cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Gender Biases on Actual Job Performance of Real People: A Meta-Analysis1

This study examined gender bias on job performance in work settings where confounding variables (e. g., organizational level, experience, education) were cautiously taken into consideration to ensure fair comparisons. Although previous meta-analyses examined gender biases on evaluations, findings in tightly controlled laboratory environments may differ from those in highly complicated field studies. We found little evidence of overall gender bias in performance appraisals in nonconfounded field studies. However, there were significant pro-male biases when only men served as raters. Measure-specific gender stereotypicality, instead of genera! stereotypicality about the job, produced gender bias in performance appraisal. Masculine measures produced pro-male bias, and feminine measures produced pro-female bias.
Metal capillaries for neutron lenses

Abstract The use of metal reflective surfaces should greatly improve the transimission of neutron focusing devices based on glass polycapillary lenses because the longer scattering lengths of many metals allow greater critical angles compared to glass. The neutron transmission of single channel metal capillaries has been studied using cold neutron beams and an imaging neutron detector. Metal capillaries obtained from commercial sources have been studied both as supplied and as treated by chemical flow or electropolishing techniques to compare the transmission performance as a function of the smoothness of the metal surface. The reflectivities calculated from the experimental transmissions vary as a function of internal diameter and of capillary length, but are not sensitive to the various surface treatments studied here. None of the metal capillaries have reflectivities as good as the glass capillaries currently being used.
INFORMAL HOUSING IN A COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE: On Squatting, Culture, and Development in a Latin American and a Middle Eastern Context

The basis of this paper is the proposition that the development of squatter communities and informal housing varies throughout developing regions. Squatter developments follow distinct patterns and develop unique characteristics which are affected by regional cultural variables. The paper presents a framework for investigating how different cultural practices affect the nature of squatter development. It first presents a brief overview of prevailing trends of thought regarding the formation of and response to informal housing development. Its principal argument then emerges from a cross-cultural comparison of cases of informal development in the Arab Middle East and Latin America. The comparison shows that there is no all-encompassing model for processes of formation and maturation of squatter settlements. For example, while informal developments in the Middle East have a clearly depoliticized and unobtrusive character, in Latin America such settlements are rarely isolated, maintaining ties to either ruling or opposition political parties. Further analysis elaborates on the definition of culture and its importance as a variable. The argument is made that the purely political/economic circumstances of squatter populations cannot be considered without regard for the cultural contexts in which these are embedded. Finally, the paper critiques the generalized pattern that has emerged to describe the evaluation of informal housing developments in the Third World, despite the key mediating role played by culture. It concludes that a culturally grounded approach may broaden the horizons for housing acquisition by the urban poor.
Atomic Diamagnetism: Quasi Landau Spectrum near the Ionization Threshold

The positions of quasi Landau resonances as a function of magnetic field strength are reported for the first time. These resonances were observed near the ionization limit in the even-parity channels of barium and strontium with use of two-photon laser spectroscopy. The change in the resonance positions as the field strength is varied and the energy spacings of the resonances agree well with hydrogenic semiclassical theory. Resonance profiles, but not positions, are found to be species dependent.
Quantitative Analysis of Focused A-To-I RNA Editing Sites by Ultra-High-Throughput Sequencing in Psychiatric Disorders

A-to-I RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification of single nucleotides in RNA by adenosine deamination, which thereby diversifies the gene products encoded in the genome. Thousands of potential RNA editing sites have been identified by recent studies (e.g. see Li et al, Science 2009); however, only a handful of these sites have been independently confirmed. Here, we systematically and quantitatively examined 109 putative coding region A-to-I RNA editing sites in three sets of normal human brain samples by ultra-high-throughput sequencing (uHTS). Forty of 109 putative sites, including 25 previously confirmed sites, were validated as truly edited in our brain samples, suggesting an overestimation of A-to-I RNA editing in these putative sites by Li et al (2009). To evaluate RNA editing in human disease, we analyzed 29 of the confirmed sites in subjects with major depressive disorder and schizophrenia using uHTS. In striking contrast to many prior studies, we did not find significant alterations in the frequency of RNA editing at any of the editing sites in samples from these patients, including within the 5HT2C serotonin receptor (HTR2C). Our results indicate that uHTS is a fast, quantitative and high-throughput method to assess RNA editing in human physiology and disease and that many prior studies of RNA editing may overestimate both the extent and disease-related variability of RNA editing at the sites we examined in the human brain.
Attenuated (but not Total) Internal Reflection FT-IR Spectroscopy of Thin Films

