cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The open-cavity millimeter-wave resonator as a high-Q microstrip circuit element

The need for narrow-percentage-bandwidth filters, efficient power combiners, and other circuits requiring high-Q resonant elements becomes increasingly difficult to satisfy above 30 GHz. Even the classical waveguide-cavity approaches become less useful at millimeter wavelengths because of extremely critical machining tolerances and fundamental limitations imposed by skin-effect losses. The fabrication convenience of planar integrated circuits is far outweighed by the even poorer maximum Q's obtainable in microstrip or stripline. Although dielectric resonators have mitigated this problem to some degree, they are difficult to use at millimeter wavelengths because of the small dimensions and critical positioning required.
On the Variety and Veracity of Cyber Intrusion Alerts Synthesized by Generative Adversarial Networks

Many cyber attack actions can be observed, but the observables often exhibit intricate feature dependencies, non-homogeneity, and potentially rare yet critical samples. This work tests the ability to learn, model, and synthesize cyber intrusion alerts through Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), which explore the feature space by reconciling between randomly generated samples and data that reflect a mixture of diverse attack behaviors without a priori knowledge. Through a comprehensive analysis using Jensen-Shannon Divergence, Conditional and Joint Entropy, and mode drops and additions, we show that the Wasserstein-GAN with Gradient Penalty and Mutual Information is more effective in learning to generate realistic alerts than models without Mutual Information constraints. We further show that the added Mutual Information constraint pushes the model to explore the feature space more thoroughly and increases the generation of low probability, yet critical, alert features. This research demonstrates the novel and promising application of unsupervised GANs to learn from limited yet diverse intrusion alerts to generate synthetic alerts that emulate critical dependencies, opening the door to proactive, data-driven cyber threat analyses.
A Compact L-Shaped 16 Bit Polarization Independent Chipless RFID Tag

In this paper a fully passive, compact and polarization independent chipless RFID tag with high bit capacity is presented. The proposed tag is constructed using L-shaped open loop resonators of variable lengths. It is modeled upon a thin 0.8 mm substrate with an area of 1.7 × 1.7 cm2. The tag can encode 16-bits in a frequency range 4.5-8 GHz with a very high bit density of 5.5 bits/cm2. It also has an improved spectral bit efficiency of 4.57 bits/GHz. RCS response of the tag is also independent of incident wave polarization. The tag’s attractive features such as compact size, orientation independence, high code density and large spectral efficiency make it a good candidate for various product identification scenarios.
Europe’s essential workers: Migration and pandemic politics in Central and Eastern Europe during COVID-19

Abstract How do countries navigate the tradeoffs between public health and economic reopening? What explains variation in state responses to COVID-19? Historically, governments have tackled pandemics as external, nonconventional security threats, restricting immigration to protect citizens from contagious outsiders Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries could not frame COVID-19 this way because European integration and free-movement migration blur the line between insiders and outsiders This article examines the conditions and coalitions that shaped policy outcomes, and argues that migration systems played a double role in policy change: as structures for policy diffusion and as venues for migrants? agency Governments learned from one another's experiences, but diffusion occurred unevenly according to countries? position within migratory systems
Innate IFN-γ Is Essential for Systemic Chlamydia muridarum Control in Mice, While CD4 T Cell-Dependent IFN-γ Production Is Highly Redundant in the Female Reproductive Tract

