cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Female Gender, Estrogen Loss, and Sub-RPE Deposit Formation in Aged Mice

PURPOSE. Estrogen status influences the incidence and severity of many diseases in women. Because women with early menopause appear at risk for worse ARMD, estrogen deficiency may also contribute to the onset or severity of ARMD in women. It has been observed that aged male C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet and briefly exposed to blue-green light exhibit development of significant sub-RPE deposits and mild Bruch's membrane (BrM) thickening. This model was used in an attempt to delineate the role of gender and estrogen status in this model. METHODS. C57BL/6 male and female mice of 9 or 16 months were fed a high-fat diet for 4.5 months, Several groups of 9-month-old female mice underwent estrogen depletion by ovariectomy, with or without supplementation with exogenous 17β-estradiol. After 4 weeks of a high-fat diet, the eyes were exposed to seven 5-second doses of nonphototoxic levels of blue-green light over 2 weeks. Three and a half months after cessation of blue light treatment, transmission electron microscopy was performed to assess severity of deposits, BrM changes, and choriocapillaris endothelial morphology. In some mice, gelatin zymography and Western blot analyses were performed on protein extracts of freshly isolated RPE to determine the effect of estrogen on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 activity in the RPE. RESULTS. Both male and female 16-month-old mice showed qualitatively similar basal laminar deposit morphology, but the severity of thickness, continuity, and content was significantly greater in female mice. Aged female mice also demonstrated a trend toward more severe endothelial changes and increased BrM thickening compared with age-matched male mice. Ovariectomized middle-aged mice showed more severe deposits than sham-surgery control animals. However, ovariectomized mice that received high-dose estrogen supplementation also showed significant deposits, although they had thinner BrMs than did the estrogen-deficient mice. Loss of RPE MMP-2 activity correlated with deposit severity, with estrogen-deficient mice expressing less MMP-2 than ovary-intact control mice. CONCLUSIONS. Female gender in aged mice and estrogen deficiency in middle-aged mice appears to increase the severity of sub-RPE deposit formation. Estrogen deficiency may increase susceptibility to formation of sub-RPE deposits by dysregulating turnover of BrM, contributing to collagenous thickening and endothelial changes. Estrogen supplementation at the dosages used in this study does not appear to protect against formation of sub-RPE deposits. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci.
Mobility, information, and bequest : the other side of the equal division puzzle

There is substantial evidence that parental bequests to children are typically equal in the US—a regularity inconsistent with the predictions of standard bequest models. The prior explanation for this puzzle is parents’ desire to signal equal affection given children’s incomplete information of parental preferences. However, parents also have incomplete information regarding children preferences—which has not been considered. Using a strategic bequest framework, we show that when parents have sufficient uncertainty regarding children’s relocation returns, a separating equilibrium where parents reward attentive heirs with larger bequests is precluded. Such uncertainty appears consistent with conditions in the contemporary USA.
Late Pliocene–Pleistocene Stratigraphy in Deep Sea Cores from the South-central North Atlantic

PALAEOMAGNETIC studies of deep sea cores have shown that the history of geomagnetic polarity reversal is recorded in sea floor sediments1–8. The local extinction of certain species of Radiolaria can be related to palaeomagnetic polarity reversals1,4,8, and specifically there is an association of the Brunhes–Matuyama polarity reversal at 0.7 × 106 yr ago with the ψ/X radiolaria boundary4,8. Another such extinction has been suggested4,9; occurring within the Olduvai Normal polarity event about 2 × 106 yr ago, approximates the Plio/Pleistocene chronostratigraphic boundary defined by Ericson10,11 for oceanic sediments. Although this chronostratigraphic age assignment may be correct, the relationship of the geomagnetic polarity time scale to the biostratigraphic units used to define Plio/Pleistocene geological history has not been demonstrated. This results primarily from the lack of appropriate palaeontological criteria in deep sea cores which can be correlated with the standard (type) sections of the Pliocene/Pleistocene of Italy.
Enhanced visual latent inhibition in obsessive–compulsive disorder

Abstract Background: Latent inhibition (LI) is the slowed acquisition of a learned response to a conditioned stimulus (CS), that occurs if that CS has previously been experienced in a noncontingent setting. This retarded acquisition is thought to occur because, due to the previous noncontingent experience, an individual must “unlearn the irrelevance” of the CS, before learning its new association to the unconditioned stimulus. A previous report using an auditory paradigm did not detect abnormal LI in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) subjects; this auditory LI task included a difficult acquisition phase, which made it relatively insensitive to detecting abnormally elevated LI (i.e., slowed “unlearning”). Methods: We assessed LI using a highly sensitive computerized visual LI paradigm in 63 carefully screened control subjects and in 48 patients with OCD. Results: Compared to controls, OCD subjects exhibited significantly more LI; if “preexposed” to a to-be-CS, OCD subjects required significantly more trials to learn a new association to that CS, compared to control subjects. This pattern was particularly evident in unmedicated OCD subjects. Conclusions: The inflated impact of preexposure on LI response acquisition in OCD subjects may be a quantitative measure of their tendency to remain “stuck in set” in this cognitive task.
Oseltamivir-Warfarin Interaction in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: Case Report and Review