We present a spectroscopic technique that is a hybrid between reflection-absorption and attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectroscopy. The method, which we call attenuated internal reflection (AIR), is suitable for the investigation of thin film liquids on non- or weakly absorbing substrates. In AIR the interrogating infrared beam is not exposed to vapor that may be associated with the film, but unlike ATR there are few geometric constraints on the substrate. We show the theoretical basis for the method and results from experiments demonstrating its use.
The heat of formation of CISO

Abstract The heat of formation of CISO + , 802 ± 1 kJ mol −1 at 0 K, has been obtained by the dissociative photoionization of supersonically cooled thionyl chloride, Cl 2 SO. Threshold photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy was used to obtain the appearance energy from the cross-over point in the breakdown diagram for the dissociation. Also measured was the adiabatic ionization energy of thionyl chloride, 10.85 ± 0.05 eV. The experimentally measured kinetic energy release was found to agree with that calculated by statistical theory confirming that there is no reverse energy barrier to the Cl loss reaction. The interpretation was aided by ab initio MO calculations.
Time-of-use electricity pricing for industrial customers: A survey of U.S. utilities

Abstract Time-of-use (TOU) pricing serves as a cost-effective way to realize electricity demand response, which aims at relieving peak demand. Customer participation is critical to the success of TOU pricing programs. To fulfill the potential of such programs, customers must be able to access electricity tariffs and understand their terms. This paper reports a survey of 43 TOU pricing programs targeting industrial customers offered by U.S. utilities. This work is inspired by and complements the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission survey of demand response in the electric power industry, highlighting the interpretation of key pricing components and specific characteristics of TOU tariff sheets collected from public sources. The case studies examine various industrial scenarios to predict electricity cost savings when customers are facing the transition from flat rates to TOU pricing. The analysis results show that the cost savings vary enormously, ranging from −72.0% to +82.6%, depending on specific utility programs and switching strategies involved. Such information is useful for customers to determine whether to participate in a TOU pricing program. Key findings and implications for industrial customers, utilities, and regulatory agencies are also discussed.
Obesity Overview: Epidemiology, Health and Financial Impact, and Guidelines for Qualification for Surgical Therapy

The aim of this article is to describe the context in which this issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America is established. The authors review the current worldwide dimensions and trends of the obesity epidemic; associated mortality and comorbid diseases including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and obstructive sleep apnea; the financial impact of obesity; and current national and international guidelines for referral and qualification for surgical treatment of obesity.
Transamination processes promote incomplete glutamine oxidation in small intestine epithelial cells

Abstract The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of glucose on glutamine medabolism by intestinal epithelial cells. Cells were isolated from the proximal, mid, and distal small intestine of male, fed rats. The oxidation of [U-14C]glutamine was greatest in the proximal small intestine, and the stimulatory effect of glucose on glutamine oxidation was most pronounced in this segment also. Amino-oxyacetate, an aminotransferase inhibitor, did not influence the oxidation of glucose when present alone, but increased glucose oxidation when present simultaneously with glutamine. Glutamine oxidation was suppressed by amino-oxyacetate in both the presence and absence of exogenous glucose. In particular, CO2 production from glutamine was reduced by 48 and 79% in the absence and presence of glucose, respectively; succinate CO2 ratios (CO2 from [1,4-14C]succinate/[2,3-14C]succinate, unlabeled substrate as specified) were reduced 59 and 71%, respectively, and the probability was doubled that glutamine carbon, which enters the TCA cycle, would complete a full turn of the cycle. These experiments confirmed earlier findings that glutamine carbon entering the TCA cycle is not entirely oxidized and showed that processes of transamination are essential for high rates of glutamine entry into the TCA cycle. Transamination appears also to be essential for efflux of intermediates from the TCA cycle and the synthesis of new compounds. Thus, transamination processes apparently facilitate the incomplete oxidation of glutamine in intestinal cells. These studies showed also that carbon that leaves the cycle re-enters predominantly via pyruvate dehydrogenase, rather than via pyruvate carboxylase, along the length of the small intestine.
Biventricular thrombi of nonischemic cardiomyopathy.

47 year old male with history of alcoholic liver cirrhosis came in with severe bilateral lower extremity pain and new onset acute bilateral limb ischemia. Vitals at admission were stable and physical examination showed clear cut cool bilateral lower extremities below both ankle joints with all the 10 toes being black suggesting gangrene. Bilateral dorsalis pedis and Posterior tibial pulses were not felt and could not be detected with dopplers. A transthoracic Echocardiogram revealed that the patient had an Ejection fraction of 10-15% with diffuse hypokinesis, also were noted multiple biventricular thrombi with the largest in the left ventricle measuring 50x30mm in size extending from anterolateral papillary muscle upto the septal myocardium. Evaluation with a cardiac and aortic catheterization revealed non obstructive coronaries, complete occlusion of the bilateral anterior tibial, posterior tibial and peroneal arteries at the ankle level with zero flow below bilateral ankle joints. No intervention could be performed and hence the patient was at first anti coagulated with heparin and then bridged to Coumadin. Patient was discharged to follow up with orthopedic surgery for bilateral amputations. Biventricular thrombi are generally seen in patients with a pro thrombotic state like anti phospholipid antibody syndrome, heparin induced thrombocytopenia induced thrombosis, hypereosinophilic syndrome. Cases have been reported in patients with viral myocarditis and libman sacks endocarditis. It is generally very rare to see multiple biventricular thrombi in patients with low Ejection Fraction.
ROCKY INTERTIDAL ZONATION OF GAMMARIDEAN AMPHIPODS IN LONG ISLAND SOUND, CONNECTICUT

