cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computational complexity of uncapacitated multi-echelon production planning problems

Recently there has been a flurry of research in the area of production planning for multi-echelon production-distribution systems with deterministic non-stationary demands and no capacity constraints. A variety of algorithms have been proposed to optimally solve these problems, with varying success. This paper investigates the issue of computational complexity of the problem for all commonly studied product structures, i.e. the single item, the serial system, the assembly system, the one-warehouse-N-retailer system, the distribution system, the joint replenishment system, and the general production-distribution system. Polynomial time algorithms are available for the single-item, serial and assembly systems. We prove that the remaining problems are NP-complete.
Effects of the prostaglandin E1 analog misoprostol on cyclosporine nephrotoxicity

Acute infusion of cyclosporine in rats causes intense renal vasoconstriction and decreased glomerular filtration rate, effects that persist during short-term daily administration. We tested whether the orally active prostaglandin E1 analog misoprostol could reverse cyclosporine-induced renal vasoconstriction and restore the glomerular filtration rate. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were infused with cyclosporine (10 mg/kg) and then given an oral dose of misoprostol (100, 500, or 1000 micrograms/kg). Cyclosporine caused large decreases in glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow and a large increase in renal vascular resistance. Misoprostol decreased renal vascular resistance and increased renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate to near normal levels. The two highest doses of misoprostol caused severe hypotension only in cyclosporine-treated animals. However, when it was given in a dose of 100 micrograms/kg hypotension was not a serious problem. This dose of misoprostol resulted in an increase in glomerular filtration rate from 341 +/- 57 to 669 +/- 104 microliter/min (P less than 0.005) and renal blood flow from 2.23 +/- 0.36 to 4.25 +/- 0.65 ml/min (P less than 0.01), as well as a decrease in renal vascular resistance from 73.7 +/- 23.8 to 29.4 +/- 5.8 mmHg/ml/min (P less than 0.05) in cyclosporine-treated animals. When given to control animals, misoprostol had no effects on renal hemodynamics or renal function. In summary, acute cyclosporine-induced renal vasoconstriction and renal dysfunction in the rat were substantially reversed by oral administration of the prostaglandin E1 analog misoprostol.
Cytokine mimicry with an immunologic reformation: the discovery of a decade.

> After the lecture, an elderly lady came up and told the scientist that he had it all wrong. “The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise.” The scientist asked “And what is the turtle standing on?” To which the lady triumphantly replied: “You’re very
SYNTHESIS AND STEREOCHEMISTRY OF ORTHO-METHYLATED OCTAPHENYLNAPHTHALENES

Two exceptionally crowded derivatives of octaphenylnaphthalene bearing ortho-methyls on the phenyl substituents—2,3,5,6,7,8-hexaphenyl-1,4-di(o-tolyl)naphthalene (2) and 2,3,6,7-tetraphenyl-1,4,5,8-tetra(o-tolyl)naphthalene (3)—were prepared by the addition of tetraarylbenzynes to tetraarylcyclopentadienones. Both compounds exist as a mixture of conformational isomers which do not interconvert at ordinary temperatures. The yield of 2 and its distribution of conformers is strongly influenced by the choice of precursors in the final cycloaddition; one method gives a high yield of a 55:45 trans-2:cis-2 mixture, while another gives a very low yield of a 15:85 trans-2:cis-2 mixture. Kinetic epimerization of the latter indicated that the barrier to rotation about the tolyl-naphthalene bonds is 33.1 kcal/mol. Chirality 10:154–158, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Estimation of feature importance for food intake detection based on Random Forests classification

Selection of the most representative features is important for any pattern recognition system. This paper investigates the importance of time domain (TD) and frequency domain (FD) features used for automatic food intake detection in a wearable sensor system by using Random Forests classification. Features were extracted from signals collected using 3 different sensor modalities integrated into the Automatic Ingestion Monitor (AIM): a jaw motion sensor, a hand gesture sensor and an accelerometer. Data was collected from 12 subjects wearing AIM in free-living for a 24-hr period where they experienced unrestricted intake. Features from the sensor signals were used to train the Random Forests classifier that estimated the importance of each feature as part of the training process. Results indicated that FD features from the jaw motion signal and TD features from the accelerometer signal were the most relevant features for food intake detection.
Inserting software fault measurement techniques into development efforts

Over the past several years, techniques for estimating software fault content based on measurements of a system's structural evolution during its implementation have been developed. Proper application of the techniques will yield a detailed map of the faults that have been inserted into the system. This information can be used by development organizations to better control the number of residual faults in the operational system. There are several issues that must be resolved if these techniques are to be successfully inserted into a development effort. These issues are identified, as are possibilities for their resolution.
Open Channel Flow Resistance

