cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Standard Setting for Air Pollutants

The US has granted the EPA the authority to set standards for air pollutants in ambient air. The EPA was formed in 1970 and, since that time, has set standards for various environmental agents including air pollution. Up to that time, individual states had various requirements but there was no national effort to impose a single standard for clean air.
Unimodular Conformal and Projective Relativity: An Illustrated Introduction

This is an illustrated presentation of unimodular conformal and projective relativity, a formulation of unimodular relativity in terms of four independent fields with clear physical and geometric interpretations: conformal structure, four-volume element measure field, projective structure, and affine one-form. We present the motivation for the formalism, physical and geometrical interpretations of the independent fields, and briefly comment on its applications and prospects for quantization.
Intelligent plankton image classification with deep learning

Planktons are extremely diverse groups of organisms that exist in large water columns. They are sources of food for fishes and many other marine life animals. The plankton distribution is essential for the survival of many ocean lives and plays a critical role in marine ecosystem. In recent years, intelligent image classification systems were developed to study plankton distribution through classification of the plankton images taken by underwater imaging devices. Due to the significant differences in both shapes and sizes of the plankton population, accurate classification poses a daunting challenge. The mixed quality of the collected images adds more difficulty to the task. In this paper, we present an intelligent machine learning system built on convolutional neural networks (CNN) for plankton image classification. Unlike most of the existing image classification algorithms, CNN based systems do not depend on features engineering and they can be efficiently extended to encompass new classes. The experimental results on SIPPER image datasets show that the proposed system achieves higher accuracy compared with the state-of-the-art approaches. The new system is also capable of learning a much larger number of plankton classes.
Ustekinumab related CIDP in a patient with psoriatic arthritis (P2.451)

Objective: To describe a case of ustekinumab related CIDP. Background: Ustekinumab is an IL-12/23 monoclonal antibody recently approved for psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis and Crohn’s disease. There are several reports of association between anti-TNF-alpha antagonists and a variety of cases of PNS demyelination. However, none have been yet documented with ustekinumab. Design/Methods: Case report. Results: A 52 year-old man with history of psoriatic arthritis presented with subacute onset of ascending quadriparesis and paresthesias of the arms and legs two weeks after starting ustekinumab, rendering him non-ambulatory without assistance. Examination showed moderate quadriparesis, diffuse areflexia, and decreased pinprick in the arms and legs. CSF showed albuminocytologic dissociation and was otherwise unremarkable. EMG showed evidence for non-length dependent diffuse demyelinating sensorimotor neuropathy of the arms and legs. Workup including ANA, RF, cryoglobulin, DNA, SSA, SSB, cANCA, pANCA, Scl-70, HIV, GM1 Ab, thiamine, B6, vitamin B12, hepatitis B/C, TSH, complement, C. jejuni, porphyrin, Lyme Ab, vitamin E, and copper was negative or normal. Patient received 5 PLEX sessions with dramatic improvement in strength with residual numbness of lower extremities. Nine days later he had recurrence of ascending weakness with numbness to the point that he could not ambulate without a walker. Repeat EMG was consistent with diagnosis of CIDP. He received 5 additional PLEX sessions with improvement of his symptoms except for residual numbness of his hands and legs. He continued outpatient PLEX weekly then every 2 weeks after which he had another relapse with similar presentation of marked weakness. He remained PLEX dependent for 6 months after onset of symptoms and was gradually weaned off. He has remained minimally symptomatic with normal strength, mild recrudescence of reflexes and stable residual numbness on mycophenolate monotherapy. Conclusions: This is the first known case report of ustekinumab related CIDP. More research is needed to establish a causal relationship. Disclosure: Dr. Osman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shah has nothing to disclose. Dr. Salim Khan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Steijlen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sripathi has nothing to disclose.
Rapid decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate is common in adults with sickle cell disease and associated with increased mortality

We evaluated the prevalence of rapid decline in kidney function, its potential risk factors and influence upon mortality in sickle cell disease (SCD) in a retrospective single-center study. Rapid decline of kidney function was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) loss of >3·0 ml/min/1·73 m2 per year. A multivariable logistic regression model for rapid eGFR decline was constructed after evaluating individual covariates. We constructed multivariate Cox-regression models for rapid eGFR decline and mortality. Among 331 SCD patients (median age 29 years [interquartile range, IQR: 20, 41]; 187 [56·5%] female) followed for median 4·01 years (IQR: 1·66, 7·19), rapid eGFR decline was noted in 103 (31·1%). History of stroke (odds ratio [OR]: 2·91, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1·25-6·77) and use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (OR: 3·17, 95% CI: 1·28-7·84) were associated with rapid eGFR decline. The rate of eGFR change over time was associated with mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 0·99, 95% CI: 0·984-0·995, P = 0·0002). In Cox-regression, rapid eGFR decline associated with mortality (HR: 2·07, 95% CI: 1·039-4·138, P = 0·04) adjusting for age, sex and history of stroke. Rapid eGFR decline is common in SCD and associated with increased mortality. Long-term studies are needed to determine whether attenuating loss of kidney function may decrease mortality in SCD.
Bioinformatics Analysis for Circulating Cell-Free DNA in Cancer.

