cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Golden parachutes, information, and shareholder value

Golden parachutes may increase shareholder value by aligning the incentives of the managers with those of the shareholders. In particular, when a hostile takeover bid is made directly to shareholders via a tender offer, the shareholders will rely on information they receive from incumbent management only if the shareholders believe that the incumbent management has no incentive to mislead them. Otherwise, the shareholders base their actions only on observable information. The golden parachute brings about truthful revelation of information from the management to the shareholders. At the same time, however, golden parachute clauses make takeovers more expensive and possibly prohibit value-enhancing takeovers from occurring. This paper shows that the value-enhancing effect can dominate if the value of the golden parachute falls within certain limits. Empirical applicability is suggested by the comparative static manipulation of the key equation that constrains the amount of the golden parachute.
Building New Bridges to America's Schools: Lessons From the University of Notre Dame

This article tells the story and explores the significance of Notre Dame's efforts over the past 18 years to serve the pressing needs of underresourced elementary and secondary schools throughout the United States, with a special focus on the faith-based sector—and more particularly, Catholic schools. These schools are increasingly fragile but possess a well-documented track record of success educating low-income minority students. The closure in 1976 of Notre Dame's Department of Education left open an institutional space for entrepreneurial initiatives and new partnerships responsive to the needs of schools across the nation. Attentive to the manifold ironies inherent in the founding (in the mid-1990s) and growth of the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) program and Notre Dame's Institute for Educational Initiatives in which ACE is housed, the authors discern a pattern in which seeming deficits and obstacles repeatedly spark innovative responses and powerful alliances among a diverse range of stakeho...
Cerebral metabolism of fluorodeoxyglucose measured with 19F NMR spectroscopy

Brain extracts from rats given various doses of 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ranging from 20 to 300 mg/kg were examined with 19F NMR spectroscopy for fluorinated metabolic products and compared with the in vivo 19F spectra. Based on the analysis of these spectra and comparison with synthetic reference compounds, 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose 6-phosphate and 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-mannose 6-phosphate were identified as the major metabolites present. 2-Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-6-phosphogluconate was detected only at high doses of 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose administered, along with non-phosphorylated 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose and 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-mannose. Small amounts of two other compounds, which were not identified, were also observed. Presence of the 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-mannose 6-phosphate is the result of 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose 6-phosphate isomerization at the C2 position catalyzed by phosphoglucose isomerase. Results from the in vitro enzymatic reaction provide support for this hypothesis. Presence of 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-mannose may be the result of 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose isomerization at the C2 position catalyzed by glucose isomerase or the result of the dephosphorylation of the 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose 6-phosphate.
Angular magnetoresistance of textured thin film conductors

The angular magnetoresistance technique identifies the predominant orientation of crystallites by resistance dips which occur as a sample is rotated in a magnetic field. These dips occur when the magnetic field is aligned parallel to the copper-oxide planes. Illustrative examples are presented of the technique. It is particularly useful when X-ray diffraction is difficult due to small sample size, coating on the sample, or degeneracy of X-ray diffraction peaks.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Trypanosoma cruzi in Los Angeles and Miami blood donors: impact of evolving donor demographics on seroprevalence and implications for transfusion transmission.

BACKGROUND: Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas' disease, continues to be a concern for blood safety, as demonstrated by recent transfusion-transmitted cases in the United States and Canada. The chronic nature of Chagas', coupled with increasing numbers of immigrants from T. cruzi-endemic countries, suggests that Chagas' is a long-term public health problem. Herein, we report on a multiyear epidemiologic study of T. cruzi in Los Angeles and Miami blood donors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: From May 1994 to September 1998, blood donors in Los Angeles and Miami were queried regarding birth or time spent in an endemic country. Donations of “yes” respondents were tested by EIA, confirmed by radioimmunoprecipitation assay, and if confirmed as seropositive, enrolled in look-back investigations. RESULTS: A total of 1,104,030 Los Angeles and 181,139 Miami donors were queried regarding risk; 7.3 and 14.3 percent, respectively, responded yes. Seropositive rates were 1 in 7,500 Los Angeles and 1 in 9,000 Miami donors. In Los Angeles, seroprevalence rates increased significantly from 1996 to 1998 and were significantly higher for directed donors than nondirected donors. Look back identified 18 recipients, all of whom were seronegative for T. cruzi. CONCLUSION: Significant numbers of T. cruzi-seropositive donors contribute to the U.S. blood supply. The incidence of seropositivity is enhanced by minority recruitment efforts necessitated by donor demographic shifts. Similarly, high rates among directed donations in Los Angeles are attributable to a disproportionate number of at-risk directed donors. Current look-back data likely underestimate the frequency of transfusion- transmitted T. cruzi. These results indicate that con- tinued evaluation of transfusion as a mode of T. cruzi transmission in the United States is needed.
Subgroups in Dyslexia: Issues of Definition

