cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increased Plasma Levels of Xanthurenic and Kynurenic Acids in Type 2 Diabetes.

About 350 million people worldwide have type 2 diabetes (T2D). The major risk factor of T2D is impaired glucose tolerance (pre-diabetes) with 10 % of pre-diabetes subjects develop T2D every year. Understanding of mechanisms of development of T2D from pre-diabetes is important for prevention and treatment of T2D. Chronic stress and chronic low-grade inflammation are prominent risk factors for T2D development in pre-diabetic subjects. However, molecular mechanisms mediating effect of stress and inflammation on development of T2D from pre-diabetes remain unknown. One of such mechanisms might involve kynurenine (KYN) pathway (KP) of tryptophan (TRP) metabolism. We suggested that chronic stress- or chronic low-grade inflammation-induced upregulation of formation of upstream KTP metabolites, KYN and 3-hydroxyKYN, combined with chronic stress- or chronic low-grade inflammation-induced deficiency of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate, a co-factor of downstream enzymes of KTP, triggers overproduction of diabetogenic downstream KYN metabolites, kynurenic acid (KYNA) and 3-hydroxyKYNA (also known as xanthurenic acid (XA)). As the initial assessment of our working hypothesis, we evaluated plasma levels of up- and downstream KP metabolites in the same samples of T2D patients. KYN, XA, and KYNA levels in plasma samples of T2D patients were higher than in samples of non-diabetic subjects. Our results provide further support of “kynurenine hypothesis of insulin resistance and its progression to T2D” that suggested that overproduction of diabetogenic KP metabolites, induced by chronic stress or chronic low-grade inflammation, is one of the mechanisms promoting development of T2D from pre-diabetes. Downstream metabolites of KP might serve as biomarkers of T2D and targets for clinical intervention.
Secret Votes and Secret Talk

The paper explores various uses of secrecy in modern democracies and argues that these uses can be explained and justified by widely shared liberal and republican conceptions of democracy.
A Review of “Christianity and Moral Identity in Higher Education”

Before offering a few comments on the contents of this book, I think it important to make two preliminary observations, both of which I intend as unabashed marketing ploys. First, do not let the ti...
Chronic actinic dermatitis

A 52-year-old man experienced a pruritic and erythematous eruption on his face, neck, upper chest, and arms. On examination his lesions consisted of edematous, erythematous plaques with scale and lichenified plaques. His clinical presentation, a skin biopsy specimen with a spongiotic dermatitis, positive patch and photopatch tests, and low MEDB and MEDA tests provided a diagnosis of chronic actinic dermatitis.
Structural Alterations of Polynucleotide Phosphorylase Leading to Primer Dependence

Abstract Procedures known to yield primer-dependent polynucleotide phosphorylase from Micrococcus lysodeikticus may also yield primer-independent enzyme, depending on the particular lot of cells used. A variety of treatments convert primer-independent enzyme to primer-requiring enzyme. The physical properties of the two forms of enzyme differ markedly.
Fermi surface of CePt 2 In 7 : A two-dimensional analog of CeIn 3

We report magnetic quantum oscillations in magnetic fields extending to $~$60 T in single crystals of the body-centered tetragonal antiferromagnet CePt${}_{2}$In${}_{7}$---recently discovered to exhibit pressure-induced superconductivity at ${T}_{\mathrm{c}}\ensuremath{\approx}$ 2.1 K. Despite the two-dimensionality of its Fermi surface, the microscopic electronic properties of layered CePt${}_{2}$In${}_{7}$ are revealed to be more similar to those of cubic CeIn${}_{3}$ than those of layered CeRhIn${}_{5}$. A significant field-induced change in the Fermi surface occurs below ${H}_{\mathrm{m}}\ensuremath{\approx}$ 45 T in both CePt${}_{2}$In${}_{7}$ and CeIn${}_{3}$, where it is broken into small pockets with field-dependent effective masses---signaling partial 4$f$-electron involvement in the Fermi surface for $Hl{H}_{\mathrm{m}}$. Since CePt${}_{2}$In${}_{7}$ and CeIn${}_{3}$ differ only in the dimensionality of their Ce sublattices, an ideal pair of compounds for investigating the effect of dimensionality on superconductivity is realized.
Volcanism and soil mercury on Mars - Consequences for terrestrial microorganisms

An earth-Mars depletion formula proposed by Anders and Owen for volatiles is used to calculate a range of putative Hg levels for Martian volcanic soils based upon analyzed samples from Hawaii. The range is about 50-150 microgram per kg. When applied either in conventional or special media (e.g., basalt powder), these levels of Hg are effective inhibitors of the growth of earth microorganisms. Taken together with other hostile chemical and physical factors, volcanic toxicants would appear to provide a further deterrent to the accidental establishment of terrestrial microbiota on Mars.
Intersection of chronic pain treatment and opioid analgesic misuse: causes, treatments, and policy strategies