Rocky intertidal organisms are distributed in zones characterized by a few dominant species. In this study, the zonation patterns and the seasonal changes of the gammaridean amphipods were investigated in the rocky intertidal in Long Island Sound, U.S.A. A total of 9,773 amphipods of eight species was collected from the two study sites. The results showed that rocky intertidal amphipods occur in zones, associated with species of algae. The differences in total abundance, the number of species, and the abundance of each of these species of amphipod were shown. The upper zone (Fucus vesiculosus) had fewer species and lower total amphipod abundance than the lower zone (Chondrus crispus) and the two zones did not share all species. In addition, there were differences in the amphipod species composition between the two study sites. Several physical and biological factors may regulate such a pattern of abundance.
The McDonald photoelectric occultation observation program

Since 1968 an assiduous program of photoelectric observation of occultations of stars by the Moon has been pursued at McDonald Observatory. A total of about 600 events has been observed of which 254 have been published and a second list is in preparation. Timings derived from the reductions have errors of the order of 1 ms corresponding to a positional uncertainty in the lunar limb of typically 80 cm. Results are routinely communicated to the ephemerides offices. In about 140 events the fringe pattern due to diffraction by the lunar limb is sufficiently well defined to permit a determination of the slope near the point of occultation. A statistical discussion of these data is given. In all except a few cases, the slopes are numerically less than 15°, though 7 cases with slopes between 30° and 40° have been found. The relations between numbers of observations and contact angle, and between errors of slope determination and contact angle are discussed. The distribution of slope data with contact angle seems adequately explained. When slope data are collected by position angle consistently large and consistently small values show a tendency to group in a pattern suggesting a connection with observed large scale features on the lunar limb. The influence of lunar limb irregularities of a scale of a few meters on observed diffraction patterns and inferred timings is discussed. Multichannel observations should be of value in removing ambiguities. The use of occultation observations for the discovery of multiple stars and for the measurement of angular diameters of stars is mentioned. Future developments proposed for the project are considered. The project has involved contributions by a considerable number of individuals from the staff and student body at Austin, Texas, from the staff at McDonald Observatory, from visiting scientists and from the Laser Ranging Group. These contributions are acknowledged in the paper. The work has been supported by NSF Grants GP-21204 and GP-32263X.
Prefood stimulus effects on an operant discrimination

The effects of superimposing a 60-sec prefood stimulus on a multiple variable-interval extinction schedule of reinforcement were examined with a rat. Response rates in both components increased during the stimulus. There was no evidence of an impairment in discrimination performance, as has been reported with a similar procedure involving a preshock stimulus instead of a prefood stimulus.
Respiratory Responses of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) to Environmental Changes in Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen

Abstract Respiratory metabolic rates of largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, were measured in flow through respirometers under various temperature and dissolved oxygen conditions simulating drought environments. “Critical” oxygen tensions increased from <40 torr PO2 at 20 C, to 40–50 torr at 25 C, to 50–60 torr at 30 C. Evidence from arterial blood samples indicated increased anaerobic metabolism associated with an oxidative metabolic depression at high temperatures and low dissolved oxygen concentrations. Procedures to maintain 2.60 mg O2/liter at 25 C and 2.85 mg O2/liter at 30 C in largemouth bass habitats should minimize adult mortalities linked to insufficient oxygen.
On the Velocities of Flows Consisting of Cyclically Monotone Maps

Motivated by work on one-dimensional Euler-Poisson systems, Gangbo et al. proved a surprisingly general flow-map formula which unequivocally links an absolutely continuous curve in the Wasserstein space to the corresponding family of optimal maps pushing forward a given reference measure to each measure on the curve. In this work we prove a similar result for higher dimensions. Possible applications to variational solutions for pressureless gas dynamics systems are discussed. These solutions are obtained as absolutely continuous curves in a new metric space which is topologically equivalent to the Wasserstein space.
The RMB Exchange Rate and Monetary Sterilisation in China

