cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radiation processed PAA composites for endosseous implants

Abstract A new porous polymer-ceramic composite has been developed in this laboratory for use in bone restoration. The alumina-poly (acrylic acid) composite was developed by the polymerization of an aqueous acrylic acid solution in the presence of 0.3μ alumina powder. The polymerization was initiated by exposing the above mixture to gamma radiation at a dose rate of 0.24 Mrad/hr for a total dose of one Mrad. The radiation step was followed by a heat treatment step to drive the excess water out of the system and create the interconnecting porosity necessary for bone ingrowth. The porosity of the PAA-alumina composites was varied from 30–60 vol. % by adjusting the monomer concentration. Mechanical testing indicated ductile behavior with compressive yield strengths of 69 MPa and 125 MPa at 60 and 30 vol. % porosity respectively. The degree of cross-linking of the PAA matrix can be varied to induce different levels of water solubility thereby allowing the equilibrium water absorption to be easily controlled. When the polymer matrix was crosslinked to 60, 80 and 95%, composite swelling in water was 50, 25 and 15 vol. % respectively. Corresponding changes in mechanical properties as a function of crosslink density will also be presented. The ability to control the composite's properties allows a variety of implant applications such as endosseous root implants and ridge augmentation. Preliminary results for endosseous implants in dogs showed material biocompatibility and ease of body fluid diffusion. In addition, a distinct advantage of this material is its ease of fabrication and adaptation to various socket geometries. Implantation experiments are now in progress to determine the long term behavior of the material.
Spatial and Temporal Inter-Relationships between Anomalies of Temperature, Moisture, Cloud Cover, and OLR as Observed by AIRS/AMSU on Aqua

AIRS/AMSU is the advanced IR/MW atmospheric sounding system launched on EOS Aqua in May 2002. Products derived from AIRS/AMSU include surface skin temperature and atmospheric temperature profiles; atmospheric humidity profiles, % cloud cover and cloud top pressure, and OLR. Near real time products, starting with September 2002, have been derived from AIRS/AMSU using the AIRS Science Team Version 5 retrieval algorithm. Results in this paper included products through April 2008. The time period studied is marked by a substantial warming trend of Northern Hemisphere Extropical land surface skin temperatures, as well as pronounced El Nintildeo - La Nintildea episodes. These both influence the spatial and temporal anomaly patterns of atmospheric temperature and moisture profiles, as well as of cloud cover and Clear Sky and All Sky OLR. The relationships between temporal and spatial anomalies of these parameters over this time period, as determined from AIRS/AMSU observations, are shown below, with particular emphasis on which contribute significantly to OLR anomalies in each of the tropics and extra-tropics. The ability to match this data represents a good test of a model's response to El Nintildeo.
Some numerical results on viscous low-density nozzle flows in the slender-channel approximation

Viscous convergent-divergent nozzle flow slender channel approximations, discussing roles of nozzle geometry, Reynolds number and wall temperature, calculating velocity, enthalpy, etc
Ultralinear double pulse doped AlInAs/GaInAs/InP HEMTs

Highly linear InP-based HEMTs have been obtained for the first time by optimising the pulse profile of a double pulse doped AlInAs/GaInAs/InP layer structure. The two-tone measurements performed at f/sub 1/=4.5 GHz and f/sub 2/=4.51 GHz yielded a third-order intercept (IP3) of 31.5 dBm on a 50 /spl mu/m-wide InP HEMT device. The linearity figure of merit (LFOM), defined as IP3/P/sub dc/, was 41.
Registration of ‘Georgia-09B’ Peanut

'Georgia-09B' (Reg. No. CV-110, PI 658595) is a new high-yielding, high-oleic, Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV)-resistant, medium-seeded, runner-type peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. subsp. hypogaea var. hypogaea) cultivar that was released by the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Stations in 2009. It was developed at the University of Georgia, Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton, GA. Georgia-098 originated from the first backcross (BC 1 ) made between 'Georgia Green' and F 2:3 (Georgia Green x GA 942004). Pedigree selection was practiced within the early segregating generations. Performance testing began in the BC 1 F 4:6 generation with the advanced pure-line selection, GA 032902, the experimental designation of Georgia-09B. During three years (2006―2008) averaged over 27 multiple location tests in Georgia, Georgia-09B had significantly less TSWV disease incidence, higher yield and percent total sound mature kernels (TSMK) grade, larger seed size, and greater dollar value return per hectare compared to the check cultivar, Georgia Green. Georgia-09B has also showed significantly higher TSMK percentage and dollar value than 'York', 'AT-3085RO', and 'McCloud' and was found to have a medium runner seed size as compared to the larger high-oleic, runner-type check cultivars, 'Florida-07', AT-3085RO, and McCloud. Georgia-09B combines the excellent roasted flavor of Georgia Green with the high-oleic trait for longer shelf life and improved oil quality of peanut and peanut products.
Estimating household structure in ancient China by using historical data: a latent class analysis of partially missing patterns

