cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hedgehog pathway as a drug target: Smoothened inhibitors in development

Emerging laboratory and clinical investigations demonstrate that Hedgehog signaling (Hh) represents a novel therapeutic target in various human cancers. This conserved signaling pathway precisely regulates self-renewal and terminal differentiation in embryonic development, but is typically silenced in adult tissues, with reactivation usually only during tissue repair. Aberrant Hh pathway signaling has been implicated in the pathogenesis, self-renewal, and chemotherapy resistance of a growing number of solid and hematologic malignancies. Major components of the Hh pathway include the Hh ligands (Sonic, Desert, and Indian), the transmembrane receptor Patched, the signal transducer Smoothened (Smo), and transcription factors Gli1-3 which regulate the transcription of Hh target genes. Mutations in Hh pathway genes, increased Hh signaling in tumor stroma, and Hh overexpression in self-renewing cells (cancer stem cells) have been described, and these different modes of Hh signaling have implications for the design of Hh pathway inhibitors and their integration into conventional treatment regimens. Discovery of a naturally-occurring Smo inhibitor, cyclopamine, and the identification of Hh pathway mutations and over expression in cancer cells prompted the development of several cyclopamine derivatives. Encouraging laboratory and in vivo data has resulted in Phase I and II clinical trials of Smo inhibitors. In this review, we will discuss the current understanding of Hh pathway signaling in malignancy and Smo antagonists in development. Recent data with these agents shows that they are well-tolerated and may be effective for subsets of patients. Challenges remain for appropriate patient selection and the optimal combination and sequence of these targeted therapies into current treatment paradigms.
On some results of Moser and of Bangert

A new proof is given of results in (V. Bangert, AIHP Anal. Nonlin. 6 (1989) 95) on the existence of minimal (in the sense of Giaquinta and Guisti) heteroclinic solutions of a nonlinear elliptic PDE. Bangert's work is based on an earlier paper of Moser (AIHP Anal. Nonlin. 3 (1986) 229). Unlike (V. Bangert, AIHP Anal. Nonlin. 6 (1989) 95), the proof here is variational in nature, and involves the minimization of a ‘renormalized’ functional. It is meant to be the first step towards finding locally vs. globally minimal solutions of the PDE.
C-and N-terminal amino acids of human serum lipoproteins.

Abstract Combination of C- and N-terminal amino acid and molecular weight-per cent protein data indicates that the 1.093 g./ml. hydrated density lipoprotein of human serum contains two N-aspartic acid-C-threonine peptide chains, each of approximate molecular weight 95,000; the 1.149 g./ml. lipoprotein, a single N-aspartic acid-C-threonine chain of approximate weight 95,000; the Sf0 7.9, 1.029 g./ml. lipoprotein, two peptide chains, one of which is probably N-glutamic acid-C-serine of approximate weight 380,000, and the other probably identical with it; and the Sf0 20–60, 1.002–1.006 g./ml. lipoproteins at least an N-serine-C-alanine chain of maximum weight 120,000, and others about which the heterogeneity of the fraction precludes a definite statement.
Time horizons matter: the hazard rate of coalition governments and the size of government

This study examines how coalition governments affect the size of government, measured by total central government expenditure as a share of GDP. Existing studies suggest that the presence of multiple political parties within ruling coalitions generate common pool resource problems or bargaining inefficiencies which, in turn, leads to more government spending when coalition governments are in office. We demonstrate that coalition governments have shorter time horizons than single party governments and use that finding to motivate a simple formal model. The model shows that coalition governments have greater incentives to increase government spending because of a lower discount factor in office. Results from empirical models estimated on a global sample of 111 democracies between 1975 and 2007 provide strong statistical support for the aforementioned theoretical prediction. The empirical results remain robust when we control for alternative explanations, employ different estimation techniques, and use different measures of government spending.
Controlling Perspectives: Women, Men, and the Authority of Violence in Judges 4 & 5

A RELUCTANCE TO READ the final form of the Deborah and Barak story is one of the curiosities of recent criticism. To treat chapters 4 (prose) and 5 (poem) as discrete entities has long been a given of historical criticism. Moreover, despite the widespread acceptance of final form readings it seems that still few biblical critics want to read the prose and poem as parts of a whole.' Even so literary-critical a critic as Mieke Bal goes to some trouble to avoid doing any such thing (Bal 1988).2 Without mentioning the acute critical problems involved in dating this material,3 she deems the poem to be contemporaneous with the events depicted and composed prior to the prose by apparently one hundred years (1988:1). Thereafter she consistently reads chapter 5 as preceding chapter 4, apparently feeling this diachrony so strongly that at times she writes as though the (usurping) prose section has totally displaced the (original, legitimate) poem.4 At times, too, it leads her, through her favorite strategy of reversing an
Unsuccessful Brooks-Yu type calculation of the HgTe bandgap temperature dependence

