with adverse health effects, including the rampant tooth decay condition called “Meth Mouth.” However, the impact of MA use on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) is unknown. This study assessed the relationship between MA use and self-reported OHRQOL. This cross-sectional study uses information from 545 MA-using participants recruited from Los Angeles County, California. Dental examinations were performed by three calibrated dentists using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) protocols. Data on socio-demographic, behavioral, and drug-use history were recorded using questionnaires. Participants were categorized as ‘light’ or ‘moderate/heavy’ users based on reported frequency of MA use in the past 30 days. Route of MA administration was categorized as ‘smoking’ or ‘other.’ Self-reported OHRQOL was based on the Oral Health Impact Profile scale. Majority of the participants were male (80.9%). Median age was 45.0 years (IQR-13.0). Median number of days of MA use was 10.0 (IQR-12.0). Smoking was the preferred route of MA use (70.2%). Root caries in ≥ 3 teeth were reported in 78% of MA users. More than half of the participants reported having painful aching in mouth, avoidance of particular food items, feeling embarrassed, and discomfort while eating in the last 12 months. In unadjusted logistic models, moderate/heavy MA users were more likely to report an affected sense of taste [OR = 1.58, 95% CI (1.10–2.27)] and avoidance of particular foods [OR = 1.45, 95% CI (1.02–2.01)] than light users. Among individuals preferring other MA administration routes, moderate/heavy MA users were 3.09 times as likely to report an affected sense of taste than light users [OR = 3.09, 95% CI (1.52−6.27)]. Oral health and OHRQOL appear to be worse among Methamphetamine users than in the US general population.
Composition and stability of complexes

Abstract In solution, the nature of the interaction between metal ions and ligands depends on several factors. The attraction is one type of acid–base interaction so the nature of the interacting species is important. The strength of the bonds (stability of the complex) is reflected by the magnitude of the equilibrium constant for formation (the formation constant) or the stability constant. In this chapter, methods for determining the composition and stability of complexes are described and stability is discussed in terms of characteristics of the interacting species.
Variations in Hippocampal White Matter Diffusivity Differentiate Response to Electroconvulsive Therapy in Major Depression

Abstract Background Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for severe depression and is shown to increase hippocampal volume and modulate hippocampal functional connectivity. Whether variations in hippocampal structural connectivity occur with ECT and relate to clinical response is unknown. Methods Patients with major depression (n = 36, 20 women, age 41.49 ± 13.57 years) underwent diffusion magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and after ECT. Control subjects (n = 32, 17 women, age 39.34 ± 12.27 years) underwent scanning twice. Functionally defined seeds in the left and right anterior hippocampus and probabilistic tractography were used to extract tract volume and diffusion metrics (fractional anisotropy and axial, radial, and mean diffusivity). Statistical analyses determined effects of ECT and time-by-response group interactions (>50% change in symptoms before and after ECT defined response). Differences between baseline measures across diagnostic groups and in association with treatment outcome were also examined. Results Significant effects of ECT (all p Conclusions Structural connectivity of hippocampal neural circuits changed with ECT and distinguished treatment responders. The findings suggested neurotrophic, glial, or inflammatory response mechanisms affecting axonal integrity.
Highlighting the difference between approach and avoidance motivation enhances the predictive validity of performance-avoidance goal reports

This research investigated whether highlighting the difference between norm-based approach and avoidance motivation impacts performance goal reporting accuracy. Participants were randomly assigned to receive no instructions, or reading materials indicating that norm-based approach and avoidance motivation are the same (Same condition) or different (Different condition). In Study 1 (N = 978), experimental condition was tested as a moderator of the relation between antecedent variables and performance goal reports. In Study 2 (N = 957), experimental condition was tested as a moderator of the predictive utility of performance goal reports. Both studies showed that while relations with performance-approach goals remained unaffected, experimental condition moderated the relation between performance-avoidance goal reports and their antecedent variables (Study 1), and their process and outcome variables (Study 2). The strongest associations (the most accurate goal reports) came from the different condition. Highlighting the difference between approach and avoidance enhanced the predictive validity of performance-avoidance goal reports. Implications for understanding and measuring achievement goals are discussed.
Reduced-order Aggregate Model for Parallel-connected Single-phase Inverters

