cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vocational Rehabilitation of Transition-Age Youth with Disabilities: A Propensity-Score Matched Study.

Objective To investigate the employment outcomes of vocational rehabilitation (VR) services for youth with disabilities in a targeted, enhanced, and contract-based secondary transition program as compared to the traditional VR transition services. Methods A population-based study was conducted on 4422 youth with physical, intellectual, learning, mental and hearing disabilities aged 14–21 at application and whose case was closed after receiving VR transition services in a Midwestern state. Selected youth were classified into either targeted secondary transition program (START) or non-START treatment group. The employment outcomes of the groups were compared using propensity-score matching procedures. Results 2211 youth with disabilities in each treatment group were successfully matched based on demographic characteristics, types of disabilities, existence of severe functional limitations, and year of referral. The overall rehabilitation rate was 57 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 56–59 %], where the START group rate was 61 % (95 % CI 59–63 %) and the non-START group 53 % (95 % CI 51–55 %). The propensity-score matched odds ratio (OR) was 1.40 (95 % CI 1.24–1.58; p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses showed that the odds of rehabilitation in youth with disabilities were consistently higher when they were in START as compared to non-START (OR ranged from 1.27 to 1.92 with p < 0.05 except for the Hispanic subgroup). Conclusion The results suggest that VR services in a targeted, enhanced, and contract-based secondary transition program are more effective in transitioning youth with disabilities to employment than the regular VR transition services.
Effects of applause magnitude and musical style on listeners’ evaluations of wind band performances:

Prior research indicates that listeners’ perceptions of music are influenced by the expressed approval of others. The focus of this investigation was the extent to which applause, an overt expression of approval from an audience of other listeners, influenced musicians’ perceptions of ensemble performances, specifically the effects of applause magnitude (high magnitude applause, low magnitude applause, or no applause) and musical style (ballad or march). Undergraduate instrumentalists (N = 98) from five institutions listened to recorded excerpts of wind band music—three identical recordings of a ballad and three identical recordings of a march. A distinct applause magnitude condition was electronically attached to each recording, resulting in six unique stimuli. For each excerpt, participants rated eight performance dimensions, which were summed to create a composite rating. Results indicated that listeners’ composite ratings were influenced by an interaction between applause magnitude and musical style. ...
Saving the World’s Women from Cervical Cancer

Each year more than 260,000 women die of cervical cancer, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. Yet innovative approaches and emerging international commitment make it possible to ensure that all women have access to lifesaving cancer-prevention tools.
“A Mother-of-Sufferer”: Subversive Mothering in the Caribbean and Irish Traditions

Palko explores cultural and political conceptions of Mother Ireland and Mother Africa to highlight an Irish–Caribbean connection and develop a theoretical understanding of the maternal imaginary, which she argues is marked by women writing a new form of literary motherhood into being and in turn inspiring lived experiences through the fictional model. Palko develops a theory of Feminist Maternal Ethics that incorporates maternal theory, an ethics of abortion and motherhood, and an ethics of female sexuality, to guide comparative literary analysis of Irish and Caribbean texts. A close reading of poems by Grace Nichols and Paula Donlon demonstrates overlapping influences in Irish and Caribbean literatures and highlights the maternal patterns that recur in each culture.
Epilogue ‘If what parts, can so remaine’

There are 232 Shakespeare First Folios, but only two original copies of Love’s Martyr with ‘The Phoenix and Turtle’. If this volume had vanished along with Love’s Labour’s Won and Cardenio, we would still possess the core works for which Shakespeare is popularly revered today How essential or expendable then is this short poem to the Shakespeare canon? While there will always be some who, never having read it, would never miss it and others who, having read it, stand outside its charmed circle, immune to its strange music and dismissive of its literary value, from the end of the nineteenth century it has regularly elicited admiration as one of the most beautiful and mysterious poems ever written. With its iconic vision, startling ideas, complex structure and haunting rhythms, ‘The Phoenix and Turtle’ will undoubtedly continue to astonish inquisitive readers as Shakespeare’s ‘most notable exercise’ in ‘lyric wonder’.1 Its oracular fantasy provides one of the most profound experiences poetry can yield, with a lightness of touch and intellectual playfulness that make it even more compelling. For some it is a paean of hope and for others an epitaph for truth and beauty. Conjoined, these constantly recurring interpretations prove the extent to which it withholds solutions. Its chief function is to pose basic questions about the extent to which it is possible for us to realize our highest ideals and the extent to which our rituals of remembrance — such as poetry — can ameliorate or at least make comprehensible a shared human dilemma.
Harvard's Mineralogical Tour of England June 23-July 4, 1984

(1985). Harvard's Mineralogical Tour of England June 23-July 4, 1984. Rocks & Minerals: Vol. 60, No. 1, pp. 21-25.
Drones for disaster response and relief operations: A continuous approximation model

