cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Labor market behavior of older men

Abstract A three-way qualitative choice model is employed to evaluate the response of men aged 62-64 to changes in expected income flows in alternative work and public transfer program options. In the United States, workers in this age group have three available options: working, accepting public early-retirement benefits and private pensions, or seeking and accepting public disability benefits. We estimate the change in response to two income flows: expected nontransfer (largely, labor market) income and expected transfer income. Using the estimated responses, we simulate the pattern of altered choices from two changes in the public transfer system: a 20 percent decrease in benefits for early retirement and an earnings-related income supplement. While the reduction in early retirement benefits results in a small percentage decrease in the number of retirees, the earnings supplement has a substantial positive effect on the number of older men choosing to continue working, and results in both a rise in government expenditures and in family income.
Retrograde axonal transport of BDNF in retinal ganglion cells is blocked by acute IOP elevation in rats.

PURPOSE. To determine whether acute experimental glaucoma in rats obstructs retrograde transport of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). METHODS. Forty rats had unilateral injection of either 125 I-BDNF (20 animals) or a mixture of 125 I-BDNF and 100-fold excess nonradiolabeled BDNF (20 animals). In each group of 20 animals, eyes contralateral to injection had either normal intraocular pressure (IOP; 10 animals) or IOP elevated to 25 mm Hg below the systolic blood pressure of the eye (10 animals). In each group of 20 rats, ipsilateral eyes had IOP set at systolic blood pressure (4 eyes), had optic nerve transection (10 eyes), or had normal IOP (6 eyes). Six hours after injection, animals were killed and tissues were fixed, embedded, and sectioned for autoradiography. Grain counts were performed over retina and optic nerve using automated image analysis. RESULTS. IOP elevation to 25 mm Hg below systolic blood pressure (perfusion pressure [PP] 25) decreased median retinal nerve fiber layer (NFL) grains by 38% compared with controls (P , 0.001). Competition by cold BDNF reduced NFL grains by 28% (P 5 0.013). Considering only the radioactivity representing specific retrograde transport of BDNF, IOP elevation to PP25 reduced transport by 74%, whereas elevation to PP0 (equaling systolic blood pressure) reduced specific transport by 83%. CONCLUSIONS. BDNF is transported retrogradely from the superior colliculus in adult rats, and this transport is substantially inhibited by acute IOP elevation. Deprivation of BDNF among RGCs may contribute to neuron loss in glaucoma. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2000;41:3460 ‐3466)
Extinction of species in nonautonomous Lotka-Volterra systems

A nonautonomous nth order Lotka,Volterra system of differential equations is considered. It is shown that if the coefficients satisfy certain inequalities, then any solution with positive components at some point will have all of its last n 1 components tend to zero, while the first one will stabilize at a certain solution of a logistic equation.
Determining a calibration factor for Y-90 activity using the Y-86 setting on PET/CT

2716 Objectives To monitor distribution of Y-90 glass microspheres used for radioembolization of hepatic tumors, Y-90 can be imaged using a standard PET/CT scanner because one possible transition of Y-90 is from internal pair production of Zr-90. Unfortunately, a Y-90 setting is not available on most standard PET/CT systems. The purpose of this study is to determine a calibration factor for estimating Y-90 activity from a standard PET/CT scanner using the Y-86 setting. Methods Dedicated whole-body PET/CT scans of vials containing various activities of Y-90 glass microspheres were acquired using the Biograph 40 with Pico-3D, Hi-REZ and TrueV options (Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc). After determining the imaging field with an initial scout scan, an 80 to 110-s whole-body CT scan was acquired. On completion of the CT portion, PET emission data was acquired for 60 min/single bed position for each vial, with the vial in the center of the field of view. The acquisition parameter chosen was Y-86, being the closest nuclide to Y-90. Images were generated by iterative reconstruction with segmented attenuation correction. A volume of interest (VOI) was drawn on the image of the vial using Syngo. The activity of Y-90 microspheres was determined from the average concentration of the VOI. The calibration factor was determined from the slope of the VOI activity as a function of the dose calibrator activity. The calibration factor was verified using a vial of activity that was to be infused into a rabbit with HCC tumor. Results The linear correlation coefficient for the calibration curve was 0.999. The derived calibration factor for converting Y-86 PET activity (from image reconstruction) to Y-90 activity (true) was 0.015 MBq (Y-90)/MBq (Y-86). The error in the test vial for localization in a rabbit was 3%. The Y-90 activity was subsequently visualized in the rabbit. Conclusions Y-86 can be used as a PET/CT acquisition setting for deriving the activity from Y-90 glass microspheres. PET/CT can be used to image Y-90 glass microspheres in rabbits.
Low temperature formation of calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite-PLA/PLGA composites.