An 8-year-old boy with hypoplastic left heart syndrome with a previous history of thrombosis within the inferior vena cava receiving stable warfarin dosing for anticoagulation was diagnosed with influenza B. He was subsequently placed on oseltamivir therapy according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clinical practice guidelines. During the hospitalization, his international normalized ratio steadily increased to supratherapeutic levels and returned to baseline after discontinuation of oseltamivir therapy. This case represents a drug-drug interaction that has not been previously reported in children or adolescents. An extensive review of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic literature did not uncover a definitive etiology for this interaction. However, several undefined aspects in each drug's disposition pathway need further elucidation. Until this interaction is understood, caution is warranted, and close monitoring of the international normalized ratio should be performed in all patients prescribed oseltamivir concomitantly with warfarin.
Transient institutional ownership and CEO contracting

ABSTRACT: Prior research documents that CEOs respond to transient ownership preferences by choosing actions to meet short‐term earnings targets. This study examines whether contract designers anticipate these actions and respond by adjusting explicit CEO compensation contracts. We find that, in determining CEO cash bonuses, firms with high levels of transient investors, on average, place a relatively low weight on earnings and a relatively high weight on annual returns. Additionally, both the likelihood of granting equity and the magnitude of annual equity grants to CEOs are higher with a higher level of transient investors, after controlling for previously studied determinants of equity grants. The results suggest transient‐owner trading behavior creates implicit incentives for CEOs to take actions that increase current earnings, and firms take these implicit incentives into account in the design of explicit CEO compensation contracts.
Value and Context in Data Use: Domain Analysis Revisited

“Context” is an elusive concept in Information Science –often invoked, and yet rarely explained. In this paper we take a domain analytic approach to examine five sub-disciplines within Earth Systems Science to show how the contexts of data production and use impact the value of data. We argue simply that the value of research data increases with their use. Our analysis is informed by two economic perspectives: first, that data production needs to be situated within a broader information economy; and second, that the concept of anti-fragility helps explain how data increase in value through exposure to diverse contexts of use. We discuss the importance of these perspectives for the development of information systems capable of facilitating interdisciplinary scientific work, as well as the design of sustainable cyberinfrastructures.
A photonic crystal sensor based on the superprism effect

We describe an optical sensing technique, based on the superprism effect in three-dimensional photonic crystals formed by templating colloidal crystals. This method exploits the extreme sensitivity of the diffraction angle to the material properties, such as the refractive index contrast. We outline a theoretical method for analyzing this effect, and apply it to a particular sensing configuration. This sensor should provide an increase by as much as three orders of magnitude in the sensitivity to small changes in index contrast, in comparison with other optical sensing methods.
Silicon-Embedding Approaches to 3-D Toroidal Inductor Fabrication

This paper presents complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor-compatible silicon-embedding techniques for on-chip integration of microelectromechanical-system devices with 3-D complex structures. By taking advantage of the “dead volume” within the bulk of the silicon wafer, functional devices with large profile can be embedded into the substrate without consuming valuable die area on the wafer surface or increasing the packaging complexity. Furthermore, through-wafer interconnects can be implemented to connect the device to the circuitry on the wafer surface. The key challenge of embedding structures within the wafer volume is processing inside deep trenches. To achieve this goal in an area-efficient manner, straight-sidewall trenches are desired, adding additional difficulty to the embedding process. Two approaches to achieve this goal are presented in this paper, i.e., a lithography-based process and a shadow-mask-based process. The lithography-based process utilizes a spray-coating technique and proximity lithography in combination with thick epoxy processing and laminated dry-film lithography. The shadow-mask-based process employs a specially designed 3-D silicon shadow mask to enable simultaneous metal patterning on both the vertical sidewall and the bottom surface of the trench during deposition, eliminating multiple lithography steps and reducing the process time. Both techniques have been demonstrated through the embedding of the topologically complex 3-D toroidal inductors into the silicon substrate for power supply on-chip (PwrSoC) applications. Embedded 3-D inductors that possess 25 turns and a diameter of 6 mm in a silicon trench of 300-μm depth achieve overall inductances of 45-60 nH, dc resistances of 290-400 mΩ, and quality factors of 16-17.5 at 40-70 MHz.
Oxandrolone: A Potent Anabolic Steroid of Novel Chemical Configuration

