cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complications of temporomandibular joint surgery.

The complications of temporomandibular joint surgery were reviewed in The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics of North America in 1990 [1]. Several reviews of complications and unfavorable outcomes also have been published [2–4] in the last decade. The purpose of this article is to review new contributions to the literature in light of the changing nature of temporomandibular joint surgery. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, in response to the ability to image the internal structures of the joint, there was a trend to address internal derangements, perforations, and other anatomic deviations using open joint surgery. With this trend came the use of alloplastic materials and the subsequent realization of the damage that these materials could produce. Because of the severity of the destructive lesions caused by giant cell foreign body reactions and other postoperative sequelae, there was a move away from open joint procedures to less invasive procedures, such as arthroscopy and arthrocentesis. Open joint surgery remains a necessary part of the armamentarium. A group of patients who have continuing problems as a result of multiple surgical interventions still remains. This article reviews complications of open joint and arthroscopic surgery, with an emphasis on new information that has become available over the last decade and reviews the current knowledge of the multiply operated patient. The available outcome data for all types of temporomandibular joint surgery are discussed. Complications of open temporomandibular joint surgery Complications of open temporomandibular joint surgery previously reviewed [1–4] include fifth and seventh nerve injury, vascular injury, infection, otologic complications, parotid gland injury, cranial fossa perforation, implant failure, malocclusion, degenerative arthritis, adhesions, and ankylosis. These complications are not addressed in this article.
Diffusion properties of transurethral intraprostatic injection

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the location and extent of diffusion that occurs when liquid is injected transurethrally into the prostate gland, by correlating real-time fluoroscopy and gross pathology, and to quantify the variables that influence intraprostatic diffusion during chemoablation of the prostate. MATERIALS AND METHODS A solution of diatrizoate meglumine (Hypaque, Nycomed, Princeton, NJ) gentamicin and methylene-blue dye (HGM) was injected transurethrally into the prostate in six dogs, using a passive-deflection needle injection system. The intraprostatic diffusion characteristics were evaluated during each injection using real-time C-arm fluoroscopy, and following each injection by gross examination of methylene blue staining within the prostatic tissues. HGM back-flow into the urethra at the time of injection was assessed by measuring gentamicin levels in the collected bladder irrigant after each injection, using a standard dilution formula. RESULTS There was variability in the intraprostatic diffusion both fluoroscopically and grossly. The needle occasionally assumed a straighter trajectory than its intended curve. Intraprostatic diffusion was detected in 12 of 36 injections (33%). Using standard manipulations of various devices increased the intraprostatic diffusion in these injections to almost 80%. There was less intraprostatic diffusion when the injection resistance was either extremely high or absent. There was no extraprostatic extravasation of HGM beyond the prostatic capsule. CONCLUSION Current methods of transurethral intraprostatic injection are variable for both the diffusion of HGM solution and in needle deployment. The gross diffusion patterns with the HGM solution were consistent with the diffusion patterns documented in our previous research using absolute ethanol. These and other factors may partly explain the variability of the lesions produced with ethanol injection. Therefore, more research is needed to further elucidate the diffusion characteristics of solutions injected intraprostatically using the transurethral approach.
Effect of municipal sludge on the respiratory activity of a cropland soil

The respiratory activity of a cropland soil which received between 100 and 120 tonnes (dry) of municipal sludge ha−1 annually over a five year period, was examined manometrically. The soil contained an average of 34 mg Cd kg−1. Compared to soil from conventionally managed fields, the biological consumption of gaseous oxygen by sludge-treated soil was four times greater than its untreated conventionally fertilized counterpart. This enhanced level of biological activity was restricted to the surface 25 cm of soil at the disposal site. There was no indication that increased soil cadmium levels had impaired the overall respiratory activity of the sludge treated soil.
Development and characterization of 37 novel EST-SSR markers in Pisum sativum (Fabaceae).

Premise of the study: Simple sequence repeat markers were developed based on expressed sequence tags (EST-SSR) and screened for polymorphism among 23 Pisum sativum individuals to assist development and refinement of pea linkage maps. In particular, the SSR markers were developed to assist in mapping of white mold disease resistance quantitative trait loci. Methods and Results: Primer pairs were designed for 46 SSRs identified in EST contiguous sequences assembled from a 454 pyrosequenced transcriptome of the pea cultivar, ‘LIFTER’. Thirty-seven SSR markers amplified PCR products, of which 11 (30%) SSR markers produced polymorphism in 23 individuals, including parents of recombinant inbred lines, with two to four alleles. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0 to 0.43 and from 0.31 to 0.83, respectively. Conclusions: These EST-SSR markers for pea will be useful for refinement of pea linkage maps, and will likely be useful for comparative mapping of pea and as tools for marker-based pea br...
The effect of CO2 sparging on the flocculation and filtration rate of concentrated hematite slurries