Abstract Experimental Debye-Waller factors were combined with empirical pseudopotentials to compute an HgTe direct bandgap temperature dependence which has almost the correct magnitude but the wrong sing. This failure indicates, apparently, an insufficiency of the Brook-Yu theory.
STRATEGIC UNCERTAINTY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCANNING: THE CASE FOR INSTITUTIONAL INFLUENCES ON SCANNING BEHAVIOR

This study examined the relationship between perceptions of strategic uncertainty and environmental scanning behaviors. It has been postulated that the strength of this relationship will depend on the combined effect of the environmental constraints and the prevailing approach to strategic decision making. A sample of 141 medium-size Bulgarian companies, all of them operating in a highly constrained external environment and a business culture, characterized by a low degree of calculative strategic decision making, was used to test four hypotheses related to scanning behavior. The empirical findings of this study were then compared with the results of prior research on environmental scanning in the United States in order to draw conclusions for both the theory of scanning behavior and strategic management practice in various environments. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surfaces with the same marked length spectrum

Abstract Various authors have shown that isotopy classes of nonpositively curved Riemannian metrics on surfaces are characterized by their marked length spectrum. We show by an example that, although this property makes sense in a non-Riemannian setting, it does not hold for every metric space structure on a surface. More precisely, given two arbitrary negatively curved Riemannian metrics on a compact surface, we construct a metric which has the same geodesics as the first one, has the same marked length spectrum as the second one, and is in general not isometric to either one.
Active self-healing encapsulation of vaccine antigens in PLGA microspheres

Herein, we describe the detailed development of a simple and effective method to microencapsulate vaccine antigens in poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) by simple mixing of preformed active self-microencapsulating (SM) PLGA microspheres in a low concentration aqueous antigen solution at modest temperature (10-38 °C). Co-encapsulating protein-sorbing vaccine adjuvants and polymer plasticizers were used to "actively" load the protein in the polymer pores and facilitate polymer self-healing at a temperature>the hydrated polymer glass transition temperature, respectively. The microsphere formulation parameters and loading conditions to provide optimal active self-healing microencapsulation of vaccine antigens in PLGA was investigated. Active self-healing encapsulation of two antigens, ovalbumin and tetanus toxoid (TT), in PLGA microspheres was adjusted by preparing blank microspheres containing different vaccine adjuvants (aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)₃) or calcium phosphate). Active loading of vaccine antigen in Al(OH)₃-PLGA microspheres was found to: a) increase with an increasing loading of Al(OH)₃ (0.88-3 wt.%) and addition of porosigen, b) decrease when the inner Al(OH)₃/trehalose phase to 1 mL outer oil phase and size of microspheres was respectively >0.2 mL and 63 μm, and c) change negligibly by PLGA concentration and initial incubation (loading) temperature. Encapsulation of protein sorbing Al(OH)₃ in PLGA microspheres resulted in suppression of self-healing of PLGA pores, which was then overcome by improving polymer chain mobility, which in turn was accomplished by coincorporating hydrophobic plasticizers in PLGA. Active self-healing microencapsulation of manufacturing process-labile TT in PLGA was found to: a) obviate micronization- and organic solvent-induced TT degradation, b) improve antigen loading (1.4-1.8 wt.% TT) and encapsulation efficiency (~97%), c) provide nearly homogeneous distribution and stabilization of antigen in polymer, and d) provide improved in vitro controlled release of antigenic TT.
High-efficiency and high-speed metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors on Si-on-insulator substrates with buried backside reflectors

ABSTRACTWe report Si metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors with high-efficiency and high-speed in the infrared using Si-on-insulator substrates with backside reflectors buried underneath a deep-submicron-thick active layer. The reflectors cause the trapping of the light inside the thin Si activelayer, resulting in a fast and efficient carrier-collection by the electrodes. The impulse response ofthe photodetector, measured by electro-optic sampling at 780 nm wavelength, has a full width athalf-maximum of 5.4 ps, corresponding to a 3-dB bandwidth of 82 GHz. At both 633 and 850nm wavelengths, the responsivities of the photodetectors with the buried backside reflectors are at least an order of magnitude larger than that of those without the reflectors. Keywords: metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors, backside reflectors, Si-on-insulator I. INTRODUCTIONMetal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodetectors on crystalline silicon have been investigated extensively during the past decade.113 Because of their cost-effectiveness and capability ofintegration with high-performance electronics through VLSI compatible processes, this type ofphotodetectors are attractive in the application of optical fiber communications and high speeddigital chip-to-chip interconnections. On the other hand, the wide availability of GaAs lasers hasmade 800 850 nm the preferred operating wavelength for short distance signal communications.In this wavelength range, however, Si has severe disadvantages --
An alkyne derivative of an organoimido molybdenum(IV) complex: molecular structure of the acetone hemi-solvate of bis(diethyldithiocarbamato)-dimethylacetylenedicarboxylate(p-tolylimido)molybdenum(IV), Mo(Ntol)(DMAC)-(S2CNEt2)2· 1/2Me2CO

