cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robust optimization in countably infinite linear programs

A robust optimization framework for countably infinite linear programs (CILPs) is developed. It is shown that a particular robust counterpart of a nominal CILP can be reformulated as another CILP. A bound on the probability of constraint violation is derived. A convergent algorithm for solving this robust CILP is proposed.
A GPU implementation of large neighborhood search for solving constraint optimization problems

Constraint programming has gained prominence as an effective and declarative paradigm for modeling and solving complex combinatorial problems. Techniques based on local search have proved practical to solve real-world problems, providing a good compromise between optimality and efficiency. In spite of the natural presence of concurrency, there has been relatively limited effort to use novel massively parallel architectures, such as those found in modern Graphical Processing Units (GPUs), to speedup local search techniques in constraint programming. This paper describes a novel framework which exploits parallelism from a popular local search method (the Large Neighborhood Search method), using GPUs.
Physical therapists' role in prevention and management of patellar tendinopathy injuries in youth, collegiate, and middle-aged indoor volleyball athletes

Patellar tendinopathy is highly prevalent in all ages and skill levels of volleyball athletes. To illustrate this, we discuss the clinical, biomechanical, and ultrasound imaging presentation and the intervention strategies of three volleyball athletes at different stages of their athletic career: youth, middle-aged, and collegiate. We present our examination strategies and interpret the data collected, including visual movement analysis and dynamics, relating these findings to the probable causes of their pain and dysfunction. Using the framework of the EdUReP concept, incorporating Education, Unloading, Reloading, and Prevention, we propose intervention strategies that target each athlete's specific issues in terms of education, rehabilitation, training, and return to sport. This framework can be generalized to manage patellar tendinopathy in other sports requiring jumping, from youth to middle age, and from recreational to elite competitive levels.
Nature of the Equations

It should be recognized that any system of equations that is expected to describe the behavior of a physical system is a model, and will, at best, describe the subset of phenomena that falls under the limitations of the model. These limitations are often unwritten and, unfortunately, are often unrecognized As an example in a classi­cal context, the equations of (linear) elasticity provide an excellent description of a large body of phenomena. However, the model fails to describe such com­mon phenomena as permanent bending, crack propagation, and shear bands. For dispersed multicomponent flows, if the initial conditions, or the evolving fields, predict a high concentration of dispersed phase units in some region, we must consider the likely possibility that the predictions are not valid. In this situation, it is sometimes difficult to decide whether the model is incorrect, or whether the solution method led to an approximation that is invalid. Thus, we consider some general properties of the equations in order to understand the behavior in more complicated situations.
Role of Liquid Jet Stretching and Bending Instability in Nanofiber Formation by Gas Jet Method

In this work, the mechanism of fiber formation from polymer solutions under the action of gas jets in a process named gas jet fibers (GJF) method is studied. The GJF method relies on high velocity gas jet converting polymer solutions streaming from a nozzle into a liquid jet and then into fibers. Polymer nanofibers with diameter as low as 100 nm are continuously produced from polymer solutions. A series of interrelated phenomena including polymer jet initiation and stretching, flapping motion, bending instabilities, and concurrent solvent evaporation were found to influence fiber formation. Specifically, the behavior of the liquid jets, stretching rates, and the onset of the bending instabilities are revealed using high speed video photography. The results indicate that both the initial stretching from flapping and the extension from bending instabilities play important roles in fiber attenuation.
Heterophile Ophthalmic Anaphylaxis.

It would be of convenience to clinical allergists if conclusive experimental evidence were available in support of the postulated qualitative differences between synchronous, homologous, specific “antibodies” in different organs, tissues and body fluids of the same individual. Such differences are suggested by several recent laboratory studies, particularly by Cook and Spain's1 alleged qualitatively different smooth muscle and cutaneous sensitizins in human serums, and by Schamburow's2 alleged “reflex ocular immunity,” specific agglutinins with the power of elective localization in the normal eye.Seegal and Seegal3 have recently demonstrated that a strictly local ophthalmic sensitivity can be produced in rabbits by the local injection of adequate sensitizing doses of routine antigens. This sensitivity is sufficient to give a specific unilateral ophthalmic allergy on intravenous injection with the same antigen. We have applied the Seegal technic to a study of the heterophile relationships between sheep ery...
Environmental cues to urgency and leakage episodes in patients with overactive bladder syndrome: A pilot study

PURPOSE To assess the frequency with which environmental cues, which might constitute Pavlovian-conditioned stimuli, occur with urgency and leakage symptoms associated with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB). SUBJECTS AND SETTINGS The sample group comprised 17 adults (13 women and 4 men); their median age was 74.71 years. METHODS A semistructured interview was conducted with a convenience sample of 17 patients diagnosed with OAB. Patients were interviewed about interoceptive and environmental cues they related to instances of urinary urgency and leakage. Interviews persisted for 6.11 to 59.38 minutes (M = 21.86 minutes) and were conducted by an interviewer who was trained to administer the interview guide. RESULTS Most respondents associated at least 1 environmental cue with urgency and leakage, respectively. A mean of 6.1 urgency-related and 4.0 leak-related environmental cues were reported. The most commonly reported environmental cues were "on my way to the bathroom" reported by 88% and "opening the front door of my home" reported by 71%. CONCLUSION These findings support the hypothesis that Pavlovian conditioning plays a role in OAB symptoms and suggest that treatment might be enhanced by inclusion of Pavlovian extinction procedures.
Ab Initio Analysis and Harmonic Force Fields of Gallium Nitride Nanoclusters

