cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hypothalamic and suprahypothalamic effects of prolonged treatment with dexamethasone in the rat

Corticosteroid type I and II receptors mediate the negative feedback effects of these hormones at various central nervous system sites involved in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. To examine the effects of chronic treatment with dexamethasone (DEX), a type 2 receptor agonist, on the regulation of this axis, male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200–250 g were given daily injections of DEX for 1,2,3, and 4 weeks or were treated with a subcutaneously implanted DEX-releasing minipump for one week. At the end of treatment, the animals were weighed and brains and truncal blood were collected. Daily intermittent DEX treatment reduced the body weight of the rats in a time-dependent fashion, but had little or no effect on their wet brain weight. Plasma ACTH and corticosterone, measured by RIA, were fully suppressed after one week of intermittent treatment and did not show any further reduction in rats treated for longer periods. In these animals, the content of immunoreactive corticotropin-releasing hormone (iCRH), arginine vasopressin (AVP), ACTH and β-endorphin (β-EP) in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, cerebral cortex and cerebellum and pituitary ACTH content did not show any difference compared to vehicle-treated rats. In contrast, continuous DEX treatment increased iCRH content in the cortex, reduced AVP content in the cerebellum, increased ACTH content in the hippocampus, decreased ACTH and β-EP content in the hypothalamus, and reduced pituitary ACTH content. Hypothalami explanted from rats treated with DEX for one week released lower basal amounts of iCRH in vitro and did not respond to a maximally stimulatory concentration of serotonin (5-HT), a known CRH secretagogue. Continuous DEX administration suppressed also potassium chloride-induced iCRH release. Interestingly, hypothalami explanted from rats receiving daily injection of vehicle, but not from un-handled, untreated controls, did not respond to 5-HT with an increase of iCRH release in vitro. In conclusion, prolonged and continuous, but not intermittent, administration of DEX had a strong effect on brain neuropeptide content. Both regimens of DEX reduced the hypothalamic iCRH responsiveness to stimuli in vitro. Chronic handling also decreased the responsiveness of the hypothalamus to a stimulatory neurotransmitter and may confound the interpretation of data pertinent to inhibitory mechanisms.
A Note on the Morphological Variability of Orconectes Kinderhookensis (Decapoda: Cambaridae) From the Hudson River System in New York

ABSTRACT Orconecteskinderhookensis Fitzpatrick and Pickett, a recently described crayfish from the Hudson River system in New York, is distinguished from its closest relative, O. propinquus(Girard), chiefly by possession of a shorter mesial process relative to the central projection on the first pleopod of the first form male. Non-overlap of ratios of mesial process length to central projection length between the two populations led Fitzpatrick and Pickett to consider the two populations as reproductively isolated, distinct species. Subsequent collecting in the Hudson River system has revealed specimens showing morphological intergradation between the two species. The kinderhookensis morphological trait is usually found in smaller males. It is suggested that a shorter mesial process in O. kinderhookensis is due to differential growth during development. Therefore, the recognition of O. kinderhookensis as a distinct species, when using mesial process length to central projection length ratios, becomes questionable.
Identification and confirmation of quantitative trait loci for stachyose content in soybean seed

Stachyose is an unfavorable sugar in soybean meal that causes flatulence for non-ruminant animals. Understanding the genetic control of stachyose in soybean will facilitate the modification of stachyose content at the molecular level. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with seed stachyose content using simple sequence repeat (SSR) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. A normal stachyose cultivar, ‘Osage’, was crossed with a low stachyose line, V99-5089, to develop a QTL mapping population. Two parents were screened with 33 SSR and 37 SNP markers randomly distributed on chromosome 10, and 20 SSR and 19 SNP markers surrounding a previously reported stachyose QTL region on chromosome 11. Of these, 5 SSR and 16 SNP markers were used to screen the F3:4 lines derived from ‘Osage’ x V99-5089. Seed samples from F3:5 and F3:6 lines were analyzed for stachyose content using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Composite interval mapping analysis indicated that two stachyose QTL were mapped to chromosome 10 and 11, explaining 11% and 79% of phenotypic variation for stachyose content, respectively. The SSR/SNP markers linked to stachyose QTL could be used in breeding soybean lines with desired stachyose contents. Chi-square tests further indicated that these two QTL probably represent two independent genes for stachyose content. Therefore, a major QTL was confirmed on chromosome 11 and a novel QTL was found on chromosome 10 for stachyose content.
Patient satisfaction with mental health services: a meta-analysis to establish norms

