bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rational Learning and Bounded Learning in the Diffusion of Policy Innovations
Authors: Meseguer Covadonga
Published: February 2006

In political science, rational learning and bounded learning are commonly studied as two opposing theories of policy choice. In this article, I use a rational learning approach to reach conclusions about bounded learning, showing that the two theories are not necessarily incompatible. By examining a rational learning model and the decisions of a set of developing countries to open up their trade regimes, I show that countries are particularly influenced by the choices of neighbouring countries and by particularly successful policy experiences. These are two typical contentions of the bounded learning literature. I argue that bounded learning and rational learning yield the same results as soon as one drops the rational learning assumption that there are zero costs to gathering new information. I use the discussion on rational learning versus bounded learning as a basis for exploring more general issues concerning the diffusion of policy innovations.
Size Matters
Authors: Cawley John , Joyner Kara , Sobal Jeffery
Published: February 2006

We examine the relationship between body size (specifically, weight and height) and dating and sexual activity using two large, nationally representative, longitudinal data sets. Our conceptual framework assumes that the utility an adolescent derives from dating and sexual activity is a function of the weight and height of his or her partner, and it predicts that heavier and shorter adolescents will be less likely to date and have sex. Empirical tests confirm that dating is less likely among heavier girls and boys and among shorter girls and boys. In adolescent dating, size clearly matters. For sexual activity, the results are less consistent.
Globalization, Environmental Movements, and International Political Opportunity Structures
Authors: Van Der Heijden Hein-Anton
Published: February 2006

Political opportunity structure refers to the specific features of a political system (e.g., a country) that can explain the different action repertoires, organizational forms and impacts of social movements, and social movement organizations in that specific country. With the globalization of environmental problems and solution strategies, important parts of the environmental movement have also become global. To what extent could the concept of international political opportunity structure (IPOS) be useful for analyzing transnational environmentalism in the 21st century? In this article, four of the most important constituent parts of IPOS (United Nations [UN], European Union [EU], World Bank, andWorld Trade Organization [WTO]) and their interactions with environmental movements and environmental movement organizations are analyzed. Whereas the UN and EU provoke the participation of a large number of transnational environmental lobby groups whose impacts, however, remain limited, the World Bank and WTO provoke more unconventional actions with potentially farther reaching impacts.
“The Death of Environmentalism”
Authors: Cohen Maurie J.
Published: February 2006

The American environmental movement has been struggling for more than a year to digest the strong critique offered by Michael Shellenberger and Ted Nordhaus in their widely disseminated treatise “The Death of Environmentalism.” Their essay accuses organized environmentalism of framing key issues in overly narrow terms, of failing to connect with everyday public concerns, and of inadequately responding to the challenges of conservative political interests. This article briefly summarizes the essay's key arguments, retraces some relevant history pertaining to the past decade of environmental policy making, and highlights some of the areas in which this work touches on topical issues within the environmental social sciences. The article ends with a brief overview of the other contributions that make up this symposium.
Spinning Our Way to Sustainability?
Authors: Brulle Robert J. , Jenkins J. Craig
Published: February 2006

In a widely read article, Michael Shellenberger and Ted Nordhaus critiqued the environmental movement for focusing on piecemeal technocratic solutions and failing to articulate a broader political vision, declaring it irrelevant if not already “dead.” To get off the defensive, they argue, it needs to reframe its solutions to global warming and related environmental problems by appealing to core progressive values and to reformulate itself as part of a larger progressive movement. This repackaging, they say, will create a broader coalition with a shared political vision and greater political power. There is much to be said for their critique of traditional technocratic environmentalism, much of which we agree with. However, we will argue, their focus on rhetorical reform without addressing other aspects of environmental strategy is logically flawed and also undermines their commitment to democratic values.
A Call for Women to Lead a Different Environmental Movement
Authors: Zelezny Lynnette , Bailey Megan
Published: February 2006

The authors continue the critical debate fired by Shellenberger and Nordhaus's declaration of the death of environmentalism. They contend that the central claim of this essay, that Americans are becoming more politically conservative, does not recognize the robust gender gaps in political perspectives found globally among industrial countries. Specifically, “The Death of Environmentalism” ignores that women, a constituency that accounts for more than half the American population, are generally more liberal than their male counterparts. They argue further that the essay's assumptions of American conservatism are misleading and its promotion of politically conservative strategies predicated on investment in public-private partnerships is faulty. An alternative to untested models of modern environmentalism is to embrace proven best practices of activism that have been historically recognized and internationally honored. They call for women—who are perhaps uniquely socialized to be environmental proponents and have effectively challenged environmental degradation—to reframe, revitalize, and lead the third wave of environmentalism.
Show Us the Data
Authors: Dunlap Riley E.
Published: February 2006

This article does not attempt to rebut Shellenberger and Nordhaus's “The Death of Environmentalism” but does raise two key questions. The first concerns the limited evidence they offer for a key element of their autopsy—namely, that there has been a growth of conservative values and consequent decline in public support for environmentalism. Alternative interpretations, such as the temporary low salience of environmental issues in a post-9/11 America, deserve consideration and call for more data than those offered by Shellenberger and Nordhaus. The second question involves the adequacy of the social values data that their new firm, American Environics, touts as providing the foundation for their Lakoffinspired “Strategic Values Method” as the means of helping resurrect environmentalism and other progressive causes.
From Environmental Sociologies to Environmental Sociology?
Authors: Mol Arthur P. J.
Published: February 2006

