cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Auditor's pre-negotiation information, accuracy of financial reports and consulting services

This paper models the financial reporting process as a negotiation game between an auditor and a manager. Counterintuitively, this paper shows that, exogenously giving an auditor more pre-negotiation information can lead to less accurate financial reports by lowering the likelihood of a negotiation breakdown. The auditor's access to the pre-negotiation information is then endogenized by allowing the manager to strategically influence this information. The paper characterizes this manager's strategic information delegation decision. The main implication of the results deals with auditor's non-audit services. Consistent with the conjectured knowledge spillover, auditor's non-audit services are treated as a particular means for the manager to credibly convey information to the auditor. With this interpretation, a manager's incentives to influence auditor's information and the negotiation feature of the reporting process can create the appearance of a positive association between auditor's non-audit services and less accurate financial reports, even when auditor independence is not an issue.
Auditory perceptual grouping and attention in dyslexia

Despite dyslexia affecting a large number of people, the mechanisms underlying the disorder remain undetermined. There are numerous theories about the origins of dyslexia. Many of these relate dyslexia to low-level, sensory temporal processing deficits. Another group of theories attributes dyslexia to language-specific impairments. Here, we show that dyslexics perform worse than controls on an auditory perceptual grouping task. The results show differences in performance between the groups that depend on sound frequency and not solely on parameters related to temporal processing. Performance on this task suggests that dyslexics' deficits may result from impaired attentional control mechanisms. Such deficits are neither modality nor language-specific and may help to reconcile differences between theories of dyslexia.
EDUCATION AND POLITICAL TOLERANCE TESTING THE EFFECTS OF COGNITIVE SOPHISTICATION AND TARGET GROUP AFFECT

This paper examines the effects of education and cog- nitive sophistication on willingness to extend civil liberties to nonconformist groups. We conducted secondary analysis of the 1984 General Society Survey data. The results show that there is a strong tolerance dimension that cuts across groups and types of actions. We found strong positive effects of education on a multi- ple target group tolerance scale that included both left-wing and right-wing groups. A substantial fraction of the education effect on tolerance is mediated by cognitive sophistication. The effects of education on tolerance are strong even when a person has negative feelings toward the target group. This paper helps iden- tify why and when (e.g., cognitive sophistication and dislike of a target group) education enhances political tolerance. We discuss the implications of the research for debates on the education- tolerance relationship.
High density tantalum pentoxide decoupling capacitors

High-performance ICs require extremely low impedance power distribution. The low voltage, high current requirements of these devices must be provided by decoupling capacitors very close to the IC. Currently this decoupling is provided by discrete surface mount capacitors with relatively high parasitic inductance, requiring many devices in parallel to provide low impedance at high frequencies. Thin film, large area Ta/sub 2/O/sub 5/ dielectric capacitors exhibit very low parasitic inductance, but have been limited in capacitance density to -100 nF/cm/sub 2/ for single layer devices. Multilayer thin film capacitors can substantially increase the available capacitance. These multilayer thin film capacitors can be fabricated in a variety of ways, allowing them to be embedded between FR-4 layers, under ICs, or even embedded in IC packages. Last year at ECTC we described the initial results of two-layer capacitors fabricated on silicon. These devices had two dielectric layers and three copper plates. Now we have extended the technology to three dielectric layers, and have fabricated devices with dielectrics as thin as 1000 /spl Aring/, to yield a capacitance density of .6 /spl mu/F/cm/sup 2/. Capacitors are fabricated on silicon wafers by sputtering a metal plate topped with tantalum, and then wet anodizing the tantalum layer. The process is repeated to create a multilayer stack; then the stack is patterned from top to bottom by successive lithographic and etching steps. The paper describes the process in detail. Detailed electrical properties for the resulting devices, such as capacitance density, leakage current, breakdown voltage, and impedance will be presented. Using the three-layer process, we have fabricated devices for inclusion in a 3-D electronic assembly for a DARPA program, and these devices are described. Screening and test methods to ensure device reliability are discussed.
Training International Social Change Agents: Transcending a U.S. Counseling Paradigm

Recommendations are offered for training counseling students to address international issues. The authors discuss, for instance, the importance of learning about cultures outside the United States, the role of bias in international work, the dangers of implementing mental health delivery systems based on models derived in the United States, how to broaden one's research methodology, and the role of social change. Through this article, the authors hope to inspire counseling social change agents to consider the practice of counseling beyond the borders of the United States.
Regional variation in breast cancer treatment throughout the United States