The issue of definition in an important one. The answers to the questions raised are not clear, yet they are of both theoretical and of practical importance. With increasing clarification of the underlying deficits of the dyslexias, and with the ability to analyze them within the individual, the opportunity now exists to re-analyze our teaching strategies in order to discover with greater clarity those that are most effective for each definable type of child.
Sperm-egg interactions in the mouse: Sequence of events and induction of the acrosome reaction by a zona pellucida glycoprotein☆

In this investigation, the interaction of mouse sperm with unfertilized eggs and embryos, solubilized zonae pellucidae isolated from eggs and embryos, and purified zona pellucida glycoproteins ZP1, 2, and 3 (J. D. Bleil, and P. M. Wassarman, (1980b) Dev. Biol. 76, 185-202) has been examined in vitro by light and electron microscopy. The experiments described were carried out in order to determine the temporal sequence of events during sperm-egg interaction in vitro and to identify the component(s) of zonae pellucidae responsible for inducing mouse sperm to undergo the acrosome reaction. "Pulse-chase" analysis of the sequence of sperm-egg interactions revealed that mouse sperm first "attach" loosely and then "bind" tightly to the unfertilized egg's zona pellucida. Binding of sperm to egg zonae pellucidae is followed by induction of the acrosome reaction. Induction of the acrosome reaction can be mediated by the zona pellucida, since solubilized zonae pellucidae isolated from unfertilized eggs were found to be just as effective as the calcium ionophore A23187 in inducing the reaction in vitro. Furthermore, ZP3 purified from zonae pellucidae isolated from unfertilized eggs, but not from two-cell embryos, was also just as effective as either solubilized zonae pellucidae from eggs or ionophore A23187 in inducing the acrosome reaction. ZP1 and 2 from both eggs and embryos, and ZP3 from embryos, had little effect on the extent of the acrosome reaction as compared to control samples. The results of these and other experiments (J. D. Bleil, and P. M. Wassarman, (1980b) Cell 20, 873-882) strongly suggest that, at least in vitro, mouse sperm recognize and bind to ZP3 of egg zonae pellucidae, and that such binding leads to the induction of the acrosome reaction. Modification of ZP3 following fertilization eliminates sperm binding to zonae pellucidae and, consequently, induction of the acrosome reaction is precluded.
Practical approach to male hypogonadism.

Abstract Recent progress in our understanding of the physiology of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis calls for a rational method to study men complaining of impotence. Three cases of hypogonadism are presented and discussed. A “decision tree” is proposed to help the practicing physician evaluate impotent patients.
Isolation of two further polysaccharides from corn cobs

Two pure polysaccharides have been obtained from the alkali-extractable components of corn cob holocellulose. Both are isolated in crude form by fractional precipitation from neutral or acid solution through gradient addition of ethanol. Further reprecipitation of fractions gave an arabinoxylan with a molecular weight of 13,700, [α]D25 −87.0 °, with 10.6% arabinose and 89.4% xylose, and a highly branched polysaccharide composed of 59.1% xylose, 21.9% arabinose, 11.3% monomethylhexuronic acid, and 7.6% galactose with a molecular weight of 21,900, [α]D25 −77.0 ° and an equivalent weight of 1560.
Reduction of hospital costs and length of stay by good control of blood glucose levels

Objective: To discuss the available literature regarding the potential benefits of improving blood glucose control in hospitalized patients. Results: Subjects with diabetes constitute an increasing...
Remote Sensing of Vegetation Pattern and Condition to Monitor Changes in Everglades Biogeochemistry

Ground-based studies of biogeochemistry and vegetation patterning yield process understanding, but the amount of information gained by ground-based studies can be greatly enhanced by efficient, synoptic, and temporally resolute monitoring afforded by remote sensing. The variety of presently available Everglades vegetation maps reflects both the wide range of application requirements and the need to balance cost and capability. More effort needs to be applied to documenting and understanding vegetation distribution and condition as indicators of biogeochemistry and contamination. Ground-based and remote sensing studies should be modified to maximize their synergy and utility for adaptive management.
Optimal Co-Segmentation of Tumor in PET-CT Images With Context Information

Positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) images have been widely used in clinical practice for radiotherapy treatment planning of the radiotherapy. Many existing segmentation approaches only work for a single imaging modality, which suffer from the low spatial resolution in PET or low contrast in CT. In this work, we propose a novel method for the co-segmentation of the tumor in both PET and CT images, which makes use of advantages from each modality: the functionality information from PET and the anatomical structure information from CT. The approach formulates the segmentation problem as a minimization problem of a Markov random field model, which encodes the information from both modalities. The optimization is solved using a graph-cut based method. Two sub-graphs are constructed for the segmentation of the PET and the CT images, respectively. To achieve consistent results in two modalities, an adaptive context cost is enforced by adding context arcs between the two sub-graphs. An optimal solution can be obtained by solving a single maximum flow problem, which leads to simultaneous segmentation of the tumor volumes in both modalities. The proposed algorithm was validated in robust delineation of lung tumors on 23 PET-CT datasets and two head-and-neck cancer subjects. Both qualitative and quantitative results show significant improvement compared to the graph cut methods solely using PET or CT.
Abnormal Classical Eye-Blink Conditioning in Autism.

