cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Basal ganglia modulation of thalamocortical relay in Parkinson's disease and dystonia

Basal ganglia dysfunction has being implied in both Parkinson's disease and dystonia. While these disorders probably involve different cellular and circuit pathologies within and beyond basal ganglia, there may be some shared neurophysiological pathways. For example, pallidotomy and pallidal Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) are used in symptomatic treatment of both disorders. Both conditions are marked by alterations of rhythmicity of neural activity throughout basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuits. Increased synchronized oscillatory activity in beta band is characteristic of Parkinson’s disease, while different frequency bands, theta and alpha, are involved in dystonia. We compare the effect of the activity of GPi, the output nuclei of the basal ganglia, on the information processing in the downstream neural circuits of thalamus in Parkinson’s disease and dystonia. We use a data-driven computational approach, a computational model of the thalamocortical (TC) cell modulated by experimentally recorded data, to study the differences and similarities of thalamic dynamics in dystonia and Parkinson's disease. Our analysis shows no substantial differences in TC relay between the two conditions. Our results suggest that, similar to Parkinson’s disease, a disruption of thalamic processing could also be involved in dystonia. Moreover, the degree to which TC relay fidelity is impaired is approximately the same in both conditions. While Parkinson’s disease and dystonia may have different pathologies and differ in the oscillatory content of neural discharge, our results suggest that the effect of patterning of pallidal discharge is similar in both conditions. Furthermore, these results suggest that the mechanisms of GPi DBS in dystonia maybe involve improvement of TC relay fidelity.
Natural Mercury Isotope Variation in Coal Deposits and Organic Soils

There is a need to distinguish among sources of Hg to the atmosphere in order to more fully understand global Hg pollution. In this study we investigate whether coal deposits within the United States, China, and Russia-Kazakhstan, which are three of the five greatest coal-producing regions, have diagnostic Hg isotopic fingerprints that can be used to discriminate among Hg sources. We also investigate the Hg isotopic composition of modern organic soil horizons developed in areas distant from point sources of Hg in North America. Mercury stored in coal deposits displays a wide range of both mass dependent fractionation (MDF, delta202Hg) and mass independent fractionation (MIF, delta201Hg). delta202Hg varies in coals by 3 per thousand and delta201Hg varies by 0.9 per thousand. Combining these two Hg isotope signals results in what may be a unique isotopic "fingerprint" for many coal deposits. Mass independent fractionation of mercury has been demonstrated to occur during photochemical reactions of mercury. This suggests that Hg found in most coal deposits was subjected to photochemical reduction near the Earth's surface prior to deposition. The similarity in MDF and MIF of modern organic soils and coals from North America suggests that Hg deposition from coal may have imprinted an isotopic signature on soils. This research offers a new tool for characterizing mercury inputs from natural and anthropogenic sources to the atmosphere and provides new insights into the geochemistry of mercury in coal and soils.
Wide-gap II-VI superlattices

At this time, there is evident a sharp increase of interest in the II-VI class of semiconducting compounds largely due to recent success in the growth of these materials by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). One of the more important areas for application of high-quality II-VI films is infrared imaging where CdTe deposited by MBE onto GaAs substrates is proposed as the substrate for subsequent HgCdTe and HgTe/CdTe superlattice deposition. Moreover, interest in the wide-gap II-VI compounds is stimulated by the need for electronically addressable flat panel display devices, and for the development of wide-gap (blue) LED and injection laser devices. For applications in the blue portion of the visible spectrum, ZnSe and ZnS have long been favored candidates. Very high quality ZnSe has recently been grown by MBE. The photoluminescence spectra of the MBE-grown ZnSe samples grown at Purdue University and elsewhere strongly suggests that, in many cases, the film quality exceeds that obtainable in bulk form. In addition to the Conventional II-VI materials, a new class of materials called diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMS) are currently receiving considerable attention. DMS are II-VI semiconductors such as CdTe or ZnSe with a fraction of the group II element substituted by a magnetic transition element such as Mn. The incorporation of Mn leads to very large magnetooptic effects, on the Order of several hundred times that exhibited by conventional semiconductors of a comparable bandgap. An especially significant feature of II-VI DMS materials is the increase in bandgap resulting from Mn incorporation. The band-gap increases with Mn mole fraction in a manner similar to the effect of Al in the (Ga, Al)As system, and with similar implications to the creation of quantum well structures and superlattices. The first part of this paper reviews our recent work involving quantum well structures in the (Zn, Mn)Se system, with the second part emphasizing (Cd, Mn)Te. Included in the discussion of superlattice structures in (Cd, Mn)Te is a description of recent results concerning the heteroepitaxial growth of CdTe on GaAs-materials having a lattice constant mismatch of 14.6 percent.
A molecular case report: Functional assay of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in cells from a patient’s primary renal cell carcinoma

