cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Global Production Planning Under Exchange-Rate Uncertainty

Motivated by an aggregate production-planning problem in an actual global manufacturing network, we examine the impact of exchange-rate uncertainty on the choice of optimal production policies when the allocation decision can be deferred until the realization of exchange rates. This leads to the formulation of the problem as a two-stage recourse program whose optimal policy structure features two forms of flexibility denoted as operational hedging: (1) production hedging, where the firm deliberately produces less than the total demand; and (2) allocation hedging, where due to unfavorable exchange rates, some markets are not served despite having unused production. Our characterization of the optimal policy structure leads to an economic valuation of production and allocation hedging. We show that the prevalence of production hedging is moderated by the degree of correlation between exchange rates. A comprehensive examination under the following four generalized settings provides the depth, scope, and relevancy that our proposed operational hedges play to facilitate aggregate planning: (1) multiple periods, (2) demand uncertainty, (3) price setting or monopolistic pricing, and (4) price setting under demand uncertainty. We show that production and allocation hedging are robust for these generalizations and should be integrated into the overall aggregate planning strategy of a global manufacturing firm.
A Contextual Approach to Claim of Right in Adverse Possession Cases: On Van Valkenburgh v. Lutz, Bad Faith, and Mistaken Boundaries

This Article shows that, in adverse possession disputes, a uniform approach to the claim of right inquiry can produce undesirable results. To reach the desired result in one type of adverse possession case, a court might be forced to adopt a particular approach for determining whether the possessor had the required state of mind (“claim of right”). In a different type of adverse possession case, however, using this same approach might produce a result that the court finds objectionable. Thus, to reach the desired outcome for each type of adverse possession case a court must resolve, a court might be compelled to adopt a different test for measuring the possessor’s state of mind. This Article suggests that much of the confusion regarding the claim of right inquiry can be attributed to a failure to recognize the analytical point made herein — namely, that a uniform approach to the claim of right inquiry will often be problematic. Recognizing that adverse possession arises in factually distinct contexts — and accepting that different rules could apply in each of these contexts — should resolve much of the confusion associated with the claim of right inquiry.
Optimal Operation Strategies for Thermal Energy Storage Systems in Solar Thermal Power Plants

This paper examines the economic benefits of various operation strategies for a thermal energy storage (TES) system in a solar thermal power plant. A thermodynamic model developed to evaluate different design options has been utilized to calculate system performance and assess the impact of operation strategies, storage capacity, and market prices on the value of TES. The overall performance is also investigated through several parametric studies, such as solar multiple, geographic location, and choice of HTF. The influence of these parameters has been evaluated in consideration of exergy destruction due to heat transfer and pressure drop. By incorporating exergy-based optimization alongside traditional energy analyses, the results of this study evaluate the optimal values for key parameters in the design and operation of TES systems, as well as highlight opportunities to minimize thermodynamic losses. Annual performance for each case is characterized both by nominal and part-load efficiency. Levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) is calculated for all cases, illustrating a set of optimal parameters that yield a minimum LCOE value.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Dialogue, Deferred and Differentiated

When agency actions are challenged in court multiple times in an iterative fashion, the resulting dialogue offers insights into the features of the court/agency relationship that are not necessarily apparent in other contexts. In Deference and Dialogue in Administrative Law, I examine a number of serial cases and develop a dialogic account of the resulting back-and-forth exchanges. In his thoughtful response, Of Dialogue — and Democracy — in Administrative Law, Professor Jim Rossi offers additional considerations for developing a fuller account of dialogue in administrative law. This reply takes up Professor Rossi’s invitation to consider how reviewability doctrines factor into the dialogic account of administrative law. In addition, it offers a more broadly conceived view of dialogue as an attractive and important legitimizing component of effective governance.
The role of guidelines in managing diseases.

Achieving optimum outcomes for our patients clearly is going to require more than making the correct diagnosis and writing the right prescription. If patients cannot access the prescriptions needed to achieve the desired outcome, providers will be judged falling short of the mark. Achieving optimum outcomes requires not only understanding Medicare Part D, but also using this knowledge to develop an efficient and effective office system to gain access to all medically necessary prescriptions.
Miniaturized Reconfigurable Multiband Antenna For Multiradio Wireless Communication

This paper introduces a general methodical approach for designing frequency reconfigurable antennas. This method was successfully used to design a novel coplanar waveguide (CPW)-fed slot frequency reconfigurable antenna capable of operating at four preselected frequency bands distributed over a wide frequency range from ~ 59.5 MHz to ~ 1000 MHz (i.e., ~ 4 octaves of bandwidth) while keeping its overall size as small as possible. To add reconfigurablility to the antenna, optimally-designed and electronically-controllable PIN diode-loaded slots were used to strategically manipulate the flow of current path and consequently change the characteristics of the antenna. Designing for the lowest operating frequency (59.5 MHz), capacitor-loaded meandered slot lines and reconfigurable matching network were implemented to keep the size of the antenna as small as possible. The resulting overall size of the antenna is only 0.06λL×0.06λL where λL is calculated at 59.5 MHz. The measurement results verified that the antenna successfully operates at 59.25-59.75 MHz, 314-398 MHz, 430-496 MHz, and 792-950 MHz, all with an almost omnidirectional pattern and an acceptable gain.
Regulating Stock Market Crashes and Information Uncertainty: A Matter of Regulatory Style and Structure?