Cerebellar and limbic system pathologies have been reported in persons with autism. Because these brain areas are involved centrally in the acquisition and performance in classical eye-blink conditioning, this study evaluated conditioning in 11 persons with autism. Compared to matched controls, persons with autism learned the task faster but performed short-latency, high-amplitude conditioned responses. In addition, differences in learning the extinction rates systematically varied with age thus suggesting a developmental conditioning abnormality in autism. The observed pattern of eye-blink conditioning may indicate that persons with autism have the ability to rapidly associate paired stimuli but, depending on processing of certain contextual information, have impairments in modulating the timing and topography of the learned responses. This abnormality may relate to deviant cerebellar-hippocampal interactions. The classical eye-blink conditioning paradigm may provide a useful model for understanding the biological and behavioral bases of autism.
Wen, Salvucci, and Cuffey receive 2003 James B. Macelwane medal

Lianxing Wen, Guido D. Salvucci, and Kurt M. Cuffey were awarded the Macelwane Medal at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, which was held on 10 December 2003, in San Francisco, California. The medal honors “significant contributions to the geophysical sciences by a young scientist of outstanding ability.”
Jihad and ethnicity in post‐communist Eurasia. on the trail of transnational islamic holy warriors in Kashmir, Afghanistan, Central Asia, Chechnya and Kosovo

(2003). Jihad and ethnicity in post‐communist Eurasia. on the trail of transnational islamic holy warriors in Kashmir, Afghanistan, Central Asia, Chechnya and Kosovo. Global Review of Ethnopolitics: Vol. 2, No. 3-4, pp. 3-24.
Behavior of a received pulse radiated by half-wave dipole excited by a single-cycle sinusoidal voltage

Abstract The zero-order approximate solution for the currents along thin antennae is used to study the behavior of a received voltage pulse across the terminals of a thin dipole placed at the far zone of a thin transmitting dipole excited by a single-cycle sinusoidal voltage. It is found that each of the four distinct electric field pulses which the transmitting dipole radiates, induces four distinct (although overlapping) voltage pulses at the discontinuities of the receiving dipole antenna. Although the exciting voltage is single-cycle, the time duration of the incident electric field and the induced received voltage is lengthened by 1.5 cycles and up to 2 cycles, respectively. The receiving antenna behaves like an integrating circuit. The spectra of the short-pulse radiated field and the received voltage have peak values at frequencies higher than the carrier frequency f 0 of the exciting single-cycle sinusoidal voltage.
Resolution enhancement in standing-wave total internal reflection microscopy: a point-spread-function engineering approach

The theoretical basis for resolution enhancement in standing-wave total internal reflection microscopy (SW-TIRM) is examined. This technique relies on the formation of an excitation field containing super-diffraction-limited spatial-frequency components. Although the fluorescence generated at the object planes contains high-frequency information of the object distribution, this information is lost at the image plane, where the detection optics acts as a low-pass filter. From the perspective of point-spread-function (PSF) engineering, one can show that if this excitation field is translatable experimentally, the high-frequency information can be extracted from a set of images where the excitation fields have different displacement vectors. We have developed algorithms to combine this image set to generate a composite image with an effective PSF that is equal to the product of the excitation field and the Fraunhofer PSF. This approach can easily be extended to incorporate nonlinear excitation modalities into SW-TIRM for further resolution improvement. We theoretically examine high-resolution imaging based on the addition of two-photon, pump–probe, and stimulated-emission depletion methods to SW-TIRM and show that resolution better than 1/20 of the emission wavelength may be achievable.
Association Between Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Abnormalities of Vision in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Purpose To investigate relationships between contrast sensitivity (CS), color vision, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) among people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; to evaluate the effect of time since diagnosis of HIV infection on RNFL thickness. Design Noninterventional cross-sectional study. Methods We evaluated 102 eyes of 57 HIV-infected individuals without ocular opportunistic infections. Peripapillary RNFL thickness was determined with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in 4 quadrants. CS was measured with the Pelli-Robson technique (expressed as logCS); color vision was measured with the Lanthony desaturated 15-hue technique (expressed as color confusion index [C-index], with higher scores indicating worse color vision). Correlations between values were assessed using Spearman correlation coefficients. Results Median RNFL thickness (average of 4 quadrants) was 102.9 μm (range, 75.0–134.7 μm). Median logCS was 1.90 (range, 1.25–1.95). Median C-index was 1.58 (range, 0.96–4.07). Temporal RNFL thickness was correlated with logCS (r = 0.295, P = .003) and C-index (r = −0.338, P = .0005). Time since diagnosis of HIV infection was shorter for those with thick average RNFL than for those with thin average RNFL ( P = .18). Conclusions Both worse CS and worse color vision are correlated with thinning of the temporal RNFL, with possible threshold effects. Increased prevalences of abnormal CS and abnormal color vision in this population are therefore likely attributable to neuroretinal compromise. This pattern of structural and functional losses may reflect preferential damage to small-caliber axons in the maculopapillary bundle, possibly associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, providing a potential disease mechanism for HIV-associated "neuroretinal disorder."
New Horizons: Encountering Pluto and KBOs

