cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“SAMO© as an Escape Clause”: Jean-Michel Basquiat's Engagement with a Commodified American Africanism

Heir to the racist configuration of the American art exchange and the delimiting appraisals of blackness in the American mainstream media, Jean-Michel Basquiat appeared on the late 1970s New York City street art scene – then he called himself “SAMO.” Not long thereafter, Basquiat grew into one of the most influential artists of an international movement that began around 1980, marked by a return to figurative painting. Given its rough, seemingly untrained and extreme, conceptual nature, Basquiat's high-art oeuvre might not look so sophisticated to the uninformed viewer. However, Basquiat's work reveals a powerful poetic and visual gift, “heady enough to confound academics and hip enough to capture the attention span of the hip hop nation,” as Greg Tate has remarked. As noted by Richard Marshall, Basquiat's aesthetic strength actually comes from his striving “to achieve a balance between the visual and intellectual attributes” of his artwork. Like Marshall, Tate, and others, I will connect with Basquiat's unique, self-reflexively experimental visual practices of signifying and examine anew Basquiat's active contribution to his self-alienation, as Hebdige has called it. Basquiat's aesthetic makes of his paintings economies of accumulation, building a productive play of contingency from the mainstream's constructions of race. This aesthetic move speaks to a need for escape from the perceived epistemic necessities of blackness. Through these economies of accumulation we see, as Tate has pointed out, Basquiat's “intellectual obsession” with issues such as ancestry/modernity, personhood/property and originality/origins of knowledge, driven by his tireless need to problematize mainstream media's discourses surrounding race – in other words, a commodified American Africanism.
Effects of Lampricide Treatments, Relative to Environmental Conditions, on Abundance and Sizes of Salmonids in a Small Stream

Abstract We examined a 10-year set (spanning 1979–1991) of salmonid density, biomass, and length-at-age data from a first-order, soft-water, Lake Superior tributary that received three treatments of the Lampricide TFM (3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol) over the period studied. After a TFM treatment done during the first half of the 1986 growing season, reduced densities of three age-groups of brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis, and significantly reduced total biomass of brook trout, were observed. Mean lengths at age of most salmonid age-classes near the end of the 1986 growing season were small relative to those in other years, but for most groups this tendency was not statistically significant. Drought conditions during three of the study years were similarly associated with reduced growth of salmonids. There were no discernable, long-term effects of two TFM treatments in 1986 on salmonid abundances or mean lengths at age the following year. Similarly, a treatment near the end of the 1983 growing season h...
Overview of the GSM system and protocol architecture

The global system for mobile telecommunications (GSM), which provides terminal mobility, with personal mobility provided through the insertion of a subscriber identity module (SIM) into the GSM network, is discussed. Cellular mobile communications, the cellular network infrastructure, and the specification of network databases and standards are described. The GSMs, numbering plan, radio channel structure, mobility management, call routing and signaling, protocol layering architecture, signaling transport protocols, and paging messaging systems are also described. >
Reversal learning as a function of changed reward location or changed drive

Abstract In two experiments, rats were trained with food in one location (e.g., black alley) and water in another location (white alley) under hunger or thirst. Subsequently, either the locations of the rewards were reversed, or the drive was changed (from hunger to thirst or thirst to hunger). Reversal of instrumental responses took considerably longer when drive was changed and rewards remained in the same locations than when reward locations were reversed. These results were interpreted as indicating that the animal's internal representations of the rewards received in each location transfer when drive is changed. These internal-reward representations interfere with reversal learning by eliciting the responses which were conditioned to them in Phase 1. Because the values of food and water reverse when drive is changed from hunger to thirst or vice versa, it was suggested that the reward representations surviving the drive shift are cognitive representations of the specific events received (food or water), independent of the value of the rewards under either hunger or thirst.
Suitability of the lowest 1/sup -/, T = 1 and 1/sup +/, T = 1 states in /sup 20/Ne for parity nonconservation experiments

The properties of the 1/sup -/, T = 1 state of /sup 20/Ne at 11278 +- 4 keV excitation were studied by means of the /sup 16/O(..cap alpha..,..gamma..)/sup 20/Ne reaction. The level parameters determined for this state are not in complete agreement with those reported in a recent study. The implication of this discrepancy for the feasibility of a measurement of parity nonconservation in /sup 20/Ne is discussed.
Comparison of WAIS and WAIS-R factor structure for neuropsychiatric patients

The factor structure of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale vs the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—Revised was examined using two samples of 198 and 276 neuropsychiatric patients. Results of two- and three-factor principal factor solutions with varimax rotations were compared across test forms. Results supported comparable two-factor models for both scales. The third factor, Freedom From Distractibility, accounted for a small percentage of the total variances. Composition of the third factor was inconsistent between samples, calling into question the clinical and theoretical utility of this construct.
Permian Evaporites, Western Colorado Plateau, Southwestern Utah and Northwestern Arizona: ABSTRACT