As recent global stock market crashes have brought to light – particularly massive sell outs which were instigated in response to panics about the actual state of economic growth of strategic investment partners and emerging economies, nothing moves consumers and investors more than information uncertainty – fueled by lack of transparency, loss of investor confidence or suspicions related to inaccurate information disclosure. Whilst the structure of financial regulation played a role in the 2008/2009 Financial Crisis, particularly reflected in responses of many leading economies which adopted unified financial regulatory structures – in response to changing environmental factors and global developments such as conglomeration and globalization – as well as the need to address the increased impact of risk in regulation, and the rise of shadow banking, many other factors and dynamics appear to be operating in recent stock market crashes at Wall Street and global stock markets. As highlighted with the tripartite arrangements for financial supervision in the United Kingdom, as well as recent stock markets crashes at Wall Street, the crucial factors fueling panics and sudden crashes, frequently boils down to information asymmetries, extent of uncertainty, and lack of transparency and disclosure of vital financial data. Amongst other vital issues, this paper addresses whether or not it is advantageous to regulate both securities investments and consumer financial instruments through entities such as the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, or through various specialized agencies, as is accomplished in the United States through the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Natriuretic Peptide Guided Therapy in Outpatient Heart Failure Management

An increased focus on precision outpatient heart failure management has the potential to decrease the significant morbidity, mortality and cost associated with heart failure hospitalization. Natriuretic peptides represent an objective and reproducible surrogate measurement of cardiac function and volume status which is widely available in the ambulatory setting. Initial trials using natriuretic peptides to guide therapy in ambulatory heart failure patients have shown promise in decreasing associated morbidity and mortality, however, have been limited by significant inter-study variability in inclusion criteria, threshold natriuretic peptide levels and implementation of therapeutic intervention.
Autonomous front tracking by a Wave Glider

Coastal upwelling brings cooler, saltier, and nutrient-rich deep water upward to the surface. Upwelling fronts support enriched phytoplankton and zooplankton populations, thus having great influences on ocean ecosystems. We have developed a method to enable a Wave Glider (an autonomous surface vehicle) to autonomously detect and track an upwelling front. Unlike an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) which runs on a yo-yo trajectory to measure vertical profiles of water properties, a Wave Glider's measurements are confined to the surface (from the “float”) and a fixed depth of only several meters (from the submerged “glider”). However, an upwelling front presents a strong surface signature that a Wave Glider can detect. Because the upwelling process brings up cold water from depth, surface temperature in an upwelling region is considerably lower than that in stratified water. A Wave Glider can detect the upwelling front based on the horizontal gradient of the near-surface temperature. We have tested the algorithm by using previous AUV data (only using near-surface temperature measurements) and Wave Glider data. We plan to run field experiments in the summer of 2016 and report the results in the presentation.
Mediated diffusion: Translating professional practice across schools in a high-stakes system

Educational systems across the globe are attempting to reshape the vertical and horizontal dimensions of school accountability. The vertical dimension involves devolution of responsibility to individual schools while the horizontal typically entails promoting the professionalism of leaders and teachers through school networks and school-to-school pairings. In many systems, these shifts occur within an environment of high-stakes accountability. Little is known about the ways that high-stakes consequences for individual schools shape the translation of professional practice across schools. The study reported here traces the diffusion of data-informed practices in a formal pairing of two primary schools in England—a school ranked as “outstanding” and a school in “special measures,” a persistently low-achieving school. Study findings trace the ways in which the threat of consequences under which the low-achieving school operates shapes the diffusion of professional practice across schools. The study details how the lead school brokered, or mediated, state requirements, co-constructing the supported school’s narrative of improvement. Findings from this study illuminate the ways that vertical relationships within the system of schooling influence horizontal relationships across schools. Clarifying the shaping of professional practice across schools is increasingly critical as patterns of provision of schooling proliferate and the links among the state and schools become increasingly complex.
Immunochemical methods for fumonisins.

