cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Threshold-based resource management: a framework for comprehensive ecosystem management.

The problems posed by adaptive management for improved ecosystem health are reviewed. Other kinds of science-informed ecosystem management are needed for those regions of conflict between rapid human population growth, increased resource extraction, and the rising demand for better environmental amenities, where large-scale experiments are not feasible. One new framework is threshold-based resource management. Threshold-based resource management guides management choices among four major science and engineering approaches to achieve healthier ecosystems: self-sustaining ecosystem management, adaptive management, case-by-case resource management, and high-reliability management. As resource conflicts increase over a landscape (i.e., as the ecosystems in the landscape move through different thresholds), management options change for the environmental decision-maker in terms of what can and cannot be attained by way of ecosystem health. The major policy and management implication of the framework is that the exclusive use or recommendation of any one management regime, be it self-sustaining, adaptive, case-by-case, or high-reliability management, across all categories of ecosystems within a heterogeneous landscape that is variably populated and extractively used is not only inappropriate, it is fatal to the goals of improved ecosystem health. The article concludes with detailed proposals for environmental decision-makers to undertake "bandwidth management" in ways that blend the best of adaptive management and high-reliability management for improved ecosystem health while at the same time maintaining highly reliable flows of ecosystem services, such as water.
Screening for blunt cerebrovascular injuries is cost-effective.

BACKGROUND: : Screening for blunt carotid and vertebral injury (BCVI) is increasing without a clear understanding of whether the chosen screening approach is cost-effective. We hypothesized that screening for BCVI using computed tomography angiography (CTA) was cost-effective in populations at high risk for BCVI. METHODS: : A decision analysis was performed modeling current BCVI screening approaches: no screening, duplex ultrasound, magnetic resonance angiography, angiography, and CTA. Treatment options included antiplatelet therapy, anticoagulation, stents for pseudoaneurysm, and no treatment. Probability estimates for incidence of injury and stroke, sensitivity and specificity of the screening modality, and type of treatment were taken from published data. Average wholesale price and medicare reimbursement costs were used. Two populations were analyzed; high-risk and overall blunt trauma populations. Two perspectives were taken; societal (including lifetime stroke costs) and institutional (ignoring lifetime stroke costs). RESULTS: : In the high-risk population, from a societal perspective, CTA has the lowest cost and stroke rate; $3,727 per patient screened with a 1% stroke rate. No treatment has the highest cost and stroke rate. From an institutional perspective, no screening is the least costly option but has an 11% stroke rate. Duplex ultrasound is the most cost-effective screening modality; $8,940 per stroke prevented. CONCLUSION: : From the societal perspective, CTA is the most cost-effective screening strategy for patients at high risk for BCVI. From an institutional perspective, CTA prevents the most strokes at a reasonable cost. Language: en
Age-Parity-Season Adjustment Factors for Milk and Fat Yields of Dairy Goats

Dairy Herd Improvement records from 1976 through 1981 were used to obtain dairy goat age-parity-season adjustment factors for milk and fat yields. Only records from purebred and American Alpine, Nubian, Saanen, and Toggenburg does were used. Nubians were analyzed separately from other breeds. Factors were calculated for two parity groups, two seasons, and two regions. Mixed model equations were used to remove effects of doe, breed, and year. Only lactations of at least 120 days were used. Resulting curves showed maximum production between 24 and 50 mo of age. Does from the northeastern United States reached maximum production earlier than does from western states.
Colloquy: Should Familywise Alpha Be Adjusted? Against Familywise Alpha Adjustment

Type I error is a risk undertaken whenever significance tests are conducted, and the chances of committing a Type I error increase as the number of significance tests increases. But adjusting the alpha level because of the number of tests conducted in a given study has no principled basis, commits one to absurd beliefs and practices, and reduces statistical power. The practice of requiring or employing such adjustments should be abandoned.
Chloride Corrosion Threshold of Reinforcing Steel in Alkaline Solutions—Cyclic Polarization Behavior

Abstract Cyclic polarization (CYP) experiments were performed on reinforcing steel bars of various surface finishes in chloride-containing alkaline solutions (pH 11.6 ∼ 13.6). Pitting initiation was observed at potentials below the oxygen evolution potential (EOE) when the solution [Cl−]/[OH−] ratio (CR) was high enough. The pitting potential (Ep) was not a unique function of a given test condition. Both the average value and the variability of Ep tended to decrease with increasing CR. Increasing passive film maturity and steel surface smoothness effectively elevated Ep values. The repassivation potential (Er also showed certain variability, but it was insensitive to steel surface conditions and solution compositions. Er was instead a strong function of the severity of corrosion attack (represented by imax) that had occurred on the steel surface before repassivation. The experimental results were examined using a statistical approach. Based on simplifying assumptions, the chloride corrosion threshold (CRT...
The Impact of Internal Audit Function Quality and Contribution on Audit Delays