Hydroxyapatite-biodegradable polymer composites have been formed by a low temperature chemical route. Precomposite structures were prepared by combining α-Ca3(PO4)2 (α-tricalcium phosphate or α-TCP) with poly(L-lactic) acid and poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) copolymers. The final composite structure was achieved by in situ hydrolysis of α-TCP to Ca9(HPO4)(PO4)5OH (calcium deficient hydroxyapatite or CDHAp) either in solvent cast or pressed precomposites. Hydrolysis was performed at 56°C—a temperature slightly above the glass transition of the polymers. The effects of polymer chemistry, composite formation technique, and porosity on hydrolysis kinetics and degree of transformation were examined with isothermal calorimetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Calorimetric data and XRD analyses revealed that hydrolysis reactions were inhibited in the presence of the polymers. Isothermal calorimetry indicated the extent of the α-TCP to CDHAp transformation in 24 h to be 85% in the solvent cast composites containing PLGA (85:15) copolymer; however, XRD analyses suggested almost complete reaction. The CDHAp formation extent was 26% for the pressed composites containing the same polymer. In the presence of NaCl as a pore generator, 81% transformation was observed for the pressed composites. This transformation occurred without any chemical reaction between the polymer-inorganic components, as determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Minimal transformation to CDHAp occurred in composites containing poly(L-lactic) acid. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 51, 717–725, 2000.
Characterizing anger in the DSM-III borderline personality disorder.

Anxiety has traditionally been considered as one of the component affects of the borderline personality disorder. This study was designed to measure anxiety in the borderline patient by determining whether inpatients with DSM-III borderline personality disorder differed from controls with dysthymic disorder. Standardized rating instruments including the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Profile of Mood States, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Zung Self-Rating Scale for Anxiety, and selected subscales of the MMPI were utilized. Results indicated that borderline patients achieved moderate elevations on most scales. Borderline patients scored significantly higher on the Profile of Mood States tension–anxiety subscale and on two MMPI scales compared to dysthymic controls. Findings are discussed in light of previous psychodynamic, empirical, and research literature.
Two Problems in Applying Ljung′s "Projection Algorithms" to the Analysis of Decentralized Learning

Abstract We show that Ljung′s projection algorithms, which have recently been used by economists to establish convergence to rational expectations equilibrium, do not seem to apply to learning or forecasting behavior that one would normally call "decentralized." If the algorithm is defined in a way that allows individuals to have differing information, then Ljung′s theorem does not apply. And even if a similar theorem could be proved that would allow for differing information, there remains a Lyapunov-like condition that is central to Ljung′s projection method and which requires that individual beliefs be narrowly related to the equilibrium and to one another. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: D83, D84, C72, D82.
Health Outcomes Associated with Polypharmacy in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES: To summarize evidence regarding the health outcomes associated with polypharmacy, defined as number of prescribed medications, in older community-dwelling persons. DESIGN: Systematic review of MEDLINE (OvidSP 1946 to May, Week 3, 2014). SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: Observational studies examining health outcomes according to number of prescription medications taken. MEASUREMENTS: Association between number of medications and health outcomes. Because of the importance of comorbidity as a potential confounder of the relationship between polypharmacy and health outcomes, articles were assessed regarding the quality of their adjustment for confounding. RESULTS: Of the 50 studies identified, the majority that were rated good in terms of their adjustment for comorbidity demonstrated relationships between polypharmacy and a range of outcomes, including falls, fall outcomes, fall risk factors, adverse drug events, hospitalization, mortality, and measures of function and cognition. However, a number of these studies failed to demonstrate associations, as did a substantial proportion of studies rated fair or poor. CONCLUSION: Data are mixed regarding the relationship between polypharmacy, considered in terms of number of medications, and adverse outcomes in community-dwelling older persons. Because of the challenge of confounding, randomized controlled trials of medication discontinuation may provide more-definitive evidence regarding this relationship than observational studies can provide. Language: en
Theoretical and Experimental Investigation on Cross-Shear Dependency of Polyethylene Wear in Artificial Knee Implants

It has been shown that the contact motion path in artificial knee bearings is implant design dependent [1]. It is also known that multidirectional motion of artificial joints leads to higher wear rates compared to the application of unidirectional motion [2,3]. This phenomenon has been linked to “strain-hardening” of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (PE): the molecular chains in the surface layer align along the direction of shear. Since more energy is required to rupture the fibrils in their longitudinal direction than perpendicularly, less wear is generated if the direction of movement follows the molecular chain orientation [3]. Computer models could potentially become an important tool in wear prediction if this relationship could be quantified. A variable, defined as ‘cross-shear’ A/(A+B), with A being the fraction of motion along the molecular orientation and B being the fraction of motion perpendicular to the molecular orientation, takes this into account (Fig.1); however, pin-on-disc studies trying to validate this model found agreement for small cross-shear values only [4].Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Factors affecting attachment in international adoptees at 6 months post adoption