Abstract This paper proposes a Continuous Approximation (CA) model that designs the potentiality of drones as a mode of transportation to supply emergency commodities in a disaster-affected region. The model determines the optimal distribution center locations and their corresponding service regions and ordering quantities to minimize the overall distribution cost for the disaster-relief operation. We propose a two-phase CA approach that solves the model efficiently. We conduct extensive sensitivity analysis to reveal insights into how system design varies with key drone design parameters. We use three disaster-prone coastal counties of Mississippi as a testbed to visualize and validate the modeling results.
Metabolic Response to Four Weeks of Muscular Endurance Resistance Training

Background: Previous investigations have shown that muscular endurance resistance training (MERT) is conducive in improving the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA). However, the metabolic response and time course for adaption is still unclear. Objective: The aims of the current study were to evaluate and track the metabolic response to an individual session of MERT as well as to assess performance adaptations of supplementing an aerobic exercise training program with four weeks of MERT. Methods: Seventeen aerobically active men were randomly assigned to either the experimental (EX) or control group (CON), 9 EX and 8 CON. Baseline measures included a graded exercise test (GXT) and 1-repetition maximum (1RM) testing for leg press (LP), leg curl (LC), and leg extension (LE). CON continued their regular aerobic activity while the EX supplemented their regular aerobic exercise with 4 weeks of MERT. Results: No significant group differences were observed for all pre-training variables. Following four weeks of training no significant differences in cardiorespiratory or metabolic variables were observed for either group. However, significant improvements in LC and LE 1-RM were observed in EX compared to CON. Substantial accumulations in blood lactate were observed following each MERT session. Conclusion: Four weeks of MERT did not improve cardiorespiratory or metabolic variables, but did significantly improve LC and LE. MERT was also observed to induce a blood lactate response similar to that of HIIT. These findings suggest greater than four weeks is need to see metabolic adaptations conducive for improved aerobic performance using MERT.
Cancer-related masculine threat and behavioral symptoms in prostate cancer survivors

Background Cancer-related masculine threat (CMT), or the extent to which men believe that cancer is inconsistent with their masculinity, exacerbates declines in prostate-related functioning following cancer treatment (Hoyt et al., 2016). Yet no study has sought to examine possible behavioral or immune pathways affecting health. The present study examined how CMT is related to sleep, fatigue, and markers of inflammation in prostate cancer survivors over time. Methods Men (N = 61; M age = 65.76, SD = 9.04) treated for localized prostate cancer in the preceding two years were enrolled in a study of “health-related quality of life.” Cancer-related masculine threat was assessed at study entry and sleep quality, fatigue, and markers of inflammation were measure 4 months later. Results Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to test for relationships over time. CMT was associated with more fatigue (B = 0.39, p = 0.019), worse sleep quality (B = 0.56. p = 0.002), and higher sTNFRII (B = 0.35, p = 0.047). CMT was not associated with CRP or IL-6). All analyses statistically controlled for participant age, BMI, and depressive symptoms (other biobehavioral variables were controlled by study design). Conclusion Aspects of masculinity and gender role, particularly those that are traditional and restrictive, are related to poorer physical and psychological outcomes in men with cancer. In men with prostate cancer, CMT might invoke unique physiological influence on physiology with potential negatively impact psychological and physical health.
Placental Drug Transport-on-a-Chip: A Microengineered In Vitro Model of Transporter-Mediated Drug Efflux in the Human Placental Barrier

The current lack of knowledge about the effect of maternally administered drugs on the developing fetus is a major public health concern worldwide. The first critical step toward predicting the safety of medications in pregnancy is to screen drug compounds for their ability to cross the placenta. However, this type of preclinical study has been hampered by the limited capacity of existing in vitro and ex vivo models to mimic physiological drug transport across the maternal-fetal interface in the human placenta. Here the proof-of-principle for utilizing a microengineered model of the human placental barrier to simulate and investigate drug transfer from the maternal to the fetal circulation is demonstrated. Using the gestational diabetes drug glyburide as a model compound, it is shown that the microphysiological system is capable of reconstituting efflux transporter-mediated active transport function of the human placental barrier to limit fetal exposure to maternally administered drugs. The data provide evidence that the placenta-on-a-chip may serve as a new screening platform to enable more accurate prediction of drug transport in the human placenta.
Model-Based Systems Engineering Uptake in Engineering Practice