Abstract Filtration of hematite ore slurries can be a bottleneck in some hematite processing plants due to inadequate filtration rates caused by the dispersion of fine particles. Flocculation of fine particles in the slurry decreases the specific cake resistance of the filter cake allowing for increased filtration rates. CO 2 sparging of hematite slurry was shown to increase the filtration rate by altering the pH and the surface chemistry of the particles. It was shown that an increase in filtration rate of 278% can be accomplished by lowering the pH from 11 to 6.5 using CO 2 at a lab scale. This was attributed to increased flocculation of hematite and silica particles in the ore.
Airfoil Geometry and Flow Compressibility Effects on Wing and Blade Flutter

An unsteady, two-dimensional, incompressible potentialow solver and an unsteady, two-dimensional, compressible Euler/Navier-Stokes ow solver are coupled with a two-degree-of-freedom structural model for the time-domain computation of aeroelastic response. Comparisons are made between results from the two ow solvers and with utter boundary predictions of linear theory. Presented results demonstrate similar destabilizing e ects for both increasing airfoil thickness and increasing Mach number. More importantly, it is shown that linear theory yields un-conservative utter-velocity predictions. While linear theory predicts that single-degree-of-freedom (pitching) utter cannot occur except with an unrealistically high sectional moment of inertia, it is shown here that thicker airfoils in compressible ows may easily achieve singledegree-of-freedom utter under realistic conditions.
Some bio-sociological aspects of the mathematical theory of communication

In the first part of the paper a general discussion of the transmission of information through neural chains is given in terms of the Shannon-Weaver theory. It is pointed out that with the all-or-none law a single chain of neurons connected in series transmits one bit of information per signal. A set ofN independent parallel chains transmitsN bits per signal. If, however, the chains are interconnected, the amount of information is reduced. At the same time, however, the degree of coordination of the final neuromuscular reaction is increased. A relation between the maximum possible speed of a reaction and its degree of coordination is derived, and possible applications to spoken language are suggested. A general quantitative discussion of the relation between amount of information and amount of knowledge which an individual may obtain when confronted with the external world is made and a possible connection with new trends in logical thinking is pointed out. In the second part transmission of information through “social chains” is discussed under certain special assumptions. An expression for the “social channel noise” in terms of the length of the channel is derived. Finally an expression is given for the amount of information transmitted from one individual to another in a social group of uniform density as a function of the physical distance between the two individuals.
Endonuclease-sensitive sites in the DNA of irradiated bacteria: a rapid and sensitive assay.

Abstract The endonucleolytic activity from an extract of Micrococcus luteus is used to detect small amounts of damage in the DNA of bacteria exposed to ultraviolet light or γ rays. The extract is added directly to a lysate of the bacteria, and after a short period of incubation a sample of the bacterial DNA is assayed for endonuclease-sensitive sites by sedimentation through alkaline sucrose gradients. As few as one or two sites per 10 8 daltons of DNA can be detected by this method.
Longitudinal collective motion in intermediate-energy heavy-ion collisions

Abstract Light charged fragments from the reactions 40 Ar + 51 V at 35 MeV/nucleon and 12 C + 12 C at 50 MeV/nucleon have been measured with the MSU 4π Array. The longitudinal component of the directed collective motion is extracted from both data sets. This component is observed for p, d, t, He and Li fragments and apparently decreases in strength for the two heaviest fragments, in contrast to the transverse component which has been found to increase with fragment mass. At least part of the decrease in the strength of the longitudinal component for heavier fragments is due to the low-energy thresholds of the detectors.
A Simplified System of Equations for Simulation of Tropical Cyclones

Abstract A simplified system of equations which can simulate the development and mature stages of tropical cyclones is presented. The model is similar to that presented by Ooyama, except that the assumption of incompressible fluid layers is relaxed. Instead, the governing equations for a compressible fluid in isentropic coordinates are discretized vertically by considering three fluid layers with constant potential temperature. This makes the inclusion of thermodynamic processes more straightforward. The governing equations in the adiabatic case are mathematically equivalent to the equations used by Ooyama, except with an extra term in the pressure gradient force. The model equations are solved using a spectral method where the basis functions are the normal modes of the linearized equations. Numerical simulations show that the model sensitivity to vertical stability, sea surface temperature and midlevel moisture are similar to results from more general models. The sensitivity to these factors can be expl...
Designing Videoconference Facilities for Improved Eye Contact.