Patients typically express high rates of satisfaction with their mental health care. This finding and the lack of well controlled studies on patient satisfaction in the literature underscore the need for meaningful guidelines for clinicians and program evaluators in interpreting patient satisfaction data. To address this problem a meta-analysis was undertaken to establish norms on patient satisfaction for various types of mental health programs. Programs were categorized according to three dimensions: inpatient vs. outpatient vs. residential care; chronic vs. non-chronic; and conventional vs. innovative. Meta-analysis procedures were modified to accommodate the single-group study designs that dominate the literature. The analysis revealed that chronic patients express less satisfaction with their treatment compared to non-chronic patients. Innovative programs are viewed more positively than conventional ones. No differences were found in rates of patient satisfaction between inpatient and outpatient programs. Acceptably reliable norms and confidence intervals of patient satisfaction were established for conventional inpatient programs serving either chronic or non-chronic patients; conventional outpatient programs for non-chronic patients; and for all programs combined according to chronic vs. non-chronic, inpatient vs. outpatient, and conventional vs. innovative. However, data were insufficient to compute norms for other program types. The norms thus established can be used for comparative purposes by program evaluators. A cumulative, national data base on patient satisfaction is recommended to further refine these norms.
Low blue light enhances growth rate, light absorption, and photosynthetic characteristics of four marine phytoplankton species

Abstract The effects of blue light on the growth rate, biochemical properties, light absorption, and photosynthetic characteristics based on chlorophyll a fluorescence were studied in the marine phytoplankton prymnesiophytes Isochrysis galbana , chlorophytes Dunaliella salina , diatoms Chaetoceros gracilis , and dinoflagellates Heterocapsa circularisquama to understand the variability in ecological roles of blue light among the four species. Monocultures were acclimated to blue and white light at the same irradiance of 60 μmol photons m − 2 s − 1 for more than three dilutions in semi-continuous culture before the comparative experiment. Under our experimental conditions, growth rates under blue light condition were significantly higher (1.6–2.0 fold) than those rates under the white light condition ( p a per cell volume significantly increased by more than 1.2-fold under blue light, excluding C. gracilis . Moreover, the cellular contents of both carbon and nitrogen per cell volume significantly increased by more than 1.8-fold under blue light in only H . circularisquama . The significant increase in the ratio of Chl a to carbon was associated with an enhanced growth rate in I. galbana and H . circularisquama , whereas the growth rate of the other two species had an inverse correlation with these conditions. Chlorophyll a -specific absorbance for blue light (400–550 nm) for the cells that were exposed to blue light were significantly higher (1.3-fold) than those absorbance of PAR (400–700 nm) for the cells that were exposed to PAR ( p a under the blue light condition was significantly higher (3-fold) than that under the white light condition ( p F v / F m ) was not influenced by blue light in all species, whereas the dependence of r ETR max or α on the Chl a /C ratios suggests the potential usefulness of the Chl a /C ratio as a photoacclimation index, even for the chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis. Among the species that were examined in the present study, D. salina was highly sensitive to the blue light and indicated a significant enhancement in the initial slope α , the maximum r ETR , and the E k , which were estimated from the r ETR vs. E curve ( p
Rejection of irrelevant human actions in real-time hidden Markov model based recognition systems for wearable computers

Hidden Markov Model (HMM) is a well established technique for detecting patterns in a stream of observations. It performs well when the observation sequence does not contain unseen patterns that were not part of the training set. In an unconstrained environment, the observation sequence might contain new patterns that the HMM model is not familiar with. In such cases, HMM will match the test pattern to some trained pattern, which is most similar to the test pattern. This increases the false positives in the system. In this paper, we are describing a threshold based technique to detect such irrelevant patterns in a continuous stream of observations, and classify them as unwanted or bad patterns. The novelty of our approach is that it allows early detection of unwanted patterns. Test patterns are validated on a fixed length substring of observation sequence, rather than on the whole observation sequence corresponding to the test pattern. The substrings are validated based on its similarity with a valid pattern using a threshold value. This reduces the latency of detection of unwanted movement, and makes the detection process independent of duration of the various pattern classes. We evaluated this technique in the context of body sensor networks based human action recognition, and have achieved about 93 percent accuracy in detecting unwanted actions, while maintaining a 94 percent accuracy of recognizing valid actions.
Hydrodechlorination catalysis of Pd-on-Au nanoparticles varies with particle size

Abstract Trichloroethene (TCE), a common carcinogen and groundwater contaminant in industrialized nations, can be catalytically degraded by Au nanoparticles partially coated with Pd (“Pd-on-Au NPs”). In this work, we synthesized Pd-on-Au NPs using 3, 7, and 10 nm Au NPs with Pd surface coverages between 0–150% and studied how particle size and composition influenced their TCE hydrodechlorination (HDC) activity. We observed volcano-shape dependence on both Au particle size and Pd surface coverage, with 7 nm Au NPs with Pd coverages of 60–70% having maximum activity. Using extended X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy, we found a strong correlation between catalytic activity and the presence of 2-D Pd ensembles (as small as 2–3 atoms). Aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy further confirmed the presence of Pd ensembles. The Pd dispersion and oxidation state generally changed from isolated, metallic Pd atoms to metallic 2-D Pd ensembles of varying sizes, and to partially oxidized 3-D Pd ensembles, as Pd surface coverage increased. These changes occurred at different surface coverages for different Au particle sizes. These findings highlight the importance of controlling particle size and surface coverage in bimetallic catalysts.
Factors associated with intention to vaccinate a daughter against HPV: a statewide survey in Alabama.