Both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies have been raised against fumonisins (Fm) and the hydrolyzed toxin in several laboratories. They have been used in several immunoassays and can detect 5 to 5000 ng of FmB1/mL in a “clean” standard solution. However, sample matrices still give severe interferences. Thus, without a cleanup treatment, most immunoassays can only be used as a screening tool for Fm in corn/feed in the 0.5 to 10 ppm range. The antibodies have also been used to generate anti-idiotype antibodies, to use as immunohistological reagents and to make affinity columns that are being used as a cleanup tool. In the present symposium, approaches used to generate antibodies, antibody specificity, sensitivity of various immunoassays and problems encountered in the immunoassays will be reviewed. Approaches used to overcome such problems and methods to improve the sensitivity and specificity of immunoassays of Fm are discussed.
The Sacerdotal Traditions of 2 Enoch and the Date of the Text

Experts have repeatedly raised concerns about the date of the apocalypse, noting that the text does not seem to supply definitive chronological boundaries. Indeed, while for the last hundred years 2 Enoch has been consistently included in various collections of early pseudepigraphical texts, scholarly studies show some ambiguity and caution in their treatment of the apocalypse as a sample of early Jewish thought, given the uncertainty of the text's date. One should recognize that, while the adoption of an early date for the text itself does not face great challenges, placing the text within the precise boundaries of Second Temple Judaism is a much more difficult task. This chapter deals with the history of research on the sacerdotal traditions in the apocalypse which constitute an important cluster of motifs scholars often use to demystify the text's date. Keywords:2 Enoch; apocalypse; chronological boundaries; date of the text; Jewish; pseudepigraphical texts; sacerdotal traditions; second temple Judaism
Implantation Metallurgy—Equilibrium Alloys

Publisher Summary This chapter describes ion implantation as a powerful tool for the study of alloying phenomena in metals. It also presents several characteristics of ion implantation and some selected examples of the use of ion implantation in investigating equilibrium alloys. Ion-implanted alloys differ in important respects from their thermally prepared counterparts, even at temperatures where the system rapidly evolves to a collection of equilibrium phases. It is this uniqueness that leads to new metallurgical information. However, such properties also introduce new considerations in the design and interpretation of experiments. The chapter discusses some general features of implanted metals that bear on the study of equilibrium alloys. These include the following: (1) evolution from the initial implanted state toward thermal equilibrium, (2) precipitation, and (3) diffusion and the time-dependent composition profile. The most important information about implanted alloys is the composition-versus-depth profile and the identities and microstructures of precipitated phases. Depth profiling may be accomplished in a number of ways; however, ion backscattering analysis and sputter profiling are used most frequently. Both methods have sufficient sensitivity and depth resolution to characterize implanted layers, and both are widely applicable. Their properties are complementary to a degree, and either may be more suitable for a particular purpose.
The Chemosensory Function of Primary Cilia Regulates Cholangiocyte Migration, Invasion, and Tumor Growth

Cholangiocytes, the epithelial cells lining the biliary tree in the liver, express primary cilia that can detect several kinds of environmental signals and then transmit this information into the cell. We have reported that cilia are significantly reduced in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and that the experimental deciliation of normal cells induces a malignant-like phenotype with increased proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, invasion, and migration. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the chemosensory function of cholangiocyte primary cilia acts as a mechanism for tumor suppression. We found that in the presence of extracellular nucleotides cilia-dependent chemosensation of the nucleotides inhibited migration and invasion in normal ciliated cholangiocytes through a P2Y11 receptor and liver kinase B1 (LKB1)-phosphatase and tensin homolog-AKT-dependent mechanism. In contrast, in normal deciliated cholangiocytes and CCA cells, the nucleotides induced the opposite effects, i.e., increased migration and invasion. As activation of LKB1 through a cilia-dependent mechanism was required for the nucleotide-mediated inhibitory effects on migration and invasion, we attempted to activate LKB1 directly, independent of ciliary expression, using the compound hesperidin methyl chalcone (HMC). We found that HMC induced activation of LKB1 in both ciliated and deciliated cells in vitro, resulting in the inhibition of migration and proliferation. Furthermore, using a rat syngeneic orthotopic CCA model, we found that HMC inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of the chemosensory function of primary cilia for the control of migration and invasion and suggest that, by directly activating LKB1 and bypassing the need for primary cilia, it is possible to emulate this chemosensory function in CCA cells; these data warrant further studies evaluating the possibility of using HMC as therapy for CCA.
Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence in Students Attending West Virginia University

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Few studies have investigated the MetS risk of young adults (18–24 years old). This study aims to determine the prevalence of MetS in Appalachian and non-Appalachian students attending West Virginia University. The prevalence of MetS in this population was 15%. There was no difference in MetS prevalence between male students and female students (18.8% males and 11.1% females, p-value = 0.30), or between Appalachian students and non-Appalachian students (17.7% Appalachian and 10.0% non-Appalachian, p-value = 0.33). Identification of MetS early in life is needed in order to reduce the onset of chronic disease. Therefore, implementing a screening process to identify at-risk young adults will help tailor more effective behavioral interventions.
IGFS and Muscle Differentiation