In contrast to previous economy–overheating episodes, foreign capital inflow among other factors constitutes one of the fundamental causes for the recent investment boom and economic overheating in China. The foreign reserves component in the monetary base has overtaken the domestic credit component in exerting a dominant influence on the money supply. Nevertheless, the conventional course of sterilisation implemented by the monetary authorities has not been sufficiently effective in mopping up the extra credit that foreign capital inflow brings in. Monetary sterilisation in China has been only partial and incomplete.
Choosing the best approach to matrix exponentiation

Abstract There is no ideal single approach to matrix exponentiation; an application may have some characteristic that enables or precludes a specific approach. Even methods that theoretically yield precise answers can produce extremely large errors when implemented in floating point arithmetic, and simply utilizing double or quadruple precision representations may not ensure accuracy. An empirical method is employed here to examine the efficacy of selected methods of matrix exponentiation for a particular application. The method centers around parametrizing a sample matrix in order to determine the effects of specific characteristics. The matrices to be exponentiated are upper triangular and stochastic. They may have nearly confluent eigenvalues, as well as widely divergent eigenvalues. Such problems are common in queueing applications using phase-type distributions. Scope and purpose The solution procedures for many modeling problems involve the exponentiation of matrices. Many competing approaches are available, each with advantages and potentially catastrophic disadvantages in different applications. This article summarizes some common procedures, and presents a comparative evaluation in a particular problem context (determination of state probabilities in a transient queueing system). Practitioners may find the evaluation to be a useful model for comparing exponentiation methods in another problem domain.
Are BSW Students Sexist

This article reports on that portion of a larger study of students' attitudes that analyzed the levels of sexism among BSW students and the effects of sexism on the students' assessments of vignettes of clients. The study found that the students' levels of sexist attitudes and their identification of clients as male and female seemed to affect their assessments. The results were contradictory and mixed, showing both profemale and promale biases. However, a pattern emerged in which those who held more traditional views toward women were more rigid in their assessments of female clients than those whose views were less traditional.
Fatigue Crack Growth of Silicon Nitride at 1400°C: A Novel Fatigue‐Induced Crack‐Tip Bridging Phenomenon

A high-strength Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} with elongated {beta}-Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} and equiaxed {alpha}{prime}-sialon was tested in cyclic and static fatigue at 1400 C. At low stress intensity factors and high frequencies, the pullout process of the elongated grains was enhanced, which suppressed the crack growth. This provides a possible explanation for the increased lifetime under cyclic loading conditions reported for ceramics by several investigators. While crack-healing by high-temperature annealing was found to greatly reduce the subsequent static fatigue crack growth rate, it had only a modest effect on cyclic fatigue and none at high frequencies.
Disruption of functions of wild-type p53 by hetero-oligomerization.

We report that a p53 segment (p53 del 1-293) containing the oligomerization domain interferes with the functions of wild-type p53. Wild-type p53 inhibits transcription mediated by human cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate-early promoter significantly; however, co-expression of p53 del 1-293 drastically reduces this repression. We show that wild-type p53 forms hetero-oligomers with p53 del 1-293 suggesting that the hetero-oligomers are defective in repressing the CMV promoter. A synthetic promoter with p53-binding sites is transactivated significantly by wild-type p53. However, co-expression of p53 del 1-293 drastically reduces this activation. At a high concentration, a deletion mutant of wild-type p53 (del 393-327) defective in oligomerization transactivates efficiently a promoter with synthetic p53-binding sites. This transactivation remains unaffected by co-expression of p53 del 1-293. p53 del 393-327 also fails to hetero-oligomerize with p53 del 1-293 indicating that hetero-oligomerization is necessary for disruption of wild-type p53-mediated transactivation. Immunostaining experiments show that hetero-oligomerization does not lead to changes in localization of nuclear p53 demonstrating that delocalization of p53 is not the reason for inactivation. We also show that co-expression of p53 del 1-293 significantly reduces the G1/S arrest by wild-type p53 suggesting that a proper oligomeric form is necessary for wild-type p53-mediated cell cycle arrest. Thus, our work shows that hetero-oligomerization disrupts wild-type p53's biological functions and suggests a mechanism by which p53 mutants may disrupt functions of wild-type p53.
Left ventricular aneurysm, intraaneurysmal thrombus and systemic embolus in coronary heart disease.

emboli are rare in patients with left ventricular aneurysms, it might be useful to examine the definitions used for left ventricular aneurysm” and “systemic emboins” in several reported studies to determine the uniformity of criteria for diagnosis. Obviously, if definitions of the two items to be analyzed vary from study to study, the results or conclusions may do likewise. Left ventricular aneurysm was defined by Simpson and associates3#{176}
What does using TCP as an evaluation tool reveal about MANET routing protocols