This paper outlines a reduced-order aggregate dynamical model for parallel-connected single-phase grid-connected inverters. For each inverter, we place no restrictions on the converter topology and merely assume that the ac-side switch-averaged voltage can be controlled via pulsewidth modulation. The ac output of each inverter interfaces through an $LCL$ filter to the grid. The closed-loop system contains a phase locked loop for grid synchronization, and real- and reactive-power control are realized with inner and outer PI current- and power-control loops. We derive a necessary and sufficient set of parametric relationships to ensure that a reduced-order aggregated state-space model for an arbitrary number of such paralleled inverters has the same model order and structure as any single inverter. We also present reduced-order models for the settings where the real- and reactive-power setpoints are different and where the inverters have different power ratings. We anticipate the proposed model being useful in analyzing the dynamics of large collections of parallel-connected inverters with minimal computational complexity. The aggregate model is validated against measurements obtained from a multi-inverter experimental setup consisting of three ${\text{750-VA}}$ paralleled grid-connected inverters, hence establishing robustness of the analytical result to parametric variations seen in practice.
An Online Reduced Order Modeling Based Frequency Regulation Adaptive Control Architecture For Wind Integrated Power Grid

This paper presents a frequency regulation control architecture that can be augmented with existing Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) controllers for maintaining the grid frequency at nominal values on a WTG integrated power grid. The architecture uses an online reduced order modeling of power grid with frequency dependent network equivalents (FDNE) that can seamlessly evaluate the grid fluctuations with respect to the point of common coupling (PCC) of the WTG. Then an adaptive control architecture with the help of an online identification routine is used to augment the torque control of wind generator such that the frequency of the system is balanced. The main advantage of the proposed architecture is that the approach ensures grid frequency stability during oscillations due to grid or WTG related events at any power grid location. The proposed approach not only maintain the frequency within acceptable limits but also makes sure that voltages are at normal values. The architecture is evaluated using wind farm integrated Kundur two-area test system using real-time digital simulator (RTDS).
Abstract P387: Sub-Perception Transdermal Vagal Stimulation in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by an excessive increase in heart rate (>= 30 bpm) on standing in the absence of orthostatic hypotension, and frequent orth...
Abstract WP358: Impact of an Emergency Department-Based Acute Stroke MRI Protocol on Cost, tPA Administration, and Hospital Length of Stay

Background: MRI is more sensitive for the detection of ischemic stroke than CT, but is not routinely used in the Emergency Department (ED) due to limited availability, prolonged scan time, and high...
Short-term outcomes after anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty in patients with osteoarthritis versus osteonecrosis.

Background: The outcomes of anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) for glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA) have been extensively reported in the literature. However, there is a paucity of short-term outcomes data on perioperative and post-operative outcomes in patients receiving TSA for either glenoid or humeral head osteonecrosis (ON). We compared the short-term outcomes of TSA performed on patients who had glenohumeral OA and those who had ON. Specifically, we compared: (I) demographics; (II) length-of-stay (LOS); and (III) 30-day postoperative complication rates. Methods: Data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) was used to select 7,066 patients with a diagnosis of glenohumeral OA or ON who underwent TSA between January 1 st , 2008 and December 31 st , 2015. Propensity score matching was performed based on age, sex, race, and body mass index (BMI) with a 3:1 ratio of OA to ON patients. As a result, 387 patients who had a primary diagnosis of OA were compared with 129 patients who had ON. Analyses addressed perioperative complications and hospital disposition factors—including LOS and 30-day post-operative complications—using bivariate and logistic regression models. Results: Overall complication rates were low in both groups, at 6.1% and 5.4% for the ON and OA cohorts respectively. The ON cohort had more comorbidities, including higher Charlson/Devo and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores (P 0.05), an increased risk for developing any complication [odds ratio (OR) =2.07; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.94 to 4.57; P=0.07], and a 134% higher risk for developing a minor complication compared to the OA (OR =2.34; 95% CI, 1.01 to 5.42; P=0.047). Conclusions: Although the patient populations who develop ON or shoulder OA have differences, there are not statistically or clinically meaningful differences in the short-term outcomes after anatomic TSA. Future studies are required to examine if differences exist in the long-term follow-up between the two groups.
Short Segment Statewide Screening of Midblock Crashes in South Carolina

The AASHTO Highway Safety Manual (HSM) presents a variety of methods for quantitatively estimating crash frequency or severity at a variety of locations. The HSM predictive methods require the road...