ABSTRACT Protective immunity against the obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia has long been thought to rely on CD4 T cell-dependent gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production. Nevertheless, whether IFN-γ is produced by other cellular sources during Chlamydia infection and how CD4 T cell-dependent and -independent IFN-γ contribute differently to host resistance have not been carefully evaluated. In this study, we dissected the requirements of IFN-γ produced by innate immune cells and CD4 T cells for resolution of Chlamydia muridarum female reproductive tract (FRT) infection. After C. muridarum intravaginal infection, IFN-γ-deficient and T cell-deficient mice exhibited opposite phenotypes for survival and bacterial shedding at the FRT mucosa, demonstrating the distinct requirements for IFN-γ and CD4 T cells in host defense against Chlamydia. In Rag1-deficient mice, IFN-γ produced by innate lymphocytes (ILCs) accounted for early bacterial control and prolonged survival in the absence of adaptive immunity. Although type I ILCs are potent IFN-γ producers, we found that mature NK cells and ILC1s were not the sole sources of innate IFN-γ in response to Chlamydia. By conducting T cell adoptive transfer, we showed definitively that IFN-γ-deficient CD4 T cells were sufficient for effective bacterial killing in the FRT during the first 21 days of infection and reduced bacterial burden more than 1,000-fold, although mice receiving IFN-γ-deficient CD4 T cells failed to completely eradicate the bacteria from the FRT like their counterparts receiving wild-type (WT) CD4 T cells. Together, our results revealed that innate IFN-γ is essential for preventing systemic Chlamydia dissemination, whereas IFN-γ produced by CD4 T cells is largely redundant at the FRT mucosa.
CBCR: A Curriculum Based Strategy For Chromosome Reconstruction.

In this paper, we introduce a novel algorithm that aims to estimate chromosomes’ structure from their Hi-C contact data, called Curriculum Based Chromosome Reconstruction (CBCR). Specifically, our method performs this three dimensional reconstruction using cis-chromosomal interactions from Hi-C data. CBCR takes intra-chromosomal Hi-C interaction frequencies as an input and outputs a set of xyz coordinates that estimate the chromosome’s three dimensional structure in the form of a .pdb file. The algorithm relies on progressively training a distance-restraint-based algorithm with a strategy we refer to as curriculum learning. Curriculum learning divides the Hi-C data into classes based on contact frequency and progressively re-trains the distance-restraint algorithm based on the assumed importance of each curriculum in predicting the underlying chromosome structure. The distance-restraint algorithm relies on a modification of a Gaussian maximum likelihood function that scales probabilities based on the importance of features. We evaluate the performance of CBCR on both simulated and actual Hi-C data and perform validation on FISH, HiChIP, and ChIA-PET data as well. We also compare the performance of CBCR to several current methods. Our analysis shows that the use of curricula affects the rate of convergence of the optimization while decreasing the computational cost of our distance-restraint algorithm. Also, CBCR is more robust to increases in data resolution and therefore yields superior reconstruction accuracy of higher resolution data than all other methods in our comparison.
Neural asymmetry during memory encoding and its association with markers of preclinical Alzheimers Disease

ABSTRACT Background Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and is characterized by cognitive dysfunction that impacts daily functioning. Beta-amyloid (Aβ) is a cytotoxic protein that deposits in the brain many years prior to the onset of cognitive dysfunction. The preclinical period is a stage of AD in which significant pathology is present without clinical symptoms. Aβ has been shown to deposit asymmetrically early in the AD trajectory, which has shown to have functional consequences (e.g., asymmetric hypometabolism). We aimed to investigate whether markers of AD and cognitive function were correlated with neural activation asymmetry during memory encoding tasks. Methods We recruited participants who were cognitively normal to undergo functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, and cognitive testing. We conducted analyses to identify regions of significant activation during a well-established face-name pair memory encoding task, and to identify regions of significant asymmetry. We then computed hemispheric asymmetry (negative/positive values indicate left/right asymmetry, respectively) and absolute asymmetry (greater values indicate greater asymmetry in either hemisphere) and investigated their associations with age, sex, education, global cerebral amyloid, global cerebral metabolism, memory encoding task performance, white matter hyperintensities, and multiple domains of cognitive function. Results We identified expected regions of significant activation, including the hippocampus, and identified four regions with significant left-hemisphere asymmetry: superior medial frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, supplemental motor area, and medial orbitofrontal gyrus, and two regions with significant right hemisphere asymmetry: putamen and ventral posterolateral nucleus of the thalamus. We found that greater left-hemisphere asymmetry in the middle frontal gyrus was correlated with greater global cerebral glucose metabolism. We also found that better performance in memory, learning, and executive attention was associated with greater absolute symmetry in the thalamus, while better visuospatial performance was associated with greater putamen absolute symmetry. Discussion Functional asymmetry is correlated with functional markers (e.g., glucose metabolism) in older cognitively normal adults and may reflect metabolic and cognitive changes. Longitudinal studies may help us better understand these associations and the causal impact of neural activation asymmetry.
Quizmaster 20 Questions: Point of Law Ube Bar Review Questions