Past research studying the operations of TCP over wireless/mobile ad hoc networks has shown that TCP cannot be adopted as-is for use in mobile ad hoc networks (MANET) to achieve reasonable performance. This is because the assumptions made during designing TCP were made to make TCP work for wired networks, not MANETs. Consequently, most past research evaluating the performance of MANET routing protocols has concentrated on using CBR traffic over UDP for evaluation. In this paper, we distinguish practical use of TCP from use of TCP for evaluation purposes, and examine whether using TCP as an evaluation tool to evaluate MANET routing protocols will yield any new insights, even though we readily agree with past research that using TCP as-is (that is, as packaged for wired networks) for practical use over MANET is not a good approach. We motivated this idea because even though TCP does not function well over MANET, the fundamental expectations TCP has over the network are "universal" metrics which MANET researchers should strive for as well.Using simulations, we show that by studying the performance of MANET routing protocols using TCP traffic, we obtain a different understanding of the protocols studied, and this understanding cannot be obtained via applying CBR/UDP traffic. In this spirit, we urge MANET routing protocol designers to use TCP as an evaluation tool during the protocol design process.
Laser-Raman remote temperature sensing in liquids

A feasibility study has been conducted on the use of laser-Raman spectroscopy as a remote temperature sensing technique for liquids. Empirical relations between the temperature and parameters describing Raman band intensities were determined over a temperature range of 15 to 65 °C in carbon tetrachloride, benzene, ethylene glycol, aqueous sodium nitrate (5 M), and water. Using a 2-W argon ion laser and two 0.25-m monochromators in tandem, it was possible to measure temperatures in water to within 2 °C and, in ethylene glycol, to within 4 °C.
These turbulent times

In this review of revolutionary changes in methods and materials used to teach reading, Bernice Cullinan describes research that supports literature-based programs and reports on a survey of statewide reading initiatives. She also describes the activities of groups that help teachers and librarians implement literature-based programs.
Feasibility of using nonflat photon beams for whole-breast irradiation with breath hold

Removing a flattening filter or replacing it with a thinner filter alters the characteristics of a photon beam, creating a forward peaked intensity profile to make the photon beam nonflat. This study is to investigate the feasibility of applying nonflat photon beams to the whole-breast irradiation with breath holds for a potential of delivery time reduction during the gated treatment. Photon beams of 6 MV with flat and nonflat intensity profiles were commissioned. Fifteen patients with early-stage breast cancer, who received whole-breast radiation without breathing control, were retrospectively selected for this study. For each patient, three plans were created using a commercial treatment planning system: (a) the clinically approved plan using forward planning method (FP); (b) a hybrid intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plan where the flat beam open fields were combined with the nonflat beam IMRT fields using direct aperture optimization method (mixed DAO); (c) a hybrid IMRT plan where both open and IMRT fields were from nonflat beams using direct aperture optimization (nonflat DAO). All plans were prescribed for ≥ 95% of the breast volume receiving the prescription dose of 50 Gy (2.0 Gy per fraction). In comparison, all plans achieved a similar dosimetric coverage to the targeted volume. The average homogeneity index of the FP, mixed DAO, and nonflat DAO plans were 0.882 ± 0.024, 0.879 ± 0.023, and 0.867 ± 0.027, respectively. The average percentage volume of V105 was 57.66% ± 5.21%, 34.67% ± 4.91%, 41.64% ± 5.32% for the FP, mixed, and nonflat DAO plans, respectively. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) observed for the defined endpoint doses in organs at risk (OARs). In conclusion, both mixed DAO and nonflat DAO plans can achieve similar plan quality as the clinically approved FP plan, measured by plan homogeneity and endpoint doses to the ORAs. Nonflat beam plans may reduce treatment time in breath-hold treatment, especially for hypofractionated treatment.
Anaphylaxis in the elderly

Anaphylaxis is a potentially fatal generalized hypersensitivity reaction leading to multiorgan dysfunction. It involves multiple mediators using several different pathways for the development of a systemic response. The elderly differ from other age groups in terms of the risk factors, causative agents and the development of compensatory mechanisms. The presence of comorbidities and polypharmacy has a marked influence on treatment and outcome in the elderly. This article aims at a general understanding of anaphylaxis with special reference to the elderly.
INTRODUCTION: SHAPING THE FUTURE OF MANUFACTURING AND SERVICE OPERATIONS

The challenges and opportunities in production and operations management (POM) are almost unlimited because in the world economy, manufacturing andservice operations account for more than 10 trillion dollars per year and in any single industry, the performance varies widely from country to country and from organization to organization. The goal of Production and Operations Management is to contribute to improving the management of manufacturing and service operations all over the world. The editors and reviewers judge the papers published in the journal for their contribution to improving of business practices and to further closeness between research and practice. The journal will publish high quality papers on a broad range of topics in POM, and it encourages all paradigms, old and new. We also invite managers from around the world to describe specific POM problems that provide challenging opportunities for academic research.
Storage-class memory: the next storage system technology