Abstract Purpose Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Adolescent and young adults aged 15–24 were estimated to account for three quarters of new infections in 2000. Two HPV vaccines are currently available. The vaccine is recommended for girls aged 11–12 years. Previous research has indicated that African-American and Asian-American parents are less likely than Caucasians to vaccinate their daughters. This investigation examines the relationship between demographic, medical, and behavioral risk factors for HPV vaccine acceptability among Alabama residents. Methods The cross-sectional survey was conducted using random digit dialing. Eligible participants were female caregivers of adolescent girls between the ages of 10 and 14 years. Factors related to intention to vaccinate a daughter within the next six months were examined using chi-square and logistic regression. Results Caregivers who were informed about HPV vaccination from a health care provider were more likely to intend to vaccinate their daughter within the next six months compared with caregivers who did not report this source of information (OR = 3.59, 95% CI = 1.52, 8.45). Race, education, county of residence, child’s age, religious attendance, knowledge and history of HPV, perceived susceptibility, and severity of infection were not significantly related to intention to vaccinate against HPV. Conclusion Caregivers who were informed of the vaccine by their health care provider were more likely to vaccinate their adolescent daughters. Provider attitudes and caregiver education is an essential link to improvement of HPV vaccination uptake in Alabama.
Web Services As Public Services: Are We Supporting Our Busiest Service Point?

This article is an analysis of academic library organizational culture, patterns, and processes as they relate to Web services. Data gathered in a research survey is examined in an attempt to reveal current departmental and administrative attitudes, practices, and support for Web services in the library research environment.
Statistical monitoring of nonlinear product and process quality profiles

In many quality control applications, use of a single (or several distinct) quality characteristic(s) is insufficient to characterize the quality of a produced item. In an increasing number of cases, a response curve (profile) is required. Such profiles can frequently be modeled using linear or nonlinear regression models. In recent research others have developed multivariate T2 control charts and other methods for monitoring the coefficients in a simple linear regression model of a profile. However, little work has been done to address the monitoring of profiles that can be represented by a parametric nonlinear regression model. Here we extend the use of the T2 control chart to monitor the coefficients resulting from a parametric nonlinear regression model fit to profile data. We give three general approaches to the formulation of the T2 statistics and determination of the associated upper control limits for Phase I applications. We also consider the use of non-parametric regression methods and the use of metrics to measure deviations from a baseline profile. These approaches are illustrated using the vertical board density profile data presented in Walker and Wright (Comparing curves using additive models. Journal of Quality Technology 2002; 34:118–129). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The linear theory of gravitation in the radiation gauge

A global gauge for the linear theory of gravity is given which avoids the (In(R))/R problem of harmonic coordinates. Consequently it is possible to do 1/R expansions for precisely those null sources which lead to difficulties in the harmonic gauge. This is important, for example, in second order calculations where the first order field is a gravitational wave. This gauge makes manifest the two degrees of freedom for the dynamic fields. In it the second time derivative of the metric itself has physical significance since Roioj=−1/2hij.
Morphological structure and semantic retrieval

Abstract The relationship between the effects of morphological complexity and associative production frequency (PF) was investigated in two experiments on sentence verification. Subjects were timed as they evaluated low- and high-PF sentences with predicates containing words that were morphologically either basic or derived (e.g.,Birds have feathers vs.Birds are feathered). In the first experiment sentences with basic predicates were verified more quickly than sentences with derived predicates, and high-PF sentences were verified more quickly than low-PF sentences. The advantage of basic over derived forms was reduced for the high-PF sentences. In the second experiment, the predicate of each sentence (e.g.,are feathered) was presented for 2 sec before the subject word appeared. In this delay condition the basic and derived versions of high-PF sentences were verified equally quickly; but for low-PF sentences, the basic form was still evaluated more quickly. The fact that the effect of morphological complexity was not necessarily eliminated after a delay suggested that the main difficulty of derived forms arises not during initial comprehension, but during a later stage in the comparison of the subject and predicate concepts.
Acquiring Languages with Movement

