cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serum retinol, β-carotene, and α-tocopherol as biomarkers for disease risk and milk production in periparturient dairy cows.

ABSTRACT The effectiveness of using serum vitamin concentrations as biomarkers to predict diseases in dairy cows during the periparturient period is not well known. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between serum β-carotene, retinol, and α-tocopherol concentrations and periparturient cow diseases in commercial dairies. We measured serum concentrations of these vitamin-active compounds at dry-off and during close-up (approximately 3 wk before calving) and early lactation (approximately 7 d post-calving), and we examined their association with clinical diseases in the first 30 d in milk. Diseases were diagnosed by trained personnel and recorded using database software. Blood samples were taken from 353 cows from 5 different farms over a 3-yr period. Blood samples were analyzed for β-carotene, retinol, α-tocopherol, and cholesterol. We built separate mixed logistic regression models for each disease outcome: hyperketonuria, lameness, mastitis, uterine diseases (retained placenta or metritis), and an aggregate outcome. For the aggregate outcome, a cow was considered positive if she had one or more of the following: hyperketonuria, lameness, mastitis, uterine disease, pneumonia, milk fever, or displaced abomasum. Concentrations of all 3 fat-soluble vitamins decreased significantly in early lactation relative to the 2 prepartum sampling times. Serum retinol concentrations at close-up and early lactation were negatively associated with odds of developing postpartum hyperketonuria. At early lactation, cows with uterine disease had lower serum retinol concentrations than cows without uterine disease. Similarly, lower serum retinol concentrations were associated with greater odds of having any one disease in the aggregate outcome. First-test 305-d mature-equivalent milk yield was positively correlated with increased serum α-tocopherol and negatively correlated with β-carotene concentrations. This study demonstrates the potential for serum β-carotene, retinol, and α-tocopherol to serve as biomarkers for disease risk.
Application of a Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment for Local Planning.

Multi-hazard assessments are increasingly vital to communities as exposures continue to change. Their data can provide a nuanced understanding of hazard interactions and their contribution to risk ...
Does running speed affect the response of joint level mechanics in non-rearfoot strike runners to footwear of varying longitudinal bending stiffness?

Abstract Background Modifying the longitudinal bending stiffness (LBS) of footwear has become a popular method to improve sport performance. It has been demonstrated to influence running economy by altering lower extremity joint level mechanics. Previous studies have only examined within-participant effects at one running speed. Research question Do joint level mechanics differ in response to varying footwear LBS at a range of running speeds? Methods This study utilized a cross-sectional repeated measure study design using a convenience sample. Ten well trained non-rearfoot strike male distance runners ran at 3.89, 4.70, and 5.56 m/s (14, 17, 20 km/hr) in footwear of three different LBS levels. Mechanics and energetics of the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ), ankle, knee, and hip joints during stance phase were assessed using an 8-camera optical motion capture system (fs = 200 Hz), a force instrumented treadmill (fs = 1000 Hz) and standard inverse dynamics theory. Results Range of motion and negative work decreased and angular stiffness increased for the MTPJ with increasing LBS at all speeds (p Significance While changes in MTPJ mechanics were consistent across speeds, decreased negative ankle work was only observed at 17 km/hr in the stiff shoe, suggesting that perhaps tuned footwear LBS may need to focus primarily on metabolically beneficial changes in ankle plantar flexor mechanical behavior to improve performance in distance runners. Tuning footwear stiffness may also be beneficial to clinical populations, as clinicians seek to optimize their patients’ locomotion economy.
Formal and Informal Regulation of Industrial Pollution: Comparative Evidence from Indonesia and the United States

In both countries the higher the level of community income, the lower the pollution intensity of local plants. This paper provides support for the idea that community-based pressure on plants to abate pollution exists, even in the presence of formal regulation. Pargal, Hettige, Singh, and Wheeler start from the premise that governments act as agents of the public in regulating pollution, using the instruments at their disposal. But when formal regulatory mechanisms are absent or ineffective, communities will seek other means of translating their preferences into reality. Recent empirical work suggests the widespread existence of such informal regulation: communities are often able to negotiate with or otherwise informally pressure polluting plants in their vicinity to clean up. Their thesis is that such informal regulation is likely wherever formal regulation leaves a gap between actual and locally preferred environmental quality. They use plant-level data from Indonesia and the United States - countries that are very different, both socioeconomically and in terms of pollution regulation - test a model of equilibrium pollution under informal regulation. Their results suggest three common elements across countries and pollutants: ° Abatement is generally subject to significant scale economies. ° Within-country variations in labor and energy prices have little impact on pollution intensity. ° Community incomes have a powerful negative association with pollution intensity. Their findings on community income are especially important, as they suggest a powerful role for informal regulation whether or not formal regulation is in place. The impact of income disparity on intercounty differences in U.S. pollution intensities seems to match the impact in Indonesia. Undoubtedly, this reflects differences in both preference for environmental quality and ability to bring pressure on polluting factories. The fact that such disparities exist in the United States, even for traditionally regulated pollutants, shows that U.S. regulation has not been able to ensure uniform environmental quality for all citizens regardless of income class. This paper - a product of the Development Research Group - is part of a larger effort in the group to understand the pollution abatement pressures faced by firms.
Consumption-Wealth Ratio and Expected Housing Return