Social data often contain missing information. The problem is inevitably severe when analyzing historical data. Conventionally researchers analyse complete records only. Listwise deletion not only reduces the effective sample size but also may result in biased estimation depending on the missingness mechanism. We analyse household types by using population registers from ancient China (618-907 AD) by comparing a simple classification a latent class model of the complete and partially missing data assuming four types of ignorable and non-ignorable missingness mechanisms. The findings show that either a frequency classification or a latent class analysis using the complete records only yielded biased estimates and incorrect conclusions in the presence of partially missing data of a non-ignorable mechanism. Although simply assuming ignorable or non-ignorable missing data produced consistently similarly higher estimates of the proportion of complex households a specification of the relationship between the latent variable and the degree of missingness by a row effect uniform association model helped to capture the missingness mechanism better and improved the model fit. (authors)
Fine structural changes associated with the onset of calcium, sodium and water transport by the chick chorioallantoic membrane.

An attempt is made to correlate structure and transport function in the embryonic chorioallantoic membrane. The fine structure of the endoderm and ectoderm in the membrane was examined with particular attention given to the morphological changes that occur when transport is established,in vivo. Two distinctive cells, a granule-rich cell and a mitochondria-rich cell, appear in the endoderm at the time allantoic fluid sodium, chloride and water reabsorption commences. These are indistinguishable from the cells described in toad bladder epithelium. It is suggested that the granule-rich cell is responsible for bulk water movement and the mitochondria-rich cell is specifically engaged in active sodium transport. In the ectoderm, two distinctive cell types are also found to be associated with the onset of active calcium transport. These are referred to as the capillary-covering cell and the villus-cavity cell. The preponderate capillary-covering cell is most likely responsible for transcellular calcium transport. It is postulated that the function of the villus-cavity cell is to secrete hydrogen ions which are necessary, along with carbonic anhydrase, to mobilize Ca++ from the insoluble calcium carbonate of the eggshell.
The relationship between socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and cigarette smoking in urban adolescents.

Abstract Background. This study examined the relationship between community-level and school-level socioeconomic status indicators and current cigarette smoking among urban adolescents, and examined whether the socioeconomic status-cigarette smoking relationship was similar for African Americans and Whites. Methods. Participants were 3,813 seventh-graders recruited in a large school system in the United States. Independent variables included median income and mean education within zip codes of participants' residence, percentage of participants receiving lunch at reduced or no cost at school level, and ethnicity. The dependent variable was current smoking status (never smoked vs smoking one or more cigarettes per month). Results. Whites were significantly more likely than African Americans to smoke cigarettes. There was a main effect of education and lunch at reduced or no cost on cigarette smoking. Mean education by zip code was inversely associated with cigarette smoking, and lunch at reduced or no cost was directly associated with cigarette smoking. There was a significant interaction between income and ethnicity. Median income by zip code was directly associated with cigarette smoking among African Americans. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that smoking prevention efforts in this population should take both socioeconomic status and ethnicity into account.
Lessons learned while implementing a legislated school policy: body mass index assessments among Arkansas's public school students.

Background: To comprehensively address the childhood and adolescent obesity epidemic, Arkansas enacted Act 1220 of 2003. Among a series of community- and school-based interventions, the Act requires each public school student to have his/her body mass index (BMI) assessed and reported annually to parents. The process of implementing this policy on a statewide level and lessons learned are described in this article. Methods: A confidential, standardized protocol to measure student BMIs and report results to parents was developed. Affordable, reliable, and durable equipment was selected and school personnel who conducted BMI assessments were trained to ensure standardization. To enhance the efficiency and ease of the measurement and reporting process and promote long-term and locally based sustainability, during the first 3 years of implementation, a transition from a paper-based system to a Web-based system was made. Confidential, individualized Child Health Reports have provided students’ parents with information about the health of their children. Results: Participation by schools and students has been high as a result of collaboration between the health and education communities and the students and their families. Childhood obesity has not increased since Act 1220 was passed into law. Conclusions: Parents, schools, school districts, and the state are able to better understand the obesity epidemic and track progress using detailed annual data. Providing a standardized measurement protocol, equipment, and efficient data entry and report generation options has enabled Arkansas to institutionalize the BMI assessment process in public schools.
Ethics and climate change: an introduction

Climate ethics is an emerging field. This paper serves as a critical introductory overview. It focuses on five areas of discussion that are particularly relevant to substantive climate policy: the treatment of scientific uncertainty, responsibility for past emissions, the setting of mitigation targets, and the places of adaptation and geoengineering in the policy portfolio. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Clinical aspects of prolapsed gastric mucosa.