Treating chronic pain in the context of opioid misuse can be very challenging. This paper explores the epidemiology and potential treatments for chronic pain and opioid misuse and identifies educational and regulation changes that may reduce diversion of opioid analgesics. We cover the epidemiology of chronic pain and aberrant opioid behaviors, psychosocial influences on pain, pharmacological treatments, psychological treatments, and social treatments, as well as educational and regulatory efforts being made to reduce the diversion of prescription opioids. There are a number of ongoing challenges in treating chronic pain and opioid misuse, and more research is needed to provide strong, integrated, and empirically validated treatments to reduce opioid misuse in the context of chronic pain.
Identification of peptides that promote the rapid precipitation of germania nanoparticle networks via use of a peptide display library

Peptides that promote the rapid, room-temperature precipitation of amorphous germania nanoparticle networks from solution have been identified via use of a combinatorial peptide display library.
Ethics and geoengineering: reviewing the moral issues raised by solar radiation management and carbon dioxide removal

After two decades of failure by the international community to respond adequately to the threat of global climate change, discussions of the possibility of geoengineering a cooler climate have recently proliferated. Alongside the considerable optimism that these technologies have generated, there has also been wide acknowledgement of significant ethical concerns. Ethicists, social scientists, and experts in governance have begun the work of addressing these concerns. The plethora of ethical issues raised by geoengineering creates challenges for those who wish to survey them. The issues are here separated out according to the temporal spaces in which they first arise. Some crop up when merely contemplating the prospect of geoengineering. Others appear as research gets underway. Another set of issues attend the actual implementation of the technologies. A further set occurs when planning for the cessation of climate engineering. Two cautions about this organizational schema are in order. First, even if the issues first arise in the temporal spaces identified, they do not stay completely contained within them. A good reason to object to the prospect of geoengineering, for example, will likely remain a good reason to object to its implementation. Second, the ethical concerns intensify or weaken depending on the technology under consideration. The wide range of geoengineering technologies currently being discussed makes it prudent that each technique should be evaluated individually for its ethical merit. WIREs Clim Change 2013, 4:23–37. doi: 10.1002/wcc.198 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Comparison of methods for introducing and producing artificial infection of ixodid ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) with Ehrlichia chaffeensis.

Only 29.5 ± 8.91% of engorged Amblyomma americanum (L.) nymphs that we inoculated with Ehrlichia chaffeensis molted successfully to adults compared with 75.8 ± 7.46% of engorged nymphs that were not inoculated. However, 65.4 ± 6.02% of unfed nymphs of this species were exposed for 2 h to E. chaffeensis suspension introduced to them through glass capillaries gained weight. These nymphs were placed on rabbits, and ≈50% of them completed their feeding and molted successfully to adults. Weight gained was higher (71.8 ± 17.33% and 69.8 ± 23.26%) for unfed A. americanum females that fed from capillaries for 2 and 24, h respectively, than for nymphs. Similar values were recorded for Dermacentor variabilis (Say) (61.0 ± 16.23%) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille) (59.0 ± 18.62%) females after 24 h of capillary feeding. The amount of E. chaffeensis suspension taken in by females of A. americanum, D. variabilis, and R. sanguineus during 24 h of feeding was 11.2 ± 3.56, 10.9 ± 4.29 and 6.3 ± 2.35 μ l, respectively. This volume is equivalent to ≈12,969, 12,622, and 7,295 infected cells ingested by the species mentioned above. Positive correlation between the volume taken in by the ticks and the weight gained by the females was found, but the initial weight of the unfed females did not effect the weight they gained. The pathogen was found in the females of all 3 species by polymerase chain reaction procedures for at least 7 d, indicating that the capillary feeding method can be successfully used for infecting unfed ticks. The potential use of this method is discussed.
Ethanol dependence in the rat: temporal changes in neuroexcitability following withdrawal.

Electrodes were chronically implanted in the dorsal hippocampus of rats. Pretreatment levels of neural excitability were assessed by determining the duration of direct hippocampal electrical stimulation sufficient to induce forelimb clonus in each rat. Following baseline measurements the rats were administered an alcohol or sucrose-containing liquid diet and 19–22 days later were withdrawn. Two postwithdrawal stimulation sessions were conducted on each animal. Separate groups of ethanol-dependent and control rats were given primary stimulation sessions at 8 h, 24 h, 72 h, or 1 week postwithdrawal. Secondary stimulation sessions were conducted 1 week or 2 weeks postwithdrawal. The results from the primary stimulations indicated that ethanol-dependent animals exhibited significant neural hyperexcitability for at least 72 h, but not 1 week, postwithdrawal. Results from the secondary stimulations demonstrated the presence of a relative neural hypoexcitability in ethanol-dependent groups as compared to controls. The pattern of results suggests, however, that the observed relative neural hypoexcitability was not the direct result of ethanol withdrawal.
Demarketing Energy: Does Psychographic Research Hold the Answer?:

A pilot research study suggests that a psychographic analysis can provide rich insights into consumer energy profiles. Marketing research and analysis can contribute substantially in dealing with this national crisis.
Sparse semiparametric discriminant analysis