In this paper, we estimate expected return on housing by exploiting information from the variations in the consumptionwealth ratio. We combine a present-value model of consumption with an unobserve...
Executive function and the development of social information processing during the preschool years

Abstract The six-step social information processing (SIP) model (Crick & Dodge, 1994) describes how children respond to difficult social situations, but little is known about the underlying cognitive abilities that support the individual SIP steps. Given excu executive function’s (EF) association with behavioral displays of competent and aggressive responses to provocation, the current study examined how three EF components (i.e., response inhibition, working memory, cognitive flexibility) relate to four SIP steps (i.e., encoding, interpretation, response generation, and response evaluation). In addition, the current study looked at how attributions made about the transgressor in the first two SIP steps affect processing in the later SIP steps. Seventy-two 4- to 5-year-old children completed one EF task for each component and were given a structured interview that assessed four steps of the SIP model. Working memory and age were related to encoding (fact recall and emotion attributions), response generation, and response evaluation. Cognitive flexibility was only related to response evaluation. The individual contributions of EF and age, as well as early SIP steps, differ for each step. The specific processes by which working memory may relate to each step are discussed, as well as how the encoding step provides a foundation for adequate processing in later steps. The results of the current study provide novel information about how cognitive processes contribute to the development of SIP.
Adjudicating with Inscrutable Decision Rules

Machine learning models are increasingly used in making decisions important to peoples’ lives. Often, however, humans have difficulty understanding how these automated decision tools arrive at their assessment. This inscrutability has drawn the attention of data scientists, legal scholars and others, but the discussion so far has focused on explanations aimed at decision subjects. This chapter highlights the previously neglected importance of explanations to human adjudicators, who generally retain ultimate responsibility for significant decisions. It approaches this issue by comparing inscrutable automated decision tools to the rule-like decision criteria that adjudicators have traditionally implemented, often in combination with more standard-like criteria. The chapter analyzes the novel difficulties that inscrutable automated decision tools create for adjudicators and concludes with some suggestions about how to address them.
Generating Spherically Symmetric Static Anisotropic Fluid Solutions of Einstein's Equations from Hydrostatic Equilibrium

For static fluid spheres, the condition of hydrostatic equilibrium is given by the generalized Tolman--Oppenheimer--Volkoff (TOV) equation, a Riccati equation in the radial pressure. For a perfect fluid source, it is known that finding a new solution from an existing solution requires solving a Bernoulli equation, if the density profile is kept the same. In this paper, we consider maps between static (an)isotropic fluid spheres with the same (arbitrary) density profile and present solution-generating techniques to find new solutions from existing ones. The maps, in general, require solving an associated Riccati equation, which, unlike the Bernoulli equation, cannot be solved by quadrature. In any case, it can be shown that the output solution is not, in general, regular for a given regular input solution. However, if pressure anisotropy is kept the same, the new solution is both regular and can be found by solving a Bernoulli equation. We give a few examples where the generalized TOV equation, under algebraic constraints, can be converted into a Bernoulli equation and thus, solved exactly. We discuss the physical significance of these Bernoulli equations. Since the density profile remains the same in our approach, the spatial line element is identical for all solutions, which facilitates direct comparison between various equilibrium configurations using fluid variables as functions of the radial coordinate. Finally, combining with the previous study on generation algorithms, we show how this study leads us to a new three-parameter family of exact solutions that satisfy all desirable physical conditions.
Topology Learning of Linear Dynamical Systems with Latent Nodes using Matrix Decomposition

In this article, we present a novel approach to reconstruct the topology of networked linear dynamical systems with latent nodes. The network is allowed to have directed loops and bi-directed edges. The main approach relies on the unique decomposition of the inverse of power spectral density matrix (IPSDM) obtained from observed nodes as a sum of sparse and low-rank matrices. We provide conditions and methods for decomposing the IPSDM of the observed nodes into sparse and low-rank components. The sparse component yields the moral graph associated with the observed nodes, and the low-rank component retrieves parents, children and spouses (the Markov Blanket) of the hidden nodes. The article provides necessary and sufficient conditions for the unique decomposition of a given skew symmetric matrix into sum of a sparse skew symmetric and a low-rank skew symmetric matrices. It is shown that for a large class of systems, the unique decomposition of imaginary part of the IPSDM of observed nodes, a skew symmetric matrix, into the sparse and the low-rank components is sufficient to identify the moral graph of the observed nodes as well as the Markov Blanket of latent nodes. For a large clas
On Binary Resilient Functions

Using a lifting formula for the coefficients of Boolean functions, we characterize binary resilient functions as binary matrices with certain row or column intersection properties. We give some new constructions of binary resilient functions based on this characterization. In particular, we show that the incidence matrix of a Steiner system can be used to construct binary resilient functions.
Mental health care for foster children in California.

