cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expertise as Argument: Authority, Democracy, and Problem-Solving

This article addresses the problem of expertise in a democratic political system: the tension between the authority of expertise and the democratic values that guide political life. We argue that for certain problems, expertise needs to be understood as a dialogical process, and we conceptualize an understanding of expertise through and as argument that positions expertise as constituted by and a function of democratic values and practices, rather than in the possession of, acquisition of, or relationship to epistemic materials. Conceptualizing expertise through argument leads us to see expertise as a kind of phronetic practice, oriented toward judgments and problems, characterized by its ability to provide inventional capacities for selecting the best possible resolution of a particular problem vis-a-vis particular expectations regarding the resolution of a problem. At its core, expertise thus comes to exist in reference not to epistemic but to dialogical, deliberative, democratic practice.
GIANT HYDRONEPHROSIS PRESENTING AS AN ACUTE ABDOMEN

Abstract Background Giant hydronephrosis is a relatively rare condition caused by obstruction of the renal collecting system that can present with a great number of different types of abdominal signs and symptoms. Case Report A 40-year-old man without past medical history presented to the Emergency Department with diffuse abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. On examination, he was found to have an acute abdomen. Computed tomography scan revealed left giant hydronephrosis secondary to an obstructing renal calculus. The patient had a left percutaneous nephrostomy tube placed, which drained over 7 L of fluid from the dilatated collecting system. Conclusion Giant hydronephrosis is a rare potential cause of abdominal pain, particularly in the context of a patient with known nephrolithiasis, structural urologic abnormalities, or malignancy.
Properties and evolution of aerosols with size distributions having identical moments

It has been proposed that the properties and evolution of an aerosol can be represented by lower-order moments of its size distribution without requiring additional knowledge of the distribution itself. However, certain distributions, including the log-normal and modified gamma distributions widely used to represent aerosol size distributions, belong to classes of multiple distributions having identical sets of moments, a situation that brings into question the utility of moment-based representations of aerosol properties and dynamics. We compare aerosol properties and evolution for explicit dissimilar test distributions having identical moments. It is found that despite their dissimilarity (e.g. multimode vs single mode) these distributions exhibit virtually identical physical and optical properties and dynamics. This analysis allays the concern regarding applicability of moment-based representations of aerosol properties that arises out of the existence of sets of distributions exhibiting identical moments.
The Oncofertility Consortium—addressing fertility in young people with cancer

The number of young cancer survivors is increasing owing to advances in cancer therapeutics, but many face infertility as a result of their treatment. Technologies that already exist for cancer patients concerned about their future fertility include sperm banking for men and hormonal intervention followed by in vitro fertilization and embryo cryopreservation for women. However, logistical barriers to timely patient referral and coordination of care between specialties can limit patient access to all the available options. Moreover, there are few alternatives for young women and girls who cannot delay their cancer treatment, or who are unable to undergo hormonal intervention. The Oncofertility Consortium is a network of researchers, physicians and scholars who are advancing fertility preservation options for young cancer patients. Research into the societal, ethical, and legal implications is also an important part of the work performed by the Oncofertility Consortium, which is providing new perspectives on patient decision-making about how to access these emerging reproductive technologies. Experts in the fields of oncology, reproductive medicine, the social sciences, law, education, and the humanities are working together to develop next-generation reproductive interventions and promote communication between scholars, clinicians, patients, and the public to ensure that young cancer patients are equipped with the most appropriate information and options for having a family in the future.
Absolute Binding Energies of Sodium Ions to Short Chain Alcohols, CnH2n+2O, n = 1-4, Determined by Threshold Collision-Induced Dissociation Experiments and Ab Initio Theory

Collision-induced dissociation of Na+(ROH) with xenon is studied using guided ion beam mass spectrometry. ROH includes the following eight short chain alcohols: methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, n-butyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol, and tert-butyl alcohol. In all cases, the primary product formed corresponds to endothermic loss of the neutral alcohol. The only other products that are observed in these reactions are the result of ligand exchange processes to form NaXe+. The cross section thresholds are interpreted to yield 0 and 298 K bond energies for Na+−ROH after accounting for the effects of multiple ion−molecule collisions, internal energy of the reactant ions, and dissociation lifetimes. Ab initio calculations at several levels of theory compare favorably to the experimentally determined bond energies. Trends in the Na+ binding energies are also compared to experimental values for the analogous Li+ systems.
Elevated Levels of Human Collagenase Inhibitor in Blister Fluids of Diverse Etiology