Abstract Background It has been proposed that initial treatment for breast cancer varies greatly across the United States. However, one question that has not been answered completely is whether or not geographic location itself is an independent variable with regard to treatment. Methods The American College of Surgeons National Cancer Database Benchmark Reports (NCDB) were used to examine initial breast cancer treatment performed throughout the United States during the study period 1999–2003. These data were then stratified with regard to geographic region in accordance with the US Census Bureau classifications. Results There was a statistically significant relationship between geographic region and initial treatment of breast cancer. Although there were statistically significant relationships between race and geographic region and stage and geographic region, when the data were controlled for stage and race, the regional differences persisted. Stage-for-stage and within each racial cohort, the geographic differences in treatment were still statistically significant. Discussion This review suggests that geographic location within the United States is an independent variable with regard to breast cancer treatment.
Full-diversity full-rate complex-field space-time coding

Exciting developments in wireless multiantenna communications have led to designs aiming mainly at one of two objectives: either high-performance by enabling the diversity provided by multi-input multi-output (MIMO) channels or high-rates by capitalizing on space-time multiplexing gains to realize the high capacity of MIMO fading channels. By concatenating a linear complex-field coder (a.k.a. linear precoder) with a layered space-time mapper, we design systems capable of achieving both goals: full-diversity and full-rate (FDFR), with any number of transmit- and receive-antennas. We develop FDFR designs not only for flat-fading but for frequency-selective, or, time-selective fading MIMO channels as well. Furthermore, we establish the flexibility of our FDFR designs in striking desirable performance-rate-complexity tradeoffs. Our theoretical claims are confirmed by simulations.
Fast spin up of Ocean biogeochemical models using matrix-free Newton–Krylov

Abstract A novel computational approach is introduced for the efficient computation of equilibrium solutions of seasonally forced ocean biogeochemical models. The essential idea is to formulate the problem as a large system of nonlinear algebraic equations to be solved with a class of methods known as matrix-free Newton–Krylov (MFNK). MFNK is a combination of Newton-type methods for superlinearly convergent solution of nonlinear equations, and Krylov subspace methods for solving the Newton correction equations. The basic link between the two methods is the Jacobian-vector product, which may be probed approximately without forming and storing the elements of the true Jacobian. To render this approach practical for global models with O(10 6 ) degrees of freedom, a flexible preconditioning strategy is developed. The result is an essentially “black-box” numerical scheme than can be applied to most existing biogeochemical models. The method is illustrated by applying it to find the equilibrium solutions of two realistic biogeochemical problems. Compared with the conventional approach of direct time integration, the preconditioned-MFNK scheme is shown to be roughly two orders of magnitude more efficient. Several potential refinements of the basic algorithm that may yield further performance gains are discussed. The numerical scheme described here addresses a fundamental challenge to using ocean biogeochemical models more effectively.
Influence of pulse shape on the final plastic deformation of a circular plate

Abstract A closed-form solution is obtained for the dynamic plastic deformation of a simply-supported circular plate subjected to a pressure pulse of general shape. It is shown that the final plastic deformation is strongly dependent on the pulse shape. However, the effect of the pulse shape can be characterized by an effective pressure defined in terms of simple integrals of the pressure-time function.
Role of SHIP1 in Invariant NKT Cell Development and Functions

SHIP1 is a 5′-inositol phosphatase known to negatively regulate the signaling product of the PI3K pathway, phosphatidylinositol (3–5)-trisphosphate. SHIP1 is recruited to a large number of inhibitory receptors expressed on invariant NK (iNKT) cells. We hypothesized that SHIP1 deletion would have major effects on iNKT cell development by altering the thresholds for positive and negative selection. Germline SHIP1 deletion has been shown to affect T cells as well as other immune cell populations. However, the role of SHIP1 on T cell function has been controversial, and its participation on iNKT cell development and function has not been examined. We evaluated the consequences of SHIP1 deletion on iNKT cells using germline-deficient mice, chimeric mice, and conditionally deficient mice. We found that T cell and iNKT cell development are impaired in germline-deficient animals. However, this phenotype can be rescued by extrinsic expression of SHIP1. In contrast, SHIP1 is required cell autonomously for optimal iNKT cell cytokine secretion. This suggests that SHIP1 calibrates the threshold of iNKT cell reactivity. These data further our understanding of how iNKT cell activation is regulated and provide insights into the biology of this unique cell lineage.
Aberrant Expression and Potential Function for Parotid Secretory Protein (PSP) in the NOD (Non-Obese Diabetic) Mouse

The protein and mucin-rich secretions derived from the salivary, lacrimal, and other minor exocrine tissues are essential for maintaining the health and integrity of the oral and ocular surfaces.1 For the most part, both tear and saliva secretions serve similar functions and contain many of the same protein constituents, e.g., EGF, NGF, TGF-α, lactoferrin, lysozyme, and immunoglobulins.1,2 These proteins provide anti-microbial defense mechanisms, growth factors important for mucosal tissue maintenance and regeneration, and mucinous lubricating agents.
Assessing global leadership competencies: the critical role of assessment centre methodology