This study investigates whether measures of internal audit function (IAF) quality and the IAF’s contribution to the financial statement audit affect audit delay. We conduct empirical tests using 292 observations from 216 firms that responded to the Institute of Internal Auditor’s Global Auditing Information Network survey. Results indicate that audit delay is decreasing in IAF quality, and that this decrease is primarily driven by the competence of the IAF and the quality of their fieldwork. Audit delay is also at least four days shorter when the IAF contributes to the external audit by independently performing relevant work, but not when IAF personnel directly assist the external auditor. We further examine factors that affect the external auditor’s decision to use IAF work. The likelihood that external auditors use independently performed IAF work is increasing in IAF quality, internal auditor availability, and audit committee effectiveness, and decreasing in external auditor availability. The likelihood that IAF personnel directly assist external auditors is decreasing in IAF quality and increasing in audit committee effectiveness.
Classification and prediction of maize hardness-associated properties using multivariate statistical analyses

Maize kernel hardness and proximate constituents were evaluated by several methods. Proximate constituents and hardness-associated properties were significantly correlated, and their correlation coefficients were improved when moisture, protein, and oil contents were kept constant. Multivariate techniques were applied to create new sets of variables to characterize maize hardness. The principal component scores created by principal component analysis were subjected to cluster analysis and discriminant analysis. Three factors interpreted as representing physical and chemical properties were identified using factor analysis. A total of 248 maize samples were grouped into 7 and 10 subgroups by cluster analysis. Beale's pseudo F statistic and the plot of principal component scores showed that 10 clusters would be a better solution than 7 clusters. The groups resulting from cluster analysis seem to have unique physical and chemical properties showing the different order in values of hardness measurements. Thus, the grouping by cluster analysis according to hardness-associated physical and chemical properties improved the explanation of maize kernel hardness. The application of discriminant analysis to create a classification rule for hardness clusters revealed that new observations had an 87% correct classification into hardness clusters.
Controversies in the use of postnatal steroids

This review evaluates and compares, by using the best available medical evidence, the risks and benefits of postnatal steroid use in very low birth weight infants. Systemic postantal steroids are effective at reducing the risk of chronic lung disease in ventilated very low birth weight infants they appear to be most effective when administered to ventilator-dependent infants at 7 to 14 days of age, The beneficial effects are accompanied by an increase in the risk of long-term neurologic sequelae in addition to a number of short-term complications. Whether these risks are justified is largely dependent on the relative value that a parent or caregiver would place on chronic lung disease as compared to the adverse neurologic sequelae.
The Resolve to Stop the Violence Project: reducing violence in the community through a jail-based initiative

Background The usual modes of incarceration have not been found to curb violent crimes significantly. A jail-based programme called the Resolve to Stop the Violence Project (RSVP) was created with the hypothesis that exposing men with a history of serious, recent and often multiple violent crimes to a certain specifiable set of social, cultural and psychological conditions would reduce the frequency and severity of their violent behaviour. Methods Court and criminal records for 1 year following release were reviewed for 101 inmates who had spent 8 weeks or more in the programme and for the same number of those who had spent 8 weeks or more in regular custody. Results Inmates who participated in RSVP had lower rearrest rates for violent crimes (−46.3 per cent, p < 0.05) and spent less time in custody (−42.6 per cent, p < 0.05). The decline in violent re-arrests increased with greater lengths of stay (−53.1 per cent, p < 0.05 for 12 weeks or more; −82.6 per cent, p < 0.05 for 16 weeks or more). Conclusions Multilevel, comprehensive prevention approaches that: emphasize making available to violent individuals the kinds of tools they need in order to develop non-violent skills and reality-based sources of self-esteem; increase their capacity to experience feelings of empathy and remorse; and provide opportunities to take responsibility and amend the injuries they have inflicted on others and on the whole community, may play an important role in reducing the cycle of violent crime.
Surface functionalization of nanoparticles for nanomedicine

Control of interactions between nanoparticles and biosystems is essential for the effective utilization of these materials in biomedicine. A wide variety of nanoparticle surface structures have been developed for imaging, sensing, and delivery applications. In this research Highlight, we will emphasize advances in tailoring nanoparticle interfaces for implementation in nanomedicine.
Automatic Detection of Pseudocodes in Scholarly Documents Using Machine Learning

A significant number of scholarly articles in computer science and other disciplines contain algorithms that provide concise descriptions for solving a wide variety of computational problems. For example, Dijkstra's algorithm describes how to find the shortest paths between two nodes in a graph. Automatic identification and extraction of these algorithms from scholarly digital documents would enable automatic algorithm indexing, searching, analysis and discovery. An algorithm search engine, which identifies pseudocodes in scholarly documents and makes them searchable, has been implemented as a part of the CiteSeerX suite. Here, we illustrate the limitations of start-of-the-art rule based pseudocode detection approach, and present a novel set of machine learning based techniques that extend previous methods.
The effect of a non-zero Lagrangian time scale on bounded shear dispersion