In 1965, Rouse critically reviewed hydraulic resistance in open channels on the basis of fluid mechanics. He pointed out the effects of cross-sectional shape, boundary nonuniformity, and flow unsteadiness, in addition to viscosity and wall roughness that are commonly considered. This paper extends that study by discussing the differences between momentum and energy resistances, between point, cross-sectional and reach resistance coefficients, as well as compound/composite channel resistance. Certain resistance phenomena can be explained with the inner and outer laws of boundary layer theory. The issue of linear-separation approach versus nonlinear approach to alluvial channel resistances also is discussed. This review indicates the need for extensive further research on the subject.
Segmentation as the search for the best description of the image in terms of primitives

A paradigm is presented for the segmentation of images into piecewise continuous patches. Data aggregation is performed via model recovery in terms of variable-order bivariate polynomials using iterative regression. All the recovered models are candidates for the final description of the data. Selection of the models is achieved through a maximization of the quadratic Boolean problem. The procedure can be adapted to prefer certain kinds of descriptions (one which describes more data points, or has smaller error, or has a lower order model). A fast optimization procedure for model selection is discussed. The approach combines model extraction and model selection in a dynamic way. Partial recovery of the models is followed by the optimization (selection) procedure where only the best models are allowed to develop further. The results are comparable with the results obtained when using the selection module only after all the models are fully recovered, while the computational complexity is significantly reduced. The procedure was tested on real range and intensity images. >
Treatment-Mediated Alterations in HIV Fitness Preserve CD4 + T Cell Counts but Have Minimal Effects on Viral Load

For most HIV-infected patients, antiretroviral therapy controls viral replication. However, in some patients drug resistance can cause therapy to fail. Nonetheless, continued therapy with a failing regimen can preserve or even lead to increases in CD4 + T cell counts. To understand the biological basis of these observations, we used mathematical models to explain observations made in patients with drug-resistant HIV treated with enfuvirtide (ENF/T-20), an HIV-1 fusion inhibitor. Due to resistance emergence, ENF was removed from the drug regimen, drug-sensitive virus regrown, and ENF was readministered. We used our model to study the dynamics of plasma-viral RNA and CD4 + T cell levels, and the competition between drug-sensitive and resistant viruses during therapy interruption and re-administration. Focusing on resistant viruses carrying the V38A mutation in gp41, we found ENF-resistant virus to be 1763% less fit than ENF-sensitive virus in the absence of the drug, and that the loss of resistant virus during therapy interruption was primarily due to this fitness cost. Using viral dynamic parameters estimated from these patients, we show that although re-administration of ENF cannot suppress viral load, it can, in the presence of resistant virus, increase CD4 + T cell counts, which should yield clinical benefits. This study provides a framework to investigate HIV and T cell dynamics in patients who develop drug resistance to other antiretroviral agents and may help to develop more effective strategies for treatment.
The role of arginine vasopressin in alcohol tolerance

Administration of the neuropeptide, arginine vasopressin, to animals that have acquired functional tolerance to ethanol will maintain such tolerance, even in the absence of further ethanol ingestion by the animals. In mice, this action of the peptide is mediated by central nervous system V1 receptors and requires intact brain noradrenergic systems. Autoradiographic studies have shown that some V1 receptors are localized presynaptically on catecholaminergic neuronal terminals in the mouse lateral septum, suggesting that vasopressin may act via modulation of catecholamine release. In addition, vasopressin has been found to increase mRNA levels for the proto-oncogene, c-fos, in septum and hippocampus, possibly by an action at postsynaptic receptors. Expression of c-fos, which has been hypothesized to play a role in central nervous system neuroadaptation, could transform short-term actions of vasopressin into long-term effects on ethanol tolerance. Studies with vasopressin antagonists indicate that the endogenous peptide influences tolerance, and therefore the effect of chronic ethanol ingestion on vasopressin synthesis and release was studied. In mice and rats, hypothalamic vasopressin mRNA is decreased by chronic ethanol exposure, although effects on plasma vasopressin levels differ in the two species. The effect of ethanol on extrahypothalamic vasopressin synthesis in brain is under investigation. The results suggest mechanisms by which vasopressin can produce long-term changes in central nervous system function, and provide evidence for a disturbance of vasopressin regulation during chronic ethanol ingestion.
Hospital volume and surgical outcomes for elderly patients with colorectal cancer in the United States.

