Classification of Rational Lemniscates in the Complex Plane

Color poster with text and figures.Generalizing the work of Ebenfelt, Khavinson, and Shapiro, this study sought to find a means of classifying shapes in the complex plane by using "fingerprints" of shapes. These fingerprints are constructed to have useful properties, in that shapes will have the same fingerprint even when they are scaled in size or translated. Such a property is useful in applications such as computer imaging, where often images are zoomed or taken from a different angle, but would like to be able to identify the shapes within the image in a consistent manner.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Programs

What College Presidents Need to Know about Student Success

Advocated is this article is the transformative effect of understanding a student’s unique educational story through dataanalysis and effective interpersonal-questioning techniques. As stories are understood and trust established, institutions can respond by helping each student design an ongoing personalized success plan. The result is the creation of a campus culture of student success where rhetoric, policy, and practice are aligned

Policy Analysis for the Irish Agricultural Sector: The impact of a WTO Agreement on the Irish Agricultural Sector

End of project reportUsing dynamically recursive partial equilibrium models of Irish, EU and World agricultural commodity markets, research undertaken under projects 5158, 5159 and 5160 formed the basis of the empirically based policy analysis that the FAPRI-Ireland aggregate sector modelling team, based at Rural Economy Research Centre (RERC), has provided to Irish and EU agricultural policy makers. Under the three projects (5158, 5159 and 5160), which began in January 2003, numerous analyses of CAP reform proposals and agreements were undertaken. The full details of all of the analysis conducted are given below and are available from the FAPRI-Ireland website www.tnet.teagasc.ie/fapri). In this end of project report the most recent analysis, relating to the possible impact of the still on going Doha Round of WTO negotiations is presented relative to a Baseline under which current agricultural and trade policy is assumed to continue unchanged over a ten year horizon (2006 to 2015)

How to Have a Successful Retirement

What is retirement? Retirement is the years that an individual is able to enjoy after spending a majority of their life devoted to their career. A successful retirement is not a birthright; it is something that an individual must earn through hard work and proper planning. This paper identifies ten important commandments that are both necessary and helpful in achieving a successful retirement

Comparison of osseointegration in piezoimplants versus cylindrical implants

BACKGROUND: Dental implants have been successful for the restoration of edentulous areas, but current techniques are inadequate in areas lacking sufficient bone volume. Piezoelectric surgery has shown encouraging effects on both osseous healing. A new wedge-shaped titanium PiezoImplant requires piezoelectric osteotomy. This study compares PiezoImplants to conventional threaded cylindrical shaped implants by microcomputed tomography and histology to assess osseointegration, tissue response, and alveolar ridge changes. METHODS: After 3 months post-extraction, 18 conventional cylindrical implants and 18 wedge-shaped PiezoImplants were placed using a split-mouth design in 3 adult mini pigs. The cylindrical implant sites were prepared for osteotomy with rotary instrumentation while the PiezoImplant sites were prepared with piezoelectric surgical inserts. One animal was sacrificed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks post operation. Quantitative µCT and histological analysis evaluated bone volume, osseointegration, and post-operative cellular events. RESULTS: The results of a multivariable linear regression model demonstrated that the PiezoImplants, arch location, and time were significant factors on higher BV/TV percentage. Bone to implant contact (BIC) analysis by high resolution microscopy and histomorphometry indicated osseointegration though intimate contact between implants and adjacent alveolar bone in both groups. The tissue response displayed no evidence of abnormal healing and the PiezoImplant was classified as a non-irritant. CONCLUSION: The combination of piezoelectric osteotomy and newly designed PiezoImplants had favorable effects on wound healing and osseointegration compared to conventional cylindrical implants. These novel wedge-shaped implants may be beneficial for narrow ridge spaces without additional ridge augmentation. Further research is needed to establish clinical validity

Projections of forestry as a competitor with mainstream agricultural enterprises and the consequent environmental implications

End of project reportThrough its relationship with the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI), staff at the Rural Economy Research Centre (RERC) have developed a system of econometric models of the Irish Agriculture sector. The output from these models includes, amongst other things, projections of agricultural activity levels under different policy options. From an environmental perspective, information on future levels of agricultural activity are important since they can facilitate the calculation of aggregate national levels of emissions of various pollutants from agriculture. The project has also produced a model which makes projections of forestry planting