This pilot study examined the effect of five child and maternal factors on the attachment security of international adoptees at six months post adoption. Results from the sample of 22 adoptive mother-infant dyads showed that age at adoption, developmental status, length and quality of preadoption care, and maternal attachment representations were not significant predictors of child attachment status. The number of preadoption placements and the child's stress level did significantly predict attachment status, accounting for approximately 40% of the variance in attachment security. Number of preadoption placements uniquely contributed 14% of that variance (p=.007) while stress level uniquely contributed 12% (p=.01). Children who had fewer preadoption placements had higher attachment security; similarly, children who had lower stress levels had higher attachment security. Results suggest that consistency of preadoption care was more important than its length or quality. Further, the relationship between stress level and attachment security raises the possibility that a lower stress level functions as a protective factor for the developing attachment with the adoptive mother.
Femoral Occlusion in a Young Racing Cyclist and Nonatherosclerotic Aneurysms in the Autogenous Saphenous Vein Graft Used — A Case Report:

The authors report and discuss a case of a young male smoker with major vascular problems. He was admitted with a femoral occlusion probably caused by his being an amateur racing cyclist. After reconstruction with a reversed autogenous saphenous vein graft he suffered several thrombophlebites of his lower extremities. Despite intensive investigations no cause was found for his apparent thrombotic tendency. Two years after reconstruction he was operated on for a true aneurysm occurring in his saphenous vein graft. Another two years later the whole saphenous vein graft was exchanged for a prosthesis be cause of multiple nonatherosclerotic aneurysms.
Electric field effect on the magnetoresistance of indium arsenide surfaces in high magnetic fields

Abstract The electric field effect on the electrical resistance of the surfaces of p-type indium arsenide was studied at 4.2 and 77°K in magnetic fields ranging up to 110kOe. In the absence of a magnetic field such surfaces (prepared by crystallographic cleavage or by etching) were found to be n-type. Their field effect mobility was found to be independent of temperature. In high magnetic fields, the electrons introduced by the capacitively applied electric field increased only slightly the electrical conduction of the etched surfaces at both temperatures and that of the cleaved surfaces at 77°K; but they caused nearly no change in the electrical conduction of the cleaved surfaces at 4.2°K. It was concluded that in the surface conducting layer the electrons are degenerate and their kinetic energy of the motion perpendicular to the surface corresponds to the lowest quantized level in the narrow surface charge potential well. In high magnetic fields, at 4.2°K, the results with the cleaved surfaces were attributed to a “freeze out” of the carriers (whose momentum perpendicular to the surface is quantized in the surface potential well) due to the quantization of the momentum in the orbital parallel to the surface. The lack of complete “freeze out” in the etched surfaces was attributed to the microscopic two-dimensional heterogeneities in the surface potential structure.
A new twist on protein crystallization.

Electron microscopy (EM), combined with image processing, has become an increasingly powerful tool for structural biology. Advances in cryopreservation and imaging, along with increasingly sophisticated computational tools for image processing, allow three-dimensional (3D) structure determination of macromolecules or macromolecular assemblies trapped in native states (1, 2). Structures from noncrystalline specimens of large macromolecular assemblies that are inaccessible to NMR and extremely challenging for x-ray crystallography can be determined to resolutions approaching 7 A for highly symmetric structures such as icosahedral viruses (3, 4) or around 15 A for asymmetric structures (5). Currently, for higher resolution information, ordered specimens are required to facilitate orientation and averaging of views. Crystalline specimens have generally come in two flavors, either very thin, usually single-layer thick or two-dimensional (2D), crystals, or helical assemblies. The largest impact of EM and image processing to date has come from the analysis of 2D crystals, which has sometimes yielded near atomic resolution structures of membrane proteins and tubulin, each presenting formidable problems for preparing suitable 3D crystals for x-ray analysis (6–10). A method specifically designed to generate 2D crystals of soluble macromolecules has been introduced, facilitating the application of EM and image processing to a wider range of systems (11–13). While helical specimens …
Some Fundamental Control Theory I: Controllability, Observability, and Duality

(1999). Some Fundamental Control Theory I: Controllability, Observability, and Duality. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 106, No. 8, pp. 705-719.
Effect of Poloxamer 188 on the Osmotic Response of Cell Membranes

Poloxamer 188 (P188), an amphiphilic triblock copolymer of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(propylene oxide)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) has been shown to effectively interact with injured plasma membrane and restore its function both in vitro and in vivo. Elucidation of the mesoscopic and molecular mechanism that mediates the interaction between this triblock copolymer and damaged membranes will help to improve the current approach in development of Poloxamers for therapeutic purposes. Previous work done by our group examined the interaction between P188 with phospholipid monolayers and demonstrated that P188 inserts selectively into damaged portions of the membrane and corrals surrounding lipids. Upon restoration of membrane integrity, the inserted polymer is squeezed out. Here, the effect of P188 on membrane permeability under osmotic stress was investigated by using giant unilamellar phospholipid vesicles, the simplest biomimic membrane which retains the essential curved bilayer structure. Results will be presented detailing how the osmotic gradients and P188 concentration affect P188 in corralling membrane lipids.
Reading, Interlibrary Loan, and OCLC: A Letter to Bill Katz