Abstract Background Recent emphasis has been placed on the quality of surgical care in the United States. As such, patients, providers, and payers are increasingly aware of the outcomes of surgical care as a marker of quality. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of hospital volume on mortality for patients of different age groups to determine whether elderly patients would derive more benefit from selective referral policies. Methods Data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for all patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer during 1997 were obtained ( N = 20,862). Differences in mortality associated with increasing age and hospital volume quartiles were determined. Risk-adjusted analyses of mortality were performed using multiple logistic regression. Results The overall mortality rate was 3.1% for the 842 hospitals included. Patient age breakdown was the following: age 80, 22%. Increasing age was associated with higher mortality rates: age 80, 6.9%. Overall, the highest volume hospitals (HVH) (>150/year) had lower mortality than the lowest volume hospitals (LVH) ( P = 0.006). However, the effect of volume on mortality was primarily due to differences in older patients. For patients greater than 65 years old, the mortality rate was 3.1% at HVH and 4.5% at LVH ( P = 0.03). For patients greater than 80 years old, the mortality rate was 4.6% at HVH and 7.3% at LVH ( P = 0.04). The results were unchanged after adjustment for patient demographics, comorbid disease, site of cancer, and type of resection. Conclusions The majority of deaths after surgery for colorectal cancer occur in older patients. Hospitals that perform higher volumes of colorectal resection have lower mortality rates, especially for older patients. In the absence of other information about the quality of surgical care, provider volumes are a useful marker of postoperative outcomes for older patients in need of surgery for colorectal cancer.
Atypical Antipsychotics in Elderly Patients with Dementia or Schizophrenia: Review of Recent Literature

Atypical antipsychotics have become a common pharmacologic option for the treatment of various psychiatric and behavioral symptoms in older adults, although these medications have been officially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use only in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Despite the widespread use of these agents, there is a relative shortage of rigorously conducted trials. This review focuses on recently published randomized, blinded, controlled trials involving the use of atypical antipsychotics in elderly patients with dementia (n = 9) or schizophrenia (n = 3), with some discussion of published large, open-label studies and a few unpublished controlled trials. In general, the studies of patients with dementia reported modest efficacy of atypical antipsychotics when compared to placebo and conventional antipsychotics. In addition, an advantage in terms of motor side effects was consistently noted with atypical antipsychotics when compared to conventional antipsychotics. The studies have also shown, however, a greater risk of mortality and adverse cerebrovascular events with several of these agents than with placebo in individuals with dementia. There are insufficient data comparing atypical antipsychotics to one another. In the trials involving elderly persons with schizophrenia, atypical antipsychotics were associated with significant improvements in psychopathology; differences in efficacy among atypical antipsychotics were unclear. A careful consideration of the risk-benefit ratio of atypical antipsychotics, as well as that of available alternative treatments, is needed for each individual elderly patient. Clinical judgment, caution, and consent should be the watchwords in this area of psychopharmacology.
Tool use and the distalization of the end-effector

We review recent neurophysiological data from macaques and humans suggesting that the use of tools extends the internal representation of the actor’s hand, and relate it to our modeling of the visual control of grasping. We introduce the idea that, in addition to extending the body schema to incorporate the tool, tool use involves distalization of the end-effector from hand to tool. Different tools extend the body schema in different ways, with a displaced visual target and a novel, task-specific processing of haptic feedback to the hand. This distalization is critical in order to exploit the unique functional capacities engendered by complex tools.
Defusing redox bombs

Proteins catalyze crucial reactions via unstable, high-energy chemical intermediates. In the absence of physiological substrates, activated redox cofactors become ticking time bombs, capable of producing oxidative damage to the protein. In PNAS, Gray and Winkler (1) propose that chains of tryptophan (Trp) and tyrosine (Tyr) residues may serve as escape routes for potentially damaging, highly oxidizing electron holes (oxidizing equivalents) that are generated in enzymatic reactions. The aromatic residues are suggested to provide charge-shuttling pathways that lead out to the protein surface from buried active sites. Once outside the protein, the holes can be safely scavenged by cellular reductants.
Familial Aggregation in the Night Eating Syndrome

Objective: This study examined the extent to which the night eating syndrome (NES) affects first-degree relatives of NES and control probands. Method: NES participants and controls were assessed with the Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ), the Night Eating Syndrome History and Inventory (NESHI), 10 day sleep and food records, the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE), the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV Axis I Disorders (SCID I), and a Family History Questionnaire (FHQ) to assess the presence of NES among first-degree relatives. A proband predictive model, using logistic regression analyses and the generalized estimating equation to control for correlation among observations within families was used to assess familial
Eye lesions in Sprague-Dawley rats: type and incidence in relation to age:

Ophthalmological examination of about 3000 rats up to 2 years old, untreated controls in toxicological studies, has provided information on the varying incidence with age of various spontaneous ophthalmic lesions of low frequency. Such information is of fundamental value in assessing the effect of administered compounds on ophthalmic changes.
Bringing Developmental Biology to Life on the Web