ABSTRACT. Oxandrolone, an analog of 17α-methyldihydrotestosterone in which the number 2 carbon atom of the phenanthrene nucleus has been replaced by an oxygen atom, has been shown in human subjects to possess approximately 6 times the anabolic potency of methyltestosterone.
Blunted β-Adrenergic Responsivity of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Endogenous Depression: Isoproterenol Dose—Response Studies

• Previous studies of peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from drug-free, hospitalized patients with endogenous major depression have demonstrated a diminished adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) response to single concentrations of isoproterenol as compared with that obtained from normal control subjects. We now report results of isoproterenol dose-response studies that indicate lower basal levels of cyclic AMP as well as diminished cyclic AMP levels in response to isoproterenol stimulation at concentrations ranging from 10 -10 to 10 -5 mol/L in drug-free, hospitalized patients with endogenous depression. The major factor responsible for the diminished cyclic AMP production in the depressed patients was a loss of receptor sites capable of cyclic AMP production. Taken together with our previously reported finding that β-adrenergic antagonist binding was normal in peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from depressed patients, the results of the dose-response studies suggest a loss of receptor function (desensitization) rather than a diminished number of receptor binding sites (down-regulation) as the underlying mechanism. Potential explanations for β-adrenergic desensitization and its implications for the catecholamine hypothesis of depressive disorders are discussed.
Cutaneous metastatic squamous-cell carcinoma in zosteriform distribution

A renal transplant patient on immunosuppressives with a history of multiple premalignant and malignant skin tumors developed cutaneous metastatic squamous-cell carcinoma in a typical zosteriform distribution on the right arm and chest. This distribution of a squamous-cell carcinoma is unique to the English literature and serves to emphasize the necessity for frequent follow-up and aggressive treatment in this high-risk population.
Assessing multivariate process/product yield via discrete point approximation

The assessment of multivariate yield is central to the robust design of products/processes. Currently, yield is evaluated via Monte Carlo simulation. However, it requires thousands of replications per simulation to achieve an acceptably precise estimate of yield, this is often tedious and time consuming, thereby rendering it unattractive as an evaluation tool. We propose a discrete point approximation on each design variable, using general Beta distributions, for assessing reasonably precise multivariate yield estimates, which require only a minute fraction of the Monte Carlo replications/simulations required to estimate yield (e.g., 3 and 5 design variables would require only 33=27 and 35=243 replications, respectively). The Beta distribution has the desirable property of being able to characterize a wide variety of processes that may or may not be symmetric and which may or may not have a finite operating range. Using an approach that computes the roots of a polynomial, whose degree is determined by the number of discrete points, discrete three point approximations are obtained and tabulated for twenty-five different Beta distributions. Based on several test examples, where design parameters are modeled as independent Beta random variates, our approach appears to be highly accurate, achieving virtually the same multivariate yield estimate as that obtained via Monte Carlo simulation. The substantial reduction in the number of replications and associated computational time required to assess yield makes the iterative adjustment of design parameters a more practical design strategy.
Decorrelating Action of Inhibition in Neocortical Networks

Inhibitory GABAergic interneurons have been extensively studied but their contribution to circuit dynamics remain poorly understood. Although it has been suggested that interneurons, especially those belonging to the same subclass, synchronize their activity and impart this synchrony onto their local network, recent theoretical and experimental work have challenged this view. To better understand the activity of interneurons during cortical activity, we combined molecular identification, two-photon imaging, and electrophysiological recordings in thalamocortical slices from mouse somatosensory cortex. Using calcium imaging to monitor cortical activity, we found low spiking correlations among parvalbumin or somatostatin interneurons during cortical UP states, indicating that interneurons do not synchronize their firing. Intracellular recordings confirmed that nearby interneurons do not display more synchronous spiking than excitatory cells. The lack of interneuron synchrony was also evident during slow oscillations, even among interneurons that were electrically coupled via gap junctions, suggesting that their coupling does not function to synchronize their activity. Using voltage-clamp recordings from nearby pyramidal cells, we found that inhibitory currents (IPSCs) are more correlated than excitatory ones, but that correlated IPSCs arise from the activation of common presynaptic inhibitory cells, rather than from synchronization of interneuron activity. Finally, we demonstrate that pharmacologically reducing inhibitory currents increases correlated excitatory activity. We conclude that inhibitory interneurons do not have synchronous activity during UP states, and that their function may be to decorrelate rather than to synchronize the firing of neurons within the local network.
Gender differences in corpus callosum size in first-episode schizophrenics

Previous studies indicate differences between schizophrenics and normals in thickness and overall size of the corpus callosum, particularly in female subjects. The present study compares the area of the corpus callosum as measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in men and women experiencing first-episode cases of schizophrenia. The corpus callosum area is also correlated with measures of neuropsychological function. The results of this study suggest that women who are first-episode schizophrenic patients have a smaller total corpus callosum area than female controls, with no difference noted for men. In normal controls, a larger corpus callosum was associated with better cognitive function, whereas in schizophrenics, no such relationship emerged.
Interarea indexes of the cost of shelter using hedonic quality adjustment techniques