Certain clinical features are suggestive of the diagnosis of proplapsed gastric mucosa, but they are not consistent enough to make the diagnosis without X-ray confirmation. The salient features of the diagnosis in 25 patients are reviewed as follows: (A.) Symptomatology: 1. Dyspepsia (80%) 2. Absence of night pain (59%) 3. Relief by food (100% of those with dyspepsia) 4. Little or no relief by antacids (71%) 5. Vomiting (50%) 6. Gross bleeding (28%) 7. Fairly common association with other organic disease of the gastrointestinal tract (28%). (B.) Sparsity of physical findings. (C.) X-ray findings: 1. Typical deformity of the base of the duodenal bulb. 2. Redundant folds through the pyloric canal. 3. The duodenal bulb is not irritable or “quick.” 4. Increased gastric peristalsis. 5. Lack of gastric dilatation.
Radiocarbon calibration curves, summed probability distributions, and early Paleoindian population trends in North America

Archaeologists increasingly examine summed probability distributions of radiocarbon dates to search for temporal trends in ancient human populations, including early North American population trends across the onset of the Younger Dryas climatic period (10,900 BC). We use both IntCal04 and IntCal09 to simulate and calibrate sequences of radiocarbon dates that represent evenly spaced calendar ages from 12,000 to 9000 BC and use IntCal09 to simulate two different demographic processes across this interval. The shapes of the calibrated summed probability distribution from our first set of simulations mirror many trends that have been interpreted in demographic terms and this shape shows clear links to the shape of the radiocarbon calibration curve. This is true for both IntCal04 and IntCal09, although these different curves produce different probability distributions. The shapes of the calibrated summed probability distribution from our second set of simulations differ somewhat but show virtually identical trends at points where the actual frequencies of calendar dates are very different. We conclude that changing frequencies of radiocarbon dates over time probably do contain demographic information, but that extracting this information is more difficult than archaeologists have acknowledged.
GRANULOCYTE-MACROPHAGE COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR MIMICRY AND RECEPTOR INTERACTIONS

Development of small molecular mimics of larger polypeptide ligands is an important approach to pharmacophore design. One strategy for the development of such mimics is analysis of alternative ligands that bind to the same site as the native ligand. These allow examination of the structural and chemical constraints for binding within the setting of diverse backbone geometries. The use of antireceptor antibodies as alternative ligands has allowed the development of biologically active peptides in several ligand-receptor systems. This technology has been applied to the study of interactions between human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and its receptor (GM-CSFR). GM-CSF is one of a family of signal-transducing cytokines and growth factors characterized by a four-helix bundle core structure. The GM-CSFR is comprised of an alpha-chain (GM-CSFR alpha) specific for GM-CSF, and a beta-chain (beta c) shared with the interleukin-3 and interleukin-5 receptors. At least two sites on GM-CSF have been implicated in the GM-CSF-GM-CSFR alpha/beta c ternary complex. In studies summarized here, synthetic peptide analogs of GM-CSF sequences were designed and used to map neutralizing epitopes. One neutralizing epitope corresponded to the A helix of GM-CSF, and a synthetic analog displayed biological activity as a GM-CSF antagonist in vitro, suggesting interaction with the GM-CSFR alpha/beta c complex. A second peptide comprising the B and C helices was recognized by monoclonal neutralizing antibodies and similarly displayed antagonist activity. Recombinant antibody (rAb) technology was also employed. An expression library of rAbs from mice immunized with neutralizing anti-GM-CSF antibodies was developed and screened with a neutralizing anti-GM-CSF monoclonal antibody. One clone which displayed receptor binding activity exhibited structural similarity with epitopes on GM-CSF previously implicated as interaction sites with the neutralizing monoclonal antibody. A synthetic peptide analog of the rAb inhibited GM-CSF bioactivity. Critical contact residues were predicted on the basis of structural similarity of the rAb peptide and GM-CSF. These studies indicate the feasibility of using rAbs in bioactive peptide design, providing lead compounds and information regarding contact residues for drug design.
Self‐disclosure Experience of People with HIV Infection in Dedicated and Mainstreamed Dental Facilities

Objectives People infected with HIV choose dental care in dedicated or mainstreamed facilities. In this study, people with HIV were asked whether they sought care in dedicated or mainstreamed dental facilities, their reasons for choosing this source of care, their HIV disclosure experiences, and what, if any, consequences the disclosure had on access to dental care. Methods Patients in a dedicated AIDS medical clinic (n = 84) responded to questions in a telephone survey. The sample was predominantly gay, white males with symptomatic HIV infection, from randomly chosen clinic appointments. Results The study found that 67.6 percent of respondents who had seen a dentist since their HIV diagnosis chose mainstreamed dental facilities. The majority of study participants (70%) disclosed their HIV status. Of those subjects who chose disclosure, discrimination was minimal (2.7%). Conclusions Results suggest support for public policy encouraging people with HIV to go to any dentist with whom they feel most comfortable and with whom they will receive the best possible care, regardless of whether the dentist practices in a dedicated or mainstreamed facility.
Radio frequency disinfestation treatments for dried fruit: Dielectric properties