The purpose of this conceptual paper is to examine the use of assessment centre (AC) methodology for addressing the ever-increasing demand for effective talent management of global leaders. Research is reviewed on the most commonly used questionnaire tools for assessing global leadership competencies, which lack the AC’s ability to provide behavioural evidence of leadership competency. A literature search is conducted to identify the extent to which scholarly research to date has examined the use of ACs to measure global leadership competencies. Based on the findings from the review of the literature, the authors recommend further exploration of a leadership AC approach as a ‘best practice’ talent management tool for measuring global leadership competencies. A framework is provided for designing ACs to evaluate and provide developmental feedback on the competencies identified as critical for successful leadership performance in an organization’s global environment.
Inverse Scattering Algorithms for the Commutant Lifting Theorem

In this chapter we will obtain a complete characterization of all contractive intertwining liftings B of A in the commutant lifting theorem. As in Section VII.8 we show that there is a one to one correspondence between the set of all contractive intertwining liftings B of A and the set of all choice sequence initiated from G to G′. Then we present an inverse scattering algorithm to compute the choice sequence associated with B. By using an approach based on choice sequences we give a Schur type representation of B. This Schur representation shows that the set of all contraction intertwining liftings B of A is given by a “linear fractional transformation” of a contractive analytic function R in H∞(G, G′). Next by recursively using Theorem 3.1 in Chapter IV we present four more scattering algorithms for the commutant lifting theorem. We will give another proof of the fact that there is a one to one correspondence between the set of all contractive intertwining liftings of A and the set of all choice sequences initiated from G to G′. If A is a strict contraction, then by choosing the appropriate operators T and T′ two of these algorithms reduce to the Schur algorithm, namely to Procedure 4.3 and Procedure 5.6 used in Chapter Ito compute the reflection coefficients from the Caratheodory data. To complete this chapter we will use our Schur representation to obtain the Adamjan, Arov and Krein formula for characterizing all contractive intertwining liftings of a strictly contractive Hankel operator. This naturally leads to a computational procedure for computing all contractive intertwining liftings for a strictly contractive Hankel operator whose symbol is rational. As a demonstration of this procedure we provide another derivation of the Schur representation (I.3.8) used in solving the Caratheodory interpolation problem.
Which Cues Matter? The Implications of Stereotype Appeals and Explicit Predispositions for Group-Centric Issue Opinion

While evidence of explicit prejudice may have declined in the general population as norms against overt bias have taken hold, knowledge of negative stereotypes has been shown to persist in the minds of most citizens. Previous research has shown that political elites can exploit these latent considerations, influencing opinion and shaping candidate evaluations. Many citizens are alarmingly sensitive to subtle stereotypical appeals in campaign rhetoric. This project seeks to build upon this theoretical framework by expanding the consideration of the subtle application of stereotypes to the formation of issue opinions more generally, while also considering the interactive effects of cues and prior predispositions. To do so I use a series of experiments, in which subjects are exposed to implicit verbal and visual cues. The results suggest that contextually neutral visual primes also have powerful effects on opinion, but that these effects may be moderated by explicitly endorsed stereotypes.
Abstract 231: Role of SDF-1α-induced Double Reciprocal E-Selectin/Ligand Pairs in Mediating Recruitment of Endothelial Progenitor Cells to Ischemic Wounds

Introduction: We previously reported that stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α)-induced endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) homing is enhanced by up-regulation of E-selectin (E-sel) on luminal endothelial cells (EC) lining capillaries, locally within wound tissues. We now investigate how elevated SDF-1α in wounds achieves a remote effect on bone marrow-derived (BMD) circulating EPC. Methods: SDF-1α-induced cell adhesion molecules in human EPC and human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) were profiled using PCR-Array and validated by immunoblot. Induction of E-sel expression on murine BMD- and circulating EPC by SDF-1α was examined by flow cytometry. The involvement of E-sel/ligand in mediating SDF-1α-induced EPC-EC interaction and EPC transendothelial migration was studied using in vitro EPC-EC binding assay. The role of SDF-1α-induced E-sel in regulating EPC homing, wound neovascularization and healing were furthered studied by testing EPC from ROSA26-LacZ+/E-sel -/- versus ROSA26-LacZ+/E-sel +/+ m...
Diseases of Aging: Viral Genes and Perturbation of Differentiated Functions in Persistent Infection

Here we present evidence that viruses alter the differentiated (luxury) function of a cell without affecting the cell’s vital (house keeping) activity. The outcome may be disturbed homeostasis and, thereby, disease. These events can occur with neither altered cell morphology nor cell destruction. Hence, viruses can induce disease by “silently” infecting cells in the absence of ordinarily expected footprints of viral infection. These events may foment the fatal physiologic breakdowns characteristic of aging.
Environmental Health Aspects of Carbon Black

