cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DNS Noise: Measuring the Pervasiveness of Disposable Domains in Modern DNS Traffic

In this paper, we present an analysis of a new class of domain names: disposable domains. We observe that popular web applications, along with other Internet services, systematically use this new class of domain names. Disposable domains are likely generated automatically, characterized by a "one-time use" pattern, and appear to be used as a way of "signaling" via DNS queries. To shed light on the pervasiveness of disposable domains, we study 24 days of live DNS traffic spanning a year observed at a large Internet Service Provider. We find that disposable domains increased from 23.1% to 27.6% of all queried domains, and from 27.6% to 37.2% of all resolved domains observed daily. While this creative use of DNS may enable new applications, it may also have unanticipated negative consequences on the DNS caching infrastructure, DNSSEC validating resolvers, and passive DNS data collection systems.
Nagging: The familial conflict arena

This article is a sociolinguistic analysis of the speech behavior of nagging in the familial domain. Nagging is explicated as both a speech event and a speech act that is part of the larger event. An ethnography of speaking methodology is employed, including spontaneous speech and ethnographic interviews, to uncover the sociolinguistic variables that condition the speech behavior. Gender, social distance, and social status and power were found to be the strongest determiners of nagging. Implications are drawn for more harmonious family interactions.
Early Effects of Whole-Body 56Fe Irradiation on Hippocampal Function in C57BL/6J Mice

Relatively little is known about early irradiation effects on hippocampal function in wild-type mice. In this study, the effects of (56)Fe irradiation on hippocampal function were assessed starting 2 weeks after whole-body irradiation. Compared to sham irradiation, radiation impaired novel object recognition in female and male C57BL/6J wild-type mice. There were no effects of irradiation on contextual fear conditioning or spatial memory retention in the water maze. It is possible that oxidative damage might contribute to radiation-induced cognitive changes. Therefore, hippocampal and cortical levels of 3-nitrotyrosine (3NT) and lipid peroxidation, measures of oxidative damage were assessed. There were no effects of irradiation on these measures of oxidative damage. As (56)Fe irradiation can increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, which may contribute to the impairments in novel object recognition, the effects of the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on cognition following sham irradiation and irradiation were also assessed. ALA did not prevent radiation-induced impairments in novel object recognition and impaired spatial memory retention of sham-irradiated and irradiated mice in the probe trial after the first day of hidden platform training in the water maze. Thus, the novel object recognition test is particularly sensitive to detect early cognitive effects of (56)Fe irradiation through a mechanism unlikely involving ROS or oxidative damage.
Plasmon-enhanced emission from single fluorescent proteins

In this work, we use evaporated gold nanoparticle films (GNPFs) as substrates for plasmon-enhanced imaging of two fluorescent proteins (FPs): mCherry and YFP. Through single-molecule epifluorescence microscopy, we show enhancement of single FP emission in the presence of GNPFs. The gold-coupled FPs demonstrate emission up to four times brighter and seven times longer lived, yielding order-of-magnitude enhancements in total photons detected. Ultimately, this results in increased localization accuracies for single-molecule imaging. Furthermore, we introduce preliminary results for enhancement of mCherry-labeled TcpP membrane proteins inside live Vibrio cholerae cells coupled to GNPFs. Our work indicates that plasmonic substrates are uniquely advantageous for super-resolution imaging and that plasmon-enhanced imaging is a promising technique for improving live cell single-molecule microscopy.
UnISIS: University of Illinois Seeing Improvement System (UnISIS)--an adaptive optics instrument for the Mt. Wilson 2.5-m telescope

Our group in the Astronomy Department at the University of Illinois is assembling an adaptive optics system that will be installed at the Coude focus of the Mt. Wilson 2.5-meter telescope. The aim of the program is to provide the means to test experimentally, at an astronomically excellent site, many of the newer concepts in laser guided adaptive optics. To accelerate the experimental effort, the system will be built, in part, from existing hardware and from design information provided by U.S. military research groups. Also in the spirit of expediency, the first laser guide star system to be installed at Mt. Wilson will be a single Rayleigh beacon produced by an excimer laser which also exists and has been tested elsewhere. The program as described here is neither final nor fixed because the hardware, the technology, the system configuration, and the ideas that drive it will continue to evolve during the five year duration of the project.
Mechanisms of redox-coupled proton transfer in proteins: role of the proximal proline in reactions of the [3Fe-4S] cluster in Azotobacter vinelandii ferredoxin I.