Molecular analysis of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) that circulates in plasma and other body fluids represents a “liquid biopsy” approach for non-invasive cancer screening or monitoring. The rapid development of sequencing technologies has made cfDNA a promising source to study cancer development and progression. Specific genetic and epigenetic alterations have been found in plasma, serum, and urine cfDNA and could potentially be used as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers in various cancer types. In this review, we will discuss the molecular characteristics of cancer cfDNA and major bioinformatics approaches involved in the analysis of cfDNA sequencing data for detecting genetic mutation, copy number alteration, methylation change, and nucleosome positioning variation. We highlight specific challenges in sensitivity to detect genetic aberrations and robustness of statistical analysis. Finally, we provide perspectives regarding the standard and continuing development of bioinformatics analysis to move this promising screening tool into clinical practice.
How intensely nondaily smokers smoke in laboratory topography sessions correlates with cigarette smoking intensity in the field.

This study examines how well exposure in topography sessions correlates with exposure when smoking ad libitum in the field, by measuring material deposited on the filters of cigarettes smoked in the lab and in the field. The data were collected in a study of the effect of very low-nicotine-content versus normal-nicotine-content cigarettes in nondaily smokers. A total of 4,771 cigarette filters (323 from laboratory topography sessions, 4,448 from the field) from 123 nondaily smokers were analyzed. Optical scanning assessed density of deposits on cigarette filters, an indicator of smoke drawn through the cigarette and thus of exposure. Both during baseline, when participants smoked their own cigarettes, and during treatment, when smoking experimental cigarettes, lab and field exposure were well correlated (both rs = .62, p < .0001; r = .69, p < .0001, when analyzing all available data). Total puff volume also correlated with field exposure (p < .0001). In all analyses, exposure was slightly lower in the lab than in the field (p < .001). Exposure in laboratory topography sessions is a good indicator of exposure during ad libitum smoking in the field, both when smokers are smoking their own, varied, brands of cigarettes and when they are smoking uniform research cigarettes with very low or normal nicotine content. At least among nondaily smokers, topography measures of smokers' exposure are generalizable. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Visual Servoing with Feed-Forward for Precision Shipboard Landing of an Autonomous Multirotor

In this paper the problem of performing a precision landing of an autonomous multirotor on a small barge at sea is studied. An image-based visual servoing approach, which was initially developed for landing on stationary targets, is extended to suit the shipboard landing case. The approach includes visual servoing for aligning the multirotor with a target on the vessel, and a velocity feed-forward term which is estimated online by fusing vision and GPS velocity measurements. Special considerations are made to account for the presence of wind, and the approach is validated through full-scale outdoor hardware flight tests. The hardware system is composed entirely from off-the-shelf components that are commonly used in industry.
Clinical Experience With Venetoclax Combined With Chemotherapy for Relapsed or Refractory T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Background Patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-ALL) have dismal outcomes. Preclinical studies have suggested that T-ALL cells are sensitive to BCL2 inhibition. The clinical activity of venetoclax, a selective BCL2 inhibitor, in T-ALL is unknown. Patient and methods We retrospectively reviewed the efficacy and safety of venetoclax combined with chemotherapy for patients with R/R T-ALL treated at our institution. Results Thirteen patients with R/R T-ALL with a median age of 46 years (range, 20-75 years) were treated with venetoclax plus chemotherapy. Five patients (38%) had early T-cell precursor ALL. The patients had received a median of 2 previous lines of therapy (range, 1-11). Venetoclax at a median dose of 200 mg/d for 21 days, generally with a concomitant azole antifungal, was combined with various agents, including hyper-CVAD (hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone), asparaginase, nelarabine, decitabine, or other intensive chemotherapy. Of the 10 patients evaluable for bone marrow response, 6 (60%) achieved a remission with bone marrow blasts 14 days per cycle. Conclusion Combination therapy with venetoclax showed promising clinical efficacy in R/R T-ALL. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the clinical benefit of BCL2 inhibitors in T-ALL.
The Baxstrom affair and psychiatry.

Innumerable articles cite the Baxstrom case and the subsequent release or transfer of certain groups of patients as proof that psychiatrists predict dangerousness and do so without validity. The work of Dr. Steadman and Dr. Cocozza is the most frequent reference cited.
Unfolding the diagnosis of subspectacular fluid opacity in a corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus).