This eBook provides detailed authoritative answers to the 21 released MBE questions from the National Conference of Bar Examiners. Detailed explanatory answers to actual questions asked on past bar exams. Why the wrong answers are incorrect, why the right answers are right. Use of these questions does not constitute an endorsement by the NCBE. Dr. Engle's doctrinal materials are available at: http://amazon.com/author/quizmaster
TRIM44 Links UPS to Autophagy by Binding and Removing Misfolded Proteins

Until recently, the ubiquitin — proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy were considered to be two independent systems that target proteins for degradation by proteasomes or via lysosomes, respectively. Here, we report that a member of the tripartite motif protein family 44 (TRIM44) is a novel link that connects the UPS system with the autophagy degradation pathway. Suppressing the UPS degradation pathway leads to TRIM44 upregulation, which further promotes aggregated protein clearance through the binding of K48 ubiquitin chains on proteins. TRIM44 expression activates autophagy, specifically enhancing the fusion of the autophagosome to the lysosome, which rapidly increases the rate of aggregate protein removal. Overall, our data reveal that TRIM44 is a newly identified link between the UPS system and the autophagy pathway. Delineating the cross-talk between these two degradation pathways may reveal new mechanisms of targeting aggregate-prone diseases, such as cancer and neurodegenerative disease.
Proportionality and Federalization

The thesis of this Article is that proportionality of punishment has become a casualty of federalization and that the federal courts helped kill it. The federal courts like to portray themselves as the victims in the vicious cycle of federalization, left defenseless in the face of rapacious efforts by Congress and the Department of Justice to use the federal criminal code for their own selfish ends. The federal judiciary repeatedly complains that its judges are overburdened with criminal cases that belong in state court. This is the story the leading lights in the academy have accepted: Congress is responsible for politicizing criminal law and making it so broad as to delegate to federal prosecutors the real lawmaking power in the federal system. No responsibility is laid at the doorstep of the federal courts. This, in my view, lets the federal courts off too easily. Far from being innocent bystanders in the federalization of crime, federal judges have been all too willing to construe federal crimes expansively, without regard to the often dramatic effects expansive interpretations will have on the punishment federal defendants face. The root of the problem is that the courts view themselves as having an obligation to ensure that no morally blameworthy defendant ever slips through the federal cracks. In focusing on the culpability of the conduct for which prosecutors seek to convict, courts lose sight of the disproportionality of the penalties to which their expansive interpretations often expose federal defendants. The inevitable result of how courts approach their interpretive tasks is a broader and more punitive federal code.
Advances in carbon nanotube electronics

State-of-the-art carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNFETs) behave as Schottky barrier (SB)-modulated transistors. In order to address the disadvantages of a SB-CNFET, e.g. drain-dependent OFF states, ambipolar behaviors, and a large inverse subthershold slope, two improved CNFET structures are studied here. Through gate structure engineering, we have fabricated high-performance, enhancement-mode CNFETs exhibiting n or p-type unipolar behavior, tunable by electrostatic and/or chemical doping, with excellent OFF-state performance and a steep subthreshold swing (S = 63 mV/dec).
Aerosol synthesis of titania nanoparticles: Effect of flame orientation and configuration