Abstract In recent years, a considerable amount of work has been devoted to generalizing linear discriminant analysis to overcome its incompetence for high-dimensional classification (Witten and Tibshirani, 2011, Cai and Liu, 2011, Mai et al., 2012 and Fan et al., 2012). In this paper, we develop high-dimensional sparse semiparametric discriminant analysis (SSDA) that generalizes the normal-theory discriminant analysis in two ways: it relaxes the Gaussian assumptions and can handle ultra-high dimensional classification problems. If the underlying Bayes rule is sparse, SSDA can estimate the Bayes rule and select the true features simultaneously with overwhelming probability, as long as the logarithm of dimension grows slower than the cube root of sample size. Simulated and real examples are used to demonstrate the finite sample performance of SSDA. At the core of the theory is a new exponential concentration bound for semiparametric Gaussian copulas, which is of independent interest.
Exploring the dimensionality of the need for cognition scale

Based on evidence presented for the Need for Cognition Scale in its original and abbreviated versions, users of the instrument assume its unidimensionality. In three exploratory studies, maximum-likelihood factor analysis reveals the presence of multiple dimensions in both forms of the scale. Four dimensions—enjoyment of cognitive stimulation, preference for complexity, commitment of cognitive effort, and desire for understanding —emerged with some consistency across samples and were found to be fairly resistant to changes in the polarity of scale items and to explain differentially consumer response to advertisements. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Commitment To the Disadvantaged Among Urban Administrators: The Case of Minority Hiring

This paper examines potential correlates of attitudinal commitment to minority hiring among urban personnel officials. The authors hypothesized that sociopolitical beliefs concerning equality would be particularly powerful predictors of attitudes toward recruit ing nonwhites, but that work-related beliefs, professional characteristics, community relationships, and personal attributes would explain additional variance in commitment to hiring minorities. Sociopolitical and work-related beliefs do achieve substantial correlations with attitudes toward recruiting nonwhites, but the three other clusters of independent variables account for less variance than expected. A concluding section examines some implications of the data for minority hiring practices in urban bureau cracies.
Zones of Interactional Transition in ESL Classes

This article uses conversation analysis (CA) to describe the structural properties of zones of interactional transition (ZITs) or talk that occurs at the boundaries of different classroom (and perhaps other institutionally oriented) speech exchange systems. Two types of ZIT are analyzed in detail. Counter question sequences (Markee, 1995) are interactions in which teachers, in order to regain control of the classroom agenda, insert counter question turns between the question and answer turns of question-answer-comment sequences initiated by learners. Tactical fronting talk involves ambiguous or misleading claims made by learners to the teacher concerning precisely who is having trouble understanding problematic language. ZITs are loci of potential trouble, whose explication is of interest to both CA and second language acquisition researchers, and also to teachers and teacher trainers.
Coupling between Two Antennas Separated by a Planar Interface

The plane-wave spectrum technique is used to analyze the coupling between a pair of antennas separated by a planar interface. Multiple reflections between the antennas or between either antenna and the interface are included in the formulation. The formulation is used to model detection of buried objects, and a low-frequency metal detector example is analyzed in detail. For a transmitting loop and a buried oblate spheroid, the plane wave spectrum technique is shown to agree with well-known quasi-static approximations. Some experimental results from a 3-kHz metal detector are also shown.
Effect of Relative Humidity on the Viscoelastic and Mechanical Properties of Spray-Dried Powder Compacts

Spray-dried powder compacts exhibit viscoelastic properties such as stress relaxation, creep, and delayed elastic strain. This behavior is attributed to the organic binder, which forms bridges between the particles in spray-dried granules, thereby affecting their deformation characteristics. The viscosity and distribution of the binder within the powder compact can affect its mechanical and viscoelastic properties. In this study, the powder was conditioned at different ambient relative humidity (RH) levels, to vary the binder viscosity. Load deformation, stress relaxation, fracture strength, and fracture toughness behavior of ferrite powder compacts were studied as a function of ambient RH both before and after compaction. The loading rate was found to significantly affect the time-dependent response, and the relaxation times decreased at high humidity levels during compaction. It is proposed that increasing the humidity level during compaction increases the number of particle–particle contacts. This simple mechanism of binder redistribution led to slower relaxation times, increases in fracture strength, and elastic modulus of the green bodies, without significantly altering the fracture toughness when powders were compacted at high humidity to a given density.
Autologous fat implantation for vocal fold scar: A preliminary report

Summary New insights into the anatomy and physiology of phonation, along with technological advances in voice assessment and quantification, have led to dramatic improvements in medical voice care. Techniques to prevent vocal fold scar have been among the most important, especially scarring and hoarseness associated with voice surgery. Nevertheless, dysphonia due to vocal fold scar is still encountered all too frequently. Although it is not generally possible to restore such injured voices to normal, patients with scar-induced dysphonia can usually be helped. Voice improvement is optimized through a team approach. Treatment may include sophisticated voice therapy and vocal fold surgery. Although experience with collagen injection has been encouraging in selected cases (particularly in those involving limited areas of vocal fold scar), there is no consistently successful surgical technique. Attempts to treat massive vocal fold scar, such as may be seen following vocal fold stripping, have been particularly unsuccessful. This paper reports preliminary experience with the implantation of autologous fat into the vibratory margin of the vocal fold of patients with severe, extensive scarring. Using this technique, it appears possible to recreate a mucosal wave and improve voice quality. Additional research is needed.
The Evolution of Substate Nationalist Parties as Statewide Parliamentary Actors: CiU and PNV in Spain