Current therapies for Renal Cell Carcinoma favor vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGF-R) tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitors (TKIs). In theory, these are most applicable in tumors that have lost VHL-with subsequent stabilization of HIF and upregulation of VEGF. A subset of patients harbor primary-refractory disease, as in this case, where there was no evidence for loss of VHL or chromosome 3p. We evaluated molecular targeted agents in viable tumor cells cultured from a patient’s clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Of 66 agents, only dasatinib, an inhibitor of Src tyrosine kinase, strongly reduced viability of the patient’s cultured kidney tumor cells. Immunostaining of the original primary tumor revealed strong positivity for VHL and Src protein expression. Functional evaluation of a patient’s tumor cells appears feasible in the setting of RCC.
Proliferating subventricular zone cells in the adult mammalian forebrain can differentiate into neurons and glia.

Abstract Subventricular zone (SVZ) cells proliferate spontaneously in vivo in the telencephalon of adult mammals. Several studies suggest that SVZ cells do not differentiate after mitosis into neurons or glia but die. In the present work, we show that SVZ cells labeled in the brains of adult mice with [3H]thymidine differentiate directly into neurons and glia in explant cultures. In vitro labeling with [3H]thymidine shows that 98% of the neurons that differentiate from the SVZ explants are derived from precursor cells that underwent their last division in vivo. This report identifies the SVZ cells as neuronal precursors in an adult mammalian brain.
Percutaneous transhepatic islet cell autotransplantation after pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis: a novel approach

Background In selected patients with chronic pancreatitis, extensive pancreatectomy can be effective for the treatment of intractable pain. The resultant morbid diabetes can be ameliorated with islet autotransplantation (IAT). Conventionally, islet infusion occurs intraoperatively after islet processing. A percutaneous transhepatic route in the immediate postoperative period is an alternative approach.
Quality of care and hospital readmission in congestive heart failure: An explicit review process

Abstract Background: The effect of hospital quality of care on hospital readmission for patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) has not been widely studied. Methods and Results: We examined the effects of clinical factors, hospital quality of care, and cardiologist involvement on 3-month readmission rates in patients with CHF by using a 125-item explicit review instrument comprising 3 major domains: admission work-up, evaluation and treatment, and readiness for discharge. During the 3 months after discharge, 59 (30%) of 205 patients were readmitted for CHF. The average evaluation and treatment score was lower for readmitted patients (63% v 58%; P =.04). The specific quality criteria differing between patients readmitted or not readmitted included the performance of any diagnostic evaluation, performance of echocardiography in patients with unknown ejection fraction or suspected valvular disease, and therapy with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor on discharge. Patients with ≤50% of the evaluation and treatment criteria met were more likely to be readmitted (odds ratio, 2.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–5.3; P =.02). In a multivariate model including both clinical characteristics and quality criteria, a low evaluation and treatment score was an independent predictor of readmission. Cardiologist involvement was correlated with higher quality-of-care scores in the admission work-up (4.8% higher; P P Conclusions: Hospital quality of care for patients with CHF is independently associated with 3-month readmission rates, and cardiologist involvement during hospitalization is associated with overall quality of care.
Mohammed and Charlemagne: A Revision

IT is not my purpose to challenge the core of Pirenne's conclusions. Mahomet et Charlemagne, and Dopsch's Grundlagen however much one may disagree on point of details and on range of implications have helped historians to realize that their traditional division of ages was wrong: Germanic invasions did not mark the beginning of a new era; Arab invasions did.' This is undoubtedly true in so far as history of culture is concerned. The great push of the Germans had been preceded by long interpenetration, and was followed by thorough fusion of the newcomers into the mass of the conquered people. The followers of Alaric, Theodoric and Clovis neither wanted to nor could break the moral unity of the Western Empire, and its connections with the East. They only gave a political expression to those particularisms which were already cracking the surface of the old Roman edifice without breaking its deep foundations. The Latin language and Latin literature, however much their already advanced barbarization may have been precipitated by the impact of rude invaders, remained as the common background of European culture. The greatest achievements of the mediaeval 'Germanized' world, the Church and the Empire, were either a heritage or an imitation of Roman institutions. As soon as Europe was again able to produce something great and original, Roman peoples again took the lead. Niebelungennot and the wooden buildings of the Germans were forgotten for Romanesque and French ('Gothic') architecture, and for the Italian Divina Commedia. On the other hand, wherever the Arabs stepped on Romanic soil (except in Spain and in Sicily, outposts which they held for too short a time), they eradicated the classic roots forever. A slow but sweeping revolution won over the masses in Syria, Egypt, and North Africa to a new civilization, whose language and religion (these typical expressions of a people's soul) were the language and the religion of the conquerors. There was no Arab Romanesque architecture, and no Arab Imperium.2 Even where there was imitation, an original blend was formed out of three cultures Graeco-Roman, Persian, and Semitic.
What Do Randomized Studies of Housing Mobility Demonstrate?: Causal Inference in the Face of Interference