A simple kind of “minimalist” transformational grammar is defined to study the problem of learning a language in which pronounced constituents may have moved arbitrarily far from their original sites. In these grammars, all linguistic variation is lexical: constituent order is determined by lexical functional elements, and structure building operations are universal. Given universal constraints on the category system, these grammars can be identified in the limit from a positive text of derived structures, where these structures contain no features except the pronounced, phonetic elements. Identification from pronounced strings alone is shown to be impossible. In the light of this last negative result and related problems, rather than assuming that the learner somehow determines constituent structure from prosodic and semantic cues, an alternative approach to the learning problem is proposed.
Circular dichroism to determine binding mode and affinity of ligand–DNA interactions

Circular dichroism (CD) is a useful technique for an assessment of DNA-binding mode, being a more accessible, low-resolution complement to NMR and X-ray diffraction methods. Ligand-DNA interactions can be studied by virtue of the interpretation of induced ligand CD signals resulting from the coupling of electric transition moments of the ligand and DNA bases within the asymmetric DNA environment. This protocol outlines methods to determine the binding mode and affinity of ligand-DNA interactions and takes approximately 7.5 h.
Town Meeting as a Communication Event: Democracy's Act Sequence

Town meeting deliberation and decision making form a communicative event, the act sequence of which ensures that participants enact a democratic process. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork from 1999 to 2000, documents, interviews, and videotapes and transcripts of meetings, I analyze the Amherst, Massachusetts town meeting. Performances of rhetorical interactions, over time, develop norms for discourse that participants use to make sense of and evaluate conduct. I outline norms for deliberative democracy in a particular instantiation of democracy and show how local democracy draws from, and contributes to, the larger rhetorical-political culture in the United States. This essay contributes to studies of language and social interaction in political settings and addresses (a) the lack of communication scholarship concerning a fundamental part of New England local democracy and (b) deliberative democratic theorists' idealist notions of local democracy. Given the variety in forms of local political systems, op...
Etiology of Breast Masses after Autologous Breast Reconstruction

Background Determining the nature of a breast mass after autologous reconstruction can be difficult.
Natural enemy fauna (Insecta, Araneae) found on native sagebrush steppe plants in eastern Washington with reference to species also found in adjacent apple and pear orchards

Seven native plants (four shrubs, two perennial herbs, and a woody vine) common in sagebrush steppe habitats of eastern Washington were sampled for predatory and parasitic arthropods. Sagebrush steppe is a common natural habitat adjacent to apple and pear orchards in that part of the state. Many predatory arthropod species found on the native plants also occur in adjacent orchards; some of these species were particularly abundant on the plants when they were flowering. Other species found on the native plants rarely occur in adjacent orchards. Orius tristicolor (White, 1879) was the most abundant of the natural enemies that also occur in orchards. Other predatory Hemiptera also found in adjacent orchards included Deraeocoris brevis (Uhler, 1904), Nabis alternatus Parshley, 1922, and Geocoris spp. Coccinellidae, Chrysopidae, and Hemerobiidae were not common on the native plants, but one or more species in each family that commonly occur in orchards were collected. Spiders found on the native plants that al...
Preparing Public Administration Scholars for Qualitative Inquiry: A Status Report

This paper reiterates in succinct form the discipline’s discussion of how qualitative inquiry stands to contributesubstantively to public affairs knowledge and why it is therefore a necessary skill to develop as scholars in thefield and its cognates; public administration, public policy, and political science. It then presents empirical dataon doctoral research methods requirements collected in 2004-2005 and 2011-2012 to demonstrate that whilepreparation in qualitative inquiry is improving, at least one-third of the doctoral programs associated withNASPAA-accredited Master of Public Administration degree programs still fail to prepare candidates inqualitative inquiry. Therefore, the discussion is still relevant and doctoral programs are encouraged to continuecurricular reform and enhancement. Furthermore, scholars are encouraged to continue research on research inpublic administration.
Automated design tool execution in the Ulysses design environment

Ulysses is a VLSI computer-aided-design (CAD) environment that effectively addresses the problems associated with CAD tool integration. Specifically, Ulysses allows for the integration of a collection of individual CAD tools into a design automation (DA) system that will execute a codified design methodology. Ulysses can track the multiple partial designs that result during a complete design cycle. Furthermore, Ulysses allows the designer to interrupt the design process at any time and take control. An example involving a silicon compilation task is presented to illustrate the ability of Ulysses to execute a sequence of CAD tools automatically to generate a viable layout for an IC. This example also illustrates Ulysses' ability to recover from CAD tool failures that may result if a layout cannot be completed due to routing channel congestion or overconstrained leaf-cell boundary conditions. >
The future of power semiconductor device technology