Last week while looking for something else I found myself reading through my file of your letters. No matter what the letter started out being about, it eventually turned into a discussion of whatever you had just finished reading. I know my letters to you are the same; sometimes I finish a book and make a note to tell you about it in my next letter. Everybody I write to does this, but then how many people these days write letters? That is another matter altogether but let me keep on here about reading.
“Organizational rhetoric” as the fourth great system: Theoretical, critical, and pragmatic implications

The essay argues that, whatever else they are, organizations are inherently rhetorical, and that, whatever else it is, rhetoric is inherently organizational. In order to enhance the understanding of “organizational rhetoric,”; this essay explores four topics: organizational rhetoric as a fourth great system of rhetoric, the “modeling”; of organizational rhetoric, “representational magic”; in organizational rhetoric, and the research and pragmatic implications of the study.
Variability of irrelevant stimuli in discrimination learning of retardates

Abstract Seventeen moderately retarded children were given three trials on each of 64 2-choice visual discrimination problems (a variation of Harlow's “Learning Set” and Estes' “Miniature Experiment” techniques). Half the problems had a constant or single-valued irrelevant dimension, and half had a variable irrelevant dimension with different values of the irrelevant dimensions appearing on each trial. The latter problems were associated with lower levels of discriminative performance than the former. This may be theoretically attributed to either the greater number of relevant dimensions (including color-form compounds) with the constant irrelevant dimension or to the greater number of effective irrelevant dimensions with the variable irrelevant dimension. A further experiment was conceived which might resolve this theoretical issue. The performance differences between constant and variable irrelevant dimensions was found to be related to variability during training (Trial 1) rather than testing (Trial 2), an outcome not readily handled by assuming that variable irrelevant dimensions are simply more distracting than constant dimensions.
18O/SIMS characterization of the growth mechanism of doped and undoped α-Al2O3

Sequential oxidation experiments at 1200°C and 1500°C using16O and >95%18O-enriched environments were conducted on undoped and Y- and Zr-doped β-NiAl and FeCrAl alloys. After oxidation, samples were analyzed by SIMS sputter depth profiling. At 1200°C, a clear pattern was established where the undoped α-Al2O3 was found to grow by the simultaneous transport of both Al and O. Zr-doped α-Al2O3 was found to grow mainly by the inward transport of oxygen. The profiles in all cases indicate O diffusion primarily by shortcircuit pathways. Results at 1500°C (only on β-NiAl) indicated a similar behavior but were less conclusive. Y and Zr were found to segregate to the oxide grain boundaries at 1200°C and 1500°C. The segregation of these dopants is believed to impede the cation transport in the α-Al2O3 scale and thereby change the oxidation mechanism.
Regional coronary artery dilation response in variant angina

We examined segmental left coronary artery responses to nitroglycerin in 17 variant angina patients and in 34 nonvariant angina patients using a quantitative angiography technique. In those patients with left anterior descending vasospasm, there was a marked exaggeration in the degree of dilation to nitroglycerin in those segments which at other times were involved with spasm. This observation was consistent when these segments were compared to (1) other left coronary segments in the same patient, (2) the same left coronary segments in nonvariant angina patients, and (3) the same left coronary segments in patients with right coronary spasm. These data suggest that a localized disorder in coronary vasomotion is present in patients with coronary spasm that is not limited to constriction but also involves increased dilation in response to nitroglycerin.
Origins of cheating and loss of symbiosis in wild Bradyrhizobium

Rhizobial bacteria nodulate legume roots and fix nitrogen in exchange for photosynthates. These symbionts are infectiously acquired from the environment and in such cases selection models predict evolutionary spread of uncooperative mutants. Uncooperative rhizobia ‐ including nonfixing and non-nodulating strains ‐ appear common in agriculture, yet their population biology and origins remain unknown in natural soils. Here, a phylogenetically broad sample of 62 wild-collected rhizobial isolates was experimentally inoculated onto Lotus strigosus to assess their nodulation ability and effects on host growth. A cheater strain was discovered that proliferated in host tissue while offering no benefit; its fitness was superior to that of beneficial strains. Phylogenetic reconstruction of Bradyrhizobium rDNA and transmissible symbiosis-island loci suggest that the cheater evolved via symbiotic gene transfer. Many strains were also identified that failed to nodulate L. strigosus, and it appears that nodulation ability on this host has been recurrently lost in the symbiont population. This is the first study to reveal the adaptive nature of rhizobial cheating and to trace the evolutionary origins of uncooperative rhizobial mutants.
Pathogenic properties of the N-terminal region of cardiac myosin binding protein-C in vitro