We have studied the stimulation of differentiation by the IGFs for more than a decade, and have now reached a reasonably comprehensive view of this important action of these major hormones. Our recent work makes it clear that a primary mechanism involves increased expression of one of the recently discovered myogenesis genes, myogenin (Florini et al., 1991a). Research on the control of muscle differentiation has been significantly advanced by the discovery of MyoD and three closely related genes, which have been shown to be capable of converting non-muscle cells to the myogenic line, and which are normally expressed only in skeletal muscle cells or their precursors. Myogenin is the member of the family most closely correlated with terminal differentiation, which involves the fusion of myoblasts to form postmitotic myotubes and the concomitant expression of some 20 muscle-specific genes. The IGFs control this process even when they are not added to myoblasts, as incubation of these cells in low-serum medium (the technique most often used to induce differentiation) induces the expression of IGF-II, which then gives autocrine stimulation of myogenesis (Florini et al., 1991b). Indeed, one cell line (Sol 8) secretes so much IGF-II into the medium that we have often found relatively little effect of exogenous IGFs on these cells. The essential role of myogenin in IGF-induced myogenesis, and of autocrine IGF-II in the absence of exogenous IGFs, have been demonstrated by the use of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides complementary to portions of their mRNAs (Florini etal., 1991a, 1991b).
A Primer on Cades Cove

The ecology of Cades Cove, a geophysical feature in the Great Smoky Mountains of the Appalachian Mountain range, offered a temperate climate and an abundance of diverse, natural resources, including water, flora, and fauna that accommodated human occupation as early as 10,000 years ago. Human habitation continued throughout the prehistoric period, and the geography was subsequently occupied by Euro-American settlers beginning in the early 1800s. They occupied the land for more than 100 years, establishing the mountain community of Cades Cove until it was taken by the federal government for the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the 1930s. Many of the edifices were razed to present a National Park Service interpretation of a nineteenth-century mountain community that is now visited by 2.4 million people annually.
A comparison of acute changes in muscle thickness between A-mode and B-mode ultrasound

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare acute changes in muscle thickness (MT) between A-mode and B-mode ultrasound before and after four sets of biceps curls. APPROACH Participants visited the laboratory on two separate occasions. The first visit consisted of paperwork and one repetition maximum (1RM) strength assessment. During the second visit, participants performed four sets of biceps curls to volitional failure using an exercise load equal to 70% of 1RM or a time-matched non-exercise control. MT measurements were taken before and immediately after exercise. MT measures were taken using both A-mode and B-mode ultrasound. MAIN RESULTS Results are displayed as mean (SD). A total of 49 resistance-trained men (n = 24) and women (n = 25) completed the study. There was no group (experimental versus control) by mode (A-mode versus B-mode) by time interaction (p = 0.442). However, there was a group (experimental versus control) × time (pre versus post) interaction (p < 0.001). Muscle thickness increased from pre (3.61 (0.86) cm) to post exercise (4.06 (0.92) cm) in the experimental group (p < 0.001). However, there was no change from pre (3.46 (0.78) cm) to post (3.48 (0.78) cm) in the time-matched control group (p = 0.237). There was a main effect for ultrasound mode (A-mode versus B-mode) (p < 0.001). Muscle thickness values as measured by A-mode ultrasound were lower than those measured by B-mode ultrasound pre (A-mode = 3.43 (0.79) cm versus B-mode = 3.63 (0.84) cm) and post (A-mode = 3.67 (0.87) cm versus B-mode = 3.83 (0.91) cm) intervention. SIGNIFICANCE MT measurements taken using A-mode ultrasound are lower than those of B-mode ultrasound. Despite this difference, it appears A-mode can detect similar acute changes in MT following resistance exercise when compared to B-mode ultrasound. These results suggest that A-mode ultrasound can serve as a useful tool when examining acute changes in MT.
Addressing cardiometabolic risk in adults with spinal cord injury: acting now despite knowledge gaps

This perspective advocates for the adoption of recently published clinical practice guidelines on identifying and managing cardiometabolic risk after spinal cord injury (SCI). It makes the case for acting now, with the knowledge that we currently have, while continuing to address knowledge gaps with high-quality research studies in this area. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in people with SCI. Cardiometabolic disease (CMD) and risks are more likely to be overlooked after SCI. Unique SCI-related considerations impact both assessment and management of cardiometabolic risk. Risk factors and components of CMD including obesity, impaired glucose tolerance/insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension should be evaluated and managed to optimize the cardiometabolic health of this population. While it would be optimal to base all care on high-quality evidence-based research, its absence should not be an excuse for inaction. Applying what is currently known and filling the research gaps with empirical recommendations based on clinical rationale and expert consensus is both appropriate and necessary till more definitive SCI-specific evidence becomes available.
Enhanced Self-Seeding with Ultrashort Electron Beams