This contribution examines party competition between the Catalan Convergence and Union (CiU) and the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), two substate nationalist parties, and the statewide governing party based on the degree to which they ally in Spain's statewide parliament. It demonstrates that party competition during statewide minority governments is quite cooperative, though with variation, and statewide majority governments are associated with less cooperation. The weight of properiphery stances in the nationalist parties’ manifestos does not explain the patterns of party competition. In part, their behavior is associated with opportunities to influence policy and interparty competition in their respective regions.
Understanding Continuance of Using VoIP Applications to Improve Intercultural Communication: Information and System Quality Perspectives

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a cost-effective medium to help learners improve their intercultural communication competency. However, the proliferation of VoIP applications has not accelerated the mass adoption of VoIP technology by users for the purposes of intercultural communication training. This study investigates the possibility of using VoIP technology as a learning tool to educate and train individuals to improve their intercultural communication. The perspectives of information and system qualities are adopted to investigate how to enhance usersâ€™ satisfaction and intention to reuse a VoIP technology for intercultural communication competencies. Information quality, system quality, and perceived task technology fit are important predictors of satisfaction. Satisfied users are more likely to continue using a VoIP technology. To test the authorsâ€™ expectations, 93 American and 45 Taiwanese subjects participated in a four-week experiment to virtually converse with each other via a VoIP technology (i.e., Skype). After working together one-on-one to communicate, participants completed a survey, resulting in 116 valid data points for analysis. The authorsâ€™ findings provide grounds for theoretical and practical implications concerning the adoption of VoIP technology by users as an e-learning tool.
Some fiber projections to the superior colliculus in the cat

Our knowledge of fiber projections to the optic tectum or superior colliculus, an important way-station in the visual system of vertebrates including mammals, is still inadequate. Studies of these fiber projections, utilizing different techniques, have been made in various mammals (Tsai, '25; Bodian, '37 in opossum; Johnson, '54, in mole; Cajal, '11, in mouse; Lashley, '34; Tsang, '37; Le Gros Clark, '42; Krieg, '47; Nauta and Bucher, '54, in rat; Castaldi, '23-'26; Hess, '58, in guinea pig; Cajal, '11; Loepp, '12; Minkowski, '20; Brouwer, Zeeman and Houwer, '23; Overbosch, '27, in rabbit; Jefferson, '40, in ferret; Monakow, 1889; Probst, '02; Cajal, '11; Poljak, '26; Barris, Ingram and Ranson, '35; Bucher and Biirgi, '50; Biirgi, '57, in cat; Brouwer and Zeeman, '26; Mettler, '35; Hirasawa, '38; Crosby and Henderson, '48; Whitlock and Nauta, '56; Polyak, '57, in monkey; and Juba, '39, in man). The majority of these investigations has been concerned with retinal projection and with projections from the spinal cord and visual cortex. In the present study, which is a continuation of a previous one (Altman and Carpenter, '61) dealing with the efferent connections of the superior colliculus in the cat, we investigated by means of the Nauta-Gygax ('54) staining technique projections to the superior colliculus in the cat from (a) the retina, (b) the lateral geniculate nucleus, (c) the pulvinar, and (d) the visual cortex. In addition, attention was paid to projection from these structures to other mesencephalic and also to the various diencephalic nuclei. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eleven adult cats were used in this experiment. The animals were anesthetized with Nembutal, and surgery was performed under aseptic conditions. In two animals the right orbit was unroofed and the optic nerve was cut. Stereotaxic lesions were produced in the right lateral geniculate nucleus in five animals, and in the right pulvinar in one animal. In three animals large portions of the right visual cortex (lateral and postlateral gyri) were removed by suction. Most of the animals were permitted to survive for 11 days; two of them were sacrificed after a shorter period. All animals were sacrificed by cardiac perfusion with 10% neutral formalin. The brains were sectioned in 2-3 mm blocks perpendicular to the axis of the brain stem and further fixed in 10% neutral formalin. Four or five selected blocks of the brain were cut serially at 25 LI on a freezing microtome, and the
Radical-initiated polyolefinic cyclizations in condensed cyclopentanoid synthesis. Total synthesis of (±)-Δ9(12)-capnellene

Abstract Total synthesis of Δ9(12)-capnellene is reported. The key reaction involves construction of two rings in a single step via a tandem radical cyclization.
Follow-up Assessment of a Faculty Peer Observation and Evaluation Program