Abstract Phytosanitary/quarantine regulations for many countries require that certain dried fruit be disinfected prior to export; however, current technologies involve the use of toxic chemicals and conventional thermal methods are either undesirable or cause loss of volatile components, browning and texture change. Newer physical methods including dielectric heating have been considered, but information on dielectric properties of dried fruits is lacking. Because the loss factor of insect pests, Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella) and navel orangeworm (Amyelois transitella), is several times (26–36) greater than that of dried fruits, RF treatment in particular has great potential for insect disinfection. In this study, the dielectric properties of raisins, dates, apricots, figs, and prunes with water contents of 15–30.2 g/100 g, were determined between 10 and 1800 MHz over a range of 20–60 °C. The dielectric constant and loss factor of all samples decreased with increasing frequency, but increased with increasing temperature at each frequency. The loss factor of all samples increased with increasing water contents/water activity (0.5–0.7). The penetration depths (dps) of RF energy in all samples decreased with increasing frequency and temperature. The deep dp (28.4–103.7 cm) at 27 MHz indicates the potential for developing continuous and large-scale RF treatments for postharvest insect control in dried fruits.
Comparative effectiveness of an integrated pest management system and an insecticidal perimeter spray for control of smokybrown cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattidae).

Two treatments were compared for effectiveness in reducing abundance of smokybrown cockroaches, Periplaneta fuliginosa (Serville), around bouses; an integrated pest management strategy consisting of sanitation, landscape management, and reduced insecticide usage. and a perimeter insecticide treatment applied according to label directions. Regression of means through time indicated that the integrated pest management treatment lasted ≈60 d, whereas the perimeter treatment lasted only 30 d. The greater duration of control in the integrated pest management treatment was likely the result of decreased abundance of cockroaches outside the spray zone. In the perimeter treatment, cockroach abundance was unaffected outside the spray zone with no reduction in adult abundance in the spray zone except in the week following treatment application. The difference between the integrated pest management and perimeter treatments suggests that reinvasion of cockroaches from peripheral habitats decreases the duration of cockroach suppression. Abundance of 1st instars and small and medium nymphs was reduced for the duration of the experiment by both methods. Sampling procedures did not influence cockroach abundance. Reduction in abundance of cockroaches outside of houses reduced abundance of cockroaches inside houses.
Pulmonary aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity of mice, rats and guinea pigs following long term exposure to mainstream and sidestream cigarette smoke.

Abstract Male, C57BL mice, Sprague-Dawley rats and Hartley guinea pigs were given daily exposure to either mainstream or sidestream whole smoke from University of Kentucky Reference cigarette, 2R1, for 16 weeks. Pulmonary aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity was assayed in lung tissue 9000 g supernatants by measuring the conversion of [ 3 H] benzo [ a ] pyrene to its various metabolites. Both mainstream as well as sidestream smoke exposure increased the pulmonary AHH activity by approximately 3–4-fold over room and sham control rats and mice, but not guinea pigs. The magnitude of AHH induction in sidestream- and mainstream-exposed animals was similar, even though the dose of smoke particulates received by rats and mice in sidestream-exposed groups was significantly less than the amount inhaled by their corresponding mainstream-exposed groups. The data suggest that like mainstream, the sidestream cigarette smoke is also capable of inducing pulmonary AHH in responsive animal species.
Positive Attentional Bias, Attachment Style, and Susceptibility to Peer Influence

Susceptibility to peer influence may be related to activation in reward-related brain regions. The current study extends research on the role of reward sensitivity in peer influence by examining whether preferential attention to positive emotional stimuli predicts behavior in peer interactions, and whether this association is moderated by attachment style in a sample of 36 same-sex peer dyads. Positive attentional bias was associated with lower autonomy and greater avoidance with peers. This association was attenuated among individuals with secure attachment style. Attention to negative stimuli was associated with less avoidant and more hostile behavior during peer interactions. Results suggest that preferential attention to positive emotional stimuli is associated with greater susceptibility to peer influence, particularly in individuals low in secure attachment.
Representation of Assemblies for Automatic Tolerance Chain Generation

A scheme of representing assemblies and an algorithm for the tolerance chain generation are developed so that tolerance chains of assemblies can be generated automatically to accommodate tolerance analysis at the assembly level. In the hierarchical data structure representing an assembly the connectivity information is carried by the instances of components and subassemblies, and the mating relations between each pair of mating entities are described by mating links, mating paths, mating conditions, and mating features. Mating graphs are derived from the mating links before they are searched for the generation of tolerance chains. The scheme has been implemented in a prototype interactive package that allows the user to model assemblies directly without detailed object modeling. Several examples of various complexity have been tested with success.
Interaction of choline and scopolamine in human memory