The process by which a single-celled egg develops into a complex, multi-billion–celled individual has perplexed philosophers and scientists for millennia. Aristotle described chick development in the egg as early as 340 B.C. In the 17th century, Hartsoeker (1694) discovered “animalcules” in human and animal sperm and suggested that this preformed homunculus grew into a child when placed in a woman's womb (Figure 1). Because of the research tools available, developmental biology remained a descriptive science until the second half of the twentieth century. Since then, new techniques adapted from cell biology, molecular biology, and genetics have enabled researchers to make great strides toward elucidating one of the greatest mysteries of life. Figure 1. Hartsoeker's homunculus shows a preformed human contained in a sperm (Hartsoeker, 1694 ). From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:HomunculusLarge.png/. The multimedia capabilities of the Web provide an ideal medium for bringing to life for students the dynamic molecular and morphological processes of developmental biology. Movies and animations can assist learners in visualizing these complex, time-dependent processes, augmenting the static illustrations in texts. This Feature describes sites that students can use to supplement and extend what is taught in class as well as materials that instructors can incorporate into lecture or laboratory, with special emphasis on introductory-level biology and developmental biology courses.
Characterization of TFTR shielding penetrations of ITER relevance in D-T neutron field

Abstract D-T phase of TFTR began with trace tritium discharges in mid-November 1993. The availability of high D-T fusion neutron yields at TFTR has provided a unique opportunity to characterize tokamak fusion reactor shielding-penetration geometries of relevance to ITER. It was undertaken to characterize neutron energy spectra near three different kinds of penetrations on walls of TFTR test cell. Thirteen foils each were irradiated on seven locations. The saturation activities have been obtained and are discussed with a view to characterizing the neutron energy spectra. Also, unfolded spectra have been utilized to estimate dose equivalents for the same locations. These types of measurements are potentially useful for validating calculational methods and meeting fusion reactor licensing requirements.
Evaluation of piezoresistive coefficient variation in silicon stress sensors using a four-point bending test fixture

The variation of the piezoresistive coefficients from several rosettes on the same die, the same wafer, and finally at different doping levels across a number of wafers was examined. A thorough error analysis of the method of applying a known uniaxial state of stress using a four-point bending (4PB) fixture was completed. A sensor error analysis demonstrated that it is very difficult to determine accurate values for the sum ( pi /sub 11/+ pi /sub 12/) using the common two-element rosette, particularly in p-type material. However, an empirical equation was found that provides an estimate for this coefficient. The second piezoresistive coefficient pi /sub 44/ can be measured accurately. However, the results presented for pi /sub 44/ differ from those of previous authors by some 33%. Thus, it appears necessary to measure this value for a given wafer lot. >
Numerical simulations of ultrasimple ultrashortlaser-pulse measurement.

We numerically simulate the performance of the ultrasimple frequency-resolved-optical-gating (FROG) technique, GRENOUILLE, for measuring ultrashort laser pulses. While simple in practice, GRENOUILLE has many theoretical subtleties because it involves the second-harmonic generation of relatively tightly focused and broadband pulses. In addition, these processes occur in a thick crystal, in which the phase-matching bandwidth is deliberately made narrow compared to the pulse bandwidth. In these simulations, we include all sum-frequency-generation processes, both collinear and noncollinear. We also include dispersion using the Sellmeier equation for the crystal BBO. Working in the frequency domain, we compute the GRENOUILLE trace for practical—and impractical—examples and show that accurate measurements are easily obtained for properly designed devices.
Inelastic Material Models in Earthquake Response

A computer program for the static and dynamic analysis of plane frames subjected to large inelastic deformations is reviewed. Nonlinear material, soil structure, and geometric effects are simultaneously considered. Problems are solved showing the influence of the stress-strain model on the static and dynamic response of frames subjected to large static load reversals and earthquake motions. Results indicate that while more accurate models are available for structural steel, the relatively simple Masing model is able to simulate the inelastic force-deformation response of frames quite well over a large range of inelastic deformations; even plastic-hinge models may predict accurate frame response.
India’s Economic Liberalization Program: An examination of its impact on the Regional

Introduction: For the past three decades, the buzz word in Economics has been Market reforms and Economic Liberalization. It has been presented as a panacea for ailing economies and as a necessity for continuing economic growth. The problems faced by developing economies has been attributed to excessive state control, stifling of competition and inefficient and loss making state enterprises. Thus, the international organizations, the industrialized countries and a large part of academia is presenting market liberalization as the only option for these economies. For the most part, increasing number of developing countries are accepting this path to economic growth. It is 15 years, since the start of the economic reform program adopted by India. The program, started in part due to an economic crisis, has now been projected as the path for India’s prosperity. There seems to be widespread acknowledgement of the need for such reform programs and the desire to, not steer off course. The reform program is seen as being instrumental in breaking the cycle of 3.5 percent growth rate (often referred to as the Hindu rate of growth) and moving into higher spheres of economic growth. It is thus necessary to evaluate the impact of these economic policies on the regional disparity that has existed in India. Several scholarly works have been written about the problem of regional disparity in the Pre-reform period (Srivastava 1991; K.R.G. Nair 1982;
Molecular Orientation and Optical Properties of 3,3′-Diethylthiatricarbocyanine Iodide Adsorbed to Gold Surfaces: Consequences for Surface-Enhanced Resonance Raman Spectroscopy