Previous studies of shear dispersion in bounded velocity fields have assumed random velocities with zero Lagrangian time scale (i.e. velocities are -function correlated in time). However, many turbulent (geophysical and engineering) flows with mean velocity shear exist where the Lagrangian time scale is non-zero. Here, the longitudinal (along-flow) shear-induced diffusivity in a two-dimensional bounded velocity field is derived for random velocities with non-zero Lagrangian time scale . A non-zero results in two-time transverse (across-flow) displacements that are correlated even for large (relative to the diffusive time scale ) times. The longitudinal (along-flow) shear-induced diffusivity is derived, accurate for all , using a Lagrangian method where the velocity field is periodically extended to infinity so that unbounded transverse particle spreading statistics can be used to determine . The non-dimensionalized depends on time and two parameters: the ratio of Lagrangian to diffusive time scales and the release location. Using a parabolic velocity profile, these dependencies are explored numerically and through asymptotic analysis. The large-time is enhanced relative to the classic Taylor diffusivity, and this enhancement increases with . At moderate this enhancement is approximately a factor of 3. For classic shear dispersion with , the diffusive time scale determines the time dependence and large-time limit of the shear-induced diffusivity. In contrast, for sufficiently large , a shear time scale , anticipated by a simple analysis of the particle’s domain-crossing time, determines both the time dependence and the large-time limit. In addition, the scalings for turbulent shear dispersion are recovered from the large-time using properties of wall-bounded turbulence.
Remembering Humanity: How to Include Human Values in a Scientific Endeavor

The Bonnichsen decision has been heralded as a victory for anthropology, because it appears to vindicate the position of the plaintiffs who brought their suit in order to be allowed to conduct scientific research on a 9,000-year-old skeleton from North America. It appears to be a defeat for Native Americans, who view this skeleton as an ancestor and who would prefer to see the remains of this individual returned to the ground to continue the long journey back to the earth. In fact, this polarized view of the case returns the discourse surrounding repatriation to a previous level in which arguments were made over the question, “who owns the past?” While this may be a rhetorically satisfying problem to wrestle with, it does not capture the true nature of how archaeology can engage with Native people in the process of understanding ancient lives. It presumes that the past exists as a form of property. Under this simplistic construction, human remains can exist as property and can be owned by one group or another.
Effects of Tail Loss on Growth and Sprint Speed of Juvenile Eumeces fasciatus (Scincidae)

Tail autotomy serves as an aid to escape predators in many lizards, but potential costs include loss of fat stores, impaired locomotion, loss of social status, and reduced growth and reproductive output. Two potential costs of tail loss were examined in juvenile skinks, Eumeces fasciatus, through manipulation in a laboratory study. Changes in growth and sprint speed were compared among full autotomy, partial autotomy, and control groups of lizards after these treatments at three weeks of age and up to four weeks later. Full tail autotomy was associated with increased growth in mass during the two weeks posttreatment and increased growth of the tail between two and four weeks posttreatment. No other measures of growth were affected by partial or full tail loss. Immediately following treatments, fully autotomized lizards became significantly slower, with respect to maximum sprint speed, relative to both other groups. However, this effect was gone by four weeks after tail loss.
Diurnal Variations of NLDN-Reported Cloud-to-Ground Lightning in the United States

AbstractNational maps of cloud-to-ground lightning flash density (in flashes per square kilometer per year) for one or more years have been produced since the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) was first deployed across the contiguous United States in 1989. However, no single publication includes maps of cloud-to-ground flash density across the domain and adjacent areas during the entire diurnal cycle. Cloud-to-ground lightning has strong and variable diurnal changes across the United States that should be taken into account for outdoor lightning-vulnerable activities, particularly those involving human safety. For this study, NLDN cloud-to-ground flash data were compiled in 20 km by 20 km grid squares from 2005 to 2012 for the lower 48 states. A unique feature of this study is that maps were prepared to coincide with local time, not time zones. NLDN flashes were assigned to 2-h time periods in 5° longitude bands. Composite maps of the 2-h periods with the most lightning in each grid square were ...
Social anxiety and difficulty disengaging threat: Evidence from eye-tracking

