Timing is (almost) everything: Real options, extreme value theory, climate adaptation, and flood risk management.

Flood risk has become a major concern in many regions due to socio-economic growth and rising water levels. In this paper, we introduce a real options model that integrates the Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape framework with Extreme Value Theory to evaluate adaptation measures for flood risk management. Our model allows for uncertain water level rise, climate indices and growing loss exposure.

Creating a Real-World Data, United States Healthcare Claims-Based Adaptation of Kurtzke Functional Systems Scores for Assessing Multiple Sclerosis Severity and Progression.

Introduction: This article describes the development of a unique mapping of the Kurtzke Functional Systems Scores (KFSS) from International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients within a US Integrated Delivery Network (IDN). Valid identification of increasing disability may allow deeper insight into MS progression and possible treatments.

Methods: This cohort study identified MS patients in the IDN, Intermountain Healthcare.

1ST Cavalry Division Forward's Defender Europe 2020 Plus: Lessons Learned Fighting in a Biological Contested Environment.

The 1st Cavalry Division Forward (1CD FWD) along with Polish ally, subordinate brigades, adjacent supporting commands, and the 7th Army Training Command successfully executed large scale combat operations training in the Defender Europe 2020 Plus (DE20P) exercise in a biologically compromised environment. The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) presented many unique challenges and opportunities across all warfighting functions. Still, it proved that it is possible to train in a large-scale multinational exercise while effectively mitigating the contraction and contamination of COVID-19.

Simple design of efficient broadband multifunctional polarization converter for X-band applications.

A simple design of a broadband multifunctional polarization converter using an anisotropic metasurface for X-band application is proposed. The proposed polarization converter consists of a periodic array of the two-corner-cut square patch resonators based on the FR-4 substrate that achieves both cross-polarization and linear-to-circular polarization conversions. The simulated results show that the polarization converter displays the linear cross-polarization conversion in the frequency range from 8 to 12 GHz with the polarization conversion efficiency above 90%.

Identifying Patients With Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Using Algorithms Applied to US Integrated Delivery Network Healthcare Data.

Background: Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) has a major impact on affected patients; therefore, improved understanding of RRMS is important, particularly in the context of real-world evidence.

Objectives: To develop and validate algorithms for identifying patients with RRMS in both unstructured clinical notes found in electronic health records (EHRs) and structured/coded health care claims data.

Methods: US Integrated Delivery Network data (2010-2014) were queried for study inclusion criteria (possible multiple sclerosis [MS] base cohort): one or more MS diagnosis code, patients aged 18 years or older, 1 year or more baseline history, and no other demyelinating diseases.

Discounting the distant future-Data on Australian discount rates estimated by a stochastic interest rate model.

Data on certainty equivalent discount factors and discount rates for stochastic interest rates in Australia are provided in this paper. The data has been used for the analysis of investments into climate adaptation projects in ׳ (Truong and Trück, 2016) [3] and can be used for other cost-benefit analysis studies in Australia. The data is of particular interest for the discounting of projects that create monetary costs and benefits in the distant future.

Calcium-catalyzed pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass components.

The present study examines the effect of calcium pretreatment on pyrolysis of individual lignocellulosic compounds. Previous work has demonstrated that the incorporation of calcium compounds with the feedstock prior to pyrolysis has a significant effect on the oxygen content and stability of the resulting oil. The aim of this work was to further explore the chemistry of calcium-catalyzed pyrolysis.