U.S. environmental sociology has gone through a very different development path compared with its European counterpart. U.S. environmental sociology was dominant in establishing the field and setting the terms for the development and identity of this subdiscipline. Whereas U.S. environmental sociology still sets the tone in terms of internal organization, structure, and interaction, arguably Northwest European environmental sociology has been more innovative in the last decade of the former millennium with respect to theoretical and conceptual contributions. Although we can still witness significant differences between the environmental sociologies of the two continents, these differences are diminishing. During the past decade, a remarkable degree of interaction, exchange, and social learning has taken place between the two academic communities, facilitated by various aspects of globalization. The question of whether we are moving to one environmental sociology should, however, also take other—and especially the emerging Asian—environmental sociologies into account.
Does “Satisfaction” with Local Public Services Affect Complaints (Voice) and Geographic Mobility (Exit)?
Authors: Devereux Paul J. , Weisbrod Burton A.
Published: February 2006

Political systems may respond not only to elections but also to expressions of dissatisfaction through complaints and geographic mobility. Understanding the implications of citizen dissatisfaction with local public services is the goal of this article, which examines empirically two forms of consequences of dissatisfaction—complaints to governmental agencies and decisions to move. The authors find that dissatisfied individuals are more likely to complain and to plan to move and that these two courses of action appear to be substitutes. An implication of the findings that stated dissatisfaction does have predictable behavioral consequences is that survey data on satisfaction with public services have information content that has been underappreciated in economics research.
Interjurisdictional Competition and Local Government Spending in U.S. Metropolitan Areas
Authors: Stansel Dean
Published: February 2006

Using a new comprehensive data set of 314 U.S. metropolitan areas (or all metro areas for which comparable historical data were available), this article provides a newtest of the Leviathan hypothesis that there is an inverse relationship between fiscal exploitation and the amount of interjurisdictional competition. Unlike much previous work, this article focuses on the local level, where the residential mobility that drives that interjurisdictional competition is at its highest. Consistent with the Leviathan hypothesis, the results indicate that there is a negative relationship between interjurisdictional competition and spending growth, and this result holds for two different measures of spending and three different time periods. However, the results for spending levels are less supportive.
Local Government Compliance with Earmarked Tax Regulation
Authors: Blackwell Calvin , Crotts John C. , Litvin Stephen W. , Styles Alan K.
Published: February 2006

This article investigates local governments’ spending of accommodations tax revenues in the state of South Carolina. Although these revenues are partially earmarked for tourism promotion, results show that local governments engage in illegal fiscal substitution. This fiscal substitution can be explained by the local government's financial flexibility and the proportion of accommodations taxes relative to its overall budget.
Strategic Behavior, Debt Neutrality, and Crowding Out
Authors: Rebelein Robert P.
Published: February 2006

This article presents an overlapping generations model in which children seek to manipulate the size of the end-of-life bequest they receive from the parent. The author first uses numerical simulations to showthis intergenerational strategic behavior does not negate the debt neutrality assertions of Ricardian equivalence. Then, by introducing capital gains and inheritance taxes, the author shows the crowding out effect of government debt is notably smaller in models with strategic behavior; manipulation by children increases the importance of bequests, which forces parents to save (and bequeath) a larger portion of a debt-financed tax cut. In spite of the neutrality of debt under lump sum taxes, including intergenerational strategic behavior can significantly influence the outcome of government tax policies.
Has Relapse Prevention Received a Fair Shake? A Review and Implications for Future Transfer Research
Authors: Hutchins Holly M. , Burke Lisa A.
Published: February 2006

As learning and performance improvement continues to dominate the training research landscape, so does the need to justify the results of relevant interventions. One area in training research that has continued to elude practitioners and researchers is enhancing the use of trained skills back on the job (i.e., training transfer). Relapse prevention (RP) is a posttraining transfer intervention that has been studied for decades but associated findings lack consistency in transfer research. In this article, the authors review studies using RP as a transfer intervention, examine the weaknesses of study design and methods, and suggest improvements for future research to seek a fair test of its ultimate effectiveness.
Competency Approach to Human Resources Management: Outcomes and Contributions in a Turkish Cultural Context
Authors: Özçelik Gaye , Ferman Murat
Published: February 2006

This article examines the competency approach to human resources management (HRM) in organizations through a review of literature and theories on the competency perspective. Building on previous theory and some empirical evidence, a new competency framework is developed. The main purpose of the article is to examine the effectiveness of the competency approach as a human resources strategy for promoting expected roles, skills, and behaviors in organizations. The article also examines potential challenges to implementing a competency approach to HRM in a special cultural context. This is provided by a case study in a multinational, fast-moving, consumer goods company in Turkey. One of the findings of the study is that there are challenges to implementing the competency approach due to the cultural differences between home and host countries. If properly designed, however, the competency approach can enhance selection, development, promotion, and reward processes to meet both individual and organizational needs.
Multi-Ethnic Workforce and Business Performance: Review and Synthesis of the Empirical Literature
Authors: Shoobridge Gonzalo E.
Published: February 2006