Abstract Commercial carbon black is a high purity material consisting of more than 99% colloidal carbon. It differs from environmental soots in that the latter are uncontrolled mixtures of various forms of particulate carbon and relatively large amounts of organic tars, resins, and inorganic salts and oxides. Carbon black is considered to be a suspect carcinogen by incorrect analogy with high-extract soot and because it contains polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH's), some of which are carcinogens. It is well established, however, that commercial carbon black which has only trace amounts of adsorbed PAH is neither mutagenic nor carcinogenic. Furthermore, carbon black does not cause heart disease or other major illness in animals, except for symptoms associated with lung congestion at dust levels more than tenfold greater than the OSHA PEL of 3.5 mg/ra3. Epidemiologic studies of workers exposed to carbon black dust in North America and Western Europe show no excess in mortality or morbidity due to cance...
Suitability of legume cover crops for grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) development and reproduction

The use of legume cover crops is a potentially valuable practice in mitigating problems associated with annual crop-fallow rotations in the Northern Plains. Because grasshoppers may become a pest in a cover crop system, we determined the suitability of 4 annual legumes for grasshopper development and reproduction. No-choice diets of grass pea (Lathyros sativus L.), lentil ( Lens culinaris Medikus), field pea ( Pisum sativum L.), and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) were fed to 5 species of grasshoppers: Melanoplus bivittatus (Say), Melanoplus differentialis (Thomas), Melanopltls femtlrrubrum (De Geer), Melanoplus packardii Scudder, and Melanoplus sangllinipes (F.). Field pea and lentil were the least suitable legumes when considering the combination of grasshopper survival, development, and reproduction. The effect was most pronounced for M.sanguinipes and M. femurrubrum. These grasshoppers displayed poor survival and delayed development when fed field pea or lentil compared with other legumes or a control. Adult fecundity and fertility of eggs also were adversely affected when no-choice diets of field pea or lentil were offered. For M.packardii, a nymphal diet of field pea resulted in the poorest development; grasshoppers fed an adult diet of field pea did not reproduce. M. bivittatus and M. differentialis experienced limited mortality when fed field pea or lentil. Nevertheless, development was substantially delayed and reproduction inhibited to varying degrees. Field pea and lentil appear to have good potential in providing the benefits of cover crops, while decreasing the economic impact of common grasshopper species.
The Religion Reformation Movement:The Religious Background of the Origins of the Modern Science

From the view of culture,the Religion Reformation and the changes brought about by itself constituted one of the important background of the origin and development of the modern science.The separation of State and Church that the religious reform advocated,had swept away the system obstacles in the development of the natural science to a great degree.Thus allowing people to think the world according to their own understanding,and it has cultivated the Critical Inquiry and the independent thinking spirit for the natural sciences and strengthened the belief of the existing orders in Nature.To recognize nature is to know God which enhanced by the Reformation had become the religion motivation of the human being exploring Nature.The emphasizing of being satisfied with knowing Nature can bring inherent spirit and external wealth,which was coincide with the research function of the natural science.It was the discovery of human nature,the respect for human nature and the transformation of human nature that the Christian glorified,got the further reveal at a baptism of the reformation.The individual's own cognitive and social external recognition on the Society-entry profession supported the Research of the Natural Science.Although the Reformation can't eliminate the fundamental opposition between science and religion,and sometimes even strengthened this kind of antithesis,the significant transformations from the aspects of the God view,the natural view and the human nature view which the Reformation involved——has provided the essential environment with other humanistic background for the origin and development of the modern science.
Polymyalgia rheumatica with low erythrocyte sedimentation rate at diagnosis.

Objective. To determine the frequency and clinical characteristics of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) with low erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) at diagnosis in a community based cohort of 232 patients. Methods. A retrospective review of medical records of all the patients with a diagnosis of PMR in Olmsted County, Minnesota, seen and followed over a 22 year period, from 1970 through 1991. Results. Seventeen (7.3 %) patients had ESR < 40 mm/h at diagnosis. The findings and outcome in these patients were compared with the others in the group. There was no difference in sex or age between the 2 groups. Both groups had the same delay to diagnosis, typical gradual onset of the disease, the same frequency of both proximal and distal stiffness/pain, and the same frequency of synovitis. Systemic features were less frequent in the low ESR group than in the high ESR group (59 vs 81%, p = 0.05). Mean ESR in the low ESR group was 26 ± 9 mm/h versus 74 ± 24 mm/h in the high ESR group. The mean hemoglobin concentration was significantly lower (p = 0.0015) in the high compared to the low ESR group (12.2 ± 1.4 g/dl versus 13.3 ± 1.3 g/dl). The frequency of positive temporal artery biopsy and of diagnosed giant cell arteritis was the same in the 2 groups. Initial response to therapy, frequency of relapses, number of patients going into remission, time to remission, and daily dose of steroids were the same in both groups. Conclusion. Other than more frequent systemic symptoms, our population of patients with PMR and low ESR at diagnosis had similar clinical characteristics and course of disease as patients with high ESR at diagnosis.
Lapsed Catholics and Pious Secularists: Religious Messaging and Voter Persuasion Among US Catholics