Objective. To assess a previously described peer observation and evaluation program 2 years after implementation. Methods. An pre-implementation survey assessed faculty needs and attitudes related to peer evaluation. Two years after implementation, the survey was repeated and additional questions asked regarding adherence to peer observation and evaluation policies and procedures, feedback received, and impact on teaching. Results. Faculty attitudes towards peer evaluation stayed the same or improved post-implementation. Adherence to the initial 3 steps of the process was high (100%, 100%, and 94%, respectively); however, step 4, which required a final discussion after student assessments were finished, was completed by only 47% of the respondents. All faculty members reported receiving a balance of positive and constructive feedback; 78% agreed that peer observation and evaluation gave them concrete suggestions for improving their teaching; and 89% felt that the benefits of peer observation and evaluation outweighed the effort of participating. Conclusions. Faculty members adhered to the policies and procedures of peer observation and evaluation and found peer feedback was beneficial.
Identification of a Novel Animal Metabolite of Methomyl Insecticide

In studies conducted to determine the fate of methomyl in goat, chicken, and monkey, an unknown highly polar, acidic metabolite was found in the urine/excreta of all three animals. The metabolite was purified by HPLC and analyzed by microcolumn LC/MS with electrospray ionization and by NMR. A Hypercarb porous graphitic carbon HPLC column was used for purification and LC/MS, since the unknown was unretained on conventional reversed phase HPLC columns. [14C]Methomyl was used as radiotracer, and [13C]methomyl was added at the 50% level to facilitate metabolite identification. The molecular weight of the metabolite was determined by LC/MS-electrospray, using positive and negative ionization, and structurally useful fragment ions were obtained in both modes by in-source collision-induced dissociation (CID). High-resolution accurate mass measurements of the MH+ doublet allowed assignment of the elemental composition. NMR data showed the presence of methyl, methylene, and methine protons with coupling observed b...
Relative lack of systemic effects of mometasone furoate on Langerhans cells of mice after topical administration as compared with other glucocorticosteroids

Abstract The effects of topically applied mometasone furoate were compared with those of other glucocorticosteroids, in particular fluocinolone acetonide, in assays of murine epidermal Ia + Langerhans cell density. No evidence of systemic effects, as determined by a decline in the density of Ia + LC in distant sites, was detected after local topical applications (5 times a week) of mometasone furoate 0.001% for periods of up to 3 weeks. Other steroids, even in such very low concentrations, and mometasone furoate in higher concentrations, produced systemic effects on Ia + LC when used for longer than 5 d. The recovery time of Ia + Langerhans cells is significantly shorter after application of mometasone furoate than after fluocinolone acetonide. However, with both compounds, recovery occurred more rapidly after 3 weeks than after a 1- or 2-week interval of compound administration.
Effects of heater length and orientation on the trigger mechanism for near-saturated flow boiling critical heat flux—II. Critical heat flux model

Abstract A critical heat flux (CHF) model is presented that accounts for both heater length and orientation effects. The model is verified with FC-72 data obtained for 10-, 30- and 110-mm long heaters that were flush-mounted in a 10-mm × 5-mm channel and orientations including vertical upflow, 45-degree inclined flow, and horizontal flow, with liquid flowing above the heaters. The inlet liquid velocity was varied between 25 and 200 cm s−1 while maintaining the inlet temperature constant at 4°C subcooling. CHF was found to decrease with heater length but showed little sensitivity to orientation. Formulation of the model was based on flow visualization and photomicrography of the vapor-liquid interface along the heaters. Just prior to CHF, a wavy vapor layer engulfed the heater, allowing liquid access only through wetting fronts where wave troughs touched the heater surface. The distance between wetting fronts increased in the stream-wise direction, decreasing the number of wetting fronts available for liquid replenishment. Lifting of the most upstream wetting front was found to catastrophically cause CHF. The CHF model incorporates the observed stream-wise reduction in wetting fronts with a criterion for lift-off heat flux to obtain a simplified set of equations for CHF. Local information such as pressure, phase velocities, and average vapor layer thickness along the heater were also incorporated in the CHF model using the assumption of separated two-phase flow. The model predicts the CHF data for the 0°, 45° and 90° orientations with mean absolute errors of 12.6, 13.6 and 17.5%, respectively.
A report on phosphatidylcholine therapy in a Down syndrome child.

Recent research has given support to the hypothesized existence of impaired cholinergic systems in young Down Syndrome individuals. In this study, a 2 ½-yr.-old Down Syndrome boy was given a phosphatidylcholine supplement over a 7-mo. period. Measures of the EEG indicate a normalization during the treatment period with minor reoccurrence of abnormalities during a placebo period. The child showed a definitive increase in speech and language skills as well as general motor skills which exceeded same aged Down Syndrome peers experiencing like training programs. These data, although preliminary, are part of a larger group study in progress and suggest that phosphatidylcholine therapy may be useful for improving neurophysiological and intellectual functioning of some Down Syndrome children.
An application of the poisson race model to confidence calibration

In tasks as diverse as stock market predictions and jury deliberations, a person's feelings of confidence in the appropriateness of different choices often impact that person's final choice. The current study examines the mathematical modeling of confidence calibration in a simple dual-choice task. Experiments are motivated by an accumulator model, which proposes that information supporting each alternative accrues on separate counters. The observer responds in favor of whichever alternative's counter first hits a designated threshold. Confidence can then be scaled from the difference between the counters at the time that the observer makes a response. The authors examine the overconfidence result in general and present new findings dealing with the effect of response bias on confidence calibration.
Nondestructive measurement of the inhibition of demineralization on smooth surfaces using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography.

