cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bayesian optimization with output-weighted optimal sampling

Abstract In Bayesian optimization, accounting for the importance of the output relative to the input is a crucial yet challenging exercise, as it can considerably improve the final result but often involves inaccurate and cumbersome entropy estimations. We approach the problem from the perspective of importance-sampling theory, and advocate the use of the likelihood ratio to guide the search algorithm towards regions of the input space where the objective function to minimize assumes abnormally small values. The likelihood ratio acts as a sampling weight and can be computed at each iteration without severely deteriorating the overall efficiency of the algorithm. In particular, it can be approximated in a way that makes the approach tractable in high dimensions. The “likelihood-weighted” acquisition functions introduced in this work are found to outperform their unweighted counterparts in a number of applications.
Evaluating Piezoelectric Materials for Power Conversion

Piezoelectric energy storage has several potential advantages for use in power conversion; it offers very high power density and efficiency capabilities, especially compared to magnetics at small scales. Converter architectures have been developed for efficient utilization of piezoelectrics, but without fundamental criteria for selecting the piezoelectric devices themselves. In this paper, we derive figures of merit for piezoelectric materials in power electronics based on achievable efficiency and power density, assuming realistic converter operation. We then apply these metrics to evaluate 51 commercially-available PZT piezoelectric materials and identify promising candidates. These figures of merit and their associated geometry conditions serve as guidelines for high-efficiency, high-power density piezoelectric resonator design, which we demonstrate and validate in LTSpice. With both mechanical efficiency and physical limits constrained, it is shown that piezoelectrics demonstrate favorable scaling properties for miniaturized power conversion.
Estimation of Time-Varying Spectral Peaks and Decomposition of EEG Spectrograms

Detection of spectral peaks and estimation of their properties, including frequency and amplitude, are fundamental to many applications of signal processing. Electroencephalography (EEG) of sleep, in particular, displays characteristic oscillations that change continuously throughout the night. Capturing these dynamics is essential to understanding the sleep process and characterizing the heterogeneity observed across individuals. Most sleep EEG analyses rely on either time-averaged spectra or bandpassed amplitude/power. Unfortunately, these approaches obscure the time-variability of peak properties, require specification of a priori criteria, and cannot distinguish power from nearby oscillations. More sophisticated approaches, using various spectral models, have been proposed to better estimate oscillatory properties, but these too have limitations. We present an improved approach to spectrogram decomposition, tracking time-varying parameterized peak functions and dynamically estimating their parameters using a modified form of the iterated extended Kalman filter (IEKF) that incorporates discrete On/Off-switching of peak combinations and a sampling step to draw the initial reference trajectory. We evaluate this approach on two types of simulated examples—one nearly within the model class and one outside. We find excellent performance, in terms of spectral fits and accuracy of estimated states, for both simulation types. We then apply the approach to real EEG data of sleep onset, obtaining quality spectral estimates with estimated peak combinations closely matching the expert-scored sleep stages. This approach offers not only the ability to estimate time-varying parameters of spectral peaks but, moving forward, the potential to estimate the governing dynamics and analyze their variability across nights, subjects, and clinical groups.
High Prevalence of Three Potyviruses Infecting Cucurbits in Oklahoma and Phylogenetic Analysis of Cucurbit Aphid-Borne Yellows Virus Isolated from Pumpkins.

Field information about viruses infecting crops is fundamental for understanding the severity of the effects they cause in plants. To determine the status of cucurbit viruses, surveys were conducted for three consecutive years (2016–2018) in different agricultural districts of Oklahoma. A total of 1331 leaf samples from >90 fields were randomly collected from both symptomatic and asymptomatic cucurbit plants across 11 counties. All samples were tested with the dot-immunobinding assay (DIBA) against the antisera of 10 known viruses. Samples infected with papaya ringspot virus (PRSV-W), watermelon mosaic virus (WMV), zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), and cucurbit aphid-borne-yellows virus (CABYV) were also tested by RT-PCR. Of the 10 viruses, PRSV-W was the most widespread, with an overall prevalence of 59.1%, present in all 11 counties, followed by ZYMV (27.6%), in 10 counties, and WMV (20.7%), in seven counties, while the remaining viruses were present sporadically with low incidence. Approximately 42% of the infected samples were positive, with more than one virus indicating a high proportion of mixed infections. CABYV was detected for the first time in Oklahoma, and the phylogenetic analysis of the first complete genome sequence of a CABYV isolate (BL-4) from the US showed a close relationship with Asian isolates.
24. Peri-urethral cyst mistaken for imperforate hymen in a patient with distal vaginal agenesis

