cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unifying Chemical and Physical Principles for Oxide Superconductivity Based on an Anionic Charge Order Model

Abstract Subperoxidic O3−2 charge ordering presents a satisfying basis for a quantitative, conceptually realistic, and unifying understanding of cuprate superconductors. The activity of O− manifests itself in a variety of ways including a universal Tc scaling with O− per total O, or more generally, in the subperoxide radical concentration. Also, a characteristic crystal chemistry of O− placement is indicated. As an example, trends to preferential O− occupation of the apical sites are correlated with c axis and Tc decreases providing a new crystallographic interpretation of the overdoping question. Generally, subperoxides can be created on overoxidation or through various modes of self doping through lattice pressure-related factors. Accordingly, the role of peranion formation is seen as a most general chemical principle for ameliorating stacking mismatch through electronic liquefaction under internal stress. Cases are discussed (e.g., YBa2Cu3O6.5) where the tension on cooling can result in stratified self-doping steps. A variety of experiments indicating charge order properties, such as stripes and slow charge propagation, are interpreted on the anionic model. Subperoxidic pair formation and charge ordering energetics are discussed. Concepts are further generalized for other cases (e.g., carbides or nitrides) of anionic metallicity and superconductivity. Common aspects are mobile, paired charge orders of radicals coupled through bond polarizations.
Support systems for high level policy making: what makes them special

Abstract Two information systems for Governmental policy making institutions, one in Egypt and the other in Israel, are compared and contrasted to understand and describe the unique character of the decision-making activities in such institutions. It is argued, that the underlying model of decision processes that is assumed in the design of conventional DSS is inadequate for very high level policy making environments. A broader view of the decision-making activities is presented and is shown to fit into a theoretical framework that combines the structured and anarchic perspectives of decision making. It is further argued, that support systems for high level policy making require an unconventional approach for their development.
A morphological point thinning algorithm

Fiducial markers are used to determine object location, but in certain applications, such as biaxial strain analysis, markers may migrate. In such cases it is necessary to first establish existence and locate the approximate center of the fiducial. We have developed an algorithm (the MPT algorithm) which is an improvement of a well-known morphological thinning algorithm, and which can thin entities to a central pixel. This allows efficient location of markers. The improvement corrects a shortcoming of the previous algorithm which annihilated certain classes of small entities. The new algorithm safely thins small entities to their central points. Concave entities are acceptable since the algorithm preserves connectedness. This new algorithm will have applications in general scene analysis tasks.
Control of a robot-trailer system using a single non-collocated sensor

In this paper, the authors develop an observer and controller for a robot and trailer system in which only a single non-collocated position measurement is used. A linearized state-space model of the system is derived using kinematic equations that have previously proven sufficient for state feedback control. Optimal observer gains (LQG) and controller gains (LQR) are calculated using known process and measurement noise variances. Simulations and experiments both confirm that the LQG/LQR system controls the nonlinear system in path tracking. Control based on state estimation yields performance that is comparable to a more heavily-instrumented full-state feedback system previously used on the robot-trailer system.
Technology vs. Institutions in Prehistory

A comprehensive survey of the professional literature in the fields of archaeology and anthropology documents the usefulness of the Veblen-Ayres dichotomy in analyzing early human progress and forces that opposed it. Specifically, technological advance during prehistory was slow because of institutional resistance to change rooted in custom, tradition, myth, superstition, ritual, and belief in the power of dubious deities. Cases examined include early use of fire, flood control, pottery, diet, birthing, and others. In addition, the institution of organized belligerence has been shown by archaeologists to have severely restrained betterment of the human condition. Recent archaeological digs provide indisputable proof that a propensity toward violence has been present among the earliest members of the human species and throughout much of prehistory. Therefore, it is highly likely that Veblen's era of peaceable savagery was itself merely a myth.
The crayfish neuronal cytoskeleton: an investigation of proteins having neurofilament-like immunoreactivity.