Background and Objective The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the inhibition of demineralization in an in vitro simulated caries model by different fluoride agents could be monitored nondestructively using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) on smooth enamel surfaces peripheral to orthodontic brackets. Materials and Methods Sixty human molar samples used for this in vitro study were divided into four groups of fifteen. The groups consisted of a control, a fluoride releasing glass ionomer cement, an adhesive fluoride sealant, and fluoride in solution (2-ppm fluoride). The reflectivity from tooth surfaces was monitored using a PS-OCT system at different time points after exposure to a pH cycling demin/remin model at 3-day intervals for 15 days. Polarized light microscopy (PLM) was used to examine lesion depth after day 15. Results PS-OCT was effective at measuring significant differences in the integrated reflectivity in depth between the control and fluoride groups (P<0.001). The fluoride sealant demonstrated a greater protective effect than the fluoride in solution and the glass ionomer cement. Conclusions These results suggest that PS-OCT is well suited for the nondestructive assessment of caries inhibition by anti-caries agents. Lasers Surg. Med. 39:422–427, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Temperature estimation and compositional mapping using spectral mixture analysis of thermal imaging spectrometry data

In the thermal infrared (TIR), a surface emits radiation based on its temperature and emissivity. TIR imaging spectrometry involves extracting temperature, emissivity, and/or surface composition information, which are useful in a wide variety of studies ranging from climatology to land use analyses. A simple technique of temperature emissivity separation (TES) has been developed to separate the effects of emissivity from temperature within the radiance signal recorded by a sensor. This technique can be employed to map the composition and temperature of a surface. Likewise, spectral mixture analysis (SMA) has been successfully applied in this spectral region to discern spectral features and their temperatures. This paper describes an application of TES and SMA that has been employed to characterize the isothermal combinations of thermal radiance features on a sub-pixel basis. This approach, referred to in this paper as a Temperature Emissivity Separation Spectral Mixture Analysis (TESSMA), uses the relationship between a 'virtual cold' endmember fraction and surface temperature to extract image temperature estimates, which are then used to constrain an isothermal unmixing of pixel endmembers. Work presented includes characterizations of synthetically generated temperature-endmember fraction test images, a discussion of methods used to separate temperature and endmember attributions, and a fraction estimate analysis. This paper also demonstrates the temperature dependence of isothermal SMA on accurate temperature estimates, two TESSMA approaches, and their results.
EXTRACAPSULAR CATARACT EXTRACTION WITH A POSTERIOR CHAMBER INTRAOCULAR LENS–TECHNIQUE AND RESULTS

The author's preferred technique for extracapsular cataract extraction with insertion of a posterior chamber intraocular lens implant is described. Although automated devices are not available and are unattractive to many ophthalmologists, the author finds such equipment provides the safest means of making the conversion from intracapsular to extracapsular cataract extraction. In the planned extracapsular cataract extraction, a "beer can" anterior capsulotomy is performed and the nucleus is removed as described. The residual lens cortical material is aspirated using the Cavitron machine. The Cavitron machine is also used for phacoemulsification which is performed in the posterior chamber. A Shearing type posterior chamber lens is used when indicated. A primary posterior capsulotomy is performed routinely. An analysis of the first 800 such procedures is made with each case being examined 11-14 months postoperatively. Compared to intracapsular cataract extraction with an intraocular lens, the results are favourable, especially regarding the rate of cystoid macular edema, retinal detachment, and corneal edema.
First-principles study of bismuth films on the Ni(111) surface

A recent experiment(Bollmann11) suggested that bismuth forms hexagonal close packed (HCP) films on the Ni(111) surface, of heights 3, 5 and 7 layers. A quantum size effect based on free electrons was proposed in explanation. To test this idea, we calculate the total energies of Bi on the Ni(111) surface using density functional theory. We find that HCP film stabilities disagree with the observed odd layer preferences, and the structures are mechanically destabilized by adding capping atoms which pucker the HCP layers. Furthermore, we find that rhombohedral films based on the bulk Bi structure are energetically more favorable than the proposed HCP films. These structures also favor odd numbers of layers, but owing to covalent chemical bonding rather than confinement of free electrons. Specifically, a strongly bound adsorbed surface monolayer forms, followed by bulk-like rhombohedral bilayers.
Spatially resolved measurements of absolute CH3 concentration in a hot-filament reactor