Background Imperforate hymen is the most common obstructive genital tract anomaly and typically presents in adolescence with primary amenorrhea, worsening pelvic pain, and a bulging hymenal membrane at the introitus. When the hymen is normally visualized, other obstructive anomalies should be considered, as establishing the correct diagnosis prior to making management decisions is paramount. We present a case of a peri-urethral cyst misdiagnosed as an imperforate hymen in a patient with vaginal agenesis, highlighting strategies for accurate diagnosis and options for management. Case An 11 year old premenarchal female presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with several months of worsening intermittent lower abdominal pain. In the ED, she had transabdominal pelvic imaging showing a large hematometrocolpos and per the provider an imperforate hymen external genital exam. After achieving adequate pain control, she was discharged to follow up with Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. At her follow up visit, examination findings were notable for an annular hymen with membranous tissue blocking the vagina immediately behind the hymen. On rectal exam, the hematocolpos was palpated approximately 4 cm from the introitus. The patient was started on menstrual suppression with depot leuprolide and norethindrone acetate. Follow up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed a cyst near the introitus and distal vaginal agenesis. When the genitalia were re-examined under anesthesia, adequate labial traction revealed a peri-urethral cyst. Due to ongoing pain, interventional radiology placed a transuterine drain under ultrasound guidance. Tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) was used through the drain to thin the obstructed blood and facilitate drainage. Approximately 500 ml of blood was drained from uterus and vagina before the drain was removed. The patient remains asymptomatic and will continue menstrual suppression until she reaches an age when she can participate in post-operative care. Comments In this case, the diagnosis of distal vaginal agenesis was obscured by the presence of a peri-urethral cyst. The case illustrates the importance of thorough examination including rectal exam and pelvic MRI when the diagnosis is unclear. Vaginal dilation or use of a vaginal stent is usually required after definitive surgical management of distal vaginal agenesis and therefore it is important to consider age and maturity before any surgical decisions are made. Accurate diagnosis is of utmost importance and management efforts aimed at delaying definitive surgical management should be considered.
GF-Flush: A GF(2) Algebraic Attack on Dynamically Secured Scan Chains

Scan chains provide increased controllability and observability for testing digital circuits. The increased testability, however, can also be a source of information leakage for sensitive designs. The state-of-the-art defenses to secure scan chains apply dynamic keys to pseudo-randomly invert the scan vectors. In this paper, we pinpoint an algebraic vulnerability of these dynamic defenses that involves creating and solving a system of linear equations over the finite field GF(2). In particular, we propose a novel GF(2)-based flush attack that breaks even the most rigorous version of state-of-the-art dynamic defenses. Our experimental results demonstrate that our attack recovers the key as long as 500 bits in less than 7 seconds. Our attack times are, on average, over 4300x faster than state-of-the-art SAT based attacks on the same defenses and circumvent any obfuscation on the combinational logic portions of the design. We then demonstrate how our attacks can be extended to scan chains compressed with Multiple- Input Signature Registers (MISRs).
Exploring Headsup Displays for Driver Workload Management in Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems

The authors examine headsup displays as a means of information display. The synthesis and management of this information is crucial so as to not overload the driver and create safety hazards. The authors present a driving simulator created to design and evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a headsup display.
What Every Outcomes Research Fellow Should Learn

Although entitled “What Every Outcomes Research Fellow Should Learn,” this chapter actually encapsulates what this outcomes research fellow learned during her research experience. I found my laboratory years to be incredibly rewarding – a result of pure dumb luck as well as design. Nevertheless, I hope this experience will be instructive to others – in both what-to and what-not-to-do.
Al-26 losses from weathered chondrites

Analysis of Al-26 and noble gases were conducted in a study of samples of two heavily weathered meteorites. The analyses were performed in accordance with procedures described by Cressy (1970) and by Herzog and Cressy (1974). The analytic data are presented in tables. Evidence is presented which implicates weathering as the most probable cause of the observed variation of Al-26 and the rare gas contents.
Molecular Aspects of Vacuole Biogenesis

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses molecular aspects of vacuole biogenesis. The transport of many newly synthesized proteins to the vacuole occurs through the secretory pathway. Proteins are carried along the secretory pathway in a series of small membrane–bound vesicles, and transport is thus mediated by a process of vesicle budding from one compartment and fusion with the next. Secretion is the default pathway—proteins lacking a targeting signal are transported to the cell surface. Proteins destined for the vacuole require sorting information in order to reach their correct site of function. Proteins, such as phytohaemagglutinin, do not contain cleavable vacuolar targeting signals but contain targeting information within regions of the mature protein. The presence of peptide targeting signals on both plant and yeast vacuolar proteins has led to the suggestion that vacuolar targeting signals may be conserved between these organisms. The signals for targeting to the plant vacuole have been characterized in some detail now, with extensive mutagenesis performed in some cases to determine the features of the signals that are essential for function. Both from analogy with other systems and from experiments, showing that the vacuolar sorting process is saturable, it is assumed that receptor proteins recognize vacuolar targeting signals and cause proteins containing these signals to be packaged into transport vesicles destined for the vacuole.
A screening test for estrogen dependence of endometrial carcinoma