The satisfaction of participants with videoconferencing as a medium for conducting meetings, and satisfaction with the outcome of a decision reached via videoconferencing were compared as a function of the degree of eye contact permitted by different videoconference facility designs. Improved eye contact was related positively to the participants’ satisfaction with the medium, but not to the decision outcome. These results, and the potential contribution of communication research for technological design, were discussed.
Effect of Nitric Oxide on the Radiosensitivity of Bacteria

OXYGEN is known to increase the effectiveness of X-rays in killing bacteria1,2 and cells from many other organisms3 by a factor of 2 or 3. There have been numerous reports of substances which protect against the effects of irradiation under aerobic conditions4, but there does not appear to be any report of a substance which, in complete anoxia, raises the radiosensitivity of bacteria to the level normally associated with full aeration. Before giving the evidence which suggests that nitric oxide may be such a substance, we may consider the factors which first directed attention to this gas.
Complete Avulsion of the Proximal Hamstring Insertion: Functional Outcomes After Nonsurgical Treatment

Background: Complete proximal hamstring avulsions are an uncommon injury. The purpose of this study was to determine the functional and subjective outcomes following nonsurgical management of complete proximal hamstring avulsions. Methods: We retrospectively identified nineteen patients (mean age, fifty-nine years; range, forty-four to seventy-three years) at one institution who presented with complete avulsions of the proximal hamstring insertion, confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging, and had nonsurgical treatment. Results on the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) and Short Form-12 version 2 (SF-12v2) questionnaires as well as functional and isometric testing (with a handheld dynamometer) were collected. Seventeen patients completed the questionnaires. Ten patients underwent functional testing. The average follow-up period was thirty-one months (range, eight to 156 months). Results: The mean score on the LEFS was 70.2 of a maximum of 80 points. The mean SF-12v2 physical and mental component summary scores were 52.5 and 54.1, respectively. Hamstring strength at 45° and 90° of flexion was an average of 62% (p = 0.09) and 66% (p = 0.07), respectively, of that of the uninvolved limb. The single-leg hop test revealed an average decline of 2.2% (p = 0.93) compared with the uninvolved limb. Twelve of the seventeen patients were able to return to their previous sporting activities. Conclusions: Nonsurgical management after a complete proximal hamstring avulsion yields noticeable subjective and strength deficits. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Prognosis and patterns of care in elderly patients with glioma

BACKGROUND: The current study was conducted to evaluate the patterns of care and survival of older adults with oligodendroglioma (OLI) and astrocytoma (AST) from a large population-based registry. METHODS: The authors identified a cohort of OLI and AST patients aged ≥65 years from Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) cancer registry data linked with Medicare claims between 1994 and 2002. Patients with a diagnosis of glioblastoma were excluded. The impact of demographic characteristics and comorbidities on the probability of undergoing surgical resection, radiotherapy (RT), and chemotherapy within 6 months of diagnosis was assessed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 1067 patients (891 with AST and 176 with OLI) were included; the median survival was 9 months for patients with low-grade AST, 4 months for patients with anaplastic AST, 57 months for patients with low-grade OLI, and 9 months for patients with anaplastic OLI. Approximately 54% of patients underwent resection at the time of diagnosis; 66% received RT, and 13% received chemotherapy within 6 months of diagnosis. In a multivariate regression analysis, age and tumor grade were found to be the most significant predictors of resection, RT, or chemotherapy. Patients with anaplastic tumors were treated with resection, RT, and chemotherapy more often than patients with low-grade tumors, and OLI patients received chemotherapy more frequently than AST. CONCLUSIONS: Data from the current study suggested that histologic diagnosis and tumor grade retained significant prognostic value in this elderly AST and OLI population. Furthermore, age and tumor grade were found to influence the probability of undergoing surgery, RT, and chemotherapy in this cohort. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Surface chemistry changes of weathered HDPE/wood-flour composites studied by XPS and FTIR spectroscopy ☆

Abstract The use of wood-derived fillers by the thermoplastic industry has been growing, fueled in part by the use of wood-fiber–thermoplastic composites by the construction industry. As a result, the durability of wood-fiber–thermoplastic composites after ultraviolet exposure has become a concern. Samples of 100% high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and HDPE filled with 50% wood-flour (WF) were weathered in a xenon arc-type accelerated weathering apparatus for 2000 h. Changes in surface chemistry were studied using spectroscopic techniques. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to verify the occurrence of surface oxidation. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to monitor the development of degradation products, such as carbonyl groups and vinyl groups, and to determine changes in HDPE crystallinity. The results indicate that surface oxidation occurred immediately after exposure for both the neat HDPE and WF/HDPE composites; the surface of the WF/HDPE composites was oxidized to a greater extent than that of the neat HDPE. This suggests that the addition of WF to the HDPE matrix results in more weather-related damage. The results also show that while neat HDPE may undergo crosslinking in the initial stages of accelerated weathering, WF may physically hinder the ability of HDPE to crosslink, resulting in the potential for HDPE chain scission to dominate in the initial weathering stage.
Lesbian Mothers and Their Children: The Third Wave