Permian rocks of the western Colorado Plateau contain five evaporite units that are separated by one marine sandstone and four limestones in a cyclic relationship. These evaporites were deposited during regressions in the Permian seas that allowed sabkhas to develop between the shallow-marine shelf of the Cordilleran geocline and the nonmarine sediments that were being deposited along the transcontinental arch during Early Permian time. The lowest Permian unit containing gypsum is the Pakoon Formation which represents the first regressive cycle in the Lower Permian. Above the Pakoon Formation is the Quantoweap Sandstone deposited in a shallow-marine environment. Overlying the Quantoweap Sandstone is gypsum and gypsiferous siltstone of the Seligman Member of the Toroweap F rmation, representing the second regression. During this regression a sabkha developed along what is now the western margin of the Colorado Plateau. A marine transgression followed depositing the limestone of the Brady Canyon Member in shallow-marine conditions. The third and largest marine regression produced the gypsum of the Woods Ranch Member of the Toroweap Formation while an eolian environment was depositing the Coconino Sandstone on the east. The last major transgression partly dissolved the gypsum of the Woods Ranch Member, locally generating the erosional unconformity between the Toroweap and Kaibab Formations. Along the present margin of the Colorado Plateau the regression of the Permian sea, which deposited the limestone of the Fossil Mountain Member, marked the development of the final sabkha represented by the gypsum of the Harrisburg Member in the area north of Grand Canyon. The deposition of gypsum in the Harrisburg Member was interrupted by a minor transgression that destroyed some of the underlying gypsum by dissolution and deposited a marine limestone. Alternating gypsum and limestone units are present between the limestone deposited by the minor marine transgressions and the Permo-Triassic boundary, suggesting that fluctuations between sabkha and tidal flat environments occurred before the final regression of the Permian sea. End_of_Article - Last_Page 613------------
Coherence, Compressive Sensing, and Random Sensor Arrays

Random sensor arrays are examined from a compressive-sensing (CS) perspective, particularly in terms of the coherence of compressive-sensing matrices. It is demonstrated that the maximum sidelobe level of an array corresponds to the coherence of interest for compressive sensing. This understanding is employed to explicitly quantify the accuracy of array source localization as a function of the number of sources and the noise level. The analysis demonstrates that the compressive-sensing theory is applicable to arrays in vacuum, as well as in the presence of a surrounding linear medium. Furthermore, the presence of a surrounding media with known properties may be used to improve array performance, with this related to phase conjugation and time reversal. Several numerical results are presented to demonstrate the theory.
Expertise: Defined, described, explained

Science aims to define, describe, and explain significant natural phenomena. Each of these goals of science suggests an increasingly deeper understanding of the target phenomenon. We discuss in this paper how these goals are or might be realized in the science of expertise.
The role of guided induction in paper-based data-driven learning

This study examines the role of guided induction as an instructional approach in paper-based data-driven learning (DDL) in the context of an ESL grammar course during an intensive English program at an American public university. Specifically, it examines whether corpus-informed grammar instruction is more effective through inductive, data-driven learning or through traditional deductive instruction. In the study, 49 participants completed two weeks of ESL grammar instruction on the passive voice in English. The learners participated in one of three instructional treatments: a data-driven learning treatment, a deductive instructional treatment using corpus-informed teaching materials, and a deductive instructional treatment using traditional (i.e., non-corpus-informed) materials. Results from pre-test, post-test, and delayed post-test indicated that the DDL group significantly improved their grammar ability with the passive voice, while the other two treatment groups did not show significant gains. The findings from this study suggest that in this learning context there are measurable benefits to teaching ESL grammar inductively using paper-based DDL.
Injury During Early Neonatal Development Leads to a Faster Repair Response When Compared to Later Injury in a Mouse Achilles Tendon

During neonatal development, tendons undergo a well orchestrated process whereby extensive structural and compositional changes occur in synchrony to produce a normal tissue [1,2]. Similarly, during the repair response to injury, structural and compositional changes occur, but in this case, a mechanically inferior tendon is produced. As a result, the process of development has been postulated as a potential paradigm through which improved tissue healing may occur. By examining injury at distinctly different stages of development, we will obtain vital information into the structure-function relationships in tendon. Although the mouse is an intriguing model system due to the availability of assays and genetically altered animals, due to the small size and fragile nature of neonatal tendons, neonatal tendon injury has not been evaluated. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate the differential healing response in neonatal tendon at two distinct stages of development. We hypothesized that when normalized, maximum stress and modulus will be significantly higher in early neonatal injury when compared to later neonatal injury. Also, when normalized, maximum stress, modulus and percent relaxation will be significantly increased over time in early neonatal injury but will remain low in later neonatal injury.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Alkylidenebis‐1‐methyl‐2‐alkylidenehydrazines as intermediates in the reaction of methylhydrazine with aliphatic aldehydes