Abstract This paper reports on a study conducted to assess the health care needs of foster children in California. To evaluate foster children's mental health problems and the services provided to meet them. 154 program administrators, social workers, foster parents, and health care providers were interviewed in 14 counties. Foster parents and social workers were interviewed in groups, and foster parents and administrators also completed questionnaires. We found that although all counties care immediately for children who are injured. abused, or ill, only one county performs routine mental health evaluations of all children, and in most counties less than a third of children ever receive such evaluations. Informants identified mental health problems as more severe than medical problems in this population, and they identified four major barriers to access to appropriate therapy. Recommendations are that all children should receive comprehensive mental health evaluations, and procedures for immediate and ongoing care with consistent providers who are sensitive to foster children's need,s should be included in case management plans, and covered by improved payment mechanisms. Additionally, communication, coordination and joint planning should be instituted among relevant agencies to address foster children's needs, and increased resources and training should be directed towards social service agencies and foster parents.
Oncologic Safety of Nipple Skin-Sparing or Total Skin-Sparing Mastectomies With Immediate Reconstruction

Background Success with skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) has led to the reconsideration of the necessity to remove the skin overlying the nipple–areola complex. The aim of our study was to compare complications and local recurrence in patients undergoing SSM and total skin-sparing mastectomy (TSSM) with immediate reconstruction. Methods This IRB-approved retrospective study involved patients who underwent mastectomy with reconstruction (1998 to 2010). Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, type of surgery, cosmesis, postoperative complications, and recurrence were analyzed. Results The 293 patients in our study group had a total of 508 procedures: 281 TSSMs and 227 SSMs, distributed among 215 patients with bilateral procedures and 78 with unilateral operations. Mean age was 51.2 ± 10.9 years for TSSM and 53.1 ± 11.5 years for SSM. The average tumor size was 1.9 ± 1.6 cm for TSSM versus 2.1 ± 1.7 cm for the SSM group. The overall complication rate (TSSM 7.1% [20 of 281] and SSM 6.2% [14 of 227], p=0.67) and local–regional recurrence rate (TSSM 6% [7 of 152] and SSM 5.0% [7 of 141], p=0.89) were comparable. The TSSM rating was significantly higher (score 9.2 ± 1.1) than the SSM group (score 8.3 ± 1.9, p=0.04). Conclusion TSSM appears to be oncologically safe with superior cosmesis, affords one-step immediate reconstruction, and can be offered to patients with stages I and II breast cancer and those who have been down-staged with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
On the space-filling enneahedra

A space-filling polyhedron is one whose replications can be packed to fill three-space completely. The space-filling polyhedra of four to eight faces have been previously reported. The search is here extended to the convex space-fillers of nine faces. The number of types is found to be at least 40.
A dynamic pattern theory of behavioral change

Intentional change of behavior is an essential phenomenon that theoretical biology cannot fail to address. Often, theoretical attempts to understand the problem and experimental study of behavioral change are quite unrelated to each other. Recent progress in formulating a strictly operational dynamic theory of behavioral patterns, however, offers a link between theory and experiment. Here the understanding of intentional change of behavioral pattern in this theoretical language is shown. The general formulation provides predictions on the relation between the dynamics of behavioral patterns and the nature of the process of behavioral change. Theoretically founded measures, including switching time and first exit time, are introduced that allow a characterization of this process. A concrete system involving temporally ordered behavior is modelled explictly on two experimentally accessible levels of observation. Switching time and first passage time measures are calculated from the theory and the results compared to recent experimental observations. We discuss the potential of the switching time measures for the more general study of behavioral patterns and their dynamics.
Immunohistochemical localization of transforming growth factor-beta in human implantation sites.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta), a protein known to antagonize many of the functions of the epidermal growth factor-receptor system, was localized immunohistochemically in unruptured ectopic pregnancies (EP) removed by salpingectomy (n = 8), uterine decidua from EP (n = 4), and decidua and trophoblast from electively terminated first trimester pregnancies (ETP; n = 8). Two rabbit polyclonal antisera that recognize both TGF beta 1 and beta 2 were used. Immunostaining for TGF beta was identified in all three forms of trophoblast, cytotrophoblasts, intermediate trophoblasts, and syncytiotrophoblasts, which were differentiated histologically and immunohistochemically. Moderate cytoplasmic immunostaining was found in villous cytotrophoblasts in both EP and ETP. Nonvillous (anchoring) cytotrophoblasts in these same tissues demonstrated moderate immunostaining adjacent to the villous and light immunostaining distal to the villous. In intermediate trophoblasts, moderate to intense immunostaining was se...
On some concepts associated with finite cardinal numbers