Abstract We have evaluated the possibility that proteins similar to mammalian neurofilament proteins (NFPs) are present in crustacean neurons. A panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), raised against mammalian NFP, was used to identify candidate proteins. The degree to which these proteins are similar to mammalian NFPs was further evaluated using the following criteria: tissue specificity, recognition by the neurofilament-specific Bodian silver stain, recognition by the intermediate filament-specific Pruss mAb, and insolubility following detergent-extraction. Three candidate polypeptides were identified by mAb screening: a very high molecular weight polypeptide (M r > 300kDa), a 40 kDa polypeptide, and a group of 4 bands atM r = 66−84kDa. Although all of these polypeptides were recognized by one or more anti-NFP mAb, not one of them was found exclusively in neuronal tissue, not one was stained by the NFP-specific Bodian method, and all were soluble under conditions in which mammalian NFPs are insoluble. As a result of this thorough evaluation, we conclude that crayfish neurons do not contain neurofilament-like proteins. Although not closely related to mammalian neurofilaments, the very high molecular weight crayfish polypeptide which was strongly labeled by a commercially available anti-NF-M mAb (clone NN18) during the mAb screening, may be a novel cytoskeletal protein. The evidence for this conclusion comes from immunocytochemical labeling experiments. Indirect immunofluorescence labeling of this protein differentially labeled axons, such that labeling intensity of specific axons was proportional to the relative concentration of cytoskeletal organelles in those axons. Labeling of neuronal cell bodies delineated a fibrous network throughout the cytoplasm, and intensely labeled microtubule-rich regions of cytoplasm which are characteristic of larger neuronal somata. Immunogold labeling and electron microscopic analysis of the distribution of this protein revealed that the NN18-clone antibody bound to an antigen located on microtubule side-arms.
Well‐Deposition Particle Templating: Rapid Mass‐Production of LithoParticles Without Mechanical Imprinting

We develop Well‐Deposition Particle Templating (W‐DePT), a fast approach for mass‐producing monodisperse shape‐designed colloids, or LithoParticles. W‐DePT is based on a single solid template that ...
Stochastic page placement

Imperfect virtual-to-physical page mappings cause excess conflict misses in direct-mapped CPU caches. Perfect place ment minimizes the conflict miss rate and is useful for determining an upper bound on direct-mapped cache performance. In this paper, we introduce a polynomial-time alternative to perfect placement called stochastic page placement. Our method combines a general optimization technique with trace-driven simulation to find a local minimum of the perfect page placement solu tion space. Two stochastic placement policies are presented: GA placement uses a genetic algorithm to compute virtual page mappings, and SA placement uses simulated annealing. Parallel distributed simulation algorithms for perfect placement and GA placement are also presented. For our workloads, GA placement generally outperforms SA placement, but other careful placement policies that exploit workload properties usually outperform stochastic placement.
Pay Inversion at Universities: Is it Ethical?

This paper examines an important issue facing academia-pay inversion. It discusses how inversion is accompanied by ethical issues including secrecy, moral dilemmas for faculty, honesty, and keeping promises. It then examines this issue from five ethical viewpoints: a legalistic perspective, ethical egoism, utilitarianism, distributive justice, and Kant’s deontological approach. As part of the discussion, the effect of the moral philosophy on the university’s corporate culture is examined, with attention given to morale and productivity. Finally, alternatives to pay inversion that universities may want to consider are discussed.
Comparison of three presentation methods in paired-associate learning

Three methods of presentation of a 10-member paired-associate list were compared. These consisted of the standard anticipation method, a list available method, and a list study (simultaneous observation) method. An analysis of variance indicated significant differences among the three methods; inspection of the data suggests that these differences were due to significantly faster learning in the list study group.
Lack of association of the VEGF gene promoter (-634 G-->C and -460 C-->T) polymorphism and the risk of advanced retinopathy of prematurity.

Background Recently, it has been reported that genetic polymorphism (−634 G→C and −460 C→T) in the promoter region of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene can influence the progression of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). In order to evaluate its general applicability as a screening procedure in clinics and to replicate the above result, we have undertaken the following study.
Number Coding in Association Cortex of the Cat

In electrophysiological investigations of single neurons in cortical association response areas of the cat, cells have been encountered that appear to code the property of number. In a sequence of stimulus presentations, these cells characteristically discharge to a particular numbered stimulus in the series. This effect is independent of stimulus modality, intensity, and interstimulus interval; thus, the cells seem to be responding to the number of stimulus presentations.
Molecular Dynamics Simulated Unfolding of von Willebrand Factor A Domains by Force

The three tandem A domains (A1, A2, and A3) of von Willebrand factor (VWF) play critical roles for its functions. The A1 and A3 domains contain respective binding sites for platelet glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) and collagen. The A2 domain hosts a proteolytic site for the VWF-cleavage enzyme ADisintegrin And Metalloprotease with a ThromboSpondin type 1 motifs 13 (ADAMTS-13). Previous studies suggested that shear flow assists the ADAMTS-13 cleavage of VWF by unfolding the A2 domain and thus exposing the cryptic proteolytic site. Here we used steered molecular dynamics (SMD) to simulate the unfolding of the A1 and A2 domains by tensile force. The forced unfolding of A2 started from the C-terminus because of its specific topology. The β-strands of A2 were pulled out sequentially, generating sawtooth-like peaks in the force-extension curves. The disulfide bond between A1 N- and C-termini prevented it from unfolding. After eliminating the disulfide bond, A1 was unfolded similarly as A2 in terms of the β-strand pullouts, but differed in the unfolding of helices. The major resistance of A1 and A2 to unfolding came from the hydrogen bond networks of the central β-sheets. Two different unfolding pathways of the β-strands were observed, where the sliding pathway encountered much higher energy barrier than the unzipping pathway.
Understanding complex IT environments using information analytics and visualization