Gallium nitride (GaN) clusters are analyzed to set approaches for more extended calculations at the nanoscale. We test the atom components and very small clusters using the most sophisticated compound methods such as G1−G3, CBS, W1, and a flavor of DFT (B3PW91) using several sizes and qualities of basis sets. Results are compared with very precise experimental information when available. Interestingly, the B3PW91 yields results comparable to the high-quality compound methods. For negative ions, it is difficult to assess the quality of the methods; the electron affinity (EA) calculations, as expected, yield better results when diffuse functions are used. All ionization potentials (IPs) are well reproduced by all methods, but the best results are obtained with B3PW91 for the Ga atom and with the compound methods for N. Among the compound methods, the W1 ones use the largest basis sets with 93 functions (which include two sets of g-functions) for one gallium atom. Geometry optimizations are performed with MP...
Medieval Exegesis and Religious Difference: Commentary, Conflict, and Community in the Premodern Mediterranean

This collection of thirteen essays developed from papers presented at a 2011 conference on “Medieval Exegesis: An Interfaith Discourse”, which in turn benefited from a European Research Council gra...
A pilot study of topical imiquimod therapy for the treatment of recurrent extramammary Paget's disease.

Abstract Objective The objective of this prospective pilot study was to assess the clinical and histologic effects of topical imiquimod therapy on recurrent extramammary Paget's disease of the vulva. Methods Patients with biopsy-proven recurrent extramammary Paget's disease presenting to the gynecology outpatient services at two participating institutions were recruited for conservative treatment with 5% imiquimod cream from 2007 to 2011. The topical cream was to be applied 3 times per week for 12weeks. Punch biopsy and photography were performed at baseline and at the 12-week time point. Results Eight patients from two institutions were enrolled. Complete clinical and histologic response was achieved in 6 (75%) patients by the 12-week follow-up appointment. Of the two remaining patients, one had a complete clinical response but no significant histologic response; the other patient was removed from the study protocol secondary to intolerable local irritation. Two patients continue to have no evidence of disease after a median follow-up of 35months. Five are alive with disease. No patients progressed to invasive cancer while receiving therapy. Conclusion Topical 5% imiquimod cream is a safe and feasible option for women suffering from recurrent extramammary Paget's disease of the vulva, and should be considered as a viable alternative to surgical management. Given the rare nature of this disease, additional multi-institutional prospective studies should be conducted to explore the efficacy of this treatment regime.
Genomic testing may offer therapeutic opportunity in salivary gland cancers.

e17053 Background: Cytotoxic chemotherapy is not reliably effective for treating patients (pts) with recurrent/metastatic salivary gland cancers (SGC). Genomic testing in routine clinical practice ...
Ultrasound Targeted Microbubble Destruction-Mediated Delivery of a Transcription Factor Decoy Inhibits STAT3 Signaling and Tumor Growth

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is constitutively activated in many cancers where it acts to promote tumor progression. A STAT3-specific transcription factor decoy has been developed to suppress STAT3 downstream signaling, but a delivery strategy is needed to improve clinical translation. Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) has been shown to enhance image-guided local delivery of molecular therapeutics to a target site. The objective of this study was to deliver STAT3 decoy to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) tumors using UTMD to disrupt STAT3 signaling and inhibit tumor growth. Studies performed demonstrated that UTMD treatment with STAT3 decoy-loaded microbubbles inhibited STAT3 signaling in SCC cells in vitro. Studies performed in vivo demonstrated that UTMD treatment with STAT3 decoy-loaded microbubbles induced significant tumor growth inhibition (31-51% reduced tumor volume vs. controls, p < 0.05) in mice bearing SCC tumors. Furthermore, expression of STAT3 downstream target genes (Bcl-xL and cyclin D1) was significantly reduced (34-39%, p < 0.05) in tumors receiving UTMD treatment with STAT3 decoy-loaded microbubbles compared to controls. In addition, the quantity of radiolabeled STAT3 decoy detected in tumors eight hours after treatment was significantly higher with UTMD treatment compared to controls (70-150%, p < 0.05). This study demonstrates that UTMD can increase delivery of a transcription factor decoy to tumors in vivo and that the decoy can inhibit STAT3 signaling and tumor growth. These results suggest that UTMD treatment holds potential for clinical use to increase the concentration of a transcription factor signaling inhibitor in the tumor.
Celebrity Credibility on Social Media: A Conditional Process Analysis of Online Self-Disclosure Attitude as a Moderator of Posting Frequency and Parasocial Interaction