The cost of shelter is the single most important component of interarea differences in the cost-of-living. This paper constructs hedonic interarea indexes of the cost of shelter using a major new source of detailed microdata, the CPI Housing Survey. Identification of the exact location of housing units permits us to control for measured neighborhood characteristics, and variance components models are used to model the effects of unmeasured neighborhood characteristics. Hierarchical models with interarea slope coefficient variation are applied and model performance is evaluated by comparing out-of-sample predictions. The hierarchical approach allows us to pool information from different cities to reduce the variability of the areas' coefficients. A multilateral index number formula is employed in the index-number construction.
Linear- and nonlinear-optical properties of semiconductor clusters

CdS and PbS clusters with sizes ranging from a few angstroms to 150 A can be synthesized in polymers. The dependence of the band gap on the cluster size deviates from the prediction of a simple particle-in-a-box model owing to the breakdown of the effective-mass approximation. Instead, the dependence can be described by a simple tight-binding cluster model. The optical nonlinearity, expressed as α2/α0, of 50-A CdS clusters in Nafion film is determined to be −6.1 × 10−7 cm2 W−1 at 480 nm. The nonlinearity originates from the bleaching of the excitonic absorption owing to the presence of trapped carriers on the cluster surfaces. By passivating the CdS surfaces with ammonia, we have shown that the nonlinearity can be controlled by surface chemistry. We have determined that the presence of one trapped electron–hole pair can bleach the excitonic absorption of the whole CdS cluster. This efficient bleaching can be understood by using a model that considers the shifting of the exciton resonance and weakening of its oscillator strength in the presence of a trapped electron or hole. We also discuss two new classes of material: superclusters in zeolites and surface-capped clusters. Both represent our first steps toward the systematic synthesis of clusters of controlled surfaces and sizes.
Process window study with various partial coherences on EUV MET (micro exposure tool) optics

EUV lithography has the ability to support 22 nm logic (or 32nm half pitch) node and beyond. Similar to the DUV lithographic systems, partial coherence on EUV lithographic systems can have a big impact on process latitude for critical layers. Thus, it is important to understand the effect of partial coherence on EUV imaging systems. In this paper, process windows with various illumination settings are investigated. The experiments were done using the MET station at the Advance Light Source (ALS). The exposures were targeted for 60 nm, 50 nm, and 45 nm dense features. The outer and inner sigmas of annular illumination varied from 0.2 to 0.8. In addition, dipole, C-quad, and quad illuminations were used to explore the impact of the partial coherence on the process window. Knowledge gained can then be applied to verify lithography models and aid in future tool designs.
On accurate solution of renal models

Abstract A method for solving two-point boundary-value ordinary differential equations arising in modeling of the renal concentrating mechanism is given. It requires six function evaluations in each subinterval for an O ( h 7 ) local error, where h is the size of each subinterval. No information outside the subinterval is used. Results of computational experiments comparing this method with other known methods are given.
Advanced superconducting materials for electronic applications

Recent progress in the fabrication of tunnel junction with the high-T c transition-metal compound and transition-metal alloy superconductors is reviewed. The potential advantages of these materials for practical applications are described and their special problems assessed. It is found that, based on work to date, Nb 3 Sn may have practical device potential.
A Research Agenda for Emerging Roles of Healthcare GPOs and Their Evolution from Group Purchasing to Information Sharing to Strategic Consulting

The Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) facilitate group buying on a large scale by aggregating the demands of several buyers. The GPO negotiates a lower purchase price with the seller by using the collective purchasing power of the buyers and lowers the buyers' procurement cost further by reducing the unit search costs and the unit transaction costs through scale. The role of healthcare GPOs has evolved noticeably in the last few years. The technology has enabled them to add substantial value to the supply chain by using information. In addition to group purchasing, today's healthcare GPOs act as informational powerhouse and empower the buyers with strategic information, technology, and consulting services to identify opportunities of cost savings and prevent possible revenue leakages. The early literature on GPOs has mainly focused on the different aspects of group purchasing, e.g. power of group buying, allocation of cost savings among members, group formation and member commitment, pricing of GPOs' intermediary services, and the issues regarding competition and anti-trust. However, not much research has been done analyzing the economic consequences of GPOs' new roles as information powerhouses and strategic consultants. In this paper, we present an overview of the existing literature, describe the emerging roles of GPOs beyond group purchasing, and then identify the overlooked research areas that invite further studies by the research community.
sublethal neurotoxic effects of the fungicide benomyl on earthworms (Eisenia fetida)