I catalog several concepts associated with finite cardinals, and then invoke them to interpret and evaluate several passages in Rips et al.'s target article. Like the literature it discusses, the article seems overly quick to ascribe the possession of certain concepts to children (and of set-theoretic concepts to non-mathematicians).
Interaction between the bauschinger effect and strain aging

When a metal is strained plastically, the yield strength in the direction opposite the direction of strain is reduced. This phenomenon is called the Bauschinger effect. During an investigation of the Bauschinger effect in HSLA steels, an interesting interaction between the Bauschinger effect and strain aging was observed. Results show that interstitial-solute strain aging can be used in certain types of steel to reduce the magnitude of the loss in yield strength on strain reversal resulting from the transient portion of the Bauschinger effect.
The sea sled — a device for measuring bottom profiles in the surf zone

Abstract The Sea Sled is a simple, easily constructed device for obtaining relatively accurate and quick bottom profiles in the surf zone. The onshore — offshore motion associated with the passage of waves propels the sled on both its seaward traverse and the shoreward return. The device has been successfully used along the California coast.
A cross-cultural analysis of dignified dying.

Purpose: To describe the characteristics of dignified dying and other terminology nurses used to describe this phenomenon in Ethiopia, India, Kenya, and the United States (US). Design: A cross-sectional descriptive survey with a convenience sample of nurses who cared for dying patients in Ethiopia (n=14), India (n=229), Kenya (n=36), and the US (n=281). Data were collected between 2002 and 2004. Methods: Nurses were recruited to complete the ICNP® Dignified Dying survey, which consists of demographic information, 2 open-ended questions, and 14 questions about characteristics of dignified dying. Findings: The 14 characteristics on the dignified dying scale reliably measured dignified dying, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of .91. All characteristics were rated as representative of dignified dying, with content validity scores ranging from .62 to .77. Factor analysis yielded a two-factor solution, which accounted for 53% of the variance. Conclusions: Findings of this study contribute to the ongoing development of the International Classification of Nursing Practice (ICNP®) regarding the nursing phenomenon of dignified dying. The ICNP®, a unified nursing language system, is used to promote and facilitate scholarly exchange among nurses across countries.
Macrophages Create a Lysosomal Synapse to Digest Aggregated Lipoproteins

Atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of the majority of heart attacks and strokes. Lipoprotein accumulation and degradation by monocyte-derived macrophages is a central event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Data show that the vast majority of low density lipoprotein (LDL) in atherosclerotic plaques is aggregated and avidly bound to the subendothelial matrix.We employ various microscopy and biochemical techniques in both cell culture and animal models to investigate the mechanism of uptake of aggregated LDL (agLDL) by macrophages. We show that macrophages create an extracellular, acidic compartment where the cells contact the agLDL, and lysosomal contents are delivered to these compartments, thereby forming an extracellular hydrolytic compartment - a lysosomal synapse. Active acidification of these specialized compartments and aggregate catabolism were observed by fluorescence ratiometric time-lapse imaging of an in vitro cell culture model. Biochemical assays, employing radiolabeled agLDL demonstrated an increase in free cholesterol in aggregates contained in the lysosomal synapse. This cholesterol can be delivered to the cell, initiating the process of macrophage cholesterol loading and ultimately causing progression of the atherosclerotic plaque.Although in vitro systems provide insight into macrophage uptake of lipoproteins, ultimately we must strive to understand the function and behavior of macrophages in intact animals. Relatively little is known of the fate of monocytes once they migrate into atherosclerotic lesions. To this end, we employ intravital multiphoton microscopy in mouse models of atherosclerosis to allow observation of macrophages within the artery wall.Our studies elucidate the mechanism of a novel pathway for catabolism of agLDL by macrophages. Better understanding of the mechanisms by which macrophages interact with lipoproteins in the subendothelium may lead to new approaches to inhibit lipid accumulation in macrophages and thus, may be of therapeutic value in preventing atherosclerosis.
Crime and ethics

Abstract We consider a simple model in which agents are endowed with heterogeneous abilities and differing degrees of honesty. Agents choose either to commit (property) crimes or invest in education and become workers instead. The model is closed in that all criminal proceeds are stolen from agents working in the formal sector and that expenditures on both deterrence and punishment of criminals are paid for through taxes levied on workers. Thus, although we assume that there are no direct interactive effects among criminals, criminals crowd each other in two ways: positively in that enforcement and punishment resources become more widely diffused as more agents commit crimes, and negatively in that the presence of more criminals implies that there is less loot to be divided over a larger number of thieves. We establish the possibility of multiple equilibria and characterize the equilibrium properties. We then evaluate the effectiveness of deterrence policies under a balanced government budget.
Shock synthesis and synthesis-assisted shock consolidation of suicides