New Horizons is a NASA mission to explore the Pluto system and the Kuiper Belt. The spacecraft was launched on 19 January 2006 and will begin its encounter studies of Pluto in early 2015, culminating on 14 July 2015 with a close approach just 12,500 km from Pluto. The spacecraft carries panchromatic and color images, IR and UV mapping spectrometers, a radio science package, two in situ plasma instruments, and a dust counter. We describe the capabilities of this instrument suite and the spacecraft, the observations planned for Pluto and its system of satellites, and our plans for KBO flybys to take place late in the 2010s.
Heading System Design of MAV

This article puts forward a new heading system (including heading measurement and heading control) framework of Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) starting from practical application, then designs a plan in which three most popular heading measurement methods, magnetic heading, strapdown heading and GPS heading, are implemented in a mini system, analyzes their strong and weak points one by one, and provides a way to obtain a practical heading based on data fusion. The advantages of this way are appropriately accuracy, little calculation amount, no system model needed, and dynamic online self-calibration. The article also designs a plan for heading control of MAV on the basis of heading measurement, which has been realized in the IFLY30 MGNC (Micro Guidance, Navigation and Control) system. IFLY30 is used in the flight control system of a sort of mini fixed wing aircraft. Static and autonomous flight tests prove that the heading system designed in this paper is feasible with excellent performance.
The analysis of conducting polymers by electrospray Fourier transform mass spectrometry. Part I: ionene polymers

The analysis of synthetic 6-2, 6-3 and 6-4 ionene polymers by electrospray ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry (ESIFTMS) is reported here. This is the first in a series of papers on the analysis of conducting polymers utilizing soft ionization techniques, thus allowing for the analysis of intact molecular ions. The syntheses of these individual polymers result in a variety of compounds with different molecular structures which are related to the normal linear ionene polymer. While the mechanisms by which the 6-2 and the 6-3 ionene polymers are synthesized are very similar, the synthesis of 6-4 ionene proceeds differently. In addition, the presence of a gas-phase bromide ion salt-bridged to the backbone of the polymer chain is observed in the resulting mass spectra, as well as the possibility of intramolecular cyclization. The latter has been proposed previously. This cyclization process becomes more possible as the number of methylene groups in the linking chain increases. Finally, we observed that the presence of a bromide ion in the sample helped the interpretation of sustained off-resonance irradiation collisionally-activated dissociation (SORI-CAD). Based on the isotopic pattern provided by the halogens, a “built-in” label which can be traced from the fragment ions back to the parent ion peak is found to be useful in structural assignments.
Neighbourhood structural characteristics and crack cocaine use: Exploring the impact of perceived neighbourhood disorder on use among African Americans

Abstract Background Crack cocaine use and associated negative social and health consequences remain a significant public health problem. Research that expands beyond the individual by considering the environmental context as a determinant of cocaine use is growing. The main objectives of this paper are to examine the effects of perceived neighbourhood disorder as an independent correlate of the frequency of recent crack cocaine use and whether its impact is mediated by use-related practices and social context of use among an African American adult sample in Atlanta (GA). Methods Cross-sectional data were collected from 461 respondents who were recruited through active and passive community outreach from 70 disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods across Atlanta. Multivariable negative binomial regression was performed to assess the independent association of perceived neighbourhood disorder with crack cocaine use frequency and to explore potential mediation by use-related practices and social context of use. Results Perceived neighbourhood disorder did not remain statistically significant after accounting for use-related practices and social context of use. Involvement in drug distribution and having traded sex were associated with increases in frequency of drug use, while using in safer places and using alone were associated with decreases in frequency of use. Conclusion The results show that perceived neighbourhood disorder is associated with frequency of crack cocaine use independently of socio-demographics. However, its significance was eliminated when controlling for use-related practices and the social context of use. Such practices and the social context of use may mediate the relationship between neighbourhood disorder and crack cocaine use. Future research is needed to more fully elucidate the links between individual and neighbourhood characteristics that are related to crack cocaine use and strategies to reduce use must consider the salience of use-related practices and the social context of use.
Evaluation of Different Soil Carbon Determination Methods