Modeling is ubiquitous in engineering, but data on model use and user sophistication in engineering-driven firms are remarkably sparse. Some authors have predicted a sea change in engineering workflow through model-based systems engineering. Despite benefits, the prevalence of effective modeling techniques in industry is an open question. Massive open online courses and similar online offerings are a new opportunity to learn about industry practices. In this paper, we draw on data from the “Architecture and Systems Engineering: Models and Methods to Manage Complex Systems” online program from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which has enrolled 4200 participants, to understand how models are used in practice. We use aggregated data from questions to investigate model use by participants and their organizations. The results demonstrate that whereas modeling is widely recognized for its potential, the actual deployment against problems of interest is substantially lower than the participant-stated potential. We also find that many participants reported low use of basic modeling best practices, such as specialized programs. We propose that this research is a fresh use of descriptive analysis to uncover actual modeling practices. Future research should target more detail about modeling practices in engineering-driven firms, and the reasons why modeling adoption is low or overstated.
Physical Qualities Pertaining to Shorter and Longer Change-of-Direction Speed Test Performance in Men and Women.

This study investigated relationships between shorter (505, change-of-direction (COD) deficit as a derived physical quality) and longer (Illinois agility test; IAT) COD tests with linear speed, lower-body power (multidirectional jumping), and strength in recreationally-trained individuals. Twenty-one males and 22 females (similar to collegiate club-sport and tactical athletes) were assessed in: 505 and COD deficit from each leg; IAT; 20 m sprint; vertical jump (VJ height, peak anaerobic power measured in watts (PAPw), power-to-body mass ratio); standing broad jump; lateral jump (LJ) from each leg; and absolute and relative isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) strength. Partial correlations calculated sex-determined relationships between the COD and performance tests, with regression equations calculated (p < 0.05). The 505 and IAT correlated with all tests except PAPw and absolute IMTP (r = ±0.43–0.71). COD deficit correlated with the LJ (r = −0.34–0.60). Left- and right-leg 505 was predicted by sex, 20 m sprint, and left-leg LJ (70–77% explained variance). Right-leg COD deficit was predicted by sex and left-leg LJ (27% explained variance). IAT was predicted by sex, 20 m sprint, right-leg LJ, and relative IMTP (84% explained variance). For individuals with limited training time, improving linear speed, and relative lower-body power and strength, could enhance shorter and longer COD performance.
Eliciting patient-important outcomes through group brainstorming: when is saturation reached?

Group brainstorming is a technique for the elicitation of patient input that has many potential uses, however no data demonstrate concept saturation. In this study we explore concept saturation in group brainstorming performed in a single session as compared to two or three sessions. Fifty-two predominately African American adults patients with moderately to poorly controlled Diabetes Mellitus participated in three separate group brainstorming sessions as part of a PCORI-funded group concept mapping study examining comparing methods for the elicitation of patient important outcomes (PIOs). Brainstorming was unstructured, in response to a prompt designed to elicit PIOs in diabetes care. We combined similar brainstormed responses from all three sessions into a ‘master list’ of unique PIOs, and then compared the proportion obtained at each individual session, as well as those obtained in combinations of 2 sessions, to the master list. Twenty-four participants generated 85 responses in session A, 14 participants generated 63 in session B, and 14 participants generated 47 in session C. Compared to the master list, the individual sessions contributed 87%, 76%, and 63% of PIOs. Session B added 3 unique PIOs not present in session A, and session C added 2 PIOs not present in either A or B. No single session achieved >90% saturation of the master list, but all 3 combinations of 2 sessions achieved > 90%. Single sessions elicited only 63-87% of the patient-important outcomes obtained across all three sessions, however all combinations of two sessions elicited over 90% of the master list, suggesting that 2 sessions are sufficient for concept saturation. NCT02792777 . Registered 2 June 2016.
Is Nature Good

Arthur Sullivan IS NATURE GOOD? The great majority of land use changes evoke no controversy. Of course, there is general and subdued grousing on the op-ed pages: Where have all die flowers gone? and Gonna get gridlock, and so on. And environmental advocacy groups and local neighborhood associations should be credited for doing excellent work in exercising various conservation agendas. But conservation as a social force is still effective only on the margins, only on behalf of the endangered attractive mammal, a spectacular view, or any natural resource that can match up well in a cost-benefit analysis. Regardless of local and specific successes, the world and die country continue to lose habitats and species daily The real problem is simple: A democratic majority cannot agree that a problem exists, that the collective human self-interest is threatened when native plants and animals are displaced by people in the course of making places for themselves. The question really is: Is nature intrinsically good rather than instnanen- tally good? If portions of the ecosystem (rain forests, for example) must be left undisturbed to ensure survival of the whole ecosystem, then making a balance between the portions that are needed by nature and the portions that are needed by humans is a crucial design problem. As yet, no value system or general theory allows discussions that satis­ factorily balance the land requirements of humans and of wild nature. What I want to do is interject an argument based on floral and faunal rights into the discussion of place quality, and to discuss who should be responsible for assuring those rights. PLACES
LEGO-PoL: A 93.1% 54V-1.5V 300A Merged-Two-Stage Hybrid Converter with a Linear Extendable Group Operated Point-of-Load (LEGO-PoL) Architecture