Objective To present the results of clinical, surgical, and histopathologic procedures and how these were compared with the initial presumptive clinical diagnosis in a corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) presenting with subspectacular fluid opacity; and to improve upon currently established surgical enucleation techniques in the snake. Animal studied An 8-month-old corn snake was presented for enlarged globe OD. Procedures The following diagnostics were performed: systemic and ophthalmic examinations, complete blood count, cytology and culture of subspectacular fluid, and histopathology of enucleated globe and spectacle. Enucleation was performed in a routine fashion with the addition of a porcine small intestinal submucosa bioscaffold graft (SISplus™; Avalon Medical, Stillwater, MN), sutured over the orbit. Results Systemic examination revealed signs of maxillary stomatitis. Ophthalmic examination revealed semitransparent fluid in the subspectacular space. Complete blood count was unremarkable. Cytology of fluid obtained via subspectacular centesis was acellular, and culture grew Clostridium perfringens, which was consistent with the clinical suspicion of right maxillary stomatitis. Histopathology of the enucleated globe revealed spectaculitis, characterized by regional heterophilic inflammation, and no evidence of lymph dissection in the (peri)ocular tissues. The final diagnosis was a subspectacular abscess. Follow-up revealed that the SIS graft provided excellent healing and cosmesis of the surgical site. Conclusions While there are reports of lymphatic fluid dissection between skin layers during ecdysis, which can result in an opaque spectacle, the fluid opacity in this case was attributed to a subspectacular abscess secondary to an ascending oral infection. Addition of biological wound dressing may contribute to positive post-enucleation outcome in the snake.
Interrogating Host Antiviral Environments Driven by Nuclear DNA Sensing: A Multiomic Perspective.

Nuclear DNA sensors are critical components of the mammalian innate immune system, recognizing the presence of pathogens and initiating immune signaling. These proteins act in the nuclei of infected cells by binding to foreign DNA, such as the viral genomes of nuclear-replicating DNA viruses herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). Upon binding to pathogenic DNA, the nuclear DNA sensors were shown to initiate antiviral cytokines, as well as to suppress viral gene expression. These host defense responses involve complex signaling processes that, through protein–protein interactions (PPIs) and post-translational modifications (PTMs), drive extensive remodeling of the cellular transcriptome, proteome, and secretome to generate an antiviral environment. As such, a holistic understanding of these changes is required to understand the mechanisms through which nuclear DNA sensors act. The advent of omics techniques has revolutionized the speed and scale at which biological research is conducted and has been used to make great strides in uncovering the molecular underpinnings of DNA sensing. Here, we review the contribution of proteomics approaches to characterizing nuclear DNA sensors via the discovery of functional PPIs and PTMs, as well as proteome and secretome changes that define a host antiviral environment. We also highlight the value of and future need for integrative multiomic efforts to gain a systems-level understanding of DNA sensors and their influence on epigenetic and transcriptomic alterations during infection.
Liposomal bupivacaine infiltration in the surgical site for analgesia after rotator cuff repair: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

Introduction Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is among the most painful of orthopedic surgeries. Liposomal bupivacaine is Food and Drug Administration approved for administration into surgical sites to provide postsurgical analgesia and has been used to address postoperative pain after many types of surgery, including total shoulder arthroplasty. However, its efficacy for pain control after rotator cuff repair is unclear. Methods In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we compared liposomal bupivacaine with an equivalent volume of saline injected into the subacromial space and arthroscopy portal sites in patients undergoing rotator cuff repair under the interscalene block with sedation. The primary outcome measure was numeric rating pain score at the time of block resolution, as reported during the follow-up phone call on postoperative day 1. Secondary outcomes included mean pain scores at rest as well as oral morphine equivalent requirements on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3. This study provides Level 1 evidence. Results There were no statistically significant differences in the primary outcome of numeric rating pain scores on resolution of the interscalene nerve block, nor in those reported on postoperative day 1 or 2. There was a minor but statistically significant difference in mean resting pain scores on day 3, though opioid consumption and patient satisfaction score did not differ between groups. In those instructed to perform passive range-of-motion exercises, there was no difference in reported mean pain scores among the groups. Discussion In this study of patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, we found no statistically significant difference in mean pain scores on interscalene block resolution, a result consistent with a number of studies investigating liposomal bupivacaine for total shoulder arthroplasty. A modest reduction in pain was evident only on day 3, and there was no impact on perioperative opioid requirements, opioid-related side effects, or pain with motion. Liposomal bupivacaine, when injected into the subacromial space and the tissues around the arthroscopy port sites, provided minimal improvement in pain control in this patient population.
Examining a Decade of Research in Online Teacher Professional Development

This systematic review documents the progress of research in the area of online teacher professional development (oTPD) and seeks to inform developers and facilitators on the complex and unique empirical indicators that are important in designing, developing, implementing, evaluating, and researching oTPD. The 73 studies analyzed in this review suggest that the research in oTPD is progressing toward more rigorous empirical methods and theoretically-grounded design, implementation, and evaluation. Research in oTPD is moving forward in more sophisticated ways and adding to our understanding of high-quality practices that engage teachers in meaningful teacher professional learning in online contexts.
Advertising in Response to Entry: An Empirical Analysis of the Prescription Drug Market