In a previous study (1), 8 gm. of oral choline given in a single dose were found to partially reverse the amnestic and subjective effects of 0.43 mg of scopolamine. The present study determined whether similar effects could be produced by 14 gm of choline given in 4 divided doses over 24 hrs and whether choline's effects in either study were related to plasma choline concentration. Ten normal subjects were given memory tests on three separate days, once after receiving 14 gm choline and 0.35 mg scopolamine (Ch-Sc), once following placebo and scopolamine (Pl-Sc), and once following placebo and placebo (Pl-Pl). Scopolamine markedly impaired memory performance but there was no difference between the Ch-Sc and Pl-Sc conditions. Plasma choline levels were significantly elevated in the Ch-Sc condition of both the single dose and divided dose studies. There was no difference in levels between studies nor were differences in memory performance correlated with elevations in plasma choline. These results indicate that any enhancement of cholinergic activity due to increased dietary choline is transient and of small magnitude.
Gastrin-releasing peptide suppresses independent but not intraoral intake.

Abstract Independent and intraoral intake tests have been used to separate the effects of various substances on the appetitive and consummatory phases of ingestive behavior. This study compared the ability of gastrin-releasing peptide 1–27 (GRP) to suppress intraoral intake of nutrient solutions versus independent intake of the same solutions from a bottle. In a series of experiments, adult male Sprague–Dawley rats implanted with anterior sublingual chronic intraoral catheters were injected intraperitoneally with saline control or 28 μg/kg GRP before 20-min intraoral and 20-min one-bottle intake tests of a sucrose (0.1 M) and milk solution (1.2 kcal/ml). GRP potently reduced independent intake of both sucrose and milk from a bottle but had no significant effect on intraoral intake of either solution. From these results, we conclude that GRP affects appetitive-related aspects of the feeding process to reduce food intake.
Small size, big risk: preventing neonatal and pediatric medication errors

medication mMedication errors pose a significant risk to all patient populations. However, neonates, infants and children are at particularly high risk for adverse outcomes that may occur after medication errors. Currently, a high level of attention is being given to a reduction in the incidence of medication errors, particularly in the hospital setting. A report by the Institute of Medicine [IOM] (1999) indicated that between 50,000 and 98,000 people die each year in the United States as a result of medical errors, with medication errors being the most common. According to this report, these errors were due primarily to faulty systems, faulty processes and work conditions that led to mistakes or the failure to prevent them. As a result of this landmark report, health care institutions began to closely investigate the exact causes of adverse events, and efforts to minimize medical errors were put into place. Interestingly, there has not been a dramatic decrease in the number of errors over the past 10 years since this report was disseminated. However, with the integration of technology and a change of culture to one in which safety is paramount, an improvement in health care delivery is anticipated. Medication errors are more common in neonates, infants and children than in adults. A study by Bates et al. (1995) revealed a 6.5 percent rate of adverse drug events in the adult inpatient setting. According to Takata, Mason, Takemoto, Logsdon, and Sharek (2008), 11.1 percent of all pediatric patients experience an adverse drug event. Of these, 22 percent were Lisa Broussard, RN, DNS, CNE Small Size, Big Risk
Variable electrophoretic karyotypes of members of Aspergillus Section Flavi

Contour-clamped homogeneous electric field gel electrophoresis was used to establish karyotypes for fungi of Aspergillus Section Flavi. Under identical electrophoretic conditions, five to eight chromosomal bands were separated in Aspergillus flavus isolates and five to seven chromosomal bands in A. parasiticus isolates. Each distinct chromosomal band contained one or more chromosomes. Other members of Aspergillus Section Flavi (A. oryzae, A. sojae, and A. tamarii) had similar karyotypes to those of A. flavus and A. parasiticus. A related species, A. versicolor, showed six chromosomal bands. With the exception of small chromosomes present in some isolates, the estimated sizes of chromosomes for all six species range from approximately 3.0 to ≥7.0 Mb. It is likely that all isolates of these species contain the same number of large (>3 Mb) chromosomes; however, not all of the chromosomal bands could be resolved into separate chromosomes for each isolate due to chromosome length polymorphisms. This variability, observed in A. flavus and A. parasiticus, generated unique chromosomal band patterns within these species. The total genome sizes of these fungi were at least as large as those reported for A. nidulans and A. niger (31–38.5 Mb). Conserved genes were mapped to analogous chromosomes of A. flavus and A. parasiticus by gene hybridization.
An appraisal of measures to prevent and control psoriasis