To what extent do religious messages persuade Catholic voters to support progressive positions on issues beyond the typical boundaries of the culture wars, like budget reform? I argue that the effect of such messages should be conditioned not only by expected factors like religious tradition, but also by preexisting individual beliefs regarding the appropriate place of religion in politics. “Pious secularists,” those who attend regularly but value separation of politics from church life, should be particularly skeptical of religious-political messaging. Survey experiments conducted on a random sample of white Catholics in the Midwest during the 2012 election season test this and other theoretical claims. Results indicate various factors mediate the persuasive effect of religious messaging. Pious secularists do indeed stand out from other Catholics, as do lapsed Catholics and those born under the papacy of John Paul II. Highlighting this internal variation provides an avenue for future research into diversity within Catholic voting behavior, and helps to explain the limited success of attempts from both sides of the partisan spectrum to mobilize the Catholic vote in recent elections.
REVERSIBLE AND IRREVERSIBLE B CELL TOLERANCE: DISTINGUISHING PROPERTIES AND MECHANISMS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the distinguishing properties and mechanisms of reversible and irreversible B cell tolerance. Two readily discernible forms of B cell inactivation with possibly distinct tolerogenic mechanisms provide usable investigative models to further the understanding of tolerance mechanisms, and to develop clinically applicable methods for specifically abolishing deleterious antibody responses. The two readily discernible forms of B cell inactivation are: (1) rapidly irreversible B cell tolerance of which the paradigm example is the DNP-specific inactivation induced by DNP-D-GL and perhaps comparable molecules, and (2) reversible B cell inactivation, probably best termed B cell refractoriness, which can be induced by appropriate exposure of cells either to metabolizable, conventional, or autologous antigens or a certain class of T-independent antigens, namely, pneumococcal polysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide.
A Finite Element Model Updating Method Considering Environmental Impacts

Many researchers have observed a strong correlation between variation in structural modal properties and environmental change especially temperature fluctuation. The environmental variability of modal properties might cause uncertainties in modal properties identification. Therefore in vibration-based damage detection field, a practical issue is to discriminate temperature-induced changes in modal properties from those caused by structural damage. Currently, several techniques have been developed to help eliminate the temperature influence, such as using a linear filter to separate the temperature effects. Meanwhile, detailed studies on the influence from other environmental factors, for instance, boundary condition change, are lacking. This paper proposes a novel finite element (FE) method that can consider temperature and boundary condition change, and brings insight to how environment factors influence structural modal properties and how to consider them in the model updating process. In the proposed method, temperature and boundary condition information is incorporated into stiffness formulation of the FE model. A numerical example of damage detection on a pedestrian bridge with several damage scenarios combined with environmental variation is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Also, the sensitivity range of each updating parameter is discussed in details.
Point Counterpoint Debate: Endotracheal Tube Securement in the NICU☆

Abstract Neonatal care is a highly complex specialized area in medicine and nursing. While evidence is growing to support our interventions, many “gray” areas still exist. This column on “Point-Counter Point” is meant to evoke more questions than answers, to debate the pros and cons on topics – not suggesting one is right, the other wrong. We invite your thoughts.
Quantitative Risk Assessment for Inorganic Arsenic: Determining a Significant Risk

On January 14, 1983, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration published its first formal quantitative risk assessment as part of the rulemaking for the inorganic arsenic standard. In addition to making determinations concerning the scientific issues surrounding the carcinogenicity of arsenic, the Agency had to make initial determinations about general risk assessment methodology and policy issues such as the definition of “significant.” This paper will discuss the approach OSHA took in its first risk assessment endeavor.
Clathrin polymerization exhibits high mechano-geometric sensitivity