Abstract Blister fluids from a variety of bullous disorders were examined for the presence of human collagenase inhibitor. A protein immunologically identical to the collagenase inhibitor produced by human skin fibroblasts was found in high concentrations within bullae of diverse etiologies. Levels of collagenase inhibitor in blister fluids ranged from 0.9–12.5 μg/ml, averaging 4.9 μg/ml. The mean values were 3- to 4-fold greater than those present in the sera of corresponding patients and exceeded plasma levels by 6- to 8-fold. The time course of collagenase inhibitor accumulation in blister fluid was studied using heat- and suction-induced bullae. The concentration in newly formed blisters was ∼0.5 μg/ml, virtually identical to plasma inhibitor levels, and remained constant for approximately 4 h. Inhibitor concentrations then rose rapidly, reaching peak values of ∼6 μg/ml after 48 h. We speculate that the role of this inhibitor in blister fluid involves the inhibitions of active proteinases within the bulla cavity and may occur to limit the extent of blister formation or to assist in wound repair.
Los árbitros arbitradores y mixtos frente a la Constitución 1980: Normas “decisoriae” y “ordinatoriae litis” vinculantes en el arbitraje irritual y en la jurisdicción de equidad

Este articulo sostiene la existencia de normas obligatorias que deben cumplir los arbitros incluso los llamados a resolver de acuerdo con su prudencia o equidad. El fallo en equidad no puede infringir las normas constitucionales ni tampoco las normas legales que sean indisponibles para las partes. La infraccion de ley tambien es posible en los fallos pronunciados por esta clase de arbitros, siendo necesario que el medio disciplinario establecido para corregir el error en que incurran contemple tambien esta posibilidad.
Optimal mating time for pregnancy in the monkey.

THE RHESUS MONKEY (Macaca mulatta) has become the laboratory animal of choice for study in the physiology of reproduction because of the twenty-eight day menstrual cycle, an extended pregnancy (circa 168 days), and the fact that the genital tract, anatomically, is so like a miniature replica of the human. The rhesus baby, too, is born a helpless suckling. It is the purpose of this paper first to present in summary the results of five years of monkey breeding during which period there was in use a rigorously standardized plan for mating at a particular time in the menstrual cycle and for a limited time only. Second, there will be contrasted with these results the outcome of the following year of breeding in which one change was made in the routine; viz., the time of mating was displaced six days later in the menstrual cycle.
RNAi-Mediated c-Rel Silencing Leads to Apoptosis of B Cell Tumor Cells and Suppresses Antigenic Immune Response In Vivo

c-Rel is a member of the Rel/NF-κB transcription factor family and is predominantly expressed in lymphoid and myeloid cells, playing a critical role in lymphocyte proliferation and survival. Persistent activation of the c-Rel signal transduction pathway is associated with allergies, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and a variety of human malignancies. To explore the potential of targeting c-Rel as a therapeutic agent for these disorders, we designed a small interfering RNA (siRNA) to silence c-Rel expression in vitro and in vivo. C-Rel-siRNA expression via a retroviral vector in a B cell tumor cell line leads to growth arrest and apoptosis of the tumor cells. Silencing c-Rel in primary B cells in vitro compromises their proliferative and survival response to CD40 activation signals, similar to the impaired response of c-Rel knockout B cells. Most important, in vivo silencing of c-Rel results in significant impairment in T cell-mediated immune responses to antigenic stimulation. Our study thus validates the efficacy of c-Rel-siRNA, and suggests the development of siRNA-based therapy, as well as small molecular inhibitors for the treatment of B cell tumors as well as autoimmune diseases.
Comparison of BOLD cerebrovascular reactivity mapping and DSC MR perfusion imaging for prediction of neurovascular uncoupling potential in brain tumors.

The coupling mechanism between neuronal firing and cerebrovascular dilatation can be significantly compromised in cerebral diseases, making it difficult to identify eloquent cortical areas near or within resectable lesions by using Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) fMRI. Several metabolic and vascular factors have been considered to account for this lesion-induced neurovascular uncoupling (NVU), but no imaging gold standard exists currently for the detection of NVU. However, it is critical in clinical fMRI studies to evaluate the risk of NVU because the presence of NVU may result in false negative activation that may result in inadvertent resection of eloquent cortex, resulting in permanent postoperative neurologic deficits. Although NVU results from a disruption of one or more components of a complex cellular and chemical neurovascular coupling cascade (NCC) MR imaging is only able to evaluate the final step in this NCC involving the ultimate cerebrovascular response. Since anything that impairs cerebr...
Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-associated Mutations Decrease the Thermal Stability of Distinctly Metallated Species of Human Copper/Zinc Superoxide Dismutase

Abstract We report the thermal stability of wild type (WT) and 14 different variants of human copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) associated with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS). Multiple endothermic unfolding transitions were observed by differential scanning calorimetry for partially metallated SOD1 enzymes isolated from a baculovirus system. We correlated the metal ion contents of SOD1 variants with the occurrence of distinct melting transitions. Altered thermal stability upon reduction of copper with dithionite identified transitions resulting from the unfolding of copper-containing SOD1 species. We demonstrated that copper or zinc binding to a subset of “WT-like” FALS mutants (A4V, L38V, G41S, G72S, D76Y, D90A, G93A, and E133Δ) conferred a similar degree of incremental stabilization as did metal ion binding to WT SOD1. However, these mutants were all destabilized by ∼1–6 °C compared with the corresponding WT SOD1 species. Most of the “metal binding region” FALS mutants (H46R, G85R, D124V, D125H, and S134N) exhibited transitions that probably resulted from unfolding of metal-free species at ∼4–12 °C below the observed melting of the least stable WT species. We conclude that decreased conformational stability shared by all of these mutant SOD1s may contribute to SOD1 toxicity in FALS.
Call Variation in Tufted Titmice (Baeolophus bicolor) in a Distress Context: Potential Sex Differences