Today's business environments are going through several major transformations. First, most business environments are increasingly dependent upon vast amount of information. However, in part because of sheer volume, effective use of information is becoming more and more difficult. Second, the IT environments that support businesses are evolving from a simple machine- and automation-centric operational model to a complex people- and interactive service-centric operational model. Where, it becomes critical to analyze and understand the relationships between people, their skills, technologies, and organizations and effectively leverage human and technological resources to drive service delivery excellence and innovation. Unfortunately, very few tools exist to leverage the available information and analyze such relationships. This paper describes a solution, called "Business Insights Workbench" (BIW), which couples a number of information analytics techniques with a unique set of visualizations to help uncover hidden relationships among the key factors of the business environment (e.g., people, their skills, technologies, and organizations). Such understanding can bring many benefits to IT organizations, e.g., effective staffing for projects, collaboration and knowledge sharing, and technology growth and innovation. We use an IT business consulting services (IT BCS) organization as an example to illustrate our approach.
THE POOR AS A "PERFECT CONTRACEPTIVE POPULATION" AND ZERO POPULATION GROWTH

A goal of the federal family planning program is to enable women to have only those children they want, with priority given to the poor. Is that compatible with the goal of those who want zero population growth? This analysis shows that prevention of all unwanted births to women in low-income families would have yielded completed fertility much above that required for zero population growth.
The use of polarization in the piezospectroscopic determination of the residual stresses in polycrystalline alumina films

Abstract Experiments are described in which the R-line luminescence spectra from the thermally grown oxide formed by high temperature oxidation are recorded as a function of uniaxial strain and under different polarization conditions. The data obtained are used to calibrate both the piezospectroscopic effect and the effect of polarization when an external strain is superimposed upon a residual stress field. Although the incident polarization of the light used to excite the luminescence affects the total emission intensity, it does not affect the polarization of the luminescence signal. However, the ratio of the areas of the R2 and R1 luminescence peaks is dependent on both the stress and the orientation of the polarization of the optics used to collect the spectra relative to the applied stress direction. This provides the basis for determining the principal stress directions in a polycrystalline film. No effect of polarization was observed on the frequencies of the R2 and R1 lines.
The impact of complexity theory on algorithms for sparse polynomials

In recent work [12][13], Plaisted has considered the computational complexity of certain decision problems for sparse polynomials. The present expository paper is intended to make these results accessible to those working in the area of algebraic manipulation and to clarify the relevance of the results to this area. The basic insight to be gained is that if the best known algorithms for a problem concerning (not necessarily sparse) polynomials process sparse polynomials in such a way that sparsity is lost, then one should not expect it to be possible to design special algorithms with consistently improved performance on sparse polynomials, unless one hopes to solve the NP = P problem positively. Also we note, for the sake of improved communication between complexity theorists and those working on algebraic manipulation, that there is a significant difference between the conventions used for expressing computation time in the two areas: Many algorithms which always run within a polynomial number of steps, in terms of the algebraic parameters involved, will require an exponential number of steps, in terms of input length (as is the usage in complexity theory), on infinitely many inputs.
Family preservation services and special populations: The invisible target

Children of color are especially vulnerable for a devastating outcome as a result of their living environment and are disproportionately represented within the child welfare system. Social workers, who are trained to mitigate the effects of social injustice and societal inconsistencies, particularly among minorities and oppressed populations, perpetuate the injustices associated with the child welfare system by ignoring the special needs of children of color when administering family preservation services. The authors present results from a national study that examined the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of family preservation workers regarding the service criterion based on whether a family is part of a special population. Results indicate a significant bias against targeting family preservation services to children of color.
Can the immune system be harnessed to repair the CNS

Experimental and clinical data have demonstrated that activating the immune system in the CNS can be destructive. However, other studies have shown that enhancing an immune response can be therapeutic, and several clinical trials have been initiated with the aim of boosting immune responses in the CNS of individuals with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. Here, we evaluate the controversies in the field and discuss the remaining scientific challenges that are associated with enhancing immune function in the CNS to treat neurological diseases.
Bond strength-bond length relationships for some metal-oxygen bonds☆