The 7Fe ferredoxin from Azotobacter vinelandii (AvFdI) contains a [3Fe-4S]+/0 cluster that binds a single proton in its reduced level. Although the cluster is buried, and therefore inaccessible to solvent, proton transfer from solvent to the cluster is fast. The kinetics and energetics of the coupled electron−proton transfer reaction at the cluster have been analyzed in detail by protein-film voltammetry, to reveal that proton transfer is mediated by the mobile carboxylate of an adjacent surface residue, aspartate-15, the pK of which is sensitive to the charge on the cluster. This paper examines the role of a nearby proline residue, proline-50, in proton transfer and its coupling to electron transfer. In the P50A and P50G mutants, a water molecule has entered the cluster binding region; it is hydrogen bonded to the backbone amide of residue-50 and to the Asp-15 carboxylate, and it is approximately 4 A from the closest sulfur atom of the cluster. Despite the water molecule linking the cluster more directly...
Effect of catalyst and substrate on the moisture diffusivity of silica-aerogel-coated metal foams

Abstract Silica aerogel desiccants have good adsorption and desorption characteristics and commonly are deployed on metallic or non-metallic substrates as thin coatings in typical dehumidifying applications. The dehumidifying performance of desiccant coated on substrates often depends on the micro-structure of desiccants, as well as on the characteristics of substrates, such as surface area. The current study focuses on the preparation and adsorption/desorption performance evaluation of various types of silica aerogel coatings on different metal foam substrates. The silica aerogel coated metal foam samples have been prepared by dip coating process using different basic and acidic catalysts, followed by the super-critical drying. The microstructures of aerogel coating obtained by scanning electron microscopy, are compared to porous structures of solid desiccant blocks prepared using the same method (catalyst). A new automatic dynamic vapor sorption method is used to determine the mass diffusion coefficient of silica aerogel coated foam samples. SEM image analysis is used to determine the geometrical parameters (pore diameter, ligament diameter) of coated and uncoated foams of 5, 10 and 20 PPI for data reduction. The impact of substrate type and microstructure of the coating, which depends on the catalyst used in sol–gel process on the mass diffusivity, has been evaluated. The results of this study can be used in the development and performance evaluation of various dehumidification applications containing silica aerogels deployed as thin coatings.
Beyond the desktop: emerging technologies for supporting collaborative teams in virtual environments

The emergence of several trends, including the increased availability of wireless networks, miniaturization of electronics and sensing technologies, and novel input and output devices, is creating a demand for integrated, fulltime displays for use across a wide range of applications, including collaborative environments. In this paper, we present and discuss emerging visualization methods we are developing particularly as they relate to deployable displays and displays worn on the body to support mobile users, as well as optical imaging technology that may be coupled to 3D visualization in the context of medical training and guided surgery.
Utility of SPECT imaging for determination of vertebral metastases in patients with known primary tumors

Determining the etiology of a focal lesion seen on bone scan in patients with primary tumors usually requires the use of other imaging procedures or biopsy. Single positron emission computed tomography (SPECT) with high resolution multidetector systems can localize the specific site of a vertebral lesion and in this way potentially differentiate between benign and metastatic disease. SPECT images of the lower thoracic and lumbar spine were reviewed for lesion location and intensity by two experienced interpreters. Follow-up data were adequate to ascertain the cause of 71 lesions seen on SPECT in 29 patients. Twenty-six of these lesions were not seen on planar images. Of the 71 lesions, 44 were benign and 27 metastatic. Of the 15 lesions where the pedicle was involved, 11 were found to metastatic. There were a total of 14 facet lesions, 9 of which were present in vertebra with no lesions at sites other than the facets. All 9 of these isolated facet lesions turned out to be benign. Lesion intensity did not distinguish benign from malignant disease. We conclude that SPECT imaging is useful in determining the etiology of focal lesions seen on bone scan in patients with a known primary tumor referred for evaluation of metastatic disease.
Design Method for Preventing Longitudinal Uplift of Corrugated Metal Pipe

Corrugated metal pipe (CMP) culverts in some situations have experienced inlet uplift caused by unbalanced pore pressures. Many state departments of transportation (DOTs) have design guidelines for determining the magnitude of force required to restrain CMP against these uplift forces; however, these specified forces vary considerably. Also, the experimental or analytical bases for many of these specifications are unclear. The wide range of the specified tiedown resistances and the vague rationale for these standards suggest that design criteria based on experiments and analyses are needed. The objective of this paper is to describe a design method, developed from experimental and analytical studies, for determining the force required to restrain a CMP against inlet uplift. The design process presented here provides an easy-to-follow procedure that allows the engineer to make final design considerations based on judgment and experience. The method also indicates that in situations in which the soil or pip...
A 4.8 mW, 4.4 dB NF, wideband LNA using positively coupled transformer for V-band applications