Power electronic systems have benefited greatly during the past ten years from the revolutionary advances that have occurred in power discrete devices. The introduction of power metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) in the 1970s and the insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) in the 1980s enabled design of very compact high-efficiency systems due to the greatly enhanced power gain resulting from the high input impedance of these structures. Recently, significant improvements in the performance of silicon-power MOSFETs has been achieved by using innovative vertical structures with charge coupled regions. Meanwhile, silicon IGBTs continue to dominate the medium- and high-voltage application space sue to scaling of their voltage ratings and refinements to their gate structure achieved by using very large scale integration (VLSI) technology and trench gate regions. Research on a variety of MOS-gated thyristors has also been conducted, resulting in some promising improvements in the tradeoff between on-state power loss, switching power loss, and the safe-operating-area. Concurrent improvements in power rectifiers have been achieved at low-voltage ratings using Schottky rectifier structures containing trenches and at high-voltage ratings using structures that combine junction and Schottky barrier contacts. On the longer term, silicon carbide Schottky rectifiers and power MOSFETs offer at least another tenfold improvement in performance. Although the projected performance enhancements have been experimentally demonstrated, the defect density and cost of the starting material are determining the pace of commercialization of this technology at present.
Biomechanical Considerations for Cycling Interventions in Rehabilitation

Individuals with physical disabilities may benefit from cycling interventions, which could address impairments while potentially minimizing stress on joints. Improvements in impairments may then have an impact on mobility, activity, and participation. Cycling studies with adults and children who are healthy have shown that many factors can influence the biomechanics of cycling. These factors include seat height, crank arm length, foot position, cadence, and workload. Knowledge of these factors is important for rehabilitation professionals who prescribe cycling as an intervention for individuals with disabilities, because changing these factors can potentially influence the therapeutic outcomes. In addition, further research is needed to fully understand the effect of these factors on individuals with disabilities.
NASW Involvement in Legislative Advocacy

NASW serves as the professional association for social workers, yet little is known about how NASW chapters engage social workers and social work students in policy practice. This article presents the results of a survey of 40 NASW state chapters, describing how NASW engages social workers in legislative advocacy, the role of legislative advocacy days, and the involvement of social work students in NASW advocacy efforts. Findings indicate state chapters are very involved in policy practice and legislative advocacy days appear to be one prominent vehicle in engaging members and social work students in legislative advocacy.
Bragg reflection from a three-dimensional logarithmic spiral

Bragg reflection from a logarithmic spiral dispersive element (LSDE) has been considered. LSDE is known to have a wide angle of reflection for an x-ray source placed in a spiral focus. Although this is true for a 2-dimensional spiral, it is not the case in 3 dimensions. For a 3- dimensional LSDE only narrow strip on the spiral surface contributes in reflection of radiation from a point source placed in the spiral focus. This imposes certain limitations on a spiral design and on detector dimensions.
Leadership: It can make a difference.

The effects of leadership on organizational performance were investigated in a longitudinal study. Effective leadership was found to be associated with improved organizational performance. Furtherm...
A Micro-Extraction Technique with Compounds Isolated from Thin-Layer Chromatograms

A micro-apparatus is described for the extraction of drugs and related compounds from thin-layer or paper chromatograms by continuous elution with 1 ml. solvent. The sample, after extraction, is ground with KBr, mounted on a micro potassium halide plate, and placed in the center of a paper frame with a window area for infrared analysis. Spectra can be determined on 5- or 10-mcg. samples without beam condensers, ordinate expanders, or micro-dies.
Aberrant signaling pathways in pancreatic cancer: A two compartment view

Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease with historically limited success in treatment and a poor prognosis. Pancreatic cancer appears to have a progressive pathway of development, initiating from well-described pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia lesions and concluding with invasive carcinoma. These early lesions have been shown to harbor-specific alterations in signaling pathways that remain throughout this tumorigenesis process. Meanwhile, new alterations occur during this process of disease progression to have a cumulative effect. This series of events not only impacts the epithelial cells comprising the tumor, but they may also affect the surrounding stromal cells. The result is the formation of complex signaling networks of communication between the tumor epithelial cell and the stromal cell compartments to promote a permissive and cooperative environment. This article highlights some of the most common pathway aberrations involved with this disease, and how these may subsequently affect one or both cellular compartments. Consequently, furthering our understanding of these pathways in terms of their function on the tumoral epithelial and stromal compartments may prove to be crucial to the development of targeted and more successful therapies in the future.
Multipotential differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells

Tissue engineering offers considerable promise in the repair or replacement of diseased and/or damaged tissues. The cellular component of this regenerative approach will play a key role in bringing these tissue engineered constructs from the laboratory bench to the clinical bedside. However, the ideal source of cells still remains unclear and may differ depending upon the application. Current research for many applications is focused on the use of adult stem cells. The properties of adult stem cells that make them well-suited for regenerative medicine are (1) ease of harvest for autologous transplantation, (2) high proliferation rates for ex vivo expansion and (3) multilineage differentiation capacity. This review will highlight the use of adipose tissue as a reservoir of adult stem cells and draw conclusions based upon comparisons with bone marrow stromal cells. (Keio JM ed 54 (3): 132-141, September 2005)
Chemical Carcinogenesis Role of Chloroform – Further Studies