This study investigated factors predicting perception of celebrity credibility on social networking sites. Specifically, we evaluated a theoretical model whereby parasocial interaction mediates the association between posting frequency and credibility, with online self-disclosure attitude moderating these associations. Results supported this mediation, with the indirect effects for group and personal identification (but not interest or problem-solving ability) contingent on the user’s online self-disclosure attitude. Among other implications, findings suggest different forms of PSI may function differently vis-a-vis credibility, as well as commend future investigation of attitudinal variables that may moderate perception of online messages.
A Central Role for STAT3 in Gammaherpesvirus-Life Cycle and -Diseases

Having co-evolved with humans, herpesviruses have adapted to exploit the host molecular machinery to ensure viral persistence. The cellular protein Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) is a leading example. STAT3 is a prominent transcription factor that functions in a variety of physiologic processes including embryonic development, inflammation, immunity, and wound healing. Generally activated via growth factor and cytokine signaling, STAT3 can transcriptionally drive oncoproteins, pro-survival and pro-proliferative proteins as well as angiogenic factors, thereby contributing to cancer. As in most non-viral cancers, STAT3 is constitutively active in EBV-related B and epithelial cell cancers and in animal models of KSHV-cancers. Again, similar to non-viral cancers, STAT3 contributes to gammaherpesvirus (EBV and KSHV)-mediated cancers by driving cell proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis. Being herpesviruses, EBV and KSHV establish latency in humans with episodic lytic activation. Importantly, both viruses activate STAT3 almost immediately upon infection of primary cells. In the setting of infection of primary B cells by EBV, this rapidly activated STAT3 plays a key role in suppressing the DNA damage response (DDR) to EBV-oncogene triggered replication stress, thereby facilitating B cell proliferation and ultimately establishment of latency. STAT3 also contributes to maintenance of latency by curbing lytic activation of EBV and KSHV in latent cells that express high levels of STAT3. In this way, gammaherpesviruses exploit STAT3 to overcome cellular anti-proliferative and anti-lytic barriers to promote viral persistence. These investigations into gammaherpesviruses and STAT3 have simultaneously revealed a novel function for STAT3 in suppression of the DDR, a process fundamental to physiologic cell proliferation as well as development of cancer.
Biopsychosocial Approaches To Depression

Depression is the most common psychiatric syndrome in primary care medicine. With a one year prevalence rate of approximately 5% for major depression, and 5.4% for dysthymic disorder, depressive symptomatology is seen in about 10% (8–18%) of the general population in a one year period (DSM IV-PC, 1995; Gotlib, 1993). The life time risk for major depression is approximately 10–25% in women and 5–12% in men.
Safe Recombinant Outer Membrane Vesicles that Display M2e Elicit Heterologous Influenza Protection

Recombinant, Escherichia coli-derived outer membrane vesicles (rOMVs), which display heterologous protein subunits, have potential as a vaccine adjuvant platform. One drawback to rOMVs is their lipopolysaccharide (LPS) content, limiting their translatability to the clinic due to potential adverse effects. Here, we explore a unique rOMV construct with structurally remodeled lipids containing only the lipid IVa portion of LPS, which does not stimulate human TLR4. The rOMVs are derived from a genetically engineered B strain of E. coli, ClearColi, which produces lipid IVa, and which was further engineered in our laboratory to hypervesiculate and make rOMVs. We report that rOMVs derived from this lipid IVa strain have substantially attenuated pyrogenicity yet retain high levels of immunogenicity, promote dendritic cell maturation, and generate a balanced Th1/Th2 humoral response. Additionally, an influenza A virus matrix 2 protein-based antigen displayed on these rOMVs resulted in 100% survival against a lethal challenge with two influenza A virus strains (H1N1 and H3N2) in mice with different genetic backgrounds (BALB/c, C57BL/6, and DBA/2J). Additionally, a two-log reduction of lung viral titer was achieved in a ferret model of influenza infection with human pandemic H1N1. The rOMVs reported herein represent a potentially safe and simple subunit vaccine delivery platform.
Short-Term Impacts of Fire-Mediated Habitat Alterations on an Isolated Bighorn Sheep Population

Habitat alterations may improve and expand wildlife habitats, and bolster waning wildlife populations. We used global positioning system (GPS) locations to monitor 38 bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis Shaw) that were translocated to the Seminoe Mountains, Wyoming, USA, in 2009 and 2010, and 24 bighorns captured in 2011 to investigate short-term impacts of prescribed fires and wildfires that covered ∼24% of the study area in 2011 and 2012. We quantified home range distributional changes, resource selection, and survival of bighorn sheep from 2009 to 2013. Although bighorns expanded home ranges and increased proportional use of fire-treated areas, there was no overall selection for fire-treated areas. Bighorn survival decreased by over 30% after fires in 2012 that were accompanied by severe drought. Prescribed fires conducted under favorable conditions (2011) induced potentially positive bighorn responses including high survival and increased use of treated areas. Fires during drought conditions were more widespread with little vegetative response (2012) and coincided with increased bighorn mortality in spring 2013. Dead bighorns with poor body condition had high home range overlap with burned areas. We suggest that large fires coupled with unfavorable weather conditions rendered bighorns unable to access adequate forage to meet nutritional requirements. Because impacts of fires on bighorn populations are highly dependent on ensuing vegetative recovery, consideration should be given to the timing, extent, and spatial coverage of prescribed fires. Therefore, we recommend conducting prescribed fires before bighorn reintroductions, or conducting prescribed fires on a relatively small scale and on a rotational basis to avoid reducing foraging options.
Role of X-Chromosome encoded miRNAs in Autoimmunity: Suppressing the suppressor and Female Predisposition