This paper presents a merged-two-stage Linear Extendable Group Operated Point-of-Load (LEGO-PoL) architecture targeting applications with high voltage conversion ratio and very high output current (a few hundreds Amps). In the merged-two-stage LEGO-PoL architecture, many switched capacitor units are connected in series to split the input voltage into multiple voltage domains, and many buck units are connected in parallel to split the output current into multiple current paths. One submodule of the LEGO-PoL architecture merges the operation of a switched capacitor unit and a multi-phase buck unit to create mutual advantages. The buck units are used as current sources to soft-charge and soft-switch the switched capacitor units, and the switched capacitor units are utilized to ensure current sharing among a large number of buck units. The LEGO-PoL architecture can be linearly-extended to cover wide input voltage range and output current range. The modular units are group-operated to ensure voltage balancing and current sharing automatically. A 450W, 54V-1.5V, 300A LEGO-PoL architecture with a peak efficiency of 93.1% has been built and tested to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Association of the eukaryotic vaginal virome with prophylactic antibiotic exposure and reproductive outcomes in a subfertile population undergoing in vitro fertilisation: a prospective exploratory study

Objective The objective of this study was to use high-throughput sequencing to describe the vaginal eukaryotic DNA virome in patients undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) to examine associations between the vaginal virome, antibiotic exposure and IVF outcomes. Design Prospective exploratory study. Setting Single academic fertility centre. Population Subfertile women age 18-43 years undergoing their first IVF cycle with a fresh embryo transfer. Methods The primary exposure was prophylactic azithromycin or no azithromycin before IVF. A mid-vaginal swab was obtained at the time of embryo transfer for virome analysis. Main outcome measures The primary outcomes compared between exposure groups were characteristics of vaginal virome and clinical pregnancy rates. Secondary outcomes were virome associations with number of oocytes retrieved, number of blastocysts and implantation rate. Results Twenty-six women contributed a vaginal swab before embryo transfer. There were no significant differences in IVF outcomes between azithromycin groups. There was no association between viral diversity and clinical pregnancy overall. A higher diversity of herpesviruses and α-papillomaviruses was observed in samples from the azithromycin-treated group compared with the no azithromycin group (P = 0.04). In women that received azithromycin, viral diversity was higher in the group that did not achieve clinical pregnancy compared with those who did (P = 0.06). Conclusions We demonstrate that the vaginal eukaryotic virome in women undergoing IVF is associated with antibiotic exposure. Additionally, we demonstrate an inverse trend between viral diversity and pregnancy, with a higher number of viruses detected associated with failure to achieve clinical pregnancy in the azithromycin group. Tweetable abstract Higher viral diversity is associated with prophylactic antibiotic exposure in subfertile women undergoing IVF.
The Exchange Rate as an Instrument of Policy in a Developing Country

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the exchange rate as an instrument of policy in a developing country. It is concerned with the real effects of exchange rate changes. It is argued, using an essentially monetarist framework, that in a situation in which (1) a devaluation is allowed to be an effective tax on real money balances, (2) the country is a price taker in world markets, (3) domestic producers use imported inputs in conjunction with domestic inputs, (4) there are significant costs of moving nonlabor factor resources from one sector to another during some short-run period, a devaluation will have short-run balance of payments and relative price effects. This in turn will induce wealth effects that will have long-run consequences for the structure of the economy. Because of comparative advantage, different structures in regard to output and techniques may have different consequences for the growth of the economy.
Exceptional solutions to the Painlevé VI equation

We find all solutions of the Painleve VI equations with the property that they have no zeros, no poles, no 1-points, and no fixed points.
Snapshots of "crystalline" salt-water solutions of inositol hexaphosphate conformers.

Supramolecular insight to intra- and inter-ionic interactions in two inositol hexaphosphate conformers as a function of pH was enabled by NMR and crystallographic studies. These findings also shed light on the complex interactive roles of extended salt-water arrays through the crystal “solution” lattice.
A novel port call optimization framework: A case study of chemical tanker operations

Abstract We study a novel chemical tanker port call optimization framework to improve the efficiency of waterway traffic control, in which chemical tankers load and unload cargoes while visiting multiple terminals. We formulate this problem as a mixed-integer program to minimize the total cost of vessel operations while compressing the schedule of cargo operations. The port call optimization framework integrates decentralized scheduling efforts by different stakeholders to minimize the traffic congestion satisfying policy, operational, and technical requirements, while embracing the current competitive scheduling discipline. Solving real-world problems can be computationally challenging. Hence we propose efficient solution techniques to promote fast convergence to optimum solutions. As we compare the vessel operational schedule from the proposed port call optimization model with monthly transit data in the past, terminal utilization is improved by more than 250% and the number of individual tanker’s transit is reduced by 28%. Suggested computational techniques ensured the solving of real-world problems in approximately 10 minutes.
The Crucial Role Of Diagnostics In Improving Our Understanding Of Highenergy-Density Science