How tension modulates cellular transport has become a topic of interest in the recent past. However, the effect of tension on clathrin assembly and vesicle growth remains less understood. Here, we use the classical Helfrich theory to predict the energetic cost that clathrin is required to pay to remodel the membrane at different stages of vesicle formation. Our study reveals that this energetic cost is highly sensitive to not only the tension in the membrane but also to the instantaneous geometry of the membrane during shape evolution. Our study predicts a sharp reduction in clathrin coat size in the intermediate tension regime (0.01-0.1 mN m-1). Remarkably, the natural propensity of the membrane to undergo bending beyond the Ω shape causes a significant decrease in the energy needed from clathrin to drive vesicle growth. Our studies in mammalian cells confirm a reduction in clathrin coat size in an increased tension environment. In addition, our findings suggest that the two apparently distinct clathrin assembly modes, namely coated pits and coated plaques, observed in experimental investigations might be a consequence of varied tensions in the plasma membrane. Overall, the mechano-geometric sensitivity revealed in this study might also be at play during the polymerization of other membrane remodeling proteins.
Does the Fed Have the Legal Authority to Buy Equities

This short piece, an invited contribution to Miles Kimball's economics blog, considers the scope of the Federal Reserve's power to conduct so-called unconventional monetary policy. There is no decisional law in this area, and relevant statutory and regulatory guidance is extremely limited. Acknowledging this legal uncertainty, the piece contends that the Fed may nevertheless enjoy greater power to conduct unconventional policy than is currently assumed, including the power to purchase equities on the open market. It further argues that a decision by the Fed to buy equities would probably receive Chevron deference, meaning it would be difficult to overturn judicially. Finally, as a practical matter, the piece argues that the difficulty of meeting standing requirements—i.e., the obligation of plaintiffs to demonstrate a concrete, particularized harm flowing from a policy decision to buy equities—may constitute an insuperable barrier to legal challenges. In sum, a decision by the Fed to purchase equities on the open market may be lawful, virtually impossible to challenge in court, or both.
Antecedents and consequences of customer brand engagement in integrated resorts

Abstract The present study identifies the key antecedents and outcomes of customer brand engagement in the integrated resort context using a mixed method. A qualitative study reveals that integrated resort brand experience is multidimensional, and varying effects on brand engagement is found from a quantitative study. In particular, sensory and affective experiences all positively influence cognitive engagement. In addition, behavioral experience influences behavioral engagement, whereas intellectual brand experience positively affects cognitive and behavioral engagements with the integrated resort brand. Furthermore, the results show that brand engagements positively influence customers’ behavioral intention in the future. Hypotheses were also tested by employing multi-group structural equation modeling. Male, low-education, and low-income level customers placed more importance on sensory brand experience than female, high-education, and high-income level customers. The findings of this study can provide academicians and practitioners a guide to improve customer engagement and loyalty toward an integrated resort brand.
Nucleic Acid-Based Encapsulations for Cancer Diagnostics and Drug Delivery

With the advancements in proteomics, it is now known that molecular abnormalities found in cancerous cells stem mostly from the proteins involved in signaling pathways including growth factors, receptors, intracellular mediators, and transcription factors. These proteins or molecular determinants can be used as potential “targets” or “biomarkers” for cancer diagnosis and treatments. Affinity devices using nucleic acids are getting growing attention due to their superior selectivity, ease in replicability, and much better stability in diverse condition. Molecules like aptamers can form suitable secondary/tertiary structures that can bind to specific biological molecules. These properties of aptamers, or in general nucleic acids, to form secondary structures are utilized to create novel biomedical tools for pathological applications as well as in drug delivery approaches. This chapter focuses on the use of DNA and RNA molecules as nanomechanical devices, and their abilities to transform into numerous structural conformations like nanogrids, cages, tiles, etc. The selective hybridization of nucleic acids to make 2D and 3D constructs for detection and treatment of cancer are discussed.
Dating Proxy Data

Instrumental records span only a small fraction of the Earth’s history. To extend the knowledge of past events, i.e. climate, one resorts to the study of natural processes which are climate dependent. A proxy record of climate can be obtained if a measurable parameter (e.g. an isotope ratio) that records the climate dependence has been preserved.
Dialysis dependence and modality impact complication rates after shoulder arthroplasty.

Background The goals of the study were to determine (1) the incidence of dialysis patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty (SA), (2) the association of dialysis modality with complications after SA, and (3) the association of dialysis dependence with death in patients undergoing SA and nonsurgical dialysis-dependent controls. Methods Using an insurance database, we identified dialysis-dependent patients undergoing SA and compared them with a matched control cohort without dialysis use. We performed an analysis comparing patients using peritoneal dialysis (PD), patients using hemodialysis (HD), matched non–dialysis-dependent controls, and matched PD and HD nonsurgical patients. Complications including in-hospital death, emergency department visits, hospital readmission, infection, and revision surgery were assessed. Results The incidence of SA in dialysis patients has significantly increased. Compared with controls, dialysis-dependent patients had increased rates of in-hospital death (odds ratio [OR], 7.60; P Conclusions Although dialysis represents a significant independent risk factor for complications after SA, this risk is highly influenced by the type of dialysis.
Anterolateral Ligament Reconstruction Practice Patterns Across the United States.