Determining soil carbon (C) with high precision is an essential requisite for the success of the terrestrial C sequestration program. The informed choice of management practices for different terrestrial ecosystems rests upon accurately measuring the potential for C sequestration. Numerous methods are available for assessing soil C. Chemical analysis of field-collected samples using a dry combustion method is regarded as the standard method. However, conventional sampling of soil and their subsequent chemical analysis is expensive and time consuming. Furthermore, these methods are not sufficiently sensitive to identify small changes over time in response to alterations in management practices or changes in land use. Presently, several different in situ analytic methods are being developed purportedly offering increased accuracy, precision and cost-effectiveness over traditional ex situ methods. We consider that, at this stage, a comparative discussion of different soil C determination methods will improve...
Understanding Index Option Returns

This paper studies the returns from investing in index options. Previous research documents significant average option returns, large CAPM alphas, and high Sharpe ratios, and concludes that put options are mispriced. We propose an alternative approach to evaluate the significance of option returns and obtain different conclusions. Instead of using these statistical metrics, we compare historical option returns to those generated by commonly used option pricing models. We find that the most puzzling finding in the existing literature, the large returns to writing out-of-the-money puts, is not even inconsistent with the Black-Scholes model. Moreover, simple stochastic volatility models with no risk premia generate put returns across all strikes that are not inconsistent with the observed data. At-the-money straddle returns are more challenging to understand, and we find that these returns are not inconsistent with explanations such as jump risk premia, Peso problems, and estimation risk.
Characterization of extracellular accumulation of Zn2+ during ischemia and reperfusion of hippocampus slices in rat.

Abstract The mammalian CNS contains an abundance of chelatable zinc that is sequestered in the vesicles of glutamatergic presynaptic terminals and co-released with glutamate. Considerable Zn 2 + is also released during cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) although the mechanism of this release has not been elucidated. We report here the real time observation of increase of the concentration of extracellular Zn 2+ ([Zn 2 + ] o ), accompanied by a rapid increase of intracellular free Zn 2+ concentration, in the areas of dentate gyrus (DG), CA1 and CA3 in acute rat hippocampus slices during ischemia simulated by deprivation of oxygen and glucose (OGD) followed by reperfusion with normal artificial cerebrospinal fluid. A brief period of OGD caused a sustained increase of [Zn 2+ ] o . Subsequent reperfusion with oxygenated medium containing glucose resulted in a further increase of [Zn 2+ ] o . Longer periods of OGD caused greater increases of [Zn 2 + ] o, and subsequent reperfusion caused still further increases of [Zn 2 + ] o, regardless of OGD duration. The Zn 2+ chelator CaEDTA (10 mM) significantly reduced the increase of [Zn 2 + ] induced by OGD and reperfusion. Significant regional differences of [Zn 2 + ] o over the areas of the DG, CA1 and CA3 were not observed during I/R. Neither sodium channel blockade by tetrodotoxin (2 μM), perfusion with nominally calcium-free medium nor anatomical disassociation of the DG, CA1 and CA3 regions from one another by lesioning affected the increase of [Zn 2 + ] o . The non-specific nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, N ω-nitro- l -arginine methyl ester (1 mM), however, blocked the increase of [Zn 2 + ] o during ischemia and reperfusion. The data indicate the important role of NO in causing the release of Zn 2+ during I/R and suggest that NOS inhibitors may be used to reduce Zn 2+ -induced neuronal injury.
On talker-independent word recognition in continuous speech

Results are presented from an experiment on talker-independent word recognition in which three experimental parameters were manipulated. Those parameters were 1) whether the word model had a mean vector and a variance vector, or a mean vector and a covariance matrix, at each time frame; 2) whether a single estimate was made of the word model or whether there was one re-estimate; and 3) whether word recognition was based on a Pass 1 distance score or on a novel Pass 2 log odds score. The results were 1) a multivariate word model did not do better than a word model based on a sum of univariate distributions; 2) a re-estimated word model did better than a word model based on initial estimates; and 3) the Pass 2 log odds score did better than the Pass 1 distance score.
Diagnostic accuracy of impression-free digital models.