Cardiac myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C) plays a role in sarcomeric structure and stability, as well as modulating heart muscle contraction. The 150 kDa full-length (FL) cMyBP-C has been shown to undergo proteolytic cleavage during ischemia–reperfusion injury, producing an N-terminal 40 kDa fragment (mass 29 kDa) that is predominantly associated with post-ischemic contractile dysfunction. Thus far, the pathogenic properties of such truncated cMyBP-C proteins have not been elucidated. In the present study, we hypothesized that the presence of these 40 kDa fragments is toxic to cardiomyocytes, compared to the 110 kDa C-terminal fragment and FL cMyBP-C. To test this hypothesis, we infected neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes and adult rabbit ventricular cardiomyocytes with adenoviruses expressing the FL, 110 and 40 kDa fragments of cMyBP-C, and measured cytotoxicity, Ca2+ transients, contractility, and protein–protein interactions. Here we show that expression of 40 kDa fragments in neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes significantly increases LDH release and caspase 3 activity, significantly reduces cell viability, and impairs Ca2+ handling. Adult cardiomyocytes expressing 40 kDa fragments exhibited similar impairment of Ca2+ handling along with a significant reduction of sarcomere length shortening, relaxation velocity, and contraction velocity. Pull-down assays using recombinant proteins showed that the 40 kDa fragment binds significantly to sarcomeric actin, comparable to C0–C2 domains. In addition, we discovered several acetylation sites within the 40 kDa fragment that could potentially affect actomyosin function. Altogether, our data demonstrate that the 40 kDa cleavage fragments of cMyBP-C are toxic to cardiomyocytes and significantly impair contractility and Ca2+ handling via inhibition of actomyosin function. By elucidating the deleterious effects of endogenously expressed cMyBP-C N-terminal fragments on sarcomere function, these data contribute to the understanding of contractile dysfunction following myocardial injury.
Ventricular Volume and Length in Hypertensive Diastolic Heart Failure

Background Patients with diastolic heart failure are thought to have a normal or small ventricle with impaired ventricular filling that requires increased filling pressure to maintain normal stroke volume. In this study we test the hypothesis that patients with hypertensive diastolic heart failure have increased left ventricular volumes compared with age-, sex-, and body size–matched control subjects. Method Left ventricular chordal dimensions from 2-dimensional echocardiography and volumes from 3-dimensional echocardiography were obtained in control subjects (n = 96) and patients with hypertensive diastolic heart failure (n = 28) and compared before and after controlling for age, sex, and body size. Results Volumes by 3-dimensional echocardiography were significantly larger in the heart failure group than in the control group ( P P P Conclusions Our group of patients with hypertensive diastolic heart failure had significantly increased left ventricular volumes and stroke volume compared with control subjects, compatible with volume overload heart failure. Two-dimensional echocardiographic measurement of the ventricular chordal dimension failed to detect this enlargement. Ventricular length appeared to be preferentially increased in the patients with hypertensive diastolic heart failure.
Framework for discrete-time quantum walks and a symmetric walk on a binary tree

We formulate a framework for discrete-time quantum walks, motivated by classical random walks with memory. We present a specific representation of the classical walk with memory 2, on which this is based. The framework has no need for coin spaces, it imposes no constraints on the evolution operator other than unitarity, and is unifying of other approaches. As an example we construct a symmetric discrete-time quantum walk on the semi-infinite binary tree. The generating function of the amplitude at the root is computed in closed form, as a function of time and the initial level $n$ in the tree, and we find the asymptotic and a full numerical solution for the amplitude. It exhibits a sharp interference peak and a power-law tail, as opposed to the exponentially decaying tail of a broadly peaked distribution of the classical symmetric random walk on a binary tree. The probability peak is orders of magnitude larger than it is for the classical walk (already at small $n$). The quantum walk shows a polynomial algorithmic speedup in $n$ over the classical walk, which we conjecture to be of the order $2/3$, based on strong trends in data.
Norms, Attitudes, and Sex Behaviors among Women with Incarcerated Main Partners

Incarceration has been extensively linked with HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). While a great deal of attention has been given to the risk behaviors of people who have been incarcerated, examination of the behaviors of partners of incarcerated individuals is also needed to understand the direct and indirect links between incarceration and HIV and to identify prevention avenues. In the present study, we hypothesize that incarceration is associated with risk behavior through attitudes and norms. The purpose of this paper is: (1) to describe the attitudes and norms about sexual behaviors that women have when a sexual partner is incarcerated; and (2) to examine the association between attitudes and norms with the behavior of having other sex partners while a main partner is incarcerated. In our sample (n = 175), 50 % of women reported having other sex partners while their partner was incarcerated. Our findings show that attitudes, descriptive norms (i.e., norms about what other people do), and injunctive norms (i.e., norms about what others think is appropriate) were associated with having other partners. Interventions designed for couples at pre- and post-release from prison are needed to develop risk reduction plans and encourage HIV/STI testing prior to their reunion.
Pollen Storage in Frostless and Conventional Frost‐Forming Freezers