Rationale: Because pharmaceutical firms often engage in non-price competition, understanding the strategic role of advertising in market competition is important not only to marketing managers when formulating marketing strategy but also to policymakers when setting pharmaceutical advertising regulations. Objective: This analysis examines how pharmaceutical firms advertise when faced with a competing new entrant. Methods: Quarterly advertising and sales data from leaders of eight therapeutic markets (asthma, depression, gastric/duodenal ulcer, dyslipidemia, migraine, obesity, seizure disorder, Parkinson's disease) from Jan 1995 to Dec 2001 were obtained from Scott-Levin Market Research and Sales Performance Audits. New products were classified across two dimensions: 1) whether the product is a new chemical entity; and 2) whether the new product had priority status for FDA review (an indication of significant therapeutic advance). Random effects generalized least squares regression was used to estimate the effect of new product novelty on incumbent firms' advertising expenditures while controlling for prior advertising expenditures, market characteristics and incumbent market position. An alpha level of 0.05 was used. Results: The number of product entries and the presence of a new chemical entity entrant had no significant effect on advertising expenditures, but incumbent firms significantly decreased their advertising expenditures after the entry of FDA priority review products. Incumbents with larger market shares, in less concentrated or growing markets had significantly lower advertising expenditures. Advertising expenditures significantly decreased with time on market. On average, market leaders had significantly higher advertising expenditures compared to non-leaders. Conclusion: Incumbent firms' advertising activities are mostly determined by market characteristics and market position. In response to new products with significant therapeutic advance, incumbents may decrease their advertising activities to minimize spillover effects.
Global Warming Potential Is Not an Ecosystem Property

Greenhouse gas metrics and ecosystem greenhouse gas fluxes should not be confounded with each other, either conceptually or in the language that we use to describe them. The global warming potential (GWP) and sustained-flux global warming potential (SGWP) are metrics that describe the relative radiative impact of different greenhouse gases and have been widely used to normalize greenhouse gas fluxes as CO2 equivalents to facilitate comparisons. A clear application of definitions, the pursuit of scientific clarity, and the ability of language to influence our thinking collectively indicate that GWP and SGWP should not be used as synonyms for greenhouse gas fluxes. I examined journal articles that mentioned either of these metrics and were published in Ecosystems, Global Change Biology, or the wetland literature. A substantial fraction of these articles used GWP and/or SGWP in ways that were inconsistent with the original definitions of these terms as greenhouse gas metrics. Often, multiple meanings were used within the same article. Further, many articles used the names of the greenhouse gas metrics as synonyms for CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas fluxes. I recommend that (1) GWP and SGWP should only be used following their original definitions as greenhouse gas metrics; (2) CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas flux should be used as an accurate and descriptive framework for describing metric-weighted greenhouse gas exchanges; and (3) radiative balance is an appropriate alternate name for CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas fluxes, but radiative forcing should only be used to describe changes in the radiative balance. There is a robust research community studying the role of terrestrial, wetland, and aquatic ecosystems as regulators of global climate. The use of clear, consistent, and unambiguous terminology will help us effectively communicate our findings to other scientists, ecosystem managers, and policy makers.
Modeling tree canopy height using machine learning over mixed vegetation landscapes

Abstract Although the random forest algorithm has been widely applied to remotely sensed data to predict characteristics of forests, such as tree canopy height, the effect of spatial non-stationarity in the modeling process is oftentimes neglected. Previous studies have proposed methods to address the spatial variance at local scales, but few have explored the spatial autocorrelation pattern of residuals in modeling tree canopy height or investigated the relationship between canopy height and model performance. By combining Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and Landsat datasets, we used spatially-weighted geographical random forest (GRF) and traditional random forest (TRF) methods to predict tree canopy height in a mixed dry forest woodland in complex mountainous terrain. Comparisons between TRF and GRF models show that the latter can lower predefined extreme residuals, and thus make the model performance relatively stronger. Moreover, the relationship between model performance and degree of variation of true canopy height can vary considerably within different height quantiles. Both models are likely to present underestimates and overestimates when the corresponding tree canopy heights are high (>95% quantile) and low (
Practicing Public Diplomacy by Doing Good: Examining the Effects of Corporate Social Responsibility on Country Reputation

This investigation examines whether and how multinational corporations’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities fulfill the function of public diplomacy by boosting home country reputation...
Hybrid Adaptive Robust Optimization Models

This chapter provides a detailed description of Adaptive Robust Optimization (ARO) models that involve uncertainties of different nature, specifically, long-term uncertainty, such as that pertaining to electricity demand growth from year to year, and short-term uncertainty, such as that pertaining to weather-dependent renewable production throughout the hours of a day. Short- and long-term uncertainty are described first. The Adaptive Robust Optimization Stochastic Optimization (ARSO) model introduced in Chap. 1 is then expanded and further analyzed. Next, solution techniques for such model are described. Finally, a realistic ARSO model for the expansion of the transmission network of an electric energy system is described and discussed.
Evaluation of timed barium esophagram after per-oral endoscopic myotomy to predict clinical response.