During the past 20 years, social scientists using observational studies have generated a large and inconclusive literature on neighborhood effects. Recent workers have argued that estimates of neighborhood effects based on randomized studies of housing mobility, such as the “Moving to Opportunity” (MTO) demonstration, are more credible. These estimates are based on the implicit assumption of no interference between units; that is, a subject's value on the response depends only on the treatment to which that subject is assigned, not on the treatment assignments of other subjects. For the MTO studies, this assumption is not reasonable. Although little work has been done on the definition and estimation of treatment effects when interference is present, interference is common in studies of neighborhood effects and in many other social settings (e.g., schools and networks), and when data from such studies are analyzed under the “no-interference assumption,” very misleading inferences can result. Furthermore, ...
Using Motion Pictures to Aid Inter-Cultural Communication

The role of 12 motion picture films in inter-cultural communication is examined from the physical, physiological, psychological, sociological, anthropological, and ethico-religious viewpoints.
Primary structure of the 2-O-methyl-α-l-fucose-containing side chain of the pectic polysaccharide, rhamnogalacturonan II

Abstract A 2-O-methylfucosyl-containing heptasaccharide was released from red wine rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II) by acid hydrolysis of the glycosidic linkage of the aceryl acid residue (AceA) and purified to homogeneity by size-exclusion and high-performance anion-exchange chromatographies. The primary structure of the heptasaccharide was determined by glycosyl-residue and glycosyl-linkage composition analyses, ESIMS, and by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The NMR data indicated that the pyranose ring of the 2,3-linked l -arabinosyl residue is conformationally flexible. The l -Arap residue was confirmed to be α-linked by NMR analysis of a tetraglycosyl-glycerol fragment, [α- l -Arap-(1→4)-β- d -Galp-(1→2)-α- l -AcefA-(1→3)-β- l -Rhap-(1→3)-Gro], generated by Smith degradation of RG-II. Our data together with the results of a previous study,1 establish that the 2-O-Me Fuc-containing nonasaccharide side chain of wine RG-II has the structure (Api≡apiose): Download : Download full-size image Data are presented to show that in Arabidopsis RG-II the predominant 2-O-MeFuc-containing side chain is a mono-O-acetylated heptasaccharide that lacks the non-reducing terminal β- l -Araf and the α- l -Rhap residue attached to the O-3 of Arap, both of which are present on the wine nonasaccharide.
Growth peculiarities of gallium arsenide single crystals

Abstract The growing of GaAs single crystals with different seed orientations, pulled from a nearly stoichiometric melt, has been investigated: 1. The polar character of {111} surfaces has been confirmed. 2. The habitus of 〈211〉 crystals gives a direct proof of the different growth rates in opposite 〈111〉 directions. 3. Pulling from a melt Ga1-xAsx with a slight As excess (0·50 1 1 1 ) planes (As) is much more sensitive to small variations of the As pressure or melt composition than twinning on (111) planes (Ga). 4. The influence of seed orientation and crystal profile on the twinning probability can be understood qualitatively. The experimental twinning probabilities of crystals with similar shape give a sequence of seed orientations that does not fully agree with the one for InSb.
The eigenvalues of a deterministic neural net

A topological description of the logical connectivity of the deterministic limit of a neural net is related to the eigenvalues of the Markov matrix that describes its evolution in time. A specific relation is shown between these eigenvalues and memory retention. A simple concrete example illustrates how information may be stored and retrieved with this mechanism. The fundamental symmetries of the system are discussed in the context of the present limit.
A networks method for ranking microRNA dysregulation in cancer

Despite the lack of agreement on their exact roles, it is known that miRNAs contribute to cancer progression. Many studies utilize methods to detect differential regulation of miRNA expression. It is prohibitively expensive to examine all potentially dysregulated miRNAs and traditionally, researchers have focused their efforts on the most extremely dysregulated miRNAs. These methods may overlook the contribution of less differentially expressed but more functionally relevant miRNAs. The purpose of this study was to outline a method that not only utilizes differential expression but ranks miRNAs based on the functional relevance of their targets. This work uses a networks based approach to determine the sum node degree for all experimentally verified miRNA targets to identify potential regulators of prostate cancer initiation, progression and metastasis. Here, we present a method for identifying functionally relevant miRNAs that contribute to prostate cancer development. This paper shows that miRNAs preferentially regulate highly connected, central proteins within a protein-protein interaction network. Known targets of miRNAs differentially regulated during prostate cancer progression are enriched in pathways with known involvement in tumorigenesis. To demonstrate the applicability of our method, we utilized a unique model of prostate cancer progression to identify five miRNAs that may contribute to the oncogenic state of the cell. Three of these miRNAs have been shown by other studies to have a role in cancer but their exact role in prostate cancer remains undefined. Developing methods to determine which miRNAs to carry forward into biological and biochemical analyses is important as traditional approaches often overlook miRNAs that contribute to oncogenesis. Our method applied to a model of prostate cancer progression was able to identify miRNAs with roles in prostate cancer development.
Comments on the conditions for similitude in electroosmotic flows