Background:A proposed mechanism for recurrent instability following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is failure of the anterolateral ligament (ALL). Presently, there are a number of ...
Viscous resistance in drop coalescence

Hydrodynamics of drop coalescence has been studied theoretically and numerically by solving the Navier Stokes equation considering a single fluid after the minimum bridge formation. Many experiments have been performed to document bridge growth over time with the use of high speed videography and electrical methods. However, internal fluid motion during coalescence has not been extensively studied, in part due to the spherical shape of the drops. This work observed overall fluid motion (except at the site of early coalescence) using particle image velocimetry for two-dimensional (sandwiched drop) coalescence. Fluid motion inside the bulk drops is inertial, and governing fluid flow in the bridge region is one dimensional. At the merging interface, incoming liquids join and coflow in the perpendicular direction. These observations were extended to a three-dimensional counterpart, and a scaling law was developed that was validated through experimentation. While flow in the bulk drops is inertial, the dominant resistance comes through a viscous effect in the merging interface region and at the lesser extent in the bridge region. Early dynamics of drop coalescence is dominated by the Ohnesorge number (Oh), and later dynamics are dependent on how drops are bounded.
Statistical Learning as a Model for Intertextuality

The diverse phenomena which have been treated under the label intertextuality can all be seen as aspects of a general human ability to extract statistical patterns from complex data.
Revisited: Assessing the in vivo data on low/no-calorie sweeteners and the gut microbiota

Over the last two decades, safety concerns about low/no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) have been described in the archival scientific literature including elevated risk of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, excessive weight gain, cardiovascular disease, safety, and disruption of the gut microbiome. A recent review by Lobach, Roberts, and Roland in Food and Chemical Toxicology examined 17 research articles on modulation of gut bacteria by LNCS along with other selected publications. In the conclusions of their paper, they claim that LNCS 1) do not affect gut microbiota at use levels and 2) are safe at levels approved by regulatory agencies. Both of these claims are incorrect. The scientific literature on LNCS clearly indicates that it is inappropriate to draw generalized conclusions regarding effects on gut microbiota and safety issues for compounds that vary widely chemical structure and pharmacokinetics. Scientific studies on the sweetener sucralose, used here as a representative LNCS, indicate that this organochlorine compound unequivocally and irrefutably disrupts the gut microbiome at doses relevant to human use. Results of dozens of additional research publications added and reviewed here also raise significant and extensive concerns about the safety of sucralose for the human food supply.
Junctional ectopic tachycardia in infants and children.

Tachyarrhythmias originating in the atrioventricular (AV) node and AV junction including the bundle of His complex (BH) are called junctional tachycardia (JT) or junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET). Congenital JET (CJET) is a rare arrhythmia that occurs in patients without a preceding cardiac surgery and can be refractory to medical therapy and associated with high morbidity and mortality. CJET has a high rate of morbidity and mortality with death occurring in 35% of cases. JET occurring within 72 hours after cardiac surgery is referred to as postoperative JET (POJET) and caused by direct trauma, ischemic, or stretch injury to the AV conduction tissues during surgical repair of congenital heart defects. Focal junctional tachycardia (FJT) is also known as automatic junctional tachycardia and includes paroxysmal or non-paroxysmal forms. We discuss a staged approach to therapy with improved pharmacological therapies and the use of catheter-based therapies.
A new approach to both high safety and high performance of lithium-ion batteries

We present a novel concept to achieve high performance and high safety simultaneously by passivating a Li-ion cell and then self-heating before use. By adding a small amount of triallyl phosphate in conventional electrolytes, we show that resistances of the passivated cells can increase by ~5×, thereby ensuring high safety and thermal stability. High power before battery operation is delivered by self-heating to an elevated temperature such as 60°C within tens of seconds. The present approach of building a resistive cell with highly stable materials and then delivering high power on demand through rapid thermal stimulation leads to a revolutionary route to high safety when batteries are not in use and high battery performance upon operation.
Social Insurance and Public Assistance in the Twentieth-Century United States

The growth of American governments in the twentieth century included large increases in funds for social insurance and public assistance. Social insurance has increased far more than public assistance, so “rise in the social insurance state” is a far better description of the century than “rise in the welfare state.” The United States has increased total spending in these areas as much or more as have European countries, but the U.S. spending has relied less heavily on government programs. In the U.S. states largely determine the benefits for many of the public assistance and social insurance programs, leading to large variation in the benefits across the country. I develop estimates of these benefits across time and place and compare them to the poverty line, manufacturing earnings and benefits, state per capita incomes in the US, as well as GDP per capita in countries throughout the world.
Socially responsible funds and market crises

Abstract Compared to matched conventional mutual funds, socially responsible mutual funds outperform during periods of market crises. This dampening of downside risk comes at the cost of underperforming during non-crisis periods. Investors seeking downside protection would value the asymmetry of these returns. This asymmetric return pattern is driven by the mutual funds that focus on environmental, social, or governance (ESG) attributes and is especially pronounced in ESG funds that use positive screening techniques. Furthermore, the observed patterns are attributed to the funds’ socially responsible attributes and not the differences in fund portfolio management or the characteristics of the companies in fund portfolios.
A rare case of a bifurcated uvula in a 20-year-old.