Role of skewed X inactivation may in part explain high prevalence of autoimmune diseases in women. Human X chromosome encodes approximately 7% of the total microRNAs identified. Recent studies have implicated over expression of X-linked miRNA in women affected by the autoimmune diseases. Potential biological targets of them include critically important genes such as FOXP3, CTLA-4, PDCD1 and, members of CBL and SOCS family ubiquitin ligases, which play an important role in the immune suppressive mechanisms and maintenance of tolerance. X-linked miRNA mediated post transcriptional suppression of immunosuppressive genes is an open area of study with potential to better understand why women develop many autoimmune disorders more often than men.
Heat shock protein 104 (Hsp104)-mediated curing of [PSI+] yeast prions depends on both [PSI+] conformation and the properties of the Hsp104 homologs

Prions arise from proteins that have two possible conformations: properly folded and non-infectious or misfolded and infectious. The [PSI+] yeast prion, which is the misfolded and self-propagating form of the translation termination factor eRF3 (Sup35), can be cured of its infectious conformation by overexpression of Hsp104, which helps dissolve the prion seeds. This dissolution depends on the trimming activity of Hsp104, which reduces the size of the prion seeds without increasing their number. To further understand the relationship between trimming and curing, trimming was followed by measuring the loss of GFP-labeled Sup35 foci from both strong and weak [PSI+] variants; the former variant has more seeds and less soluble Sup35 than the latter. Overexpression of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hsp104 (Sc-Hsp104) trimmed the weak [PSI+] variants much faster than the strong variants and cured the weak variants an order of magnitude faster than the strong variants. Overexpression of the fungal Hsp104 homologs from Schizosaccharomyces pombe (Sp-Hsp104) or Candida albicans (Ca-Hsp104) also trimmed and cured the weak variants, but interestingly, it neither trimmed nor cured the strong variants. These results show that, because Sc-Hsp104 has greater trimming activity than either Ca-Hsp104 or Sp-Hsp104, it cures both the weak and strong variants, whereas Ca-Hsp104 and Sp-Hsp104 only cure the weak variants. Therefore, curing by Hsp104 overexpression depends on both the trimming ability of the fungal Hsp104 homolog and the strength of the [PSI+] variant: the greater the trimming activity of the Hsp104 homolog and the weaker the variant, the greater the curing.
Evaluation of insecticides for curative, preventive, and rotational use on Scirtothrips dorsalis South Asia 1 (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).

Abstract The chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is a cryptic species complex of at least 9 distinct species, 2 (South Asia 1 and East Asia 1) of which exist in the USA. To integrate chemical insecticides and mycoinsecticides into the preventive and curative tactics used for S. dorsalis, we evaluated 10 older and newer chemical insecticides and 3 mycoinsecticides against S. dorsalis South Asia 1, a dominant member of the species complex in the USA. An insecticide was considered effective when it induced greater than 70% mortality of larvae or adults. The older insecticides (acetamiprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam [foliar application], and imidacloprid [drench application]) were found to be efficacious in reducing S. dorsalis populations in both curative and preventive situations (≥7 d after treatment). Among insecticides with newer chemistries, foliar application of spinetoram, cyantraniliprole, tolfenpyrad, and formulations of chlorantraniliprole + thiamethoxam were effec...
Pharmacogenomics of the Natriuretic Peptide System in Heart Failure.

Heart failure (HF) continues to be a public health burden despite advances in therapy, and the natriuretic peptide (NP) system is clearly of critical importance in this setting, spawning valuable diagnostic and prognostic testing, such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP), as well as current and future therapeutics, including recombinant natriuretic peptides (e.g., carperitide, nesiritide) and recently sacubitril, which inhibits the key clearance mechanism for NPs. This article intends to summarize the existing evidence for the role of NP system genetic variation on cardiovascular phenotypes relevant to HF with particular focus on the potential impact on pharmacologic therapies. Several genes in NP system have been interrogated, in many cases genetic variation impacting protein quantity and function or related disease states. Recent data supports genetic variants potentially impacting pharmacokinetics or dynamics of medications targeting the pathway. Growing evidence indicates the importance of genetic variation to the functioning of the NP system and its pharmacologic manipulation.
Patient Selection for Total Pancreatectomy with Islet Autotransplantation in the Surgical Management of Chronic Pancreatitis