Abstract The molecular structure of the dimethylacetylenedicarboxylate adduct of bis(diethyldithiocarbamato)- (p-t olylimid o)molybdenum(IV), Mo(Ntol)(DMAC)- (S2CNEt2)2, is described. The complex represents a rare example of an unsaturated organic molecule ligated to an organoimido species. Crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction were obtained as the acetone hemi-solvate. The complex crystallizes in space group P21/c with the following parameters: a = 17.680(3), b = 8.860(1), c = 20.497(3) A, β = 106.97(1)°, Z = 4. Least-squares refinement based on all 4039 unique intensities converged to R = 0.042 and Rw = 0.054. The complex displays a distorted pentagonal bi-pyramidal structure with the imido ligand occupying an apical position and the alkyne lying in the pentagonal plane. Analysis of the metrical parameters of the complex leads to the conclusion that the alkyne successfully contributes a slight amount of pi-electron density to the Mo atom in competition with the imido ligand.
A unified guide to parenteral fluid therapy. I. Maintenance requirements and repair of dehydration

O U R I N C R E A S I N G knowledge of the fundamental interactions involved in body fluid and electrolyte homeostasis is continuously reducing the empiricism employed in parenteral therapy. Simultaneously, the added complexity could negate the potential advantages for the usual patient by creating new confusion in the minds of physicians. It is the purpose of this r6sum6 to avert this hazard by presenting a practical, unified approach to the management of a variety of problems requiring intravenous hydration.
Diversifying Teacher Education Programs to Recruit and Graduate Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Teachers.

The participation in and completion of teacher education programs by students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds is one of the biggest challenges facing higher education institutions today. The success of teacher education programs in responding to this challenge is related to their ability to incorporate diversity into all aspects of their programs. Using the MSETP as an example, this article presents a framework for diversifying teacher education programs to successfully recruit and support culturally and linguistically diverse students into the field of special education.
Preliminary Radar Performance Data on Passive Rocket-Borne Wind Sensors

Rocket vehicles are being used to expel passive wind sensors in the altitude range of 100,000 to 300,000 feet. The sensors are tracked with S-band and X-band radars to determine wind direction and velocity. Both chaff and metalized parachutes serve as wind sensors and AGC voltage recordings made on both X-band and S-band radars during tracking periods are presented. The recordings are calibrated in decibels above the radar minimum discernible signal and plotted vs slant range. A short discussion of the effects of chaff dispersion is included. Although chaff dispersion deteriorates the effectiveness of the target at a rate of about 20 db/hour, it is concluded that the effective radar target size of the sensors and the slant ranges over which they are employed are quite compatible when AN/MPQ-12 and AN/MPQ-18 radars are utilized.
Synthesis of nascent prothrombin and albumin in a heterologous system using rat liver messenger RNA purified on oligo (dT)-cellulose

Abstract Highly active m-RNA was prepared by phenol extraction of rat liver polysomes followed by oligo (dT)-cellulose chromatography. This m-RNA preparation stimulated total protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocyte lysates and in wheat germ extracts. Nascent prothrombin and albumin synthesized in the reticulocyte system programmed with this m-RNA were precipitated with specific antibodies and identified by their electrophoretic mobilities on SDS-acrylamide gels.
The Value of Pharmacy Services on a Short-Term Medical Mission Trip: Description of Services and Assessment of Team Satisfaction

Background:Pharmacists should be key members of a medical mission trip by providing assistance with medication knowledge and therapeutics.Objective:To determine the value of a pharmacist as a member of a medical mission team through (1) pharmacy interventions on 2 medical teams and 1 women's hearth team and (2) team satisfaction with the pharmacy services.Methods:Pharmacy interventions were documented by 2 medical teams and 1 women's health team and included, but were not limited to, dosing recommendations, medication selection, and therapeutic substitution. Team satisfaction was determined from a 10-question survey administered on the last clinical day to all team members except pharmacists, pharmacy students, and physical therapists.Results:The pharmacy service dispensed 2119 prescriptions, with an average number of prescriptions of 1.84 per patient. A total of 2340 interventions were provided by the pharmacy service, averaging 2.04 interventions per patient and 1.1 interventions per prescription. The s...
Comparison of interactive voice response, patient mailing, and mailed registry to encourage screening for osteoporosis: a randomized controlled trial.