In this paper, a V-band ultra-low power Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) with enhanced bandwidth (BW) is presented. A positively coupled cascode transformer (PCCT), formed using cascode inductors at the emitter of the cascode transistors, is used to couple the signal between the first and second stage. Using an optimum coupling factor of 0.23 for the PCCT, a bandwidth improvement of 15 % was seen during simulation. The prototype was implemented using 0.13 μm SiGe BiCMOS technology. Measurements show a peak gain of 13.5 dB, BW > 8 GHz, Noise Figure (NF) of 4.4 dB and an input 1-dB compression point (P in,1dB ) of -19 dBm. The LNA occupies a core area of only 0.05 mm 2 and consumes 3.7 mA from a 1.3 V supply.
A simple method to generate test matrices of known eigenvalue or singular value spectra

Abstract A method is presented to generate matrices with selectable eigenvalue or singular value spectra. This method is simple and based on well-known properties of orthogonal polynomials. The main advantage of this method is the ability to selectively vary the eigenvalue and singular value spectra to generate matrices that test the range of near-to-complete degeneracy of these values.
The Dolinar Receiver in an Information Theoretic Framework

Optical communication at the quantum limit requires that measurements on the optical field be maximally informative, but devising physical measurements that accomplish this objective has proven challenging. The Dolinar receiver exemplifies a rare instance of success in distinguishing between two coherent states: an adaptive local oscillator is mixed with the signal prior to photodetection, which yields an error probability that meets the Helstrom lower bound with equality. Here we apply the same local-oscillator-based architecture with an information-theoretic optimization criterion. We begin with analysis of this receiver in a general framework for an arbitrary coherent-state modulation alphabet, and then we concentrate on two relevant examples. First, we study a binary antipodal alphabet and show that the Dolinar receiver's feedback function not only minimizes the probability of error, but also maximizes the mutual information. Next, we study ternary modulation consisting of antipodal coherent states and the vacuum state. We derive an analytic expression for a near-optimal local-oscillator feedback function, and, via simulation, we determine its photon information efficiency (PIE). We provide the PIE versus dimensional information efficiency (DIE) trade-off curve and show that this modulation and the our receiver combination performs universally better than (generalized) on-off keying plus photon counting, although, the advantage asymptotically vanishes as the bits-per-photon diverges towards infinity.
Attributes of successful approaches to weight loss and control

Abstract Most weight loss treatments result in only temporary losses, followed by slow regain. This paper examines those factors that are correlated with the most favorable results in terms of loss and maintenance of loss. Weight loss is positively related to self-monitoring, goal setting, social support, and length of treatment. Maintenance of weight loss is correlated with regular physical activity, self-monitoring, and continued contact with therapists. Regain is associated with inconsistent and restrictive dieting, life stress, negative coping style, and emotional or binge eating patterns. The implications drawn from these findings are (a) normalize eating patterns, (b) emphasize exercise, (c) ensure social support, (d) set realistic goal weights, (e) focus on health rather than appearance, (f) focus on self-esteem, and (g) target binge eating.
Methodologies for a real-time intelligent supervisory system for a hot strip mill finisher

This paper describes methodologies and the architecture used in a prototype intelligent supervisory system for hot strip finishing mills in steel manufacturing.The prototype system incorporates a knowledge-based supervisory layer in its top level. The supervisor gathers information from critical areas and warns the operator on abnormalities. The system takes advantage of an emerging artificial intelligence (AI) toolset in a virtually parallel processing environment and couples symbolic and numeric computation in real time. The toolset allows the user to construct a hierarchy of Autonomous Communicating Objects (ACOs) [10], each of which may have some intelligent supervisory function and communicate with each other.The supervisory system is a prototype system using a simulated plant. The system has two separate diagnostic modules which are activated by messages from the simulated plant The modules detect sensor failures using traditional signal processing schemes and inference by rules representing the knowledge of the process. A sensor is not considered to be failed until detected by both modules. This can solve some practical difficulties in implementing adequately sensitive fault diagnosis.The supervisory system has a result interpreter which analyzes the plant behavior when no serious sensor failure is detected. The interpreter consists of heuristic rules which pursue forward chaining, and subordinate modules for primitive diagnostic algorithms which can be executed concurrently. It has a fault propagation digraph for each physical perspective of the plant, a category, and invokes subordinate modules by supplying digraphs. Supervising these insufficiently informed but “functionally accurate” modules, the diagnostic module determines an essential category without which the current plant problems can not be explained. The combination of the rule-based deduction and the reachability matrix-based approach offers a practical methodology for the plant diagnosis.
Specific heat of synthetic high polymers. XL the glass transition in isotactic polypropylene

The specific heat of various samples of isotactic polypropylene has been measured over the glass transition range from 230 to 310°K. A glass transition has been found, the magnitude of which is roughly proportional to the amorphous content of the sample. In highly crystalline samples the rise in cp with temperature over the glass transition range is probably partly caused by an increase in the number of modes of vibration that become active in this temperature range. A new thermodynamic name, the encraty, has been given to the function cp/T (equals (dS/dT)p or - d2G/dT2). The encraty is abnormally low for quenched isotactic polypropylene for masons for which speculations only can be given at this time. Negative temperature drifts were observed below about 270°K.
Distributing the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Using UDT and Sector