Background Best practice to select patients with chronic pancreatitis for surgical management with total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) is in evolution as new discoveries are made in the pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis. Study Design A prospectively maintained database of patients undergoing TPIAT was reviewed. Islet function was inferred from daily insulin requirement. Pain relief was evaluated by healthcare use and narcotic use. Quality of life (QOL) was measured with the RAND 12-Item Short Form Survey. Results One hundred and ninety-five patients (141 women, aged 40.3 years, BMI 26.5 kg/m 2 ) underwent TPIAT. Mean duration of disease before operation was 8.1 years. Fifty-six (29%) patients had pancreatic operations before TPIAT, 37 (19%) patients were diabetic preoperatively, and 52 (27%) patients were smokers. A mean of 3,253 islet equivalents transplanted/kg were harvested. Insulin independence was achieved in 29%, 28%, and 23% of patients at 1, 2, and 5 years postoperative. Nonsmokers with a shorter duration of chronic pancreatitis and no earlier pancreas operation were more likely to be insulin free. Median number of preoperative emergency department visits and hospitalizations were 6.6 and 4.3 annually, respectively, compared with 0 at 1, 2, and 5 years postoperative. Median oral morphine equivalents were 214 mg/kg preoperation and 60, 64, 69, at 1, 2, 5 years postoperative. Preoperative, 1, 2, 5 years postoperative QOL scores were 29, 36, 34, and 33 (physical; p Conclusions Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation is a durable operation, with islet function, pain relief, and QOL improvements persisting to 5 years postoperative. Patients with genetic pancreatitis, short duration of disease, and nonsmokers have superior outcomes.
Enticing women to computer science with es (Expose, engage, encourage, empower)

There is a shortage of women in computer science. An approach is needed to increase women and girls' interest in computer programming. To identify the best framework for both K-12 and higher education institutions to use to influence girls' view of Computer Science (CS), a thematic analysis of over 30 research papers and resources from the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) website was conducted. Summarizing the different successful approaches taken by various researchers in increasing the number of girls and women studying CS and categorizing the approaches based on similar themes revealed that there are four common methods used to encourage girls to pursue CS. The Four Es model— Expose, Engage, Encourage and Empower—is derived from this analysis. The model can be used by institutions as a framework to increase women and girls' interest in studying and pursuing computer science careers.
Same-Sex Marriage: When Will It Reach Utah?

An article about same-sex marriage in the U.S., with the particular regard to Utah's situation.
Regulation of Gene Transcription by Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is a heterodimer composed of HIF-1α and HIF-1β subunits that is present in all metazoan species. The expression and activity of the HIF-1α subunit are highly regulated, most notably by O 2 -dependent hydroxylation events involving prolyl and asparaginyl residues. HIF-1 binds to hypoxia response elements and activates the transcription of target genes. Over 200 HIF-1 target genes encoding proteins have been identified; among these are genes encoding transcription factors (including both sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins and chromatin-modifying proteins), which lead to secondary transcriptional regulatory cascades. Genes encoding microRNAs are also regulated by HIF-1, leading to indirect effects on messenger RNA stability and protein translation. HIF-1α has also been shown to interact with several other transcription factors and function as a coactivator or corepressor. HIF-1 mediates adaptive responses to hypoxia that are systemic, such as increased erythropoiesis, as well as responses that are cell autonomous, such as regulation of the balance between glycolytic and oxidative metabolism.
Bully victimization and child and adolescent health: new evidence from the 2016 NSCH.

Abstract Purpose To explore whether children with diagnosable health conditions are at greater risk of bully victimization and whether, among these children, bully victimization further elevates the risk of an array of health difficulties. Methods We examined a recent, nationally representative sample of children and adolescents aged 6–17 years who participated in the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health. Survey data pertaining to the children and adolescents covering bully victimization, health difficulties, and diagnosable health conditions were obtained from primary caregivers. Results The results suggest that children with diagnosable conditions are at significantly higher risk of being bullied, particularly among children with birth defects and developmental disorders (e.g., 50% or more are victims of bullying). Furthermore, the findings reveal that, among children with diagnosable conditions, those who are victims of bullying are significantly more likely to experience various health challenges, relative to nonvictims. While these findings are significant across age groups, 12- to 17-year-old youth are more likely to experience bullying in the presence of multiple developmental disorders, and when this occurs, these youth are more likely to manifest health difficulties than younger children. Conclusions The findings suggest that children with disabilities and chronic health conditions, who are at a significantly greater risk of being bullied, also suffer from further health difficulties when they are victimized by their peers. In conjunction with school-based interventions, primary care physicians may be ideally positioned to assess youth for victimization risk, provide counseling to youth victims, and reduce future victimization through office-based youth violence interventions.
Futures markets in an open economy