3,3′-Diethylthiatricarbocyanine iodide (DTTC) is an important near-infrared Raman reporter and fluorescence marker showing high potential for biomedical imaging. It is commonly assumed that the dye molecules retain their monomeric optical properties when adsorbed to gold surfaces, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) experiments are typically designed to take optimal advantage of the monomer resonance enhancement using 785 nm light. To test this assumption, we investigated the optical properties of DTTC iodide thin films on transparent gold substrates using polarized and angle-dependent UV–vis spectroscopy. The surface absorption spectra demonstrate that DTTC molecules form strongly coupled dimers on gold surfaces, with blue-shifted absorption bands where the transition dipole moment is aligned parallel to the metal surface. These results clarify inconsistencies encountered in recent SERS experiments and suggest ways to enhance signal quality in DTTC-based biomedical imaging.
Attention Theory as a Guide to Part-Training for Instruction of Naval Air-Intercept Control

Air-intercept control is a complex Navy combat task which requires a radar operator to advise a pilot of optimum headings for avoiding, meeting, or intercepting other aircraft. The goal of the research reported here was to explore procedures for teaching some critical elements of air-intercept control with a pc-based version of the training simulation that is normally used for instruction. Principles derived from attention theory, and in particular Multiple Resource Theory (Wickens, 1984), were used to guide the development of two part-training strategies. In one strategy, specific skill-based elements of the task were taught in isolation and were then recombined into the whole task. In another strategy, an abstract procedural task was added by isolating those features that contributed to the spatial and temporal coherence of the whole task. A transfer of training design was used to test these two part-training conditions. The procedural-based version of the task emerged as a training strategy that could ...
A model for the nonlinear mechanism responsible for cochlear amplification

A nonlinear model for the mechanism responsible for the amplification of the sound wave in the ear is derived using the geometric and material properties of the system. The result is a nonlinear beam equation, with the nonlinearity appearing in a coefficient of the equation. Once derived, the beam problem is analyzed for various loading conditions. Based on this analysis it is seen that the mechanism is capable of producing a spatially localized gain, as required by any amplification mechanism, but it is also capable of increasing the spatial contrast in the signal.
Variations in Refraction of the Visual and Extra-Visual Pupillary Zones*

Under cycloplegia, 277 normal eyes were studied as to the refractive comparison between the visual and extravisual zones, and between the different quadrants of the same eye. The variations found were classified chiefly as “symmetrical” positive aberration, “symmetrical” negative aberration, and mixed aberration (scissors movement). The type and degree of aberration are not dependent on the kind or amount of refractive error. Positive aberration is the most frequent, especially in adults; but negative aberration and the marked asymmetry of mixed aberration are met with in more than forty percent of children. The crystalline lens is a most important factor in producing the aberrations of the eye. These aberrations must be reckoned with in ophthalmoscopy, and objectively and subjectively in applied refraction. They should be studied routinely by means of skiascopy.
The Effectiveness of Emergency Department Visit Reduction Programs: A Systematic Review.

Study objective Previous reviews of emergency department (ED) visit reduction programs have not required that studies meet a minimum quality level and have therefore included low-quality studies in forming conclusions about the benefits of these programs. We conduct a systematic review of ED visit reduction programs after judging the quality of the research. We aim to determine whether these programs are effective in reducing ED visits and whether they result in adverse events. Methods We identified studies of ED visit reduction programs conducted in the United States and targeted toward adult patients from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2014. We evaluated study quality according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria and included moderate- to high-quality studies in our review. We categorized interventions according to whether they targeted high-risk or low-acuity populations. Results We evaluated the quality of 38 studies and found 13 to be of moderate or high quality. Within these 13 studies, only case management consistently reduced ED use. Studies of ED copayments had mixed results. We did not find evidence for any increase in adverse events (hospitalization rates or mortality) from the interventions in either high-risk or low-acuity populations. Conclusion High-quality, peer-reviewed evidence about ED visit reduction programs is limited. For most program types, we were unable to draw definitive conclusions about effectiveness. Future ED visit reduction programs should be regarded as demonstrations in need of rigorous evaluation.
Computer Simulation of Quantum Phenomena

A new procedure, called the particle method, for the solution of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation is described. It uses the amplitude and phase of the complex wave function, and thus avoids some of the oscillatory problems encountered when the real and imaginary parts of this function are employed. The choice of dependent variables leads to the hydrodynamic analogy to quantum mechanics and the method is close in spirit to computation techniques for classical mechanics. Two examples of the method are presented. The first treats wave-packet dynamics on a two-dimensional quadratic barrier; the second involves proton tunneling in a hydrogen-bonded material.
A Systemic Analysis of Making in Elementary Schools: Understanding Making for Children through Activity Theory