Introduction Impression-free techniques might eliminate the potential shortcomings of digital dental models. Chairside scanners offer the advantage of obtaining digital dental models directly from the patient without the need for dental impressions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of 3-dimensional digital models acquired from a chairside intraoral scanner compared with both manual and cone-beam computed tomography measurements of the same dental anatomy. Methods The study sample comprised 60 dry skulls. Each skull had the maxillary and mandibular arches scanned with a Cadent iTero scanner (Align Technology, San Jose, Calif) and had a cone-beam computed tomography scan taken with a CS 9300 unit (Carestream Health, Atlanta, Ga). Linear measurements in all 3 dimensions of the space in each dental arch together with tooth-size arch-length analysis for both the maxillary and mandibular arches were carried out manually on the dry skulls with calipers and digitally on the scanned 3-dimensional models and cone-beam computed tomography images. Intraclass correlation (ICC) analysis was performed for all variables tested in the study groups, with the manual measurements on the dry skulls as the gold standard. The Bland-Altman analysis was also applied to the data to graphically display the agreement of the diagnostic measurements obtained from these methods. Results Measurements from the iTero models demonstrated near-perfect agreement (ICC, 0.91-0.99) with the caliper measurements. Cone-beam computed tomography measurements had moderate to high levels of agreement (ICC, 0.65-0.99) compared with the caliper measurements. Conclusions Direct digital acquisition of the dental arches with a chairside scanner provided almost 1-to-1 diagnostic information of the investigated anatomy and was superior to the cone-beam computed tomography measurements.
An Agent-Based computational model of a self-organizing project management paradigm for research teams

We propose a new research organization management paradigm to increase throughput of projects by allowing researchers to choose their own projects through self-organization. Our methods draw upon the field of Agent-Based computational social science where Artificial Life and simulated societies have been used to study complex systems including economies and financial markets. Modeling the researchers as individual agents, we simulate our new management structure against a more traditional organization where the researchers are broken into departments based on their skills and assigned projects by management. Our results, measuring the amount of time it takes a research organization to serve a given number of contracts, show promise in the less hierarchical approach.
Does "excessive" or "compulsive" best describe exercise as a symptom of bulimia nervosa?

Objective The criteria in the 4th ed. of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV; Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association) for bulimia nervosa include “excessive exercise” as an inappropriate compensatory behavior, suggesting that it is the quantity of the physical activity that is symptomatic, rather than its quality. The current study evaluated the hypothesis that psychological commitment to exercise (compulsive quality) will be more predictive of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors than the amount of time devoted to exercise (excessive quantity). Method Female (n = 162) and male (n = 103) undergraduates completed the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) subscales, the Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire (OEQ), and questions to assess the duration and frequency of exercise. Results Using multivariate analysis, the OEQ score was a positive predictor of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors, and exercise time was a negative predictor. Discussion “Compulsive” may be a better description than “excessive” in characterizing exercise as a symptom of bulimia nervosa. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Theory for dynamic longitudinal dispersion in fractures and rivers with Poiseuille flow

[1] We present a theory for dynamic longitudinal dispersion coefficient (D) for transport by Poiseuille flow, the foundation for models of many natural systems, such as in fractures or rivers. Our theory describes the mixing and spreading process from molecular diffusion, through anomalous transport, and until Taylor dispersion. D is a sixth order function of fracture aperture (b) or river width (W). The time (T) and length (L) scales that separate preasymptotic and asymptotic dispersive transport behavior are T = b2/(4Dm), where Dm is the molecular diffusion coefficient, and L = b448μDm∂p∂x, where p is pressure and μ is viscosity. In the case of some major rivers, we found that L is ∼150W. Therefore, transport has to occur over a relatively long domain or long time for the classical advection-dispersion equation to be valid.
A comparison of flicker noise and shot noise on a hot cathode

A simple formula is constructed that gives an immediate assessment of the relative importance of flicker noise and shot noise on a hot cathode, which is operated in the temperature limited regime. Its synthesis is guided by previous measurements of emission noise on various cathodes. Other than the system parameters that are specified by the applications, the formula depends only on the "crossover frequency," at which the flicker noise spectral density is equal to the shot noise spectral density.
Catastrophic collapse of the west Florida carbonate platform margin

A large truncation surface has been discovered on seismic reflection profiles along the distally steepened ramp of the west Florida carbonate platform margin. This structure, interpreted as a submarine slide scar, is at least 120 km across and up to 30 km wide; the slide has removed as much as 300–350 m of late Paleogene and early Neogene strata. Collapse occurred in the middle Miocene within an episode of seaward progradation during a relative sea-level highstand. Postcollapse depositional sequences thicken abruptly across the structure; this suggests catastrophic slope failure. Gravitational instability, created by high rates of sediment accumulation, is believed to have been the triggering mechanism. Such large-scale platform-margin collapse is likely to generate megabreccia debris flows as well as aid in the landward retreat of precipitous, high-relief carbonate escarpments.
Molecular Weight Dependence of Domain Structure in Silica-Siloxane Molecular Composites