In this paper, we describe a peer-to-peer storage system called Sector that is designed to access and transport large data sets over wide area high performance networks. We also describe our recent experience using Sector to distribute the Sloan Digital Sky Survey BESTDR4 catalog data.
Incidence of bilateral symptoms in carpal tunnel syndrome

We prospectively studied 266 hands in 133 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in order to evaluate: the incidence of bilateral CTS symptoms; correlation between severity, duration of symptoms and bilateral occurrence of CTS; agreement of clinical and neurophysiological findings; and the neurophysiological findings in asymptomatic hands in unilateral CTS. The incidence of bilateral clinical CTS in our population was 87%. Neurophysiological impairment of median nerve was observed in about half of the asymptomatic hands. Follow-up of patients with unilateral CTS showed that contralateral symptoms developed in most cases. We found a significant positive correlation of bilateral CTS with the duration of symptoms, whereas there was no correlation with the severity of symptoms. Our data suggest that bilateral impairment of median nerve is the rule in patients with CTS and probably it has been underestimated in previous studies.
The Ontological argument in neoclassical context: Reply to friedman

In his article, 'Necessity and the Ontological Argument',* Professor Fried? man correctly identifies the two major assumptions of Hartshorne's on? tological argument: (PI) It is possible that God exists (perfection is not impossible); (P2) it is necessary that if God exists, God necessarily exists (Anselm's Principle; perfection could not exist contingently). The basic argument of Friedman's paper is that, while Hartsthorne's ontological proof is formally valid in Lewis' S5 system of modal logic, it is not known a priori to be sound. In general, Hartshorne has not been "sufficiently sensitive to the various senses of necessity" (Friedman, p. 307), and hence his argument is based on "acute modal confusion" (p.307). More specifi? cally, for any single notion of de dicto necessity, Friedman contends, either one of the five axioms of S5 or one of the premises of the ontological argument is not known to be true. Thus Friedman concludes that Harts? horne's modal reconstruction of the ontological argument fails, because "there is no single interpretation of necessity which would give us an a priori known sound ontological argument and a priori known sound S5 (or finite fragment thereof)" (p. 324). I am convinced that Friedman's challenge can be met by examining and defending the neoclassical context within which Hartshorne reconstructs Anselm's famous proof. In my opionion, Hartshorne's chief contributions to the contemporary discussion of the ontological argument are two: (1) the substitution of the abstract-concrete (dipolar) understanding of God for the monopolar classical conception of God, and (2) the insistence on a coextensiveness between necessity de re and necessity de dicto in the proof. Both contributions are directly derived from Hartshorne's meta? physics of temporal process. In this reply, I will concentrate on the two sections of Friedman's paper that deal with logical necessity in the Carnapian and in the Kripkean sen? ses. Friedman has shown very well how the axioms of S5 can be known
Intelligent Sensors: Strategies for an Integrated Systems Approach

This paper proposes the development of intelligent sensors as an integrated systems approach, i.e. one treats the sensors as a complete system with its own sensing hardware (the traditional sensor), A/D converters, processing and storage capabilities, software drivers, self-assessment algorithms, communication protocols and evolutionary methodologies that allow them to get better with time. Under a project being undertaken at the Stennis Space Center, an integrated framework is being developed for the intelligent monitoring of smart elements. These smart elements can be sensors, actuators or other devices. The immediate application is the monitoring of the rocket test stands, but the technology should be generally applicable to the Intelligent Systems Health Monitoring (ISHM) vision. This paper outlines progress made in the development of intelligent sensors by describing the work done till date on Physical Intelligent Sensors (PIS) and Virtual Intelligent Sensors (VIS).
PRODUCTIVITY AND PUBLICATIONS PATTERNS IN DEPARTMENTS OF EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION

Criteria and procedures for faculty evaluation systems have never been easily or clearly identified, and previous studies on these issues hate produced conflicting or inconclusive data, while information on productivity and publication patterns has been extremely sparce. The research from which the present information is derived was designed to examine possible incongruities between expressed and applied criteria and procedures employed in evaluating faculty members for retention, promotion, and tenure. Productivity and publication records are invariably part of these criteria. Some surprising findings concerning faculty evaluation were uncovered, but one of the most interesting findings concerned the publication patterns of faculty within departments of educational administration.
Specification of wage determination mechanisms in urban labor markets

Abstract Research into wage determination and inflation at the level of the urban labor market has generally followed a Phillips curve adaptive expectations framework. This paper explores the accuracy of such specifications when national and intermarket linkages are ignored, and extends such specifications to incorporate these linkages. The present research also addresses the impact of serial correlation problems and time series aggregation bias on the ability to identify the local wage determination and inflation mechanism. The estimation results for both annual and quarterly specifications indicate that there is virtually no support for a Phillips curve adaptive expectations hypothesis when external linkages are included in the equations. It is demonstrated that specification errors and serial correlation problems are probably responsible for many of the contradictory and inconclusive results obtained in previous studies.
Analysis of prognosis and disease progression after local recurrence of melanoma.