Background and study aims The aim of this study was to evaluate whether timed barium esophagram within 24 hours post-per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) (TBE-PP) could predict clinical outcomes. Patients and methods This was a single-center retrospective study of prospectively collected data on consecutive patients with ≥ 6-month follow-up who underwent POEM followed by TBE-PP. Esophageal contrast retention 2 minutes after TBE-PP was assessed as Grade 1 ( 90 %). Eckardt score, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), high-resolution manometry (HRM) and function lumen imaging probe (FLIP) of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) were obtained at baseline. These tests along with pH testing of antisecretory therapy were repeated 6 and 24 months after POEM. Clinical response by Eckardt score ≤ 3, EGJ-distensibility index (EGJ-DI) > 2.8 mm2/mm Hg, and integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) Results Of 181 patients (58 % male, mean 53 ± 17 yr), TBE-PP was classified as Grade 1 in 122 (67.4 %), Grade 2 in 41 (22.7 %), Grade 3 in 14 (7.7 %) and Grade 4 in 4 (2.2 %). At 6 months, overall clinical response by ES (91.7 %), IRP (86.6 %), EGJ-DI (95.7 %) and the diagnosis of GERD (68.6 %) was similar between Grade 1 and Grade 2–4 TBE-PP. At 24 months, Grade 1 had a higher frequency of a normal IRP compared to Grades 2–4 (95.7 % vs. 60 %, P = 0.021) but overall response by ES (91.2 %), EGJ-DI (92.3 %) and the diagnosis of GERD (74.3 %) were similar. Conclusions Contrast emptying rate by esophagram after POEM has limited utility to predict clinical response or risk of post-procedure GERD.
pH-dependent Stability and Membrane Interaction of the Pore-forming Domain of Colicin A*

Thermal stability of the pore-forming domain of colicin A was studied by high sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry and circular dichroism spectroscopy. In the pH range between 8 and 5, the thermal denaturation of the protein in solution occurs at 66-69 degrees C and is characterized by the calorimetric enthalpy of approximately 90 kcal/M. At pH below 5, there is a rapid pH-dependent destabilization of the pore-forming domain resulting in the lowering of the midpoint denaturation temperature and a decrease in the calorimetric enthalpy of denaturation. Circular dichroism spectra in the near and far ultraviolet show that the thermotropic transition is associated with collapse of the native tertiary structure of the pore-forming domain, although a large proportion of the helical secondary structure remains preserved. The present data indicate some similarity also between acid-induced and temperature-induced denaturation of the pore-forming domain of colicin A. Association of the pore-forming domain with phospholipid vesicles of dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol results in total disappearance of the calorimetric transition, even at pH values as high as 7. Since lipid binding also induces collapse of the near ultraviolet circular dichroism spectrum, these data indicate that interaction with the membrane facilitates a conformational change within the pore-forming domain to a looser (denaturated-like) state. These findings are discussed in relation to the recent model (van der Goot, F. G., Gonzalez-Manas, J. M., Lakey, J. H., Pattus, F. (1991) Nature 354, 408-410) which postulates that a flexible "molten globule" state is an intermediate on the pathway to membrane insertion of colicin A.
Risk Averse Models

This article deals with risk averse stochastic optimization. Various approaches to controlling the risk are discussed in the framework of the portfolio selection problem. An axiomatic approach to constructing coherent risk measures is outlined and it is shown how it can be applied to two-stage stochastic programming problems. Finally, possible extensions to risk averse multistage stochastic programming are mentioned. Keywords: stochastic programming; portfolio selection; risk averse optimization; chance constraints; coherent risk measures; dynamic programming equations
Economic Distance and Cross-Country Spillovers

Rates of long-run economic growth are not independent across countries. To account for this dependence we decompose the spatial covariance function of growth rates into a function of each country's own observable characteristics, its unobservable characteristics, and cross-country spillovers. We use original data on economic distance to structure observed variation in countries' long term growth rates. We use this structure to estimate the magnitude of economic interdependence among nations, and to give a nonparametric characterization of the relationship between economic distance and the magnitude of cross-country spillovers. These spillovers turn out to be quite important, accounting for more of the spatial covariance in growth rates than unobservable variables, and by some measures rivaling the importance of the country's own observable characteristics.
Strength of the geomagnetic field in the Cretaceous Normal Superchron: New data from submarine basaltic glass of the Troodos Ophiolite