Abstract Examination of crystal structure data for uranyl salts has led to the development of the relation D = D(1) − K( 1−1 s )) where D is the bond length for bond strength s, D(1) is the bond length corresponding to unit bond strength, and K is a constant which can be obtained from bond length data. The expression is analogous to the Pauling logarithmic relationship D = D(1) − 2 k log s. It can be shown, however, that a more general form of the bond length-bond strength expression is D = A + K s . This equation has been applied to U+6O, BO, V+5O, and Mo+6O bonds. The range of application is limited, however, to s-values near unity and greater. A similar expression D = A′ + K′ s can be used to obtain D-s information for ionic bonds. For these cases, bond distances and bond strengths are also limited to a restricted range of values. The quantities A, A′, K s and K′ s appear to be radii with the s-dependent terms representing perhaps a polarization quality. The statement that these may be radii is not proven, but is implied because of numerical similarity to known radii values. An empirical method is suggested for computing all bond strengths over the extended range of bond distances.
Combining numeric and symbolic learning techniques

Incremental learning from examples in a noisy domain is a difficult problem in machine learning. In this paper we divide the task into two subproblems and present a combination of numeric and symbolic approaches that yields robust learning of boolean characterizations. We have implemented this method in a computer program and present its empirical learning performance in the presence of varying amounts of noise.
Magnetized Laser-Plasma Interactions to Create Solid Density Warm Matter

Summary form only given. Collisional particle-in-cell simulations predict that solid density matter irradiated with a short pulse high intensity laser can be heated to keV temperatures by applying an external magnetic field. The role of the magnetic field is to restrict the radial diffusion of the hot electrons accelerated by the laser field. The confinement can be effective if the gvro-period is less than the collision time. This reduces the radial diffusion of the hot electrons long enough so that they can couple to the cold electrons which in turn couple to the ions. To test these predictions, an experiment is being developed that takes advantage of the coupled Tomcat/Leopard -Zebra facility. According to simulations performed for achievable values of the parameters, with a laser intensity higher than 1017 W/cm2 and a magnetic field of the order of 1 MG material volumes of 105 mum can be heated for several ps to temperatures of several hundred eV. These parameters make this technique extremely appealing for fusion and opacity studies with numerous applications that include modeling the radiation transport in the interiors of stars. In preparation for the integrated experiment, magnetic fields higher than 1 MG were produced in vacuum with the pulsed power generator Zebra (0.6 MA, 200 ns) using horseshoe shaped coils. In the configuration used, no plasma was created on the surface of a CM laser target placed inside the coil. To date, the best parameters measured for the Tomcat compressed laser pulse are: energy 4 J, duration 0.8 ps, and focal spot FWHM 30 mum (measured with the unamplified beam), resulting in an irradiance on target around 1018 W/cm2. Higher irradiance will be soon available using the 100 TW laser Leopard, the pulse compression of which is currently under way. The jitter of Zebra was reduced to less than 15 ns rms assuring successful synchronization with the lasers. The goal of the experiment is to demonstrate enhanced heating of a solid target irradiated by an intense, short pulse laser in the presence of an external magnetic field. Several types of targets including homogeneous Si and CD targets, as well as layered targets CD-Si-CD will be used, and their heating compared. The electron temperature and ionization balance will be inferred from X-ray spectra. A von Hamos KAP crystal spectrograph was built and used to record single shot Al and Si spectra from laser irradiated targets. Neutron yield measurements with scintillator-photomultiplier detectors will be used to determine the deuteron temperature.
Influence of Elevated Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Processing and Physical Properties of Butter

Abstract Milk fat containing varied percents of linoleic acid (from 1.8 to 28.0% of the fatty acids) from feeding cows a protected lipid supplement and by blending conventional and polyunsaturated milk fats was used to make experimental butters by churning and by the continuous Votator system. Measurements were made of the hardness of the butters by disk and cone penetrometers, of melting characteristics of the milk fats by dilatometry, of butters by nuclear magnetic resonance, and of oiling off properties at 10 and 20C. The higher the linoleic content of the milk fat, the softer the butter. Comparison at similar linoleic percents of butters made from milk fat as produced and those from blends of conventional and polyunsaturated milk fat showed that products from blends were harder, had a wider temperature range at which they were plastic, and were less susceptible to oiling off at 20C. Below 12C butter made by the continuous Votator system was appreciably harder than that by churning, but at higher temperatures hardness of the two butters was similar. The results indicate possibilities for improving the spreadability of butter by manipulating the composition and physical properties of milk fat by feeding cows protected lipid supplement.
Market and Welfare Effects of Second-Generation, Consumer-Oriented GM Products

We examine the economic effects of the introduction of consumer-oriented genetically modified (GM) products into the food system by developing a model of heterogeneous consumers and producers that allows for vertical and horizontal differentiation between the products available to consumers. The model facilitates the estimation of consumer and producer surpluses in the product/utility and product/net returns spaces. Results show that the introduction of consumer-oriented GM products can change the relationship between GM and conventional and organic products from one of vertical to one of horizontal product differentiation and can enhance both economic welfare and the market acceptance and growth of agricultural biotechnology.
An Adaptive Solar Photovoltaic Array Using Model-Based Reconfiguration Algorithm