Abstract Tumors of the reproductive organs may or may not be hormone-responsive. For selecting therapeutic procedures, it would be desirable to have an in vitro screening procedure. To this end, samples of normal and abnormal uterine tissues (normal endometrium, endometrial adenocarcinoma and sarcoma, endometrial polyps, cystic glandular and adenomatous hyperplasia, myometrium, and leiomyomas), mostly from postmenopausal women, have been screened for the presence of specific estradiol-binding macromolecules. Cytosol is incubated with 3 H-estradiol (5 × 10 −10 M) and analyzed by sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. Duplicate aliquots are incubated with 3 H-estradiol and clomiphene (1 × 10 −5 M) in order to correct for nonspecific binding. Receptors have been demonstrated in 32 per cent of samples from women with endometrial carcinoma, including one obtained after radiation therapy. Estradiol and estrone levels were measured in blood samples taken at the time of hysterectomy to: (1) compare the hormonal status of women with estrogen-dependent tumors to that of women with independent tumors, and (2) enable us to discard negative results due to saturation of receptors by high endogenous estradiol. We have found a statistically higher ratio of estrone to estradiol in the blood of postmenopausal women who have endometrial carcinoma than in the blood of postmenopausal women who do not.
Generating parallel execution plans with a partial-order planner

Many real-world planning problems require generating plans that maximize the parallelism inherent in a problem. There are a number of partial-order planners that generate such plans; however, in most of these planners it is unclear under what conditions the resulting plans will be correct and whether the planner can even find a plan if one exists. This paper identifies the underlying assumptions about when a partial plan can be executed in parallel, defines the classes of parallel plans that can be generated by different partial-order planners, and describes the changes required to turn UCPOP into a parallel execution planner. In addition, we describe how this planner can be applied to the problem of query access planning, where parallel execution produces substantial reductions in overall execution time.
Are Franchisors with International Operations Different from Those Who Are Domestic Market Oriented

This study compares franchisors with international operations with franchisors who are domestic market oriented. Using the existing literature, the author develops various hypotheses and tests them...
Animal models of human disease: Inflammation

Animals have been used as models to study inflammation and autoimmunity for more than 80 years. During that time it has been understood that although the use of such models is an important and necessary part of understanding human disease, they inevitably display significant differences from the human disease state. Since our understanding of human inflammation and autoimmunity is necessarily incomplete, it may be concluded that the animal models will also be reflective of the state of knowledge regarding such diseases. Nevertheless, animal models of rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis have been successfully used to enhance the understanding of the human disease and have made significant contributions to the development of powerful new therapies. However, there are exceptions. One of the most persistent has been the study of sepsis where the animal models have been woefully inadequate in uncovering targets for drug discovery and have led to repeated clinical failures. As will be explained, only by using newly developed genomics tools has it been possible to uncover the differences between sepsis in mice and sepsis in man. It is concluded that approaches using the newer genomic and proteomic data derived from human tissues, will make possible the development of animal models with more predictive power as aids to drug discovery.
Plasma fluoride concentrations in rats acutely poisoned with sodium fluoride

Female rats of average body weight 250 g proved to be approximately twice as susceptible to the acute toxic effects of sodium fluoride given po as were female rats weighing on the average 80 or 150 g. The 24-hr oral LD50 values were 31, 54, and 52 mg of F/kg, respectively. Following single doses of 25 mg of F/kg for 250-g rats or 50 mg of F/kg for rats weighing 80 or 150 g, absorption of fluoride from the gastrointestinal tract was approximately 50% complete in less than 90 min for the 250-g rats and in about 2 hr for the 80- and 150-g animals. In treated rats given 50 mg of F/kg, plasma fluoride concentrations (normally 0.3 μg/ml or less) increased to 10 μg/ml or more in 15 min in 80- or 150-g rats. Quantitatively similar increases were noted in 250-g rats given 25 mg of F/kg. Plasma fluoride concentrations of 8–10 μg/ml or higher were often associated with death, regardless of dose or body weight (age), but were achieved more rapidly in the heaviest rats. In surviving rats, plasma fluoride concentrations declined rapidly from maximal values reaching concentrations at 24 hr of 3 and 0.3 μg/ml, respectively, for the 150- and 250-g rats, and of approximately 4 μg/ml at 8 hr for the 80-g rats. Plasma fluoride concentrations after near lethal doses were dose-dependent. The greater resistance of the 80- and 150-g rats to the lethal effects of fluoride may reflect the greater efficiency of the younger skeletons in removing fluoride from the circulation.
Grass Pea ( Lathyrus sativus L.) as a Pre-Plant Nitrogen Source for Continuous Conventionally Tilled Winter Wheat