BACKGROUND Local recurrence of melanoma is associated with a grave prognosis. However, the characteristics and the mode of disease progression for patients with local recurrence have not been adequately addressed in the literature. METHODS A retrospective analysis of patients treated at a single institution revealed a subset of patients (n = 648) with local recurrence of melanoma as a first event. Patient characteristics, histologic determinants, and disease free interval were variables used to identify prognostic factors. RESULTS In this group of patients, male gender (P = 0.0163), increasing age (P = 0.0001), head and neck primaries (P = 0.0001), thicker Breslow depths (P = 0.0022), deeper Clark levels (P = 0.0010), and ulceration of the primary tumor (P = 0.0348) suggested a shorter time until local recurrence. Breslow depth (P = 0.0004), Clark level (P = 0.0043), and ulceration (P = 0.0001) still factored into the survival prognosis after recurrence. Truncal primaries (P = 0.0005) and shorter disease free intervals (P = 0.0098) were also associated with poorer outcomes after recurrence. Of the 648 patients, 124 showed no progression, 196 developed another local recurrence, 178 developed in-transit/lymph node metastases, and 150 had systemic recurrences. Survival was only 33.6% for patients with further metastases, compared with 77.4% for patients with no progression of disease after a median follow-up of 38.9 months. CONCLUSIONS There was a 48.5% mortality rate at 5 years of follow-up after local recurrence. Long term survival (> 10 years) was estimated to be 34.9%. The patterns of failure after local recurrence suggest that patients may benefit from aggressive locoregional therapy. Cancer 2000;88:1063–71. © 2000 American Cancer Society.
Rural Dwellers' Cancer Fears and Perceptions of Cancer Treatment

The purpose of this study was to explore differences in cancer fears and perceptions of cancer treatment among four rural groups: men with cancer, men caregivers, women with cancer, and women caregivers (N = 590). The four groups differed in their cancer fears. About half or less feared pain, nausea, body disfigurement, and sexual problems from cancer. Over two-thirds were worried about finances and decreases in quality of life. More worried about separation from loved ones than worried about death. The four groups differed only slightly in perceptions of treatment. The majority thought chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation were important treatments. A larger percentage saw nutritional interventions and biologicals as unimportant in cancer prevention or treatment. Nurses need to address fears and perceptions of cancer treatment with persons experiencing cancer and their families. In addition, these persons and their families need support for decisions regarding cancer treatment.
Recent advances in counter techniques

Developments in counter techniques since Sept. 1960 are reviewed. Cherenkov, scintillation, and solid-state detectors are considered. (A.G.W.)
Human resource practices, supply chain performance, and wellbeing

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to identify management and human resource (HR) practices that lead to satisfaction with the performance of an organization's supply chain as well as employee wellbeing, and to develop recommendations for practicing managers.Design/methodology/approach – Adopting an empirical approach, a Delphi expert panel study was first carried out to identify the possible impact of supply chain integration, particularly with regard to human resource management (HRM) policies and practices. Then, using a survey of 228 supply chain professionals, hypotheses linking satisfaction with supply chain performance to non‐traditional HR practices, training, and team organization were tested.Findings – The Delphi study identified specific HR practices, such as flexible job descriptions and teamwork training that would need to accompany successful supply chain integration. Regression results indicate that flexible job descriptions, team organization, teamwork training, and the use of performan...
Shear-Induced Surface Alignment of Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Microdroplets on the Boundary Layer

Polymer dispersed liquid crystal thin films have been deposited on a glass substrate, utilizing the processes of polymerization and solvent evaporation induced phase separation. Liquid crystal microdroplets trapped on the upper surface of the thin film respond to the shear stress due to air or gas flow on the surface layer. Response to an applied step shear stress input on the surface layer has been measured by measuring the time response of the transmitted light intensity. Initial results on the measurements of the light transmission as a function of the air flow differential pressure indicate that these systems offer features suitable for boundary layer and gas flow sensors.
Relations at Three Early Stages of Marriage as Reflected by the Use of Personal Pronouns

JO-ANNA M. FEATHERMAN, B.A.a aFrom the Department of Psychology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. This investigation was supported by U.S.P.H.S. research grant, Communication Patterns MH-10975, Principal Investigator Harold L. Raush. The general program, described below, for studying marriage was initiated under the direction of Wells Goodrich at the Child Research Branch of N.I.M.H. We are indebted also to other colleagues in that continuing program, particularly Paul Blank, Arden A. Flint, Robert G. Ryder, and Walter Sceery, for providing materials on which the present study is based.
Polymer electrolyte membranes for the direct methanol fuel cell: A review

The direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) has the potential to replace lithium-ion rechargeable batteries in portable electronic devices, but currently experiences significant power density and efficiency losses due to high methanol crossover through polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs). Numerous publications document the synthesis and characterization of new PEMs for the DMFC. This article reviews this research, transport phenomena in PEMs, and experimental techniques used to evaluate new PEMs for the DMFC. Although many PEMs do not show significant improvements over Nafion®, the benchmark PEM in DMFCs, experimental results show that several new PEMs exhibit lower methanol crossover at similar proton conductivities and/or higher DMFC power densities. These results and recommendations for future research are discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Parts B: Polym Phys 44: 2201–2225, 2006
High-Thrust-High-Specific Impulse Gasdynamic Fusion Propulsion System

The gasdynamic fusion propulsion system utilizes a simple mirror magnetic geometry in which a highdensity plasma is cone ned long enough to generate fusion energy while ejecting charged particles through one end to generate thrust. At high densities the collision mean free path becomes much shorter than the length, making the plasma behave much like a continuous medium, a e uid. Under these conditions the escape of the plasma is analogous to the e ow of a gas into a vacuum from a vessel with a hole. With the mirror serving as a magnetic nozzle the plasma-charged particles are ejected at very high energies, giving rise to specie c impulses of well over 200,000 s, but at modest thrusts because of the smallness of their mass. We examine methods by which the thrust of this engine can be enhanced. On the one hand we explore the use of a hydrogen propellant that is heated by the radiation emanating from the plasma, which, upon exhausting through a nozzle, generates the additional thrust. On the other hand we focus purely on changing the properties of the injected plasma to achieve the same objectives. We e nd in the case of a deuterium‐ tritium plasma that the use of hydrogen results in a degradation of the propulsive capability of the system, but we e nd it quite suitable for an engine that burns a mixture of deuterium and helium 3. The same results can be achieved by simply increasing the density of the injected plasma without encountering major adverse consequences. Because of engineering considerations, however, the use of a hydrogen propellant may prove to be inevitable if no other means are found to protect the walls of the reactor chamber against large heat loads.
The three R's: Residence, religion, and reproduction

Survey research data collected in Rhode Island over a three year interval are used to test six propositions: 1) Suburbanites have higher family size than central city residents. 2) Any differences in family size between Catholics and non-Catholics are larger in central city than in suburban areas. 3) Within religious categories, suburbanites attend church more regularly. 4) Among Catholics, suburban residence is associated with less frequent Communion reception. 5) Among Catholics, church attendance frequency is positively associated with family size. Among non-Catholics no relationship exists. 6) The frequency with which Catholics receive Communion is more strongly associated positively with family size than is church attendance frequency. Propositions 1, 2 and 5 are rejected. Propositions 4 and 6 are accepted. Proposition 3 is accepted for non-Catholics only.
The paleoenvironment of Sivapithecus parvada.

Remains of the hominoid Sivapithecus parvada and a diversity of mammalian taxa are preserved at locality Y311 (ca. 10 Ma) in the Siwalik Nagri Formation of northern Pakistan. Bovids (Bovidae, Artiodactyla) are the most abundant mammals next to tragulids (Tragulidae, Artiodactyla) at locality Y311 and provide a means for reconstructing the paleoenvironments that would have been available to Sivapithecus parvada. A functional model indicates a linkage between habitat and several femoral characters among extant bovids. Based on this model, we infer that forested habitats predominated at locality Y311 but that some less densely covered areas may also have been present. Paleoenvironments in the earlier Chinji Formation appear comparable to those at locality Y311, although the presence of a continuous canopy in the former is more certain. Thus, adaptive changes in the bovid fauna from the Chinji through the Nagri Formations appear to have preceded the shift to predominantly C4 grasslands which, based on other lines of evidence, occurred locally (and possibly globally) between 8 and 6 Ma. The paleoenvironments of locality Y311 and the Chinji Formation localities appear different from the paleoenvironment of Kenyapithecus at Fort Ternan in Kenya, where the presence of continuous canopy is unlikely. The Fort Ternan fauna is dominated by two genera of bovids. One of these is adapted to light cover while the other appears better adapted to heavy cover. Sivapithecus and Kenyapithecus lived in different ecological settings probably characterized by varying degrees of vegetative cover.
Teaching Forensic Psychiatry to General Psychiatry Residents