Pollen storage allows more efficient use and handling of germplasm. This study was conducted for 3 yr to determine if longevity differed for pollen stored in screw-cap glass vials or reclosable plastic bags in a conventional or a frostless freezer. Viability of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] pollen stored in reclosable plastic bags was maintained for more than 1 yr in a frostless freezer, whereas pollen viability was lost within 1 yr when stored in a conventional frostforming freezer due to buildup of pollen moisture. Viability of pollen stored in screw-cap glass vials was maintained equally well in both freezer types and lasted for more than 2 yr
The feasibility of a screening procedure regarding temporomandibular joint dysfunction

A screening examination for the assessment of tempormandibular joint dysfunction was evaluated in a series of 279 patients. Tenderness upon palpation of one or more of the muscles of mastication and/or pain upon retrusion of the mandible was noted in seventy-nine patients (28 per cent). These objective signs of temporomandibular joint dysfunction did not correlate statistically with maximum opening of the mouth, age, taking of analesics or tranquilizers, headache or dizzy spells, crepitus, and the patients dental condition.
LATERAL DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY WITH COMPUTER-AIDED GONIOMETRY VERSUS STANDARD GONIOMETRY FOR RECORDING FINGER JOINT ANGLES

Abstract This study compares the accuracy of computer-aided goniometry with standard goniometry. 109 finger joint angles at the extremes of flexion and extension were measured by a senior hand therapist using standard goniometry. Lateral digital photographs were then taken of the hands and the same angles were read from these by computer. There was good correlation ( r 2 =0.975) between the results. Computer goniometry averaged 1°(95%Cl=0°−+2°) more than the standard goniometry. We feel that computer goniometry of finger joints is accurate and compares well with standard goniometry.
Apamin increases NMDA-induced burst-firing of rat mesencephalic dopamine neurons

Intracellular recordings made in vitro from rat midbrain dopamine neurons showed that apamin (100 nM) did not alter the regular spontaneous firing of the neurons, but it increased the occurrence of bursts of action potentials in N-methyl-D-aspartate. Apamin appeared to facilitate burst-firing induced by NMDA because, by blocking an outward calcium-activated potassium current, it increased the depolarizing action of NMDA.
Wood density of three oak species in Tennessee 1940-45 and 1970-75

Abstract Three oak species from East Tennessee were core-sampled to determine whether the density of wood produced in a pre-pollution period (1940–45) was different from that of a pollution period (1970–75) using gamma-densitometry. Component densities of average earlywood, average latewood, minimum earlywood, maximum latewood and average periodic density for Quercus alba L. and Quercus prinus L. were significantly greater for 1940–45 than for 1970–75. Differences between the two time periods for mean earlywood ( P = 0.05), maximum latewood and mean periodic densities were found for Q. velutina .
Reactions to Racial Trespassing

Summary Three trespassers into the “body territory” of racial groups—a white woman with an Afro wig, a black with a blond wig, and a Japanese American with a blond wig—invoked reactions among 144 white, black, and Japanese American female university students. The major findings were as follows: (a) Dominant group trespassing was more likely to be viewed in cultural perspectives, while minority trespassing was viewed in a racial context; (b) Minority members tended to view minority trespassing more negatively than dominant group trespassing.
The S. cerevisiae CDC25 gene product regulates the RAS/adenylate cyclase pathway

The gene corresponding to the S. cerevisiae cell division cycle mutant cdc25 has been cloned and sequenced, revealing an open reading frame encoding a protein of 1589 amino acids that contains no significant homologies with other known proteins. Cells lacking CDC25 have low levels of cyclic AMP and decreased levels of Mg2+-dependent adenylate cyclase activity. The lethality resulting from disruption of the CDC25 gene can be suppressed by the presence of the activated RAS2val19 gene, but not by high copy plasmids expressing a normal RAS2 or RAS1 gene. These results suggest that normal RAS is dependent on CDC25 function. Furthermore, mutationally activated alleles of CDC25 are capable of inducing a set of phenotypes similar to those observed in strains containing a genetically activated RAS/adenylate cyclase pathway, suggesting that CDC25 encodes a regulatory protein. We propose that CDC25 regulates adenylate cyclase by regulating the guanine nucleotide bound to RAS proteins.
Comprehensive review of structural deterioration of water mains: physically based models