Since the previous version of this chapter [1], there have been numerous studies on chloroform (CHC~:J (CAS No. 67-66-3)) in order to explain the mechanism of its action. CHCl3 had detrimental or beneficial effects in various animal studies, depending on the solvent, the species, and the sex of the animals, in addition to other factors. The presence of very small levels of CHCl3 in chlorine-treated water remains a matter for much discussion among environmental groups, the US EPA and the community of toxicologists [2]. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) considers that there is inadequate evidence for the carcinogenicity of chlorinated drinking water in either animals or humans [3]. A report that weathering of organic matter leads to accumulation of halogenated organic compounds indicates that such occurrences should be considered in risk assessment [4]
Access to Substance Abuse Treatment for Homeless Women of Reproductive Age

Homeless women in the United States comprise a subpopulation at high risk for substance abuse, with rates of substance use disorder ranging from 16% to 67%. Despite the need for treatment that such high rates imply, relatively few substance-abusing homeless women avail themselves of formal treatment. The fact that they tend not to utilize formal treatment services is especially problematic among homeless women of reproductive age, who are not only themselves at risk of health-related problems but who place their fetuses and children in danger of multiple negative consequences. The imbalance between treatment need and treatment access suggests that homeless, substance-abusing women are facing severe barriers to care. Although identifying barriers to their treatment access is crucial if this imbalance is to be remedied, very little empirical research has been done in this area. This article presents an overview of current knowledge about barriers to substance abuse treatment for women generally and for homeless women specifically, and proposes a comprehensive empirical strategy for redressing the lack of information on homeless women's access to substance abuse treatment.
Asymptotic analysis of blind multiuser detection with blind channel estimation

The analytical performance of the subspace-based blind linear minimum mean-square error (MMSE) multiuser detection algorithm in general multipath multi-antenna code-division multiple-access (CDMA) systems is investigated. In blind multiuser detection, the linear MMSE detector of a given user is estimated from the received signals, based on the knowledge of only the spreading sequence of that user. Typically, the channel of that user must be estimated first, based on the orthogonality between the signal and noise subspaces. An asymptotic limit theorem for the estimate of the blind linear detector (when the received signal sample size is large) is obtained, based on which approximate expressions of the average output signal-to-inference plus noise ratios (SINRs) and bit error rates (BERs) for both binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) and quaternary phase-shift keying (QPSK) modulations are given. Corresponding results for group-blind multiuser detectors are also obtained. Examples are provided to demonstrate the excellent match between the theory developed in this paper and the simulation results.
Application of hybrid parameter methods to biomechanical systems

This paper presents an approach for modeling nonholonomic hybrid parameter multiple body systems in order to account for the combination of rigid body dynamics and elastic motions in systems and to examine the effects of control strategies on stress development in the elastic members. The method allows for continuum bodies to be represented with the postulates associated with non-linear theories, such as Timoshenko-like beams as well as higher order plate and shell theories. The variational nature of the approach provides for the derivation of the nonlinear hybrid differential equations and the boundary conditions. Pseudo-coordinates and pseudo-speeds are used to allow for the inclusion of holonomic or nonholonomic constraints that occur among the hybrid parameter bodies, including intra-domain constraints. An applications of the methodology to a problems arising in biomechanics is presented. In this context, the methodology provides a method for relating neural control to stress development in skeletal structure. Consequently, this framework allows one to illustrate the combined effects of neural control strategies, models of muscle force inclusion, and elastic assumptions on joint trajectories and stress and strain development in the bone and tendon that arise in human movement systems.
Gateway to Reform? Policy Implications of Police Officers' Attitudes toward Rape

Research has shown that prosecutors rely more heavily on victim characteristics and other extralegal factors than on criteria set forth by the law, when evaluating the merits of a rape case. Little is known, however, about the factors police officers use when assessing the merits of a rape case. The current study contributes to what is known about police officers’ attitudes toward rape. A survey was administered to 891 sworn police officers in two states in the southeastern United States. The surveys were designed to assess police officers’ acceptance of rape myths. Police officers who accept more rape myths were less likely to believe victims who did not adhere to the stereotyped “genuine victim.” This research contributes to what is known about the factors affecting police officers’ decision-making in rape cases. This study has implications for assessing the effectiveness of rape law reforms, inasmuch as these reforms are conveyed through police work.
Reply to J. Lagro et al and G. Lughezzani et al