The dream of replacing rotating mechanical storage, the disk drive, with solid-state, nonvolatile RAM may become a reality in the near future. Approximately ten new technologies--collectively called storage-class memory (SCM)--are currently under development and promise to be fast, inexpensive, and power efficient. Using SCM as a disk drive replacement, storage system products will have random and sequential I/O performance that is orders of magnitude better than that of comparable disk-based systems and require much less space and power in the data center. In this paper, we extrapolate disk and SCM technology trends to 2020 and analyze the impact on storage systems. The result is a 100- to 1,O00-fold advantage for SCM in terms of the data center space and power required.
Navigating a Mobile Robot by a Traversability Field Histogram

This paper presents an autonomous terrain navigation system for a mobile robot. The system employs a two-dimensional laser range finder (LRF) for terrain mapping. A so-called "traversability field histogram" (TFH) method is proposed to guide the robot. The TFH method first transforms a local terrain map surrounding the robot's momentary position into a traversability map by extracting the slope and roughness of a terrain patch through least-squares plane fitting. It then computes a so-called "polar traversability index" (PTI) that represents the overall difficulty of traveling along the corresponding direction. The PTIs are represented in a form of histogram. Based on this histogram, the velocity and steering commands of the robot are determined. The concept of a virtual valley and an exit condition are proposed and used to direct the robot such that it can reach the target with a finite-length path. The algorithm is verified by simulation and experimental results
Immunocytochemical Distribution of Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus Antigens in BALB/cfC3H Mammary Epithelium

The distribution of mouse mammary tumor virus (MuMTV) antigens was studied in normal, preneoplastic, and neoplastic mammary epithelia from female BALB/cfC3H mice with the use of a polyvalent anti-MuMTV serum and indirect immunoperoxidase techniques. The MuMTV antigens were on the apical surface or in focal cytoplasmic aggregates or diffused throughout the infected cells. As much as 70% of all cells in adenocarcinomas and as much as 100% of all cells in preneoplastic hyperplastic alveolar nodules contained MMTV antigens. Comparable percentages of cells from mammary glands of multiparous mice were MuMTV-positive. Some mammary tissues of nullparous and primiparous mice did not contain detectable MuMTV antigen. The MuMTV antigen-containing cells in lactating mammary glands tended to be in discrete lobuloalveolar clusters surrounded by antigen-negative alveoli. The percentage of MuMTV-positive cells in a given gland was proportional to the amount of virus found in the animal's milk.
Interaction of reader skills and document demands

One strategy for improving the usability of information products is to develop generic descriptions of the product's users. Designers can then plan and implement their information products with these generic descriptions in mind. However, designers who develop information based on a generic user type make two associated assumptions, both of which are problematic. First, they assume that differences in reading skills are invariant across texts of differing difficulty and user familiarity. Secondly, they make the logically related assumption that usability is a concern only for readers and users possessing less-developed skills. A study that challenges these assumptions is summarized. Specifically, the authors challenge the assumption that reader performance, particularly the performance of skilled technical readers, is solely a function of reader characteristics. It is possible to manipulate aspects of a text such that skilled readers, when given difficult and/or unfamiliar text, will perform like less-skilled readers in terms of their recall and application of information. It is necessary to consider ease of reading and use in the design of technical information for technical professionals. >
Green Fluorescent Protein Variants as Ratiometric Dual Emission pH Sensors. 1. Structural Characterization and Preliminary Application