A detailed investigation of the molecular weight dependence of silica growth in in situ filled polydimethylsiloxane/tetraethylorthosilicate (PDMS/TEOS) materials was conducted using small angle neutron scattering (SANS). Composite materials were produced by using TEOS to simultaneously produce the glassy filler phase and to crosslink linear, hydroxyl terminated PDMS of variable molecular weight, M. Correlated domains of glassy filler were produced. The morphology of the in situ filled material showed a definite dependence on the molecular weight of the precursor polymer. The scale, R, of the glassy domains follows de Gennes` description of phase separation in a crosslinked system (R {alpha} M{sup 1/2}).
Adipose Tissue and Atherosclerosis. Exploring the Connection

The prevalence of obesity, especially among the young, is dramatically increasing in the United States. Obesity is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and increased rates of cardiovascular death. There are many plausible mechanisms by which an increase in adipose tissue could adversely affect the vessel wall. These include the changes in blood pressure, glucose level, lipid/lipoprotein metabolism, and systemic inflammation. In addition, factors secreted by adipose tissue may directly influence vessel wall homeostasis by influencing the function of endothelial cells, arterial smooth muscle cells, and macrophages in the vessel wall. There is general agreement that central, as opposed to peripheral, adipose tissue confers the most cardio-metabolic risk. Although the basis of this differential risk has not been not established, the pattern of gene expression and secretory products in visceral fat would be predicted to be more atherogenic compared with that in subcutaneous peripheral fat. Numerous studies have shown the beneficial effects of weight loss on markers of cardiovascular risk but fewer have demonstrated improvement in direct measures of large vessel disease. The unfolding role of adipose tissue as an important metabolic and secretory organ provides new opportunities for developing more effective approaches for preventing obesity and its atherosclerotic complications.
Utility of Tissue Culture for Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in Vitreous Humor of Patients Diagnosed with Toxoplasmic Retinochoroiditis

Laboratory recovery and confirmation of the etiologic agent in necrotizing retinochoroiditis are problematic. Tissue culture and intraocular antibody titers were compared as adjuncts to clinical diagnosis for toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis: the correlations were 91 and 67%, respectively. Isolation of Toxoplasma gondii may establish a definitive diagnosis in patients with toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis.
Bone Marrow-Derived IL-13Ra1-Positive Thymic Progenitors Are Restricted to the Myeloid Lineage

The earliest thymic progenitors (ETPs) were recently shown to give rise to both lymphoid and myeloid cells. Whereas the majority of ETPs are derived from IL-7Rα-positive cells and give rise exclusively to T cells, the origin of the myeloid cells remains undefined. In this study, we show both in vitro and in vivo that IL-13Rα1(+) ETPs yield myeloid cells with no potential for maturation into T cells, whereas IL-13Rα1(-) ETPs lack myeloid potential. Moreover, transfer of lineage-negative IL-13Rα1(+) bone marrow stem cells into IL-13Rα1-deficient mice reconstituted thymic IL-13Rα1(+) myeloid ETPs. Myeloid cells or macrophages in the thymus are regarded as phagocytic cells whose function is to clear apoptotic debris generated during T cell development. However, the myeloid cells derived from IL-13Rα1(+) ETPs were found to perform Ag-presenting functions. Thus, IL-13Rα1 defines a new class of myeloid restricted ETPs yielding APCs that could contribute to development of T cells and the control of immunity and autoimmunity.
NEUROPEPTIDES IN THE VERTEBRATE RETINA

The vertebrate retina has been the object of extensive study both as a structure of considerable interest in its own right as well as a model for the study of a laminated neural system. Each band of the retina contains a specific population of cells of defined functional nature, and any given cell type may be found in only a restricted laminar zone of the retina, with only a few notable exceptions. The precisely organized and laminated cell populations, of defined functional nature, form an anatomical structure that lends itself to an analysis of the unique morphology and biochemistry of identified cell types.
Fabrication and characterization of 3D micro-plasma field effect transistors

We report the design, fabrication and electrical characterization of novel three dimensional Micro-plasma Field Effect Transistor (MOPFET) devices that operate inside atmospheric RF helium plasma. Current versus voltage characterization of MOPFETs are demonstrated in this paper. High transconductance and reliable gate control over Ids can be obtained from coplanar and 3D MOPFETs. COMSOL simulation is used here to demonstrate the operation principles of MOPFETs. For micro-plasma FETs electrons and ions act as charge carriers to conduct current, instead of electrons and holes, as in, traditional semiconductor FETs. Therefore, MOPFETs have advantages over semiconductor FETs in extreme conditions, such as at high temperatures and in high ionizing radiation such as applications in space exploration and in distressed nuclear reactors.
Event Differentiation In Service Science

In service science, a formal methodology is needed to distinguish one service from another and to define classes of services. A DNA of services is proposed consisting of a service DNA sequence of five letters corresponding to a five-dimensional linear scale. Each type of service is assigned a DNA sequence. If two services have the same DNA sequence, then they are in the same service class. The methodology provides an association between services, service models, and service systems.
Programming teaching in high schools: An analysis based on the discourse of collective subject