High-Energy-Density (HED) Laboratory experiments are challenging our understanding of the interaction of matter and radiation at extreme conditions of temperature and density. The ability to diagnose such extreme states of matter is vital to achieving controllable nuclear fusion in the laboratory, to the Stockpile Stewardship Program, and to advancing our fundamental understanding of the universe.
Reference dependence, cooperation, and coordination in games

The problems of how self-interested players can cooperate despite incentives to defect, and how players can coordinate despite the presence of multiple equilibria, are among the oldest and most fundamental in game theory. In this report, we demonstrate that a plausible and even natural specification of the reference outcome in a game simultaneously predicts systematic cooperation and defection in the Prisoner's Dilemma, as well as equilibrium selection and out-of-equilibrium play in coordination games. The predictions hold even if players are purely self-interested, there are no salient labels, the game is played only once, and there is no communication of any kind. Furthermore, the predictions are unique, as opposed to the multiplicity of equilibria in the infinitely repeated Prisoner's Dilemma and in coordination games. We apply experimental results to test the predictions of the model.
Small-Bowel Strictures Dilation and Stent Placement

Small-bowel strictures are relatively uncommon and can be benign or malignant. Benign strictures are usually related to peptic ulcer disease and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Balloon dilation can be performed safely with modest efficacy. Malignant strictures are usually due to pancreatic cancer and obstruction of the second duodenum. Self-expandable metal stents can be placed to relieve obstruction in such patients. Additionally, self-expandable stents can be placed more distally, although this requires the use of colonoscopes or enteroscopes. In this chapter balloon dilation and stent placement of small-bowel strictures will be discussed.
Flaw Criticality of Graphite/Epoxy Structures

The orderly assessment of the serviceability of graphite/epoxy structures requires a knowledge of their flaw criticality. In the Serviceability Program, industry-wide flaw likelihood/criticality surveys have been conducted and the results have been qualitatively assessed. These results were used to set nondestructive evaluation (NDE), analytic study, and experimental verification goals. The progress of this program is reported herein. Flaws, which can result from the fabrication process, normal service utilization, and battle damage have been categorized into five types, depending on their associated stress field disturbance. Flaw detectability studies have been conducted to determine the optimal NDE process to detect these flaws. Analytic studies have been conducted to determine the disturbance to the stress field in the vicinity of the flaws and to assess their criticality, that is, their structural integrity. These results were used to define coupons and elements where the elements represent structures that are in a realistic stress state. Accelerated "worst expected" case environmental fatigue testing has been conducted. The preliminary results show, as expected, that advanced composites are relatively damage-tolerant. Since further testing is being conducted, an up-to-date status of the program is given. Three types of coupons are being tested. The tension coupons contain flaws such as holes, delaminations, ply separations, and scratches. The compression coupons contain delaminations, in untapered and tapered regions, and ply separations. The bolted-joint coupons contain notches at bolt holes, oversized holes, and delaminations. Static tests, both room-temperature dry and 82°C (180°F) temperature wet, are being conducted. Spectrum fatigue tests followed by residual strength tests are also being conducted. Both room-temperature dry and realistic temperature/moisture environments are used. Flaw growth specimens are also being tested. The results for the tension flaw screening specimens are presented and assessed.
Studies on hypoxia : VIII. Ultrastructural and Biochemical Effects of Prolonged Exposure on Rat Parotid Glands

The effect of chronic hypoxia upon the rat parotid gland is studied by electron microscopy and biochemistry. Male Sprague-Dawley rats are subjected to 88% N1 and 12% 02 at less than 2 psi pressure for 7 days. For electron microscopy, the tissues are perfusion-fixed, embedded and sectioned in a routine manner. In the biochemical studies, rats are injected with ‘H-phenylalanine (2 i s.i. + 5 Ci/mM) 60 min before sacrifice. Fresh glands are then prepared for analysis of amylase (Cibachrome-amylase substrate method), DNA (diphenylamine reaction), and total protein (Lowry method). The radioactivity in the acid precipitable and soluble fractions is determined by liquid scintillation spectrometry. The control animals are pair-fed and handled identically except that they are maintained in an ambient atmosphere. The ultrastructure of the hypoxic cells is altered in several areas. The Golgi apparatus demonstrates a decrease in organization and contains fewer transport vesicles. The rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum is broken and presents many vesicular and concentric profiles. The mitochondria have undergone several changes including swelling, clumping of intramitochondrial matrix, and fragmentation of cristase. The nucleus demonstrates a fibrillar pattern and contains a reduced amount of heterochromatin. The biochemical results indicate that, compared with controls, the hypoxic cells contain only 55% of amylase and 84% of the DNA, and thus suggest a drastic reduction of exportable protein production and an increase in cellular size, respectively. On the contrary, the incorporation of “H-phenylalanine demonstrates an increase in the amount of radioactivity in the acid precipitable fraction of the hypoxic cells. These results lead to the conclusion that hypoxic stress causes a suppression of exportable protein synthesis, but may induce other cytoplasmic protein production, reflecting the biochemical and morphologic adjustment of the cell to a recovery phase.
The Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator, Raloxifene: Reproductive Assessments in Adult Male Rats