We appreciate the comments regarding our predictive model for competing risks of death in patients with localized renal cell carcinoma. We share the views of Largo et al and believe that in the elderly or those with significant comorbidities, competing risks contend with kidney cancer as the primary cause of death. Furthermore, we concur with their statements regarding the need to incorporate comorbidities in future predictive models. As we discussed in our article, one of the limitations of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data set is that it does not include comorbidity data. We hope to include such data in future projects. With regard to the appropriateness of using case-mix adjustments in the context of a competing risks analysis, groups outside of our institution have also raised concerns about this approach. Despite its shortcomings, we do believe our model affords a unique quantitative scaffold on which one can base clinical choices. We thank Lughezzani et al—renowned leaders in development of predictive models—for performing an additional calibration and external validation of our nomogram. We agree with the authors that the supplementary analysis described in their communication greatly adds to the strength of our initial report. In summary, competing risks of death must be thoughtfully integrated into clinical decision making. Current ubiquitous qualitative approaches must be replaced by quantitative strategies. Although such prognostic tools for elderly/comorbid patients with renal cell carcinoma are starting to emerge, more powerful and more refined models are needed. Alexander Kutikov, Brian L. Egleston, Yu-Ning Wong, and Robert G. Uzzo Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
Nanoscale effects of strontium on calcite growth : An in situ AFM study in the absence of vital effects

Abstract This experimental study presents in situ measurements of step migration rates for layer growth of calcite at various levels of superaturation and fluid Sr concentrations. Our results show that Sr has complex behavior as an impurity. At low concentrations, Sr promotes faster growth. This effect may be associated with slight shifts in calcite solubility when Sr is incorporated or may be due to as yet uncharacterized kinetic effects. At higher concentrations, Sr stops step advancement by pinning kink-sites or step edges. The threshold concentration of Sr needed to halt growth is positively correlated with supersaturation. Addition of Sr to the calcite growth system leads to significant changes in hillock morphology. Hillocks become elongate perpendicular to the projection of the c-glide plane, in contrast to the changes previously reported for Mg. Step edges also become scalloped, and the boundary between the obtuse-stepped flanks disappears and is replaced by a new step direction with edges parallel to [010]. Incorporation of Sr was measured at two supersaturation levels and identical fluid [Sr]. The results indicate a strong positive correlation between fluid supersaturation and crystal Sr content. Further, Sr is strongly fractionated between obtuse- and acute-stepped flanks by a factor of approximately two. The sensitivity of Sr uptake to supersaturation may explain apparently contradictory results in the literature regarding whether Sr uptake in the calcite produced by one-celled marine organisms is controlled by temperature. In addition, Sr contents of natural calcite samples may be good indicators of the levels of supersaturation at which the crystals grew. Results of this investigation demonstrate the importance of understanding impurity-specific interactions with calcite growth surfaces at the microscopic scale. Despite similar chemical behavior in some systems, Mg and Sr clearly have very different effects on calcite growth. If Sr and other impurities are to be used as robust indicators of growth conditions in natural calcite samples, well grounded understanding of the mechanisms of recording trace element signatures in calcite is an essential step toward correctly deciphering paleoenvironmental signals from fossil calcite compositions.
The Amazon continuum dataset: quantitative metagenomic and metatranscriptomic inventories of the Amazon River plume, June 2010

Background: The Amazon River is by far the world’s largest in terms of volume and area, generating a fluvial export that accounts for about a fifth of riverine input into the world’s oceans. Marine microbial communities of the Western Tropical North Atlantic Ocean are strongly affected by the terrestrial materials carried by the Amazon plume, including dissolved (DOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) and inorganic nutrients, with impacts on primary productivity and carbon sequestration. Results: We inventoried genes and transcripts at six stations in the Amazon River plume during June 2010. At each station, internal standard-spiked metagenomes, non-selective metatranscriptomes, and poly(A)-selective metatranscriptomes were obtained in duplicate for two discrete size fractions (0.2 to 2.0 μm and 2.0 to 156 μm) using 150 × 150 paired-end Illumina sequencing. Following quality control, the dataset contained 360 million reads of approximately 200 bp average size from Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya, and viruses. Bacterial metagenomes and metatranscriptomes were dominated by Synechococcus, Prochlorococcus, SAR11, SAR116, and SAR86, with high contributions from SAR324 and Verrucomicrobia at some stations. Diatoms, green picophytoplankton, dinoflagellates, haptophytes, and copepods dominated the eukaryotic genes and transcripts. Gene expression ratios differed by station, size fraction, and microbial group, with transcription levels varying over three orders of magnitude across taxa and environments. Conclusions: This first comprehensive inventory of microbial genes and transcripts, benchmarked with internal standards for full quantitation, is generating novel insights into biogeochemical processes of the Amazon plume and improving prediction of climate change impacts on the marine biosphere.
Analytic plateau-cutoff formula for high harmonic generation in two-level atoms