Tufted titmice, Baeolophus bicolor, produce calls in the contexts related to threat and approach of, and capture by, a predator. In titmice, these calls transition from the chick-a-dee call, used in a wide range of social contexts, to ‘distress’ calls that are produced by birds when captured and held by a predator or human observer. A recent study indicated that titmice modify the note composition of their calls in the presence of such threatening stimuli. Here, we tested whether female and male titmice differed in their calling behavior, as relatively few sex differences have been documented in calls shared by female and male songbirds. Individual titmice were captured in walk-in treadle traps, and we gradually increased the level of fear or arousal by approaching and finally capturing the bird in the hand. Male titmice produced more chick-a-dee calls than females as the level of threat increased, up to the point of capturing the bird in the hand. Furthermore, the note composition of calls produced by males differed from that of calls produced by females. A limitation to our study is that our method did not allow us to rule out the possibility that size or dominance differences, rather than sex, were the main reason for the differences in calling we detected. However, increased size generally was not associated with increased calling. We discuss some possible explanations for variation in distress calling behavior in titmice.
Metal, Mineral Waste Processing and Secondary Recovery

Approximately 40 million tons of precious metals chemical wastes are produced in the United States every year. An estimated five percent of these wastes are being reused/recycled to recover the precious and critical metals they contain. The rest of these chemical wastes are disposed of by the methods incineration, dumping at sea and dumping on land. In this paper, an attempt is made to review the research work published during 1985-1986 on metal, mineral waste processing, secondary recovery and safe disposal.
Comparison of propeller cruise noise data taken in the NASA Lewis 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel with other tunnel and flight data

The noise of advanced high speed propeller models measured in the NASA 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel has been compared with model propeller noise measured in another tunnel and with full-scale propeller noise measured in flight. Good agreement was obtained for the noise of a model counterrotation propeller tested in the 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel and in the acoustically treated test section of the Boeing Transonic Wind Tunnel. This good agreement indicates the relative validity of taking cruise noise data on a plate in the 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel compared with the free-field method in the Boeing tunnel. Good agreement was also obtained for both single rotation and counter-rotation model noise comparisons with full-scale propeller noise in flight. The good scale model to full-scale comparisons indicate both the validity of the 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel data and the ability to scale to full size. Boundary layer refraction on the plate provides a limitation to the measurement of forward arc noise in the 8- by 6-foot wind tunnel at the higher harmonics of the blade passing tone. The use of a validated boundary layer refraction model to adjust the data could remove this limitation.
Speech recognition by indexing and sequencing

Recognition by Indexing and Sequencing (RISq) is a general-purpose method for classification of temporal vector sequences. We developed an advanced version of RISq and applied it to isolated-word speech recognition, a task most commonly performed with Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) or Dynamic Time Warping (DTW). RISq is substantially different from both these methods and presents several advantages over them: robust recognition can be achieved with only a few samples from the input sequence and training can be carried out with one or more examples per class. This enables much faster training and also allows to recognize speech with a variety of accents. A two-step classification algorithm is used: first the training samples closest to each input sample are identified and weighted with a parallel algorithm (indexing). Then a maximum weighted bipartite graph matching is found between the input sequence and a training sequence, respecting an additional temporal constraint (sequencing). We discuss the application of RISq to speech recognition and compare its architecture and performance with that of Sphinx, a state-of-the-art speech recognizer based on HMMs.
Approach to scaling in the scattering of composite systems

Abstract We show that scattering cross-sections for composite systems approach a scaling limit when multiple scattering effects are taken into account, provided that the scattering of their constituents scales. Primary collisions between constituents are assumed to be multiperipheral-like.
A wideband LNA matched with quasi T-coil networks in 0.13 µm CMOS

A cascade wideband CMOS low-noise amplifier (LNA) matched with quasi T-coil networks is presented in this paper. Compared with traditional T-coil networks, quasi T-coil matching networks provide comparable wide matching operating frequency bandwidth, and are easier to design. Matched with quasi T-coil networks, a single-ended cascade common source LNA with inductive source degeneration was designed with a 0.13-µm CMOS technology and was simulated with Cadence Spectre. The simulated results show that the return losses of both input and output are better than −10 dB from 500 MHz to 16 GHz. The noise figure is lower than 4.6 dB when the operating frequency ranges from 500 MHz to 11 GHz.
Sinogram preprocessing and binary reconstruction for determination of the shape and location of metal objects in computed tomography (CT)