Raloxifene HCl is a nonsteroidal, selective estrogen receptor modulator developed for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Reproductive toxicity of raloxifene was examined in adult male CD rats after the oral administration of doses of 0, 10, 30, or 100 mg/kg/d. In the first study, males (12/group) were treated for 2 weeks followed by 2 weeks without treatment. After dose administration on Day 13, 6 males/group were cohabited with untreated females (1:2) for up to 7 d. Males were killed on Day 14 or 28 (6/group each day). Sperm were collected from the right cauda epididymis and evaluated for relative concentration, motion characteristics, and breakage. The kinetics of spermatogenesis were examined by DNA flow cytometry. The left testis and epididymis were preserved for histopathologic evaluation. Females were examined for reproductive status on Gestation Day 13. In a second study, males (20/group) were treated for 7 weeks (4 weeks prior to cohabitation during a 2-week cohabitation period, and for 1 additional week). Treated males were cohabited with untreated females (1:1). On Gestation Day 20, untreated females were examined for reproductive status and fetuses were examined for viability, weight, gender, and morphology. At necropsy, male reproductive tissues were collected, weighed, and preserved for histopathologic evaluation. In both studies, male body weight gain and food consumption were depressed at all dose levels. There was no indication in either study that raloxifene caused important changes in sperm production, sperm quality, or male reproductive performance at doses as high as 100 mg/kg/d.
Workload-Driven Compressed Skycube Queries in Wireless Applications

Compressed skycubes provide an efficient mechanism for skyline queries that are useful for wireless applications, where the size of a compressed skycube is often much smaller than that of the original skycube. However, even with compression, the entire compressed skycube may still be too large to be placed in the main memory of a wireless device. To overcome this obstacle we introduce the concept of workload-driven subspace compressed skycubes to meet the needs of an expected query profile. While it is NP-hard to find the best set of subspace compressed skycubes within the given memory constraint to serve the largest possible number of queries, we devise a polynomial-time approximation algorithms with a proven approximation guarantee. Our simulation results show that the approximation algorithm produces feasible solutions in reasonable amount of time with approximation ratios close to 1.
Temporal projection and explanation

We propose a solution to problems involving temporal projection and explanation (e.g., the Yale shooting problem) based on the idea that whether a situation is abnormal should not depend upon historical information about how the situation arose. We apply these ideas both to the Yale shooting scenario and to a blocks world domain that needs to address the qualification problem.
MONITORING MULTINOMIAL PROCESSES

Suppose a process produces items each of which may be classified on the basis of quality into mutually exclusive categories. Two classes of procedures are proposed to monitor such processes. The first uses a Pearson x2 statistics; the second depends upo..
Distance Cues and Fields of View in Rear Vision Systems

The effects of image size on perceived distance have been of concern for convex rearview mirrors as well as camera-based rear vision systems. We suggest that the importance of image size is limited to cases—such as current rearview mirrors—in which the field of view is small. With larger, richer fields of view it is likely that other distance cues will dominate image size, thereby substantially diminishing the concern that distortions of size will result in distortions of distance perception. We report results from an experiment performed in a driving simulator, with static simulated rearward images, in which subjects were asked to make judgments about the distance to a rearward vehicle. The images showed a field of view substantially wider than provided by any of the individual rearview mirrors in current systems. The field of view was 38 degrees wide and was presented on displays that were either 16.7 or 8.5 degrees wide, thus minifying images by factors of 0.44 or 0.22. In contrast to previous studies of convex mirrors and camera-based rear vision systems, judgments about distance were not affected by image size, suggesting that distance cues other than size were available to subjects as they made their judgments. Further testing is needed to better understand the nature of the distance cues that drivers are able to use in camera-based rear vision systems, but these results suggest that, at least under some conditions, image size is not critical for reliable perception of distance.
Carotenoid reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography methods: reference compendium.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods for separation of carotenoids. No single HPLC separation is capable of separating all natural carotenoids. Therefore, more than one technique may be necessary to accomplish the degree of separation required. Carotenoid separations are performed by both normalphase HPLC (NPLC) and reversed-phase HPLC (RPLC). NPLC encompasses adsorptive phases (such as silica and alumina) and polar bonded phases (such as, alkylamine, alkylnitrile, and alkyl glycol) in conjunction with nonpolar mobile phases. Polar sites on the carotenoid molecules compete with solvent modifiers for adsorptive sites on the stationary phase. In addition, both NPLC and RPLC can be run with the same solvent throughout (isocratic elution), or with solvent composition changing during the run (gradient elution). These distinctions are noted because the subsequent methods of analysis are limited to isocratic and gradient elution RPLC.
Docosahexaenoic acid attenuates breast cancer cell metabolism and the Warburg phenotype by targeting bioenergetic function