Based on an intensive semester-long study of designing and implementing curriculum-based Maker activities in 6 classes, this paper presents themes derived from a qualitative analysis of experience data using the framework of Activity Theory. Insights generated contribute to the understanding of the integration of Making into elementary schools at a systemic level.
Nanosecond laser-induced damage of transparent conducting ITO film at 1064nm

Transparent conducting films with superior laser damage performance have drawn intense interests toward optoelectronic applications under high energy density environment. In order to make optoelectronic applications with high laser damage performance, a fundamental understanding of damage mechanisms of conducting films is crucial. In this study, we performed laser damage experiments on tin-doped indium oxide films (ITO, Bandgap = 4.0 eV) using a nanosecond (ns) pulse laser (1064 nm) and investigated the underlying physical damage mechanisms. Single ns laser pulse irradiation on ITO films resulted in common thermal degradation features such as melting and evaporation although the laser photon energy (1.03 eV, 1064 nm) was smaller than the bandgap. Dominant laser energy absorption of the ITO film is attributed to free carriers due to degenerate doping. Upon multi-pulse irradiation on the film, damage initiation and growth were observed at lower laser influences, where no apparent damage was formed upon single pulse, suggesting a laser-induced incubation effect.
United States agricultural stakeholder views and decisions on climate change

Climate change poses unprecedented challenges to agricultural production globally and in the United States; it is both vulnerable to the impacts of a changing climate and a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Because farmers need to quickly adapt to reduce their risks and emissions, there is a pressing need to better understand the process by which they make decisions. This complex decision-making process includes many factors, such as farmers’ beliefs; knowledge and capacity to make changes; the information they receive from Extension, industry, and social networks (e.g., family and peers); economics and regulations; and farm-scale and environmental issues (including personal experience with extreme weather). This study assesses the published literature on U.S. agricultural stakeholder views and decisions on climate change, focusing on farmers and ranchers from different regions. We identify key themes that emerge from the literature on how stakeholder views about extreme weather and climate change relate to decisions about adaptation and mitigation practices. This review finds that although the majority of U.S. farmers believe the climate is changing, many remain skeptical of the issue and uncertain about the anthropogenic causes of climate change. Farmers’ climate change mitigation and adaptation decisions also vary widely and are often correlated with belief or other factors such as personal experience with extreme weather, costs of change, or fear of regulation. We conclude with the implications of the research, including the importance of understanding farmers’ view and actions and issue framing, and implications for researchers, Extension and policy makers, both nationally and globally. WIREs Clim Change 2017, 8:e469. doi: 10.1002/wcc.469 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Exercise Capacity Before and After Stent Placement for Coarctation of the Aorta: A Single-Center Case Series.

Over the last 15 years, stent placement has become a viable and safe alternative to surgical repair for native and recurrent coarctation of the aorta. Although patients with coarctation of the aorta often have lower exercise tolerance, there is no published data regarding the effect of coarctation stenting on exercise capacity. We aimed to determine the effect of coarctation stent placement on exercise capacity. We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent stent placement for native or recurrent coarctation of the aorta at our institution from January 2000 to October 2012. We identified those patients who underwent exercise testing before and after stent placement. We compared measures of exercise capacity pre- and post-stent placement using paired t tests. Among 48 patients who underwent coarctation stenting, 7 (mean age = 40, range 21–65 years) were found to have isolated coarctation of the aorta and had the necessary pre- and post-stent exercise data. Only one patient had native coarctation of the aorta. The peak-to-peak systolic gradient improved by a mean of 26 mmHg (p < 0.02) after stent placement. Functional aerobic capacity (FAC) improved from a mean of 69–83% after stent placement (p < 0.03). Metabolic equivalents (METs) also improved significantly from a mean of 8.7 to 10.2 (p < 0.03). In our cohort, stent placement for relief of recurrent coarctation of the aorta resulted in a significant improvement in exercise capacity. This improvement may not be as significant in patients with milder coarctation of the aorta or those with complicating morbidities. Larger studies with more long-term follow-up are needed to better quantify this improvement and to define any lasting effect of this intervention on exercise tolerance.
Physiological Ecology of Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu et Cheng