Abstract This paper provides a comprehensive (although not exhaustive) overview of the physical/mechanical models that have been developed to improve the understanding of the structural performance of water mains. Several components have to be considered in modelling this structural behaviour. The residual structural capacity of water mains is affected by material deterioration due to environmental and operational conditions as well as quality of manufacturing and installation. This residual structural capacity is subjected to external and internal loads exerted by the soil pressure, traffic loading, frost loads, operational pressure and third party interference. Some models address only one or a few of the numerous components of the physical process that lead to breakage, while others attempt to take a more comprehensive approach. Initial efforts were aimed mainly towards development of deterministic models, while more recent models use a probabilistic approach to deal with uncertainties in defining the deterioration and failure processes. The physical/mechanical models were classified into two classes: deterministic and probabilistic models. The effect of temperature on pipe breakage is discussed from three angles; the first deals with temperature effects on pipe-soil interaction, the second deals with frost load effects and the third provides a brief review of various attempts to statistically quantify influence of temperature on water main failure. This paper complements the companion paper “Comprehensive review of structural deterioration of water mains: statistical models”, which reviews statistical methods that explain, quantify and predict pipe breakage or structural failures of water mains.
Indices of activity of the nitric oxide system in hemodialysis patients

Abstract Arginine deficiency and/or increased levels of circulating nitric oxide (NO) synthesis (NOS) inhibitors can cause reduced NOS, which may contribute to hypertension in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). To test these hypotheses, NO oxidation products (NO 2 + NO 3 = NO x ) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), the vasodilatory second messenger of NO, were measured in the blood, urine, and dialysate effluent of hemodialysis (HD) patients and compared with the blood and urine of healthy subjects. The subjects ate a controlled low-nitrate diet (~330 μmol/d) for 48 hours before and during blood, dialysis effluent, and 24-hour urine collection. NO x output was significantly reduced in HD patients versus controls (552 ± 51 v 824 ± 96 μmol/24 h; P
Management and incidence of tibial tubercle fractures in bicondylar fractures of the tibial plateau

Bicondylar tibial plateau fractures result from high-energy injuries. Fractures of the tibial plateau can involve the tibial tubercle, which represents a disruption to the extensor mechanism and logically must be stabilised. The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence of an independent tibial tubercle fracture in bicondylar tibial plateau fractures, and to report management strategies and potential complications. We retrospectively reviewed a prospectively collected orthopaedic trauma database for the period January 2003 to December 2008, and identified 392 bicondylar fractures of the tibial plateau, in which 85 tibial tubercle fractures (21.6%) were identified in 84 patients. There were 60 men and 24 women in our study group, with a mean age of 45.4 years (18 to 71). In 84 fractures open reduction and internal fixation was undertaken, either with screws alone (23 patients) or with a plate and screws (61 patients). The remaining patient was treated non-operatively. In all, 52 fractures were available for clinical and radiological assessment at a mean follow-up of 58.5 weeks (24 to 94). All fractures of the tibial tubercle united, but 24 of 54 fractures (46%) required a secondary procedure for their tibial plateau fracture. Four patients reported pain arising from prominent tubercle plates and screws, which in one patient required removal. Tibial tubercle fractures occurred in over one-fifth of the bicondylar tibial plateau fractures in our series. Fixation is necessary and can be reliably performed with screws alone or with a screw and plate, which restores the extensor mechanism and facilitates early knee flexion.
Specific progesterone receptors in rabbit gingiva

The cytoplasm and nucleus of male and female rabbit gingiva and cytoplasm of rabbit oral mucosa contain receptors capable of specifically binding progesterone and promegesiooe with high affinity (Kd =2.7 × 10−9 M) and low capacity (∼10 fmol/mg protein). The binding is sensitive to heat, is destroyed by warming to 37°C for 60 min by proteolylic enzymes (pronase and trypsin), and exhibits a pattern of competition similar to that obtained with progesterone receptors from other target tissues. These results provide evidence that rabbit gingiva and buccal mucosa may function as target tissues for progestms.
Life-cycle assessment of pavements Part II: Filling the research gaps

As life-cycle assessment (LCA) increasingly is used to evaluate the environmental footprint of pavements, there is growing need to critique the state and utility of the supporting science. LCA is a data-intensive methodology that requires inputs and models from a variety of different scientific fields. While some data sources are mature, others are products of nascent and inexact research. Within pavement LCAs, traffic delay, rolling resistance, concrete carbonation, pavement albedo, lighting, leachate, and end of life allocation are areas where the supporting science is incomplete or is ineffectively incorporated into the pavement LCA framework. These components produce quantitative gaps in the assessment methodology, thus jeopardizing the accuracy of results and defensibility of conclusions. Benchmarking where the science stands allows practitioners to perform LCAs while incorporating the best available information, including best estimates and gross evaluations of the uncertainty. Moreover, identifying weaknesses in the fields that support pavement LCAs provides a transparent assessment framework and generates a focused research direction moving forward.
Summary of the Advanced Virus Detection Technologies Users Group Efforts—2013