The purpose of this dissertation is to analyze the competitive firm's behavior under the price and exchange rate uncertainty when the firm participates in futures markets to hedge against these risks. This dissertation deals with three theoretical models which consider three different firms, and one empirical study. The first model shows that if the producing firm which trades in international and domestic markets uses the futures markets, the separation theorem holds, and the production decision does not depend on the risk attitudes or probability distribution of the random variables, but marketing (and hedging) decisions are still affected by uncertainty even though there are hedging instruments. The second model shows that the separation theorem still holds even under the existence of basis risk. In third theoretical model an importing offshore firm which has access to U.S. futures market and face input price and exchange rate uncertainty is analyzed. Introducing both hedging markets to the offshore country encourages the offshore firm to increase its production by increasing imports. In empirical study, time series data relating to a Korean importing are investigated as to whether they are stationary or not by using Dickey-Fuller method and Kwiatkowski, Phillips, Schmidt and Shin method. The conditional moments method is used to solve the nonstationarity problem and to estimate the optimal commodity and currency hedge ratios and the effects of introducing hedging markets to a Korean firm. This dissertation provides some insights into the risk shifting role of futures market and marketing strategy between domestic and foreign markets when both hedging markets are available.
Origin of the Fractional Quantum Hall State-to-Nematic Phase Transition in the Second Landau Level

The quantum phase transitions at ν = 5∕2 and ν = 7∕2 do not occur at the same pressure, but rather the same magnetic field. Because the magnetic field sets the scale for the electron–electron interactions, this suggests that electron–electron interactions are the dominant factor driving this quantum phase transition. Corroborating this conclusion, a specially engineered sample studied at ambient pressure also revealed a nematic phase at ν = 7∕2 at a similar magnitude of electron–electron interactions as the pressurized samples. We discuss the theory of the electron–electron interactions and how they manifest in the two-dimensional electron system through Landau level mixing and finite quantum well width.
An improved test of the binary black hole hypothesis for quasars with double-peaked broad Balmer lines

Velocity offsets in the broad Balmer lines of quasars and their temporal variations serve as indirect evidence for bound supermassive black hole binaries (SBHBs) at sub-parsec separations. In this work, we test the SBHB hypothesis for 14 quasars with double-peaked broad emission lines using their long-term (14--41 years) radial velocity curves. We improve on previous work by (a) using elliptical instead of circular orbits for the SBHBs, (b) adopting a statistical model for radial velocity jitter, (c) employing a Markov Chain Monte Carlo method to explore the orbital parameter space efficiently and build posterior distributions of physical parameters and (d) incorporating new observations. We determine empirically that jitter comprises approximately Gaussian distributed fluctuations about the smooth radial velocity curves that are larger than the measurement errors by factors of order a few. We initially treat jitter by enlarging the effective error bars and then verify this approach via a variety of Gaussian process models for it. We find lower mass limits for the hypothesized SBHBs in the range $10^8$--$10^{11}\;M_{\odot}$. For seven objects the SBHB scenario appears unlikely based on goodness-of-fit tests. For two additional objects the minimum SBHB masses are unreasonably large ($>10^{10}\;M_{\odot}$), strongly disfavoring the SBHB scenario. Using constraints on the orbital inclination angle (which requires some assumptions) makes the minimum masses of four more objects unreasonably large. We also cite physical and observational arguments against the SBHB hypothesis for nine objects. We conclude that the SBHB explanation is not the favoured explanation of double-peaked broad emission lines.
Preformulation in Drug Product Design

This chapter provides an overview of the factors that are considered in dosage form design, including physicochemical properties of drugs, drug solubility and dissolution, drug bioavailability, membrane permeability, and solid-state characteristics. Commonly performed preformulation studies including dissolution testing, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, particle size analysis and drug degradation testing are discussed.
Cooky, Cheryl, and Michael A. Messner. No Slam Dunk: Gender, Sport, and the Unevenness of Social Change. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2018; 310 pp. $39.95 (paperback). ISBN-978-0-8135-9204-6

No Slam Dunk: Gender, Sport, and the Unevenness of Social Change is a pivotal book for those wishing to be introduced to the different scholarly debates currently occurring at the intersection of g...
Connection blocking in $$\text {SL}(n,\mathbb {R})$$ SL ( n , R ) quotients

Let G be a connected Lie group and $$\varGamma \subset G$$ a lattice. Connection curves of the homogeneous space $$M=G/\varGamma $$ are the orbits of one parameter subgroups of G. To block a pair of points $$m_1,m_2 \in M$$ is to find a finite set $$B \subset M{\setminus } \{m_1, m_2 \}$$ such that every connecting curve joining $$m_1$$ and $$m_2$$ intersects B. The homogeneous space M is blockable if every pair of points in M can be blocked. In this paper we investigate blocking properties of $$M_n= \text {SL}(n,\mathbb {R})/\varGamma $$ , where $$\varGamma =\text {SL}(n,\mathbb {Z})$$ is the integer lattice. We focus on $$M_2$$ and show that the set of non blackable pairs is a dense subset of $$M_2 \times M_2$$ , and we conclude manifolds $$M_n$$ are not blockable. Finally, we review a quaternionic structure of $$\text {SL}(2,\mathbb {R})$$ and a way for making co-compact lattices in this context. We show that the obtained quotient homogeneous spaces are not finitely blockable.
Effects of feeder type, space allowance, and mixing on the growth performance and feed intake pattern of growing pigs