Abstract This note provides a few comments on the conditions required for similitude between velocity and electric field in electroosmotic flows. The velocity fields of certain electroosmotic flows with relatively thin electric double layers (EDLs) are known to be irrotational in regions outside of the EDL. Under restricted conditions, the velocity field, V ¯ , can be expressed in terms of the electric field, E ¯ , as V ¯ = c E ¯ , where c is a scalar constant. The irrotationality solution is certainly unique and exact for Stokes flow, but may not be stable (or unique) for flows with Reynolds numbers significantly greater than unity.
The discrimination of drug mixtures using a four-choice procedure in pigeons.

Abstract Rationale. The purpose of these experiments was to study drug combinations as discriminative stimuli using a new four-choice procedure. Objectives. To determine whether pigeons could discriminate among a mixture of two drugs, each of the component drugs and saline, and to study other drug combinations in these birds. Methods. Pigeons were trained to discriminate among saline, 5 mg/kg morphine, 5 mg/kg pentobarbital, and a mixture of these two doses using a four-choice procedure. Results. When responding stabilized, the birds responded on the correct key more than 90% of the time. Low doses of all drugs given alone produced responding on the saline key. Higher doses of pentobarbital and chlordiazepoxide produced responding on the pentobarbital key, and higher doses of morphine produced responses on the morphine key. Methamphetamine produced responding on the saline key. None of the drugs given alone produced responding on the mixture key. When pentobarbital was combined with morphine, doses both below and above the combined training doses of these drugs usually produced responding on the mixture key. The combination of chlordiazepoxide with morphine produced similar results. Combinations of methamphetamine with pentobarbital or with morphine produced effects similar to those of pentobarbital or morphine given alone. Conclusions. A wide range of combinations of pentobarbital and morphine, or chlordiazepoxide and morphine produce responding on the mixture key, even though the pigeons were not exposed to these dose combinations during training. The four-choice procedure provides the opportunity to study drug mixtures in a detail not possible with more limited response choices.
Oral disease beliefs, behaviors, and health status of Korean-Americans.

Previous research with other ethnic minorities has shown that culture and age cohort, as well as language and economic limitations, act as barriers to obtaining dental care and maintaining good oral health. This study compared self-reported oral health attitudes, self-efficacy, and dental practices of 20 younger and 23 elderly Korean-Americans. Oral assessments were also conducted to determine plaque and gingival status, and root and coronal caries. Significant differences emerged in health self-efficacy (P less than .01) and preventive health orientation (P less than .002). Elderly had fewer teeth (P less than .0001), more decayed and filled root surfaces (P less than .05 and P less than .004, respectively), and more decayed and filled coronal surfaces (P less than .001 and P less than .03). Both groups showed higher levels of distal and mesial plaque than occlusal and cervical plaque; however, the elderly had higher rates of both (P less than .0001). Gingival status was also worse for the elderly, on distal and mesial (P less than .01), facial (P less than .01), and lingual (P less than .01) surfaces. These differences are striking, since the elderly reported visiting the dentist more recently (P less than .0001); but most of these visits were for prosthodontic and emergency care. Better preventive dental care and education are necessary for elderly immigrants who have not been exposed to preventive dentistry in their home countries.
Viscosity evaluation of CaO-SiO2-R2O (R=Li, Na and K) based multi-phase fluxes

Viscosity of CaO–SiO2–R2O system at elevated temperature has been systematically evaluated with a rotating-crucible viscometer over the wide range of temperature, which includes the region of solid–liquid coexistence, so called “multi-phase”. It was found that the viscosities of CaO–SiO2–R2O melts increased with temperature decrease, and were described with Arrehnius type temperature dependence between 20–100°C range of temperature below the liquidus. The rheological characterization of CaO–SiO2–R2O melts had a transition from Newtonian to non-Newtonian fluid at a given temperature, which was classified as Bingham fluid according to the relationship between the shear rate and the shear stress calculated based on the experimental condition and the viscosity data. It was unveiled that the crystallization behavior controlled the changes in the Bingham yield stress τB of CaO–SiO2–K2O multi-phase fluxes with temperature decrease. The gradual increase of τB was attributed to the crystallization of the super-cooled melt with the dispersed fine grains. The devitrification with the course dentritic crystals caused the steep increase of τB.
Characterization of genes involved in cytokinin signaling and metabolism from rice