Objective: The Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires that general psychiatry residency training programs provide trainees with exposure to forensic psychiatry. Limited information is available on how to develop a core curriculum in forensic psychiatry for general psychiatry residents and few articles have been published on the topic. Methods: The objective of this article is to provide an overview of forensic psychiatry topics likely to be of benefit to general psychiatry residents. Results: The article is intended to be a springboard for future development of forensic curricula suitable for residents rather than a blueprint for an educational program. Conclusion: Although most general psychiatry residents will not specialize in forensic psychiatry, a working knowledge of basic concepts in forensic psychiatry should be considered an important component of general psychiatry education.
Interleukin 4 in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Mucosal Immune Reactivity

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Interleukin (IL) 4 has immunoregulatory and anti- inflammatory activities, but little is known about IL-4 in the human gut. We investigated production of IL-4 by isolated lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs) from normal and inflamed intestine and its capacity to modulate local immune responses. METHODS: IL-4 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in cultures of control and inflammatory bowel disease LPMCs, and the effect of IL-4 on LPMC proliferation and interaction with IL-2, IL-1 beta, lipopolysaccharide, bacterial antigens, superantigen, and antibodies to various T-cell receptors was investigated. RESULTS: Various stimuli induced LPMCs to produce IL-4, but inflammatory bowel disease cells expressed IL-4 messenger RNA and secreted protein in significantly lower amounts than control cells. IL-4 failed to stimulate proliferation by fresh LPMCs, but a vigorous dose-dependent response was observed after preactivation by phytohemagglutinin, IL-2, or IL-4. When added to fresh LPMCs, IL-4 inhibited IL-2-induced proliferation. IL-4 amplified proliferation to IL-1 beta, lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan-polysaccharide complexes, staphylococcus enterotoxin A, and antibodies to the CD3 and CD28 receptors but not to tetanus toxoid. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased production of IL-4 in inflammatory bowel disease may cause defective immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory mechanisms and may contribute to disease pathogenesis. The ability of IL-4 to differentially modulate LPMC reactivity probably influences mucosal immune homeostasis. (Gastroenterology 1996 Jun;110(6):1683-95)
Fossil fungi (Endogonaceae) from the Triassic of Antarctica

Fungal sporocarps are described from Triassic silicified peat deposits from Antarctica. Sporocarps possess a two-layered wall and contain a single spore. The outer layer is mycelial; the inner layer, noncellular. The combination of primitive and advanced features suggests that this fungus is intermediate in complexity between the lower and evolutionarily more advanced fungi. The Antarctic fungus and morphologically similar fossils resemble extant members of the Endogonaceae, but appear to have been saprophytes rather than mycorrhizal symbionts.
Operant conditioning to increase ankle control or decrease reflex excitability improves reflex modulation and walking function in chronic spinal cord injury.

Ankle clonus is common after spinal cord injury (SCI) and is attributed to loss of supraspinally mediated inhibition of soleus stretch reflexes and maladaptive reorganization of spinal reflex pathw...
Phosphorus Cycling in the Red Tide Incubator Region of Monterey Bay in Response to Upwelling

This study explores the cycling of phosphorus (P) in the euphotic zone following upwelling in northeastern Monterey Bay (the Red Tide Incubator region) of coastal California, with particular emphasis on how bacteria and phytoplankton that form harmful algal blooms mediate and respond to changes in P availability. In situ measurements of nutrient concentrations, phytoplankton community composition, and cell-specific alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity (determined via enzyme-labeled fluorescence assay) were measured during three cruises. Upwelling led to a 10-fold increase in dissolved inorganic (DIP) in surface waters, reaching ∼0.5 μmol L −1 . This DIP was drawn down rapidly as upwelling relaxed over a period of 1 week. Ratios of nitrate to DIP drawdown (∼5:1, calculated as the change in nitrate divided by the change in DIP) were lower than the Redfield ratio of 16:1, suggesting that luxury P uptake was occurring as phytoplankton bloomed. Dissolved organic (DOP) remained relatively constant (∼0.3 μmol L −1 ) before and immediately following upwelling, but doubled as upwelling relaxed, likely due to phytoplankton excretion and release during grazing. This transition from a relatively high DIP:DOP ratio to lower DIP:DOP ratio was accompanied by a decline in the abundance of diatoms, which had low AP activity, toward localized, spatially heterogeneous blooms of dinoflagellates in the genera Prorocentrum, Ceratium, Dinophysis, Alexandrium, and Scrippsiella that showed high AP activity regardless of ambient DIP levels. A nutrient addition incubation experiment showed that phytoplankton growth was primarily limited by nitrate, followed by DIP and DOP, suggesting that P regulates phytoplankton physiology and competition, but is not a limiting nutrient in this region. AP activity was observed in bacteria associated with lysed cell debris and aggregates of particulate organic material, where it may serve to facilitate P regeneration, as well as affixed to the surfaces of intact phytoplankton cells, possibly indicative of close, beneficial phytoplankton–bacteria interactions.
A Time Series Approach for Soil Moisture Estimation

