Putting off tomorrow to do what you want today: Planning for retirement.

In this article we note that in the coming years, a larger number of people will be experiencing retirement for a longer period of time than ever before and that despite this fact, many will find themselves unprepared for this stage of their lives. We review the literature on retirement preparation, structuring our review around the key questions that need to be addressed when planning for retirement: (a) What will I do? (b) How will I afford it? (c) Where will I live? and (d) Who will I share it with? We make a number of suggestions for research and practice. We conclude that although psychology has begun to play a role in understanding and addressing retirement preparation, there are considerable opportunities for psychologists to engage with this issue in their research and applied work. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mixed resolution model for C60 cluster bombardment of solid benzene

Molecular dynamics simulations of C₆₀ cluster bombardment have been instrumental in elucidating physical phenomena related to the sputtering process; however, chemical phenomena can also play an important role in C₆₀ cluster bombardment of molecular solids. Therefore, a mixed resolution model of C₆₀ cluster bombardment is being developed, where the reactive zone is represented by an all atom region, and the remaining part of the target is described by a coarse-grained representation. A reactive many body potential describes the interactions among atoms; whereas, pair potentials describe the interactions between coarse-grained beads and between coarse-grained beads and atoms. Solid benzene is used to develop the methodology of blending the potentials. The blending of potentials is evaluated by the differences in the velocities of the pressure waves (generated by the C₆₀ impact) between the all atom benzene, coarse-grained benzene and the mixed resolution benzene systems. Initial testing with 1 keV C₆₀ cluster bombardment simulations show a smooth transition between regions.     

Beyond platinum: synthesis,characterization, and in vitro toxicity of Cu(II)-releasing polymer nanoparticles for potential use as a drug delivery vector

The field of drug delivery focuses primarily on delivering small organic molecules or DNA/RNA as therapeutics and has largely ignored the potential for delivering catalytically active transition metal ions and complexes. The delivery of a variety of transition metals has potential for inducing apoptosis in targeted cells. The chief aims of this work were the development of a suitable delivery vector for a prototypical transition metal, Cu²⁺, and demonstration of the ability to impact cancer cell viability via exposure to such a Cu-loaded vector. Carboxylate-functionalized nanoparticles were synthesized by free radical polymerization and were subsequently loaded with Cu²⁺ via binding to particle-bound carboxylate functional groups. Cu loading and release were characterized via ICP MS, EDX, XPS, and elemental analysis. Results demonstrated that Cu could be loaded in high weight percent (up to 16 wt.%) and that Cu was released from the particles in a pH-dependent manner. Metal release was a function of both pH and the presence of competing ligands. The toxicity of the particles was measured in HeLa cells where reductions in cell viability greater than 95% were observed at high Cu loading. The combined pH sensitivity and significant toxicity make this copper delivery vector an excellent candidate for the targeted killing of disease cells when combined with an effective cellular targeting strategy.     

Magnetism of selected ternary Sm compounds

The effect of In for Sn and Gd for Sm substitution on magnetic properties of the SmPdSn_1−xIn_x and Gd_xSm_1−xPdIn compounds has been studied. The behaviour of the first series differs markedly from the second one. One of the most visible difference in the magnetic properties is the fact, that in the SmPdSn_1−xIn_x series the so called non-Curie-Weiss (NCW) behaviour is observed whereas in the case of the gadolinium series the Curie-Weiss law (CW) is fulfilled. The values of magnetic phase transition temperatures, magnetic moment obtained at 7 T and magnetocaloric effect are much higher for Gd-rich compounds.     

Anisotropic Crystalline Protein Nanolayers as Multi‐Functional Biointerface for Patterned Co‐Cultures of Adherent and Non‐Adherent Cells in Microfluidic Devices

The spatial arrangement of cells in their microenvironment is known to significantly influence cellular behavior, thus making the control of cellular organization an important parameter of in vitro co‐culture models. However, recent advances in micropatterning co‐culture methods within biochips do not address the simultaneous cultivation of anchorage‐dependent and non‐adherent cells. To address this methodological gap we combine S‐layer technology with microfluidics to pattern co‐cultures to study the cell‐to‐cell and cell‐to‐surface interactions under physiologically relevant conditions. We exploit the unique self‐assembly properties of SbpA and SbsB S‐layers to create an anisotropic protein nanobiointerface on‐chip with spatially‐defined cytophilic (adhesive) and cytophobic (repulsive) properties. While microfluidics control physical parameters such as shear force and flow velocities, our anisotropic protein nanobiointerface regulates the biological aspects of the co‐culture method including biocompatibility, biostability, and affinity to non‐adherent cells. The reliability and reproducibility of our microfluidic co‐culture strategy based on laminar flow patterned protein nanolayers is envisioned to advance in vitro models for biomedical research.     

Ultralong and Mesoporous ZnO and γ-Al_2O_3 Oriented Nanowires Obtained by Template-assisted Hydrothermal Approach

Highly mesoporous Zn O and g-Al2O3nanowires（NWs） are both synthesized by a hydrothermal method using commercially available porous anodic aluminium oxide（AAO） as template. AAO membrane acts as template for Zn O NWs and both as template and precursor for g-Al2O3 NWs. The formation of intermediate phases of porous Zn6Al2（OH）16CO3and boehmite（g-Al OOH） were observed, both occurring during the hydrothermal synthesis of porous Zn O and g-Al2O3 NWs, respectively, and disappearing after annealing at 600 C. This novel template-assisted hydrothermal process leads to the formation of porous Zn O and g-Al2O3NWs（specific surface area of 192 m2 g 1and 263 m2 g 1, respectively）, showing pore sizes around 4 nm in diameter. The influence of the reaction parameters on the nanostructure morphology was also investigated. A Zn O seed layer, deposited on the AAO channels prior to the hydrothermal synthesis, leads to more compact Zn O nanowires（99 m2 g-1） protecting the AAO host from the chemical attack of the precursor solution.     

Tailoring dialysis and resuming low‐protein diets may favor chronic dialysis discontinuation: Report on three cases

Renal function recovery (RFR), defined as the discontinuation of dialysis after 3 months of replacement therapy, is reported in about 1% of chronic dialysis patients. The role of personalized, intensive dialysis schedules and of resuming low‐protein diets has not been studied to date. This report describes three patients with RFR who were recently treated at a new dialysis unit set up to offer intensive hemodialysis. All three patients were females, aged 73, 75, and 78 years. Kidney disease included vascular‐cholesterol emboli, diabetic nephropathy and vascular and dysmetabolic disease. At time of RFR, the patients had been dialysis‐dependent from 3 months to 1 year. Dialysis was started with different schedules and was progressively discontinued with a “decremental” policy, progressively decreasing number and duration of the sessions. A moderately restricted low‐protein diet (proteins 0.6 g/kg/day) was started immediately after dialysis discontinuation. The most recent update showed that two patients are well off dialysis for 5 and 6 months; the diabetic patient died (sudden death) 3 months after dialysis discontinuation. Within the limits of small numbers, our case series may suggest a role for personalized dialysis treatments and for including low‐protein diets in the therapy, in enhancing long‐term RFR in elderly dialysis patients.