The effects of ambient benevolent sexism and its implications in the workplace

The purpose of this study was to examine women\u27s reactions to witnessing benevolent sexism (i.e., ambient benevolent sexism). Female participants (n = 59) witnessed another woman being treated with hostile sexism (HS), benevolent sexism (BS), or no sexism and their reactions were examined in respect to a) working memory capacity, b) task-specific self-efficacy, c) mental intrusions of incompetence, and d) negative affect. The study also examined how participants\u27 personal endorsement of BS impacted the relationship between sexism condition and the outcome variables. Results indicate that there were no direct effects of sexism condition on the outcome variables, though there was an interaction between condition and BS endorsement in predicting negative affect. Specifically, participants who witnessed BS, compared to the control condition, reported higher negative affect to the extent that they endorsed BS. No interactions were found for the other three outcome variables. These results suggest that endorsement of BS may cause women to be more vulnerable to the negative emotional impacts of witnessing BS. As such, these results also suggest that interventions to reduce women\u27s endorsement of BS may help women be able to better cope with or protect themselves from the effects of ambient BS --Abstract, page iii

An adaptive controller for enhancing operator performance during teleoperation

An adaptive controller is developed for adjusting robot arm parameters while manipulating payloads of unknown mass and inertia. The controller is tested experimentally in a master/slave configuration where the adaptive slave arm is commanded via human operator inputs from a master. Kinematically similar six-joint master and slave arms are used with the last three joints locked for simplification. After a brief initial adaptation period for the unloaded arm, the slave arm retrieves different size payloads and maneuvers them about the workspace. Comparisons are then drawn with similar tasks where the adaptation is turned off. Several simplifications of the controller dynamics are also addressed and experimentally verified

FUNCTIONAL MATURATION OF THYMIC LYMPHOCYTE POPULATIONS IN VITRO

Mouse thymocytes were cultured for short periods of time either alone or with one of two supporting cell populations, splenic adherent cells or thymic epithelial cells. The thymus-derived (T) cell activity of thymocytes cultured on supporting cell populations increased dramatically during 2 days of culture, as assayed in the mixed lymphocyte interaction (MLI), response to phytomitogens, and helper cell activity in the in vitro antibody response. The level of activity attained was equal to that of spleen and lymph node lymphocytes and greater than that of steroid-resistant thymocytes. The cultured thymocytes had surface antigens characteristic of mature T lymphocytes with regard to θ and H-2. The appearance of functionally active lymphocytes in vitro depended upon cell division. Most of the active cultured cells arose from cells already undergoing maturation, i.e., from cells with reduced θ determinants and increased H-2 determinants. We therefore have generated a population of thymocytes indistinguishable from peripheral T lymphocytes using simple in vitro techniques. The extent to which the production of these active lymphocytes depends upon in vitro differentiation is discussed

Materials for Advanced Turbine Engines

An attempt was made to improve methods for producing powder metallurgy aircraft gas turbine engine parts from the nickel base superalloy known as Rene 95. The parts produced were the high pressure turbine aft shaft for the CF6-50 engine and the stages 5 through 9 compressor disk forgings for the CFM56/F101 engines. A 50% cost reduction was achieved as compared to conventional cast and wrought processing practices. An integrated effort involving several powder producers and a major forging source were included

Colorometric detection of ethylene glycol vapor

Very low concentrations of ethylene glycol in air or other gases are detected by passing a sample through a glass tube with three partitioned compartments containing reagents which successively convert the ethylene glycol vapor into a colored compound

Inhibition of RNA polymerase II transcription in human cells by synthetic DNA-binding ligands

Sequence-specific DNA-binding small molecules that can permeate human cells potentially could regulate transcription of specific genes. Multiple cellular DNA-binding transcription factors are required by HIV type 1 for RNA synthesis. Two pyrrole-imidazole polyamides were designed to bind DNA sequences immediately adjacent to binding sites for the transcription factors Ets-l, lymphoid-enhancer binding factor 1, and TATA-box binding protein. These synthetic ligands specifically inhibit DNA-binding of each transcription factor and HIV type 1 transcription in cell-free assays. When used in combination, the polyamides inhibit virus replication by >99% in isolated human peripheral blood lymphocytes, with no detectable cell toxicity, The ability of small molecules to target predetermined DNA sequences located within RNA polymerase II promoters suggests a general approach for regulation of gene expression, as well as a mechanism for the inhibition of viral replication

ORION: A Small, Full Capability, General Purpose, Low Earth Orbit Satellite Bus

A low cost general purpose satellite bus has been designed to support a wide variety of small scientific and commercial payloads. The design provides a number of launch options, including the new NASA extended Get- Away-Special * (GAS) canister and several small expendable launch vehicles. The satellite is 48 cm. (19 in,) in diameter, 89 cm. (35 in.) high and weighs approximately 123 kg. (270 Ibs.). The satellite bus provides telemetry, attitude control, orbital boost/station keeping, electrical power, microprocessor and data storage for up to 23 kg. (50 Ibs.) of user payload. The satellite. has a hydrazine propulsion system, with up to 123 m/s (2600 ft/s) delta-V capability. On-board propulsion reduces launcher orbital insertion accuracy requirements and allows the satellite to independently achieve 1480 km. (300 nm. } circular or 4070 km, (2200 nm.) elliptic orbits from an initial orbit of 250 km. (135 nm.)

FLOX/methane pump-fed engine study

FLOX and methane rocket propellant for use with modified RL-10-A-1 engin