Prevention in a broad sense refers to limiting the progress of disease at any stage of its course; control refers to reduction in frequency and/or severity of a disease in a population. Measures to prevent and control psoriasis require a knowledge on behalf of both the physician and the patient to recognize genetic and environmental components in the onset and course of the disease. Triggering factors include streptococcal throat infection, injury, drugs, low humidity, and emotional stress. From a study of 102 severely affected psoriasis patients, the "Three-P Concept" for the management of psoriasis has evolved encompassing: (1) prevention of injury, (2) persistence in avoiding overtreatment, and (3) pauses or rest periods in the course of treatment with sedation, emolliation, and humidification. Educating psoriasis patients about their disease and encouraging them to take responsibility for self-care will lessen the morbidity.
Five-Dimensional Quasispin. Exact Solutions of a Pairing Hamiltonian in the J − T Scheme

The matrix elements of a charge-independent pairing Hamiltonian spanning several single-particle states have been expressed in terms of the matrix elements of the infinitesimal operators of ${R}_{5}$, the rotation group in a five-dimensional space. General algebraic expressions for these matrix elements have been calculated for states with reduced isospin $t=0, \frac{1}{2}, \mathrm{and}, 1$, in a scheme in which both nucleon number $N$ and isospin $T$ are good quantum numbers, making it possible to find exact solutions to the charge-independent pairing Hamiltonian for states with individual level seniorities $vl~2$. Exact solutions are compared with perturbation-theory formulas for some simple models. The results indicate that perturbation theory may be used as a guide to an understanding of the charge-independent pairing interaction in its dependence on $N$ and $T$. For relatively strong pairing and fixed $T$, the dependence on nucleon number $N$ is similar to that for configurations of identical nucleons; while for fixed $N$, the $T$ dependence is given mainly by a term of simple $T(T+1)$ form.
Improved activity estimation with MC-JOSEM versus TEW-JOSEM in 111In SPECT

We have previously developed a fast Monte Carlo (MC)-based joint ordered-subset expectation maximization (JOSEM) iterative reconstruction algorithm, MC-JOSEM. A phantom study was performed to compare quantitative imaging performance of MC-JOSEM with that of a triple-energy-window approach (TEW) in which estimated scatter was also included additively within JOSEM, TEW-JOSEM. We acquired high-count projections of a 5.5 cm 3 sphere of In 111 at different locations in the water-filled torso phantom; high-count projections were then obtained with In 111 only in the liver or only in the soft-tissue background compartment, so that we could generate synthetic projections for spheres surrounded by various activity distributions. MCscatter estimates used by MC-JOSEM were computed once after five iterations of TEW-JOSEM. Images of different combinations of liver/background and sphere/background activity concentration ratios were reconstructed by both TEW-JOSEM and MC-JOSEM for 40 iterations. For activity estimation in the sphere, MC-JOSEM always produced better relative bias and relative standard deviation than TEW-JOSEM for each sphere location, iteration number, and activity combination. The average relative bias of activity estimates in the sphere for MC-JOSEM after 40 iterations was − 6.9 % , versus − 15.8 % for TEW-JOSEM, while the average relative standard deviation of the sphere activity estimates was 16.1% for MC-JOSEM, versus 27.4% for TEW-JOSEM. Additionally, the average relative bias of activity concentration estimates in the liver and the background for MC-JOSEM after 40 iterations was − 3.9 % , versus − 12.2 % for TEW-JOSEM, while the average relative standard deviation of these estimates was 2.5% for MC-JOSEM, versus 3.4% for TEW-JOSEM. MC-JOSEM is a promising approach for quantitative activity estimation in In 111 SPECT.
Age-related accumulation of 3-nitrotyrosine and nitro-A2E in human Bruch's membrane

Abstract Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease leading to severe visual loss and legal blindness in the elderly population. The pathophysiology of AMD is complex and may include genetic predispositions, accumulation of lipofuscin and drusen, local inflammation and neovascularization. Recently four independent research groups have identified a commonly inherited variant (Y402H) of the complement factor H gene in the genome from different groups of AMD patients. The Y402H variant of CFH significantly increases the risk of AMD and links the genetics of the disease with inflammation. During inflammation there is activation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and release of nitric oxide, which in principal could lead to non-enzymatic nitration within extracellular deposits and/or intrinsic extracellular matrix protein components of human Bruch's membrane. We have identified two biomarkers for non-enzymatic nitration in aged human Bruch's membrane, indicative of inflammation, that include 3-nitrotyrosine identified in Bruch's membrane preparations and nitrated A2E from the lipid soluble extract of the Bruch's membrane preparation. Approximately 30–40 times more A2E is observed in samples of the organic soluble extract of lipofuscin compared to the extract of Bruch's membrane. It is of interest to note that although A2E is a major constituent of RPE lipofuscin, nitrated A2E could not be detected in RPE extracts. We show here that nitro-A2E is a specific biomarker of nitrosative stress in Bruch's membrane and its concentration correlates directly with tissue age.
Cross‐cutting issues and the consolidation of democracy in Taiwan