Research regarding lesbian mothers and their children has gone through a transformation in the last forty years. The first wave of research examined lesbians who had become parents while in heterosexual relationships. The second wave examined women who became parents within the context of lesbian relationships. Both of these waves focused on family functioning and child outcome, using heterosexual-headed families as comparison groups. The third wave of research, which is now underway, is focusing on the unique challenges faced by these families, and how lesbian mothers are creating and raising their families on their own terms. This article explores the research as it has evolved over the years and the direction in which it is headed.
Turbulent bursts, spots and slugs in a generalized Ginzburg-Landau equation

Abstract The time-dependent generalized Ginzburg-Landau equation is generalized by adding a higher-order nonlinearity and by allowing the coefficients to be a function of space. With the addition of external noise, this equation exhibits turbulent bursts, spots and slugs similar to those observed in many open-flow fluid systems. The external noise plays an important role in the spatio-temporal intermittency that is observed. Ideas presented in this paper provide a conceptual framework in which to better understand behaviour occuring in pipe flow and other open-flow systems. A few experiments to support some of these ideas and a mechanism for slug production in pipe flow are suggested.
Vagotomy attenuates effects of l-glucose but not of d-glucose on spontaneous alternation performance

Abstract Two peripheral signaling routes have been proposed to account for the ability of peripheral substances such as glucose to modulate memory processing in the brain. One possible signaling route is by crossing the blood–brain barrier to act directly on brain. A second route involves activation of peripheral nerves with resulting changes in neural activity carried by peripheral nerves to the brain. Because the vagus nerve is a major neural pathway between the periphery and brain, peripherally acting modulators of memory modulators may act via vagal afferents to the brain to enhance memory processing. In the present experiments, systemic injections of either d -glucose or l -glucose, a metabolically inactive enantiomer, facilitated performance of rats on a four-arm alternation task, but at very different doses ( d -glucose, 250 mg/kg; l -glucose, 3000 mg/kg). The enhanced performance seen with l -glucose, but not that seen with d -glucose, was attenuated by vagotomy. These findings suggest that the mechanisms by which these enantiomers act to enhance memory are quite different, with l -glucose acting via vagal afferents but d -glucose acting by other means, including direct modulation of central nervous system (CNS) processes by d -glucose.
Massive Open Online Librarianship: Emerging Practices in Response to MOOCs

Massive Open Online Courses, or MOOCs, have recently emerged as a disruptive pedagogy gaining rapid momentum in higher education. In some states, proposed legislations would accredit MOOCs to provide college-credit courses in the name of cost saving, efficiency and access. While debates rage regarding the place of MOOCs in higher education, some librarians are already tasked with supporting student learning within this untried context. Challenges faced by librarians seeking to support MOOCs span all traditional academic librarian roles: instruction, reference and collection development. To successfully serve these new communities of learners, librarians must apply existing best practices established by distance learning librarians as well as develop new skills and approaches. This paper offers a brief introduction to the current state of MOOCs in higher education, explores the needs of MOOC students and discusses possible best practices to be adapted and adopted as librarians prepare to serve this emergin...
Effects of quantum deformations on the spectrum of cosmological perturbations

We consider a quantum deformation of the wave equation on a cosmological background as a toy model for possible trans-Planckian effects. We compute the power spectrum of scalar and tensor fluctuations for power-law inflation, and find a noticeable deviation from the standard result. We consider de Sitter inflation as a special case, and find that the resulting power spectrum is scale invariant. For both inflationary scenarios the departure from the standard spectrum is sensitive to the size of the deformation parameter. A modulation in the power spectrum appears to be a generic feature of the model.
Metabolic changes during medical treatment of endometriosis: Nafarelin acetate versus danazol

In this double-blind study of changes in plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations during 6-month medical treatment of endometriosis, 53 patients were randomly assigned to one of four treatment schedules: danazol, 800 mg/day (n = 10); danazol, 600 mg/day (n = 8); intranasal nafarelin acetate, 800 Wg/day (n = 10); or intranasal nafarelin acetate, 400 wg/day (n = 25). Plasma levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol fractions were obtained before,'during, and 1 month after treatment. High-density lipoprotein2 and high-density lipoprotein, cholesterol concentrations were measured in selected patients. Body weight was also followed. The drugs were equally effective in achieving symptomatic relief and laparoscopically demonstrated resolution of endometriosis but differed significantly in their effects on lipid concentrations. Nafarelin acetate had no adverse effects on serum lipoprotein concentrations, whereas danazol significantly decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p
The contribution of sociology to biodiversity research and management

