An axiomatization of cumulative prospect theory

This paper presents a method for axiomatizing a variety of models for decision making under uncertainty, including Expected Utility and Cumulative Prospect Theory. This method identifies, for each model, the situations that permit consistent inferences about the ordering of value differences. Examples of rankdependent and sign-dependent preference patterns are used to motivate the models and the tradeoff consistency axioms that characterize them. The major properties of the value function in Cumulative Prospect Theory—diminishing sensitivity and loss aversion—are contrasted with the principle of diminishing marginal utility that is commonly assumed in Expected Utility

Dynamical coupled-channel model of meson production reactions in the nucleon resonance region

A dynamical coupled-channel model is presented for investigating the nucleon resonances in the meson production reactions induced by pions and photons. The model is based on an energy-independent Hamiltonian which is derived from a set of Lagrangians by using a unitary transformation method. By applying the projection operator techniques,we derive a set of coupled-channel equations which satisfy the unitarity conditions within the channel space spanned by the considered two-particle meson-baryon states and the three-particle $\pi\pi N$ state. We present and explain in detail a numerical method based on a spline-function expansion for solving the resulting coupled-channel equations which contain logarithmically divergent one-particle-exchange driving terms resulted from the $\pi\pi N$ unitarity cut. We show that this driving term can generate rapidly varying structure in the reaction amplitudes associated with the unstable particle channels. It also has large effects in determining the two-pion production cross sections. Our results indicate that cautions must be taken to interpret the $N^*$ parameters extracted from using models which do not include $\pi\pi N$ cut effects.Comment: 73 pages, 20 figure

Quasifree eta photoproduction from nuclei and medium modifications of resonances

We investigate the sensitivity of the differential cross section, recoil nucleon polarization and the photon asymmetry to changes in the elementary amplitude, medium modifications of the resonance $(S_{11},D_{13})$ masses, as well as nuclear target effects. All calculations are performed within a relativistic plane wave impulse approximation formalism resulting in analytical expressions for all observables. The spin observables are shown to be unique tools to study subtle effects that are not accessible by only looking at the unpolarized differential cross section.Comment: 27 pages, 8 figures, Revtex, To be published in Phys. Rev.

The impact of atrial fibrillation on prognosis in aortic stenosis

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) and aortic stenosis (AS) are both highly prevalent and often coexist. Various studies have focused on the prognostic value of AF in patients with AS, but rarely considered left ventricular (LV) diastolic function as a prognostic factor. Objective To evaluate the prognostic impact of AF in patients with AS while correcting for LV diastolic function. Methods Patients with first diagnosis of significant AS were selected and stratified according to history of AF. The endpoint was all-cause mortality. Results In total, 2849 patients with significant AS (mean age 72 +/- 12 years, 54.8% men) were evaluated, and 686 (24.1%) had a history of AF. During a median follow-up of 60 (30-97) months, 1182 (41.5%) patients died. Ten-year mortality rate in patients with AF was 46.8% compared to 36.8% in patients with sinus rhythm (SR) (log-rank P < 0.001). On univariable (HR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.25-1.62; P < 0.001) and multivariable Cox regression analysis (HR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.02-1.38; P = 0.026), AF was independently associated with mortality. However, when correcting for indexed left atrial volume, E/e' or both, AF was no longer independently associated with all-cause mortality. Conclusion Patients with significant AS and AF have a reduced survival as compared to patients with SR. Nonetheless, when correcting for markers of LV diastolic function, AF was not independently associated with outcomes in patients with significant AS.Cardiolog

Denial of long-term issues with agriculture on tropical peatlands will have devastating consequences

Non peer reviewe

Characteristics of Early-Onset vs Late-Onset Colorectal Cancer: A Review.

The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (younger than 50 years) is rising globally, the reasons for which are unclear. It appears to represent a unique disease process with different clinical, pathological, and molecular characteristics compared with late-onset colorectal cancer. Data on oncological outcomes are limited, and sensitivity to conventional neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy regimens appear to be unknown. The purpose of this review is to summarize the available literature on early-onset colorectal cancer. Within the next decade, it is estimated that 1 in 10 colon cancers and 1 in 4 rectal cancers will be diagnosed in adults younger than 50 years. Potential risk factors include a Westernized diet, obesity, antibiotic usage, and alterations in the gut microbiome. Although genetic predisposition plays a role, most cases are sporadic. The full spectrum of germline and somatic sequence variations implicated remains unknown. Younger patients typically present with descending colonic or rectal cancer, advanced disease stage, and unfavorable histopathological features. Despite being more likely to receive neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy, patients with early-onset disease demonstrate comparable oncological outcomes with their older counterparts. The clinicopathological features, underlying molecular profiles, and drivers of early-onset colorectal cancer differ from those of late-onset disease. Standardized, age-specific preventive, screening, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies are required to optimize outcomes

The Comonotonic Sure-Thing Principle

This article identifies the common characterizing property, the comonotonic sure-thing principle, that underlies the rank-dependent direction in non-expected utility. This property restricts Savage's sure-thing principle to comonotonic acts, and is characterized in full generality by means of a new functional form—cumulative utility—that generalizes the Choquet integral. Thus, a common generalization of all existing rank-dependent forms is obtained, including rank-dependent expected utility, Choquet expected utility, and cumulative prospect theory