Abstract Methyl radicals are generated in a hot-filament diamond synthesis reactor using a resistively heated tungsten filament (20 mm long) in a slowly flowing mixture of 0.5% CH 4 in H 2 . The UV absorbance of CH 3 is measured during deposition using a line-of-sight optical technique called cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS). Measurements are carried out at 213.9 nm, a wavelength at which the CH 3 absorption cross section has been shown, by others, to be independent of temperature over a large range. We observe a strong sensitivity of the methyl radical concentration throughout the reactor to the substrate temperature. At some operating conditions, we also observe the methyl radical concentration to peak at a location several millimeters from the filament surface. This behavior of CH 3 with distance from filament is in qualitative agreement with two-dimensional models of the deposition environment, and is attributed to the effect of Soret diffusion on the balance of the primary methyl production/destruction reaction.
Pliocene closing of the Isthmus of Panama, based on biostratigraphic evidence from nearby Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea cores

Pliocene and Pleistocene planktonic foraminiferal biogeography and paleoceanography have been examined in Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) sites of the Panama Basin (Pacific Ocean) and Colombian and Venezuelan Basins (Atlantic Ocean) to determine the timing of the isolation of Atlantic and Pacific tropical planktonic faunas resulting from the development of the Central American isthmus. Previous studies have suggested a late Miocene to middle Pliocene occurrence of this event. The Panama Basin (DSDP site 157) and the Colombian Basin (DSDP site 154A) share two early Pliocene biogeographic events: (1) great abundance of sinistral coiling Neogloboquadrina pachyderma at 4.3 m.y. ago at site 157 and 0.7 m.y. later at site 154A, and (2) a sinistral-to-dextral change in the coiling-direction preference in Pulleniatina 3.5 m.y. ago at both locations. Identification of these events farther to the east in the Venezuelan Basin (DSDP site 148) is complicated by insufficient lower Pliocene core recovery, but abundant sinistral N. pachydcrma appear to have extended far to the east in the Caribbean 3.6 m.y. ago; perhaps the early Pliocene abundance of this form is not indicative of cool water. The coiling-direction history and stratigraphic ranges of Pulleniatina became different in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans during the early Pliocene; this is inferred to result from geographic isolation of the assemblages. Saito (1976) used the temporary disappearance of this genus from Atlantic waters at 3.5 m.y. ago to mark the closure of the Isthmus of Panama, but I show that in the Colombian Basin (site 154A) its disappearance was closer to 3.1 m.y. ago. This suggests the possibility of surface-water communication between the Atlantic and Pacific until that time.
Real refractive index: Dependence on relative humidity and solute composition with relevancy to atmospheric aerosol particles

[1] A closure evaluation of the hygroscopic response in refractive index (n) was completed with measurements and a semi-empirical model using aqueous solutions containing inorganic salts, dicarboxylic acids, and their mixtures. Measurements of n were made for subsaturated aqueous solutions at select mass fractions of solute with an ellipsometer and a refractometer. The semi-empirical model was based on the Zdanovskii-Stokes-Robinson (ZSR) mixing rule, the partial molar refraction (PMR) method and previously published thermodynamic data. Closure was obtained within 0.75%, as represented by the average absolute error, for n values obtained from the ellipsometry/refractometry measurements and the ZSR-PMR model for aqueous solutions. It was observed that the hygroscopic response of n on relative humidity could be described by a linear equation. Sensitivity of the top of the atmosphere aerosol radiative forcing to changes in n is also discussed. Finally, strengths and limitations for the ellipsometer, the refractometer, and the ZSR-PMR method, are discussed.
Higher moment equations and the distribution function of the solar-wind plasma

Study of the higher-moment equations for a collisionless fully ionized plasma. For a collisionless, heat-conducting plasma, the distribution function f is cylindrically symmetric about the direction of the magnetic field. It is shown that under a certain assumption the fourth moments of f can be expressed as simple functions of lower moments. Thus no higher-moment terms appear in the third-moment equations. The two third-moment equations, which are obtained in a simple form, join other lower-moment equations to form a closed set of moment equations. The new equations can be used to study the thermal anisotropy and the heat flux of the solar-wind proton. A special case of the cylindrically symmetric distribution function f is found to resemble the proton distribution function reconstructed from solar-wind data, and this resemblance justifies the assumption needed for decoupling the moment equations.
Learning the ropes: The ontogeny of locomotion in red-shanked douc (Pygathrix nemaeus), Delacour's (Trachypithecus delacouri), and Hatinh langurs (Trachypithecus hatinhensis) I. positional behavior

Recent studies at the Endangered Primate Rescue Center (EPRC) in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam's Cuc Phuong National Park by Byron et al. ([2002] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. [Suppl.] 34:51) and Covert and Byron ([2002] Caring for Primates) revealed unexpected locomotor and postural behaviors in the red-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix nemaeus). This paper further elucidates the question of red-shanked douc suspensory behavior, and provides initial positional behavior data for two other rare Asian colobines, by comparing the ontogenetic positional behavior of red-shanked douc langurs, Delacour's langurs (Trachypithecus delacouri), and Hatinh langurs (Trachypithecus hatinhensis) at the EPRC. Two hundred and seven hours of positional behavior data were collected, with approximately equal amounts of data on each species, and equal amounts on adults and those less than 18 months in age. All young animals were more active than adults, used a wider repertoire of locomotor behaviors, and expressed suspensory behaviors more frequently than did the adults. Young animals also "invented" one new locomotor and two new postural behaviors. These differences are due to both play and explorative behavior, as well as to the youths' changing musculoskeletal systems. The number of positional behaviors utilized by the adults of these species is quite similar to one another (23-32), as is that utilized by the young (51-56). Douc langurs in both age categories used suspensory behaviors more frequently than did Delacour's and Hatinh langurs. Because the uniformity of enclosures offers a control, the results of this study generate hypotheses regarding adaptive radiations and niche partitioning in wild populations.
Public reactions to cable television: Time in the diffusion process