Purpose: To develop a binary image reconstruction method for the autolocalization of metallic object(s) in CT with sparse projections. Methods: The authors divide the system into two types of contents: Metal(s) and nonmetal(s). The boundaries of metallic objects are obtained by using a penalized weighted least-squares algorithm with the adequate intensity gradient-controlled. A novel mechanism of “amplifying” the difference between metal(s) and nonmetallic substances is introduced by preprocessing the sinogram data, which is shown to be necessary in dealing with a case with sparse projection data. A series of experimental studies are performed to evaluate the proposed approach. Results: A novel binary CTimage reconstruction formalism is established for the autodetermination of the shape and location of metallic objects in the presence of limited number of projections. Experimental studies reveal that the presented algorithm works well even when the embedded metal object(s) has different shape(s). It is also shown that when the projection data are sparse, a differential manipulation of projection data can greatly facilitate the binary reconstruction process and allow the authors to obtain accurate binary CTimages that would otherwise be unattainable. Conclusions: Binary CTreconstruction provides a viable method for determining the geometric distribution information of the implanted metal objects in CTimaging.
Neutron Diffraction Study of Magnetic Ordering in Thulium

Neutron diffraction measurements have been made on a single-crystal specimen of metallic thulium at temperatures ranging from 293° to 4.2°K. In the temperature range between 38° and 56°K the magnetic structure of thulium is similar to that observed for the high temperature form of erbium; namely, a simple oscillating z-component type antiferromagnetic structure. Below 38°K additional satellite reflections are observed in the diffraction patterns from which it is inferred that the sinusoidal modulation is modified below this temperature. At 4.2°K the normal lattice reflections show an increase in intensity in zero field which is consistent with a mean magnetic moment per thulium atom of approximately one Bohr magneton directed parallel to the c axis. The low temperature magnetic structure which is proposed for thulium is one in which the moments are parallel to the c axis of the crystal but change their orientations according to the sequence 4, 3, 4, 3.... The fundamental period of the modulation remains constant over the entire range of temperature at a value corresponding to 3.5 a 3 periods.
Left Ventricular Performance in Coronary Artery Disease Evaluated With Systolic Time Intervals and Echocardiography

Simultaneous determinations of systolic time intervals (preejection period index [PEPI], left ventricular ejection time index [LVETI] and ratio of preejection period to left ventricular ejection time [PEP/LVET]) and echographic measures of left ventricular performance (percent change in minor axis diameter [%ΔD], circumferential shortening rate [Vcf] and end-diastolic diameter [Dd]) were obtained in 25 normal subjects and 37 patients with previously documented transmural myocardial infarction. The group with previous infarction demonstrated significant (P < 0.001) differences from the normal group in each of the noninvasive measures. PEP/LVET and %ΔD were the most sensitive measures of left ventricular dysfunction. Deviation from the normal range in these measures occurred, respectively, in 70 and 65 percent of patients without dyspnea or fatigability (20 patients) and in 85 percent of those without angina pectoris (13 patients). Abnormalities in systolic time interval and echocardiographic measures were related to the severity of dyspnea and fatigability but not to that of angina. Neither the presence of phonocardiographically documented third or fourth sound gallops nor an abnormal cardiothoracic ratio by chest roentgenogram reliably detected patients with abnormal left ventricular performance. The range of abnormality in left ventricular performance did not differ between patients with prior anterior or diaphragmatic myocardial infarction. The frequency of abnormal performance was greatest among patients with combined sites of prior infarction. Among 26 patients studied by coronary arteriography, abnormal left ventricular performance as determined by values for PEP/LVET and %ΔD occurred in fewer than 30 percent of those with 70 percent or greater obstruction of one coronary artery and in more than 80 percent of those with two or three vessel involvement. There was a high correlation between systolic time intervals, %ΔD and Vcf, the closest correlation occurring between PEP/LVET and %ΔD (r = −0.93). These data document the sensitivity of the noninvasive systolic time intervals and echographic measures and their superiority over current clinical bedside methods in evaluating left ventricular performance in patients with prior myocardial infarction.
A simple method to characterize γ-crystallin synthesized in vitro

Abstract Investigation of the migration of in vitro synthesized γ-crystallin which has not been heat denatured on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate indicates that this class of proteins behaves in an anomalous manner. While other in vitro synthesized lens proteins under these conditions migrate as theoretically expected, γ-crystallin is retarded, having a mobility comparable to a 92 000 dalton component. Only upon heat denaturation does this protein fraction migrate as a 20 000 dalton species. Since other in vitro synthesized lens proteins have molecular weights of approximately 20 000 daltons, it is only with this methodology that γ-crystallin synthesis can be unequivocally followed in a simple, rapid, one-dimensional fractionation system.
The tensor fasciae latae myocutaneous flap closure of major chest and abdominal wall defects.