A 20-year-old man presented to the emergency department with a sore throat and general malaise for 2 days. On evaluation, an incidental bifurcated uvula was noted without any acute oropharyngeal abnormalities ([figure 1][1]). He reported the bifurcated uvula was likely congenital as his parents
Police and Fire Pensions in Florida: A Comparison of Conditions After 10 Years:

This article is an analysis of 31 defined benefit police and fire pension plans of 20 municipalities in Florida. The authors conducted a similar assessment of these same plans ten years earlier to ...
The Links Between Economic Activity and Inflation: Resolving The Inflation and Wage Growth Puzzles

Vlieghe (2018:7) refers to the “’exchange rate effects” of inflation and in this sense, a distinction is made between inflation which is attributed to a rise in prices, namely import prices – when the rate of exchange makes it more expensive for products to be imported – with the resulting effects that price increases are passed on to consumers. The central bank effect, as will be further highlighted in this paper, refers to the possible impact/s generated by central bank officials in responding to achieve inflation targets, by raising or lowering interest rates – and can hence be referred to as “the interest rate effect.” Daly (2019:4) on the other hand, argues that the “Fed Wedge” has contributed to the weakening of the link between economic activity and inflation. Why can some economic indicators still be considered to be applicable and relevant – even in an environment where so many advancements and financial instruments have significantly altered the financial landscape which existed over the years? In particular, why can the Philips Curve still be considered applicable and relevant – with reference to wage inflation and productivity? More importantly, what economic indicators can serve to provide more reliable indicators of inflationary levels once more temporary elements, as induced by import prices, have diminished?
Infective endocarditis in pregnancy from 2009 to 2019: the consequences of injection drug use.

Endocarditis during pregnancy carries a maternal mortality of up to 30%, but prior publications do not reflect the current opioid epidemic.We reviewed our institution’s infective endocarditis regis...
More than a fertilizer: wastewater-derived struvite as a high value, sustainable fire retardant

Recovery of struvite at wastewater treatment plants provides a beneficial fertilizer while preventing costly operational issues due to precipitation in pipes, pumps, and digesters. At present, however, sale of struvite as fertilizer is hampered by low revenues. A higher value proposition of struvite is its use in phosphorus-based fire retardants, in which phosphoric acids released at elevated temperatures react catalytically with organic substrates to produce layers of carbon char that smother the flame. In this work, we evaluated the fire retardant performance of wastewater-derived struvite suspended in a low-cost viscoelastic hydrogel carrier (0.68% hydroxyethylcellulose, 0.12% methylcellulose, and 5% colloidal silica nanoparticles). The effectiveness of this formulation was compared to that of a conventional polyphosphate-based fire retardant in thermogravimetric analyses of wood samples and lab-scale burn tests of dry grass. The struvite-based formulation exhibited performance comparable to the polyphosphate retardant while requiring 60% less total phosphorus. Moreover, because struvite is derived from wastewater, applications of struvite in fire retardants can offset demand for mined phosphorus, a finite resource. Analysis of supply and demand for conventional fire retardants in the US indicates that wastewater treatment plants could produce sufficient amounts of struvite-based fire retardants to meet US demands for wildfire suppression while significantly improving revenues over direct struvite fertilizer sales. We conclude that wastewater-derived struvite is a promising green chemistry agent for fire retardants and can contribute to global phosphorus conservation.
Value of a Higher Education: 2021 Non-parametric Analysis of a Targeted LinkedIn Survey Instrument

The costs of a higher education are preclusive for many people, this is true despite the trend over the years for legal policy to encourage access for underrepresented demographics. This paper reports on the free-education trend through inquiry of a variety of professionals, students, and academics via LinkedIn (n=621). After conducting a series of Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests, the results showed that higher education holds definite perceptual value, while also poses problems in terms of cost. The true cost of some higher education versus its practical, financial, future-value remains an issue to be balanced by society. This debate will also need to implicate access to education by poor and minority demographics. There is a definable need for further studies comparing policy options. Whether they are derived from social media or a conference room is less important than not having these discourses at all.