Abstract Flame aerosol synthesis was employed to make nanoscale titania particles with controlled size, morphology and crystallinity by oxidation of titanium-tetra-isopropoxide. The effect of upward and downward flame orientation on these particle characteristics was investigated for laminar premixed flame reactors. The burner orientation influenced the product powder crystallinity but had only a minor effect on particle size and morphology. Reactant mixing in four diffusion flame configurations was studied to make titania nanoparticles of 10 to 50 nm average primary particle diameter and 6 to 60 wt-% rutile and the balance anatase. This showed the flexibility of diffusion flame reactors to produce a range of nanoparticle qualities for applications in ceramics, catalysis or pigments.
Simulating without data [US Army Personal Information Carrier]

As a general rule, simulation requires detailed data to properly represent a problem. Occasionally, a problem may be successfully solved using only reasonable approximations to the data. This paper describes such a situation. The Army's health services conceived the Personal Information Carrier (PIC) as a replacement for the "dog tag." The concept was to support portable personal health records. The problem was to determine the contents of the records to be stored in the PIC.
Approaches to Teaching Recent World History

Review of the book ΓC£Teaching Recent Global History: Dialogues among Historians, Social Studies Teachers, and StudentsΓC¥ by Diana B. Turk, Laura J. Dull, Robert Cohen, and Michael R. Stoll.
Outer membrane proteins of Escherichia coli. II. Heterogeneity of major outer membrane polypeptides.

Abstract When E. coli outer membrane protein is dissolved in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution and boiled briefly, a single major peak (peak B) with a molecular weight of 42,000 daltons is observed on SDS-containing polyacrylamide gels. If the protein is dissolved in SDS solution at 37 °C and applied to gels without further treatment, peak B disappears and two other major peaks appear: Peak A, which is composed of aggregates and migrates more slowly than peak B, and peak C which is composed of monomeric protein not fully reacted with SDS and which migrates faster than peak B. When cyanogen bromide peptides of protein from peak A and peak C were compared, it was evident that peak A and peak C contained entirely different polypeptides. This was further confirmed by differential labeling studies with methionine and leucine. The cyanogen bromide peptide profiles of protein from peak A suggested that this peak was composed of two polypeptides, and this was confirmed by electrophoresis in an alkaline gel system which resolves peak B into three subcomponents. Two of these were derived from peak A and the third was derived from peak C. These results indicate that the outer membrane of E. coli contains at least three nonidentical major polypeptides, each of which has a nearly identical molecular weight of about 42,000 daltons. These polypeptides are present in identical proportions in the soluble and insoluble fractions obtained when the outer membrane is treated with Triton X-100 plus EDTA.
Chemical Mechanisms in Toxicology

Pharmaceutical scientists working in drug metabolism and toxicology today consider reactive metabolites of drugs or drug candidates an important potential toxicological issue. There is a critical demand for increased research on the mechanisms of immune-mediated toxicities at the molecular level. This article deals with the mechanisms involved in the biotransformation of drugs to chemically reactive metabolites, current experimental techniques used to identify reactive metabolites, and the potential consequences of reactive metabolite formation. Keywords: drug metabolism; reactive metabolites; immune-mediated toxicities; drug development; toxicology
Intersymbol Interference in Digital Communication Systems

This article provides a characterization of intersymbol interference (ISI) resulting from channel distortion in wireline and wireline communication systems when data is transmitted at symbol rates approaching the Nyquist rate on a single carrier frequency. The problem of signal design for eliminating ISI is treated and the Nyquist criterion is introduced. The use of a linear channel equalizer to reduce the ISI caused by channel distortion is also described. Keywords: intersymbol interference; channel distortion; Nyquist criterion; channel equalization
Attitudes and Actions Toward Birds in Urban Areas: Human Cultural Differences Influence Bird Behavior