Sources of organic nitrogen (N) for the southern Great Plains (SGP)—and methods of their use― need testing to find ways to counter the rising cost of N fertilizer. This study examined the function of the cool-season pulse grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) as a pre-plant N source for continuous, conventionally tilled winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). It was conducted in Oklahoma (35°40' N, 98°00' W) during 2004 to 2008, on three replicate blocks of four experimental plots (6 by 10 m). Inoculated grass pea (cv. AC-Greenfix) seed was sown during late summer fallow (mid August) in one randomly chosen plot per block (75 kg ha ―1 seeding rate in 60-cm rows with 75% germination). Three additional plots per block mimicked traditional summer fallow with no (control), 40, or 80 kg inorganic N ha ―1 . All treatments were repeated on the same plots throughout the study. Samples were collected from grass pea plots at flowering over a range of 41 to 59 d after planting in different years and analyzed for N and digestibility. Aboveground (AG) biomass of grass pea was then shredded with a flail mower and incorporated before applying fertilizer treatments and sowing (100 kg ha ―1 ) wheat (cv. Jagger) in 20-cm rows. Aboveground biomass of wheat was collected at three growth stages (elongation, flowering, and maturity) and analyzed for N. Biomass of grass pea contained enough N to meet the needs of wheat at planting (40 kg N ha ―1 ) in only 2 yr. Total AG biomass and N content of wheat under grass pea was similar to the control at elongation and intermediate between no and 40 kg N ha ―1 at maturity in 2 yr. Biomass and N content of wheat grain under grass pea were intermediate between no and 40 kg N ha ―1 in the first 2 yr and similar to the control thereafter. Therefore, grass pea was marginally effective as a pre-plant N source for wheat for a limited period but may be more effective in sorghum-based rotations in the SGP.
Derivatization of 11-α-Hydroxyprogesterone using Phosphoramidite Chemistry

The well-known phosphoramidite chemistry routinely used in solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis is exploited here in the preparation of steroid conjugates in solution. The applicability of the method is tested by conjugating one nucleosidic and one non-nucleosidic phosphoramidite building block to 11-α-hydroxyprogesterone. The suitability of one of the conjugates synthesized (5) for a competitive binding assay is also demonstrated.
A Two-Dimensional Radiation-Turbulence Climate Model. I: Sensitivity to Cirrus Radiative Properties

Abstract Based on the thermodynamic energy balance between radiation and vertical plus horizontal dynamic transports, a two-dimensional radiation-turbulence climate model is developed. This model consists of a broadband solar and IR radiation transfer scheme previously presented by the authors and vertical and horizontal dynamic eddy transports utilizing the elementary turbulent theory. In the model, three kinds of feedback mechanisms are considered: the humidity feedback via the constant relative humidity assumption, the ice-albedo feedback via a preliminary correlation between the surface albedo and the surface temperature and the dynamic transport feedback through the parameterization of eddy transports and the prescribed mean wind field. A standard temperature field, which differs from the climatological data by no more than 0.1°C, is first obtained by solving the coupled thermodynamic and surface flux budget equations using climatological distributions of H2O, CO2, O3, surface albedo and cloud proper...
Teaching Specialized Legal Research: Administrative Law

In an effort to provide more attention to the legislative and administrative law processes than typical first year legal research instruction can provide, the author created a specialized legal research course on legislation and administrative practice and procedure. Set forth within this article is a very brief background on the substantive law an instructor for a course on this topic would need to know. Also included is an overview of the resources taught, assignments given, and evaluation tools used.
Clonal variation in a Florida Bay Thalassia testudinum meadow : molecular genetic assessment of population structure

Thalassia testudinum (Banks ex Konig) is an important primary producer in nearshore tropical marine ecosystems. In the past several years, mass mortality of T. testudinum populations within the Florida Bay estuary has highlighted the need to know more about levels of clonal variation and the spatial arrangement of genets within populations of this species. Historically, most of the reproduction within this species was thought to be through clonal growth, and populations have been assumed to exhibit little genetic diversity. We used DNA fingerprinting techniques and spatially hierarchical sampling to search for genetically distinct plants within T. testudinum meadows in Rabbit Key Basin, Florida Bay, USA. We detected 22 genetically distinct individuals out of 74 samples. Multiple genetic individuals were detected over small spatial scales (<0.25 m). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) detected significant levels of variation at both the largest and smallest spatial scales studied. This result suggested that genets of this species generally do not grow in discreet monoclonal patches and that most genets are not large enough to span the entire basin (∼5 km). Further, analysis of genetic distances between phenotypes suggests a pattern of isolation by distance, with individuals that were nearer in space being more genetically similar. GIS analysis of seagrass density over the period from 1985 to 1994, combined with the clonal diversity data presented here, suggest seedlings may play a significant role in colonization of bare patches. These results imply that the role of sexual reproduction in population structure within this species is greater than previously thought.
The acute phase response in pigs experimentally infected with Escherichia coli and treated with systemic bactericidal antibiotics