[1] We present here new paleointensity data from 39 sampling sites collected from the quenched margins of pillow lavas and dikes exposed within the Troodos Ophiolite ( similar to 92 Ma), formed during the Cretaceous Normal Superchron (CNS), a period of approximately 40 million years when the geomagnetic field reversed extremely infrequently if at all. Monte Carlo simulations suggest that a minimum of 25 estimates are necessary for a reasonably robust estimate for the average field strength. Our data suggest a dipole strength equivalent to the present field or nearly twice the post-CNS average. The mean and standard deviation of the dipole moment (81 +/- 43 ZAm(2); Z = 10(21)) from the 57 data points compiled here agree remarkably well with those predicted from the long paleointensity record derived from DSDP Site 522. The new data set for the CNS suggests a picture of a strong and stable field during the period of time when it stopped reversing. Moreover, the similarity of the CNS data with the present geomagnetic field suggests that it is presently in a state of unusual polarity stability.
Site specific rates of mitochondrial genomes and the phylogeny of eutheria

Traditionally, most studies employing data from whole mitochondrial genomes to diagnose relationships among the major lineages of mammals have attempted to exclude regions that potentially complicate phylogenetic analysis. Components generally excluded are 3rd codon positions of protein-encoding genes, the control region, rRNAs, tRNAs, and the ND6 gene (encoded on the opposite strand). We present an approach that includes all the data, with the exception of the control region. This approach is based on a site-specific rate model that accommodates excessive homoplasy and that utilizes secondary structure as a reference for proper alignment of rRNAs and tRNAs. Mitochondrial genomic data for 78 eutherian mammals, 8 metatherians, and 3 monotremes were analyzed with a Bayesian analysis and our site specific rate model. The resultant phylogeny revealed strong support for most nodes and was highly congruent with more recent phylogenies based on nuclear DNA sequences. In addition, many of the conflicting relationships observed by earlier mitochondrial-based analyses were resolved without need for the exclusion of large subsets of the data. Rather than exclusion of data to minimize presumed noise associated with non-protein encoding genes in the mitochondrial genome, our results indicate that selection of an appropriate model that accommodates rate heterogeneity across data partitions and proper treatment of RNA genes can result in a mitochondrial genome-based phylogeny of eutherian mammals that is reasonably congruent with recent phylogenies derived from nuclear genes.
A new approach to the prevention and treatment of delirium in elderly patients in the intensive care unit

The pronounced prevalence of delirium in geriatric patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and its increased morbidity and mortality is a well-established phenomenon. The purpose of this review is to explore the potential use of dexmedetomidine in preventing or managing ICU delirium in older patients. Articles used were identified and selected through multiple search engines, including Google Scholar, PubMed, and MEDLINE. Keywords such as dexmedetomidine, delirium, geriatric, ICU delirium, delirium in elderly, and palliative were used to obtain the specific articles used for this paper and restricted to articles published in 1990 or later. Articles specifically looking at the use of dexmedetomidine as compared to a study drug and its potential for use in ICU patients, as opposed to overall reviews of dexmedetomidine, were compared. When compared to benzodiazepines for the prevention or treatment of ICU delirium in the elderly, dexmedetomidine was associated with a reduction in delirium, as well as decreased morbidity and mortality. Dexmedetomidine has also been shown to be effective in limiting risk factors associated with ICU delirium such as length and depth of sedation. As opposed to benzodiazepines or opiates, dexmedetomidine provides effective analgesia, sympatholysis, and anxiolysis without causing respiratory depression and allows a patient to more effectively interact with practitioners. The review of these nine articles indicates that these favorable attributes and overall decreased duration and incidence of delirium make dexmedetomidine a viable option in preventing or reducing ICU delirium in high-risk geriatric patients and as a palliative adjunct to help control symptoms and stressors.
A quantitative analysis of the behavior maintained by delayed reinforcers.

Random-interval reinforcement was arranged for a sequence of pigeon first-key pecks followed by second-key pecks. First-key pecks, separated from reinforcers by delays that included number of second-key pecks and time, decreased in rate as delays increased. Delay functions, or gradients, were obtained in one experiment with reinforced sequences consisting of M first-key pecks followed by N second-key pecks (M + N = 16), in a second where required first-key pecks were held constant (M = 8), and in a third where minimum delay between most recent first-key pecks and reinforcers varied. In each, gradients were equally well fitted by exponential, hyperbolic and logarithmic functions. Performances were insensitive to reinforcer duration and functions were consistent across varied random-interval values. In one more experiment, time and number delays were independently varied using differential reinforcement of rate of second-key pecks. Delay gradients depended primarily on time rather than on number of second-key pecks. Thus, reinforcers have effects based on earlier responses, not just the ones that produced them, with the contribution of each response weighted by the time separating it from the reinforcer rather than by intervening behavior. Situations where unwanted responses (e.g., errors) often precede reinforced corrects can maintain them unless designed to avoid such effects of delay.
Nicotine patches in Japan