Background: The usual methods of closure of major chest and abdominal wall defects have significant disadvantages. Skin grafts provide no structural support and result in incisional hernias. Synthetic mesh requires skin cover and is prone to infection and wound breakdown. The tensor fasciae latae (TFL) myocutaneous flap offers skin cover and a semi-rigid fascial layer. We document our unit'experience in pedicled and free TFL flaps. Methods: The TFL flap closure of trunk defects was undertaken in 10 patients between August 1989 and April 1997. All cases were not amenable to primary closure and repair with synthetic mesh or skin grafts. Results: The defect was satisfactorily repaired in all cases without subsequent herniation. The closure techniques using a pedicled TFL flap and a TFL flap for a free-tissue transfer are described. Conclusions: We conclude that the TFL flap is the method of choice for repairs of major truncal defects.
Stabilities of carboxylic acids and phenols in los angeles rainwaters during storage

Concentration changes of acidic organic compounds (volatile aliphatic acids, fatty acids, aromatic acids and phenols) in rainwaters collected in Los Angeles, Calif., were studied during storage experiments (up to 45 days). Carboxylic acids decreased with time in the order: benzoic acid < fatty acids < volatile acids. Although the observed losses have not been shown to result from microbial degradation, such a process is highly likely. Degradation of these acids, especially formic and acetic acids which are major components may result in a pH increase, during storage of rain. By contrast, toluic acids and phenols did not show a decrease in concentration even after 2 weeks storage.
Brief Report: Use of DQ for Estimating Cognitive Ability in Young Children with Autism

The utility of Developmental Quotients (DQ) from the Psychoeducational Profile—Revised (PEP-R) to estimate cognitive ability in young children with autism was assessed. DQ scores were compared to scores from the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales—Fourth Edition (SB-FE) for 27 preschool students with autism. Overall and domain DQ’s on the PEP-R were significantly correlated with SB-FE composite IQ and Verbal Reasoning scores. Additional analyses with rank scores from each instrument confirmed these results. Results indicate that DQ scores obtained by the PEP-R are reasonable estimates of cognitive ability in this sample as measured by the SB-FE. Some administration advantages suggest that the PEP-R may be a viable alternative to the SB-FE (for estimating cognitive skills) under some conditions.
The intermediate S1' pocket of the endometase/matrilysin-2 active site revealed by enzyme inhibition kinetic studies, protein sequence analyses, and homology modeling.

Human matrix metalloproteinase-26 (MMP-26/endometase/matrilysin-2) is a newly identified MMP and its structure has not been reported. The enzyme active site S1′ pocket in MMPs is a well defined substrate P1′ amino acid residue-binding site with variable depth. To explore MMP-26 active site structure-activity, a series of new potent mercaptosulfide MMP inhibitors (MMPIs) with Leu or homophenylalanine (Homophe) side chains at the P1′ site were selected. The Homephe side chain is designed to probe deep S1′ pocket MMPs. These inhibitors were tested against MMP-26 and several MMPs with known x-ray crystal structures to distinguish shallow, intermediate, and deep S1′ pocket characteristics. MMP-26 has an inhibition profile most similar to those of MMPs with intermediate S1′ pockets. Investigations with hydroxamate MMPIs, including those designed for deep pocket MMPs, also indicated the presence of an intermediate pocket. Protein sequence analysis and homology modeling further verified that MMP-26 has an intermediate S1′ pocket formed by Leu-204, His-208, and Tyr-230. Moreover, residue 233 may influence the depth of an MMP S1′ pocket. The residue at the equivalent position of MMP-26 residue 233 is hydrophilic in intermediate-pocket MMPs (e.g. MMP-2, -8, and -9) and hydrophobic in deep-pocket MMPs (e.g. MMP-3, -12, and -14). MMP-26 contains a His-233 that renders the S1′ pocket to an intermediate size. This study suggests that MMPIs, protein sequence analyses, and molecular modeling are useful tools to understand structure-activity relationships and provides new insight for rational inhibitor design that may distinguish MMPs with deep versus intermediate S1′ pockets.
The House of My Sojourn: Rhetoric, Women, and the Question of Authority

Jane S. Sutton, The House of My Sojourn: Rhetoric, Women, and the Question of Authority (Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 2010), xii + 219 pp. $59.50 (cloth), $47.60 (e-book). The House of ...
Simulating the shaping of the fastigial deep nuclear saccade command by cerebellar Purkinje cells