This article provides an updated review and synthesis of the empirical literature of the determinants of business performance, and discusses directions for future research aimed at developing better theories and advancing knowledge of the specific influence of ethnic minorities on firm financial achievements. The review is intended to overcome the weaknesses in previous reviews by focusing exclusively on studies that concentrate on ethnic minority–related determinants of business performance. This article suggests that future research should take a more holistic approach to analyzing the impact of a multicultural workforce on the performance of medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This article proposes a tentative research model that links six different ethnic-related concept groups directly to the financial and export performance of the firm.
Models of Excellence in Multicultural Colleges and Universities
Authors: López-Mulnix Esther Elena , Mulnix Michael William
Published: February 2006

The authors examine definitions of culture and philosophical and political assumptions that underlie multicultural approaches that facilitate or discourage multicultural competence. The authors discover that campus culture—determined mostly by the dominant coalition or power elite—is critical to success or failure of effective multi-cultural policies and procedures. In the literature, power is not generally acknowledged when considering multicultural competence. Thus, this preliminary work relating systems theory to institutional culture is unique in determining excellence in multiculturalism.
Early Experiences of Young Men of Latin Descent
Authors: Griffith Bryant , Prezas Raul , Labercane George
Published: February 2006

This article focuses on the narratives and experiences of young Hispanics in south Texas. These youths matured during America’s high period of civic engagement. Their involvement in the development of social clubs defined and reinforced their culture. Growing up Hispanic meant belonging to a large, supportive, Hispanic family. The clubs defined dating rituals and social behavior. This article also raises the issues of how social capital is realized within the Hispanic culture and its repercussions.
Study of Successful Latina/o Students
Authors: Zalaquett Carlos P.
Published: February 2006

This study analyzed the stories of successful Latina/o students. The qualitative analysis confirmed the presence of three barriers affecting their access to higher education and eight supporting factors: family, education, responsibility toward others, sense of accomplishment, friendship, scholarships, community support, and school personnel. Suggestions for developing programs oriented to increase the number of these students enrolled in higher education are presented.
Makin’ It in College
Authors: Sánchez Bernadette , Reyes Olga , Singh Joshua
Published: February 2006

Using a social capital framework, the aim of this study was to examine the role of significant relationships in the academic experiences of Mexican American college students. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 students and 12 of the individuals in their lives who were considered important sources of support. Grounded theory was used to analyze data and various steps, such as member-checking, were taken to enhance the credibility of findings. Parents, peers, siblings, extended family members, and unrelated adults supported these students academically. Parents were the most frequently cited sources of support and played a significant role in motivating students in their education. However, because parents’ relatively low educational status limited the kind of support they could provide, students also benefited from nonparental sources of support. There were five forms of support (e.g., emotional support, cognitive guidance) used to guide students in eight aspects of school life (e.g., college application process, classes). Implications for education and support programs are discussed.
Historical Trends and Their Impact on the Social Construction of Self Among Hispanics and Its Impact on Self-Efficacious Behaviors in Training and Careers
Authors: Johnson Douglas P.
Published: February 2006

Historic trends affect the social construction of the Hispanic self that have negatively affected achievement. This is reflected in the models of training and career counseling. Achievement depends on many factors among college students. Hispanic college students have certain obstacles that need to be addressed related to self-concept to meet these challenges and improve their rates of success in higher education. Analyzing history and psychological theory increase a researcher’s knowledge of what drives self-efficacious behaviors. In the end, refined knowledge of what motivates Hispanic students in academic tasks improves a person’s ability to counsel Hispanic individuals toward routes to success in career choices higher education.
Carbonate volcanism in Calatrava, central Spain: a report on the initial findings
Authors: Bailey K. , Garson M. , Kearns S. , Velasco A. P.
Published: February 2006

Late Tertiary-Quaternary volcanism around Calatrava, within the Hercynian massif of central Spain, is alkaline mafic-ultramafic, with ∼250 centres, mainly monogenetic cones and vents, with melilitite the most abundant eruptive. Carbonatite may be expected in association with melilitite and a clear example of magmatic carbonate emerged from a brief field reconnaissance. It is a vent filled with a mixed eruption of glassy melilitite lapilli in a carbonate matrix. Levels and profiles of trace elements are inseparable from recognized carbonatite, and totally unlike those in local sedimentary limestone and caliche. C and O isotopes are the same as those reported for carbonatite ashes in other provinces. Carbonate is present as globules in the melilitite glass, and as inclusions within large clinopyroxene and olivine grains, which are largely xenocrystic. Euhedral spinels in melilitite and carbonate matrix are chromite mantled with titano-magnetite, reported previously only from high-temperature kimberlite. Wehrlite fragments indicate direct eruption from the mantle. Phlogopite and chromian spinel are found only as inclusions in the olivine, pointing to a phlogopite-carbonate mantle source region of the type favoured for carbonatite and melilitite melt generation. Calatrava represents the most southerly and westerly expression in mainland Europe of intra-continental carbonatite-melilitite volcanism. Follow-up field visits have shown that carbonate volcanism is extensive and voluminous throughout the province, requiring a long-term research programme.
Microlite-manganotantalite exsolution lamellae: evidence from rare-metal pegmatite, Karibib, Namibia
Authors: Baldwin J. R. , Hill P. G. , Finch A. A. , von Knorring O. , Oliver G. J. H.
Published: February 2006