Two-component signaling elements play important roles in plants, including a central role in cytokinin signaling. We characterized two-component elements from the monocot rice (Oryza sativa) using several complementary approaches. Phylogenetic analysis reveals relatively simple orthologous relationships among the histidine kinases in rice and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). In contrast, the histidine-containing phosphotransfer proteins (OsHPs) and response regulators (OsRRs) display a higher degree of lineage-specific expansion. The intracellular localizations of several OsHPs and OsRRs were examined in rice and generally found to correspond to the localizations of their dicot counterparts. The functionality of rice type-B OsRRs was tested in Arabidopsis; one from a clade composed of both monocot and dicot type-B OsRRs complemented an Arabidopsis type-B response regulator mutant, but a type-B OsRR from a monocot-specific subfamily generally did not. The expression of genes encoding two-component elements and proteins involved in cytokinin biosynthesis and degradation was analyzed in rice roots and shoots and in response to phytohormones. Nearly all type-A OsRRs and OsHK4 were up-regulated in response to cytokinin, but other cytokinin signaling elements were not appreciably affected. Furthermore, multiple cytokinin oxidase (OsCKX) genes were up-regulated by cytokinin. Abscisic acid treatment decreased the expression of several genes involved in cytokinin biosynthesis and degradation. Auxin affected the expression of a few genes; brassinosteroid and gibberellin had only modest effects. Our results support a shared role for two-component elements in mediating cytokinin signaling in monocots and dicots and reveal how phytohormones can impact cytokinin function through modulating gene expression.
Difference sets in Abelian groups of p -rank two

Under a technical assumption that pertains to the so-called “self-conjugacy”, we prove: if an abelian groupG ofp-rank two,p a prime, admits a (nontrivial) (v, k, λ) difference setD, then for each $$x D,x.C_p \subseteq D$$ for some subgroupC p ofG of orderp. Consequently,k≤(p=1)λ, with equality only ifF=1/p D σ, whereD σ is the image ofD under the canonical homomorphism fromG ontoG/E (E being the unique elementary abelian subgroup ofG of orderp 2), is a (v/p 2,k/p, λ) difference set inG/E. As applications, we establish the nonexistence of (i) (96, 20, 4) difference sets in ℤ4 x ℤ8 x ℤ3, (ii) (640, 72, 8) difference sets in ℤ8 x ℤ16 x ℤ5 and (iii) (320, 88, 24) difference sets in ℤ8 x ℤ8 x ℤ5. The first one fills a missing entry in Lander's table [6] and the other two in Kopilovich's table [5] (all with the answer ‘no’). We also point out the connection of the parameter sets in (i) above with the Turyn-type bounds [10] for the McFarland difference sets [9].
Upper lethal temperatures of Northern Bobwhite embryos and the thermal properties of their eggs

Northern Bobwhite eggs in the southern United States are often exposed to ambient temperatures in excess of their normal incubation temperature when unattended during their typical extended preincubation period. In drought years, typified by high ambient temperatures, Bobwhite eggs are often exposed to temperatures > 45°C, well-above the upper lethal temperature of most other birds. Because the upper lethal temperature of Bobwhite embryos is not currently known, simulated clutches of eggs were exposed to preincubation temperatures ranging from 39 to 52°C for exposure times of 1, 3, or 6 h. The upper lethal temperatures and the temperatures resulting in ≥ 50% death of Northern Bobwhite embryos were recorded in addition to the time to thermal equilibrium of Bobwhite eggs. The upper lethal temperature for 1, 3, and 6 h of preincubation exposure was 51, 49, and 46°C, respectively. The temperatures resulting in ≥ 50% death were 46, 44, and 40°C for eggs exposed to elevated temperatures for 1, 3, and 6 h, respectively. The mean time for the inner-egg temperature to reach the ambient temperature was 38 ± 1 min (± SE). The thermal tolerances of Northern Bobwhite embryos were much higher than expected, and among the highest reported for birds, indicating an adaptation to the naturally occurring temperature extremes that often occur in the Bobwhite's semi-arid southern range. However, as the temperature increased above the incubation temperature, hatching success declined, showing that increased thermal tolerance has a cost. Although Bobwhite producers, managers, and researchers will find this information useful, it seems most interesting that high temperatures could plausibly have contributed to the population decline observed in the Bobwhite's semi-arid range.
Photic-induced seizures with DC baseline shifts

Abstract Two observations have been illustrated: The visual cortex in the cat treated with intraperitoneal chloralose and topical curare will follow a higher rate of retinal stimulation during the course of a negative slow potential change. Under the same conditions of chloralose and curare, photic-induced seizures occur only in association with a negative shift of 1 mv. Shifts of this magnitude can be produced by a single flash, with the immediate onset of seizure activity.
Psychoneuroimmunology of health and long survival with HIV/AIDS: questionnaires, semistructured interviews, and laboratory findings