This paper proposes an adaptive reconfiguration scheme to reduce the effect of shadows on solar panels. A switching matrix connects a solar adaptive bank to a fixed part of a solar photovoltaic (PV) array, according to a model-based control algorithm that increases the power output of the solar PV array. Control algorithms are implemented in real time. An experimental reconfiguration PV system with a resistive load is presented and is shown to verify the proposed reconfigurations.
Debt Relief and Adjustment Incentives

The argument that debt relief would increase the incentive of a debtor country to make an adjustment effort (to invest) and that for this reason creditors may benefit by granting relief is analyzed in this paper. It is shown that there are actually opposing incentive effects of debt relief and that the argument could be valid in particular circumstances. A distinction is made between exogenous and endogenous relief, the latter compelled by low capacity to pay caused by low investment earlier.
From Bench to Bedside: Translational Research on Vocal Fold Hydration

Abstract The importance of well-hydrated vocal folds in maintaining optimal voice function is widely acknowledged. In this article, we summarize findings from recent bench and bedside research and highlight how use of these experimental techniques has improved our understanding of the physiological mechanisms that regulate vocal fold hydration.
Remifentanil prevents an increase in intraocular pressure after succinylcholine and tracheal intubation.

We have studied changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) in 30 patients after succinylcholine (suxamethonium) and tracheal intubation following administration of propofol 2 mg kg-1 and either remifentanil 1 microgram kg-1 (group R) or saline (group S). IOP was measured before induction, before administration of succinylcholine and the study drug, before intubation and for every 1 min after intubation for 5 min. There was a significant decrease in IOP in group R compared with group S from the time of administration of the study drugs to the end of the study (P
Time-dependent reliability analysis using efficient Bayesian method

The paper presents an efficient method for time-dependent reliability analysis. Probabilistic modeling is used to quantify uncertainties and additional information is incorporated using Bayes theorem to perform various updating and reduce inference uncertainty. To improve the computational efficiency, Laplace approximation and inverse reliability methods are proposed to evaluate the Bayesian posterior distributions and reliability responses, respectively. A numerical example and and fatigue reliability application are presented to demonstrate the overall methodology. The efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed method is compared with traditional simulation-based method.
Restaurant attrition: a longitudinal analysis of restaurant failures

This piece of research reports on a five‐year continuing longitudinal study on restaurant attrition in El Paso, Texas, utilizing business listings provided by the Southwestern Bell telephone company. This study has two main goals: to track initial investment so that the relationship between investment and promotional activities can be determined; and to attempt to distinguish between business cessation due to failure, versus business cessation due to other causes. As hypothesized, independent restaurant operators had markedly lower expenditures on both initial investment and promotion. Franchise and corporate chains were characterized by high investment, and a correspondingly high success rate.
Depression Diagnoses and Fundamental Frequency-Based Acoustic Cues in Maternal Infant-Directed Speech.

F0-based acoustic measures were extracted from a brief, sentence-final target word spoken during structured play interactions between mothers and their 3- to 14-month-old infants and were analyzed based on demographic variables and DSM-IV Axis-I clinical diagnoses and their common modifiers. F0 range (ΔF0) was negatively correlated with infant age and number of children. ΔF0 was significantly smaller in clinically depressed mothers and mothers diagnosed with depression in partial remission, relative to nondepressed mothers, mothers diagnosed with depression in full remission, and those diagnosed with depressive disorder not otherwise specified. ΔF0 was significantly lower in mothers experiencing their first major depressive episode relative to mothers with recurrent depression. Deficits in ΔF0 were specific to diagnosed clinical depression, and were not well predicted by elevated self-report scores only or by diagnosed anxiety disorders. Mothers with higher ΔF0 had infants with reportedly larger productiv...
Diverse functions within the IAP family.

Inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) are a diverse group of signaling molecules that function in a wide range of cellular roles, from the inhibition of caspases to the promotion of cell-cycle progression. These diverse functions may well be linked to the many different domains that are contained within
A meta-analytic review of court-mandated batterer intervention programs: Can courts affect abusers’ behavior?