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6n-3) depresses mammary carcinoma proliferation and growth in cell culture and in animal models. The current study explored the role of interrupting bioenergetic pathways in BT-474 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines representing respiratory and glycolytic phenotypes, respectively and comparing the impacts of DHA with a non-transformed cell line, MCF-10A. Metabolic investigation revealed that DHA supplementation significantly diminished the bioenergetic profile of the malignant cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. DHA enrichment also resulted in decreases in hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) total protein level and transcriptional activity in the malignant cell lines but not in the non-transformed cell line. Downstream targets of HIF-1α, including glucose transporter 1 (GLUT 1) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), were decreased by DHA treatment in the BT-474 cell line, as well as decreases in LDH protein level in the MDA-MB-231 cell line. Glucose uptake, total glucose oxidation, glycolytic metabolism, and lactate production were significantly decreased in response to DHA supplementation; thereby enhancing metabolic injury and decreasing oxidative metabolism. The DHA-induced metabolic changes led to a marked decrease of intracellular ATP levels by 50% in both cancer cell lines, which mediated phosphorylation of metabolic stress marker, AMPK, at Thr172. These findings show that DHA contributes to impaired cancer cell growth and survival by altering cancer cell metabolism, increasing metabolic stress and altering HIF-1α-associated metabolism, while not affecting non-transformed MCF-10A cells. This study provides rationale for enhancement of current cancer prevention models and current therapies by combining them with dietary sources, like DHA.
Daily photosynthesis, respiration, and carbon budgets in a tropical marine jellyfish (Mastigias sp.)

From measured diel photosynthesis and respiration rates, using oxygen electrodes, estimates of carbon flux between symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) and host animal are presented for the marine scyphomedusan Mastigias sp. from a marine lake in Palau, Western Caroline Islands, during February and March 1982. The carbon budgets calculated for these lake medusae indicate that carbon fixed photosynthetically by zooxanthellae and made available to the host may satisfy up to 100% of the host's daily metabolic carbon demand (CZAR). The stable carbon isotope (δ13C) signature of the mesogleal carbon of lake Mastigias sp. was close to that of the zooxanthellae, supporting the interpretation that while these medusae may feed holozoically, some of their carbon comes from their symbionts. The diel photosynthesis, respiration, and preliminary estimates of carbon budgets of three individuals of another ecotype of Mastigias sp. collected from nearby oceanic lagoons are also given. Photosynthesis of lagoon medusae was generally greater than that for lake medusae of similar size, and lagoon medusae were phototrophic with respect to carbon, with commensurately greater CZAR values. Carbon translocated from the symbiotic algae also may contribute to the growth requirements of both lake and lagoon medusae. From carbon flux data, the lake jellyfish were estimated to contribute about 16% to the total primary productivity of their marine lake habitat.
The effect of evidence factors and victim characteristics on prosecutors' charging decisions in sexual assault cases

Feminists contend that legally irrelevant victim characteristics determine the outcome of sexual assault cases. They argue that criminal justice officials base their decisions on stereotypes of rape, and that only “real rapes” with “genuine victims” are taken seriously. Our empirical study of Detroit prosecutors' charging decisions in sexual assault cases confirms this: We found that the only significant predictors of charging were victim characteristics. Prosecutors were much more likely to file charges if the victim was an adolescent or an adult rather than a child. Charging also was affected by the victim's moral character and her behavior at the time of the incident. Moreover, these victim characteristics influenced charging regardless of the strength of evidence in the case or whether the crime was classified as an aggravated or a simple sexual assault. Overall the results of this study suggest that Detroit prosecutors regard victim characteristics as relevant to convictability in all types of sexual...
Catchment-Scale Soil Water Dynamics in a Mediterranean-Type Oak Woodland