Morphologically identical representatives of the modern taxon Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu et Cheng have been found as fossils in many Northern Hemisphere locations, indicating that since its origin in the Late Cretaceous, the genus has migrated throughout the Northern Hemisphere, and at times had a range extending over some 40 degrees of latitude. Today, the taxon is found only in a restricted area in southern China; however, it has been disseminated widely as a horticultural curiosity, and grows successfully in a variety of modern habitats. This paper examines the modern species’ autecology, focusing on gas exchange relations, to address the role of physiological constraints in range contraction over time. Examination of CO2 uptake and transpiration in response to light, temperature, humidity and CO2 concentration indicate that M. glyptostroboides is drought-intolerant, adapted to low light levels and relatively cool climates, as might be expected in foggy coastal or riparian habitats. The gas-exchange relations of the modern species are sufficiently flexible to explain the presence of fossil Metasequoia Miki at all known sites, based on paleoclimatic reconstructions, implying that the species has not undergone any major adaptive changes in its core physiological processes. In spite of its horticultural popularity, there has been relatively little quantitative physiological examination of this species. This paper attempts to summarize what is available in the literature, providing an additional perspective on the species autecology in the context of species migration and habitat selection. Metasequoia glyptostroboides is shade-intolerant, germinates best on open soils, intolerant of high light levels and resists pests and disease well due to the accumulation of toxic secondary compounds. Finally, the role of M. glyptostroboides’ deciduous habit is discussed with reference to adaptation to high-latitude photoseasonality.
Culture, Health, and School Readiness

This chapter will examine the intersections of culture , health , and school readiness from an international perspective. The interplay of these three constructs will be explored to study their individual and combined impact on developing children across the globe. A review of empirical research will identify culturally sensitive practices that effectively promote the health and school readiness of all children. Particular emphasis will be given to the high rates of obesity among young children in industrialized societies. Research substantiating the nature of relationships between health and school readiness and implications for practice will be discussed. The chapter will include suggestions for culturally sensitive practices to support the health and learning of children as they transition from home to school environments.
The Wallflower Order and Social Reproduction: Gender, Work, and Feminist Dance

Emerging out of the women’s liberation movements of the 1970s, a group of dancers founded the Wallflower Order Dance Collective (1975–1984), one of the first explicitly feminist dance groups in the...
The Impact of 300 Years of Jail Conditions

New Orleans has jailed people for almost as long as the city has existed. Beginning from the first incarnation of Orleans Parish Prison in 1721 by Jean-Baptiste de Bienville at Jackson Square to its current iteration under federal court supervision near the criminal courthouse at Tulane Avenue and Broad Street, the jail has imposed inhumane conditions on the people detained there. But the conditions in the jail not only affect those detained, but our community as well. Modern accounts of Orleans Parish Prison (OPP), recently renamed the Orleans Justice Center, have focused on the impact of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and its aftermath, with little attention to centuries of detention that came before. This article links the current conditions in the jail to the jail’s historical role in New Orleans to explore the extent to which detention in the New Orleans jail has contributed to racial inequality in New Orleans today. A historical account of the jail is important to understand the centuries of inhumane conditions imposed overwhelmingly on African American members of our community. Written accounts from the 1800s to present describe dangerous, unsanitary, and torturous conditions for Orleans parish detainees. As recently as 2013, Federal District Court Judge Lance Africk described the conditions in the jail as “an indelible stain on the community.” These dehumanizing conditions are disproportionately imposed on African Americans. Local, state, and federal legislative reforms of criminal justice policies have focused on the drivers and outputs of incarceration, but have largely ignored the conditions of confinement themselves. In so doing, these reform efforts ignore the devastating and lifelong effects on detained individuals and our community. This essay concludes by highlighting the importance of community engagement in improving conditions at the jail.
Adaptive Optics Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy in Retinal Degenerations: New Insights in Structure and Function

Retinal degenerations cause progressive death of photoreceptors. Imaging photoreceptors in eyes with retinal degeneration yields insights into how genetic mutations affect photoreceptor structure and function. High-resolution images can provide sensitive measures of photoreceptor survival.
Allozyme Variation among Populations of the Hessian Fly (Mayetiola destructor) in the United States

To estimate genic heterozygosity in the Hessian fly and evaluate the amount of gene flow among different biotypes in the major wheat-growing regions, we examined allozyme variation at 21 loci among 18 populations distributed throughout the continental United States
Recurrence of Gestational Diabetes in Subsequent Pregnancies

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was originally defined by O’Sullivan and Mahan (1964) as glucose metabolism exceeding two standard deviations beyond normal values during pregnancy. Although a number of clinical risk factors have since been associated with the development of these abnormalities (O’SULLIVAN et al., 1973), the significance of a previous history of abnormal carbohydrate metabolism in pregnancy is unclear. A clinical observation of an occasional patient with gestational diabetes in pregnancy, followed by normal diabetes screening in a subsequent pregnancy, prompted a formal assessment of the recurrence rate of gestational diabetes when another pregnancy occurred.
Household preparedness in an imminent disaster threat scenario: The case of superstorm sandy in New York City