Court-mandated batterer intervention programs are being implemented throughout the United States to address the problem of domestic violence. Prior reviews of research on the effectiveness of these programs have arrived at conflicting conclusions. This study is a systematic review of the extant research on this topic. Experimental and quasi-experimental studies that used matching or statistical controls were included. The results were mixed. The mean effect for official reports of domestic violence from experimental studies showed modest benefit, whereas the mean effect for victim reported outcomes was zero. Quasi-experimental studies using a no-treatment comparison had inconsistent findings indicating an overall small harmful effect. In contract, quasi-experimental studies using a treatment dropout design showed a large, positive mean effect on domestic violence outcomes. We discuss the weakness of the latter design and raise concerns regarding official reports. The findings, we believe, raise doubts about the effectiveness of court-mandated batterer intervention programs.
Impression formation as a function of male baldness

A computer-morphing procedure was used to produce a "full cranial hair" photograph for comparisons of perceptions by 96 undergraduates of a photograph of a naturally bald 30-yr.-old man on 13 dependent measures derived from 30 semantic differential scales. Analysis showed the full-hair condition was rated significantly more dominant, dynamic, and masculine than the bald condition. While the model was also perceived as younger in the full-hair condition, there was no difference in mean ratings of attractiveness between photographs.
Placing math reform: locating Latino English learners in math classrooms and communities

This article explores how place matters in public school reform efforts intended to promote more equitable opportunities and outcomes. Qualitative case studies of three California middle schools’ eighth grade math reforms and the resulting opportunities for Latino English learners are presented, using the conceptual frameworks of critical human geography to situate math reform processes within local and regional social, political, economic, institutional and spatial dynamics. The cases reveal relationships between local efforts to transform or maintain racially and ethnically segregated housing and school attendance patterns, decision-making about math programmes and resource allocation, and resulting student learning opportunities. Together they suggest that (1) efforts to foster more equitable student outcomes must account for the mutually constitutive nature of schools and their localities; (2) mobilization, and educational leaders’ responses to it, matter; and (3) place-sensitive education research de...
Are there such things as “Narcissists” in social psychology? A taxometric analysis of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory

Narcissism is typically viewed as a dimensional construct in social psychology. Direct evidence supporting this position is lacking, however, and recent research suggests that clinical measures of narcissism exhibit categorical properties. It is therefore unclear whether social psychological researchers should conceptualize narcissism as a category or continuum. To help remedy this, the latent structure of narcissism—measured by the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI)—was examined using 3895 participants and three taxometric procedures. Results suggest that NPI scores are distributed dimensionally. There is no apparent shift from ‘‘normal’’ to ‘‘narcissist’’ observed across the NPI continuum. This is consistent with the prevailing view of narcissism in social psychology and suggests that narcissism is structured similar to other aspects of general personality. This also suggests a difference in how narcissism is structured in clinical versus social psychology (134 words). 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Automatic parameter selection for a k-segments algorithm for computing principal curves

This paper studies the k-segments algorithm proposed by Verbeek et al. [Verbeek, J.J., Vlassis, N., Krose, B., 2002. A k-segments algorithm for finding principal curves, Pattern Recognition Lett. 23, 1009-1017] for computing principal curves. In particular an automatic method for choosing the ''free'' parameters in this k-segments algorithm is proposed. Experimental results are provided to demonstrate the performance of this proposed method.
An N-acyl glycyltaurine conjugate of deoxycholic acid in the biliary bile acids of the rabbit

The biliary bile acid composition of the adult and neonatal domestic rabbit, as well as that of the adult brush rabbit, was characterized. In adult domestic rabbits, the dominant bile acid present was deoxycholic acid (88% of to- tal bile acids), a secondary bile acid formed by the bacterial 7-dehydroxylation of cholic acid. Although most of the bile acids present were conjugated with glycine, two exceptions were observed. About 3% of deoxycholic acid was conju- gated, in N-acyl linkage, with glycyl-taurine. Chenodeoxy- cholic acid, which composed , 1% of bile acids, was conju- gated solely with taurine. The bile of neonatal rabbits contained a greater percentage of primary bile acids, and bile acids were conjugated to a much greater extent with taurine. The adult brush rabbit had a bile acid composition similar to that of the domestic rabbit, but about one-third of all bile acids were conjugated with taurine. In addition, lithocholic acid was present as its sulfated amidate, whereas in the domestic rabbit, lithocholic acid was conjugated solely with glycine. The biliary bile acid composition of rab- bits appears to be unique both in terms of the predominant steroid moiety, as well as in the modes of conjugation.— Hagey, L. R., C. D. Schteingart, S. S. Rossi, H-T. Ton-Nu, and A. F. Hofmann. An N-acyl glycyltaurine conjugate of deoxy- cholic acid in the biliary bile acids of the rabbit. J. Lipid Res. 1998. 39: 2119-2124.
Absent semicircular canals in CHARGE syndrome: radiologic spectrum of findings.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This paper describes the CT findings that characterize the middle and inner ear anomalies in coloboma, heart defects, choanal atresia, mental retardation, genitourinary, and ear anomalies (CHARGE) syndrome. With this information, neuroradiologists will be better prepared to provide clinically relevant information to their referring physicians regarding this rare syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT studies from 13 patients were reviewed by 2 neuroradiologists with Certificate of Additional Qualification. Each ear was counted separately for a total of 26 ears. Middle and inner ear anomalies associated with CHARGE syndrome were categorized. Investigational review board approval was obtained. RESULTS: Twenty of 26 (77%) ears demonstrated cochlear aperture atresia. Four of these ears were evaluated with MR imaging and were found to lack a cochlear nerve. Twenty-one of 26 (81%) cochlea had some form of dysplasia. Six of 26 (23%) round windows were aplastic. Three of 26 (12%) round windows were hypoplastic. Twenty-one of 26 (81%) oval windows were atretic or aplastic. Fifteen of 26 (58%) vestibules were hypoplastic or dysplastic. There were 5 of 26 (19%) enlarged vestibular aqueducts. Twelve of 26 (46%) vestibular aqueducts had an anomalous course. All cases demonstrated absent semicircular canals. Twenty-three of 26 (88%) facial nerve canals had an anomalous course. Four of 26 (15%) tympanic segments were prolapsed. Three of 26 (12%) temporal bones had an anomalous emissary vein referred to as a petrosquamosal sinus. Twenty-one of 26 (81%) middle ear cavities were small. Twenty-three of 26 (93%) ossicles were dysplastic with ankylosis. Three of 26 (12%) internal auditory canals were small. CONCLUSION: The CT findings that correlate to the anomalies of CHARGE syndrome affect conductive as well as sensorineural hearing. Stenosis of the aperture for the cochlear nerve aperture on CT is suggestive of hypoplasia or absence of the cochlear nerve, which has been demonstrated in some cases by MR. Absence of the cochlear nerve would be a contraindication to cochlear implantation.
Viability of Titanium-Titanium Boride Composite as a Biomaterial