Novel dual emission, pH-sensitive variants of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) have been constructed and are suitable for ratiometric emission measurements in vivo. This new class of GFPs, termed deGPFs, results from substitution of wild-type residue 65 with threonine and residues 148 and/or 203 with cysteine. deGFPs display pK(a) values ranging from 6.8 to 8.0 and emission that switches from a green form (lambda(max) approximately 515 nm) to a blue form (lambda(max) approximately 460 nm) with acidifying pH. In this report we analyze in most detail the deGFP1 variant (S65T/H148G/T203C, pK(a) approximately 8.0) and the deGFP4 variant (S65T/C48S/H148C/T203C, pK(a) approximately 7.3). In the following paper [McAnaney, T. B., Park, E. S., Hanson, G. T., Remington, S. J., and Boxer, S. G. (2002) Biochemistry 41, 15489-15494], data obtained by ultrafast fluorescence upconversion spectroscopy can be described by a kinetic model that includes an excited-state proton-transfer pathway at high pH but not at low pH. Crystal structure analyses of deGFP1 at high-pH and low-pH conformations were performed to elucidate the basis for the dual emission characteristics. At low pH the structure does not contain a hydrogen bond network that would support rapid transfer of a proton from the excited state of the neutral chromophore to a suitable acceptor; hence blue emission is observed. At high pH, backbone rearrangements induced by changes in the associated hydrogen bond network permit excited-state proton transfer from the excited state of the neutral chromophore to the bulk solvent via Ser147 and bound water molecules, resulting in green emission from the anionic chromophore. Comparative analysis suggests that the basis for dual emission is elimination of the wild-type proton-transfer network by the S65T substitution, a general reduction in hydrogen-bonding opportunities, and a concomitant increase in the hydrophobic nature of the chromophore environment resulting from the cysteine substitutions. We evaluated the suitability of the deGFP4 variant for intracellular pH measurements in mammalian cells by transient expression in PS120 fibroblasts. The responses of deGFP4 and a commercially available pH-sensitive dye, SNARF-1, to changes in pH were compared in the same cells. Results show that the dynamic range of the emission ratio change is comparable between the two pH sensors over the range examined. Two-photon excitation was found to elicit a better deGFP4 fluorescent signal above cellular autofluorescence when compared to conventional confocal microscopy. Given their favorable optical characteristics, suitable pK(a)'s for the physiological pH range, and suitability for ratiometric measurements, dual emission GFPs should make excellent probes for studying pH in vivo.
Beliefs about GI medications and adherence to pharmacotherapy in functional GI disorder outpatients.

Beliefs About GI Medications and Adherence to Pharmacotherapy in Functional GI Disorder Outpatients
Multigenerational effects of fetal‐neonatal iron deficiency on hippocampal BDNF signaling

Fetal-neonatal iron deficiency induces adult learning impairments concomitant with changes in expression of key genes underlying hippocampal learning and memory in spite of neonatal iron replenishment. Notably, expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a gene critical for neuronal maturation and synaptic plasticity, is lowered both acutely and in adulthood following early-life iron deficiency. Although the mechanism behind its long-term downregulation remains unclear, epigenetic modification in BDNF, as seen in other models of early-life adversity, may play a role. Given that early iron deficiency occurs during critical periods in both hippocampal and gonadal development, we hypothesized that the iron-sufficient offspring (F2 IS) of formerly iron-deficient (F1 FID) rats would show a similar suppression of the BDNF gene as their parents. We compared hippocampal mRNA levels of BDNF and functionally related genes among F1 IS, F1 ID, and F2 IS male rats at postnatal day (P) 15 and P65 using RT-qPCR. As expected, the F1 ID group showed a downregulation of BDNF and associated genes acutely at P15 and chronically at P65. However, the F2 IS group showed an upregulation of these genes at P15, returning to control levels at P65. These results demonstrate that adverse effects of early iron deficiency on hippocampal gene expression observed in the F1 are not present in the F2 generation, suggesting differential effects of nutritionally induced epigenetic programing during the critical periods of hippocampal and gonadal development.
A transformation for the mechanical fingerprints of complex biomolecular interactions

Biological processes are carried out through molecular conformational transitions, ranging from the structural changes within biomolecules to the formation of macromolecular complexes and the associations between the complexes themselves. These transitions cover a vast range of timescales and are governed by a tangled network of molecular interactions. The resulting hierarchy of interactions, in turn, becomes encoded in the experimentally measurable “mechanical fingerprints” of the biomolecules, their force–extension curves. However, how can we decode these fingerprints so that they reveal the kinetic barriers and the associated timescales of a biological process? Here, we show that this can be accomplished with a simple, model-free transformation that is general enough to be applicable to molecular interactions involving an arbitrarily large number of kinetic barriers. Specifically, the transformation converts the mechanical fingerprints of the system directly into a map of force-dependent rate constants. This map reveals the kinetics of the multitude of rate processes in the system beyond what is typically accessible to direct measurements. With the contributions from individual barriers to the interaction network now “untangled”, the map is straightforward to analyze in terms of the prominent barriers and timescales. Practical implementation of the transformation is illustrated with simulated biomolecular interactions that comprise different patterns of complexity—from a cascade of activation barriers to competing dissociation pathways.
Post-layout logic restructuring for performance optimization

We propose a new methodology based on incrementallogic restructuring for post-layout performance improvement.The new post-layout logic restructuring techniqueallows to use accurate interconnection delays for performanceoptimization, while the incremental nature of thetechnique guarantees convergence between logic synthesisand layout. The technique can be further integrated withother post-layout optimization techniques such as gate sizingand buffer insertion. Experimental results show that thistechnique combined with post-layout buffer insertion canachieve an additional 15% improvement in performancecompared to designs produced by timing-driven logic optimizationfollowed by pre-layout buffer insertion followedby timing-driven physical design.
Altered Drug–Serum Protein Binding in the Genetically Obese Zucker Rat