Abstract As the loss of biodiversity is a serious ecological problem, biodiversity research and management are important components of current conservation biology. This paper describes how sociology can contribute to biodiversity research and management. Biodiversity is, like all scientific and environmental issues, partially a socially constructed problem. Case study and comparative multinational data suggest that the causes of biodiversity decline are largely socio-economic, and solutions will require interdisciplinary approaches. Sociology can make several contributions to biodiversity research and management, including (1) a better understanding and management of habitat change; (2) improved research and decision-making methodologies; (3) development of a theoretical synthesis; and (4) analysis of the social organization of conservation and conservation biology.
The Infrared Analysis of Polyethylene Terephthalate Fibers and of Their Strength as Related to Sample Preparation and to Particle Size

An explanation is presented for the broadening of intense spectral features observed in the infrared spectra of polyethylene terephthalate fibers prepared as KBr pellets. Since band broadening occurs in the spectra of stronger, undegraded fiber, it is proposed that, the stronger the fiber, the more the difficulty one has in pulverizing the sample. Larger particles result from undegraded polyester, which lead to broader bands for intense features. The local sample pathlength in the region of the large particles is greater than that for small particles, which can be more homogeneously mixed. Fiber samples can also be presented to an infrared microscope either "as is" or flattened. Striking differences exist between spectra for flattened and round fibers that were otherwise similar.
THE EFFECTS OF SPRUE DESIGN ON THE ROUGHNESS AND POROSITY OF TITANIUM CASTINGS

Abstract Purpose. This study measured the effects of the sprue number and position on the roughness and porosity of cast titanium crowns. Material and methods. Twenty-four complete veneer crown wax patterns were fabricated on a stainless steel die with a 30-degree bevel finish line. Twelve wax patterns were sprued with one 8-gauge wax sprue and the remaining 12 were double sprued. All patterns were invested with a phosphate bonded investment. Castings were made with a titanium casting, according to the manufacturer's instructions, with commercially pure titanium (> 99.5%) ingots. The castings were carefully cleaned and the surface roughness was measured with a profilometer. The specimens were then embedded and sectioned. Internal porosities were quantified with photographs by computerized image analysis. Data were analyzed with an ANOVA and the Student's t test with a confidence level of 95%. Results. The roughness value of the occlusal third of the crowns for the single sprue group (Ra = 3.0 ± 0.9 μm) was significantly higher than other measurements ( p 2 ) and the double sprue group (0.2 ± 0.2 mm 2 ) ( p Conclusions. Improvements in the degree of roughness and porosity of titanium crown castings were the result of the double sprue design. (J Prosthet Dent 1997;78:400-4.)
PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT OF ADOLESCENTS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE JUNIOR SELF-MONITORING SCALE

The factor structure and reliability of Graziano, Musser, Leone, and Lautenschlager's 1987 Junior Self-monitoring Scale was examined using the responses of 1279 students in Grades 6 to 9. Analyses suggested that the scale contains two main factors which represent Concern for Social Appropriateness and Ability to Modify Self-presentation. We suggest using a 20-item version of the scale (rather than the original 24-item version) to provide increased reliability and that the scale may be more appropriate than the Adolescent Self-monitoring Scale by Pledger for use with younger children because it is easier to read and has abundant situational cues.
Structural architecture of an outer membrane channel as determined by electron crystallography.

PORINS are a family of membrane channels commonly found in the outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria where they serve as diffusional pathways for waste products, nutrients and anti-biotics, and can also be receptors for bacteriophages1,2. Porin channels have been shown in vitro to be voltage-gated3–6. They can exhibit slight selectivities for certain solutes; for example PhoE porin has some selectivity for anionic and phosphate-containing compounds1,7. Unlike many known membrane proteins which often contain long stretches of hydrophobic segments that are believed to traverse the membrane in a helical conformation, porins are found to have charged residues distributed almost uniformly along their primary sequences and have most of their secondary structure in a β-sheet conformation8–10. We have made crystalline patches of PhoE porin embedded in a lipid bilayer and have used these to determine the structure of PhoE porin by electron crystallography to a resolution of 6A. The basic structure consists of a trimer of elliptically shaped, cylindrical walls of β sheet. Each cylinder has an inner lining, formed by parts of the polypeptide, that defines the channel size. The structure provides a clue as to how deletions of segments of polypeptide, which are found in certain mutants, can result in an actual increase in the channel size.
Group Ability Test versus Teachers' Ratings for Predicting Achievement