Summary Guidelines recommend screening for osteoporosis with bone mineral density (BMD) testing in menopausal women, particularly those with additional risk factors for fracture. Many eligible women remain unscreened. This randomized study demonstrates that a single outreach interactive voice response phone call improves rates of BMD screening among high-risk women age 50–64.
The multiple-minima problem in the conformational analysis of polypeptides. III. An Electrostatically Driven Monte Carlo Method: Tests on enkephalin

The three-dimensional conformation of Met-enkephalin, corresponding to the lowest minimum of the empirical potential energy function ECEPP/2 (empirical conformational energy program for peptides), has been determined using a new algorithm, viz. the Electrostatically Driven Monte Carlo Method. This methodology assumes that a polypeptide or protein molecule is driven toward the native structure by the combined action of electrostatic interactions and stochastic conformational changes associated with thermal movements. These features are included in the algorithm that produces a Monte Carlo search in the conformational hyperspace of the polypeptide, using electrostatic predictions and a random sampling technique to locate low-energy conformations. In addition, we have incorporated an alternative mechanism that allows the structure to escape from some conformational regions representing metastable local energy minima and even from regions of the conformational space with great stability. In 33 test calculations on Met-enkephalin, starting from arbitrary or completely random conformations, the structure corresponding to the global energy minimum was found inall the cases analyzed, with a relatively small search of the conformational space. Some of these starting conformations wereright orleft-handed α-helices, characterized by good electrostatic interactions involving their backbone peptide dipoles; nevertheless, the procedure was able to convert such locally stable structures to the global-minimum conformation.
Selenium Interactions with Carcinogens

Although selenium was once considered to be a toxic, undesirable and carcinogenic element, it is now recognized as an essential element with anticarcinogenic properties. Epidemiological studies in the United States have shown an inverse relationship between selenium intake and certain forms of cancer in humans, but other factors must be considered since cancer is not higher in people living in selenium-deficient areas of the world (Finland, New Zealand, and Keshan disease area, China). Under most dietary conditions, selenium has been shown to reduce the spontaneous mammary tumor incidence in an inbred strain of mice. In general, selenium will counteract to various degrees, the chemical carcinogens used to produce lesions of the skin [coal tar, 3-methylcholanthrene, alpha-pyrene, and 7,12 dimethylbenz(a) anthracene (DMBA)], liver (3-methyl-4-dimethyl-aminoazobenzene, aflatoxin B1, and 2-acetylaminofluorene), mammary gland (DMBA and N-methyl-N-nitrosurea), and intestinal tract [1,2-dimethylhydrazine, bis(2-oxopropyl)nitrosamine, and azoxymethane]. Dietary factors, such as fat, will modify the protective effects of selenium. High dietary unsaturated fats, for example, markedly increase the mammary tumors in rats treated with DMBA, and selenium will reduce the tumor incidence but not to the level of rats fed a low fat diet. Other factors known to affect the anticarcinogenic effects of selenium include synthetic antioxidants, vitamin E, vitamin A and ascorbic acid. The mechanisms of selenium counteraction of carcinogens remain unknown.
Rise in “no indicated risk” primary caesareans in the United States, 1991-2001: cross sectional analysis

This paper analyses US national birth certificate data on approximately 4 million births annually to create a new category—mothers at “no indicated risk”—and then examines the growth of primary caesareans in these women from 1991 to 2001. No indicated risk denotes mothers with singleton, full term (≥ 37 weeks), vertex presentation births who were not reported to have any medical risk factors and for whom no complications of labour or delivery were listed on the birth certificate. (See bmj.com for definitions.) The proportion of mothers at no indicated risk decreased from 46% of all births in 1991 to 42% in 1998 but has since levelled off (table). However, the primary caesarean rate for this exceptionally low risk group rose 67% between 1991 (3.3%) and 2001 (5.5%), with a gradual increase from 1991 to 1996 and a rapid one thereafter. View this table: Percentage of all live births to women with no indicated risk factors* and associated rate of primary caesarean delivery, …
Imaging Magnetic Bit Patterns Using a Scanning Tunneling Microscope with a Flexible Tip

Tunneling stabilized magnetic force microscopy (TSMFM) is a variant of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) where the usual rigid STM tip is replaced with a flexible magnetic tip. This method contrasts with other magnetic force microscopes based on optical or capacitive detection of cantilever deflection due to magnetic forces. Instead, the position of the flexible tunneling tip depends on both topography and magnetic forces acting on the end of the tip. The z-motion of the piezoelectric translator flexes the tip to balance the magnetic force so that the end of the tip remains a fixed tunneling distance from the sample surface. We present a review of some TSMFM images showing the recorded bit patterns on hard disk, floppy disk, and tape surfaces. The images were taken in air using STM tips made from free-standing Fe and Ni films about 1 μm thick. The image resolution of TSMFM is routinely submicrometer. We conclude that this simple modification of STM will be a valuable diagnostic tool in the magnetic recording industry.
Experimental energy band dispersions and lifetimes for valence and conduction bands of copper using angle-resolved photoemission