We have analysed a rare occurrence of orange-brown manganotantalite lamellae (visible in hand specimen), intergrown with microlite [(Ca,Na)2(Ta,Nb)2(O,OH,F)7], aggregates of ferrotapiolite, bismuth minerals and apatite to understand more about the mechanisms of crystal growth and secondary modification in Ta-rich minerals. The intergrowth occurs within amblygonite/montebrasite nodules near the quartz core of the highly fractionated rare-metal Li/Be/Ta pegmatite at Rubicon, Karibib, Namibia. Electron microprobe analyses show that manganotantalite lamellae are variable in composition. Primary microlite (Ta2O5 82%, 1.97 Ta a.p.f.u.) forms the matrix mineral between the lamellae. Textural relations suggest an exsolution origin for the lamellae. Manganotantalite is represented by three generations: (1) primary late magmatic; (2) disequilibrium exsolution lamellae; and (3) subsolidus replacement. Crystallization commenced with primary microlite and likely simultaneous intergrowth between ferrotapiolite and a first generation of late-magmatic primary manganotantalite with low Ta (1.1—1.5 a.p.f.u.). On cooling this was followed by exsolution of manganotantalite lamellae, generation (2) with low—medium Ta (1.27—1.7 a.p.f.u.). The replacement of microlite by a highly fractionated late-stage melt rich in Mn2+, Ca2+ with low Na+ finally produces a third generation (3) of manganotantalite with high Ta (1.72—1.99 a.p.f.u.) at the contact with microlite. Native bismuth and bismutite cut across microlite and pseudomorph lamellae as a final hydrothermal replacement. Apatite is ubiquitous at the contact with amblygonite. The stability field of microlite may be extended by incorporation of CaTa2O6-rynersonite and Ca2Ta2O7 — idealized, components in solid solution. However, rynersonite-CaTa2O6 with distorted octahedra has some structural templates which are similar to the structure of pyrochlore (microlite). Hence, via the perovskite/pyrochlore analogy, hypothetical exsolution of manganotantalite-type structures may occur from a microlite (pyrochlore) host by solid-state diffusion via metastable rynersonite-type intermediates. Such a mechanism has the potential to explain the crystallographically controlled intergrowth textures and the compositional heterogeneity.
Ti-free högbomite in spinel- and sapphirine-bearing Mg-Al rock from the Palghat-Cauvery shear zone system, southern India
Authors: Tsunogae T. , Santosh M.
Published: February 2006

We report a new type of högbomite in a spinel- and sapphirine-bearing silica-deficient Mg-Al rock from Manavadi at the northern margin of the Madurai Block along the Palghat-Cauvery shear zone system, which defines the Archaean-Proterozoic collisional boundary in southern India. Högbomite occurs here as fine- to medium-grained euhedral to subhedral crystals enclosed within or along grain boundaries of greenish spinel. It is compositionally very unique due to the lack of TiO2(<0.2 wt.%) and enrichment in Al2O3(66.4—70.8 wt.%) compared to other occurrences. The variety of högbomite described in this study, confirmed by laser Raman spectroscopy, has not been reported elsewhere previously. Högbomite in this study is subdivided into three groups based on theXMg(=Mg/ (FeTotal+Mg)) ratio; 0.54—0.57, 0.61—0.73 and 0.77—0.79. Compositional data suggest a linear element substitution of 3(Fe+Mg) = 2Al for the Ti-free högbomite, a trend that is distinct from previously reported Ti-bearing högbomites. Textures and mineral chemistry data suggest that the following reaction took place at retrograde stage (T<800°C): spinel + H2O + O2 → högbomite + corundum + magnetite, implying that introduction of hydrous and oxidized fluid as well as low bulk-Ti content played an important role in the formation of Ti-free högbomite.
Origin of garnet crystals in calc-alkaline volcanic rocks from the Setouchi volcanic belt, Japan
Authors: Kawabata H. , Takafuji N.
Published: February 2006

Calc-alkaline dacites from the Setouchi volcanic belt contain garnet crystals that are classified petrographically and chemically into two types: type I and type M. Type-M garnets are characterized by acicular sillimanite inclusions or dissolution textures, and may be accompanied by xenolith fragments. They exhibit extensive compositional zoning with an increase in MgO/FeO and decrease in MnO content towards the margin. These petrographical and compositional features are identical to those of garnets from metamorphic xenoliths entrained in the Setouchi volcanic rocks, suggesting a xenocrystic origin for the type-M garnets. In contrast, type-I garnets lack sillimanite inclusions and have different rim compositions from the type-M garnets. Transmission electron microscope analysis has revealed the presence of minute glass inclusions in the type-I garnets, which indicate conclusively that these garnets grew in the presence of a melt. Type-I garnets have oscillatory zoning characterized by an antipathetic variation between FeO and MgO. This zoning was probably caused by magma heterogeneity within magma batch. Differences in rim compositions between the two types of garnets, and the presence of reaction rims indicate that the xenocrystic type-M garnets were incorporated into the magma after phenocrystic type-I garnet became unstable due to decompression during magma ascent.
Redgillite, Cu6(OH)10(SO4)·H2O, a new mineral from Caldbeck Fells, Cumbria, England: description and crystal structure
Authors: Pluth J. J. , Steele I. M. , Kampf A. R. , Green D. I.
Published: February 2006