We describe a new method to produce intensity stable, highly coherent, narrow-band x-ray pulses in self-seeded free electron (FEL) lasers. The approach uses an ultrashort electron beam to generate a single spike FEL pulse with a wide coherent bandwidth. The self-seeding monochromator then notches out a narrow spectral region of this pulse to be amplified by a long portion of electron beam to full saturation. In contrast to typical self-seeding where monochromatization of noisy self-amplified spontaneous emission pulses leads to either large intensity fluctuations or multiple frequencies, we show that this method produces a stable, coherent FEL output pulse with statistical properties similar to a fully coherent optical laser.
Discharge to a Non-Home Destination Following Total Ankle Arthroplasty (TAA): An Analysis of the ACS-NSQIP Database.

ABSTRACT Despite an increasing trend in the number of total ankle arthroplasties (TAAs) being done globally, current evidence remains limited with regards to factors influencing a non-home discharge to a facility following the procedure. The 2012–2016 American College of Surgeons – National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried using Current Procedural Terminology code 27702 for patients undergoing TAA. Discharge to a destination was categorized into home and non-home. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression models were used to evaluate independent risk factors associated with non-home discharge disposition. As a secondary objective, we also evaluated risk factors associated with a prolonged length of stay (LOS) >2 days. A total of 722 TAAs were retrieved for final analysis. A total of 68 (9.4%) patients experienced a non-home discharge following the surgery. Independent factors for a non-home discharge were a LOS >2 days (odds ratio [OR] 10.51), age ≥65 years (OR 4.52), female (OR 2.90), hypertension (OR 2.63), and American Society of Anesthesiologists >II (OR 2.01). A total of 174 (24.1%) patients stayed in the hospital for more than 2 days. Significant risk factors for LOS >2 days were age ≥65 years (OR 1.62), female (OR 1.53), operative time >150 minutes (OR 1.91), and an inpatient admission status (OR 4.74). With limited literature revolving around outcomes following TAA, the current study identifies significant predictors associated with a non-home discharge. Providers should consider preoperatively risk-stratifying and expediting discharge in these patients to reduce the costs associated with a prolonged hospital length of stay.
CT-guided gastrostomy tube placement-a single center case series.

Purpose The role of computed tomography (CT)-guided gastrostomy tube placement is still evolving. It is a valuable alternative to guide gastrostomy tube placement in a few selected patients, who are not candidates for the established endoscopy- or fluoroscopy-guided gastrostomy tube placement. Our objective was to describe our institutional experience placing gastrostomy tubes using CT guidance and to conduct a review of literature for similar studies to provide the best current evidence on success rates and complications. Methods We identified gastrostomy tubes placed under CT guidance at our institution using a comprehensive case log. We also identified studies in the literature, through a systematic search of PubMed. In both the local and literature analyses, we recorded success and complication rates. Results A total of 31 patients underwent 33 attempted CT-guided gastrostomy tube placements at our institution, with 32 successful procedures yielding a success rate of 97%. The overall rate of successful gastrostomy tube placement using CT-guidance was 94.9% (634/668), as reported in the existing literature. Conclusion CT-guidance is an effective method for gastrostomy tube placement and may play an important role in patients for whom endoscopic or fluoroscopic gastrostomy tube placement is not feasible.
Higher Checkpoint Inhibitor Arthritis Disease Activity may be Associated With Cancer Progression: Results From an Observational Registry.

Objective To describe clinical features associated with cancer outcomes of patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-associated arthritis. Methods Observational study of patients with ICI-arthritis enrolled in a single-center registry. Arthritis phenotype and activity, medications, and cancer status were recorded at every visit. We used descriptive statistic, and Kaplan-Meier curves using two-sided log-rank test and Cox regression analysis were used to identify factors associated with cancer progression-free survival (PFS). Results Forty-two patients with ICI-arthritis were followed for a median (interquartile range [IQR]) of 7.4 (1.7, 14.7) months. Fifty-seven percent were female, 33% had melanoma, and 69% received anti-programmed death ligand 1 monotherapy. Median time from ICI initiation to arthritis onset was 2.8 (0.8, 11.2) months. Sixty-two percent had a rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-like small-joint presentation; 27% of all patients were rheumatoid factor and/or cyclic citrullinated peptide positive. Median (IQR) Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) on presentation was 15 (8, 24); 62% required systemic glucocorticoids, 55% required disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and 69% had ongoing arthritis at 6 months. Arthritis led to ICI discontinuation in five patients. In univariate analysis, baseline CDAI, DMARD use, earlier arthritis onset, and longer duration of follow-up were associated with shorter PFS. In multivariable Cox regression analysis controlling for DMARD use and time to arthritis onset, CDAI was a significant predictor of cancer progression (hazard ratio 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-1.19, P = 0.05) CONCLUSION: ICI-arthritis most commonly presents with an RA-like phenotype. High disease activity, as measured by CDAI, may portend cancer progression.
Informational Endowment, Sophisticated Skepticism and Management Earnings Forecasts