Theoretical models of social phobia propose that biased attention contributes to the maintenance of symptoms; however these theoretical models make opposing predictions. Specifically, whereas Rapee and Heimberg (1997) suggested the biases are characterised by hypervigilance to threat cues and difficulty disengaging attention from threat, Clark and Wells (1995) suggested that threat cues are largely avoided. Previous research has been limited by the almost exclusive reliance on behavioural response times to experimental tasks to provide an index of attentional biases. The current study evaluated the relationship between the time-course of attention and symptoms of social anxiety and depression. Forty-two young adults completed a dot-probe task with emotional faces while eye-movement data were collected. The results revealed that increased social anxiety was associated with attention to emotional (rather than neutral) faces over time as well as difficulty disengaging attention from angry expressions; some e...
Self-Supervised Classification for Planetary Rover Terrain Sensing

Autonomous mobility in rough terrain is key to enabling increased science data return from planetary rover missions. Current terrain sensing and path planning approaches can be used to avoid geometric hazards, such as rocks and steep slopes, but are unable to remotely identify and avoid non-geometric hazards, such as loose sand in which a rover may become entrenched. This paper proposes a self-supervised classification approach to learning the visual appearance of terrain classes which relies on vibration-based sensing of wheel-terrain interaction to identify these terrain classes. Experimental results from a four-wheeled rover in Mars analog terrain demonstrate the potential for this approach.
Alterations of Consciousness: An Empirical Analysis for Social Scientists. Imants Baruss. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association (2003). 290 Pages, $49.95

(2004). Alterations of Consciousness: An Empirical Analysis for Social Scientists. Imants Baruss. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association (2003). 290 Pages, $49.95. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis: Vol. 46, No. 3, pp. 251-253.
A Theory of Perceived Discrimination

We develop a model in which individuals compete for a fixed pool of prizes by investing effort in a contest. Individuals belong to two separate and identifiable groups. We say that the contest is discriminatory if a lower share of prizes is reserved for one group than for the other. We show that it can be difficult for an observer to detect the presence or absence of discrimination in the contest, as both regimes can be observationally equivalent. In particular, one group’s belief that it is allocated a lower share of prizes than the other group can be consistent with observed data even if no such group quotas actually exist. Conversely, the belief that the contest does not discriminate can be consistent with data when, in fact, discrimination exists. Incorrect beliefs will therefore not be revised, as the contest generates no evidence to the contrary.
Designing a predictable internet backbone with valiant load-balancing

Network operators would like their network to support current and future traffic matrices, even when links and routers fail. Not surprisingly, no backbone network can do this today: It is hard to accurately measure the current matrix, and harder still to predict future ones. Even if the matrices are known, how do we know a network will support them, particularly under failures? As a result, today’s networks are designed in a somewhat ad-hoc fashion, using rules-of-thumb and crude estimates of current and future traffic. Previously we proposed the use of Valiant Load-balancing (VLB) for backbone design. It can guarantee 100% throughput to any traffic matrix, even under link and router failures. Our initial work was limited to homogeneous backbones in which routers had the same capacity. In this paper we extend our results in two ways: First, we show that the same qualities of service (guaranteed support of any traffic matrix with or without failure) can be achieved in a realistic heterogeneous backbone network; and second, we show that VLB is optimal, in the sense that the capacity required by VLB is very close to the lower bound of total capacity needed by any architecture in order to support all traffic matrices.
Gender- and Size-based Variation in Wing Color in Large Milkweed Bugs (Oncopeltus fasciatus) in Georgia

Abstract Milkweed bugs are aposematically colored, with orange and black on their forewings, and the degree of both colors varies among individuals. Despite the attention given to the warning nature of this color, there has been little research directed at this variation. In this study, the subtle variation in wing colors of one species of milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus (Large Milkweed Bug) was measured to determine if the color variation was related to sex or body size. Fifty-eight bugs were hand-collected at three sites in northeast Georgia, and their wings scanned using a slide scanner and measured digitally using image analysis software. Wings of females were larger than those of males in general, and the color analyses showed statistically significant differences in wing hue between males and females. Females also had darker black wing sections than males, which could be evidence of a sex-related difference in immune function. Regardless of sex, wings of larger bugs had deeper orange color and da...
The Computation of the Transient Gravity Wave

Summary The two-dimensional Boussinesq equations are integrated with given conditions on the velocity and static stability on the left-hand boundary and with a deformed lower boundary, to give the transient gravity wave, or mountain wave. The results are compared with linear theory, and it is found that although in general the overall flow pattern agrees with the linear analysis, in the region near the obstacle the non-linear boundary condition produces several important departures. Good qualitative agreement with observations is attained. 1. List of symbols
Performance analysis of future System-on-FPGA topology candidates

New System-on-Chip (SoC) design techniques are necessary to address the communication requirements for future SoC. The currently used Bus-Centered approach becomes an inappropriate choice because of its limitation as a shared medium that restricts the scalability of the communication architecture. Also, long bus wires result in performance degradation due to the increased capacitive load. The long wires also consume more power to drive all of Intellectual Property Cores, IP Cores, on the bus. New communication architecture, the NoFPGA (Network-on-FPGA), for future SoFPGA (System-on-FPGA) has been presented. The paper details the architecture of a NoFPGA router. The interconnecting issues in SoC design methodology built in a single FPGA device are addressed. Mainly, the problem of achieving efficient NoFPGA performance through investigating the best topology is addressed. Results of the work show that the 2D Torus NoFPGA outperforms the 2D Mesh NoFPGA. On the other hand, Power estimate analysis showed that the Mesh NoFPGA represents a 30% power drop compared to the equivalent Torus NoFPGA which makes the Mesh NoFPGA is a better candidate for power critical application.
Effects of carotenoids in cellular and animal systems.