Energy-band dispersions and electron lifetimes have been determined for both valence and conduction-band states of copper using angle-resolved photoemission with polarized synchrotron radiation in the $5\ensuremath{\le}h\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\le}35$ eV photon energy range. Dispersion relations for the occupied $s\ensuremath{-}p$ and $3d$ bands of Cu along the $\ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremath{-}X$ and $\ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremath{-}L$ symmetry lines (including critical points at $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$, $X$, and $L$) have been determined with an accuracy of 0.05-0.1 eV and \ensuremath{\lesssim}5% of the zone-boundary momentum. Band symmetries have been deduced using polarization selection rules. The dispersion relation has also been accurately determined for the unoccupied ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{1}$ conduction band along $\ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremath{-}X$ at \ensuremath{\sim}10-15 eV above the Fermi energy ${E}_{F}$; this band has a reduced effective mass (${m}^{*}\ensuremath{\simeq}0.90\ensuremath{-}0.94$) which is related to self-energy effects. Lifetimes have been directly measured for excited hole states (the lifetime broadening ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{h}$ increases from \ensuremath{\sim}0.2 to 0.5 eV full width at half maximum for $d$-band energies from 2 to 5 eV below ${E}_{F}$) as well as for excited electron states in the ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{1}$ conduction band (${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{e}\ensuremath{\simeq}1.0\ensuremath{-}2.0$ eV for energies 10-15 eV above ${E}_{F}$). The energy dispersion and $h\ensuremath{\nu}$-dependent photoionization cross section of the $s\ensuremath{-}p$ surface state on Cu(111) are reported. Previous theoretical and experimental studies of copper are compared with our accurate $E$ vs $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}$ dispersions.
FIRST-ORDER TRANSITION AT TC IN THE ORTHOMANGANITES

The orthomanganites ${L}_{0.7}{A}_{0.3}\mathrm{Mn}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$, $L=\mathrm{r}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{e}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{h}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{r}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{Y}$ and $A=\mathrm{alkaline}\mathrm{earth}$, exhibit a first-order transition at a ferromagnetic Curie temperature ${T}_{C}$, where ${T}_{C}$ drops with decreasing tolerance factor $t$ from a high near 350 K at $t=0.98$ to a ${T}_{C}^{*}\ensuremath{\approx}60$ K at $tl~0.96$. The paramagnetic phase is a polaronic conductor; the ferromagnetic phase contains mobile electrons in extended states for larger tolerance factors $tg{t}_{c}=0.96$, but remains polaronic for $tl{t}_{c}$. The temperature dependence of the thermopower is used to explore the polaron-extended state transition for five nominal compositions ${({\mathrm{La}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Nd}}_{x})}_{0.7}{\mathrm{Ca}}_{0.3}\mathrm{Mn}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ designed to have tolerance factors near the critical value ${t}_{c}$. Comparison of the temperature dependence of the thermopower, $\ensuremath{\alpha}(T)$, as a result of chemical pressure, i.e., $tl1$, with that for hydrostatic pressure reveals an anomalously large compressibility of the Mn-O bonds, which is characteristic of a double-well potential at a crossover from an electronic state of lower mean kinetic energy to one of greater kinetic energy. It also reveals a trapping of mobile holes above ${T}_{C}$ that increases with decreasing ${T}_{C}$. In the orthomanganites, the crossover is from polaronic-$e$ to extended-${\ensuremath{\sigma}}^{*}$ electronic conduction at ${T}_{C}$, a crossover that is responsible for the "colossal" negative magnetoresistance observed in the orthomanganites.
‘Normalizing’ female cancer patients: Look good, feel better and other image programs

Image programs are a specific type of psychosocial cancer service developed to help women address the appearance‐related side effects of cancer treatment. They include the Look good, feel better program, medical and mastectomy boutiques and other cosmetic and makeover programs. In this paper I argue that the primary goal of image programs is to ‘normalize’ female cancer patients by hiding the physical evidence of illness and by reconstructing women with cancer as physically attractive, heterosexual and not disabled. The recovery of femininity and a feminine appearance is seen as central to recovering health. As a result, image programs take on a certain clinical legitimacy and become powerful reproducers of heterosexist and ableist discourses of gender and wellness.
Work-related beliefs about injury and physical capability for work in individuals with chronic pain

According to a fear-avoidance model of chronic pain, disability is largely determined by the erroneous belief that an increase in activity level is potentially harmful. Further, recent literature suggests that excessive fears regarding physical activities contribute to significant disability. However, the relation of changes in these fears to functional work capabilities has gone largely uninvestigated. The present study examined how changes in physical capability for work were related to changes in pain severity and fear-avoidance beliefs for general physical and work-specific activities, as well as investigating whether an interdisciplinary treatment program for chronic pain was associated with changes in these specific fears in 65 individuals with chronic pain. Results revealed that significant decreases in fear and pain levels occurred from pre- to post-treatment, in addition to increases in physical capability for work. Further, changes in work-specific fears were more important than changes in pain severity and fear of physical activity in predicting improved physical capability for work. These results expand previous research, which has found a relation between self-reported disability and fear-avoidance beliefs, by demonstrating the relation with fear of work to actual work-related behaviors.
A Computerized Algorithm for Determining the Reliability of Redundant Configurations

A procedure is given for generating the reliability function directly from the Boolean algebra transmission function. This method is easily programmed on the computer so that it can be utilized both in the derivation of the reliability function and in the evaluation of the reliability. The easily obtained transmission function completely defines the relationship between elements in a configuration. Thus, by utilizing this technique, a large variety of complicated configurations can be easily evaluated and compared.
What is an effective portable air cleaning device? A review.