Summary.-Standardized group tests of ability are sometimes considered biased when group means are unequal. A more accurate measure of bias is fairness in prediction. To assess whether a group ability test predicted achievement fairly, the association of the Verbal Ability score of the Cognitive Abilities Test and the Composite score of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills was examined for four ethnic groups. The relationship between 25 teachers' ratings of students' ability and the same achievement measure was also examined for bias. Subjects were 403 thdgraders (38 Asian-American, 84 African-American, 60 Hispanic, and 221 Caucasian). Multiple regression analyses showed the relationship between scores on the Cognitive Abilities Test and achiwement was equivalent for all groups; howwer, teachers' ratings showed bias against Caucasian and Asian-American students by underprediccing their achievement scores. Test bias and fairness to minorities are important issues in educational testing and evaluation. With increasing enrollment of minority students and demand for accountability, evaluation of test bias has become crucial. A test accepted by all as unbiased has been an elusive goal in education. The issue of test bias has sometimes been decided through litigation (Reynolds & Kaiser, 1990). Generally, test bias has been simplisticdy defined by the courts as mean differences between groups (e.g., Larry l? vs Mes, 1979), a definition which has been summarily dismissed by psychometricians (Jensen, 1980). Many technical definitions of test bias exist. The most widely accepted of the technical models (and the only one legally endorsed through federal litigation) is equal predictive validity for d groups on a relevant criterion (Hunter, Schmidt, & Rauschenberger, 1984; Jensen, 1980). If tests are not equally valid for majority and minority groups, their use may be considered biased. A primary function of an ability test is to predict performance in a school setting, so school achievement is a useful criterion. The question of bias concerns whether the relationship between scores on an ability and an achievement test is the same for all groups. In other words, a high score on the predictor (ability) should indicate a high score on the criterion (achievement) regardless of group membership.
Monitoring the Kinetics of Ion-Dependent Protein Folding by Time-Resolved NMR Spectroscopy at Atomic Resolution

The kinetics of protein refolding have been monitored by time-resolved NMR spectroscopy. It is shown that refolding of metal binding proteins can be induced by photolysis of photo labile ion chelators, the subsequent release of Ca2+ ions can induce protein folding, and the changes in resonance positions can be monitored by time-resolved NMR spectroscopy. The feasibility of the approach is demonstrated by characterizing the refolding of α-lactalbumin, or protein containing a Ca2+ binding site, unfolded in 4 M urea at pH 7 in the absence of Ca2+. The refolding kinetics of the methyl groups of residues Leu15 and Val21 in the core of the protein have been determined to be mono-exponential with rates of 0.28 s-1 and 0.23 s-1, respectively at 300 K.
US NRC research on the integrity of piping in light water reactors

Abstract The paper describes the activities underway in NRC on the subject of LWR piping integrity as of the summer and fall of 1983. The paper is necessarily vague on certain topics of policy because they are either under review or are under development. Particularly in the area of BWR pipe cracking, events are very rapid so that positions and actions described in this paper may well be obsolete by the time it is published. Nevertheless, this paper is useful to show the intentions of NRC in the area of research for LWR piping, and it is also useful to document the status of the regulations on piping for which the research is being performed.
The feasibility of altering the immunogenicity of grafts.

Most attempts to prolong the survival of allografts have involved treatment of the host to impair its capacity to reject them. Early uncritical attempts to treat the graft rather than the host were received with skepticism because of the prevailing belief that the alloantigens on cell surfaces are immutable. However, over the past decade unequivocal evidence has accumulated that the immunogenicity of allografts is susceptible to alteration. Short-term maintenance in vitro of malignant and normal tissue grafts, such as those of the ovary and thyroid. weakens their susceptibility to rejection. Various agents have been identified which, when applied to tissues or organs in vitro, have a similar effect. Soaking skin in media containing steroids, urethane, thalidomide, antilymphocyte globulin (ALG), and specific alloantibody is also effective. X-irradiation and perfusion of allogeneic dog kidneys with solutions of concanavalin A or of nucleic acid prepared from the future donor or even from indifferent donors or microorganisms lead to extended survival. There is also equivocal evidence that soaking mouse skin grafts in RNA prepared from unrelated donors causes them to be treated as allogeneic by syngeneic recipients. Skin from animals suffering from certain diseases displays altered immunogenicity. Skin from mice suffering from virus-induced leukemia or lymphocytic choriomeningitis is frequently rejected by syngeneic recipients. By contrast, skin allografts from some cancer patients and from mice bearing certain tumors give evidence of prolonged survival as do grafts from uremic mice. Some treatments of prospective donors, including cytotoxic drugs, ALG, specific alloantisera, hypoxia, and experimentally produced uremia, also extend the lives of allografts.
Mammal disparity decreases during the Cretaceous angiosperm radiation