Abstract A 5-year research project has compared psychologically and immunologically long survivors with AIDS as well as HIV+ persons who have remained healthy in the face of very low CD4+ cell counts with a group of HIV+ persons without symptomatic AIDS and CD4 counts between 150 and 500 mm3. Long survival is characterized by a collaborative relationship with physician, and religious/spiritual coping. Optimism characterizes healthy HIV+ persons with low CD4 counts, whose health may be protected by the unusual preservation of normal levels of natural killer cell cytotoxicity (NKCC). Refusal to perceive disease as imminently fatal and coping well with loss correlate positively with NKCC and negatively with viral load; toleration of loss correlates positively with CD4 count. Both specially designed self-administered tests and rated semistructured interviews are useful in discerning psychosocial factors related to health and long survival and their biological correlates.
Shapiro’s Legality

Scott Shapiro’s Legality provides at once a defense of analytical jurisprudence, an accessible introduction to it, and an important new positivist theory of law. Shapiro seeks to answer the main traditional questions of jurisprudence: “what is it about law that makes it law and not something else?” and “what necessarily follows from the fact that something is law?” His major innovation, building on Michael Bratman’s work, is to re-imagine H. L. A. Hart’s secondary rules, including his ultimate rule of recognition, as plans of a sort. Shapiro’s overarching goal, however, is to show that analytical jurisprudence has practical relevance for lawyers. I argue that his success is limited by his failure to present a coherent theory of how judges are morally permitted to rule, particularly in cases in which the law requires them to reach results that they consider to be unjust.
Integrated hypertext and program understanding tools

This paper describes some concepts and issues related to software tools integration. Questions regarding data integration and functional integration between tools are identified and discussed. Some techniques for handling large volumes of data are briefly described. A prototype tool is described in which hypertext links are automatically created between program analysis data and hypertext documentation. With this tool, end users can freely move between source code views and related documentation. A common annotation feature lets software developers and information developers share information and synchronize maintenance activities in a single tools environment.
Nutritional Correlates of Population Density Across Habitats and Logging Intensities in Redtail Monkeys (Cercopithecus ascanius)

Food resources are arguably the most common limiting factor for most species, yet little is known about how food quantity and quality interact to determine the size and distribution of wildlife populations. Frugivores may be limited by food quality since fruits, unlike leaves, are typically low in protein and minerals. Understanding the factors influencing frugivore population dynamics is particularly important due to rapid habitat loss and the need to construct informed management plans. Therefore, this study used redtail monkeys in Kibale National Park, Uganda as a model frugivore to (1) compare nutrient intake, reproduction, and habitat use patterns for three redtail groups in an unlogged and heavily logged area; and (2) examine relationships between nutrient intake and redtail population densities across five habitats. Feeding time and intake of crude protein, lipids, and minerals were higher in diets consumed by groups in unlogged areas than heavily logged areas. Intake of both copper and sodium intake was below NRC requirement levels suggested for macaques. Food availability in the unlogged areas was 3.5 times higher than the heavily logged area. Across five study sites, absorbable copper and the ratio of copper to caloric intake in redtail diets were significantly related to redtail population density. These results suggest that food quality is an important factor determining frugivore population density in anthropogenically disturbed frugivore habitats. Copper deficiency, which has been associated with population declines of wild herbivores, has the potential to be a key factor limiting densities of frugivores in tropical habitats.
Adjustment disorders of sleep: The sleep effects of a major stressful event and its resolution

Seventy volunteers had 3 nights of sleep recordings during a period of marital separation, and 61 returned for repeat studies 1 year later. At that time, the divorce was final for 42. Forty of the volunteers were depressed when first screened, and 30 were not. Initially all those undergoing marital separation had less delta sleep than an age-matched married comparison sample. Delta increased at followup for those whose divorce was completed. Rapid eye movement (REM) latency was reduced and REM percent was elevated only in the depressed. Among the not depressed, those whose divorces remained incomplete at the followup had lower delta, higher REM percent, and shorter REM latency than did those whose divorces were finalized. This suggests that prolonged emotional stress may put these subjects at some risk for a mood disorder.
Triangulating between parallel splitting contours using a simplicial algorithm

"closest contour" algorithm has worked rather well empirically.Of course, because of possible skewing of the structure in space, oneshould first normalize the contours on both levels, so that for example C0and the D. fill out the square from -1 to +1 in both coordinates. Thenafter this normalization, which places both the region R on level 0 and thecontours D. on level 1 in the same general area of the plane, one appliesthe above criterion to determine the subregions R. Each R corresponds ina natural way to the contour D: R consists of those points of R which areclosest to D..
Static testing techniques for filament-wound composite materials

Abstract This paper discusses a variety of experimental techniques used in the United States to characterize the static mechanical properties of filament-wound composites, such as used in vessels subjected to internal pressure. Also discussed are practical pitfalls to be avoided and the data reduction procedures necessary to reduce the test data. Properties covered include tension (flat, ring and tube specimens), in-plane shear (panel, off-axis tension, rail and torsion tube specimens) and multiaxial tension (plate and shell specimens).
Nanotoxicology: characterizing the scientific literature, 2000–2007