Shock-induced chemical synthesis and synthesis-assisted consolidation of high-temperature materials (suicides) were investigated. Niobium, molybdenum, and titanium powders mixed with silicon powders were chosen as reactant materials for shock-induced synthesis of silicides. In parallel experiments, these reactant materials were also respectively mixed with inert intermetallic compound powders of NbSi2, MoSi2, and Ti5Si3 in different proportions and were shock consolidated. Shock processing was carried out using a modification of the experimental set-up developed by Sawaoka and Akashi. The shock waves were generated in the materials by the impact of a flyer plate at a velocity of 2 km sec−1. An explosive plane-wave generator was used to initiate the main explosive charge to accelerate the flyer plate. The passage of shock waves of sufficient pressure and temperature induced a highly exothermic and self-sustaining reaction between reactant materials. The shock-synthesized intermetallic compounds and the heat of reaction enhanced bonding between inert matrix materials. The proportion of reactant powder mixtures blended with inert intermetallic materials plays a very important role in the synthesis-assisted consolidation process. Characterization of compacts was done by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. A preliminary analysis of shock-induced chemical reactions is conducted; it predicts a 30% increase in shock pressure and shock-wave velocity over those in unreacted powders. For shock synthesis, the profuse formation of voids indicates that melting of the material occurred; in contrast, unreacted regions did not exhibit porosity.
Cardiovascular Event Risk After Noncardiac Surgery

Dr Hawn and colleagues1 evaluated the risk of undergoing noncardiac surgery following coronary stent placement. The analysis, which examines the outcomes of 28 029 veterans undergoing noncardiac surgery within 24 months of coronary stent implantation, found that emergency surgery and severity of cardiac disease were the principal factors associated with postoperative major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).
Antibodies directed against tyrosine hydroxylase differentially recognize noradrenergic axons in monkey neocortex.

Abstract In previous immunohistochemical studies of monkey neocortex, we found that antisera directed against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH) appeared to label distinct populations of neocortical axons, which presumably were dopaminergic and noradrenergic, respectively. In the present study, we further evaluated the apparent selectivity of this rabbit anti-TH antiserum for cortical dopaminergic fibers in monkeys by comparing it with two other anti-TH antibodies, a mouse monoclonal and a sheep polyclonal. In addition, the latter two anti-TH antibodies were used in double-labeling studies with a rabbit anti-DBH antiserum. In both single- and dual-label studies, each anti-TH antibody visualized a similar population of cortical axons, although the number of labeled fibers differed across antibodies. That is, in some cortical regions and layers, both the sheep and mouse anti-TH antibodies labeled more cortical fibers than did the rabbit anti-TH antiserum. Thus, the former two antibodies appeared to identify a subpopulation of TH-containing fibers that the latter antibody did not. Dual-label experiments, involving the rabbit anti-DBH antiserum and either the sheep or mouse anti-TH antibodies, demonstrated numerous neocortical DBH-immunoreactive axons in which TH was not detectable immunohistochemically. The percentage of DBH-immunoreactive fibers that were single-labeled differed across cortical regions and with the anti-TH antibody employed. For example, in primary motor cortex the mouse anti-TH antibody did not label 99.4% of the DBH-positive fibers, whereas in primary visual cortex, 76.4% of the DBH-immunoreactive axons were identified by the sheep anti-TH antibody. The results of these studies indicate that many DBH-immunoreactive, presumably noradrenergic, axons in monkey neocortex are not visualized by anti-TH antibodies, and that the ability of anti-TH antibodies to identify noradrenergic cortical axons in monkeys differs substantially among anti-TH antibodies and across cortical regions. These findings may be consistent with previous reports suggesting that the TH molecule is present in different concentrations or molecular forms in dopaminergic and noradrenergic cortical fibers. Finally, this study demonstrates that the labeling characteristics of a particular anti-TH antibody must be carefully evaluated, particularly in studies of primate neocortex, in order to properly interpret the results of those studies.
Concerns about the Disproportionate Use of Economic Research in the FCC'S Media Ownership Studies from 2002–2007

An analysis of the studies used by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in its media ownership proceedings from 2002–2007 found a disproportionate use of economic research to support the agency's rule changes. The use of this research in policymaking is important because the FCC's reliance on economic literature may have helped justify a “procedural” definition of what constitutes the public interest, and a “neoliberal” faith in the wisdom of market forces to ensure that the public interest is being served. The findings suggest that the inclusion of a broader range of scholarship, especially media research, would not have supported the FCC's decision to further relax media ownership rules.
The Major Cyclic Trimeric Product of Indole-3-carbinol Is a Strong Agonist of the Estrogen Receptor Signaling Pathway†