It has been suggested that carotenoid pigments may function as chemopreventive agents for reducing the risk of cancer in humans. Part of this suggestion rests on epidemiological evidence, and part rests on work done in cellular and animal systems. In this article, the experimental evidence for carotenoid inhibition of mutagenicity, malignant transformation, tumor formation, and immunoenhancement is reviewed. Although a mechanism for these effects cannot yet be identified, it is clear that the overwhelming evidence in these systems would indicate that carotenoids exert an important influence in modulating the actions of carcinogens
A local fairness algorithm for the MetaRing, and its performance study

It is shown that the local fairness algorithm given can exploit the throughput advantage offered by spatial reuse better than a global fairness algorithm. This is because it ensures fair use of network resources among nodes competing for the same subset of links, while permitting free access to noncongested parts of the network. The performance advantage of this local fairness scheme is demonstrated by simulating the system under various traffic scenarios, and the results are compared to results for the MetaRing SAT-based fairness algorithm. It is also shown that under certain traffic patterns, the performance of this algorithm achieves the optimal throughput result predicted by the known max-min fairness definition. >
Infusing Social Responsibility into the Curriculum and Cocurriculum: Campus Examples.

This chapter highlights good practices and lessons learned for infusing social responsibility—contributing to the larger community and taking seriously the perspectives of others—as outcomes of college.
Hyperhomocysteinemia measured by immunoassay: A valid measure of coronary artery atherosclerosis

Abstract Context.—Homocysteine is emerging as a novel marker of atherothrombosis. Its role as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease is generally accepted. There is scanty data correlating homocysteine levels measured by immunoassay with cardiovascular disease. We previously validated a fluorescence polarization immunoassay for measuring homocysteine, which compared favorably with high performance liquid chromatography. Objective.—To determine if homocysteine levels measured by immunoassay correlate with extent of atherosclerotic burden, as represented by degree of coronary artery stenosis determined by coronary angiography. Design.—Fasting plasma samples were obtained from patients undergoing coronary angiography (N = 165). Homocysteine levels were measured by immunoassay and coronary artery stenosis was determined by coronary angiography. Results.—Median coronary artery stenosis for the 3 homocysteine subgroups, less than 1.35, 1.35 to 6.75, and greater than 6.75 mg/L ( 15...
Computer-Aided Optimization and Synthesis of Electron and Ion Lenses

The desire to produce electron and ion optical systems with prescribed first-order properties and as small aberrations as possible is as old as electron and ion optics itself. As we have seen in previous chapters, the aberrations are fundamental limitations to the performance of any beam optics. The reduction of aberrations is especially crucial for ion beams. They must be focused by electrostatic lenses to ensure that the refraction is independent of the charge-to-mass ratio of the particles. As we know, the aberrations of conventional electrostatic lenses are much higher than those of magnetic lenses. The resolution of ion probes is, therefore, always limited by aberrations. But the reduction of magnetic lens aberrations is also desirable to improve the performance of electron microscopes, electron probe instruments, etc.
American Studies: Environment

American environmental studies, such as ‘human ecology,’ somewhat predate the rise of modern concern about ‘environmental problems.’ However, most of the pre-1960s work emphasized the influence of the natural environment upon human communities. In contrast, the more recent work has stressed the impact of societies upon their natural habitats, and has followed policy construction of different kinds of environmental problems. Two streams of work are outlined. The first refers largely to social surveys of the concerns of individual Americans about environmental hazards, and their preference for various policies of environmental protection. A basic distinction is drawn between perceptions of natural resources, on the one hand, and environmental systems, on the other. These include analyses of environmental risk tolerance, risk aversion, anxiety, and protection support through additional tax and market surcharges. A second stream of work focuses on social institutions and their orientations towards ecological systems and environmental protection. Especially important are the technological and economic mechanisms of major economic organizations in their use of natural resources. Related are the studies of the social and political influences by regional, national, and transnational economic organizations that influence both the political protection of the environment, and the consciousness of major publics about this protection. In general, modern American environmental studies have been strongly influenced by policy conflicts in American society. The agenda for research has successively incorporated the analysis of (a) the causes of air and water pollution, (b) the social uses of energy, and (c) control over sources of global warming and ozone depletion. To a lesser extent, the agenda for research has also emerged from other social concerns, such as the impact of economic globalization of the economy.
Genetic parameter estimates for five traits in male hop accessions: a preliminary study