It has been shown that heptylidenebis-1-methyl-2-heptylidenehydrazine (Va) is an intermediate in the reaction of methylhydrazine with heptanal. The bis-compound (Va) reacts with methylhydrazine to give heptanal methylhydrazone (IIa), or with heptanal, in the presence of acid, to afford 5-hexyl-1-methyl-4-pentyl-2-pyrazoline (Ia). The latter also results from the treatment of IIa with acid.
Reciprocal inhibition controls the oscillatory state in thalamic networks

Abstract The thalamus plays a central role in the genesis of both normal spindle oscillations and pathological absence seizures. Inhibitory connections between neurons of the thalamic reticular (RE) nucleus help to prevent seizures. Much modeling and experimental work has focused on the proposal that intra-RE inhibition shortens RE cell bursts, and that when prolonged bursts occur, they activate GABAB receptors, transforming spindle oscillations into absence seizures. Here, we present an alternative model in which intra-RE inhibition prevents epileptiform thalamic activity by desynchronizing RE cell bursts, rather than by controlling their duration.
Micro-rotation Through Indirect Manipulation of Absorbing Objects

We show the enhanced rotation of opaque graphite through adhesion with optically trapped silica spheres. Absorbing graphite is rotated through orbital angular momentum transfer from a Laguerre-Gauss mode and trapped due to the refracting spheres.
Ribosomal RNA molecular weights and the phylogeny of Labyrinthula

Ribosomal RNA molecular weights were determined for several species of Labyrinthula, members of the Thraustochytriaceae, and other lower fungi in an attempt to clarify phylogenetic relations among these groups of organisms. The molecular weights of both 18 S and 25 S ribosomal RNA components were calculated from their relative electrophoretic mobility in polyacrylamide gels. The ribosomal RNA molecular weights of the Labyrinthula spp. were lighter than any other fungi thus far examined, averaging 1.22 × 106 and 0.69 × 106 for the heavy and light components, respectively. The ribosomal RNA molecular weights of the thraustochytrids, including Labyrinthuloides spp., are distinctly heavier than those of Labyrinthula spp., averaging 1.32 × 106 and 0.71 × 106. Those of Lagenidium sp. and Didymium iridis are heavier still. The results suggest that Labyrinthula is not closely related to the thraustochytrids, the Oomycetes, or the Myxomycetes, and that the thraustochytrids have appropriately been removed from the Oomycetes.
Frequency response from transient-response data

FREQUENCY response from experimental transient-response data is a most sought-after transformation. Basically, the transient response of a linear system is governed by the roots of its characteristic equation. This suggests that the transient response may be used to find these roots when the equation for the system is not known. If the roots so found are real, simple graphical procedures yield the corresponding frequency response. Complex roots are not considered here.
Agile scanning using a MEMS focus control mirror in a commercial confocal microscope

We present the use of a large stroke deformable membrane mirror for focus control over a range of 123 μm in a commercial confocal microscope at 0.5-0.64 NA. The MEMS mirror is much faster than lens or stage translation allowing synchronization to x-y scanning for agile control over the 3D shape of the surface that is scanned. We describe a novel, low-actuator-count MEMS mirror designed specifically for focus control in scanning laser microscopes and present images taken with the mirror deployed on an Olympus Fluoview FV300.
Uniform Partitions of Lattice Paths and Chung-Feller Generalizations

(2001). Uniform Partitions of Lattice Paths and Chung-Feller Generalizations. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 108, No. 6, pp. 556-559.
Multidivisional Structure and Performance: The Contingency of Diversification Strategy

This study examined the relationship between multidivisional (M-form) structure and performance. Theoretical work by Hill and Hoskisson suggested that the relationship between implementation of suc...
Tectonic map of Central Otago based on Landsat imagery

Abstract Low sun angle Landsat imagery permits analysis of late Cenozoic deformation of Central Otago because of preservation of the deformed Tertiary peneplain developed on schist and greywacke together with the contrast in Landsat expression between basin sediments and older rocks. The degree of embayment of fault-controlled mountain fronts in Central Otago by erosion and alluvial-fan development permits determination of relative age of faulting using Landsat, but late Quaternary fault scarps within structural depressions are only rarely visible. Landsat shows that Cenozoic structures of Central Otago may be visualised on two scales. The smaller scale structures are individual northeast-or northwest-trending, fault-bounded ranges and basins, 5–20 km wide. Sets of ranges and basins are grouped into northwest-elongated structural provinces, 40–60 km wide. From northeast to southwest, starting at the Waitaki River, these include (1) a set of northwest-trending ranges with very few basins south to the Waihe...
α-Adrenergic supersensitivity of the sudomotor nerve in complex regional pain syndrome

alpha-Adrenoreceptor supersensitivity in many tissues has been described in patients with complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS I). Because excessive sweating of the affected limb is an important feature of CRPS I, we investigated whether this supersensitivity also occurs in the sudomotor system. We compared the sweat response to iontophoresis of an alpha-adrenergic agent (phenylephrine) in 4 patients with acute CRPS I and 3 patients with resolved CRPS I with that in 9 control subjects using the methodology of the quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART). A significantly higher sweat response was observed in the affected limb of patients with acute CRPS I compared to their unaffected limb (p = 0.03), to control subjects (p > 0.018), and to the affected or unaffected limbs of patients with resolved CRPS I (p = 0.02), whose sweat response was not significantly different from that of control subjects. We conclude that the abnormal response in patients with acute CRPS I is most likely mediated by an axon reflex and that alpha-adrenoreceptor supersensitivity occurs in the presynaptic portion of the postganglionic sudomotor axon. This supersensitivity is reversed when CRPS I resolves.
Absorption of 632.8 nm Radiation by Maritime Aerosols near Europe