The use of reinforcements to enhance mechanical properties of titanium such as hardness has been adopted by many researchers. Of these reinforcements, titanium boride has emerged as one of the most suitable reinforcements for titanium which is both chemically and mechanically compatible with the titanium matrix. Despite the extensive work conducted on these types of composites, very little is known about their biocompatibility which has so far precluded their use in bioapplications. The present paper investigates, for the first time, the biocompatibility of powder-processed titanium-titanium boride () composites for use in medical and dental implants and basic studies on fibroblast attachment conducted to assess for this application. The work is intended to serve as an initial step towards understanding the bioresponse of these composites by evaluating cytotoxicity, cellular attachment and morphology, and hemolytic potential. Results indicate that fibroblasts attach, proliferate, and achieve confluency when in contact with the composites, exhibiting normal morphology. Furthermore, the cells show a favorable growth rate when cultured with the composite for 48 hours. The composite demonstrated excellent blood biocompatibility, with a low hemolysis level (0.12% ) when compared with CP Ti (0.17%) and Ti-6Al-4V (0.36%). These findings suggest that composite is biocompatible and further investigation into its suitability as a biomaterial should be considered.
Reliability of Self-reported Human Immunodeficiency Virus Risk Behaviors in a Residential Drug Treatment Population

This study examined test-retest reliabilities of self-reported human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) sexual and drug injection behaviors among 246 prior drug users admitted to either of two residential drug treatment programs in Westborough, Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island, between June 1990 and September 1992. Participants, selected by their date of admission, were administered admission and reliability questionnaires pertaining to HIV risk behaviors, the latter at approximately 2 weeks after admission. Estimated reliabilities (kappa coefficients) of the sexual behaviors ranged from 0.72 to 0.91 ; those for the drug injection variables ranged from 0.63 to 0.98. These results were consistent across groups defined by sex and injection of drugs. The consistently good reliabilities are significant to the design of independent studies of drug treatment populations utilizing self-report measures of sexual and drug behaviors.
Do Efficient Firms Make Better Acquisitions

Corporate control theory suggests mergers and acquisitions protect shareholder value by allowing good managers to take control of the assets of bad managers. It therefore predicts (1) the acquisitions of poorly-managed targets by well-managed bidders will create more value than other acquisitions, and (2) the target CEO is more likely to be replaced when well-managed firms acquire poorly-managed firms. We examine these predictions. We measure how well a firm is managed using frontier efficiency analysis – the method compares the output of each firm to that of a hypothetical best-performing firm with the same inputs and characteristics as the original firm. We find: (1) the market reacts more positively to acquisitions of efficient firms. (2) Acquisitions by efficient firms are more likely to be all-cash deals and less likely to be all-equity deals. (3) The wealth gains to both the target and the acquirer improve as the efficiency difference between the acquirer and the target increases. (4) The target CEO is less likely to be retained by the merged firm when the efficiency difference increases. (5) The market reacts more negatively to target CEO retention when the target is less efficient than the acquirer.
Decentralization Trends of Employment Location and Spatial Policies in LDC Cities