Sir—The smoking rate among Japanese men is the highest in more-developed countries. Almost 2 years have passed since nicotine patches came on the market in May, 1999, as prescription medicines. Nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT), such as nicotine gum, patches, inhalers, and nasal sprays, is the only pharmacotherapy currently shown to be effective as an aid to smoking cessation. After the Japanese market was opened, Novartis Pharma KK, the only pharmaceutical company selling nicotine patches in Japan, reported that in fiscal 1999 the company gained ¥1 billion from sales of patches. In fiscal 2000, the patch sales were 1·5 times higher than the previous year. Thus, the use of nicotine patches has prevailed rapidly in Japan even though the patches are not covered by health insurance. This rise may indicate that the needs of smokers for nicotine replacement therapy have increased, that more smokers are learning about and using the patches, or both. The Ministry of Health and Welfare for the first time recognised antismoking measures as an important public health theme in Healthy Japan 21, Japan’s national plan for health established in 2000. This recognition is despite the plan’s concrete goal—reduction of the smoking rate to half the current level by the year 2010—being rejected during the final review of the original Healthy Japan 21 proposal. Each prefecture and municipality has started to implement the goals of Healthy Japan 21 at the local level, which has created a good opportunity to establish more effective local strategies than have existed before. At last, population-based tobacco control has begun in Japan. However, Novartis also reported that only 14% of physicians who prescribe nicotine patches provide smokingcessation counselling to patients. This neglect might be caused by time constraints, a perceived lack of skills for physicians to be effective in this role, frustration because of low success rates, or misconceptions that smoking cessation is not an important professional responsibility. In the case of Japan, we must also take into account an important factor—the high smoking rate among physicians. The Japan Medical Association surveyed 4500 physicians randomly selected from its 15 000 members. 3771 physicians responded. 27% male physicians and 7% female physicians smoked. Only 44% of male physicians and 47% of female physicians agreed that physicians should not smoke. We suggest that it is time for healthcare professionals to recognise and change their own attitudes about smoking and tobacco control in Japan. It goes without saying that populationbased strategies as well as individualbased strategies are indispensable to promote a permanent reduction in smoking and tobacco-related disease. Health-care professionals are the closest providers of tobacco control for most people in Japan. These professionals should realise that they now play a more important part than ever before in controlling tobacco within their own communities. Kimiko Ueda
Nifedipine pharmacokinetics are influenced by CYP3A5 genotype when used as a preterm labor tocolytic.

Objective To characterize the pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics of nifedipine in pregnancy. Study Design Pregnant women receiving oral nifedipine underwent steady-state pharmacokinetic testing over one dosing interval. DNA was obtained and genotyped for cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A5 and CYP3A4*1B. Nifedipine and oxidized nifedipine concentrations were measured in plasma, and pharmacokinetic parameters were compared between those women who expressed a CYP3A5*1 allele and those who expressed only variant CYP3A5 alleles (*3,*6, or *7). Results Fourteen women had complete data to analyze. Four women (29%) expressed variant CYP3A5; three of these women were also CYP3A4*1B allele carriers. The mean half-life of nifedipine was 1.68 ± 1.56 hours. The area under the curve from 0 to 6 hours for the women receiving nifedipine every 6 hours was 207 ± 138 µg·h /L. Oral clearance was different between high expressers and low expressers (232.0 ± 37.8 µg/mL versus 85.6 ± 45.0 µg/mL, respectively; p = 0.007). Conclusion CYP3A5 genotype influences the oral clearance of nifedipine in pregnant women.
Polychlorinated diphenyl ethers—A review

Polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDEs) have been identified as by‐products formed in the synthesis of chlorinated phenols. Analytical surveys have shown that PCDE residues are present in sediments, fish, wildlife, and human tissues. The uptake and persistence of PCDEs in laboratory animals resembled that observed for the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), however, in metabolic studies, ortho hydroxylation of the PCDEs was the dominant oxidative pathway. Studies indicate that PCDE congeners elicit a broad spectrum of toxic and biochemical responses in laboratory animals including the induction of several cytochrome P‐450‐dependent monooxygenase enzyme activities. In contrast with the coplanar PCBs which are significantly more toxic than their monoortho coplanar analogs, the coplanar PCDE congeners and their monoorthochloro‐substituted analogs were equipotent. These data suggest that the PCDEs may contribute significantly to the toxicity of halogenated aromatics associated with chlorinated phenol‐derived co...
Dipeptides as inhibitors of the gelation of sickle hemoglobin.