Abstract The bulk single-scattering albedo of atmospheric particles was determined by simultaneously measuring the optical transmittance and the scattering of light in a multipass cell filled with concentrated ambient aerosol. During a naval research cruise in North Atlantic and the Mediterranean, results were obtained which suggested that the absorption of red light by the maritime aerosol was dominated by particles whose origin was the European continent. Absorption extremes approached 50% of light extinction near industrialized harbor areas. Particle size distributions and albedos measured during the cruise were inverted with Mie theory to give the imaginary part of the particles' refractive index. The mean of the imaginary index for the cruise was 0.0224, which is typical of rural continental areas.
Candidate States of Helicobacter pylori’s Genome-Scale Metabolic Network upon Application of “Loop Law” Thermodynamic Constraints

Constraint-based modeling has proven to be a useful tool in the analysis of biochemical networks. To date, most studies in this field have focused on the use of linear constraints, resulting from mass balance and capacity constraints, which lead to the definition of convex solution spaces. One additional constraint arising out of thermodynamics is known as the “loop law” for reaction fluxes, which states that the net flux around a closed biochemical loop must be zero because no net thermodynamic driving force exists. The imposition of the loop-law can lead to nonconvex solution spaces making the analysis of the consequences of its imposition challenging. A four-step approach is developed here to apply the loop-law to study metabolic network properties: 1), determine linear equality constraints that are necessary (but not necessarily sufficient) for thermodynamic feasibility; 2), tighten Vmax and Vmin constraints to enclose the remaining nonconvex space; 3), uniformly sample the convex space that encloses the nonconvex space using standard Monte Carlo techniques; and 4), eliminate from the resulting set all solutions that violate the loop-law, leaving a subset of steady-state solutions. This subset of solutions represents a uniform random sample of the space that is defined by the additional imposition of the loop-law. This approach is used to evaluate the effect of imposing the loop-law on predicted candidate states of the genome-scale metabolic network of Helicobacter pylori.
“Anarchism…is a living force within our life…” Anarchism, Education and Alternative Possibilities

Often represented as lawless, chaotic, and oppressively individualistic, it appears that anarchism has bore the brunt of a host of problematic assumptions about its tactics, methodological approach...
Discovery of Ancient Silicate Stardust in a Meteorite

We have discovered nine presolar silicate grains from the carbonaceous chondrite Acfer 094. Their anomalous oxygen isotopic compositions indicate formation in the atmospheres of evolved stars. Two grains are identified as pyroxene, two as olivine, one as a glass with embedded metal and sulfides (GEMS), and one as an Al-rich silicate. One grain is enriched in 26Mg, which is attributed to the radioactive decay of 26Al and provides information about mixing processes in the parent star. This discovery opens new means for studying stellar processes and conditions in various solar system environments.
Spontaneous Formation of Water Droplets at Oil−Solid Interfaces

We report observations of spontaneous formation of micrometer-sized water droplets within micrometer-thick films of a range of different oils (isotropic and nematic 4-cyano-4′-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) and silicone, olive and corn oil) that are supported on glass substrates treated with octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) and immersed under water. Confocal imaging was used to determine that the water droplets nucleate and grow at the interface between the oils and OTS-treated glass with a contact angle of ∼130°. A simple thermodynamic model based on macroscopic interfacial energetic arguments consistent with the contact angle of 130°, however, fails to account for the spontaneous formation of the water droplets. ζ-potential measurements performed with OTS-treated glass (−59.0 ± 16.4 mV) and hydrophobic monolayers formed on gold films (2.0 ± 0.7 mV), when combined with the observed absence of droplet formation under films of oil supported on the latter surfaces, suggest that the charge of the oil−solid interface pro...
Editing Disease-Associated Autoantibodies

We have generated site-directed transgenic mice whose transgenes code for anti-DNA antibodies. These antibodies are representative of the lupus-associated anti-DNAs seen in mouse models of autoimmunity and human SLE, and have the usual characteristics of pathogenic autoantibodies. As conventional transgenics in nonautoimmune mice, anti-DNA B cells have been shown to be deleted or inactivated. Autoreactive B cells can also escape negative regulation by a process called receptor editing. Here we describe two combined immunoglobulin H and L chain site-directed transgenic mouse models and characterize their editing phenotypes. One model, 3H9R/Vkappa4R, has a deletion-prone phenotype and undergoes editing, primarily by inactivation of the light chain by leap-frogging events. In the other model, 3H9R/Vkappa8R, B cells are susceptible to anergy and maintain most of their HR and LR chains. These studies clarify the relationship between editing and other mechanisms of tolerance.
WEIGHTED CONSTRAINTS AND GRADIENT RESTRICTIONS ON PLACE CO-OCCURRENCE IN MUNA AND ARABIC *