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a component of Brassica vegetables, is under study as a preventive agent of cancers of the breast and other organs. Following ingestion, I3C is converted to a series of oligomeric products that presumably are responsible for the in vivo effects of I3C. We report the effects of the major trimeric product, 5,6,11,12,17,18-hexahydrocyclonona[1,2-b:4,5-b':7,8-b' ']triindole (CTr), on the estrogen receptor (ER) signaling pathways. Tumor-promoting effects of high doses of I3C may be due to activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-mediated pathways; therefore, we also examined the effects of CTr on AhR activated processes. We observed that CTr is a strong agonist of ER function. CTr stimulated the proliferation of estrogen-responsive MCF-7 cells to a level similar to that produced by estradiol (E(2)) but did not affect the growth of the estrogen-independent cell line, MDA-MD-231. CTr displaced E(2) in competitive-binding studies and activated ER-binding to an estrogen responsive DNA element in gel mobility shift assays with EC(50)s of about 0.1 microM. CTr activated transcription of an E(2)-responsive endogenous gene and exogenous reporter genes in transfected MCF-7 cells, also with high potency. CTr failed to activate AhR-mediated pathways, consistent with the low-binding affinity of CTr for the AhR reported previously. Comparisons of the conformational characteristics of CTr with other ER ligands indicated a remarkable similarity with tamoxifen, a selective ER antagonist used as a breast cancer therapeutic agent and suggest an excellent fit of CTr into the ligand-binding site of the ER.
On a multiple endpoints testing problem

In a clinical trial comparing drug with placebo, where there are multiple primary endpoints, we consider testing problems where an efficacious drug effect can be claimed only if statistical significance is demonstrated at the nominal level for all endpoints. Under the assumption that the data are multivariate normal, the multiple endpoint-testing problem is formulated. The usual testing procedure involves testing each endpoint separately at the same significance level using two-sample t-tests, and claiming drug efficacy only if each t-statistic is significant. In this paper we investigate properties of this procedure. We show that it is identical to both an intersection union test and the likelihood ratio test. A simple expression for the p-value is given. The level and power function are studied; it is shown that the test may be conservative and that it is biased. Computable bounds for the power function are established.
A Comment on Inter-Party Competition, Economic Variables, and Welfare Policies in the American States

I N A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY of inter-party competition, economic variables, and welfare policies,' Dawson and Robinson have uncovered a variety of relationships worthy of note. In addition to this positive contribution, their work has had some "negative results" in that it did not confirm the earlier, established notion that inter-party competition is a primary determining factor of the nature and scope of welfare policies. The purpose of this note is to indicate an alternative hypothesis-one which is consistent not only with the Dawson and Robinson data but with the findings of Golembiewski,2 Key,3 and Lockard4 as well. The crucial term, conspicuous by its lack of emphasis in the literature cited above, is economic development. The three "external" factors to which Dawson and Robinson paid so much attention -per capita income, urbanization, and industrialization-are, for the most part, three facets of economic development. There are exceptions, of course. The discovery and extraction of rich deposits of rare metals or oil may give rise to high per capita incomes in an area with little urbanization and, depending upon the precise definition used, no great degree of industrialization. Or, to mention another exception, fertile farm land, skillfully exploited with the ultimate in capital and technology, may yield high per capita incomes in a given area with little urbanization and with little apparent industrialization (again, depending upon the precise definition of the term).
Predominance of picoplankton and nanoplankton in eutrophic Calder Lake

A study was conducted to examine factors regulating the biomass of algal picoplankton in Calder Lake, a small eutrophic lake in southern New York state. A particular focus was a current paradigm which suggests that larger cells may dominate in nutrient-rich waters, while smaller cells may predominate only in oligotrophic waters. Over two years, phytoplankton biomass consisted predominantly (74% on average) of very small organisms; nanoplankton (<20 to 2 µm: 39%) and picoplankton (<2 µm to 0.2 µm: 35%), despite the presence of surface blooms of colonial cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa, Anabaena limnetica), and dense metalimnetic populations of the dinoflagellate Ceratium hirundinella. This dimictic system is characterized by relatively high levels of total P (max = 85, % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGabmiEayaara% aaaa!3702!\[\bar x\] = 9.7 µg P/L), inorganic P (max = 26, % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGabmiEayaara% aaaa!3702!\[\bar x\] = 4.5 µg P/L), and total inorganic N (max = 285, % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGabmiEayaara% aaaa!3702!\[\bar x\] = 85 µg P/L), but larger forms were rarely the most abundant. Unlike some marine systems, greater abundance of algal picoplankton was not associated with deeper strata (low light), or warmer temperatures. Data suggest that midsummer nutrient limitation, especially P-limitation, favors the development of pico- and nanoplankton in the limnetic zone of eutrophic lakes.
Monitoring Performance as a Function of Work/Rest Schedule and Thermal Stress