Abstract The objective of this study was to monitor the acute phase response (APR) in pigs experimentally infected with a known enterotoxogenic strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli) followed by treatment with a systemic bactericidal antibiotic to evaluate a model of acute enterotoxemia. The APR was determined by measuring rectal temperature (RT) and serum concentration of cortisol (CS), C-reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin (HG), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Twenty-four single source, male, 24-day-old, crossbred pigs were used for this study. Twelve of the pigs were non-surgically cannulated for blood collection and 12 were used for RT monitoring. All pigs received an oral dose of E. coli K88 (2.4×108 colony-forming units). Five hours later, six pigs in each group received an intramuscular injection of 0.5 ml of saline and the remaining six received an intramuscular injection of antibiotic (25 mg of Ceftiofur HCl in 0.5 ml). Data collection occurred hourly from −1 to 5 h post-E. coli, then every 30 min between 5 and 8 h, and at 24 h post-E. coli. Prior to antibiotic treatment, RT increased (P
Superposition in quantum and relativity physics—An interaction interpretation of special relativity theory: Part III

With the interaction interpretation, the Lorentz transformation of a system arises with selection from a superposition of its states in an observation-interaction. Integration of momentum states of a mass over all possible velocities gives the rest-mass energy. Static electrical and magnetic fields are not found to form such a superposition and are to be taken as irreducible elements. The external superposition consists of those states that are reached only by change of state of motion, whereas the internal superposition contains all the states available to an observer in a single inertial coordinate system. The conjecture is advanced that states of superposition may only be those related by space-time transformations (Lorentz transformations plus space inversion and charge conjugation). The continuum of external and internal superpositions is examined for various masses, and an argument for the unity of the super-positions is presented.
Tunneling in real structural glasses: A universal theory.

We present a universal theory that describes the low-temperature properties of real structural glasses. The key ingredient is a mapping of real and possibly complex glasses on Lennard-Jones glasses. A dimensional analysis allows us to find a general explicit expression that relates the tunneling parameters [density of tunneling systems (TS's), coupling constant between TS's and heat bath] to material constants. Experimental evidence is presented, and the relation to recent numerical calculations on the NiP system is discussed.
Physics goals and sensitivity of NOvA

Abstract NOvA is an accelerator neutrino oscillation experiment designed to make precise measurements of the neutrino mixing parameters associated with the atmospheric mass-squared splitting. By studying oscillations along a 810 km baseline, NOvA has the potential to produce measurements that are sensitive θ 13 , δ CP , and the neutrino mass hierarchy. In addition, NOvA can perform precision measurements of the value of θ 23 and the magnitude of Δ m 32 2 .
Dynamics of Buried Polymer -polymer Interfaces in Thin Films

We have performed x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) measurements on a polymer-bilayer system comprised of 100 nm polystyrene film on top of an 80 nm polybromostyrene film, supported on a Si substrate. In order to distinguish the dynamics at the top interface from that at the polymer-polymer interface we have performed the measurement at grazing incidence. In this geometry, a standing wave is set up in the film. We derive a relation for the intensity of the standing wave and the resulting diffuse scattering. This model is compared with the measured diffuse scattering from which we extract a value of 0.7±0.4 dyne/cm for the surface tension between PS and PBrS at 180C. XPCS was then measured in each of two standing wave conditions, first where diffuse scattering only occurs at the polymer-vacuum interface and then where it only occurs at the interior polymer-polymer interface. The measured time correlation functions for each of the two interfaces show clear differences, with the polymer-polymer interface exhibiting much slower dynamics.
Education and Internationally Adopted Children: Working Collaboratively With Schools

Families who adopt internationally often need assistance in determining which factors they need to consider when making educational decisions for their child, and they frequently seek guidance from their physician. Understanding how the education system functions, how it differs from the medical system, and how children who have been adopted internationally can succeed in school is important for health care providers, because this information helps parents in making proactive decisions for their children. Internationally adopted children have the best chance of maximizing their learning potential when medical and educational professionals work together to assist families as they plan for their child's education.
Mixing considerations in the development of a gradient microbore high-performance liquid chromatographic system

Abstract A home-made gradient microbore high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) system was designed using two Varian 8500 stepper motor-driven syringe pumps. The pump delivery of the mobile phase solvents in the 10 μl/min flow-rate range is quite pulsed in nature. Static and dynamic mixing devices were evaluated in terms of their ability to homogenize the slugs of solvent delivered by the pumps. Poor mixing was obtained when a simple tee was used to combine the solvents; this incomplete mixing resulted in increased baseline noise, poorer retention time reproducibility, and a significant decrease in column plate count. The use of static mixing tubes did not yield a completely homogenized mobile phase. A stirred mixing chamber with an internal volume of 80 μl gave the best results, and chromatographic performance was not degraded through use of this mixer. Stirred mixing chambers do distort the linearity of a gradient through exponential dilution; a computer simulation of a stirred mixing chamber was developed in order to study the dependency of exponential dilution effects upon mixing-chamber volume, ramp-rate, and flow-rate. A simple formula was obtained that allows one to use these variables to calculate the extent of gradient distortion. Finally, comparison of gradient microbore and conventional HPLC for polymer fractionations showed that the two methods performed equally well.
The Psittacosaurus biochron, Early Cretaceous of Asia