This paper documents a restriction against the co-occurrence of homorganic consonants in the root morphemes of Muna, a western Austronesian language, and compares the Muna pattern with the much-studied similar pattern in Arabic. As in Arabic, the restriction applies gradiently: its force depends on the place of articulation of the consonants involved, and on whether the homorganic consonants are similar in terms of other features. Muna differs from Arabic in the relative strengths of these other features in affecting co-occurrence rates of homorganic consonants. Along with the descriptions of these patterns, this paper presents phonological analyses in terms of weighted constraints, as in Harmonic Grammar. This account uses a gradual learning algorithm that acquires weights that reflect the relative frequency of different sequence types in the two languages. The resulting grammars assign the sequences acceptability scores that correlate with a measure of their attestedness in the lexicon. This application of Harmonic Grammar illustrates its ability to capture both gradient and categorical patterns.
Economic Impact on the Justice System from Reductions in Diversion Program Funding

Abstract Following a national trend of “getting tough” on increased juvenile crime, the Florida legislature eliminated one of the primary community service-oriented juvenile diversion programs, the Juvenile Alternative Services Program (JASP). JASP was subsequently replaced with four other diversion programs, two of which (the Walker Plan and an expanded Arbitration program) permitted greater penetration into the juvenile justice system. In a previous paper, we examined the impact of net-widening effects of diversion programs on youth participant recidivism for a six-month post-program period resulting from this shift in program funding. The results indicated that youths placed in the JASP program had significantly lower rates of new arrests and new arrest charges than each of the other four diversion programs. One of the consequences of the net-widening effects reported in this previous study could be an increase, rather than decrease, in the direct costs of a number of key justice services. The present ...
Fatty acid composition of the egg exterior structures of Gallus gallus

1. 1. The effects of age and strain of the hen (Gallus gallus) on the fatty acid composition of the egg exterior structures were studied. 2. 2. Strain did not have an effect on the fatty acid composition of the egg interiors, while the age of the hen had a definite effect. 3. 3. At least fourteen different fatty acids were present. 4. 4. The fatty acid distributions of the total lipids, neutral lipids and phospholipids were similar.
Does Black Hole Complementarity Answer Hawking’s Information Loss Paradox?

A proper understanding of black hole complementarity as a response to the information loss paradox requires recognizing the essential role played by arguments for the applicability and limitations of effective semiclassical theories. I argue that this perspective sheds important light on the arguments advanced by Susskind, Thorlacius, and Uglum—although ultimately I argue that their position is unsatisfactory. I also consider the argument offered by ’t Hooft for the breakdown of microcausality around black holes, and conclude that it relies on a mistaken treatment of measurement collapse. There is, however, a legitimate argumentative role for black hole complementarity, exemplified by the position of Kiem, Verlinde, and Verlinde, that calls for a more subtle analysis of the limitations facing our effective theories.
Is regionalization of trauma care using telemedicine feasible and desirable

Abstract Background: The judgement and skill of an experienced surgeon are crucial ingredients during trauma resuscitation, so that errors of omission, commission, and misprioritization can be avoided. Trauma represents a potential paradigm application for telemedicine owing to its ubiquitous and urgent nature and the limited availability of specialized care. Methods: A two-phase project was performed, using an Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)-based evaluation tool. In phase I, we reviewed 24 videotaped trauma resuscitations on a single pass. Clinical data thus observed were compared with the clinical chart for agreement. In phase II, we performed real time, remote, initial evaluations of 17 trauma victims. Results: In phase I, 19 of 44 variables had agreement rates >90%, 10 had agreement rates between 70% and 90%. In phase II, agreement rates were similar to those in phase I, with improved accuracy in documenting initial and secondary vital signs and the secondary physical examination. Conclusion: Remote evaluation of trauma victims is feasible. Accurate clinical data can be recorded, tasks delegated, and therapeutic measures advised using telemedicine. This can make expert trauma care available to hospitals without advanced trauma systems and potentially reduce cost, prevent unnecessary transfers, and promote early transfer when indicated.
Converting GLX2-1 into an active glyoxalase II