This study evaluates the effects of work/rest schedules as a means of retarding job fatigue and maintaining vigilance performance in hot climates. Six different work/rest schedules were investigated at three levels of heat stress (74°, 82°, and 90° effective temperature). Experimental sessions were 3 hours long for each of the 108 subjects used. Results show that the factors of temperature, work period, and work/rest ratio of the levels utilized in the study did not, by themselves, affect vigilance performance to a high degree. However., when high temperatures, long work periods, and short rest periods occurred in combination, a disproportionate decrement in monitoring performance was observed.
Resolving power in direct oblique plane imaging

Direct oblique plane imaging is a high-speed microscopy technique that observes a sample’s plane that is inclined to the focal plane of the microscope objective lens. This wide-field microscopy is suitable for a study of fast dynamics of living samples where the principle plane of interest is tilted to the focal plane. A way to implement this imaging technique is to use remote focusing together with a tilted mirror, which involves asymmetrical pupil function of the imaging system. We rigorously study the anisotropic resolving power of the oblique plane imaging using a vectorial diffraction theory. From the derived effective pupil function, we calculate vectorial point spread function (PSF) and optical transfer function (OTF). We show that the two-dimensional (2D) PSF of the direct oblique plane imaging is not merely an oblique crosssection of the 3D PSF of circular aperture system. Similarly, 2D OTF of the oblique plane imaging is different from 2D oblique projection of conventional 3D OTF in circular aperture system.
A polynomial-time solution to Papadimitriou and Steiglitz's 'traps'

Papadimitriou and Steiglitz constructed 'traps' for the symmetric travelling salesman problem (TSP) with n = 8k cities. The constructed problem instances have exponentially many suboptimal solutions with arbitrarily large weight, which differ from the unique optimal solution in exactly 3k edges, and hence local search algorithms are ineffective to solve this problem. However, we show that this class of 'catastrophic' examples can be solved by linear programming relaxation appended with k subtour elimination constraints. It follows that this class of problem instances of TSP can be optimized in polynomial time.
Establishment of Oomyzus gallerucae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), an egg parasite of the elm leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), in Missouri and adjacent states.

Abstract The non-indigenous elm leaf beetle (ELB), Xanthogaleruca luteola (Muller), egg parasite Oomyzus gallerucae (Fonscolombe) was first recorded from Boone County, Missouri, in 1989. It has since been recorded in 55 additional Missouri counties and 5 adjacent states. Parasites were not detected in an additional 14 Missouri counties. Annual parasitization from ELB egg masses sampled at Columbia, Missouri, ranged from 26.3 to 51.7%. O. gallerucae was reared from egg masses on the first collection date each year as well as the last, indicating that the parasite successfully overwinters each year and is synchronized with the phenology of the beetle. The 38.0% overall mean rate of parasitization in addition to mortality resulting from host feeding of the eggs appeared to inhibit conspicuous leaf damage. The delayed establishment and dispersal of O. gallerucae is compared to similar circumstances of three other parasites (e.g., Collyria calcitrator (Gravenhorst), Bathyplectes tristis (Gravenhorst), and Patasson nitens (Girault)). The presence of O. gallerucae in Missouri has potentially contributed to the decline of the ELB as an urban pest in the state.
Immunization recall: effectiveness and barriers to success in an urban teaching clinic.

Abstract Objective: To examine effectiveness of immunization recall in an urban pediatric teaching clinic and to identify barriers to recall effectiveness. Design: Randomized, controlled trial. Children aged 5 to 17 months who were not up to date (UTD) with recommended immunizations were identified and assigned to intervention (n = 294) or control groups (n = 309). The intervention consisted of a mailed postcard and up to 4 telephone calls. Two months after intervention, UTD status, visit, and probable missed opportunity rates were assessed. Results: Of the intervention group, 30% could not be reached. In 12-month-old children in the intervention group compared with those in the control group, there was a trend toward higher UTD rates (51% vs 39%, P =.07) and a higher proportion of UTD children receiving immunizations as opposed to getting more complete documentation (25% vs 10%, P =.005). Similar differences between intervention and control children were not seen in the 7-month and 19-month age categories. More children in the intervention group had a health maintenance visit (17% vs 11%, P =.03). Of children in the intervention group who were seen when not UTD, 17 of 24 (71%) of those seen for an illness visit and 5 of 24 (21%) of those seen for health maintenance probably had missed opportunities to be immunized. Conclusions: Recall efforts were partially successful but were undermined by inability to reach the clinic population, poor documentation of immunizations, and missed opportunities. (J Pediatr 2001;139:630–5)
Micropower supply for electrostatic micromotors