While sophisticated skepticism promotes voluntary disclosure, various frictions serve to defeat it. One of the simplest frictions is rational investor uncertainty about management’s endowment of information (UEI). Sophisticated skepticism will increase as the likelihood that management is withholding value-relevant negative information increases, causing managers to voluntarily disclose increasingly unfavorable information in order to avoid the investors’ larger discounts. Based on previous research, we argue that the quality of management’s information improves with customer concentration. Accordingly, we find that the precision of, and investors’ reactions to, management forecasts increase for suppliers with more concentrated customer bases. Moreover, as the UEI model implies, firms with major customers are more likely to issue management forecasts preceding sales contractions (bad news) and the difference between the forecast disclosure frequency preceding sales expansions versus sales contractions decreases with both customer concentration and value relevance of the information possessed by management.
Kidney-disease-associated variants of Apolipoprotein L1 show gain of function in cation channel activity.

Variants in Apolipoprotein L1 (ApoL1) are known to be responsible for increased risk of some progressive kidney diseases among people of African ancestry. ApoL1 is an amphitropic protein that can insert into phospholipid membranes and confer anion- or cation-selective permeability to phospholipid membranes depending on pH. Whether these activities differ among the variants or whether they contribute to disease pathogenesis is unknown. We used assays of voltage-driven ion flux from phospholipid vesicles and of stable membrane association to assess differences among ApoL1 isoforms. There is a significant (approximately twofold) increase in the cation-selective ion permease activity of the two kidney-disease-associated variants compared with the reference protein. In contrast, we find no difference in the anion-selective permease activity at low pH among the isoforms. Compared with the reference sequence, the two disease-associated variants show increased stable association with phospholipid vesicles under conditions that support the cation permease activity, suggesting that the increased activity may be due to more efficient membrane association and insertion. There is no difference in membrane association among isoforms under optimal conditions for the anion permease activity. These data support a model in which enhanced cation permeability may contribute to the progressive kidney diseases associated with high-risk ApoL1 alleles.
Dispersal syndromes drive the formation of biogeographical regions, illustrated by the case of Wallace's Line.

Aim Biogeographical regions (realms) reflect patterns of co-distributed species (biotas) across space. Their boundaries are set by dispersal barriers and difficulties of establishment in new locations. We extend new methods to assess these two contributions by quantifying the degree to which realms intergrade across geographical space and the contributions of individual species to the delineation of those realms. As our example, we focus on Wallace's Line, the most enigmatic partitioning of the world's faunas, where climate is thought to have little effect and the majority of dispersal barriers are short water gaps. Location Indo-Pacific. Time period Present day. Major taxa studied Birds and mammals. Methods Terrestrial bird and mammal assemblages were established in 1-degree map cells using range maps. Assemblage structure was modelled using latent Dirichlet allocation, a continuous clustering method that simultaneously establishes the likely partitioning of species into biotas and the contribution of biotas to each map cell. Phylogenetic trees were used to assess the contribution of deep historical processes. Spatial segregation between biotas was evaluated across time and space in comparison with numerous hard realm boundaries drawn by various workers. Results We demonstrate that the strong turnover between biotas coincides with the north-western extent of the region not connected to the mainland during the Pleistocene, although the Philippines contains mixed contributions. At deeper taxonomic levels, Sulawesi and the Philippines shift to primarily Asian affinities, resulting from transgressions of a few Asian-derived lineages across the line. The partitioning of biotas sometimes produces fragmented regions that reflect habitat. Differences in partitions between birds and mammals reflect differences in dispersal ability. Main conclusions Permanent water barriers have selected for a dispersive archipelago fauna, excluded by an incumbent continental fauna on the Sunda shelf. Deep history, such as plate movements, is relatively unimportant in setting boundaries. The analysis implies a temporally dynamic interaction between a species' intrinsic dispersal ability, physiographic barriers, and recent climate change in the genesis of Earth's biotas.
"From What I see, this makes sense": Seeing meaning in algorithmic results.