ABSTRACT. Humans profoundly affect wildlife through environmental modification but they can also influence wildlife through direct interactions. We surveyed human attitudes and actions towards birds in two urban areas (Seattle, Washington, and Berlin, Germany) to determine whether encouraging (e.g., providing bird feeders) and discouraging (e.g., actively repelling) behavior directed at birds affected bird behavior. We studied human and bird behavior across an urbanization gradient (heavy to light urbanization) in both cities to capture variation in urban cover, human density, attitudes, and actions as well as variation in human culture and socioeconomic condition and education. We found that residents of Berlin encouraged birds more than residents of Seattle did, and that Seattleites discouraged birds more than Berliners. These differences varied across the urbanization gradient. Likewise, birds (crows and other songbirds) varied their flight initiation distance across the urbanization gradient, with dis...
Essential Role for G Protein-coupled Receptor Endocytosis in the Activation of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase

The classical paradigm for G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signal transduction involves the agonist-dependent interaction of GPCRs with heterotrimeric G proteins at the plasma membrane and the subsequent generation, by membrane-localized effectors, of soluble second messengers or ion currents. Termination of GPCR signals follows G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK)- and beta-arrestin-mediated receptor uncoupling and internalization. Here we show that these paradigms are inadequate to account for GPCR-mediated, Ras-dependent activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases Erk1 and -2. In HEK293 cells expressing dominant suppressor mutants of beta-arrestin or dynamin, beta2-adrenergic receptor-mediated activation of MAP kinase is inhibited. The inhibitors of receptor internalization specifically blocked Raf-mediated activation of MEK. Plasma membrane-delimited steps in the GPCR-mediated activation of the MAP kinase pathway, such as tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc and Raf kinase activation by Ras, are unaffected by inhibitors of receptor internalization. Thus, GRKs and beta-arrestins, which uncouple GPCRs and target them for internalization, function as essential elements in the GPCR-mediated MAP kinase signaling cascade.
Using the CREW Method to Enhance Public and School Library Collections

Now, more than ever, public and school libraries struggle to main- tain their relevance in the age of instant access, electronic databases, and Google. While print collections continue to grow, many collections are drowning in obsolete, unused, and unwanted materials. And while most libraries keep up with deselection in an intelligent manner, many still are stymied by obstacles ranging from dwindling materials budgets to long-term administrators and governing officials reluctant to let go of materials. This article encourages use of the CREW method, a systematic, 10-step weeding process outlined in a manual of the same title published by the Texas State Library & Archives Commission in the mid-1990s. An exploration of the weeding process, detailed explanation of the CREW method, considerations for library staff undertaking a large-scale weeding project, and methods for disposing of weeded materials also are included.
A Quantitative Integration of the Military Cohesion Literature

In this article, we review research on group cohesion in military units, using meta-analytic techniques that convert research findings to a common metric. After combining some of the 39 samples to ...
Durability Tests of a 5-cm-diam Ion Thruster System

natural frequency. Vibrations at a frequency higher than the fundamental are also indicated in Fig. 3. Figure 4 shows the spanwise variation of blade loading, bending moment, stress and deflection at maximum loading. Thus, while the Coriolis force initiates the elastic deformation, the excessive flexural divergence is due mainly to the large aerodynamic force associated with tip flexure. With forward opening tail fins, on the other hand, the aerodynamic loads due to bending act to minimize blade flexure and under these conditions substantially reduced stress levels occur: Finally, it should be pointed out that the results shown in Fig. 4 adequately account for the structural failures mentioned previously (yield-stress of the test blades « 70,000 lb/in.).
CONGENITAL DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA

DURING the past seven years we have observed 33 cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernias at the Children's Memorial Hospital, 31 of which have undergone surgical repair. During the course of this experience, several important points in the care of these patients have been forcefully impressed upon us. Congenital diaphragmatic hernias may be classified as follows: The cases being reported are outlined in the Table, and the occurrence of the hernias in various areas of the diaphragm is illustrated in Figure 1. CONGENITALLY SHORT ESOPHAGUS In early fetal life, if the stomach descends incompletely behind the septum transversum and does not reach the abdominal cavity before the lumbar portion of the diaphragm is completed, the esophagus may remain short and a portion of the stomach will stay within the thoracic cavity. Because the shortened esophagus enters the uppermost portion of the stomach, the normal relationship of cardia and fundus is lost.
Manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, and zinc as promoters of sulfated zirconia for n -butane isomerization