Abstract Fossils of the primitive ceratopsian dinosaur Psittacosaurus are widely distributed in Asia in Russia (western Siberia), Mongolia, China (Liaoning, Nei Monggol, Gansu, Ningxia, Xinjiang, Shandong, and Hebei provinces), Thailand, and possibly Japan. All Psittacosaurus records are of Early Cretaceous age, and a Psittacosaurus biochron can be recognized equivalent to the Tsagantsabian and Khukhtekian land-vertebrate faunachrons (LVF). The Tsagantsabian LVF is defined as the time interval between the first appearance datum (FAD) of Psittacosaurus , and the FAD of the turtle Peishanemys . The Khukhtekian LVF is the time between the FAD of Peishanemys and the FAD of the ceratopsian dinosaur Microceratops (=beginning of the Baynshirenian LVF). Cross correlation to the standard global chronostratigraphic scale, mostly by radioisotopic dates and palynology, indicates the Tsagantsabian is Barremian-early Aptian, and the Khukhtekian is late Aptian-Albian. The duration of the Psittacosaurus biochron thus is about 20 myr of Barremian-Albian time.
Inhibition of choline acetyltransferase by tertiary alkylaminoethyl esters.

Abstract Several dimethylaminoethyl esters were synthesized in order to develop a compound which would be better able to cross cell membranes and to inhibit choline acetyltransferase (ChAc) within the nerve terminal. A structure-activity relationship study demonstrated three requirements for ChAc inhibition by the alkylaminoethyl esters: (1) a terminal cationic head on the amine end of the molecule, (2) the ability to stabilize a partial negative charge on the acyl end, and (3) a leaving group on the α-carbon on the acyl end. Three tertiary amine esters which fulfilled these requirements were studied: N , N -dimethylaminoethylchloroacetate (Cl-DMA); N , N -dimethylaminoethyl bromoacetate (Br-DMA); a ChAc were 1.29–5.75 × 10 −4 M in both extracted cell-free ChAc system and cellular minced brain ChAc system. These compounds showed reversible inhibition and were uncompetitive in nature with respect to both substrates, choline and acetyl CoA. The interaction of Cl-DMA and acryl-DMA with acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase was also investigated. Cl-DMA and acryl-DMA were 20–150-fold and 3–5-fold les potent, respectively, to inhibit cholinestyerases than to inhibit ChAc, demonstrating fair specificity toward ChAc inhibition, particularly with Cl-DMA. The hydrolysis of the ester linkage in either compound was not affected by these cholinesterases. Both compounds produced blockade of indirectly stimulated nerve-muscle preparations both in vitro and in vivo , and the blockade in the isolated preparation was reversible with washing. Therefore, Cl-DMA, in particular, would be a compound of interest to inhibit ChAc in the whole animal.
Human interruptibility: a relational perspective

Interruption management research has focused on identifying the costs of cognitive and social intrusion, largely without considering either who the interruption is from or what the interruption is about. The framework outlined in this paper addresses this issue, proposing a systematic investigation of how such rich contextual knowledge (who/what) can alter people's decision to be interrupted. The first study on interruption management practices in everyday cell phone use demonstrates that the knowledge of "who" is calling is used in deliberate call handling decisions 77.8% of the time (N=880) and that effective call handling decisions rules cannot be derived solely from an interruptee's local social and cognitive context. Two further studies are outlined that will inform the design of interruption management tools for communication media.
Clinically relevant drug interactions of current antifungal agents

Antifungal agents are often prescribed in critically ill patients who are receiving many other medications. When using systemic antifungals, clinicians may possess susceptibility data and they are typically aware of the potential toxicity of these agents. However, the myriad of potential drugs that antifungal agents can interact with is daunting and can be confusing. This article reviews the pharmacokinetic properties of antifungal agents and their clinically relevant drug interactions. The antifungal agents differ markedly in their pharmacokinetic properties and in how they interact with other medicines. The amphotericin B formulations interact with other medicines primarily by reducing their renal elimination or producing additive toxicities. The azoles interact with other medicines primarily by inhibiting biotransformation or by affecting drug distribution and elimination. The echinocandins have the lowest propensity to interact with other medicines. The clinical relevance of antifungal-drug interactions varies substantially. While certain interactions are benign and result in little or no untoward clinical outcomes, others can produce significant toxicity or compromise efficacy if not properly managed through monitoring and dosage adjustment. However, certain interactions produce significant toxicity or compromise efficacy to such an extent that they cannot be managed and the particular combination of antifungal and interacting medicine should be avoided.
The effects of acceptance versus suppression of emotion on subjective and psychophysiological response to carbon dioxide challenge in patients with panic disorder