Water availability is one of the most serious natural resource issues facing California, especially given projections for future climate change. The 3 million ha of oak ( Quercus spp.) woodlands play a critical role in California9s water supply system, providing runoff primarily from winter rainfall events and hosting two-thirds of the state9s drinking water reservoirs. Thus, understanding water storage and streamflow regulation by soils in these watersheds is essential for water resource planning under future climate change scenarios. The primary objectives of this research were to identify the drivers of soil moisture dynamics and the hydrologic budget at the catchment scale and their relationships with streamflow generation. A 33-ha headwater catchment in the Sierra Nevada foothills of northern California was instrumented to monitor climate, subsurface lateral flow, streamflow, and soil moisture within 100 pedons distributed throughout the catchment. A catchment-scale water balance was used to examine factors regulating spatial and temporal soil water distribution within the catchment. Relationships between soil, topographic, and vegetation characteristics and soil water content at each pedon were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model with four fixed effects: vegetation type or cover, presence or absence of a claypan, compound topographic index, and solar radiation. Streamflow was limited to periods when lower soil horizons were at or near saturation. Following saturation, each rainfall event generated subsurface lateral flow above the clay-rich argillic horizon, resulting in sharp hydrograph responses with little base flow between rainfall events. For the two water years examined, 9.6 and 11.5% of rainfall left the catchment as streamflow. Vegetation (tree vs. grassland), presence or absence of a claypan, aspect, and compound topographic index (index of wetness) were all significantly correlated to soil moisture status and thus streamflow generation at various times throughout the year. Findings indicated that watershed-scale hydrologic models based solely on surface topography will not fully explain dynamic temporal and spatial variability in hydrologic flow paths and streamflow generation in these oak woodland catchments. In particular, watershed-scale knowledge of soil stratigraphy (e.g., claypan distribution) was important for understanding catchment hydrology, especially the occurrence of subsurface lateral flow dynamics.
Model for the irreversible dissociation kinetics of cooperatively bound protein–nucleic acid complexes

We present a quantitative model for the irreversible dissociation kinetics of cooperatively bound nonspecific protein–nucleic acid complexes. The model assumes that the major pathway of dissociation is via singly contiguously bound protein that “peels” off the ends of clusters of bound protein. It should therefore be most applicable for proteins that bind nucleic acids with high cooperativity (w > 103). Furthermore, the model assumes that no redistribution of bound protein occurs during the time course of the dissociation. Solutions to the rate equations are presented for the entire time course of the dissociation. Under initial conditions such that the nucleic acid is less than fully saturated with protein, a single-exponential decay is predicted (if w is large). However, when the nucleic acid lattice is initially fully saturated, zero-order kinetics, corresponding to a constant rate of protein dissociation, is predicted. The experimental observation of zero-order dissociation kinetics in a cooperative protein–nucleic acid system is a good qualitative indicator for the dissociation mechanism discussed here. A discussion of the analysis of experimental data that enables one to extract molecular rate constants is presented. Furthermore, comparisons are made between the nonredistributing model presented here and Epstein's model [Epstein, I. R. (1979) Biopolymers18, 2037–2050] in which protein can translocate infinitely quickly while bound to the nucleic acid, and hence protein clusters redistribute during dissociation and maintain an equilibrium distribution on the nucleic acid at all times.
Task Oriented Real Time Filtering Of Digitally Acquired Renal Studies

This study investigates which filters are preferred by radiologists for diagnosing particular pathologies found in digitally acquired renal studies. Four types of filters are applied to twenty digitally acquired renal arteriograms demonstrating a wide distribution of pathologies. Three radiologists, who knew the pathology of the patients, examined representative unfiltered and filtered images from each study and then judged whether the filtered image helped demonstrate the pathology. The Butterworth filter was the most versatile filter, the statistical difference filter was most useful for separating overlapping vessels in arterial phase images and the two edge enhancement filters were least useful, only aiding diagnosis 20%. Overall, filtering was thought by the radiology panel to improve diagnosis for only 65% of the ten abnormal cases in this study.© (1984) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An Integer Programming Power Optimization in Storage Systems

Abstract This paper presents a linear integer programming framework for effective power management in storage systems. A sample memory system with different data banks is considered for optimal energy consumption during data operations by manipulating the data among banks. The memory bank four-level power state schemes, namely, active, stand-by, nap, and power down states, are included for superior power management of the storage system by formulating a linear integer optimization framework that includes plausible data manipulations, energy consumption levels, data migration, and compression options. The numerical results illustrate the efficiency of the proposed framework in terms of power management of storage systems with respect to available approaches with two-level power state operations.
A prediction method for gas-phase VOC isotherms onto soils and soil constituents

Similarities in the adsorption isotherms of various non-polar volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) on dry soils and clay minerals are used to develop an empirical predictive method to estimate the isotherm parameters of the BDDT (three-parameter BET) model. Single-component adsorption data of nine VOCs on both soils and clay minerals and also nitrogen adsorption are examined. The familiar practice of reducing isotherms by the BET monolayer coverage is applied, and it is shown that isotherms of different VOCs on the same adsorbent collapse into a single isotherm. A simple prediction method based on this observation is presented.