To examine in detail a class of peptides that inhibit the polymerization of deoxyhemoglobin S, we assayed the L-amino acids and 22 dipeptides for their effect on deoxyhemoglobin S solubility. Of the amino acids, the aromatics (phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan) significantly increased deoxyhemoglobin S solubility, as did high concentration of arginine. Combinations of the hydrophobic (specifically the aromatic) amino acids with a hydrophilic amino acid, such as arginine or lysine, resulted in dipeptides which were much more soluble than the hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid alone, and also inhibited polymerization. Furthermore, samples of deoxyhemoglobin S at 26 to 27 g/dl containing some of these dipeptides such as Arg-Trp, Arg-Phe, and Lys-Trp in excess of 50 to 100 mM did not polymerize, indicating a 1.4- to 1.6-fold increase in deoxyhemoglobin S solubility. The enhancement of polymerization, i.e., decrease in deoxyhemoglobin S solubility, observed by the addition of aspartic acid, glycine, or lysine was observed or was reduced in the dipeptides containing these hydrophilic amino acids combined with hydrophobic amino acids (valine, leucine, isoleucine, or the aromatic amino acids). The effects of these dipeptides on deoxyhemoglobin S solubility were mostly linear with concentration. However, the changes in deoxyhemoglobin S solubility by addition of a dipeptide was not simply the sum of the effects observed with the individual amino acids as exemplified by the differential effect of reversing the dipeptide sequence (e.g., Arg-Phe and Phe-Arg, or Arg-Tyr and Tyr-Arg). These data provide further evidence as to the stereospecific nature of this class of noncovalent inhibitors of deoxyhemoglobin S polymerization.
Dienst: an architecture for distributed document libraries

As one of the five universities participating in the ARPA-sponsored Computer Science Technical Report project, we at Cornell have developed a digital library architecture called Dienst. Dienst is a protocol and implementation that provides Internet access to a distributed, decentralized multi-format document collection. The collection is managed by a set of interoperating Dienst servers distributed over the Internet. These servers provide three digital library services: repositories of multi-format documents; indexes into the document collection and search engines for these indexes; and user interfaces for browsing, searching, and accessing the collection.
Safe management of actinides in the nuclear fuel cycle: Role of mineralogy

Abstract During the past 60 years, more than 1800 metric tonnes of Pu, and substantial quantities of the “minor” actinides, such as Np, Am and Cm, have been generated in nuclear reactors. Some of these transuranium elements can be a source of energy in fission reactions (e.g., 239 Pu), a source of fissile material for nuclear weapons (e.g., 239 Pu and 237 Np), and of environmental concern because of their long-half lives and radiotoxicity (e.g., 239 Pu and 237 Np). There are two basic strategies for the disposition of these heavy elements: (1) to “burn” or transmute the actinides using nuclear reactors or accelerators; (2) to “sequester” the actinides in chemically durable, radiation-resistant materials that are suitable for geologic disposal. There has been substantial interest in the use of actinide-bearing minerals, especially isometric pyrochlore, A 2 B 2 O 7 (A = rare earths; B = Ti, Zr, Sn, Hf), for the immobilization of actinides, particularly plutonium, both as inert matrix fuels and nuclear waste forms. Systematic studies of rare-earth pyrochlores have led to the discovery that certain compositions (B = Zr, Hf) are stable to very high doses of alpha-decay event damage. Recent developments in our understanding of the properties of heavy element solids have opened up new possibilities for the design of advanced nuclear fuels and waste forms.
Stimulus Probability, Surprise, and Reaction Time

This paper is concerned with the relationship between human reaction time for individual stimuli and their surprise values. A new measure of surprise is introduced that incorporates the probability of an individual stimulus occurring as well as the probabilities of the remaining potential stimuli. Experimental data are used to test the proposition that the reaction time for a stimulus is an increasing function of the surprise value of that stimulus. This proposition does indeed appear to be acceptable.
Establishment and decay of orientation-contingent aftereffects of color*

We have used a null method to measure the orientation-contingent aftereffects of color first described by McCollough. After alternately inspecting, for example, a green horizontal line grating and a magenta vertical line grating, the Os report that in achromatic test gratings the horizontal lines appear pinkish and the vertical lines appear greenish. We have used a special color-mixing projector to add variable amounts of green and magenta light to the test gratings until they appear matched and nearly achromatic. The colorimetric purity needed to achieve this null setting is a quantitative measure of the strength of the colored aftereffect. Following inspections of the colored patterns ranging from 15 sec to 150 min, six Os showed aftereffects lasting from a few minutes to 7 or more days. The indices of colorimetric purity increase with inspection time and decline with time after inspection. The decay function is not quite linear either on semilog or on log-log coordinates. The rate of decay is mainly dependent on the magnitude of the effect built up during inspection. We conclude that the buildup and decay of these aftereffects show some of the time characteristics usually associated with central adaptability rather than sensory adaptation.
Parameter Optimization of Molecular Models: Application to Surface Kinetics

A multistep methodology is explored for the optimization of the parameters of molecular models. This methodology is based on response surface methods and circumvents the practically impossible rigorous parameter fitting of computationally intensive molecular models. The approach is demonstrated for the parameters of the catalytic oxidation reaction of CO on platinum modeled by kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. After implementation of an initial reaction mechanism, sensitivity analysis is carried out to determine the key (active) reaction parameters for selected experimental points. Next, solution mapping is used to parametrize the model responses as low-degree polynomials of the active parameters. Finally, optimization of the active parameters is performed using simulated annealing. The optimized parameters are contrasted to those of a continuum-type mean-field model. The effect of surface diffusion in determining intrinsic kinetic parameters is also addressed, and the possibility of bridging the pressure ...