Arabidopsis thaliana glyoxalase 2-1 (GLX2-1) exhibits extensive sequence similarity with GLX2 enzymes but is catalytically inactive with SLG, the GLX2 substrate. In an effort to identify residues essential for GLX2 activity, amino acid residues were altered at positions 219, 246, 248, 325, and 328 in GLX2-1 to be the same as those in catalytically active human GLX2. The resulting enzymes were overexpressed, purified, and characterized using metal analyses, fluorescence spectroscopy, and steady-state kinetics to evaluate how these residues affect metal binding, structure, and catalysis. The R246H/N248Y double mutant exhibited low level S-lactoylglutathione hydrolase activity, while the R246H/N248Y/Q325R/R328K mutant exhibited a 1.5−2-fold increase in kcat and a decrease in Km as compared to the values exhibited by the double mutant. In contrast, the R246H mutant of GLX2-1 did not exhibit glyoxalase 2 activity. Zn(II)-loaded R246H GLX2-1 enzyme bound 2 equiv of Zn(II), and 1H NMR spectra of the Co(II)-subst...
The Influence of Item Modality on the Dimension Measured by a Test

WHEN A battery of proficiency tests for bombing-navigation systems mechanics was val idated, one of the tests, designed to measure ability to read dials and indicators, failed to dis criminate significantly among mechanics of dif ferent levels of proficiency. A task-o rie nted analysis and the unanimous opinion of experts in systems maintenance both indicated that the abil ity to read dials and indicators is an important part of routine maintenance skill. In seeking to account for the apparent failure of the te s t to measure this ability, it was suggested that the form of the items might be the cause. The 34 items on the test are all in five alter native multiple choice form. Each item pre sents a drawing of one of the dials in the system with the hand pointing to a typical value. Four of the responses consist of more or less plaus ible readings, and the fifth a "none of the above is correct' ' type of statement. The mechanic being tested is supposed to read the dial and in dicate which response agrees best with his read ing. Actually, what may be happening is that the mechanic is making comparisons between the responses and the picture of the dial, and elim inating some or all of the responses as obvious ly wrong. The task offered by the test probably does not resemble the task he must perform on the job, when, rather than choose among four readings, he must get the reading from the dial without aid of any sort. This possibility seemed strong enough to warrant investigation, so a second form of the test was constructed, consisting of the same 34 items in completion form?that is, with blanks in which the mechanic was to write the value on the dial as he read it. His reading was consid ered correct if it fell within accepted tolerance limits (for that dial) of the actual reading. A cross-validation study of the battery was contemplated in the future. In the meantime, a decision was made to administer the two forms to graduates of a training course for mechanics and to analyze their scores to see whether or not the completion form measures the same thing that the multiple-choice form measures. If it does measure the same thing, it is no better than the multiple-choice test and there will be no need to include either form in the battery to be cross validated; if it measures something else, it will be worthwhile to include it.
Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy: Fifty Cases

Purpose: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) is a technically challenging procedure. The goal of this study is to describe the outcomes of 50 consecutive patients undergoing LPN performed by one surgeon. Materials and Methods: Records were reviewed for clinical, pathologic, and follow-up information for patients undergoing LPN. Clinical parameters were assessed in both the first 25 and last 25 cases to see if there was a measurable learning curve. Results: Fifty-two patients underwent attempted LPN; 50 were successful and 2 were converted to open partial nephrectomy. Mean operating room time was 155 minutes, mean estimated blood loss was 172 mL, and mean pathologic size was 2.6 cm. Final pathology revealed malignancy in 60% of cases and oncocytoma in 22% of cases. Margins were clear for all of the primary lesions. Overall complications were 16%, with cardiopulmonary complications being the most common. There were no significant differences in the outcomes of the first 25 and the last 25 patients, with ...
Wrist and tendon dynamics as contributory risk factors in work‐related musculoskeletal disorders

Many studies have shown that repetitive wrist motion is a major risk factor for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Specific contributory factors include wrist and tendon dynamics. The authors present recent methodological advances, epidemiological studies, and biomechanical models estimating the effects of wrist dynamics on internal tendon force as a theoretical basis for the risk of incurring a WMSD. These biomechanical models utilize either the reduction method or the optimization method to solve the indeterminate problem resulting from too many internal variables. Generally, the optimization methods show the best agreement with direct in vivo tendon force studies. For the models of pinch grips, the average ratio of tendon forces to external forces ranges from 1.8 to 3.5, while for direct tendon measurements, the ratio ranges from 1.73 to 7.92. Similarly, high contributions of flexor tendons for pinches and grasps are found in both the models and direct tendon measurements. These high tendon forces combined with wrist dynamics may be a significant factor in the development of WMSDs. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Patient Isolates of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato with Genotypic and Phenotypic Similarities to Strain 25015

Strain 25015 is an atypical tick isolate that belongs to a distinct genomic group (DN127) within the general taxon Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Similarities between this strain and a white-footed mouse isolate from Illinois, strain CT39, have been reported. In the course of isolating B. burgdorferi sensu lato in culture from Slovenian patients, 9 isolates were identified with the same genetic profiles as strains 25015 and CT39, as evidenced by restriction enzyme MluI digestion patterns of genomic DNA. The aim of the present study was to molecularly characterize all 11 isolates to examine the extent of their genotypic and phenotypic similarity. The results of molecular studies suggest a close relationship between the patient isolates and strains 25015 and CT39. However, CT39 and several patient isolates possessed unique characteristics that reflect their discrete ontogeny.
Early onset of neurological symptoms in fragile X premutation carriers exposed to neurotoxins