An informal consortium of scientists from the biopharmaceutical industry, academia, and government agencies, including regulators, coalesced during 2013 to further explore advanced virus detection technologies or appropriate applications for characterization and evaluation of biologicals. As a Parenteral Drug Association task force, the Users Group came to focus on four key work areas that required better understanding and data generation: (1) evaluation of sample preparation and processing steps for different sample types, (2) determination of method sensitivity by performing spike recovery studies using selected virus stocks, (3) development of a reliable and comprehensive viral sequence database, and (4) evaluation of bioinformatic analysis pipelines, with primary focus on next-generation DNA sequencing platforms. The year of monthly working meetings and additional subgroup discussions culminated in the 2013 PDA/FDA Advanced Technologies for Virus Detection in the Evaluation of Biologicals Conference held November 13-14, 2013 in Bethesda, MD, which provided a forum for group participants and others for data sharing and knowledge exchange. The Users Group has continued its efforts during 2014 as a PDA Interest Group with increased participation from technology developers and contract research organizations.
Organic Thin-Film Transistors Based on Tolyl-Substituted Oligothiophenes†

Thin films based on the tolyl-substituted oligothiophenes 5,5′′-bis(4-methylphenyl)-2,2′:5′,2′′-terthiophene (1), 5,5′′′-bis(4-methylphenyl)-2,2′:5′,2′′:5′′,2′′′-quaterthiophene (2) and 5,5′′′′-bis(4-methylphenyl)-2,2′:5′,2′′:5′′,2′′′:5′′′,2′′′′-quinqethiophene (3) exhibit hole-transport behavior in a thin-film transistor (TFT) configuration, with reasonable mobilities and high current on/off (Ion/Ioff) ratios. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) reveals that these films, grown by vacuum deposition onto the thermally grown silicon oxide surface of a TFT, are highly crystalline, a characteristic that can be attributed to the general tendency of phenyl groups to promote crystallinity. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) reveals that the films grow layer by layer to form large domains, with some basal domain areas approaching 1000 μm2. The PXRD and AFM data are consistent with an “end-on” orientation of the molecules on the oxide substrate. Variable-temperature current–voltage (I–V) measurements identified the activation regime for hole transport and revealed shallow level traps in thin films of 1 and 2, and both shallow and deep level traps in thin films of 3. The activation energies for thin films of 1, 2, and 3 were similar, with values of Ea = 121, 100, and 109 meV, respectively. The corresponding trap densities were Ntrap/Nv = 0.012, 0.023, and 0.094, where Ntrap is the number of trap states and Nv is the number of conduction states. The hole mobilities for the three compounds were similar (μ ≃ 0.03 cm2 V–1 s–1), and the Ion/Ioff ratios were comparable with the highest values reported for organic TFTs, with films of 2 approaching Ion/Ioff = 109 at room temperature.
Wound healing in Eisenia foetida (Oligochaeta). I. Histology and 3H-thymidine radioautography of the epidermis.

When the eight most anterior segments of Eisenia foetida are removed the wound is provisionally closed by a plug of coelomocytes surrounding an everted or retracted esophagus. Usually within one to three days the wound is definitively covered by migration of the columnar cells from the adjacent epidermis over the coelomic plug. Epidermal basal and gland cells do not directly take part in wound epithelialization. In the normal epidermis 2.3% of the cells incorporate 3H-thymidine during a labeling period of one hour. The incorporation rate for the columnar cells is higher than that for the basal cells and the gland cells are not labeled. During the period of wound covering by the epidermis (the first three days after transection) the DNA synthetic rate for basal cells and columnar cells drops steadily in both the segment bordering the wound and for at least four segments posteriorly. At four and five days the labeling rate for the epidermis of the segment near the wound rises sharply to beyond the control levels (3.7%) then drops again abruptly at six to seven days (0.8%). Two to four segments posterior to the wound the incorporation rate remains at the low 3-day level throughout the first week after transection.
Growth and interfacial properties of epitaxial oxides on semiconductors: ab initio insights

Crystalline metal oxides display a large number of physical functionalities such as ferroelectricity, magnetism, superconductivity, and Mott transitions. High quality heterostructures involving metal oxides and workhorse semiconductors such as silicon have the potential to open new directions in electronic device design that harness these degrees of freedom for computation or information storage. This review describes how first-principles theoretical modeling has informed current understanding of the growth mechanisms and resulting interfacial structures of crystalline, coherent, and epitaxial metal oxide thin films on semiconductors. Two overarching themes in this general area are addressed. First, the initial steps of oxide growth involve careful preparation of the semiconductor surface to guard against amorphous oxide formation and to create an ordered template for epitaxy. The methods by which this is achieved are reviewed, and possibilities for improving present processes to enable the epitaxial growth of a wider set of oxides are discussed. Second, once a heterointerface is created, the precise interfacial chemical composition and atomic structure is difficult to determine unambiguously from experiment or theory alone. The current understanding of the structure and properties of complex oxide/semiconductor heterostructures is reviewed, and the main challenges to prediction—namely, (i) are these heterostructures in thermodynamic equilibrium or kinetically trapped, and (ii) how do the interfaces modify or couple to the degrees of freedom in the oxide?—are explored in detail for two metal oxide thin films on silicon. Finally, an outlook of where theoretical efforts in this field may be headed in the near future is provided.