Earthworms Eisenia fetida were treated by surface contact exposure for 4 days with the fungicide benomyl. Non-invasive electrophysiological recordings after treatment with sublethal concentrations of 0.2-25 mg benomyl litre−1 of water (=0.003−0.435 μg benomyl cm−2 of filter paper) indicated concentration-dependent decreases in conduction velocity for the medial and lateral giant nerve fibres. Threshold concentration for these effects was approximately two orders of magnitude less than the LC50. The effects on velocity were not accompanied by alterations in refractory period or impairment of locomotory reflexes, but persisted for at least several weeks after treatment. Morphometric analysis of treated animals revealed a disruption of the myelin-like sheath surrounding giant fibres but no change in fibre diameters. It is concluded that benomyl had subtle and sublethal neurotoxic effects on earthworm giant nerve fibres. The data indicate that giant fibre conduction velocity is a particularly sensitive parameter for detecting these effects in intact worms.
A New World Primate Deficient in Tetherin-Mediated Restriction of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) does not replicate in primary cells of New World primates. To better understand this restriction, we expressed owl monkey (Aotus nancymaae) CD4 and CXCR4 in the owl monkey kidney cell line, OMK. An HIV-1 variant modified to evade the owl monkey restriction factor TRIM-cyp replicated efficiently in these cells but could not replicate in primary A. nancymaae CD4-positive T cells. To understand this difference, we examined APOBEC3G and tetherin orthologs from OMK cells and primary A. nancymaae cells. We observed that OMK cells expressed substantially lower levels of APOBEC3G than did A. nancymaae cells. A. nancymaae, but not marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), APOBEC3G was partially downregulated by HIV-1 vif and reduced but did not abolish HIV-1 replication when stably expressed in OMK cells. The functional difference between A. nancymaae and marmoset APOBEC3Gs mapped to residue 128, previously shown to distinguish African green monkey from human APOBEC3G. We also characterized tetherin orthologs from OMK and A. nancymaae cells. The A. nancymaae tetherin ortholog, but not OMK tetherin, prevented HIV-1 release. Alteration of threonine 181 of OMK tetherin rescued its function and its efficient N glycosylation. All alleles of Aotus lemurinus griseimembra examined, but none of A. nancymaae or Aotus vociferans, encoded this nonfunctional tetherin ortholog. Our data indicate that HIV-1 replication in owl monkeys is not restricted at entry but can be limited by APOBEC3G and tetherin. Further, A. lemurinus griseimembra does not restrict HIV-1 replication via tetherin, a property likely useful for the study of tetherin-restricted viruses.
Ending Inventory Valuation in Multiperiod Production Scheduling

When making lot-sizing decisions, managers often use a model horizon T that is much smaller than any reasonable estimate of the firm's future horizon. This is done because forecast accuracy deteriorates rapidly for longer horizons, while computational burden increases. However, what is optimal over the short horizon may be suboptimal over the long run, resulting in errors known as end-effects. A common end-effect in lot-sizing models is to set end-of-horizon inventory to zero. This policy can result in excessive setup costs or stock-outs in the long run. We present a method to mitigate end-effects in lot sizing by including a valuation term VIT for end-of-horizon inventory IT, in the objective function of the short-horizon model. We develop this concept within the classical EOQ modeling framework, and then apply it to the dynamic lot-sizing problem DLSP. If demand in each period of the DLSP equals the long-run average demand rate, then our procedure induces an optimal ordering policy over the short horizon that coincides with the long-run optimal ordering policy. We test our procedure empirically against the Wagner-Whitin algorithm and the Silver Meal heuristic, under several demand patterns, within a rolling horizon framework. With few exceptions, our approach significantly outperforms the other approaches tested, for modest to long model horizons. We discuss applicability to more general lot-sizing problems.
A Markov chain application to an engineering manpower policy problem

Presents a methodology that will aid in determining to what extent internal upwards movement should take place in an organization. The methodology helps in evaluating the turnover that results or is avoided if certain manpower policies are adopted. The methodology is based on the theory of Markov chains. Specific results indicate whether the organization should stress internal training or outside hiring of qualified personnel.
Terms-of-Trade, Factor Intensities and the Current Account in a Life-Cycle Model

This paper examines the effects of terms-of-trade changes on the external adjustment of a small open economy where each consumer has a life-cycle saving function. The supply side of the economy is given by the standard two-sector model with two primary factors: labour and capital. It is shown that, when both commodities are produced, a terms-of-trade deterioration leads to a current account deficit (surplus) if the export (import) sector is more labour intensive.
Turbulent magnetohydrodynamic elasticity: Boussinesq-like approximations for steady shear