Early lesion and physiological studies established the key contributions of the cerebellar cortex and fastigial deep nuclei in maintaining the accuracy of saccades. Recent evidence has demonstrated that fastigial oculomotor region cells (FORCs) provide commands that are critical both for driving and braking saccades. Modeling studies have largely ignored the mechanisms by which the FORC activity patterns, and those of the Purkinje cells (PCs) that inhibit them, are produced by the mossy fiber (MF) inputs common to both. We have created a hybrid network of integrate-and-fire and summation units to model the circuitry between PCs, FORCs, and MFs that can account for all observed PC and FORC activity patterns. The model demonstrates that a crucial component of FORC activity may be due to the rebound depolarization intrinsic to FORC neurons that, like the MF-driven activity of FORCs, is also shaped by PC inhibition and disinhibition. The model further demonstrates that the shaping of the FORC saccade command by PCs can be adaptively modified through plausible learning rules based on cerebellar long-term depression (LTD) and long-term potentiation (LTP), which are guided by climbing fiber (CF) input to PCs that realistically indicates only the direction (but not the magnitude) of saccade error. These modeling results provide new insights into the adaptive control by the cerebellum of the deep nuclear saccade command.
Investigation of cation order in Nd-, Gd- and Eu-Beta″ alumina using high resolution T.E.M.

Abstract The microstructural cation arrangements in trivalent beta″ aluminas have been studied by High Resolution TEM. All samples were found to show considerable structural inhomogeneity. A long-range ordered structure with a 3×3×3 superstructure was found in Nd, Gd and Eu samples. Models of the ion distribution in the planes suggest occupation of both BR and m0 sites. A second apparently “disordered” structure type was also observed in all samples. The ratio of the ordered to disordered structure increased in the order Nd>Eu>Gd. We suggest that thermal treatments are important in determining the structure of these materials.
Origin of the Lyme Dome and implications for the timing of multiple Alleghanian deformational and intrusive events in southern Connecticut

Geologic mapping, structural analysis, and geochronology in the area of the Lyme dome, southern Connecticut provides constraints on the origin of the rocks in the core of the dome, the absolute timing of the principal deformational and thermal events attributed to Alleghanian orogenesis, and the processes that generated the dome. Detrital zircon geochronology in combination with ages on intrusive rocks brackets the deposition of quartzite in the core of the dome sometime between ca. 925 and 620 Ma. Granite and granodiorite intruded the Neoproteorozic metasedimentary rocks in the core of the dome at ca. 620 to 610 Ma. Four major early Permian events associated with the Alleghanian orogeny affected the rocks in the Lyme dome area. Syn-tectonic migmatization and widespread penetrative deformation (D 1, ca. 300 - 290 Ma) included emplacement of alaskite at 290 ± 4 Ma during regional foliation development and aluminosilicate-orthoclase metamorphic conditions. Rocks of the Avalon terrane may have wedged between Gander cover rocks and Gander basement in the core of the Lyme during Dl. Limited structural evidence for diapiric uplift of the Lyme dome indicates that diapirism started late in Dl and was completed by D2 (ca. 290 - 280 Ma) when horizontal WNW contractional stresses dominated over vertical stresses. Second sillimanite metamorphism continued and syn-tectonic D2 granite pegmatite (288 ± 4 Ma) and the Joshua Rock Granite Gniess (284 ± 3 Ma) intruded at this time. North-northwest extension during D3 (ca. 280 - 275 Ma) led to granitic pegmatite intrusion along S3 cleavage planes and in extensional zones in boudin necks during hydraulic failure and decompression melting. Intrusion of a Westerly Granite dike at 275 ± 4 Ma suggests that D3 extension was active, and perhaps concluding, by ca. 275 Ma. Late randomly oriented but gently dipping pegmatite dikes record a final stage of intrusion during D4 (ca. 275 - 260 Ma), and a switch from NNW extension to vertical unloading and exhumation. Monazite and metamorphic zircon rim ages record this event at ca. 259 Ma. The evolution of the Lyme dome involved Dl mylonitization, intrusion, and migmatization during north-directed contraction, limited late Dl diapirism, D2 migmatization during WNW contraction with associated flexural flow and fold interference, D3 NNW horizontal extension and decompression melting, and final D4 vertical extension and rapid exhumation. Late regional uplift, extension, and normal faulting at higher crustal levels may have been caused by diapiric rise of the lower crust, below the structural level of the Lyme dome. The rocks record no evidence of Acadian metamorphism or deformation, suggesting that the Gander zone here was not tectonically juxtaposed with Avalon until the Alleghanian orogeny.
Authigenesis of Trioctahedral Smectite in Magnesium-Rich Carbonate Speleothems in Carlsbad Cavern and other Caves of the Guadalupe Mountains, New Mexico

Trioctahedral smectite is a constituent of Mg-rich carbonate crusts and moonmilks (pasty deposits) in caves of the Guadalupe Mountains of southeastern New Mexico. Energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis of individual crystallites and their aggregates along with the X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that the smectite is probably stevensite. Saponite is likely present in some samples also. The smectite is intimately associated with dolomite crusts and huntite moonmilks in Carlsbad Cavern, Lechuguilla Cave, and other dolostone caves. Clay particles appear as fibers and films, with aggregates comprising decimicron-sized filamentous masses that envelop crystals of dolomite, huntite, and magnesite. The occurrence of smectite is related to the genesis of the Mg-rich carbonate minerals. In water films, progressive evaporation and carbon dioxide loss results in the sequential precipitation of Mg-rich calcite, aragonite, dolomite, huntite, and magnesite. This sequence of carbonate precipitation removes Ca and greatly increases the Mg/Ca ratio in the solutions. Silica is commonly available probably because of high pH conditions, and consequently, smectite forms in the Mg-rich alkaline environment. Along with the Mg-rich carbonate minerals, opal, quartz, and uranyl vanadates may precipitate with the smectite.
Characterization and chromosomal localization of the gene for human rhodopsin kinase