The effect of crowding and mixing on growth performance and feed intake pattern were investigated in growing pigs in a 4-wk study. Feeding pattern was monitored using automated feed intake recording equipment (F.I.R.E.). A total of 256 Yorkshire x Hampshire and purebred Duroc pigs (initial weight 35.8+/-.86 kg) were allocated to one of the eight treatment combinations in a 2x2x2 factorial arrangement (feeder type [conventional feeder vs F.I.R.E. feeder], space allowance [.56 vs .25 m2/pig], and mixing strategy [mixed vs unmixed; mixing at start of wk 1 and 3]). Pigs were housed in groups of eight, balanced for genotype and sex (barrows and gilts), and had free access to a corn-soybean meal diet (17% crude protein, 3,296 kcal ME/kg). There was no difference in growth performance between feeder types. Crowding and mixing had no effect on daily feed intake but they depressed growth rate by 15.7 and 7.1%, respectively, and the effects of the two stressors were additive. Gain:feed ratio was reduced by crowding (10.0%) but not by mixing. Crowded pigs made fewer (11.2 vs 15.7; SEM = .51), and longer (12.5 vs 8.9 min; SEM .41) feeder visits and had higher feed intake per visit (196.2 vs 145.5 g; SEM = 5.94) than uncrowded animals. Mixing produced changes in feeding pattern in the 1st wk after mixing but not over the 4-wk period. This study showed that crowding and mixing depressed growth rates in an additive manner and altered feeding behavior.
Influence of diluent concentration in localized high concentration electrolytes: elucidation of hidden diluent-Li+ interactions and Li+ transport mechanism

Localized high concentration electrolytes (LHCE) offer a viable dilution strategy for high concentration electrolytes (HCE) as the dilution process barely impacts the enhanced reductive/oxidative behavior of the HCE formulation but significantly lowers the overall viscosity and, in most cases, increases the ionic conductivity. On the other hand, experimental studies indicate that fluorinated ether electrolytes such as 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethylene 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl ether (TTE) help grow enhanced passivation layers on Ni-rich NMC cathodes. In this work, we study LHCE formulations based on lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), and TTE as the diluent. We use molecular dynamics methodologies, and Raman spectra measurements, to address to what extent the diluent content impacts the coordination behavior of the aggregated structures in the electrolyte and to evaluate the Li+ transport properties under the influence of an external electric field. In contrast to other fluorinated ethers, we find that TTE interacts with Li+via fluorine atoms, partially limiting the DMC–Li+ interactions hence altering the Li+ solvation coordination. This competitive interaction with Li+ between the organic solvent and the TTE diluent influences the electrolyte's reductive/oxidative behavior. Nevertheless, the bonding strength of the Li+–FTTE is much weaker than those of the Li+–ODMC and Li+–OFSI−. Therefore, the existence of Li+–FTTE is in a transient state rather than in a steady state. These results provide plausible guiding rules for future dilution strategies of HCE electrolytes. We also demonstrate that Li+ ions drift under the electric field's influence via repeated ion dissociation/association processes following a hopping conduction mechanism. Li+ ions jump between aggregated networks where Li–O interactions dominate via diluent-enriched phases, a process in which the solvation shells temporarily mutate to a Li–F dominated coordination structure. We expect our results to contribute an improved atomic-level understanding of the solvation structure and dynamics of LHCE electrolytes.
The Poverty Impacts of Global Commodity Trade Liberalization

This paper examines the poverty impacts of global merchandise trade reform by looking at a wide range of developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Overall, the authors find that trade reform tends to reduce poverty primarily through the inclusion of agricultural components. The majority of developing country sample experiences small poverty increases from non-agricultural reforms. The authors explore the relative poverty-friendliness of agricultural trade reforms in detail, examining the differential impacts on real after-tax factor returns of agricultural versus non-agricultural reforms. This analysis is extended to the distribution of households by looking at stratum-specific poverty changes. The author's findings indicate that the more favorable impacts of agricultural reforms are driven by increased returns to peasant farm households' labor as well as higher returns for unskilled wage labor. Finally, the authors examine the commodity-specific poverty impacts of trade reform for this sample of countries. The authors find that liberalization of food grains and other processed foods represent the largest contributions to poverty reduction. More specifically, it is tariff reform in these commodity markets that dominates the poverty increasing impacts of wealthy country subsidy removal.
Electrical current for induction or augmentation of abor. Preliminary report.