Abstract We re-examine the Boussinesq hypothesis of an effective turbulent viscosity within the context of simple closure considerations for models of strong magnetohydrodynamic turbulence. Reynolds-stress and turbulent Maxwell-stress closure models will necessarily introduce a suite of transport coefficients, all of which are to some degree model-dependent. One of the most important coefficients is the relaxation time for the turbulent Maxwell stress, which until recently has been relatively ignored. We discuss this relaxation within the context of magnetohydrodynamic turbulence in steady high fluid Reynolds-number, high magnetic-Reynolds-number shearing flows. The relaxation time for the turbulent Maxwell stress is not constrained by the shear time scale, in contrast with Reynolds-stress closure models for purely hydrodynamical turbulence. As a result, the anisotropy of the turbulent stress tensor for magnetohydrodynamic turbulence, even for the case of zero mean-field considered here, cannot be neglected. This shear-generated anisotropy can be interpreted as being due to an effective turbulent elasticity, in analogy to the Boussinesq turbulent viscosity. We claim that this turbulent elasticity should be important for any astrophysical problem in which the turbulent stress in quasi-steady shear has been treated phenomenologically with an effective viscosity.
Measurement of oral communication apprehension among children: A factor in the development of basic speech skills

Two studies were designed to investigate the development of trait oral communication apprehension among children. The Measure of Elementary Communication Apprehension (MECA) was administered orally to young children and in written form to older adolescent students. Results indicate that (1) oral communication apprehension exists from the first to the twelfth grades with consistent reliability of measurement, and (2) MECA is positively related to three existing trait measures of oral communication apprehension. Theory and research issues related to the development of basic speech skills and communication apprehension in children are also discussed.
Magnetic susceptibility of random composite materials

Abstract A form for the magnetic susceptibility of inhomogenously random composite materials is derived within the self-consistent mean field approximation.
Environmental noise, genetic diversity and the evolution of evolvability and robustness in model gene networks.

The ability of organisms to adapt and persist in the face of environmental change is accepted as a fundamental feature of natural systems. More contentious is whether the capacity of organisms to adapt (or “evolvability”) can itself evolve and the mechanisms underlying such responses. Using model gene networks, I provide evidence that evolvability emerges more readily when populations experience positively autocorrelated environmental noise (red noise) compared to populations in stable or randomly varying (white noise) environments. Evolvability was correlated with increasing genetic robustness to effects on network viability and decreasing robustness to effects on phenotypic expression; populations whose networks displayed greater viability robustness and lower phenotypic robustness produced more additive genetic variation and adapted more rapidly in novel environments. Patterns of selection for robustness varied antagonistically with epistatic effects of mutations on viability and phenotypic expression, suggesting that trade-offs between these properties may constrain their evolutionary responses. Evolution of evolvability and robustness was stronger in sexual populations compared to asexual populations indicating that enhanced genetic variation under fluctuating selection combined with recombination load is a primary driver of the emergence of evolvability. These results provide insight into the mechanisms potentially underlying rapid adaptation as well as the environmental conditions that drive the evolution of genetic interactions.
Unpacking Race, Culture, and Class in Rural Alaska: Native and Non-Native Multidisciplinary Professionals' Perceptions of Child Sexual Abuse

The purpose of this study was to unpack notions of class, culture, and race as they relate to multidisciplinary team (MDT) professionals and their perceptions of prevalence in child sexual abuse cases in Native and non-Native rural Alaska communities. Power and privilege within professional settings is significant for all social work professionals and influences the ways in which systemic issues of power and privilege mediate decision making. Fifteen MDT participants from two separate rural communities were interviewed. Emergent themes include perceptions on incidences and reporting of child sexual abuse, cultural dissonance, and systemic challenges. Policy and practice implications are discussed.
Ammonite-radiolarian assemblage, Tobago Volcanic Group, Tobago, West Indies—Implications for the evolution of the Great Arc of the Caribbean