G-protein-dependent receptor kinases (GRKs) play a key role in the adaptation of receptors to persistent stimuli. In rod photoreceptors rhodopsin kinase (RK) mediates rapid desensitization of rod photoreceptors to light by catalyzing phosphorylation of the visual pigment rhodopsin. To study the structure and mechanism of GRKs in human photoreceptors, we have isolated and characterized cDNA and genomic clones derived from the human RK locus using a bovine rhodopsin kinase cDNA fragment as a probe. The RK locus, assigned to chromosome 13 band q34, is composed of seven exons that encode a protein 92% identical in amino acid sequence to bovine rhodopsin kinase. The marked difference between the structure of this gene and that of another recently cloned human GRK gene suggests the existence of a wide evolutionary gap between members of the GRK gene family.
Toward a Model Predicting Employment for the Puerto Rican Youth Segment.

This study, using the maximum likelihood method, investigates the predictors of employment for Puerto Rican youth, ages 15–29. The results suggest that older and more educated workers are more likely to be employed. In addition, the results show that civil status, unemployment spells, spells out of the labor force, and gender are significant determinants of employment. Given the high unemployment rate among Hispanics, this study adds to the knowledge of the factors that are important in determining the employment odds among Puerto Rican youth in the United States.
Accuracy of munsell notations in two Japanese color order systems

The color chips in two recent color order systems produced by the Japan Color Research Institute, Chroma Cosmos 5000 and Chromaton 707, are denoted by Munsell notations. However,instrumental and visual examination shows that these notations are inaccurate for a significant fraction of the chips. For 1325 cases in which a Chroma Cosmos 5000 chip could be compared to a chip with the same notation in the current U.S. Munsell Book of Color, the CIE-LAB color difference between them was greater than 3 units (maximum 9.9) 31% of the time, between 1 and 3 units 62% of the time, and less than 1 unit only 7% of the time. Smaller but still significant differences were found for chips from Chromaton 707.
The effects of salinity, pH and temperature on the half-life and longevity of Echinostoma caproni miracidia

Miracidia of Echinostoma caproni were exposed to solutions varying in salinity, pH, and temperature in 1 ml concavity slides. Half-lives of the miracidial populations were determined and longevity curves constructed to find maximum life spans of the miracidia in the different conditions. Control miracidia in aquarium water at pH 7.2 and 22 degrees C. had a half-life of 3.6 h and a maximum life span of 9 h. Miracidia of E. caproni were not very tolerant of saline solutions from 0.1% to 0.4%, the latter being lethal within an hour. A bimodal effect was found with exposure to aquarium water of varying pH, with a peak at pH 5 in acid solutions and pH 9 in alkaline solutions. Miracidia tolerated pH ranges from 3 to 11 exhibiting half-lives of 2.4 h or greater in these solutions. At lower than ambient temperatures, E. caproni miracidia lived longer, the greatest being a half-life of 5.0 h and a maximum life span of 15 h at 5 degrees C. At warmer temperatures, the half-life was reduced until lethality was reached at 40 degrees C. ANCOVA analysis of log transformed longevity curves supported the observation that in pH trials many miracidia survived initially with a major die-off after 3.3 h. The opposite trend of early die-off and gradual mortality of the survivors was supported in the temperature trials.
GABAB Receptor Activation Modulates GABAA Receptor-Mediated Inhibition in Chicken Nucleus Magnocellularis Neurons

Neurons of nucleus magnocellularis (NM), a division of avian cochlear nucleus that performs precise temporal encoding, receive glutamatergic excitatory input solely from the eighth nerve and GABAer...
Early biomechanical markers of postural instability in Parkinson's disease

Current clinical assessments do not adequately detect the onset of postural instability in the early stages of Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of this study was to identify biomechanical variables that are sensitive to the effects of early Parkinson's disease on the ability to recovery from a balance disturbance. Ten adults diagnosed with idiopathic PD and no clinically detectable postural instability, and ten healthy age-range matched controls (HC) completed the study. The first step in the response to a backwards waist pull was quantified in terms of strategy, temporal, kinematic, kinetic, and center of pressure (COP) variables. People with PD, compared to HC, tended to be less consistent in the choice of stepping limb, utilized more time for weight shift, used a modified ankle joint motion prior to liftoff, and the COP was further posterior at landing. The study results demonstrate that PD changes the response to a balance disturbance which can be quantified using biomechanical variables even before the presence of clinically detectable postural instability. Further studies are required to determine if these variables are sensitive and specific to postural instability.
The SCEC Community Modeling Environment: An Information Infrastructure for System-level Earthquake Science