We present four cases of fragile X premutation carriers with early neurological symptoms, including symptoms consistent with multiple sclerosis (MS) and fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). Each patient had significant exposure to one or more environmental neurotoxicants that have documented neurotoxicity (i.e. hexachlorocyclopentadiene or C56, Agent Orange, and 2,4- or 2,6-toluene diisocyanate and dichlormate). We hypothesize that premutation carriers are a vulnerable group to neurotoxins because elevated mRNA in the premutation can lead to early cell death and brain disease, leading to neuropsychiatric and neurological symptoms consistent with FXTAS.
A Time Study on the Effect of Cortisol on the Incorporation of Thymidine-2-14C Into Nucleic Acids of Mouse Lymphatic Tissue

CBA mice 10–14 weeks of age were adrenalectomized. Twenty-four hr later the control animals were injected with a 0.02 % carrier solution of carboxymethyl cellulose in saline and the treated animals were injected with 1 rag cortisol acetate in saline. The mice were then injected with thymidine-2-14C at different time intervals (i.e., 7, 15, 30, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 360 min). Thirty min later they were sacrificed and their spleens, thymi and lymph nodes were removed and weighed. These lymphatic tissues were extracted for nucleic acids. The data from the spleen showed statistically significant decreases in mg organ weight/100 g body weight at 120 and 360 min after treatment. There were no significant changes in the total amounts of DNA and RNA, total amount of thymidine-2- 14C incorporated (total dpm) and DNA synthesis expressed as dpm/mg DNA at any time intervals following cortisol treatment. There were no statistically significant decreases in lymph node weights following treatment with cortisol. There wa...
The social consequences of writing Louisiana French

Studies on language shift often refer to the demise of the ousted variety by detailing various stages of language decay and extinction. Problematic for these accounts are well-documented cases of intervening social phenomena, such as language revival movements, which can alter in some way the stages of decline. French Louisiana's situation illustrates language shift interacting with a strong revival movement. In the wake of the revival and in spite of continued shift, another trend is apparent - the writing of Louisiana French. Whereas shift clearly represents a stage of language decline, the creation of a written code functions as a key ingredient for language maintenance. A sociolinguistic analysis of these forces reveals the complexity and the conflict involved in the
Congenital Midline Cervical Cleft

We present a case of congenital midline cervical cleft (CMCC), a sporadic lesion with a predilection for white females. It characteristically occurs in the midline ventral neck and consists of a cephalad skin tag, a mucosal surface, and a caudal sinus. There is an associated submucosal fibrous cord and interwoven bundles of skeletal muscle. This is occasionally tethered to the mandible and/or sternum causing neck contractures. CMCC is usually isolated, but rare cases have been associated with midline clefts of the tongue, lower lip, mandible, and sternum. The embryogenesis is unclear but arguments are given here that CMCC represents ectopic first branchial arch derivatives, including the lower lip and/or tongue.
Modular orientations of random and quasi-random regular graphs

Extending an old conjecture of Tutte, Jaeger conjectured in 1988 that for any fixed integer p ≥ 1, the edges of any 4p-edge connected graph can be oriented so that the difference between the outdegree and the indegree of each vertex is divisible by 2p+1. It is known that it suffices to prove this conjecture for (4p+1)-regular, 4p-edge connected graphs. Here we show that there exists a finite p0 such that for every p >p0 the assertion of the conjecture holds for all (4p+1)-regular graphs that satisfy some mild quasi-random properties, namely, the absolute value of each of their non-trivial eigenvalues is at most c1p2/3 and the neighbourhood of each vertex contains at most c2p3/2 edges, where c1, c2 > 0 are two absolute constants. In particular, this implies that for p >p0 the assertion of the conjecture holds asymptotically almost surely for random (4p+1)-regular graphs.
Advances in Eye Tracking in Infancy Research.

Means-end actions are an early-emerging form of problem solving. These actions require initiating initial behaviors with a goal in mind. In this study, we explored the origins of 8-month-old infants' means-end action production using a cloth-pulling training paradigm. We examined whether highlighting the goal (toy) or the means (cloth) was more valuable for learning to perform a well-organized means-end action. Infants were given the opportunity to both practice cloth-pulling and view modeling of the action performed by an adult throughout the session. Infants saw either the same toy or the same cloth in successive trials, so that the goal or means were highlighted prior to modeling of the action. All infants improved throughout the session regardless of which aspect of the event was highlighted. Beyond this general improvement, repetition of goals supported more rapid learning and more sustained learning than did repetition of means. These findings provide novel evidence that, at the origins of means-end action production, emphasizing the goal that structures an action facilitates the learning of new means-end actions.
Religious Voting Blocs in the 1992 Election: The Year of the Evangelical?