Soil moisture is a key parameter in understanding the global water cycle and in predicting natural hazards. Polarimetric radar measurements have been used for estimating soil moisture of bare surfaces. In order to estimate soil moisture accurately, the surface roughness effect must be compensated properly. In addition, these algorithms will not produce accurate results for vegetated surfaces. It is difficult to retrieve soil moisture of a vegetated surface since the radar backscattering cross section is sensitive to the vegetation structure and environmental conditions such as the ground slope. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a method to estimate the effect of the surface roughness and vegetation reliably. One way to remove the roughness effect and the vegetation contamination is to take advantage of the temporal variation of soil moisture. In order to understand the global hydrologic cycle, it is desirable to measure soil moisture with one- to two-days revisit. Using these frequent measurements, a time series approach can be implemented to improve the soil moisture retrieval accuracy.
Evidence for core exosome independent function of the nuclear exoribonuclease Rrp6p

The RNA exosome processes and degrades RNAs in archaeal and eukaryotic cells. Exosomes from yeast and humans contain two active exoribonuclease components, Rrp6p and Dis3p/Rrp44p. Rrp6p is concentrated in the nucleus and the dependence of its function on the nine-subunit core exosome and Dis3p remains unclear. We found that cells lacking Rrp6p accumulate poly(A)+ rRNA degradation intermediates distinct from those found in cells depleted of Dis3p, or the core exosome component Rrp43p. Depletion of Dis3p in the absence of Rrp6p causes a synergistic increase in the levels of degradation substrates common to the core exosome and Rrp6p, but has no effect on Rrp6p-specific substrates. Rrp6p lacking a portion of its C-terminal domain no longer co-purifies with the core exosome, but continues to carry out RNA 3′-end processing of 5.8S rRNA and snoRNAs, as well as the degradation of certain truncated Rrp6-specific rRNA intermediates. However, disruption of Rrp6p–core exosome interaction results in the inability of the cell to efficiently degrade certain poly(A)+ rRNA processing products that require the combined activities of Dis3p and Rrp6p. These findings indicate that Rrp6p may carry out some of its critical functions without physical association with the core exosome.
Firm Size and Corporate Social Performance: The Mediating Role of Outside Director Representation

Previous research suggests that large firms are more committed to corporate social performance (CSP), because the society exerts heavier pressure on large firms for socially responsible activities, and firms correspondingly conform to the pressure. This seemingly plausible argument, however, ignores the internal process how the response occurs in firms. In this study, the authors propose that the relationship between firm size and CSP is mediated by outside director representation in the board. The authors tested the mediating effect using a data set of 180 Korean firms and found empirical support for the argument. The result indicates that a firm’s social performance is more directly influenced by internal responses, such as appointing more outside directors in this study, rather than firm size. This study advances the institutional theory perspective in the size–CSP linkage by introducing the mediation internal mechanism.
The SGN comparative map viewer

Motivation: With the rapid accumulation of genetic data for a multitude of different species, the availability of intuitive comparative genomic tools becomes an important requirement for the research community. Here we describe a web-based comparative viewer for mapping data, including genetic, physical and cytological maps, that is part of the SGN website ( http://sgn.cornell.edu/) but that can also be installed and adapted for other websites. In addition to viewing and comparing different maps stored in the SGN database, the viewer allows users to upload their own maps and compare them to other maps in the system. The viewer is implemented in object oriented Perl, with a simple extensible interface to write data adapters for other relational database schemas and flat file formats. Contact: [email protected]
Enhanced Pain Sensitivity Among Individuals With Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis: Potential Sex Differences in Central Sensitization

Objective Symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition commonly associated with increased pain, disability, and functional limitations. Given the poor correspondence between radiographic evidence and clinical pain, central sensitization has been implicated as a potential mechanism underlying pain facilitation in knee OA. Sex may be a moderator of centrally mediated changes in knee OA pain; however, few studies have systematically assessed this. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine differences in peripheral and central sensitization in men and women with symptomatic knee OA, as well as to determine whether these differences vary across age (middle age versus older age). Methods Participants (n = 288) between the ages of 45 and 85 years completed a battery of quantitative sensory pain procedures assessing sensitivity to contact heat, cold pressor, mechanical pressure, and punctate stimuli. Differences in temporal summation (TS) were examined, as well as measures of clinical pain and functional performance. Results When compared to men, women exhibited greater sensitivity to multiple pain modalities (i.e., lower heat, cold, pressure thresholds/tolerances, greater TS of pain); however, there were no sex differences in clinical pain, with the exception of greater widespread pain observed in women. Although there were select age-related differences in pain sensitivity, sex differences in pain varied minimally across the age cohort. Conclusion Overall, these findings provide evidence for greater overall sensitivity to experimental pain in women with symptomatic knee OA compared to men, suggesting that enhanced central sensitivity may be an important contributor to pain in this group.