Drug–serum protein binding was evaluated in genetically obese Zucker rats, their lean littermates, and lean Sprague–Dawley rats. The free fraction (fp) of phenytoin was significantly higher in the obese rat (fp = 0.177) compared to its lean littermate (fp = 0.136), apparently due to displacement by free fatty acids. Conversely, diazepam and propranolol fp values were decreased in the obese Zucker rat (fp = 0.107 and fp = 0.122, respectively) compared to the lean Zucker rat (fp = 0.140 and fp = 0.174, respectively). Evidence strongly suggests that the increased binding of propranolol was not due to elevations in the serum concentrations of α1-acid glycoprotein (as is the case in the human obese population). Rather, the decreased fp for both diazepam and propranolol was a result of increased lipoprotein partitioning. Strain differences between the lean Zucker rat and lean Sprague–Dawley rat were also evident, with the serum binding of the Sprague–Dawley rat more closely resembling the obese Zucker rat.
Variance of system-reliability estimates with arbitrarily repeated components

A model is developed to determine the variance of system reliability estimates and to estimate confidence intervals for series-parallel systems with arbitrarily repeated components. For these systems, different copies of the same component-type are used several or many times within the system, but only a single reliability estimate is available for each distinct component-type. The single estimate is used everywhere the component appears in the system design, and component estimation-error is then magnified at the system-level. The "system-reliability estimate" variance and confidence intervals are derived when the number of component failures follow the binomial distribution with an unknown, yet estimable, probability of failure. The "system-reliability estimate" variance and confidence intervals are obtained by expressing system reliability as a linear sum of products of higher order moments for component unreliability. The generating function is used to determine the moments of the component-unreliability estimates. This model is preferable for many system reliability estimation problems because it does not require independent component and subsystem reliability estimates; it is demonstrated with an example.
Prediction of birth weight by cotinine levels during pregnancy in a population of black smokers.

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to investigate the association between maternal salivary cotinine levels (SCLs) and pregnancy outcomes among black smokers. METHODS: In a randomized, controlled trial conducted in 2001–2004 in Washington, DC, 714 women (126 active smokers [18%]) were tested for SCLs at the time of recruitment and later in pregnancy. Sociodemographic health risks and pregnancy outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Birth weights were significantly lower for infants born to mothers with baseline SCLs of ≥20 ng/mL in comparison with CONCLUSIONS: Elevated SCLs early in pregnancy or before delivery were associated with reductions in birth weight. At any cutoff level, birth weight reduction was more significant for the same SCL measured in late pregnancy. Maintaining lower levels of smoking for women who are unable to quit may be beneficial.
Pain disability among older adults with arthritis.

Objective: The principal objective was to examine pain disability (the degree to which chronic pain interferes with daily activities) among older adults with arthritis. Specifically, answers to two research questions were sought: (a) Does psychological distress reliably predict pain disability; and (b) do certain theoretically important host, sociodemographic, and health-related factors reliably predict pain disability? Method: Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate regression analyses were employed to assess key psychosocial, disease, and host factors among the sample (N =141) of adults with arthritis, aged [UNKNOWN] 50 years old. Results: The resultant regression model accounted for 63.7% (60.0% adjusted) of the variance and was significant at p < .01. Psychological distress, overall health, disease activity, and disease self-efficacy were found to predict pain disability. Discussion: Sample members with greater pain disability experienced heightened psychological distress, poorer perceptions of thei...
Five-year perspective of the large-scale growth of mammalian cells in suspension culture

The Cell Culture Center at the University of Alabama in Birmingham was set up to produce large quantities of cells and their products from suspension cultured cell lines. This system has now been in operation for over five years and has been effective in producing large quantities of mammalian cells of murine and human origin. This article describes the system and some growth parameters which have been of importance for large-scale mammalian cell growth.
Inheritance, Demographic Structure, and Marriage: a Cross-Cultural Perspective

The purpose of this research is to assess the relationship between inheritance rules and marriage and population structure. Differential mating opportunity is evaluated under conditions of partible and impartible inheritance by contrasting demographic characteristics of maters with those of nonmaters. Age at marriage and characteristics of the family of origin are compared between the populations of St. Barthelemy French West Indies where inheritance is partible and Sanday Orkney Islands Scotland where inheritance is impartible. The authors show that "these factors do not significantly affect mating opportunity where inheritance is partible. In contrast where inheritance is impartible birth order and sibship size have a considerable impact on the probability of marriage for both males and females. Temporal variation in these patterns for cohorts born between 1881 and 1940 is assessed and implications for [population] structure discussed." (EXCERPT)