Redgillite, Cu6(OH)10(SO4)·H2O, space group P21/c, a 3.155(3) Å, b 10.441(8) Å, c 19.436(16) Å, β 90.089(13)°, V = 640.2(9) Å3, Z = 2, is a new mineral from Silver Gill, Caldbeck Fells, Cumbria, England. The strongest six lines of the X-ray powder-diffraction pattern [d in Å, (I)(hkl)] are: 9.72 (90) (002), 7.11 (100) (012), 4.60 (30) (022), 4.068 (20) (023), 2.880 (30) (112,11), 2.318 (50) (131,13). It occurs as translucent to transparent grass-green bladed crystals up to 0.15 mm long with squared-off or tapering terminations; usually in radiating groups. Forms observed are {001} prominent, {010} as composite stepped faces, and {100} irregular. Redgillite has white streak, vitreous lustre and Mohs hardness of ∼2. Blades are slightly flexible with irregular fracture and exhibit a perfect {001} cleavage and good {100} and {010} cleavages. The measured density (by sink-float) is 3.45(5) g/cm3; the calculated density is 3.450 g/cm3. The mineral dissolves slowly in dilute HCl. Redgillite is biaxial- negative with α = 1.693(2), β = 1.721(2), γ = 1.723(2), 2V = 30(2)° (meas.) and 30° (calc.); dispersion is r > v, medium; pleochroism: Y blue-green α X blue-green α Z yellow-green; orientation: X ≈ c , Y = b, Z ≈ a. Electron microprobe analyses yielded CuO 68.9, SO3 11.6, total 80.5. With water inferred from the structure analysis, the empirical formula is: Cu5.995(OH)9.991(SO4)1.003·H2O. Redgillite is typically found in thin fractures in partly oxidized sulphides where it is commonly associated with langite and more rarely with malachite, cuprite, connellite and brochantite. The name is for the Red Gill mine, from which the mineral is best known. The crystal structure of redgillite was determined and refined to R = 0.090 for 1529 observed reflections [I > 2σ(I)]. The redgillite structure consists of Jahn-Teller distorted CuO6 octahedra and SO4 tetrahedra. The octahedra share edges to form sheets that are zig-zag in cross section. The SO4 tetrahedra share an oxygen with the Cu layer and link the layers by hydrogen bonds to OH groups. The crystal structures of wroewolfeite, langite, posnjakite, spangolite and schulenbergite are similar to redgillite. They all contain edge sharing CuO6 layers connected to SO4 groups with the layers bridged via hydrogen bonds.
Pd-bearing oxides and hydrated oxides in mertieite-II crystals from alluvial sediments of the Darya river, Aldan Shield, Russia
Authors: Shcheka G. G. , Lehmann B. , Solianik A. N.
Published: February 2006

Coarse-grained mertieite-II [Pd8(Sb,As)3] crystals (up to 2.5 mm across) with inclusions of sperrylite and intergrown with keithconnite [Pd3(Te,Bi)], cooperite-braggite, a Pt-Pd-Hg alloy, a (Pd,Pt)9Te phase and Au-Ag alloy occur in alluvial sediments in the Darya river, Aldan Shield, Russia. The primary PGM assemblage underwent alteration with formation of a very fine-grained mixture of Pd-bearing oxides and hydrated oxides. The Pd oxide/hydrated oxide aggregates (up to 100 μm wide and ~1 mm long) occur along crystallographic planes, on grain boundaries and fractures, occasionally intergrown with goethite. The Pd-O-bearing compounds formed after (1) mertieite-II (Sb content reaches 23 wt.%), (2) keithconnite (variably enriched in Te, up to 7 wt.% and Bi, up to 6 wt.%) and (3) potarite (with high Hg content, up to 35 wt.%). The variably oxidized and hydrated PGM assemblage can be attributed to supergene alteration and small-scale element redistribution under cool climatic conditions with a limited degree of leaching.
Extremely Pb-rich rock-forming silicates including a beryllian scapolite and associated minerals in a skarn from Långban, Värmland, Sweden
Authors: Christy A. G. , Gatedal K.
Published: February 2006

We report preliminary petrographic and mineral chemical data for a rock hosting an unusual mineral assemblage from Långban, Värmland, Sweden. The rock is a two feldspar-scapolite-spessartine-romeite skarn. The bulk composition and high degree of enrichment in Pb, Sb and As suggest that the rock was formed by reaction between a pre-existing Mn skarn containing the chalcophiles and a potassic granite, with loss of silica, alkalis and CO2. The alkali feldspar is a Pb-rich hyalophane, averaging Or63Ab19Cs15Pb03, the plagioclase feldspar a Pb-rich labradorite, An48Ab48Or02Pb02, and the scapolite a 'mizzonite' (Ca/(Na+Ca) = 0.66—0.70). These minerals show their highest Pb contents recorded in nature to date: up to a maximum of 5.7 wt.% PbO in the hyalophane, 2.1% PbO in the plagioclase, and 5.3% PbO in the scapolite. Laser ablation ICP-MS of a scapolite grain detected substantial Be up to 1.7 wt.% BeO (0.6 Be per 12 tetrahedral cations), as well as Pb up to 7.05 wt.% PbO. The Be is incorporated into scapolite via the coupled exchange [Be(OH)][Al(CO3,SO4)]—1. This is the first documentation of scapolite as the major repository for Be in a rock.