An unusually fossiliferous sedimentary sequence is exposed near Scarborough, Tobago, West Indies. It occurs within the Tobago Volcanic Group above an undifferentiated sequence of volcaniclastic breccia and lava and includes volcanogenic sedimentary rocks at the base of the Bacolet Formation. An ammonite-radiolarian assemblage has been recovered from this sedimentary interval in the Tobago Volcanic Group. Ammonites from the Spring Gardens quarry are moderately evolute and have unbranched ribs; they are probably juveniles of Mojsisoviczia , of middle Albian age. Another ammonite from a stratigraphically higher locality (i.e., volcanogenic sedimentary rocks at the base of the Bacolet Formation) is identified as Manuaniceras decsernae Young, of early late Albian age. Radiolarian assemblages from intercalations of black siliceous argillite of the Tobago Volcanic Group are characterized by abundant A rchaeospongoprunum spp. and the common occurrence of Pseudodictyomitra pentacolaensis , Dictyomitra montisserei , Thanarla brouweri , and Pantanellium ventosum . Also present in lesser abundances are other members of the family Archaeodictyomitridae, Xitus , Napora durhami , and Sciadiocapsa speciosa . This assemblage correlates with the Romanus subzone of [O'Dogherty (1994)][1] and Kozurium zingulai zone of [Pessagno (1977)][2], both of which are dated as early to middle Albian. These newly reported fossils indicate an Albian age for deposition of the Tobago Volcanic Group. Earlier published 40Ar/39Ar radiometric ages from the group are consistent with the stratigraphic age assignment of the fossils and thereby suggest that volcanism associated with the Tobago Volcanic Group began ca. 105 Ma. Possible correlative, accreted fragments of the Mesozoic oceanic-arc of the southern Caribbean include the Curacao Lava Formation, the lower part of the Washikemba Formation (Bonaire), the Tiara Formation of north-central Venezuela, and possibly the subsurface Mejillones complex of the Carupano basin. The Mesozoic rocks of Tobago consist of two distinct, oceanic-arc rock sequences. The older North Coast Schist (≥120 Ma) exhibits polyphase deformation and lower greenschist facies metamorphism. The structurally overlying Tobago Volcanic Group is not penetratively deformed or folded; it has undergone prehnite-pumpellyite facies metamorphic conditions and has been tilted to moderate dips by various brittle faults. We interpret the hiatus that separates these oceanic-arc rock sequences as representing a significant event in the evolution of the Great Arc of the Caribbean. Consequently, we propose that the commonly postulated reversal in subduction-zone polarity of the Great Arc occurred prior to deposition of the Tobago Volcanic Group (ca. 105 Ma), and that older, more highly deformed and metamorphosed oceanic-arc sequences (e.g., North Coast Schist) served as a basement for younger sequences or as wall rock for intrusive elements of younger magmatic suites of the Great Arc. [1]: #ref-23 [2]: #ref-26
Self-consistent polarization waves and dispersion forces in crystals

Abstract A self-consistent procedure is described to define electronic polarization waves in crystals including an-harmonic interactions. The method enables one to compute the many-body van der Waals energy of the crystal beyond the dipole-dipole approximation.
NEAR-INFRARED, BROAD-BAND SPECTRAL IMAGING OF THE HUMAN BREAST FOR QUANTITATIVE OXIMETRY: APPLICATIONS TO HEALTHY AND CANCEROUS BREASTS

We have examined ten human subjects with a previously developed instrument for near-infrared diffuse spectral imaging of the female breast. The instrument is based on a tandem, planar scan of two collinear optical fibers (one for illumination and one for collection) to image a gently compressed breast in a transmission geometry. The optical data collection features a spatial sampling of 25 points/cm2 over the whole breast, and a spectral sampling of 2 points/nm in the 650–900 nm wavelength range. Of the ten human subjects examined, eight are healthy subjects and two are cancer patients with unilateral invasive ductal carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ, respectively. For each subject, we generate second-derivative images that identify a network of highly absorbing structures in the breast that we assign to blood vessels. A previously developed paired-wavelength spectral method assigns oxygenation values to the absorbing structures displayed in the second-derivative images. The resulting oxygenation images feature average values over the whole breast that are significantly lower in cancerous breasts (69 ± 14%, n = 2) than in healthy breasts (85 ± 7%, n = 18) (p < 0.01). Furthermore, in the two patients with breast cancer, the average oxygenation values in the cancerous regions are also significantly lower than in the remainder of the breast (invasive ductal carcinoma: 49 ± 11% vs 61 ± 16%, p < 0.01; ductal carcinoma in situ: 58 ± 8% vs 77 ± 11%, p < 0.001).
Genetic variability in rainbow trout populations

Abstract Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) populations have been distributed by man from a relatively small range on the Pacific coast of the US and Canada to a new range that extends around the world. The magnitude of this range extension and the broad array of situations in which this species has been employed suggest it to be a very adaptable organism. A review of the literature on the distribution of rainbow trout and reports on the genetic structure of artificially and naturally reproducing populations revealed some unique characteristics. Rainbow trout have a rather high level of heterozygosity, as revealed by electrophoretic analyses of constitutive proteins. Within the natural range, this variation is rather uniformly distributed across population units. Most genetic variation (92%) was found within populations, which appeared to be an important characteristic of hatchery stocks. Only in the presence of strong selection pressure or severe bottlenecks was the intrapopulation genetic variability diminished, even after a number of generations under artificial rearing conditions. Maintenance of within-population genetic variation is thus a major feature of rainbow trout that needs to be considered in working with both naturally and artificially reproducing populations.
Dynamic resource management on distributed systems using reconfigurable applications