Abstract Stimulation of the cervix by electrical current resulted in initiation or augmentation of uterine contractions in 13 of 20 (65 per cent) near term or term patients. The duration of stimulation did not appear to be related to the production of contractions. Contractions may be initiated immediately, but in most cases several interrupted periods of stimulation are required. Where contractions did not result from stimulation, deliveries took place in three patients more than one week later. Theories of smooth muscle structure, function, and conduction are presented. It is suggested that electrical stimulation of the pregnant cervix at or near term initiates uterine contractions through an as yet unknown local mechanism.
Building a resource for evaluating the importance of sentences

This paper will introduce a new lexical resource for measuring the importance of short segments of text, such as sentences. The resource, a list of words compiled automatically from a large background corpus of news articles, can provide evidence that a text segment is globally important, that is intrinsically interesting, not only interesting in relation to a specified topic or set of documents.
Chi‐Squared Tests ‐ Further Developments

A chi-square test investigates whether observed data are consistent with a proposed probability model. Best-known chi-square statistics are the Pearson statistic and the likelihood-ratio statistic. This article also mentions various other statistics that have limiting chi-square distributions, all of which are special cases of the power divergence statistic. The article begins by introducing simple goodness-of-fit tests, then discusses a variety of chi-square statistics. Chi-square tests are then presented that apply with fixed intervals or with random intervals. Applications are then discussed for categorical data, such as testing independence. Extensions are discussed for small samples and sparse tables, and for correlated responses and complex surveys. Keywords: categorical data; contingency tables; correlated responses; goodness of fit; likelihood-ratio statistic; Pearson statistic; randomization tests; sparse data
Depletion of serotonin in the nervous system of Aplysia reduces the behavioral enhancement of gill withdrawal as well as the heterosynaptic facilitation produced by tail shock.

Noxious stimuli, such as electrical shocks to the animal's tail, enhance Aplysia's gill- and siphon-withdrawal reflex. Previous experimental work has indicated that this behavioral enhancement, known as dishabituation (if the reflex has been habituated) or sensitization (if it has not been habituated), might be mediated, at least in part, by the endogenous monoaminergic transmitter serotonin (5-HT). To assess 5-HT's role in dishabituation and sensitization of Aplysia withdrawal reflex, we treated Aplysia with the serotonergic neurotoxin 5,7- dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT). We found that 5,7-DHT treatment significantly reduced the dishabituation of the withdrawal reflex produced by tail shock. Treatment with the neurotoxin also blocked the heterosynaptic facilitation of monosynaptic connections between siphon sensory neurons and their follower cells, which contributes to the behavioral enhancement. Analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography indicated that 5,7-DHT treatment significantly reduced 5- HT levels in the Aplysia CNS. Moreover, the neurotoxic effects of 5,7- DHT appeared to be relatively specific for serotonergic pathways. Thus, 5,7-DHT treatment did not disrupt the ability of nonserotonergic facilitatory interneurons, the L29 cells, to facilitate the connections of siphon sensory neurons. Also, 5,7-DHT reduced 5-HT-dependent, but not dopamine-dependent, histofluorescence in Aplysia central ganglia. Finally, 5,7-DHT does not reduce the levels of the facilitatory peptides SCPA and SCPB within the Aplysia CNS. Our results, together with those of Mackey et al. (1989), indicate that 5-HT plays a major role in mediating dishabituation and sensitization of Aplysia's withdrawal reflex.
Development of Design Criteria for Intelligence Display Formats1

A broad research program to develop design criteria for intelligence display formats is outlined and the general findings of the program are discussed. Five specific areas of investigation are selected for study: a comparison of vertical and horizontal arrangements of alpha-numeric material, an evaluation of formats for trend displays, an evaluation of methods for presentation of graphic multiple trends, an evaluation of five abstract coding methods, and an evaluation of the effect of selected combinations of target and background coding on map reading performance. The five succeeding articles treat the five areas of investigation in detail.
The quantitative role of flexor sheath incision in correcting Dupuytren proximal interphalangeal joint contractures

Controversy exists regarding intra-operative treatment of residual proximal interphalangeal joint contractures after Dupuytren’s fasciectomy. We test the hypothesis that a simple release of the digital flexor sheath can correct residual fixed flexion contracture after subtotal fasciectomy. We prospectively enrolled 19 patients (22 digits) with Dupuytren’s contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint. The average pre-operative extension deficit of the proximal interphalangeal joints was 58° (range 30–90). The flexion contracture of the joint was corrected to an average of 28° after fasciectomy. In most digits (20 of 21), subsequent incision of the flexor sheath further corrected the contracture by an average of 23°, resulting in correction to an average flexion contracture of 4.7° (range 0–40). Our results support that contracture of the tendon sheath is a contributor to Dupuytren’s contracture of the joint and that sheath release is a simple, low morbidity addition to correct Dupuytren’s contractures...
The Role of Abusive States of Being in Interrogation

Interrogation, the questioning of persons detained by police, military, or intelligence organizations, is designed to extract information that a subject may resist disclosing. Interrogation techniques are frequently predicated on inducing mental states of despair, dread, dependency, and debility that weaken an individual's resistance. Descriptions of techniques from 2 Central Intelligence Agency training manuals are illustrated by examples from interviews of and writings by Murat Kurnaz, who was held at Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp for 5 years. Interrogation techniques are designed to create a destabilizing sense of shock; undermine an individual's grasp on reality; and provoke internal psychological division, self-conflict, and confusion. The long-term effects of interrogation often include posttraumatic stress disorder as well as states of anxiety, depression, and depersonalization.