The romeite also contains substantial Pb, and shows extensive solid solution towards end-members containing Fe3+, Ti and Sb3+. In some analyses, the dominant end-members areand its Pb analogue rather than (Ca,Pb)2Sb2O7. Complex exsolution textures are displayed in the hyalophane, by hancockite-epidote, romeite-bindheimite and hedyphane-johnbaumite. Ca-rich scapolite and hancockite appear to be new minerals for the Långban deposit.

The mineralogy appears consistent with the regional peak conditions ofP= 3 kbar,T> 600°C. Several potential thermobarometers for Mn-rich skarns are identified in this rock.
Growth of zircon and titanite during metamorphism in the granitoid-gneiss terrane south of the Barberton greenstone belt, South Africa
Authors: Dziggel A. , Armstrong R. A. , Stevens G. , Nasdala L.
Published: February 2006

SHRIMP U-Pb zircon and titanite dating have been used to constrain the timing of mid- to lower- crustal metamorphism (∼650—700°C and 8—11 kbar) and syn-kinematic melting in the granitoid gneiss- dominated terrane south of the Barberton greenstone belt, South Africa. This study is concentrated on a clastic metasedimentary unit exposed in one of several greenstone remnants and a late-kinematic trondhjemite intrusive into spatially associated mixed gneisses. Locally, the clastic metasediments show extensive replacement of garnet and plagioclase by epidote and titanite. The titanites yield an upper intercept date of 3229±9 Ma, and provide a minimum age for the peak of metamorphism. Zircons separated from the same unit record a range of concordant and near-concordant 207Pb/206Pb dates between ∼3560 and 3230 Ma, the youngest group yielding a weighted mean date of 3227±7 Ma. This range of dates is interpreted to be due to a combination of metamorphic recrystallization and high- temperature Pb-loss in originally detrital zircons during regional metamorphism. A minimum age for the timing of deformation is given by the emplacement age of 3229±5 Ma for the late-kinematic trondhjemite. Thus, geochronological data support the notion of a major metamorphic episode that coincided with the proposed short-lived terrane accretion event in the centre of the Barberton greenstone belt.
Kosmochlor and chromian jadeite aggregates from the Myanmar jadeitite area
Authors: Shi G. H. , Stöckhert B. , Cui W. Y.
Published: February 2006

Four distinct textures and related compositions of kosmochlor (Ko) and chromian jadeite in rocks from the Myanmar jadeitite area are described: (1) spheroidal or ellipsoidal aggregates with a corona texture surrounding relict chromite; (2) spheroidal or ellipsoidal aggregates with a core of jadeite; (3) granoblastic textures in undeformed coarse-grained clinopyroxene rocks; and (4) recrystallized fine-grained aggregates in deformed jadeitite. Nearly pure kosmochlor (97 mol.% NaCrSi2O6) was found in type 2 textures, closest to the end-member reported so far from a terrestrial rock. Sharp compositional boundaries between kosmochlor and chromian jadeite of variable composition are interpreted to be related to progressive crystallization or replacement at differing conditions. The compositions analysed plot along the kosmochlor-jadeite join. In contrast to conclusions of previous studies on the Myanmar clinopyroxenes there is no unequivocal evidence for miscibility gaps. The preservation of relict chromite in the centre of coronitic spheroidal or ellipsoidal aggregates of kosmochlor and jadeite indicates a metasomatic origin from a peridotite protolith at an inferred minimum pressure of 1.0 GPa and temperatures of 250—370°C. Recrystallization during later ductile deformation of the clinopyroxene rocks in the dislocation creep regime leads to fine-grained aggregates of chromian jadeite, which are of particular gemmological interest.
Serial measurement of BCR-ABL transcripts in the peripheral blood after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for chronic myeloid leukemia: an attempt to define patients who may not require further therapy
Authors: Kaeda Jaspal , O'Shea Derville , Szydlo Richard M. , Olavarria Eduardo , Dazzi Francesco , Marin David , Saunders Susan , Khorashad Jamshid S. , Cross Nicholas C. P. , Goldman John M. , Apperley Jane F.
Published: February 2006

We identified 243 patients with Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome–positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who had BCR-ABL transcripts monitored by quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for a median of 84.3 months. Individual patients were regarded as having achieved molecular relapse (MR) if the BCR-ABL/ABL ratio exceeded 0.02% on 3 occasions or reached 0.05% on 2 occasions. Patients were allocated to 1 of 4 categories: (1) 36 patients were “persistently negative” or had a single low-level positive result; (2) 51 patients, “fluctuating positive, low level,” had more than 1 positive result but never more than 2 consecutive positive results; (3) 27 patients, “persistently positive, low level,” had persisting low levels of BCR-ABL transcripts but never more than 3 consecutive positive results; and (4) 129 patients relapsed. In 107 of these, relapse was based initially only on molecular criteria; in 72 (67.3%) patients the leukemia progressed to cytogenetic or hematologic relapse either prior to or during treatment with donor lymphocyte infusions. We conclude that the pattern of BCR-ABL transcript levels after allograft is variable; only a minority of patients with fluctuating or persistent low levels of BCR-ABL transcripts satisfied our definitions of MR, whereas the majority of patients who did so were likely to progress further.
Notch1 promotes survival of E2A-deficient T cell lymphomas through pre–T cell receptor–dependent and –independent mechanisms
Authors: Reschly Erica J. , Spaulding Christina , Vilimas Tomas , Graham W. Vallen , Brumbaugh Rachel L. , Aifantis Iannis , Pear Warren S. , Kee Barbara L.
Published: February 2006