Much information on hop (Humulus lupulus) production and maintenance exists but little is known about the genetics of specific traits. The objective of this study was to determine general combining ability (GCA) and genetic correlations (r g ) for five traits in six male hop accessions crossed to 14 different female accessions. Data for the study were extracted from USDA hop breeding records covering the past 25 years. The analysis was performed with females nested within males across four replicates (years). We observed significant (P ≤ 0.05) GCA for all traits, with male 21361M exhibiting the highest GCA for yield (paternal half-sib avg. = 1,934 kg/ha); 21268M exhibiting the highest GCA for α-acid levels (paternal half-sib avg. = 7.20%), 19046M exhibiting the highest GCA for β-acid levels (paternal half-sib avg. = 6.54%), 64035M exhibiting the most desirable cohumulone (COH) levels relative to total α-acids (paternal half-sib avg. = 24.1%), and 64037M exhibiting the most desirable value for hop storage index (HSI) (paternal half-sib avg. = 0.246). Significant positive genetic correlations were observed between COH and yield (0.492) and between COH and HSI (0.763). Significant negative genetic correlations were observed between α-acid and β-acid levels (-0.743) and β-acid levels and HSI (-0.788). The results of this study, while preliminary, provide valuable information for hop breeders on choice of males for specific traits and a selection protocol guide for multiple trait selection.
Financial Analysts' Heterogeneous Earnings Expectations and Their Stock Recommendations

In this study we test whether financial analysts' use their earnings forecasts to make stock recommendations. We hypothesize that if analysts use earnings forecasts as a basis for stock recommendations, the likelihood of a buy (sell) recommendation ought to increase (decrease) when the analyst's earnings forecast becomes more optimistic (pessimistic) relative to the market's expectation. The data supports this hypothesis. We also test the extent to which analysts' stock recommendations are based on public and/or on private earnings information. Private information is measured as the difference between the analysts own earnings forecast and the consensus forecasts of other analysts. Public information is measured as the difference between the consensus forecast and the random walk forecast. Our data show that stock recommendations are related to both private and public earnings information, private information is more important. We also find that the relationship between recommendations and forecasts is stronger where earnings are more value relevant. Factors such as higher earnings persistence and growth opportunities, lower market risk and larger firm size make stock recommendations more responsive to earnings forecasts. Stock recommendations are related to forecasted earnings surprises even when the forecast revision is held constant.
Evidence for a possible cytosol estrogen receptor deficiency in endocervical glands of infertile women with poor cervical mucus.

Endocervical gland estrogen receptor (ER) deficiency has been proposed as a possible cause for the poor cervical mucus (CM) in some infertile women with cervical factor. Cytosol ERs were measured in endocervical tissue obtained by biopsy within 3days of ovulation (determined by the endogenous luteinizing hormone [LH] surge) in five infertile women with persistent poor preovulatory CM (group 1) and in endocervical tissue obtained in the late follicular phase in eight ovulatory women with excellent CM (group 2). ER concentrations were measured in Fmol/mg protein by the dextran-coated charcoal separation method (New England Nuclear Kit, Boston, MA). CM score evaluation and measurement of serum estradiol (E 2 ) and progesterone (P) levels were performed concomitantly. Serum E 2 levels of 123.4±29.3pg/ml (mean±standard error of the mean [SEM]) in group 1 were comparable to E 2 levels of 123.3±15.0pg/ml in group 2. Serum P concentrations of 0.9±0.27ng/ml in group 1 were comparable to 0.79±0.29 in group 2. A CM score of 4.6±0.69 in group 1 was significantly lower than 11.6±0.53 in group 2 (P
The consequences of false-positive and false-negative errors in medical diagnosis.

The possible compatibility or conflict of decision-making perspectives at the patient level and at the community level is illustrated by two diagnostic procedures, measurement of blood pressure and testing of stool for occult blood. In each example, the consequences of false-positive and false-negative errors are calculated and interpreted, and strategies for possible improvement in the use of the test are explored.
Analysis and Design of Intrinsically Dual Circular Polarized Microstrip Antennas Using an Equivalent Circuit Model and Jones Matrix Formulation