Abstract This article focuses on the analysis of the levels of household preparedness in New York City (NYC) during an imminent threat scenario, that is, the landfall of Superstorm Sandy on October 25, 2012. Additionally, it reveals how social and socio-psychological factors influenced the preparedness behavior of NYC households. This study uses data from the New York City Random Digit Dialing survey, conducted by the Disaster Research Center at the University of Delaware, with a sample of 1449 adult residents in NYC at the time of the storm. The data was analyzed using frequencies, cross-tabs, and factor analysis in order to build four path analysis models of household preparedness. Results indicate that the levels of household preparedness in NYC at the time of the storm were modest. Each household engaged, on average, in 7 preparedness activities out of a possible 14 on the date of the storm. Households engaged more in the acquisition of preparedness supplies than in developing planning or mitigation capabilities. Moreover, social capital was an enabler of preparedness. Households that were politically active or that were integrated into community networks were more likely to engage in all types of preparedness efforts. Risk perception also had a positive impact on the preparedness efforts developed by NYC households. Also, single mother households, low-income households, and households with seniors were less likely to be proactive regarding preparedness efforts, while households with one or more members with functional and access needs and households located within the Sandy inundation areas were more likely to prepare for a disaster or an emergency.
The "Quantifying Construct Validity" Procedure: Its Role, Value, Interpretations, and Computation.

The current article enhances the test validation process by addressing important issues with the quantifying construct validity (QCV) procedure. The QCV procedure is intended to help researchers sy...
Loss of cannabinoid receptor 1 promotes intestinal tumor growth

4190 Dysregulation of certain bioactive lipid signaling pathways is known to contribute to progression of cancer. Endocannabinoids, a class of bioactive lipids, activate G-protein-coupled cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. Although endocannabinoid signaling is important for certain aspects of gastrointestinal homoeostasis, the role of the cannabinoid receptors in colorectal cancer has not been defined. Here we show that CB1 expression was silenced in human colorectal cancer due to methylation of the CB1 promoter. Our genetic and pharmacologic studies reveal that loss or inhibition of CB1 accelerated the intestinal adenoma growth in ApcMin/+ mice whereas activation of CB1 attenuated the intestinal tumor growth by inducing cell death via downregulation of the anti-apoptotic factor survivin. This downregulation of survivin by CB1 is mediated by a cAMP-dependent PKA signaling pathway. These results indicate that the endogenous cannabinoid system represent a potential therapeutic target for the prevention or treatment of colorectal cancer.
Preparation and electrical conductivity of graphitic carbon-infused copper alloys

By electron-beam (e-beam) melting, we prepared 0.4 wt% carbon-infused copper (CuCv4), and a copper control without carbon addition (CuCvO). Scanning electron microscopy and helium ion microscopy (HIM) were performed on the as-solidified surface, fracture surface, and ion-polished surface of the CuCv4 sample. The results revealed that graphitic carbon flakes cover the as-solidified surface, and carbon nanoparticles and clusters exist in the fracture and ion-polished surfaces. HIM on the ion-polished surface revealed a unique ripple-shaped feature, which is possibly associated with the infusion of carbon nanoribbons in the copper matrix. The bulk densities were measured to be 8.86 and 8.53 g/cm3, which correspond to relative densities of 98.9% and 96.4% for the CuCvO and CuCv4 samples, respectively. In addition, apparent electrical conductivities were measured to be 56.9 and 57.5 MS/m, respectively, for the e-beam melted CuCvO and CuCv4 samples. These values correspond to true electrical conductivities of 100.5% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard) and 107.4% IACS after correction for the porosity. Our results reveal remarkable promise of using covetic copper for the next generation conductors in energy applications from microelectronic devices to high-power transmission cables.
Diagnosis, Medical Management, and Complications of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) carries significant morbidity and mortality. Although major differences in the incidence of the disease exist, the incidence of aSAH ranges from 2 to 16 per 100,000 people. Despite advancements in the treatment of patients with aSAH, 12–15% of patients will still die prior to hospital admission. The incidence of aSAH increases with age, with median age of onset >50 years of age, and is more common in women than in men. The clinical hallmark of aSAH, in an awake patient, is the complaint of the sudden onset of the “worst headache of life” (Bassi P, Acta Neurol Scand 84(4):277–81, 1991). In 10–40% of patients, this thunderclap headache is preceded 7–30 days by a warning or sentinel headache. This sentinel headache signifies a slow bleed from the aneurysmal site and carries with it a tenfold increased risk of rebleeding. Additional signs and symptoms of aSAH include nausea with or without vomiting, stiff neck, photophobia, cranial nerve palsies and other focal neurological deficits, and seizures, up to and including the loss of consciousness. Individual variation in the signs and symptoms is common leading to high incidence of misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. This can occur in up to 12% of patients. Patients misdiagnosed at initial presentation have a four times greater likelihood of death or significant disability at 1 year.