First-row transition metals were tested in a flow reactor as promoters of sulfated zirconia for the isomerization ofn-butane at 373 K and 0.005 barn-butane partial pressure. The activity of each of the sulfated zirconia samples increased through a maximum and then decreased with time on stream. In order of increasing activity measured at the maximum, the effect of the promoters increased from right to left in the periodic table: zinc, nickel, cobalt, iron, and manganese. Iron and manganese increased the activity by. 2–3 orders of magnitude. The causes of the promoter action are not elucidated; the promoters may play noncatalytic roles as initiators.
Characterization of native interaction of hsp110 with hsp25 and hsc70

The 110 kDa heat shock protein (HSP) (hsp110) has been shown to be a diverged subgroup of the hsp70 family and is one of the major HSPs in mammalian cells [1,2]. In examining the native interactions of hsp110, we observed that it is found to reside in a large molecular complex. Immunoblot analysis and co-immunoprecipitation studies identified two other HSPs as components of this complex, hsc70 and hsp25. When examined in vitro, purified hsp25, hsp70 and hsp110 were observed to spontaneously form a large complex and to directly interact with one another. When luciferase was added to this in vitro system, it was observed to migrate into this chaperone complex following heat shock. Examination of two deletion mutants of hsp110 demonstrated that its peptide-binding domain is required for interaction with hsp25, but not with hsc70. The potential function of the hsp110-hsc70-hsp25 complex is discussed.
Performance Modeling of Virtual Machine Live Migration

System virtualization is becoming pervasive and it is enabling important new computing diagrams such as cloud computing. Live virtual machine (VM) migration is a unique capability of system virtualization which allows applications to be transparently moved across physical machines with a consistent state captured by their VMs. Although live VM migration is generally fast, it is a resource-intensive operation and can impact the application performance and resource usage of the migrating VM as well as other concurrent VMs. However, existing studies on live migration performance are often based on the assumption that there are sufficient resources on the source and destination hosts, which is often not the case for highly consolidated systems. As the scale of virtualized systems such as clouds continue to grow, the use of live migration becomes increasingly more important for managing performance and reliability in such systems. Therefore, it is key to understand the performance of live VM migration under different levels of resource availability. This paper addresses this need by creating performance models for live migration which can be used to predict a VM's migration time given its application's behavior and the resources available to the migration. A series of experiments were conducted on Xen to profile the time for migrating a DomU VM running different resource-intensive applications while Dom0 is allocated different CPU shares for processing the migration. Regression methods are then used to create the performance model based on the profiling data. The results show that the VM's migration time is indeed substantially impacted by Dom0's CPU allocation whereas the performance model can accurately capture this relationship with the coefficient of determination generally higher than 90%.
Minimum control effort state-feedback H ∞ -control

Optimal H∞-controllers may exhibit large gains, resulting in large control efforts. In this paper we consider the problem of designing a minimum gain static full state-feedback controller such that the closed-loop transfer function satisfies a H∞-constraint. The main result of the paper shows that, by minimising an upper bound for the Frobenius-norm of the feedback-gain matrix and using a parametrisation as in [6], the problem can be cast into a finite-dimensional, convex optimisation problem. Scalar cost-functions for the H∞-bound and various other constraints allow the application of gradient-based software packages to these problems. Finally, we illustrate how to apply this theory to the mixed H2/H∞-control problem with minimum control effort.
Antimicrobial synergy between air DBD and UVA treatment of aqueous solution