Planar dual circular polarization (CP) antennas can be realized with a linearly polarized antenna and a quadrature hybrid, but the hybrid is lossy and undesirable for satellite communications applications where efficiency is paramount. There are surprisingly few hybrid-free, intrinsically dual CP microstrip antenna (MSA) designs in the literature. One reason for this is that it is challenging to obtain high isolation between ports while maintaining low return loss and good polarization quality. To resolve this problem, a method for multicriterion design optimization of dual-CP MSAs is proposed. The method is based on an accurate equivalent circuit model combined with a Jones matrix representation of the antenna response. The model explains the counter-intuitive tradeoff between cross-polarization isolation and impedance mismatch factor. The model also provides an analytical relationship between axial ratio bandwidth and impedance bandwidth, and allows the Wheeler cap method to be generalized to multiport, dual polarization antennas. Based on insights provided by the analysis, an effective matching and decoupling scheme is proposed, leading to an intrinsically dual CP MSA design that is competitive in performance with a dual linear antenna combined with a hybrid. Results are validated by comparison to full wave simulations for practical dual CP antenna examples.
A Semester Course Syllabus

Syllabus: Introduction to Micro- and Nanofluidics for Engineers and Physical Scientists (Three hour lecture, 1 hour lab) Syllabus for a 4 hour (3 hour lecture, 1 hour lab) semester course 15 weeks long, assuming 30 lectures of length 1 hour 12 minutes, two lectures per week, and does not include exam periods. The lab meets once per week, with two lectures on fabrication and experimental methods – the content of lecture 6a. If the class meets three times per week, prorate lectures to 45. Objective : The objective of this course is to introduce students to the basic physical foundations of incompressible fluid mechanics appropriate to micro and nanosize conduits. The course will emphasize the fundamental principles involved in the formulation and solution of problems in fluid mechanics and mass transfer for pressure-driven and electrically driven motions of biofluids and individual components such as ions. On completion of the course, the student should be able to extract from a raw physical situation the essential principles from which a useful fluid mechanical model may be developed. The lab will provide students with an introduction to the design, fabrication, and testing of microfluidic and nanofluidic devices and how practical devices can be analyzed theoretically.
From Permission to Partnership: Participatory Research to Engage School Personnel in Systems Change.

ABSTRACTData collected from teachers in a racially diverse, high-poverty high school were used to inform the initial steps in developing a school–university partnership to create a culturally responsive trauma-informed community school. The project utilized community-based participatory research to explore sensitive areas of school system functioning. School–university partnerships and community-based participatory research (CBPR) projects offer important opportunities for innovation, but the process of how these relationships evolve is not often described. Thus, the process of the research as it unfolded over the course of a school year and lessons learned are described along with findings. Findings include teachers’ perceptions of the impact of trauma on students, their own stress level and self-efficacy in addressing students’ social-emotional and behavioral concerns, and the role of race in the teachers’ perceptions.
Millimeter Wave Communications: From Point-to-Point Links to Agile Network Connections

Millimeter wave (mmWave) technologies promise to revolutionize wireless networks by enabling multi-gigabit data rates. However, they suffer from high attenuation, and hence have to use highly directional antennas to focus their power on the receiver. Existing radios have to scan the space to find the best alignment between the transmitter’s and receiver’s beams, a process that takes up to a few seconds. This delay is problematic in a network setting where the base station needs to quickly switch between users and accommodate mobile clients.We present Agile-Link, the first mmWave beam steering system that is demonstrated to find the correct beam alignment without scanning the space. Instead of scanning, Agile- Link hashes the beam directions using a few carefully chosen hash functions. It then identifies the correct alignment by tracking how the energy changes across different hash functions. Our results show that Agile-Link reduces beam steering delay by orders of magnitude.
High-dose Interferon alfa-2a therapy was effective in chronic hepatitis D

Source Citation Farci P, Mandas A, Coiana A, et al. Treatment of chronic hepatitis D with interferon alfa-2a. N Engl J Med. 1994 Jan 13;330:88-94.
Analysis of Venn Diagrams Using Cycles in Graphs

This paper is the last in a series by the authors on the use of graph theory to analyze Venn diagrams on few curves. We complete the construction (and hence the enumeration) of spherical Venn diagrams on five curves, which yields additional results about conjectures of Grunbaum concerning which Venn diagrams are convex, which are exposed, and which can be drawn with congruent ellipses.
Peter Gunn and social fissure on US network television: Radicalism, regressivism and the machinery of night

Producer Blake Edwards’ Peter Gunn (1958–1961) appeared on US network television at a time when Beat poetry and bebop jazz were just making their mark on American culture. While Peter Gunn didn’t r...
Mendelian Disorders of RANKL/OPG/RANK/NF-κB Signaling