This paper presents a qualitative study about programming logic teaching in high school, based on the Discourse of Collective Subject. The project where this study is embedded aims to encourage a greater number of students in the areas of engineering and natural sciences, primarily girls. The main goal is to present how the high school students participating in this project understand issues related to computing learning and women inclusion in this area.
An important role for endogenous synthesis of arginine in maintaining arginine homeostasis in neonatal pigs

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that endogenous arginine synthesis plays an important role in maintaining arginine homeostasis in neonatal pigs. Gabaculine was used as a suicide inhibitor of ornithine aminotransferase to decrease the intestinal conversion of glutamine-derived pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P-5-C) into ornithine, the precursor of both citrulline and arginine. Four-day-old suckling pigs received oral administration of 0.0 or 0.83 mg gabaculine/kg body wt every 4 h during a 12-h period from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. Blood was collected from piglet's jugular vein at 6 A.M. and 6 P.M. after a 2-h isolation from sows. Gabaculine treatment decreased plasma concentrations of ornithine, citrulline, and arginine by 59, 52, and 76%, respectively, and increased those of glutamine and proline by 74 and 220%, respectively. The gabaculine treatment also increased plasma concentrations of leucine, taurine, and ammonia by 29, 42, and 20%, respectively. There were no differences in intramuscular concentrations of amino acids between control and gabaculine-treated pigs. Because P-5-C synthase (the enzyme required for synthesis of P-5-C from glutamate) was almost exclusively located in enterocytes of 4-day-old pigs, our data suggest that the intestinal production of citrulline plays an important role in endogenous synthesis of arginine and its homeostasis in neonatal pigs.
A scaling rash preferentially involving a recent tattoo

From of M D Ro of Fund An 18-year-old woman developed an asymptomatic rash 2 weeks after having a tattoo applied that preferentially affected both the red and black areas of the tattoo. There was no history of a sore throat or other infections. The physical examination revealed white scaling overlying the areas where tattoo ink was injected (Figs 1 and 2). Salmon-colored, scaled, guttate lesions 5 mm to 2 cm in diameter appeared at the same time, scattered over numerous areas on her legs, arms, trunk, and scalp. The rash cleared in 1 month with triamcinolone 0.1% cream twice daily, and graded exposure to natural sun producing a tan.
On the Characterization of the Generation Rate and Size-Dependent Crystalline Silica Content of the Dust from Cutting Fiber Cement Siding

A laboratory testing system was developed to systematically characterize the dust generation rate and size-dependent crystalline silica content when cutting or shaping silica containing materials. The tests of cutting fiber cement siding in this system verify that it provides high test repeatability, making it suitable for the targeted characterizations. The mass-based size distributions obtained from a gravimetric-based instrument and a direct reading instrument both show bimodal lognormal distributions with a larger mode ~13 µm and another mode <5 µm for the dusts from cutting four different brands of fiber cement siding. The generation rates of respirable dust obtained from the two instruments are comparable, and the results from each instrument are similar for the four brands. The silica content in the airborne dusts, however, strongly depends on the amount of silica used in the respective product. It is also observed that the silica content in the airborne dust from cutting the four brands of fiber cement siding showed the same trend of an increase with the aerodynamic diameter of the dust, approaching the silica content levels found in their respective bulk samples. Combining the results for both the dust size distribution and size-dependent silica content, it is found that most of the respirable crystalline silica (RCS) resides in the dust ~2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter. These results would help guide the development of specific engineering control measures targeted at lowering workers' exposure to RCS while cutting fiber cement siding. With the high repeatability using the laboratory testing system, the dust generation rate could then be characterized under different operating conditions, and with the deployment of various engineering control measures. This would greatly facilitate the systematic evaluation of the control effectiveness and the selection of the optimal control solutions for field trials.
Research Highlights: Pain Control in Orthodontics Using Vibration

Pain is a common patient complaint during the orthodontic movement of teeth, especially immediately following archwire placement. Vibration has been used to accelerate the orthodontic movement of teeth and some observations by clinicians have indicated that vibration appeared to reduce the pain of orthodontic treatment. The purpose of this parallel group, randomized clinical trial was to investigate the relationship between a micro pulse vibration device and pain perception during orthodontic treatment. Fifty-eight patients meeting eligibility criteria were assigned using block allocation to one of two groups: an experimental group using the vibration device or the control group (n = 29 for each group). Patients used the device twenty minutes daily. Patients rated pain intensity on a visual analog scale at appropriate intervals during the weeks after the separator or archwire appointment. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance at α = .05. Over the four month test period significant differences between the micro pulse vibration device group and the control group for overall pain ( P =.002) and biting pain ( P =.003) were identified. The authors observed that perceived pain was highest at the beginning of the month, following archwire adjustment. The micro pulse vibration device significantly lowered the pain scores for overall pain and biting pain over the four month study period.