The effects of acceptance versus suppression of emotion were examined in 60 patients with panic disorder. Prior to undergoing a 15-minute 5.5% carbon dioxide challenge, participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: a 10-minute audiotape describing 1 of 2 emotion-regulation strategies (acceptance or suppression) or a neutral narrative (control group). The acceptance group was significantly less anxious and less avoidant than the suppression or control groups in terms of subjective anxiety and willingness to participate in a second challenge, but not in terms of self-report panic symptoms or physiological measures. No differences were found between suppression and control groups on any measures. Use of suppression was related to more subjective anxiety during the challenge, and use of acceptance was related to more willingness to participate in a second challenge. The results suggest that acceptance may be a useful intervention for reducing subjective anxiety and avoidance in patients with panic disorder.
Evaluation and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Psychotic Symptoms

In recent years, there have been increasing efforts to develop early detection and prevention strategies for patients at risk of the development of psychotic disorders. These efforts have led to improved recognition and characterization of psychotic symptoms in youth. This review focuses on the evaluation of children and adolescents with psychotic symptoms who are experiencing functional impairment but who do not meet current criteria for schizophrenia. For this article, emphasis is placed on the evaluation of symptoms, differential diagnosis, and consideration of potential interventions.
Origin Scenarios for the Kepler 36 Planetary System

We explore scenarios for the origin of two dierent density planets in the Kepler 36 system in adjacent orbits near the 7:6 mean motion resonance. We nd that ne tuning is required in the stochastic forcing amplitude, the migration rate and planet eccentricities to allow two convergently migrating planets to bypass mean motion resonances such as the 4:3, 5:4 and 6:5, and yet allow capture into the 7:6 resonance. Stochastic forcing can eject the system from resonance causing a collision between the planets, unless the disk causing migration and the stochastic forcing is depleted soon after resonance capture. We explore a scenario with approximately Mars mass embryos originating exterior to the two planets and migrating inwards toward two planets. We nd that gravitational interactions with embryos can nudge the system out of resonances. Numerical integrations with about a half dozen embryos can leave the two planets in the 7:6 resonance, as observed. Collisions between planets and embryos have a wide distribution of impact angles and velocities ranging from accretionary to disruptive. We nd that impacts can occur at suciently high impact angle and velocity that the mantle of a planet could have been stripped, leaving behind a dense core. Some of our integrations show the two planets exchanging locations, allowing the outer planet that had experienced multiple collisions with embryos to become the innermost planet. A scenario involving gravitational interactions and collisions with embryos may account for both the proximity of the Kepler 36 planets and their large density contrast.
Speckle interferometry as a method for detecting nearby extrasolar planets

Abstract The applicability of the technique of speckle interferometry to the problem of detecting faint planetary and stellar objects around nearby stars is considered. Direct resolution could not be expected to reveal planetary objects, although many faint stellar objects should be detectable with a speckle camera of large dynamic range. The most promising possibilities lie with the approximately 100 nearby visual binaries with separations ≲3 arcsec. Continued speckle interferometric observation of these systems could detect perturbations with amplitudes similar to those detectable by an ideal astrometric telescope. A simple scheme for measurement the fringe spacing in the composite spatial frequency power spectrum of the visual binary Eta Orionis indicates that relative separations with accuracies of 0″.002 in each coordinate are attainable. Use as reference stars of faint background stars lying within the isoplanatic patch of a nearby star is also considered.
The Effect of an Alternate Environment as a Collection Medium on the Permeation Characteristics of Solid Organics Through Protective Glove Materials

With a method developed for the determination of permeation characteristics of glove materials by organic solids, a study of the effect of a saline environment on permeation characteristics such as breakthrough and steady state permeation was performed at ambient temperature. The study uses saline as a collection medium and a stainless steel permeation cell designed exclusively for solids. The system allows for materials of five commercially available gloves to be exposed to nine organic solids. Natural rubber latex yielded the shortest and nitrile the longest breakthrough times. Overall, breakthrough times were comparable to a method using a helium collection medium, but in many exposures the saline-based collection medium yielded longer breakthrough times, 2% to 894%. In the testing involving the saline collection medium, results showed that the polarity of the glove material may be a factor that reduces measured permeation rate.
Regional distribution and density of Thy 1.1 in rat brain and its relation to subpopulations of neurons