This paper presents a high-voltage generator circuit as power supply for an electrostatic micromotor with process integration based on a standard 2 micrometers CMOS technology. This voltage multiplier circuit utilizes n-type with in a standard 2 micrometers CMOS process as a vital innovation to achieve electrically isolated and floated diodes. This design secures a high- voltage output limited only by the breakdown voltage of n-well to p-substrate pn junctions. For the purpose we used, the power supply can provide approximately 50 V dc output by inputting 5 V dc power and two non-overlapping 0/5 V clock signals. The demonstrated design has application in microbiotic and microactuated systems.
Calcium is a component of ommochrome pigment granules in insect eyes

Abstract 1. 1. Energy dispersive X-ray spectra were obtained from thin sections of larval mosquito ocelli using a scanning electron microscope equipped with a probe. 2. 2. Prominent sulfur and calcium peaks were characteristic of spectra from ommochrome pigment granules. EGTA dissolved granules from thin sections, and the contents of the granules were extracted when EGTA was included in aldehyde fixatives, indicating that calcium is a structural component of the granules. 3. 3. Similar results were obtained with the compound eyes of a moth and a dragonfly. However. granules in the eyes of a fly and crayfish did not contain calcium.
Basilar artery occlusion in a 10-year old boy.

A 10-year-old boy developed vertigo and signs of brainstem dysfunction. Arteriography demonstrated complete occlusion of the basilar artery. No cause of the occlusion could be determined. This case emphasizes the rarity of basilar artery occlusion during childhood. Its differential diagnosis is discussed.
Exertional heat stroke during a cool weather marathon: a case study.

A well-trained male runner in his late 30s collapsed 10 m before the finish line, nearly completing the 42.1-km marathon course in 3 h, 15 min. He was responsive to pain, agitated, diaphoretic, and unable to walk. The race start temperature was 6°C (43°F) with relative humidity of 99% and the 3-h temperature was 9.5°C (49°F) with a 62% relative humidity. Approximately 27 min after his collapse, his rectal temperature in the emergency department was 40.7°C (105.3°F), and his failing respiratory status required intubation. His initial Glasgow coma score was 6-7 of 15. His renal output was minimal until he was cooled and given a large fluid flush. His initial echocardiogram showed a "stunned" myocardium with an ejection fraction of 35%. He had a viral syndrome the week prior to the race and was paced by a "fresh" runner the last 16 km of the race. He left the hospital in 5 d and has now returned to running without problems, although several months passed before he felt well while exercising. Exertional heat stroke can occur in cool conditions, and rectal temperature should be checked in all collapsed runners who do not progress with rapid recovery of vital signs and cognitive function. Runners should be instructed not to compete when ill and should not use nonparticipant pacers during the runs.
Metacognition changes during an engineering design project

This study evaluated metacognitive changes of three groups of engineering students working on a design project. Those three groups are electrical-computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science students. Two metacognitive features, cognitive self-appraisal and cognitive self-management were used to indicate students' metacognitive level. The Engineering Design Project Inventory (EDPI) was used to assess students' cognitive self-appraisal and management. One hundred and sixty engineering students working on 60 different senior design projects participated in this study. They were asked to complete the EDPI twice: at the early and final stages of the project. Statistical results revealed significant change in mechanical engineering students' metacognition while engaged in the senior design project. Discussion on why significant metacognitive change occurred only in mechanical engineering students is included in the paper.
Modelling the effects of tied-ridging on water conservation and crop yields

Abstract Tied-ridging, also known as furrow-diking, is a practical, efficient and low-cost technique to conserve water in micro-impoundments between crop rows, and provide valuable additional moisture for crop production. Mathematical models combining hydrologic and crop growth processes were developed to simulate runoff and to estimate the effect of conserving the runoff by diking, on crop yields. The models called SORDIKE, CORDIKE and COTDIKE were run with 25-year weather data from five Texas locations to evaluate the long-term effects of diking on sorghum, maize and cotton yields, respectively. These models can predict the likely impact of furrow-diking on dryland or irrigated crop yields at any location where agro-climatic and soil data are available.
Distortion of atomic states by time-dependent electric fields

A class of approximate solutions of the Schr\"odinger equation for an atom in a time-dependent electric field that scales with the applied field F as FF(t)dt is derived and their bounds of validity are carefully examined. The class covers a wide region of applicable electric fields and its time constants. An extensive comparison of these solutions with the results of numerical calculations on a truncated basis of up to 465 hydrogenic states shows surprising agreement. One of these solutions is found to be very effective in field dressing of high Rydberg states. The resulting field dressing is proposed for the description of the plasma field effects on atomic reaction rates, but its range of applicability can be extended to the other atomic problems that involve time-dependent electric fields.