Rapid urbanization in developing countries has produced a heavy concentration of population and economic activity in a very few large urban centers. This pattern of urban concentration has generated two major policy concerns: (i) keeping the largest cities in these countries from getting too large; and (ii) maintaining regional equity. This paper reports the empirical findings from the Bogota City Study and draws some policy conclusions in the context of Korean spatial policy experience. It documents the observed decentralization trends of employment in Bogota and Cali using several sets of household survey data and the Colombian social security data. Then, it summarizes the theoretical and empirical framework developed for the location choice of manufacturing firms. Drawing on these behavioral underpinnings of the firm's location choice, the paper evaluates several policy issues related to employment decentralization based on the policies implemented in the Seoul region.
The Corticohippocampal Circuit, Synaptic Plasticity, and Memory

Synaptic plasticity serves as a cellular substrate for information storage in the central nervous system. The entorhinal cortex (EC) and hippocampus are interconnected brain areas supporting basic cognitive functions important for the formation and retrieval of declarative memories. Here, we discuss how information flow in the EC-hippocampal loop is organized through circuit design. We highlight recently identified corticohippocampal and intrahippocampal connections and how these long-range and local microcircuits contribute to learning. This review also describes various forms of activity-dependent mechanisms that change the strength of corticohippocampal synaptic transmission. A key point to emerge from these studies is that patterned activity and interaction of coincident inputs gives rise to associational plasticity and long-term regulation of information flow. Finally, we offer insights about how learning-related synaptic plasticity within the corticohippocampal circuit during sensory experiences may enable adaptive behaviors for encoding spatial, episodic, social, and contextual memories.
Regional differentiation in rat aorta: L-arginine metabolism and cGMP content in vitro

Sequential segments of rat aorta incubated in vitro exhibit a characteristic activity pattern for the metabolism of L-arginine, the substrate for nitric oxide synthase, and for the content of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP), the mediator of nitric oxide relaxation of vascular smooth muscle. Highest values were observed just distal to the arch and diminish peripherally. Prior removal of the endothelium, treatment with ouabain, or replacement of ambient medium Na+ decreased L-arginine uptake and metabolism and eliminated the pattern of regional differentiation. Removal of endothelium reduced the cGMP content with loss of the regional pattern. A favorable extracellular/intracellular Na+ gradient is required for the moiety of L-arginine uptake destined for metabolism in the endothelial cell. Replacement of ambient Na+ or treatment with ouabain also decreases markedly the L-arginine metabolism and uptake in cultured rat aortic endothelial cells. When aortic segments were tested with five additional substances, L-leucine uptake alone followed a regional pattern similar to that for L-arginine, and no such pattern was observed for the uptake of L-alanine, alpha-aminoisobutyrate, 3-methylglucose, or Ca2+.
Using a derivative-free optimization method for multiple solutions of inverse transport problems

Identifying unknown components of an object that emits radiation is an important problem for national and global security. Radiation signatures measured from an object of interest can be used to infer object parameter values that are not known. This problem is called an inverse transport problem. An inverse transport problem may have multiple solutions and the most widely used approach for its solution is an iterative optimization method. This paper proposes a stochastic derivative-free global optimization algorithm to find multiple solutions of inverse transport problems. The algorithm is an extension of a multilevel single linkage (MLSL) method where a mesh adaptive direct search (MADS) algorithm is incorporated into the local phase. Numerical test cases using uncollided fluxes of discrete gamma-ray lines are presented to show the performance of this new algorithm.
Age-Friendly New York City: A Case Study

Over 1 million New York City residents, or 12 % of the total population, are age 65 or older, a number projected to increase by 40.7 % over the next 20 years (U.S. Census Bureau 2013a; New York City Department of City Planning 2013). Age-friendly New York City (Age-friendly NYC), an initiative launched in 2007 by the New York Academy of Medicine, the Office of the Mayor of the City of New York, and the New York City Council, works to make the City the best possible place for older people to live through improvements to policies, practices, and programs. Age-friendly NYC asks older adults about their daily lives and uses their feedback to develop creative, low-cost solutions to reduce barriers to maximum social and economic participation. Some of the improvements made by Age-friendly NYC include a reduction in senior pedestrian fatalities by 21 %, increased walkability through the addition of public seating, new programming for older people at parks, educational and cultural institutions, and a better consumer experience offered by many local businesses. One of the founding members of the World Health Organization (2007) Global Age-friendly Cities Network, Age-friendly NYC utilizes a “top-down and bottom-up” approach that allows for both citywide and neighborhood-specific interventions. Making this engine for change work requires a repeated cycle of direct consultation with older adults, documentation of best practices, development of tools and resource materials, support for institutions and communities implementing innovative ideas, translation of such ideas into program and policy changes, and sustained communication with stakeholders, policy makers, and the public at large.