This study focused on attitudinal and behavioral changes that might stem from consumer experience with cable television. The expectation was that a complex medium such as cable television would become firmly positioned in the marketplace only after consumers had time to experiment with the service and learn through actual trial. It was found that considerable change in attitudes toward cable television took place over the study's 5‐year period, moving from naive enthusiasm, through disappointment, and to modified appreciation. Viewing behavior was not found to have changed much during the test period, and attitude changes did not extend beyond services available in the market.
The stability of rotating vortex patches

In this paper we examine the nonlinear and linear stability of variousrotating vortex patches. These patches include the Kirchhoff ellipse, the Kelvin waves, and the co-rotating uniformm vortices. These are achieved by using relative variational methods and spectral analysis. Thus, we extend Arnol'd's idea for stability problems in [1965, 1969] to a non-smooth symmetric setting and also relate that to the usual linear stability analysis.
Comment on biomass diversity in ecology

It is observed that a dynamical continuity equation for biomass distribution yields the asymptotic steady-state exponential dependencen=A exp(\( - m/\bar m\)) exhibited by certain fishery data, wherem is the biomass of an individual,n is the number of individuals per unit biomass interval, andA,\(\bar m\) are positive constants. This dynamical approach to biomass distribution is an alternative to the global maximization principle proposed recently by Lurie and Wagensberg.
Modeling field-scale multiple tracer injection at a low-level waste disposal site in fractured rocks: Effect of multiscale heterogeneity and source term uncertainty on conceptual understanding of mass transfer processes

Multiple factors may affect the scale-up of laboratory multi-tracer injection into structured porous media to the field. Under transient flow conditions and with multiscale heterogeneities in the field, previous attempts to scale-up laboratory experiments have not answered definitely the questions about the governing mechanisms and the spatial extent of the influence of small-scale mass transfer processes such as matrix diffusion. The objective of this research is to investigate the effects of multiscale heterogeneity, mechanistic and site model conceptualization, and source term density effect on elucidating and interpreting tracer movement in the field. Tracer release and monitoring information previously obtained in a field campaign of multiple, conservative tracer injection under natural hydraulic gradients at a low-level waste disposal site in eastern Tennessee, United States, is used for the research. A suite of two-pore-domain, or fracture-matrix, groundwater flow and transport models are calibrated and used to conduct model parameter and prediction uncertainty analyses. These efforts are facilitated by a novel nested Latin-hypercube sampling technique. Our results verify, at field scale, a multiple-pore-domain, multiscale mechanistic conceptual model that was used previously to interpret only laboratory observations. The results also suggest that, integrated over the entire field site, mass flux rates attributable to small-scale mass transfer are comparable to that of field-scale solute transport. The uncertainty analyses show that fracture spacing is the most important model parameter and model prediction uncertainty is relatively higher at the interface between the preferred flow path and its parent bedrock. The comparisons of site conceptual models indicate that the effect of matrix diffusion may be confined to the immediate neighborhood of the preferential flow path. Finally, because the relatively large amount of tracer needed for field studies, it is likely that source term density effect may exaggerate or obscure the effect of matrix diffusion on the movement of tracers from the preferred flow path into the bedrock.
Regulating reindeer games

The article discusses the regulatory aspects of reindeer games, a coined term used to describe social activities that provide some, but not all, employees with opportunities to interact with other organizational members. It has been argued that these kind of social interactions may be prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sex, race and religion. The author suggests that some reindeer games may be actionable under Title VII if they are linked to an employee's terms, conditions or privilege of employment. The author also notes harassment law may apply to reindeer games that are not directly linked to an employee's terms of employment, but still lead to his or her exclusion or psychological harm.
Directed graphs requiring large numbers of shortcuts

A conjecture by Thorup is that the diameter of a directed graph with n vertices and m edges can be reduced to (log n)O(1) by adding O(m) edges [3]. We give a counterexample to this conjecture. We construct a graph G requiring the addition of Ω(mn1/17) edges to reduce its diameter below Θ(n1/17). By extending the construction to higher dimensions, we construct graphs with n1+e edges that require the addition of Ω(n2--e) edges to reduce their diameter. These constructions yield time-space tradeoffs in lower bounds for transitive closure queries in a certain computational model.
A review of organic compounds containing P==S and p(s)sh groups as separatory and analytical reagents

A review of separations with, and analytical applications of organic compounds with PS and P(S)SH groups is presented.