Efficient management of distributed resources, under conditions of unpredictable and varying workload, requires enforcement of dynamic resource management policies. Execution of such policies requires a relatively fine-grain control over the resources allocated to jobs in the system. Although this is a difficult task using conventional job management and program execution models, reconfigurable applications can be used to make it viable. With reconfigurable applications, it is possible to dynamically change, during the course of program execution, the number of concurrently executing tasks of an application as well as the resources allocated. Thus, reconfigurable applications can adapt to internal changes in resource requirements and to external changes affecting available resources. In this paper, we discuss dynamic management of resources on distributed systems with the help of reconfigurable applications. We first characterize reconfigurable parallel applications. We then present a new programming model for reconfigurable applications and the Distributed Resource Management System (DRMS), an integrated environment for the design, development, execution, and resource scheduling of reconfigurable applications. Experiments were conducted to verify the functionality and performance of application reconfiguration under DRMS. A detailed breakdown of the costs in reconfiguration is presented with respect to several different applications. Our results indicate that application reconfiguration is effective under DRMS and can be beneficial in improving individual application performance as well as overall system performance. We observe a significant reduction in average job response time and an improvement in overall system utilization.
Reproducibility of the Whole-Day Blood Pressure Pattern in Essential Hypertension

The reproducibility of the whole-day blood pressure, measured by an automated non-invasive device at 7.5 minute intervals, was examined in 6 hypertensive patients in a quiet in-hospital environment. During a repeat study performed two weeks after the baseline monitoring period, the average 24-hour systolic blood pressure had changed significantly in 3 patients and the diastolic blood pressure in 2. If the day was divided into 12 consecutive 2-hour periods, systolic blood pressure averages during corresponding periods of the two studies correlated significantly in 3 of the 6 patients, and diastolic blood pressure averages in 5. After a third 24-hour monitoring period, carried out in 4 of the 6 patients, it was found that the baseline study correlated more strongly with the second repeat study than with the first, and that the correlations between the two latter studies were the strongest of all. Thus, even during relatively non-stimulatory conditions the 24-hour blood pressure is not constant in all patien...
Factor Returns, Institutions, and Geography: A View From Trade

The authors show that estimated productivities of labor and capital, which rationalize trade flows across countries, are related to total factor productivities, which rationalize output differences across countries. They present evidence that these productivities from trade are related to the institutions and geography across countries. Protection of property rights is the dominant influence on both labor and capital productivity, with geography less important and democracy even less important. The authors also present preliminary evidence that protection of property rights has similar effects on workers with only primary education as on those with more education.
A STUbL wards off telomere fusions

Protection of chromosomal ends from erroneous recognition as double‐strand breaks (DSBs) is critical for maintaining genome integrity. Unprotected ends can activate DNA repair pathways leading to catastrophic fusions or rearrangements of chromosomes. A study in The EMBO Journal identifies Uls1 as a new player in this end‐protection process, utilizing SUMO and ubiquitin modifications to prevent chromosomal fusions by clearing a polysumoylated form of Rap1. Telomeres, the ends of linear chromosomes, pose a tremendous challenge for eukaryotic cells, because their resemblance to DNA DSBs puts them at constant risk of being targeted by repair pathways. Thus, these ends must be kept off the radar of the two major DSB repair pathways, non‐homologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR). A number of studies in the model system budding yeast previously identified a central role for the Rap1 protein in preventing NHEJ at telomeres. Rap1 is an evolutionarily conserved protein that binds to the double‐stranded DNA region of telomeres. It inhibits NHEJ via at least three different pathways (Marcand et al , 2008). Two of these are mediated by its binding partners Rif2 and Sir4, respectively, with a less well‐characterized third pathway independent of either interactor. How these pathways enable NHEJ evasion is not entirely clear, but recent findings of posttranslational modifications of telomere‐binding proteins, particularly by SUMO, hinted at a possible role for dynamic protein modifications in regulating telomeric functions. Attachment of the SUMO protein to a lysine residue in target proteins can change both their interaction profiles, by allowing other proteins to bind or impairing interactions, and their biochemical functions. Additionally, since the SUMO polypeptide itself contains lysines, poly‐SUMO chains can be generated, which …
Using Geographic Information Systems to Evaluate Siting and Networks of Hydrogen Stations

The lack of hydrogen fuel stations is a major barrier to the introduction of hydrogen vehicles. Given the high cost of constructing hydrogen stations, it is desirable to build as few stations as possible while still adequately serving consumers. Although several studies have addressed the general question of how many stations are needed, the literature has been largely silent on how to relate the location of stations to the sufficient number of hydrogen stations. A geographic information system (GIS) provides a tool for evaluating station siting decisions as part of a greater hydrogen network. A GIS model was developed for siting generic hydrogen stations in Sacramento County, California, with the economics of supplying those stations with hydrogen ignored for now. The analysis used average one-way driving time from home or work to a station as a metric to evaluate scenarios. When a network is posited with 30% as many retail fuel stations as now exist, average driving time from home to a station would be 16 s more than it is with the full existing network of stations. With 5% of existing stations supplying hydrogen (or any other alternative fuel), the average driving time to a station could be as little as 4 min in Sacramento County. These estimates assume free-flow traffic; actual times will vary. This modeling approach provides an analytical framework for siting early hydrogen fuel stations. Initial results suggest a few strategically sited stations could be sufficient to satisfy a large number of prospective consumers.