In the July/August issue of SRL , Tom Owens, writing his first column for the Electronic Seismologist (ES), asked “The Question”: Can we as a community develop the long-term relationships with the computer science community, the financial resources, and the culture necessary to build and maintain a state-of-the-art information technology (IT) structure that will really make a difference in the way we do our science? He discussed the tough practical challenges posed by The Question and highlighted some of the IT efforts underway by IRIS, EarthScope, and other geoscience organizations. In particular, he mentioned a new IT project by the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) that involves an interesting mix of geoscientists and computer scientists. As a follow-up, he invited us to contribute an article to ES on how this project was formulated, how the collaborations have been set up, and how it's going. Tall order, but we'll try! We begin with a little background. In October 2001, SCEC was awarded a five-year, $10 million grant by the NSF Information Technology Research (ITR) Program to develop a Community Modeling Environment (CME)—what IT aficionados would call a “collaboratory”—for system-level earthquake science. In addition to a number of participating SCEC institutions, the project involves IRIS (http://www.iris.edu), the USGS' Pasadena office (http://pasadena.wr.usgs.gov), and two major IT research organizations, the Information Sciences Institute (ISI) of the University of Southern California (http://www.isi.edu) and the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) of the University of California at San Diego (http://www.sdsc.edu). The overarching goal of the CME project is to improve the information infrastructure for seismic hazard analysis (SHA), which has historically been the major focus of SCEC's research program. SHA seeks to describe the maximum level of shaking that can be expected at a specified site on the Earth's surface due to earthquakes anticipated over a …
Reviewing the Guayana project: Lifetime migration to and from Bolivar state, Venezuela, 1950–2001

By the mid-twentieth century the population and economic resources in many developing economies had become concentrated in the capital city. Planned industrial cities became an important mechanism to encourage more balanced urban systems as well as development in peripheralized regions. Venezuela boasts one of the most impressive planned industrial cities, Ciudad Guayana, constructed in 1959 in the resource rich but inaccessible Bolivar state in the southeast. This paper summarizes the lifetime migration to and from Bolivar state for the years 1950, 1971 and 2001. Whereas the majority of lifetime migrants originated from the neighbouring northeast region in 1950 and 1971, by 2001 more migrants arrived from the capital region. For lifetime outmigrants, the destination states became more diverse and less focused on the capital region. Gender ratios of lifetime migrants to and from Bolivar became more equitable as women became more prominent in migration flows. The level of urban primacy in Venezuela declined substantially after 1971 as the country became more internally integrated, although this more equitable distribution of the country's population may not have been solely a result of the creation of the growth pole, but a result of wider economic development.
The New Horizons Mission to the Pluto System and the Kuiper Belt

The NASA new horizons mission to the Pluto system and the Kuiper belt launched from Cape Canaveral on January 19, 2006 after a four-year development, and will arrive at Pluto closest-approach on July 14, 2015 after a 9.5- year cruise from Earth. Powered by a single radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) from the Galileo-Cassini design and launched on the first flight of a Lockheed Martin Atlas V-551 with a Boeing STAR 48B third stage, the project overcame numerous technical and programmatic challenges to take advantage of the best-last opportunity using existing technology to perform the first-ever reconnaissance of the Pluto system in our lifetime. The mission design for the 2006 launch uses a Jupiter gravity assist to achieve the shortest possible flight time. A rich science return from the Jupiter flyby (February 28, 2007) has been achieved. The engineering and programmatic challenges associated with the spacecraft design, RTG procurement, integration of Lockheed Martin and Boeing launch vehicle components, and the launch approval process are discussed. The current status of the spacecraft and mission is presented.
Blood gas analyzers.

Arterial blood gas analysis is an important clinical assessment in the treatment of patients with congestive obstructive pulmonary disorders and other pulmonary/metabolic diseases or undergoing long-term oxygen treatment or ventilation therapy. These critical measurements depend on the precise methods of obtaining, handling, processing, and analyzing samples. The final analyzed measurement requires that all the steps from the bedside to the blood gas analyzer (BGA) printout reflect continuity in the practice of obtaining timely and accurate laboratory results. This month’s Troubleshoot It provides a refresher and primer on this important clinical tool.
Practical strategies to normalize hyperglycemia without undue hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Hypoglycemia is a common problem in pharmacologically treated patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and can be a major barrier to achieving optimal glycemic control. For practitioners to minimize and treat hypoglycemia, it is important to understand the physiology, risk factors, and medications associated with hypoglycemia. Through education, lifestyle modifications, medication adjustments, and possibly re-examining glycemic goals, practitioners can reduce the incidence of hypoglycemia while still decreasing the risk of microvascular complications associated with hyperglycemia.