This article examines the cause of Taiwan's recent successful democratic consolidation. It argues that cross‐cutting issues in the electoral process allow democratic systems to periodically generate new winners. The prospect of reasonable certainty to win gives different political groups, including previously anti‐system or semi‐loyal groups, incentives to adhere to the democratic rules of the game. This process contributed to the democratic consolidation in Taiwan. More specifically, the non‐mainstream faction of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party, which initially opposed democratization, and the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) which wanted more radical constitutional and political reforms, came to accept the post‐transition democratic regime due to the emergence of new electoral issues. New issues surrounding corruption and socio‐economic reforms allowed both the non‐mainstream faction of the KMT and the DPP to advance their interests through the democratic electoral process.
Placental Transfer of a Substituted Pteridine from Fetus to Mother

In sito near-term sheep placentas transferred triamterene (2,4,7-triamino-6-phenyl-pteridine) from the fetus much more rapidly than to the fetus. This differential transfer effect may significantly influence the distribution of exogenous and endogenous compounds between the maternal and fetal compartments.
Postseismic and interseismic displacements near a strike‐slip fault: A two‐dimensional theory for general linear viscoelastic rheologies

[1] We present an analytic solution for the deformation near an infinite strike-slip fault in an elastic layer overlying a linear viscoelastic half-space. The theory is valid for any linear viscoelastic rheology and any earthquake sequence. This is a generalization of the work of J. C. Savage and colleagues, which only holds for models with a uniform shear modulus, Maxwell viscoelastic lower half-space, and periodic rupture recurrence. We demonstrate the theory for models of an elastic layer over a Maxwell, standard linear solid, Burgers, and triviscous half-space. For each of these models, we calculate example postseismic displacements, interseismic displacements in a periodic earthquake sequence, and interseismic displacements for a nonperiodic earthquake sequence. Our solution is for a simple geometry; however, the model presents an elegant tool to explore the evolution of displacements for relatively complex rheologies and rupture recurrence histories.
A two-dimensional transient model for convection in laser melted pool

A two-dimensional transient model for convective heat transfer and surface tension driven fluid flow is developed. The model describes the transient behavior of the heat transfer process of a stationary band source. Semi-quantitative understanding of scanning is obtained by a coordinate transformation. The non-dimensional forms of the equations are derived and four dimensionless parameters are identified, namely, Peclet number (Pe), Prandtl number (Pr), surface tension number(S), and dimensionless melting temperature(@#@ Tm * @#@). Their governing characteristics and their effects on pool shape, cooling rate, velocity field, and solute redistribution are discussed. A numerical solution is obtained and presented. Quantitative effects of Prandtl number and surface tension number on surface velocity, surface temperature, pool shape, and cooling rate are presented graphically.
Jane Goodall and the Chimpanzees of Gombe: An Analysis of Publications and Their Impact on Teaching Science

Five types of introductory university textbooks (N=37) were analyzed for references and citations pertaining to research on wild chimpanzees. Jane Goodall's publications were cited about three times as often as the publications from field sites other than Gombe and approximately five times more often than other Gombe researchers. Biological anthropology textbooks cited Goodall's work most often, followed by textbooks in general anthropology and cultural anthropology. Psychology and biology textbooks cited Goodall least often. Goodall's most comprehensive work, The Chimpanzees of Gombe: Patterns of Behavior (1986), was the most often cited publication about Gombe's apes, and tool-use was the most cited topic. The number of citations to wild chimpanzees tripled from publications in the 1960s to those in the 1980s, suggesting a growing recognition of primatology in the teaching of science.
Measurement of Citrus Demands When all Variables are Subject to Error

Abstract The hypothesis that consumers use a two-stage procedure to maximize a utility function in which food items are strongly separable from non-food items is combined with prior information about food price correlations to derive statistically manageable demand equations for fresh oranges and frozen orange concentrate. Special attention is given to the problem of measuring demand when all the variables are measured with error. A new statistical method, which yields consistent demand parameter estimates when such errors are present, is used to compute price and income elasticities of demand.
Postnatal effects on some behavioral and neural parameters in mice treated with -2-thienylalanine in utero.

A genetically heterogeneous group of pregnant mice from a fourway outcross of C3H/HeH, CBA/Gr, A/Gr, and C57BL/Gr strains was treated by ip injections of 40, 60, or 70 mg of β-2-thienylalanine on each of days 10, 11, and 12 of gestation. Significant differences in brain and body weights were observed in their progeny at 23 days postnatal when compared with solvent-treated controls. Brain weight of experimental animals was significantly decreased, whereas body weight was significantly increased. Experimental animals had a significantly higher frequency of sound-induced seizures at 23 days than did untreated controls but not significantly higher than solvent-treated controls.
Prior anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction complicating intramedullary nailing of a tibia fracture