Understanding the toxicity of nanomaterials and nano-enabled products is important for human and environmental health and safety as well as public acceptance. Assessing the state of knowledge about nanotoxicology is an important step in promoting comprehensive understanding of the health and environmental implications of these new materials. To this end, we employed bibliometric techniques to characterize the prevalence and distribution of the current scientific literature. We found that the nano-toxicological literature is dispersed across a range of disciplines and sub-fields; focused on in vitro testing; often does not specify an exposure pathway; and tends to emphasize acute toxicity and mortality rather than chronic exposure and morbidity. Finally, there is very little research on consumer products, particularly on their environmental fate, and most research is on the toxicity of basic nanomaterials. The implications for toxicologists, regulators and social scientists studying nanotechnology and society are discussed.
Are Echocardiography, Telemetry, Ambulatory Electrocardiography Monitoring, and Cardiac Enzymes in Emergency Department Patients Presenting with Syncope Useful Tests? A Preliminary Investigation

Abstract Background Prior studies of admitted geriatric syncope patients suggest that diagnostic tests affect management Objectives To determine the diagnostic yield of routine testing in the hospital or after ED discharge among patients presenting to an ED with syncope. Methods A prospective, observational, cohort study of consecutive ED patients aged ≥ 18 years presenting with syncope was conducted. The four most commonly utilized tests (echocardiography, telemetry, ambulatory electrocardiography monitoring, and troponin) were studied. Interobserver agreement as to whether test results determined the etiology of the syncope was measured using kappa (κ) values. Results Of 570 patients with syncope, 73 patients (8%; 95% confidence interval 7–10%) had studies that were diagnostic. One hundred fifty (26%) had echocardiography, with 33 (22%) demonstrating a likely etiology of the syncopal event, such as critical valvular disease or significantly depressed left ventricular function (κ = 0.75). On hospitalization, 330 (58%) patients were placed on telemetry, and 19 (3%) had worrisome dysrhythmias (κ = 0.66). There were 317 (55%) patients who had troponin levels drawn, of whom 19 (3%) had positive results (κ = 1); 56 (10%) patients were discharged with monitoring, with significant findings in only 2 (0.4%) patients (κ = 0.65). Conclusion Although routine testing is prevalent in ED patients with syncope, the diagnostic yield is relatively low. Nevertheless, some testing, particularly echocardiography, may yield critical findings. Current efforts to reduce the cost of medical care by eliminating nondiagnostic medical testing and increasing emphasis on practicing evidence-based medicine argue for more discriminate testing when evaluating syncope.
Benefits of ambulatory axillary intra-aortic balloon pump for circulatory support as bridge to heart transplant.

Objective Axillary intra-aortic balloon pump therapy has been described as a bridge to transplant. Advantages over femoral intra-aortic balloon pump therapy include reduced incidence of infection and enhanced patient mobility. We identified the patients who would benefit most from this therapy while awaiting heart transplantation. Methods We conducted a single-center, retrospective observational study to evaluate outcomes from axillary intra-aortic balloon pump therapy. These included hemodynamic parameters, duration of support, and success in bridging to transplant. We selected patients on the basis of history of sternotomy, elevated panel-reactive antibody, and small body habitus. Patients were made to ambulate aggressively beginning on postoperative day 1. Results Between September 2007 and September 2010, 18 patients underwent axillary intra-aortic balloon pump therapy. All patients had the devices placed through the left axillary artery with a Hemashield side graft (Boston Scientific, Natick, Mass). Before axillary placement, patients underwent femoral placement to demonstrate hemodynamic benefit. Duration of support ranged from 5 to 63 days (median = 19 days). There was marked improvement in ambulatory potential and hemodynamic parameters, with minimal blood transfusion requirements. There were no device-related infections. Some 72% of the patients (13/18) were successfully bridged to transplantation. Conclusions Axillary intra-aortic balloon pump therapy provides excellent support for selected patients as a bridge to transplant. The majority of the patients were successfully bridged to transplant and discharged. Although this therapy has been described in previous studies, this is the largest series to incorporate a regimen of aggressive ambulation with daily measurements of distances walked.
Identification and characterization of the packaging proteins of core 40S hnRNP particles