Summary form only given. Both ambient-condition air plasmas and UVA emissions at wavelengths near 360 nm have been shown to inactivate bacteria in aqueous solution. We have recently reported that in the case of relatively high-power plasma treatment (greater than 0.25 W/cm2), important aqueous-phase chemical species include nitrate (NO3-), nitrite (NO2-), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) In this study, we demonstrate a synergistic antibacterial interaction between air plasma, using a surface micro-discharge (SMD) device, and UVA treatment, using a UVA-emitting LED. When an aqueous suspension of E. coli was treated with high-power air plasma for 5 minutes followed by UVA for 60 seconds, the antimicrobial effect was at least a 4.5 log reduction in bacterial load. Under the same conditions, the expected additive effect of plasma treatment alone plus UVA treatment alone was a 2-log reduction in load. In contrast, we show that under other conditions, such as treating with UVA first or using low-power plasma, the combined antimicrobial effect matches the expected additive effect. Of the species known to be created in high-power air plasma treatment of aqueous solution, nitrite appears to influence the observed synergy the most. Nitrite is known to absorb and photolyze in the UVA range to form NO and OH. These species are much more chemically and biologically active than nitrite. To support this hypothesis, we show that the addition of nitrite to aqueous solution increases the synergistic antimicrobial effect when treated with UVA. The interaction of UVA photons with plasma-generated chemical species has the potential to increase the speed and efficacy of both ambient-plasma disinfection and UV-based disinfection methods. Furthermore, our results suggest the possibility of a wider application of ambient-condition plasma chemistry coupled with photochemistry to produce unique chemical and biological effects.
Wave propagation along freely propagating surface gravity current fronts

This work deals with the propagation and evolution of disturbances which move along freely p opagating two-dimensional gravity current fronts. Examples of evolving perturbations on fronts are displayed in real-aperture radar images of gravity currents in the coastal zone. The theory of Cooper et al. (2001), which is based upon the ray tube formulation of Whitham (1974), is employed t simulate disturbances of the sort seen in this imagery and in the larger body of literature. Initial a omalies in both shape and velocity are introduced and allowed to evolve, and several types of new and interesting behaviors emerge. Shape perturbations of the form x = a sech δy evolve into two anomalies, which separate in time as they propagate in opposite directions along the front. When the value of a is increased, the disturbances, which propagate along the gravity current, can break, forming breaking frontal waves (BFWs). These manifest themselves as sharp angular features to either side of the main bulge. Two types of velocity disturbances are employed. The first has the form U = U 0 (1 + a sech δy), and evolves to preserve a single frontal bulge that increases in amplitude and width as it propagates. Here again, large values of â result in BFWs. In this case, they replicate the general behavior present in the imagery. The second type of velocity perturbation used is U = U 0 (1 + â cos δy). The smallest values of a generate no BFWs, but yield fronts which oscillate in space and time. Larger values produce a string of BFWs which are qualitatively similar tc the cusp-and-trough morphology observed so frequently in nature. The largest values of a allow the gravity current to form a string of large, bulbous structures which intersect one another as they propagate forward and spread laterally. And finally, we make an effort to correlate the results of the simulations with the shapes seen in radar and visible imagery in the literature.
Acoustic directionality of red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) song relates to amplitude and singing behaviours

Sound waves typically radiate from a vocalizing animal with unequal amplitude in different directions; this may profoundly affect communication, favouring adaptations that use or compensate for this directionality. Previous studies suggest that variation in directionality among vocalization types is related to function, with vocalizations such as alerts being relatively omnidirectional, thus maximizing the number of surrounding receivers, and vocalizations such as courtship calls being relatively directional, thus reducing eavesdropping by beaming sounds at the targeted receiver. Here we examine variation within a vocalization type, bird songs, to test hypotheses about how variation in song directionality relates to singing behaviour and the social context of singing. We measured the directionality and amplitude of red-winged blackbird songs in the field using calibrated microphones encircling the bird. We found variation in directionality among song types, possibly allowing males to select songs from their repertoires with directionality to suit the social context. We found support for the hypothesis that the amplitude and directionality of songs are related, with more-directional songs delivered at higher amplitudes. In addition, we found support for the hypothesis that directionality is negatively related to the degree of male rotation on the perch between vocalizations, suggesting that males may combine omnidirectional songs and rotation to broadcast their songs, and may face the receiver and produce directional songs during direct interactions. We also observed variation in directionality among note types within songs. These results suggest that directionality plays an important role in shaping song structure and singing behaviour in red-winged blackbirds.
White and Black American Children’s Implicit Intergroup Bias