The use of portable air cleaning devices in residential settings has been steadily growing over the last 10 years. Three out of every 10 households now contain a portable air cleaning device. This increased use of air cleaners is accompanied by, if not influenced by, a fundamental belief by consumers that the air cleaners are providing an improved indoor air environment. However, there is a wide variation in the performance of air cleaners that is dependent on the specific air cleaner design and various indoor factors. The most widely used method in the United States to assess the performance of new air cleaners is the procedure described in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) AC-1-2002. This method describes both the test conditions and the testing protocol. The protocol yields a performance metric that is based on the measured decay rate of contaminant concentrations with the air cleaner operating compared with the measured decay rate with ...
Early weaning of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) larvae onto a microparticulate diet.

Abstract A microparticulate diet was introduced on 8, 15, 22, 29 and 29 days post-hatch (dph) (with Artemia). Larvae were weaned from rotifers directly onto the diet in the first four treatments. Artemia were used in the fifth treatment and were fed for a period of 10 days. The microparticulate diet was able to completely replace live prey long before metamorphosis and larvae were weaned by 8.5 mm standard length. With the earliest introduction of the microparticulate diet on 8 dph, we observed 35% survival through 71 dph (21 mm). The survival of larvae from the other treatments was not significantly different and ranged from 32.7% to 39.4%. Weaning time did not have a significant affect on growth of cod larvae, as there were no differences when introducing the microparticulate diet on 8 or 29 (without Artemia) dph. However, supplementation of Artemia for 10 days had a growth-promoting effect. Larvae were larger than individuals from the other four treatments beginning on 29 dph and continued throughout the experiment. By 71 dph, they were 24 mm and weighed 20 mg (dry weight). Successful culture of many finfish species is dependent on the use of live prey during the larval period. Early introduction of a microparticulate diet reduces the quantity of rotifers required and makes Artemia nonessential. This lowers production costs considerably by reducing the number of live animal cultures that must be maintained. However, until better diets are produced, careful consideration should be given to how early weaning affects production cost vs. growth rate of the larvae.
I/O processing in a virtualized platform: a simulation-driven approach

Virtualization provides levels of execution isolation and service partition that are desirable in many usage scenarios, but its associated overheads are a major impediment for wide deployment of virtualized environments. While the virtualization cost depends heavily on workloads, it has been demonstrated that the overhead is much higher with I/O intensive workloads compared to those which are compute-intensive. Unfortunately, the architectural reasons behind the I/O performance overheads are not well understood. Early research in characterizing these penalties has shown that cache misses and TLB related overheads contribute to most of I/O virtualization cost. While most of these evaluations are done using measurements, in this paper we present an execution-driven simulation based analysis methodology with symbol annotation as a means of evaluating the performance of virtualized workloads. This methodology provides detailed information at the architectural level (with a focus on cache and TLB) and allows designers to evaluate potential hardware enhancements to reduce virtualization overhead. We apply this methodology to study the network I/O performance of Xen (as a case study) in a full system simulation environment, using detailed cache and TLB models to profile and characterize software and hardware hotspots. By applying symbol annotation to the instruction flow reported by the execution driven simulator we derive function level call flow information. We follow the anatomy of I/O processing in a virtualized platform for network transmit and receive scenarios and demonstrate the impact of cache scaling and TLB size scaling on performance.
Preliminary report on the cellular effect of intravital silver in the mouse ovary.

While orally administered inorganic silver (0.03% AgNO 2 for 1 month in the drinking water) did not bring about cell death, it was responsible for the following cellular alterations: (a) changes in nuclear and cytoplasmic morphology; (b) disappearance of the endoplasmic reticulum; (c) transformation in mitochondrial morphology, and (d) the presence of a large increase in the number of irregularly shaped smooth walled cytoplasmic densities, that are assumed to be lipid granules.
Presymptomatic testing for huntington diseases: Recommendations for counseling

The discovery of a genetic marker linked to the Huntington disease (HD) gene made it possible to perform presymptomatic genetic testing for this late onset disorder. The first two pilot research programs in the United States, at Massachusetts General Hospital and Johns Hopkins Hospital, began offering testing in the Fall of 1986. Twenty-three centers are now offering this testing as part of their clinical service. As testing for this and other late onset diseases becomes more widespread, it is important to assess what we have learned about offering this test to those at risk. This article presents recommendations based on the author's 5 years of experience offering presymptomatic testing for HD in order to alert counselors to the complexities of offering this type of service.
The Relationship Between Political Efficacy and Citizen Participation: Construct Validation Studies

Political efficacy is the belief that one has the skills to influence the political system. Two similar studies are described that support the validity of a scale designed to measure internal and external political efficacy (Craig & Maggiotto, 1982). One study used a sample of 388 undergraduates; the second study used a sample of 159 nonstudents. Factor analytic results from both studies replicated the factor structure reported earlier (Craig & Maggiotto, 1982). Convergent and discriminant evidence was established using measures of community involvement, leadership, alienation, and perceived competence. Political efficacy was also greater for members of politically oriented voluntary organizations than both nonmembers and members of nonpolitical organizations. Implications of the study of political efficacy for understanding citizen participation are discussed.
Cortico-cortical evoked potentials and stimulation-elicited gamma activity preferentially propagate from lower- to higher-order visual areas