As the number of patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions continues to grow, a subpopulation of patients with displaced tibia-fibula fractures will emerge who have had prior anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions. Previous cruciate ligament surgery can complicate the operative treatment of tibia-fibula fractures by intramedullary nailing. Technical complications arise because the tibial tunnel-graft-screw is in the path of insertion of the intramedullary implant. We present a case in which we traced the path of the patellar tendon autograft, adjusted our entry point for the tibial intramedullary canal, and removed the interference screw to facilitate the fracture surgery. This technical note provides an approach to planning intramedullary nailing of the tibia in patients with prior anterior cruciate ligament surgery.
THE EFFECT OF GH AND IGF-I ADMINISTRATION ON GROWTH DURING MATURATION

To evaluate the growth promoting effects of GH and IGF-I in normal animals, we infused vehicle (0.1 M acetic acid), twine GH (3.3 mg/kg/day), or recomhinanl human IGF-I (1,2 mg/kg/day) (n = 5 per group) for 2 weeks via indwelling osmotic minipumps to Fischer 344 male rats, aged 2 (immature) and 8 mo (mature). Regardless of the treatment, all immature rats grew rapidly, gaining approximately 40 g per week. Mature, control and IGF-lrealed rats gained about 10 g/wk; GH-treatcd rats exhibited virtually no growth. Basal serum IGF-I levels had increased by 20% between 2 and 8 mo. Following infusion of IGF-I, the levels increased 24% and 43% in immature and mature rats, respectively, while GH administration resulted in an 8% and 26% decrease in IGF-I levels. The pattern of the IGF binding protein (BP) bands observed using ligand blotting were typical for rodent serum. In mature control animals, BP-3 levels more than doubled and BP-2 levels had tripled compared to immature rats. While IGF-I administration had little effect on BP-3 levels, it tripled BP-2 levels at 2 mo, but suppressed the expected age-related increase. GH administration had little effect on the BPs at either age. In conclusion, during maturation, there was a striking inverse relationship between growth rates, which fell sharply, and IGF BP levels, which rose; serum IGF-I increased only slightly during this period. IGF-I infusion resulted in a differential increase wilh age in total serum IGF-I levels, suggesting that the clearance rate of exogenous IGF-I, and perhaps, its bioavailabilily, may decrease towards the end of the period of rapid growth. If so, then the rise in BP levels may play a rule in the deceleration in growth which occurs during maturation.
Experiments in the measurement of the size of social networks

Abstract This paper reports the results of a series of experiments conducted to measure the effects of alternative procedures for determining the size of social networks. The three methods tested are recall, recognition, and numerical estimation. Respondents were selected from work, church, and social groups. The major findings were that recall estimates are substantially below those obtained by recognition methods and become worse for larger groups. On average, numerical estimates are reasonable approximations of network size estimates based on recognition, but there is substantial variability in the accuracy of individual reports. Surprisingly, there is no evidence that recall is better for reports on number of close friends than of friends or acquaintances. There are order effects on numerical estimates of network size and better estimates are obtained by first asking about close friends. Finally, there is some evidence that respondent characteristics such as age affect recall of network size.
A Nonprostanoid EP4 Receptor Selective Prostaglandin E2 Agonist Restores Bone Mass and Strength in Aged, Ovariectomized Rats

CP432 is a newly discovered, nonprostanoid EP4 receptor selective prostaglandin E2 agonist. CP432 stimulates trabecular and cortical bone formation and restores bone mass and bone strength in aged ovariectomized rats with established osteopenia. Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a newly discovered, nonprostanoid EP4 receptor selective prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) agonist, CP432, could produce bone anabolic effects in aged, ovariectomized (OVX) rats with established osteopenia. Materials and Methods: CP432 at 0.3, 1, or 3 mg/kg/day was given for 6 weeks by subcutaneous injection to 12-month-old rats that had been OVX for 8.5 months. The effects on bone mass, bone formation, bone resorption, and bone strength were determined. Results: Total femoral BMD increased significantly in OVX rats treated with CP432 at all doses. CP432 completely restored trabecular bone volume of the third lumbar vertebral body accompanied with a dose-dependent decrease in osteoclast number and osteoclast surface and a dose-dependent increase in mineralizing surface, mineral apposition rate, and bone formation rate-tissue reference in OVX rats. CP432 at 1 and 3 mg/kg/day significantly increased total tissue area, cortical bone area, and periosteal and endocortical bone formation in the tibial shafts compared with both sham and OVX controls. CP432 at all doses significantly and dose-dependently increased ultimate strength in the fifth lumber vertebral body compared with both sham and OVX controls. At 1 and 3 mg/kg/day, CP432 significantly increased maximal load in a three-point bending test of femoral shaft compared with both sham and OVX controls. Conclusions: CP432 completely restored trabecular and cortical bone mass and strength in established osteopenic, aged OVX rats by stimulating bone formation and inhibiting bone resorption on trabecular and cortical surfaces.