On the basis of our new theory of very-high-harmonic generation (HHG) in a superdriven two-level atom (see our paper for poster session), we have derived, for the first time to our knowledge (considering here all the existing models,1 including a numerical simulation of a two-level model driven by short pulses2), an amazingly simple analytic formula for one of the most important characteristics of the phenomenon: the size of the so-called plateau, or its cutoff frequency ωcut.
Experimental cross verification of damping in three metals

In order to ensure a valid damping measurement based on a proposed mathematical model, various laboratory techniques may be employed which require relatively simple instrumentation from which cross correlation of the data may be obtained. Measurements were made (utilizing an accelerometer, strain gages, and a sound-level meter) under forced (3-dB frequency band or amplification factor Q) and free-vibration conditions at the fundamental and higher axial modes. Analysis (based on the viscous and complex-moduli theories) of the material damping of an aluminum alloy 2024-T4 in longitudinal vibrations shows good cross correlation between theories and experimental methods. These methods were extended to damping measurements of yellow brass and commercial steel. A multiple regression analysis was employed in the damping data reduction and was found to be useful in eliminating the data scatter. A sound-level meter was used as a noncontacting test method which proved useful even though its use does have drawbacks.
Early Detection of Insects in Stored Wheat Using Sticky Traps in Bin Headspace and Prediction of Infestation Level

Insect populations in 14 bins of newly harvested wheat on eight farms in Kansas were monitored with sticky traps in the bin headspace and with grain samples. Sticky trap catches during the first 3 wk of storage were used to provide an estimate of the species and densities of insects that were present in the headspace. Grain samples were taken every 2 wk during the first 3 mo of storage to provide an estimate of population growth under the grain temperature and moisture conditions in the bins. The sticky traps correctly predicted whether lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), and rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), would be found in the grain samples in 85.8 and 78.6% of the bins, respectively. Traps were less reliable for foreign grain beetle, Ahasverus advena (Waltl), and hairy fungus beetle, Typhaea stercorea (L.), with correct predictions in 57.1 and 42.9% of bins, respectively. Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), was found in both traps and grain samples in only one bin and red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), and sawtoothed grain beetle, Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), were not found in both traps and grain samples in any of the bins. The traps in the center of the bin caught 4.7–14.2 times more beetles than those on the bin walls, but only 1.3 times more P. interpunctella adults. The total numbers of C. ferrugineus adults in the grain samples could be predicted better from the product of mean grain temperature times maximum grain moisture than from sticky trap catch.
The comparative oncologic effectiveness of available management strategies for clinically localized prostate cancer

The primary goal of modern prostate cancer treatment paradigms is to optimize the balance of predicted benefits associated with prostate cancer treatment against the predicted harms of therapy. However, given the limitations in the existing evidence as well as the significant tradeoffs posed by each treatment, there remain myriad challenges associated with individualized prostate cancer treatment decision-making. In this review, we summarize the existing comparative effectiveness evidence of treatments for localized prostate cancer with an emphasis on oncologic control. While we focus on the major treatment categories of radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, and observation, we also provide a review of emerging therapies such as cryotherapy and high-intensity frequency ultrasound (HIFU).
Characterization of two distinct transglutaminases of murine bone marrow-derived macrophages: effects of exposure of viable cells to cigarette smoke on enzyme activity.

The present study examines the effects of water soluble extracts of gas-phase cigarette smoke on intracellular transglutaminase activities of intact, murine, bone marrow-derived macrophages maintained in culture. Western blotting of cell lysates utilizing noncross-reactive antisera indicate that mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages contain both tissue-type transglutaminase and factor XIII-associated transglutaminase. This finding is also supported by data indicating that the intracellular transglutaminase activity of these cells contains thrombin-dependent and -independent components. Macrophages incubated with cigarette smoke solutions for 15 minutes at 37 degrees C display a dose-dependent decrease (maximum inhibition = 55%, p less than .001) in tissue-type (thrombin-independent) transglutaminase activity, as compared to control cells incubated with phosphate-buffered saline. Factor XIII (zymogen) is not inactivated following incubation of macrophages with smoke extracts. Smoke exposure under the conditions employed has no effect on either cell viability or adherence. Incubation with 2 microM retinoic acid for 24 hours leads to a modest (2-fold) induction of tissue transglutaminase, but does not induce factor XIII; in contrast, incubation with 10% homologous serum for 24 hours results in a decrease in factor XIII, but does not affect tissue transglutaminase. These data indicate that: bone marrow-derived macrophages contain factor XIII as well as tissue-type transglutaminase; and gas-phase cigarette smoke can inactivate tissue transglutaminase within viable murine bone marrow-derived macrophages, but cannot inactivate zymogenic factor XIII.