Fossil discoveries over the past 30 years have radically transformed traditional views of Mesozoic mammal evolution. In addition, recent research provides a more detailed account of the Cretaceous diversification of flowering plants. Here, we examine patterns of morphological disparity and functional morphology associated with diet in early mammals. Two analyses were performed: (i) an examination of diversity based on functional dental type rather than higher-level taxonomy, and (ii) a morphometric analysis of jaws, which made use of modern analogues, to assess changes in mammalian morphological and dietary disparity. Results demonstrate a decline in diversity of molar types during the mid-Cretaceous as abundances of triconodonts, symmetrodonts, docodonts and eupantotherians diminished. Multituberculates experience a turnover in functional molar types during the mid-Cretaceous and a shift towards plant-dominated diets during the late Late Cretaceous. Although therians undergo a taxonomic expansion coinciding with the angiosperm radiation, they display small body sizes and a low level of morphological disparity, suggesting an evolutionary shift favouring small insectivores. It is concluded that during the mid-Cretaceous, the period of rapid angiosperm radiation, mammals experienced both a decrease in morphological disparity and a functional shift in dietary morphology that were probably related to changing ecosystems.
Protein Folding Pathways and Kinetics: Molecular Dynamics Simulations of β-Strand Motifs

The folding pathways and the kinetic properties for three different types of off-lattice four-strand antiparallel beta-strand protein models interacting via a hybrid Go-type potential have been investigated using discontinuous molecular dynamics simulations. The kinetic study of protein folding was conducted by temperature quenching from a denatured or random coil state to a native state. The progress parameters used in the kinetic study include the squared radius of gyration R(2)(g), the fraction of native contacts within the protein as a whole Q, and between specific strands Q(ab). In the time series of folding, the denatured proteins undergo a conformational change toward the native state. The model proteins exhibit a variety of kinetic folding pathways that include a fast-track folding pathway without passing through an intermediate and multiple pathways with trapping into more than one intermediate. The kinetic folding behavior of the beta-strand proteins strongly depends on the native-state geometry of the model proteins and the size of the bias gap g, an artificial measure of a model protein's preference for its native state.
Informational Party Primaries and Strategic Ambiguity

While scholars have thoroughly explored the logic of two candidate electoral competition, much less has been accomplished in gaining an understanding of the role of party primaries. This paper presents an incomplete information model of primary and general elections and argues that party primaries do more than select party candidates. Party primaries serve an informational function. In an environment where candidates are uncertain about the preferences of voters, selection of desirable policy platforms is a risky, if not difficult, undertaking. Primary elections offer voters an early opportunity to signal their preferences to candidates. Before primary elections, the candidates, aware that information about voter preferences is forthcoming, have an incentive to remain ambiguous about their policy platforms. Early commitment makes them vulnerable to better informed candidates that they might face in the general election. The fully revealing equilibrium of the game yields a joint explanation of the role of party primaries and candidate ambiguity. Primaries aggregate information about voter preferences and candidate ambiguity has an option value.
Understanding Process From Within: An Argument for ‘Withness’-Thinking

If our task is simply that of theorizing process, then there are many brilliant writers and thinkers in the recent past to turn to. But as I see it, these writers are mostly oriented toward helping us think about process ‘from the outside’, about processes that we merely observe as happening ‘over there’. But if we are to rethink appropriate styles of empirical research, then we need a different form of engaged, responsive thinking, acting, and talking, that allows us to affect the flow of processes from within our living involvement with them. Crucially, this kind of responsive understanding only becomes available to us in our relations with living forms when we enter into dialogically structured relations with them. It remains utterly unavailable to us as external observers. I will call this kind of thinking, ‘thinking-from-within’ or ‘withness-thinking’, to contrast it with the ‘aboutness-thinking’ that is more familiar to us. What we can gain in our understandings-from-within, is a subsidiary awarenes...
Moderators of Sex Bias in the Performance Appraisal Process: A Cognitive Analysis

The present study was designed to analyze cognitive characteristics and situational moderators associated with sex bias in performance appraisal. The results of this study suggest that sex bias does not emerge as an influential factor during rater recall. Ratees performing in sex-incongruent occupations were found to receive deflated ratings in situations where their gender was not distinct within the group of ratees to be evaluated. Interpretations, limitations, implications, and directions for future research are discussed.
Prognostics using Kalman-Filter models and metrics for risk assessment in BGAs under shock and vibration loads

Structural damage to BGA interconnects incurred during vibration testing has been monitored in the pre-failure space using resistance spectroscopy based state space vectors, rate of change of the state variable, and acceleration of the state variable. The technique is intended for condition monitoring in high reliability applications where the knowledge of impending failure is critical and the risks in terms of loss-of-functionality are too high to bear. Future state of the system has been estimated based on a second order Kalman Filter model and a Bayesian Framework. The measured state variable has been related to the underlying interconnect damage in the form of inelastic strain energy density. Performance of the prognostication health management algorithm during the vibration test has been quantified using performance evaluation metrics. The methodology has been demonstrated on leadfree area-array electronic assemblies subjected to vibration. Model predictions have been correlated with experimental data. The presented approach is applicable to functional systems where corner interconnects in area-array packages may be often redundant. Prognostic metrics including α-λ metric, sample standard deviation, mean square error, mean absolute percentage error, average bias, relative accuracy, and cumulative relative accuracy have been used to assess the performance of the damage proxies. The presented approach enables the estimation of residual life based on level of risk averseness.
Preparing Performance Technologists: The Role of Universities Originally published in 1995, PIQ 8.4