Abstract Revelation that the RANKL/OPG/RANK/NF-κB signaling pathway is a key modulator of osteoclast (OC) formation and action began in the 1990s with the discoveries of three new members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily (RANKL, OPG, and RANK). Soon after, genetically altered mice disclosed importance for these proteins in bone biology. Binding of RANKL to RANK promotes osteoclastogenesis and increased skeletal remodeling mediated through NF-κB signaling, whereas coupling of RANKL instead to its “decoy receptor” OPG inhibits this pathway. Subsequently, the significance of these proteins for humans was highlighted by the discoveries that mutation of the genes that encode RANKL ( TNFSF11 ), OPG ( TNFRSF11B ), and RANK ( TNFRSF11A ) explain several ultrarare but highly instructive Mendelian diseases that alter osteoclastogenesis and OC action. Those that activate the pathway (familial expansile osteolysis, early-onset Paget’s disease of bone, expansile skeletal hyperphosphatasia, panostotic expansile bone disease, and juvenile Paget’s disease) resemble classic Paget’s disease of bone. Those that deactivate the pathway cause “OC-poor” osteopetrosis due to impaired OC formation. In 2016, neonatal high bone mass became the newest heritable entity of this pathway and revealed the first mutation identified within the five-member NF-κB complex itself. This chapter reviews the clinical and laboratory features as well as the etiology and pathogenesis of these intriguing disorders.
Does the Past Shape Anticipation for the Future

Abstract. A positive association between executive function (a set of higher order, self-regulatory cognitive skills) and theory of mind (beliefs about mental states) has been well documented durin...
The Virtue of Love: A Foundation for Leadership

This chapter presents the seven things ‘love’ is and the eight things ‘love’ is not from 1Cor 13 and applies the 15 statements to leading and managing in contemporary organizations. Throughout 1Cor 13 Paul uses the word Agape for love, which implies that the concepts are about the beliefs from which behaviors (Agapao) would emerge.
Management of Melanoma Locoregional Recurrence

The incidence of melanoma continues to rise, and while most patients are diagnosed and treated early, up to 25% of patients may ultimately develop recurrent disease locally or within regional lymph nodes. Locoregional recurrence is defined as recurrence locally at the site of the primary lesion, regionally in the draining lymph node basin, and/or anywhere in between, but excludes distant metastatic disease. It can be characterized by as a “true recurrence” following adequate excision or “persistent” disease due to inadequate excision. Locoregional recurrence can also occur as in-transit metastases, defined as cutaneous or subcutaneous recurrence proximal to the primary lesion site and distal to the regional lymph node basin, generally greater than two centimeters from the original site of resection. Surgical removal is the mainstay of therapy for locoregional recurrence of melanoma and, at present, still offers the best chance for long-term cure. For those with unresectable disease, there are several additional treatment modalities. Regional therapy options include hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion (HILP) or isolated limb infusion (ILI), topical therapies, intralesional injection therapies, laser ablation, radiation therapy, and systemic therapy. With recent progress in systemic treatment options this approach can also be considered in those with unresectable, locoregional disease, especially when a clinical trial is available.
Asset Pricing with Subtle Information: Evidence from Equity Analysts Responses to Corporate Transactions

Certain corporate transactions (eg. insider purchases and buyback announcements) are known to be robust predictors of firm-level returns. However, I empirically show equity analysts largely ignore such informative, yet subtle, signals of stocks they cover. A trading strategy that follows consensus analysts' recommendaton after the release of insider purchase records significantly underperform the naive replication strategy. Such underperformances prevail even when I isolate out the most informative subsamples including purchases made by senior officers, by opportunistic insiders and consensus purchases. Applying the same method to stock buyback announcements lead to similar conclusions. Interestingly, an analysis of individual analysts' recommendations reveals large cross-sectional heterogeneity in their responses to subtle signals. Responsive analysts tend to be covering the firm for a longer period and have a shared educational background with firm's board.
Evolution of Central Metabolic Pathways: The Playground of Non-Orthologous Gene Displacement

One of the central goals of functional genomics is the complete reconstruction of the metabolic pathways of the organisms, for which genome sequences have been obtained. As discussed in Chapter 1, there is no chance that all necessary biochemical experiments are ever done in any substantial number of organisms. Therefore reconstructions made through comparative genomics, combined with the knowledge derived from experiments on model systems, are the only realistic path to a satisfactory understanding of the biochemical diversity of life and to the characterization of poorly studied and hard-to-grow organisms (including extremely important ones, e.g. the syphilis spirochete T. pallidum [243,887]).
Psychological Implications of Word Usage

We do not mean to imply that research on individual differences in word usage is easy or that investigations typically meet with success. Many studies have failed, either because no reliable categories of words were found or, if such categories were found, because no significant correlations were obtained with other forms of behavior. Only the naive would expect to find more than rather small correlations between individual differences in learning, perception, and social behavior and differences in word usage. Human behavior is so complexly determined that it is illogical to expect various kinds of individual differences to correlate highly. In order to document such small correlations it is necessary to work with relatively large samples of subjects. Usually 300 subjects or more are required for a study.