We have used a radioimmunohistochemical technique employing OX-7, a monoclonal antibody to rat Thy 1.1, to determine the regional distribution and density of Thy 1 in rat brain. Thy 1.1 was found to be unevenly distributed in rat brain with distinct regional differences related to the density of neuronal perikarya. This is consistent with the previously reported findings that Thy 1.1 is found primarily on neurons. However, the relative absence of Thy 1 in some cell body-dense areas of the brain suggests that Thy 1 is expressed differentially on specific subsets of neurons which are abundant and widespread throughout the brain.
Vibrational spectra of 1,4-cyclohexadiene and 1,4-cyclohexadiene-d8☆

The preparation and vibrational spectra of 1,4-cyclohexadiene and 1,4-cyclohexadiene-d8 are described. The molecules are centro-symmetric. The data do not allow clear experimental distinction between C2h and D2h symmetry. A reasonably complete assigmnent is made under the assumption of D2h symmetry.
The five‐factor model and safety in the workplace: Investigating the relationships between personality and accident involvement

Summary Two hundred and two undergraduate participants (134 female, 68 male) completed both the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO‐PI‐R) and self‐report measures of prior workplace accident involvement. Significant inverse relationships were found between the factor of Agreeableness and the total reported number of work‐related accidents and between the factor of Conscientiousness and the total reported number of not‐at‐fault work‐related accidents alone, as well as the total reported number of work‐related accidents. Further, regression analyses indicate that both Agreeableness and Conscientiousness factors may be useful for predicting certain types of workplace accidents. Implications and potential future directions for research are discussed.
Continuation versus discontinuation of lithium in recurrent bipolar illness: a naturalistic study

Objectives: Lithium's efficacy in prophylaxis of mood episodes in bipolar disorder (BD) is well established in the clinical trial setting, but may be less robust in routine clinical practice. We compared illness recurrence in bipolar patients naturalistically continued on or discontinued from lithium after an extended period of clinical stability on lithium monotherapy, and evaluated other potential risk factors for relapse. Methods: We followed 213 patients who were stable for 2 years on lithium monotherapy following resolution of acute symptoms marking their last manic episode. Based upon patient preference and clinical judgment, 159 patients were continued on lithium monotherapy and 54 patients were slowly discontinued. Survival differences between the continued and discontinued groups were assessed using the Kaplan–Meier product limit method, and risk factors for relapse were evaluated in Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: Patients continued on lithium prophylaxis experienced risk of recurrence equivalent to a third of that suffered by discontinued patients during the first year of treatment (0.15 versus 0.45), and significant survival differences persisted throughout follow-up. Median survival time to illness recurrence for patients continued on lithium was 7.33 years [95% confidence interval (CI) 5.67–9.67]; that for patients discontinued from lithium was 1.33 years (95% CI 0.33–2.33). After controlling for all significant covariates, lithium discontinuation was associated with a hazard ratio of 4.85. Inter-episode manic and depressive symptoms conferred increased risk for subsequent recurrence of illness in both groups, while lower lithium levels recorded during the two years of clinical stability preceding study onset were protective. Conclusions: Despite considerable rates of illness recurrence in both groups, those who continued on lithium sustained markedly lower rates of recurrence over a lengthy follow-up period. Lithium discontinuation in BD after successful maintenance monotherapy is not advisable. If discontinuation is considered, lithium levels previously required to maintain clinical stability, and breakthrough or residual mood symptoms experienced during remission, should inform clinical decision making.
An MPEG-7-based metadata generator and its browser

This paper presents a pair of applications based on MPEG-7, which are the description generator and the browser. The description generator is a semi-automatic tool that allows content providers to produce useful descriptions. Consuming these descriptions, the browser allows to search and browse contents with functionalities such as multi-level highlight browse, keyword/color-based content search and so on. Automatic shot segmentation and artificial text region detection tools are integrated into the description generator for an efficient video indexing.
Efficient second harmonic generation of a diode-laser-pumped CW Nd:YAG laser using monolithic MgO:LiNbO/sub 3/ external resonant cavities

56% efficient external-cavity-resonant second-harmonic generation of a diode-laser pumped, CW single-axial-mode Nd:YAG laser is reported. A theory of external doubling with a resonant fundamental is presented and compared to experimental results for three monolithic cavities of nonlinear MgO:LiNbO/sub 3/. The best conversion efficiency was obtained with a 12.5-mm-long monolithic ring cavity doubler, which produced 29.7 mW of CW, single-axial mode 532-nm radiation from an input of 52.5 mW. >
Polarization of the ion atmosphere of a charged cylinder.

Abstract The dipole moment is calculated for an electric-field-induced polarization of a Debye-Huckel ion atmosphere surrounding a charged rod. If L is the length of a thin rod. Q is its linear charge density, Z is charge of the salt ion in solution, and k is the Debye-Huckel shielding parameter, then for K L ≲10, the calculated polarizability is proportional to Z 2 Q 2 L 1.8 / k 1.2 . Comparison with experimental data for DNA shows that the ion atmosphere dipole is of the correct magnitude and is consistent with observed variations with Z , Q , L and k .