Abstract The proteins involved in protein-RNA and protein-protein interactions to form the core structure of nuclear 40S hnRNP particles in HeLa cells have been identified and characterized. Through complete analysis of nuclear extracts on sucrose density gradients and controlled salt dissociation of particle proteins, six lower molecular weight polypeptides are identified as the protein constituents of the 40S ribonucleoprotein complex which appears in the electron microscope as 210 A spherical particles. 40S hnRNP particles isolated from Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts show a strikingly similar protein composition to the human cells. The proteins are specifically associated with rapidly labeled nonribosomal nuclear RNA. Particle proteins from HeLa cells migrate in polyacrylamide gels as three groups of closely spaced doublets (groups A, B and C) and are present in a simple fixed stoichiometry. The group C proteins (C 1 and C 2 of 42,000 and 44,000 daltons) interact directly with RNA to form a smaller high salt-resistant RNP complex. The group A proteins (A 1 and A 2 of 32,000 and 34,000 daltons) are major nuclear proteins and constitute 60% total particle protein mass. These two proteins are basic with isoelectric points near 9.2 and 8.4, respectively, and are characterized by an unusual amino acid composition, including high glycine (25%) and the unusual modified basic residue identified as N G ,N G -dimethylarginine. The major particle proteins (A 1 and A 2 ) interact electrostatically with nucleic acids and apparently function structurally in the packaging and stabilization of hnRNA in a manner analogous to the histones in chromatin υ bodies. The similarity in protein composition of core RNP particles from different cell types (especially in the basic proteins, A 1 , A 2 and B 1 ) is consistent with a conserved particle structure and function in eucaryotes.
Singular Perturbation of Kolmogorov Equation in Gauss–Sobolev Space

Abstract This article is concerned with the Kolmogorov equation associated to a stochastic partial differential equation with an additive noise depending on a small parameter e > 0. As e vanishes, the parabolic equation degenerates into a first-order evolution equation. In a Gauss–Sobolev space setting, we prove that, as e ↓ 0, the solution of the Cauchy problem for the Kolmogorov equation converges in L 2(μ, H) to that of the reduced evolution equation of first-order, where μ is a reference Gaussian measure on the Hilbert space H.
Predicting Creep in Alloy 617 Pressurized Tubes Using Uniaxial Bar Test Data

Alloy 617, a nickel‑based alloy, is a leading candidate for application in next‑generation nuclear plants (NGNPs). Creep, a thermally activated, time-dependent deformation process impacts the lifetime and failure of heat exchangers used at the very high operating temperatures and pressures of such plants. Current methods of testing creep are generally limited to bar specimens in uniaxial tension. In an attempt to correlate uniaxial to multiaxial creep behavior a method to test creep in a pressurized tube was developed. Test specimens were pressurized with argon up to 3.5 MPa, and heated to 950°C. Creep rates were measured as strain rates by tracking diametric changes with time. Parallel experimental and modeling efforts were used to characterize creep behavior in the pressurized tubes. The aim of this research was to use the existing body of knowledge concerning creep in Alloy 617 to develop a model to accurately predict creep in tubular components. Towards this end, a constitutive model was developed and computer simulations undertaken which were ultimately verified experimentally. Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Rick Ubic
An Overview of Quarks in Nuclei

Abstract In this report, the relevance and possible manifestations of quark-gluon degrees of freedom in nuclear systems are discussed. An attempt is made to view the subject in the context of the modern theory of fundamental interactions based on the concept of local gauge invariance. How this gives rise to the quantum chromodynamics of colored quarks and gluons is recounted. An introduction is given to the concepts of asymptotic freedom, color confinement, lattice gauge theory, and chiral symmetry. The nature, the successes and limitations of phenomenological quark models of hadrons are described. The possible appearance of exotic hadrons, and of quark effects in nuclear forces, in high-energy nuclear reactions and in nuclear properties are discussed. The expected properties and possible production and detection of unusual quark-gluon phases of matter are reviewed. Both the experimental detection and the theoretical treatment of quark effects in nuclei appear difficult, but the question of how nuclear physics fits into the panorama which is the modern theory of fundamental interactions appears to represent a worthwhile intellectual challenge.
Genotype-phenotype correlations: sudden death in an infant with very-long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency

Very-long-chain acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) dehydrogenase deficiency (VLCADD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of fatty acid oxidation. The phenotype of VLCADD is heterogeneous, and patients are typically classified into three categories based upon onset of symptoms and clinical findings. As a result of early diagnosis and treatment, many patients with VLCADD have remained asymptomatic. A general genotype–phenotype correlation has been elicited. A genotype that is associated with residual enzyme activity is more likely to present with an attenuated phenotype. One prevailing mutation, the c.848T>C (p.V283A), has been associated with residual enzyme activity and has been identified in many asymptomatic individuals diagnosed through either newborn or family screening. We present a patient who died as a result of fatal hypoglycemia at 38 h of life before diagnosis of VLCADD could be established by newborn screening. Despite the early onset of the disease, the patient was found to have a missense mutation within the ACADVL gene with a c.848T>C, c.342+1G>C genotype. Genotype alone remains limited in its predictive ability to determine which affected individuals are at risk for fatal complications.
Structure dependent amplitudes in weak-radiative K and π decays

Abstract We study the structure dependent amplitude in radiative K and π decay using the chiral lagrangian. This allows us to relate the structure in K and π decays, and to estimate the magnitude of the structure dependent contribution to the decay rate.
Glacial erosion and mountain building

New advances in geochronology and numerical modeling are revolutionizing our understanding of the interactions between climate, tectonics, and erosion. Nowhere are these interactions stronger than in alpine glacial environments, where erosion rates are higher and more spatially concentrated than in