Assessing the Readability of Capital Pattern Jury Instructions

Data obtained from the National Assessment of Adult Literacy (2003) indicate that 29% of adults have a Basic level of prose literacy. Prose literacy refers to the knowledge and skills needed to comprehend and use information from continuous texts, such as editorials, news stories, and instructional materials. In the current study we examined each state’s capital sentencing instructions for their readability using a highly reliable word-analysis tool. We found that reading levels of sentencing instructions significantly surpassed the reading comprehension abilities of American adults. All but three states’ instructions were above the twelfth grade reading level. In addition, legal principles embedded within the weighing language instruction were more difficult to comprehend compared to the aggravating or mitigating factors components of the instructions. By measuring the readability of instruction language and comparing it national literacy levels of adults, we provide an important explanation for poor comprehension of legal principles

Effects of Aging and Dietary Phytoestrogens on Sperm Production in Sprague Dawley Rats

Estrogens, in addition to testosterone, are physiologically relevant to normal sperm production in the testis and sperm maturation in the epididymis. Previous studies from our lab demonstrated that daily sperm production declines from 15 to 18 months of age in Sprague Dawley rats, and treatment with estrogen during this period attenuated the age-associated decline. Phytoestrogens are present in standard rodent diets at high levels (350-650 mg/kg) and may be potential endocrine disruptors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of removing dietary phytoestrogens during aging on sperm production. Retired breeder Sprague Dawley rats were obtained at 9 months of age, divided into three groups and further housed until 15 or 18 months of age. At 15 months of age, one group of animals was switched to a low phytoestrogen (0-20 mg/kg) rodent chow. A second group of animals was maintained on the high phytoestrogen diet. Groups one and two were maintained on their respective diets for three months until they were 18 months old. At 18 months of age, animals were euthanized and reproductive tissues were collected for analysis. The third group of animals was euthanized and tissues collected at 15 months of age. Results show that daily sperm production in both 18 month groups declined approximately 23% compared to animals 15 months of age, but was not different based on diet. The number of Sertoli cells decreased with age by about 21%, but the decrease was not affected by dietary phytoestrogens as cell numbers in both 18-month old groups were similar. Interestingly, concentrations of testosterone were not significantly different between ages or with dietary phytoestrogen content. However, there was a decrease in serum (~37%) and testicular (~42%) estradiol concentrations with age. Collectively these results further support the hypothesis that sperm production decreases with age, and the relationship between estradiol and Sertoli cells helps to maintain fertility. The findings also suggest that removal of dietary phytoestrogens does not affect the age-related decline in efficiency of spermatogenesis and daily sperm production

Constructing Identity: Exploring Varying Degrees of Public and Private Space

While there are many ways that the individual, group, and public constructs its identity, this thesis focuses on the types of spaces that individuals, groups and the public inhabit and the specific ways that each inhabits space. It is possible to associate the individual’s construction of identity with private space and the public’s with public space. However, both public and private space and the layers between the two are important as the individual, the group, and the public construct their identity. Furthermore, the display of identity does not depend on public space, but rather can occur at various layers of shared space or even private space. This thesis asserts that it is possible to inhabit public space in a private way and also to be public within one’s own private space. Therefore, this thesis focuses on providing moments of private space, shared space, and public space but creates key moments between the two extremes of public and private. Furthermore, it is necessary that each entity have a variety of spaces in which to construct and display its own identity. There is a constant shift back and forth as the individual, group, or public firsts constructs and then displays its identity. The variation of public and private spaces corresponds to the need for moments of enclosure and exposure. The individual seeks refuge at times, and this thesis gives the individual controlled access to exposure and interaction with the group or the public. However, the individual also has a desire to share with others in public space. But frequently, individuals and groups carve out their own private space within a larger public space, one example of the varying degrees of public and private space. While there is a focus on the construction of identity, this construction is always linked to the display of identity for the individual, the group or the public. The display of specific identities is how people learn about each other. Ultimately, this thesis proposes a vision for the role of spatial inhabitation in creating a more integrated community of people who may not typically cohabitate space

Carbon Free Boston: Buildings Technical Report

Part of a series of reports that includes: Carbon Free Boston: Summary Report; Carbon Free Boston: Social Equity Report; Carbon Free Boston: Technical Summary; Carbon Free Boston: Transportation Technical Report; Carbon Free Boston: Waste Technical Report; Carbon Free Boston: Energy Technical Report; Carbon Free Boston: Offsets Technical Report; Available at http://sites.bu.edu/cfb/OVERVIEW: Boston is known for its historic iconic buildings, from the Paul Revere House in the North End, to City Hall in Government Center, to the Old South Meeting House in Downtown Crossing, to the African Meeting House on Beacon Hill, to 200 Clarendon (the Hancock Tower) in Back Bay, to Abbotsford in Roxbury. In total, there are over 86,000 buildings that comprise more than 647 million square feet of area. Most of these buildings will still be in use in 2050. Floorspace (square footage) is almost evenly split between residential and non-residential uses, but residential buildings account for nearly 80,000 (93 percent) of the 86,000 buildings. Boston’s buildings are used for a diverse range of activities that include homes, offices, hospitals, factories, laboratories, schools, public service, retail, hotels, restaurants, and convention space. Building type strongly influences energy use; for example, restaurants, hospitals, and laboratories have high energy demands compared to other commercial uses. Boston’s building stock is characterized by thousands of turn-of-the-20th century homes and a postWorld War II building boom that expanded both residential buildings and commercial space. Boston is in the midst of another boom in building construction that is transforming neighborhoods across the city. [TRUNCATED]Published versio

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