Etude de l'alignement politique et du comportement electoral des principales traditions religieuses americaines en 1992. Les protestants evangeliques solidifient leur inclination republicaine et deviennent un bloc central dans la coalition GOP. La majorite des protestants, se trouvant traditionnellement au centre du parti republicain, se sont tournes vers Clinton et Perot au detriment de Bush alors que les votants catholiques sont retournes a leur ancienne allegeance democratique. Le bloc croissant des electeurs seculiers ont soutenu les candidats democrates et les politiques liberales. Les AA. speculent sur l'emergence d'une sorte differente d'alignement ethnoreligieux dans les politiques electorales
Ham Sandwich Nation: Due Process When Everything is a Crime

Though extensive due process protections apply to the investigation of crimes, and to criminal trials, perhaps the most important part of the criminal process -- the decision whether to charge a defendant, and with what -- is almost entirely discretionary. Given the plethora of criminal laws and regulations in today's society, this due process gap allows prosecutors to charge almost anyone they take a deep interest in. This Essay discusses the problem in the context of recent prosecutorial controversies involving the cases of Aaron Swartz and David Gregory, and offers some suggested remedies, along with a call for further discussion.
Vaginal Discharge in Children and Adolescents Evolution and Management: A Review

Vaginal discharge is one of the most common gynecologic problems encountered in the pediatric and adolescent populations and may have many causes. A useful way of approaching the diagnosis of a discharge is by categorizing the patient as being prepubertal of postpubertal. In the prepubertal age group, discharge is generally associated with vulvovaginitis. In the postpubertal age group, discharge may be physiologic, or may associated with cervicitis or vaginitis. In each group, gonorrhea and sexual abuse must be ruled out. A practical approach to therapy is outlined.
Periodic and chaotic dynamics of a switched-server system under corridor policies

We consider a fluid model of a manufacturing system serving three buffers (part-types). The system operates under a feedback control policy called a corridor policy. This policy determines the times to switch between buffers and to which buffers to switch. The machine is assumed to be perfectly flexible, i.e., the switching times between buffers are zero. Open and closed versions of the system are considered. We give two sets of conditions on the parameters of the corridor: one guarantees periodic dynamics and the other chaotic behavior.
Software technology of the future

The challenge for the future is to create software systems which interact with their environment. The key feature of such systems will be their ability to adapt their own behaviors to the variety of conditions presented by the harsh environment in which they function. The runtime environment of a self-adaptive system will include descriptions of the purposes and goals of its components, alternative components to achieve similar goals, as well as monitors which check that computations proceed as expected. The paper discusses the dynamic domain architecture framework.
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 deletion attenuates myocardial fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction in ageing mice

Aims Age-related diastolic dysfunction has been attributed to an increased passive stiffness, which is regulated by extracellular matrix (ECM). We recently showed that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, an ECM mediator, increases in the left ventricle (LV) with age. The aim of this study, accordingly, was to determine the role of MMP-9 in cardiac ageing. Methods and results We compared LV function in young (6–9 months), middle-aged (12–15 months), old (18–24 months) and senescent (26–34 months) wild-type (WT) and MMP-9 null mice ( n ≥ 12/group). All groups had similar fractional shortenings and aortic peak velocities, indicating that systolic function was not altered by ageing or MMP-9 deletion. The mitral ratios of early to late diastolic filling velocities were reduced in old and senescent WT compared with young controls, and this reduction was attenuated in MMP-9 null mice. Concomitantly, the increase in LV collagen content was reduced in MMP-9 null mice ( n = 5-6/group). To dissect the mechanisms of these changes, we evaluated the mRNA expression levels of 84 ECM and adhesion molecules by real-time qPCR ( n = 6/group). The expression of pro-fibrotic periostin and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) increased with senescence, as did transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced protein levels and Smad signalling, and these increases were blunted by MMP-9 deletion. In senescence, MMP-9 deletion also resulted in a compensatory increase in MMP-8. Conclusion MMP-9 deletion attenuates the age-related decline in diastolic function, in part by reducing TGF-β signalling-induced periostin and CTGF expression and increasing MMP-8 expression to regulate myocardial collagen turnover and deposition.
Phenotypic characterization of mutants of the citrus pathogen Colletotrichum acutatum defective in a PacC-mediated pH regulatory pathway.

Environmental pH plays an important role in the growth and differentiation of microorganisms. In fungi, one well-studied pH-response pathway is controlled by the transcriptional regulator PacC. The PacCKLAP2 gene of the citrus pathogen Colletotrichum acutatum is required for virulence. Here, the phenotypes of C. acutatum mutants obtained by targeted disruption of PacCKLAP2 are characterized. The PacCKLAP2 null mutants displayed hypersensitivity to a wide range of compounds but were more tolerant than wild type to cell wall-degrading enzymes (CWDEs). The null mutants have lower cell-wall chitin content as well as lower cellulase, cutinase, xylanase, and catalase activities, but markedly increased pecteolytic activities. Expression of the genes encoding endo-polygalacturonase and cellulase is higher in the null mutants compared with wild type, whereas expression of the gene for cutinase is almost completely abolished, suggesting that cutinase and other CWDEs may play a role in fungal pathogenicity.