In this workshop paper, we use an empirical example from our ongoing fieldwork, to showcase the complexity and situatedness of the process of making sense of algorithmic results; i.e. how to evaluate, validate, and contextualize algorithmic outputs. So far, in our research work, we have focused on such sense-making processes in data analytic learning environments such as classrooms and training workshops. Multiple moments in our fieldwork suggest that meaning, in data analytics, is constructed through an iterative and reflexive dialogue between data, code, assumptions, prior knowledge, and algorithmic results. A data analytic result is nothing short of a sociotechnical accomplishment - one in which it is extremely difficult, if not at times impossible, to clearly distinguish between 'human' and 'technical' forms of data analytic work. We conclude this paper with a set of questions that we would like to explore further in this workshop.
Effect of Rapid Heat Treatment on Bake Hardening Behavior of a Low Carbon Steel

A low carbon steel was firstly annealed with an ultra- rapid heating rate of 200℃/s at 660℃ and 750℃ respectively, then the steel was pre-strained to 2% and finally suffered a baking hardening treatment at 180℃ for 20 min in order to reveal the synergistic effect of the above two heat treatments of the performance of the low carbon steel in terms of heating temperature, soaking time and cooling rate etc. Results indicated that the bake hardening was enhanced with the increase in annealing temperature for the dissolution of the carbides. The BH value of the low carbon steel annealed at 660℃ decreased significantly with increasing soaking time. But the BH value showed a complex variation with soaking time for the steel annealed at 750℃ because the carbides dissolved incompletely during the ultra-rapid heating process: with an increase in soaking time in the range of 0 to 10 s, the BH value made an apparent increment, and then decreased obviously when the soaking time exceeded 10 s. The bake hardening of the steel is enhanced significantly with increasing cooling rate due to the increment of the solute carbon.
Combatant socialization and norms of restraint: Examining officer training at the US Military Academy and Army ROTC:

Can armed groups socialize combatants to norms of restraint – in essence, train soldiers to adopt norms of international humanitarian law on the battlefield? How can social scientists accurately me...
Descriptive analysis of bleeding symptoms in haemophilia carriers enrolled in the ATHNdataset.

Background Several studies have reported that haemophilia carriers have a bleeding tendency independent of factor activity. However, investigations have been fraught with methodological concerns. The ATHNdataset houses the largest data set of haemophilia carriers in the world. We undertook an analysis of haemophilia carriers in this data set using methodologies that characterize bleeding symptoms in carriers. Aim Determine the proportion of haemophilia carriers who have a normal bleeding score (BLS) and factors that affect the BLS. Methods The ATHNdataset was queried for haemophilia carriers with a documented BLS. Collected data included demographics, ISTH-BAT score, factor activity level, type of haemophilia (A or B), genotype and geographic residence. Results Nine hundred twenty-two haemophilia carriers in the ATHNdataset reported a BLS. When adjusted for age, 74% reported a normal score. Logistic regression identified age, factor activity level, ethnicity and region of residence as risk factors for an abnormal score. Conclusions The majority of haemophilia carriers (74%) in the ATHNdataset had a normal BLS, including the majority (59%) with factor activity levels > 40 IU/dl reported an abnormal BLS. These results are consistent with previous studies of haemophilia carriers. Additional investigation is needed to determine why a majority of haemophilia carriers with low factor activity levels report normal BLSs while a significant minority of haemophilia carriers with normal activity levels report abnormal BLSs.
Design of an interactive multiple model based two-stage multi-vehicle tracking algorithm for autonomous navigation

Information regarding vehicles in neighboring lanes is essential to an autonomous vehicle for decision-making during lane-change maneuvers. Complete autonomy requires effective velocity estimation of the neighboring vehicles under different road scenarios. A two-stage Interactive-Multiple-Model-based (IMM) estimator has been proposed to perform multiple target-tracking with application to vehicles in a lane-changing scenario. The first stage deals with an adaptive-window-based turn-rate estimation for tracking maneuvering targets. The estimator can detect abrupt changes in turnrates and function independently, and avoids the problem of non-linear vehicle dynamics, thereby facilitating the use of standard Kalman filter. Variable-structure models with updated estimated turn-rate are utilized in the second stage to perform data association followed by IMM-based velocity estimation. The proposed algorithm results in root-mean-squared error of position and velocity to 5–6 cm and 0.25–0.3 m/s, respectively, and the turn-rate converges up to 10% accuracy within 3–4 s. The algorithm has been validated using simulations and experimentation using mobile robots in a simulated lane environment.
ENERGY USE IN U.S. AGRICULTURE: EARLY ADJUSTMENT TO THE 1973-74 PRICE SHOCK