Loss of E2A transcription factor activity or activation of the intracellular form of Notch1 (ICN) leads to the development of leukemia or lymphoma in humans or mice, respectively. Current models propose that ICN functions by suppressing E2A through a pre–T cell receptor (TCR)–dependent mechanism. Here we show that lymphomas arising in E2A–/– mice require the activation of Notch1 for their survival and have accumulated mutations in, or near, the Notch1 PEST domain, resulting in increased stability and signaling. In contrast, lymphomas arising in p53–/– mice show the activation of Notch1, but no mutations were identified in ICN. The requirement for Notch1 signaling in E2A–/– lymphomas cannot be overcome by ectopic expression of pTα; however, pTα is required for optimal survival and expansion of these cells. Our findings indicate that the activation of Notch1 is an important “second hit” for the transformation of E2A–/– T cell lymphomas and that Notch1 promotes survival through pre–TCR-dependent and -independent mechanisms.
Protein-tyrosine kinase Syk is required for pathogen engulfment in complement-mediated phagocytosis
Authors: Shi Yuhong , Tohyama Yumi , Kadono Tomomi , He Jinsong , Shahjahan Miah S. M. , Hazama Ryoichi , Tanaka Chisato , Tohyama Kaoru , Yamamura Hirohei
Published: February 2006

The protein tyrosine kinase Syk plays a central role in Fcγ receptor–mediated phagocytosis in the adaptive immune system. We show here that Syk also plays an essential role in complement-mediated phagocytosis in innate immunity. Macrophage-like differentiated HL60 cells and C3bi-opsonized zymosan comprised the pathogen-phagocyte system. C3bi-opsonized zymosan particles promptly attached to the cells and were subsequently engulfed via complement receptor 3. During this process, Syk became tyrosine phosphorylated and accumulated around the nascent phagosomes. The transfer of Syk-siRNA or dominant-negative Syk (DN-Syk) into HL60 cells resulted in impaired phagocytosis. Quenching assays using fluorescent zymosan revealed that most of the attached zymosan particles were located inside parental HL60 cells, whereas few were ingested by the mutant cells. These data indicated that Syk is required for the engulfment of C3bi-opsonized zymosan. During C3bi-zymosan–induced phagocytosis, actin accumulation occurred around phagosomes and was followed by depolymerization, and further RhoA was activated together with tyrosine phosphorylation of Vav. These responses including the actin remodeling were suppressed in Syk-siRNA– or DN-Syk–expressing cells. Our results demonstrated that Syk plays an indispensable role in complement-mediated phagocytosis by regulating both actin dynamics and the RhoA activation pathway and that these functions of Syk lead to phagosome formation and pathogen engulfment.
Clinical significance of minimal residual disease, as assessed by different techniques, after stem cell transplantation for chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Moreno Carol , Villamor Neus , Colomer Dolors , Esteve Jordi , Giné Eva , Muntañola Ana , Campo Elias , Bosch Francesc , Montserrat Emili
Published: February 2006

We analyzed minimal residual disease (MRD) by consensus polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR (qPCR), and flow cytometry in 40 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who underwent stem cell transplantation; 97.4%, 89%, and 100% of the patients could be studied by consensus PCR, qPCR, and flow cytometry, respectively. Overall, 164 of 248 samples were negative for MRD by consensus PCR. Among those, CLL cells were detected by qPCR and by flow cytometry in 77 (47%) and 39 (23%) of the 164 samples, respectively. All 84 samples positive on PCR had detectable CLL cells by qPCR and flow cytometry. A good correlation was seen between MRD levels by flow cytometry and by qPCR (n = 254; r = 0.826; P < .001). Fifteen of 25 patients receiving autografts suffered a relapse, with increasing levels of MRD being observed before relapse in all of them. MRD detection within the first 6 months after autologous transplantation identified patients with a high relapse risk. In contrast, in allografted patients (n = 15) MRD did not correlate with outcome. In conclusion, quantitative methods to assess MRD (flow cytometry and qPCR) are more accurate than consensus PCR to predict clinical evolution. These results might be useful to investigate treatments aimed at preventing relapse in patients with CLL who have received an autograft.
c-Myc acts downstream of IL-15 in the regulation of memory CD8 T-cell homeostasis
Authors: Bianchi Teresa , Gasser Stephan , Trumpp Andreas , MacDonald H. Robson
Published: February 2006