Abstract Objective The lower-order visual cortex in the medial–occipital region is suggested to send feed-forward signals to the higher-order visual cortex including ventral–occipital–temporal and dorsal–occipital regions. We determined how stimulation-elicited cortical-signals propagate between lower- and higher-order visual cortices, and whether the magnitudes of stimulation-elicited cortical-signals recorded in the higher-order visual cortex differed from those recorded in the lower-order one. Methods We studied 10 patients with focal epilepsy who underwent extraoperative electrocorticography recording. Trains of 1-Hz stimuli with an intensity of 3 mA were delivered to an electrode pair within the medial–occipital region; then, cortico-cortical evoked-potential (CCEP) and stimulation-elicited gamma-activity at 80–150 Hz were measured in the ventral–occipital–temporal and dorsal–occipital regions. Likewise, CCEP and stimulation-elicited gamma-activity, driven by stimuli within the higher-order visual cortex, were measured in the lower-order visual cortex. Results CCEPs generated, via feed-forward propagations, in the higher-order visual cortex were significantly larger than those generated, via feed-back propagations, in the lower-order visual cortex. Stimulation of the lower-order visual cortex elicited augmentation of gamma-activity in the higher-order visual cortex after the preceding CCEP subsided. Conclusion The propagation manners of stimulation-elicited cortical-signals differ between feed-forward and feed-back directions in the human occipital lobe. Significance: Such difference may need to be taken into consideration for future clinical application of CCEPs and stimulation-elicited gamma-augmentation in presurgical evaluation for epilepsy surgery.
A Study of the Effects of Frequency of Probe Data Collection and Graph Characteristics on Teachers' Visual Analysis.

Teachers often rely on visual analysis of graphed student performance data to evaluate progress and make program decisions. However, because collecting data can be time consuming and interfere with instruction, teachers would like to know how much data is necessary to make reliable judgments. To investigate the effect of frequency of data collection on teachers' judgments and decisions, this study addressed the question of whether teachers' judgments differ according to frequency of data collection, whether teachers' judgments differ according to type of trend, and whether teachers' judgments based on different types of graphs vary with frequency of data collection. A set of 16 graphs of actual student performance data was analyzed by 59 teachers of students with moderate to profound handicaps. The data were analyzed by a two-factor repeated measures design, and results indicated that when asked to evaluate student performance, teachers' judgments tended to be consistent and accurate when the graphed data represented continuous and systematic improvement in performance. However, when the data represented a decrease in performance, no change, or highly variable performance, judgments tended to differ by frequency. When asked to make program recommendations, teachers' judgments tended to differ by frequency for all types of trends.
Partial recombination for the co-evolution of model parameters

Partial recombination is a type of crossover for genetic algorithms that focuses on a subset of the chromosome. It provides a means of doing crossover were only the genes involved in producing the fitness are affected. In this paper, we use it to evolve the parameters for a model that represents the capabilities of a robot. The values of these parameters are evolved as the robot periodically performs an action that is also being performed by the model. Each action performed by the robot does not include every possible turn command so using partial recombination allows the system to only change the parameters involved in the action. Tests show that partial recombination makes a significant difference in the co-evolution of model parameters.
Clindamycin Uptake by Human Neutrophils

An anaerobic environment limits the microbicidal capacity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). To augment PMN killing under these conditions, the characteristics and mechanisms of clindamycin uptake by human PMNs were studied. The peak intracellular concentration of clindamycin was approximately 40 times greater than the extracellular concentration. Clindamycin uptake was rapid, saturable, and temperature-dependent. Intracellular accumulation of the drug was inhibited in acid pH, and agents that collapsed the transmembrane pH gradients also inhibited uptake. Isolated PMN lysosomes also accumulated clindamycin against a large concentration gradient, and uptake was reduced by collapsing the translysosomal membrane pH gradient. The intracellular drug was fully bioactive. These studies demonstrate that clindamycin is rapidly accumulated by PMNs, that drug uptake is related to a pH gradient, and that clindamycin appears to be lysosomotropic.
Gram-Negative Corneal Ulcers in Elderly Aphakic Eyes with Extended-Wear Lenses

We report 13 cases of corneal ulcers caused by gram-negative bacteria. These cases occurred in aphakic eyes wearing hydrophilic contact lenses on an extended-wear basis. The risks for infection in the elderly aphakic eye with extended-wear hydrophilic lenses are increased by delay in removal of the lens. Caution in the use of these lenses is urged. The ability of either the patient or an attendant to remove the lens as soon as redness, diminished vision, or pain presents itself is essential in minimizing the risks for serious infection.
A theoretical analysis of the effects of auditory impairment on intensity discrimination