hectare between 1955 and 1965. By the early Using input-output tables for 1972 and 1977 1980s, higher levels of fertilizer use were acwe examine direct and indirect energy use in counting for less than half a bushel per hecthe production of fourteen U.S. agricultural tare per year. He writes, "The gains in proproducts. We find that between 1972 and 1977 ductivity growth that can be expected from energy use increased in absolute terms but traditional sources will be inadequate to meet decreased in terms of Btus required per dollar even the relatively slow growth in demand for of output. U.S. agricultural commodities that is now anAlthough this trend is encouraging in terms ticipated over the next several decades" (Rutof the long-run ability of U.S. agriculture to tan, p. 781). Lamm and Westcott found that adjust to higher energy prices, the following energy price increases were a major concaveats should be mentioned; (1) a large part tributor to the large creases in agricultural of the decrease in primary energy intensity is prices during the 1970s. Ball found that the attributable to one sector, meat animals, cost shares of direct energy and of agricul(2) there was a substantial increase in elec- tural chemicals increased much more rapidly tricity intensity in almost all sectors, and (3) between 1948 and 1979 than the cost shares of there was an increase in the use of energy em- any other intermediate inputs to agricultural bodied in fertilizers and agricultural chemicals production in the very important food grain and feed sectors. There are, of course, arguments against a pessimistic view. Rising resource prices will
Effect of pressure suit on functional reach

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of wearing a VKK-6M pressure suit on functional reach limitations. Participants’ reach data were collected with and without-suit and analyzed to see the effect of pressure suit on reach. The study concludes that wearing pressure suit reduces the average reach significantly by 3.57 cm. The 5th percentile Asian and American reach envelopes are derived for placement of critical cockpit controls. Population-reach study shows a significant difference in shoulder breadth of Americans and Asians, but no apparent relationship between bideltoid breadth and thumb tip reach is found.
Safety and efficacy of radiation therapy as secondary prophylaxis for heterotopic ossification of non-hip joints.

Introduction: Prophylactic radiation therapy (RT) is an established adjuvant therapy for heterotopic ossification (HO) of the hip when delivered in the immediate pre- or postoperative setting. Its role in prevention of recurrence after excision of HO is supported by randomised trials for HO of the hip, but there is scant evidence to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of a similar approach in non-hip joints. In the current study, we evaluate radiological and functional outcomes after prophylactic RT for prevention of HO of the knee and upper extremity. Methods: With institutional review board (IRB) approval, patients treated at our institution with prophylactic RT for non-hip HO from 1998 to 2009 were identified. Records were reviewed, including pre- and postoperative records, operative reports and radiography. The primary objectives were to determine the safety of RT and rate of treatment failure, as defined by need for further surgical intervention. Results: A total of 30 patients received prophylactic RT for HO of the elbow (n = 21), MCP joint (n = 1) and knee (n = 8). Twenty-nine of the 30 patients were treated within 24–48 h postoperatively, and one patient was treated within 24 h preoperatively. Based on institutional policy, only patients considered to be at high risk of recurrence were selected to receive prophylactic RT. Patients were treated to a dose of 7 Gy in one fraction, with two parallel opposed. Complications following treatment included two patients with postoperative wound infections, one patient with a ruptured triceps tendon and one patient with a fracture within the treatment field. Follow-up information was available for 26 of 30 patients, with a median follow-up time of 16 months (range, 2–143 months). Recurrent HO, requiring surgical re-excision, developed in 10.5% (n = 2) of patients who were followed for upper extremity HO (n = 19). For patients followed after RT for HO of the knee (n = 7), there were no recurrences of HO that required further intervention. Conclusion: In this group of patients at high risk for developing further HO, prophylactic RT appears to be a safe adjunct to surgery and is effective in prevention of HO recurrence. Results are similar to published reports of HO of the hip and support the use of surgical excision and perioperative, prophylactic RT for HO of non-hip joints.
Temperature Adaptations in the Terminal Processes of Anaerobic Decomposition of Yellowstone National Park and Icelandic Hot Spring Microbial Mats

The optimum temperatures for methanogenesis in microbial mats of four neutral to alkaline, low-sulfate hot springs in Yellowstone National Park were between 50 and 60 degrees C, which was 13 to 23 degrees C lower than the upper temperature for mat development. Significant methanogenesis at 65 degrees C was only observed in one of the springs. Methane production in samples collected at a 51 or 62 degrees C site in Octopus Spring was increased by incubation at higher temperatures and was maximal at 70 degrees C. Strains of Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum were isolated from 50, 55, 60, and 65 degrees C sites in Octopus Spring at the temperatures of the collection sites. The optimum temperature for growth and methanogenesis of each isolate was 65 degrees C. Similar results were found for the potential rate of sulfate reduction in an Icelandic hot spring microbial mat in which sulfate reduction dominated methane production as a terminal process in anaerobic decomposition. The potential rate of sulfate reduction along the thermal gradient of the mat was greatest at 50 degrees C, but incubation at 60 degrees C of the samples obtained at 50 degrees C increased the rate. Adaptation to different mat temperatures, common among various microorganisms and processes in the mats, did not appear to occur in the processes and microorganisms which terminate the anaerobic food chain. Other factors must explain why the maximal rates of these processes are restricted to moderate temperatures of the mat ecosystem.