A subset of CD8 T cells in normal mice, expressing high levels of activation markers such as CD44, shares many properties with antigen-specific memory CD8 T cells. Homeostasis of CD44high CD8 T cells depends upon cytokines such as interleukin-15 (IL-15); however, the downstream signaling pathways regulating IL-15–dependent homeostatic proliferation are poorly defined. Surprisingly, we show here that haploinsufficiency of the protooncogene c-myc leads to a highly selective decrease in CD44high CD8 T cells in mice. Although steady-state proliferation and survival of CD44high CD8 T cells appeared not to be dependent on c-Myc, homeostatic proliferation of c-myc+/– CD44high CD8 T cells in lymphopenic hosts was strongly reduced, and the residual homeostatic proliferation of these cells appeared to occur independently of IL-15. Moreover, c-myc+/– CD44high CD8 T cells responded very poorly to purified IL-15 in vitro. Backcrossing of c-myc+/– mice to IL-15–/– mice revealed that the number of CD44high CD8 T cells decreased in an additive fashion in mice heterozygous for c-myc and IL-15. Finally homeostatic proliferation of antigen-specific memory CD44high CD8 T cells was also impaired in c-myc+/– mice. Collectively, our data identify c-Myc as a novel downstream component of the IL-15–dependent pathway controlling homeostatic proliferation of memory CD44high CD8 T cells.
CD8+ T-cell–mediated killing of donor dendritic cells prevents alloreactive T helper type-2 responses in vivo
Authors: Laffont Sophie , Coudert Jérôme D. , Garidou Lucile , Delpy Laurent , Wiedemann Aurélie , Demur Cécile , Coureau Christiane , Guéry Jean-Charles
Published: February 2006

Accumulating evidence indicates that, in absence of CD8+ T-cell activation, CD4+ T-cell–mediated allograft rejection is associated with a dominant Th2-cell response and eosinophil infiltrates. In this study, we analyzed the mechanisms by which CD8+ T cells regulate alloreactive CD4+ T-cell priming and differentiation into interleukin 4 (IL-4)–producing cells. We showed that interferon γ (IFN-γ) production by CD8+ T cells was dispensable for the inhibition of Th2-cell development, as well as tissue eosinophilia and type 2 cytokine production in the rejected grafts. Since we noticed that CD8+ T cells not only suppressed Th2 differentiation, but also down-modulated the overall priming of alloreactive CD4+ T cells, we evaluated whether CD8+ T cells act by limiting the accumulation of donor-derived dendritic cells (DCs) in lymph nodes. We found that indeed, alloreactive CD8+ T cells rapidly eliminated allogeneic DCs from T-cell areas of draining lymph nodes, through a perforin-dependent mechanism. Thus, our data demonstrate that cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)–mediated clearance of allogeneic DCs is a negative feedback mechanism that limits the duration of alloantigen presentation in draining lymph nodes, thereby modulating the amplitude and polarization of the primary alloreactive CD4+ T-cell responses.
Antigen receptor–mediated changes in glucose metabolism in B lymphocytes: role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling in the glycolytic control of growth
Authors: Doughty Cheryl A. , Bleiman Blair F. , Wagner Dean J. , Dufort Fay J. , Mataraza Jennifer M. , Roberts Mary F. , Chiles Thomas C.
Published: February 2006

The bioenergetic response of B lymphocytes is subject to rapid changes following antigen encounter in order to provide ATP and anabolic precursors necessary to support growth. However, the pathways involved in glucose acquisition and metabolism are unknown. We find that B lymphocytes rapidly increase glucose uptake and glycolysis following B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) crosslinking. Inhibition of glycolysis blocks BCR-mediated growth. Prior to S-phase entry, glucose metabolism shifts from primarily glycolytic to include the pentose phosphate pathway. BCR-induced glucose utilization is dependent upon phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) activity as evidenced by inhibition of glucose uptake and glycolysis with LY294002 treatment of normal B cells and impaired glucose utilization in B cells deficient in the PI-3K regulatory subunit p85α. Activation of Akt is sufficient to increase glucose utilization in B cells. We find that glucose utilization is inhibited by coengagement of the BCR and FcγRIIB, suggesting that limiting glucose metabolism may represent an important mechanism underlying FcγRIIB-mediated growth arrest. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that both growth-promoting BCR signaling and growth-inhibitory FcγRIIB signaling modulate glucose energy metabolism. Manipulation of these pathways may prove to be useful in the treatment of lymphoproliferative disorders, wherein clonal expansion of B lymphocytes plays a role.
Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure measurement in tracheotomised patients
Authors: Vitacca M. , Paneroni M. , Bianchi L. , Clini E. , Vianello A. , Ceriana P. , Barbano L. , Balbi B. , Nava S.
Published: February 2006

The present study compared four different sites and conditions for the measurement of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) in 38 spontaneous breathing tracheotomised patients. Of the patients, 28 had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The four different conditions were: 1) through a cuff inflated cannula (condition A); 2) through the mouth with a deflated cannula (condition B); 3) through the mouth with a phonetic uncuffed cannula (condition C); and 4) through the mouth after stoma closure (condition D). Five trials in each condition were performed using a standardised method.

The measurement of both MIP and MEP differed significantly depending on the condition of measurement. MIP taken in condition A was significantly higher when compared with conditions B, C and D. MEP in condition A was significantly higher when compared with condition B and D. In condition A the highest frequency of the best measurement of MIP and MEP was observed at the fourth and fifth effort, respectively. The same results were obtained after the selection of only COPD patients.

In conclusion, respiratory muscle assessment differs significantly depending on measurement condition. Measurement through inflated cannula tracheotomy yields higher values of both maximal inspiratory and maximal expiratory pressure.