The effect of cochlear hearing loss on intensity discrimination has been experimentally investigated and reported in the literature. It has been observed that the impairment configuration has a significant effect on a subject's discrimination abilities. In some cases, intensity discrimination for an impaired individual is near-normal at equal SPLs, whereas in other cases, the difference limen is elevated. It has been hypothesized that the near-normal performance of some impaired individuals may be due to either greater intensity resolution (resulting from loudness recruitment) or to the normal spread of excitation. In this paper, we simulate an experiment conducted by Schroder et al. (1994) devised to test these hypotheses. Using a signal detection theory-based approach in combination with a computational auditory model, we are able to replicate their experimental results. Additionally, by manipulating the model, we are able to demonstrate theoretically that the observed behavior results from the spread of excitation.
The Adjusted Solow Residual and Asset Returns

It is a well-known fact that asset returns are affected not only by firm-specific risks but also by macroeconomic risks. Although firm-specific risks (diversifiable risks) can be avoided by building a good portfolio, macroeconomic risks (undiversifiable risks), owing to their nature, cannot be avoided. Since macroeconomic risks are unavoidable and yet have significant effects on the asset returns, many researchers have attempted to identify one or more variables as macroeconomic risks and have analyzed their impacts. In the empirical finance literature, macroeconomic risks are considered as factors. The first significant study in this area was conducted by Chen, Roll, and Ross [1986], who explored a set of economic variables that systematically affected asset returns. 2 Although a wide range of variables have been chosen as factors in this line of research, little consensus has been obtained on why such variables should be the factors. In other words, the existing literature often fails to provide a theoretical justification for the chosen factors, particularly when they are selected by fitting returns, rather than by deriving from explicit theoretical frameworks. This study adopts a different approach by establishing a link between theory and empirics. In particular, it identifies one of the factors based on a simple equilibrium model, and then empirically assesses its effects on asset returns. Based on an equilibrium business cycle model, this study shows that an aggregate productivity shock
Dimensions for Categorizing Capstone Projects

Capstone projects are a valuable opportunity for Computer Science and Software Engineering students to take what they have learned over the previous three years of their education and apply it to an open-ended project. Some universities offer multiple capstone projects, defined and supervised by different faculty members. Here we describe a set of dimensions that can be used to categorize capstone projects to determine the level of realism, areas of risk, as well as an overall project type. Instructors can use the capstone dimensions and project type in capstone planning to ensure that projects meet the desired course outcomes.
Submersed macrophytes and grazing crayfish: an experimental study of herbivory in a California freshwater marsh

Grazing by the crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard) on the abundance of submersed sago pondweed, Potamogeton pectinatus (L.), was quantified during 1984 through 1986 at Coyote Hills Marsh (Alameda County, California, USA). Annual marsh surveys indicated that P. pectinatus abundance declined (from 70% to 0% of the marsh surface), whereas P. clarkii abundance increased (from 1.6 to almost 3.0 crayfish trap−1 week−1). Crayfish in a 1425 m2 trapping grid were non-aggregated when pondweed was abundant but became aggregated in the remaining pondweed beds as pondweed abundance decreased. In situ exclusion and enclosure experiments using crayfish densities of 0 to 3 individuals m−2 were used to determine if crayfish reduced pondweed. Exclusion of crayfish from areas without pondweed, beginning in midsummer 1984, resulted in plant regrowth; addition of crayfish to these enclosed plots reduced pondweed. Exclusion of crayfish for the entire growing season in 1985 resulted in pondweed persistence in exclusion plots until August: in contrast, pondweed within adjacent, open control plots was eliminated by mid-June. Enclosure experiments showed a strong positive relationship between crayfish density and pondweed clearance. This study demonstrates that grazing crayfish can reduce and, in some cases, eliminate macrophytes from freshwater marshes.
A metal–organic framework replete with ordered donor–acceptor catenanes

A metal–organic framework was constructed from struts in which donor–acceptor [2]catenane units become integrated, leading to a high density of these molecular machinery modules positioned precisely in well-defined layered (2D) structures.
Effective bandwidths in wireless networks with multiuser receivers

To meet the increasing capacity demand on wireless networks there have been intense efforts in the past decade on developing multiuser receiver structures which mitigate the interference between users in spread-spectrum and antenna array systems. While much of the research is performed at the physical layer, the capacity of networks with multiuser receivers and the associated resource allocation problems are less well-understood. We show that under some conditions, the capacity of a single cell for several important receivers can be very simply characterized via a notion of effective bandwidth: the QoS requirements of all the users can be met if and only if the sum of the effective bandwidths of the users is less than the total number of degrees of freedom in the system. The number of degrees of freedom is the processing gain in a spread-spectrum system and the number of antenna elements in an antenna array. The effective bandwidth of a user depends only on its own QoS requirement, expressed in terms of the desired signal-to-interference ratio. It is hoped that such an abstraction of resource requirement will help in bridging the resource allocation problems at the networking layer and multiuser techniques at the physical layer.