It has been several years since the concept of performance technology was introduced in the literature. This article describes how the Instructional Systems program at Florida State University has responded to the changes that are required to expand its orientation from instructional technology to performance technology. Gradual changes in several existing courses and the implementation of two new courses in performance systems analysis and electronic performance support systems are described. In the new courses, students interact with clients to determine needs, examine processes, design solutions, and determine returns on investments. Consideration is also given in the article to ways other universities might respond to the changes in the direction of the field.
Transparency of pair-correlated, random distributions of small scatterers, with applications to the cornea*

We consider transmission through pair-correlated random distributions of lossless dielectric (globular, cylindrical, or plate-like) scatterers with length parameter a and average spacing small compared to wavelength. Each optical particle is centered in a tough adherent transparent coating whose outer surface (sphere, cylinder, or slab) has radius b ≥ a. The corresponding attenuation coefficients β∝Wm involve an integral of the appropriate radial-distribution function. Using the scaled-particle equations of state and statistical-mechanics theorems, we evaluate Wm explicitly as a rational function of the volume fraction w of the fluid of rigid b particles. We obtain βm=β0Wm with β0 as the uncorrelated value; W3(w) for spheres decreases more rapidly with increasing w than W2 for cylinders, and W2 decreases faster than W1, the result for slabs. We apply the results for cylinders in terms of W2 to the problem of the transparency of the cornea (whose collagen fibers are the scatterers), as posed by Maurice. The value w ≈ 0.6 gives good accord with the essentials of the data for the transparency of the normal cornea, and the opacity that results from swelling is accounted for by corresponding smaller values of w. Thus, the normal cornea is modeled as a very densely packed two-dimensional gas, with gas-particle (mechanical) radius about 60% greater than the fiber (optical) radius.
Thinking the Unthinkable in Public Administration: A Case for Spoils in the Federal Bureaucracy

This article argues for ending tenure in the federal civil service. Arguments for tenure, and by extension against the old spoils system, are lacking. Even in the 19th century, relatively few feder...
Reforming WTO Dispute Settlement

The dispute settlement system of the World Trade Organization (WTO) was one of the most important achievements of the Uruguay Round. Since the birth of the WTO over nine years ago on January 1, 1995, the dispute settlement system, as established by the Dispute Settlement Understanding, or DSU - has played a particularly important role in the world trading system. While the system has been praised by many, some of the specific cases that the system has dealt with have been quite controversial. One consequence has been that there has been considerable interest in modifying a number of the DSU's procedural rules, and WTO Members have spent much time discussing DSU reforms for most of the last six years. This paper outlines the history of DSU reform, examines the amendments that were proposed by the Chairman of the reform process in May 2003, and discusses a number of major reform proposals that he did not put forward. It concludes that the Chairman's proposals were relatively modest, dealing with such issues as sequencing of implementation procedures, remands and third party rights. Among the significant proposals that were not included in the Chairman's text, but which are discussed in the paper, are proposals for the shortening of time frames, the European Community's permanent panel body proposal, various proposals on transparency and amicus briefs, the Chile/US proposals on party control, the Mexican proposals on remedies and various proposals relating to special and differential treatment for developing countries.
Prolonged hypoxia alters endothelial barrier function

Abstract Background: It is well recognized that hypoxia/reoxygenation and exposure to inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and neutrophils alter the barrier function of the vascular endothelium. The experiments we conducted tested whether hypoxia alone could produce changes in permeability and whether a prolonged period of hypoxia alters the surface expression of cell adhesion molecules. Methods: Endothelial cells were cultured from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Hypoxia was created by isolating the cells in a chamber through which 1% O 2 , 5% CO 2 , and 94% N 2 were insufflated (30 min at 1 L/min). Oxygen tension was measured through oxygen-quenching phosphorescence. Hypoxia was maintained for 24 hours. Changes in endothelial permeability were measured by transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER). Endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (ELAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) expression were assessed by flow cytometry (mean ± standard error of the mean [SEM]). Results: Exposure of endothelial cells to hypoxia resulted in increased permeability between 6 and 24 hours, with the greatest decrease in TEER at 18 hours (63% ± 3%; P Conclusions: Hypoxia alone produced a significant reversible alteration in endothelial permeability. However, this change was observed only under severe hypoxic conditions (eg, below 20 mm Hg); higher oxygen tensions (25 and 35 mm Hg) had no significant effect. Unlike observations made after cytokine exposure, hypoxic breakdown of endothelial barrier function was unassociated with up-regulation of either ELAM-1 or ICAM-1. (Surgery 1998;124:491-7.)