Despite a decline in explicit prejudice, adults and children from majority groups (e.g., White Americans) often express bias implicitly, as assessed by the Implicit Association Test. In contrast, minority-group (e.g., Black American) adults on average show no bias on the IAT. In the present research, representing the first empirical investigation of whether Black children's IAT responses parallel those of Black adults, we examined implicit bias in 7-11-year-old White and Black American children. Replicating previous findings with adults, whereas White children showed a robust ingroup bias, Black children showed no bias. Additionally, we investigated the role of valuing status in the development of implicit bias. For Black children, explicit preference for high status predicted implicit outgroup bias: Black children who explicitly expressed high preference for rich (vs. poor) people showed an implicit preference for Whites comparable in magnitude to White children's ingroup bias. Implications for research on intergroup bias are discussed.
A pilot study to test the feasibility and effectiveness of an intervention to help teen mothers and their mothers clarify relational boundaries.

Teen mothers and their mothers experience conflict due to poor relational boundaries. This conflict can result in maternal stress, which can affect the quality of mother–infant interactions. The purpose of this pilot study was to test the feasibility and effectiveness of an intervention to improve relational boundaries between teen mothers and their mothers. Seven first-time teen mothers living with their mothers or mother figures completed the cognitive–behavioral intervention. Participants evaluated each session and the accompanying homework. Relational boundaries were observed before and after the intervention. Results revealed many feasibility issues including scheduling, language, and sample recruitment. Findings are discussed, and recommendations for further research are offered.
Equalizing and coherence measure correlators

A correlator is described that combines optical and electronic processing. The optical section is the first Fourier transform taking stage of a joint transform correlator; its output is electronically processed by a modified spectrum analyzer. Increased flexibility and various processing operations beyond those normally possible in an optical system result.
The effects of processing variables on stress development in ultraviolet-cured coatings

A cantilever deflection technique was used to monitor stress development during ultraviolet photo-cure of acrylate coatings to the glassy state. Two coating systems were studied: a trifunctional monomer (trimethylol propane triacrylate, TMPTA) and a tetrafunctional monomer (pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, PETA). Both were photoinitiated with 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMPA). Average in-plane stresses of up to 30 MPa were measured upon curing at room temperature. The rate and magnitude of stress development rose with the photoinitiator concentration and with light intensity. Curing with more strongly absorbed light had similar effects. Light absorption caused decreased stress magnitudes in thicker coatings. Somewhat unexpectedly, the rate and magnitude of stress development increased with monomer functionality even though the conversion fell. Moreover, curing thick coatings with high radical concentrations (strongly absorbing light and large photoinitiator concentrations) caused ripple defects to form. With the appearance of these defects, stress ceased to rise with the photoinitiator concentration. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was employed to monitor conversion and to help understand these stress development trends. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 66: 1267–1277, 1997
The Impact of Nativity on Chronic Diseases, Self-Rated Health and Comorbidity Status of Asian and Hispanic Immigrants

This study examines the physical health status of immigrants with specific considerations of Asian and Hispanic populations and explores possible mechanisms through which health outcomes of interest can be explained. Analyses of the National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS) of 2000 and 2001 revealed that foreign-born individuals reported fewer chronic diseases (hypertension, heart disease, asthma, cancer and diabetes) and had lower prevalences of various chronic diseases compared with U.S.-born whites, controlling for possible confounders and mediators. However, U.S-born minority groups did not show the health advantage seen in foreign-born immigrants, reflecting the importance of nativity distinctions in studying immigrant health. Despite having fewer chronic diseases, foreign-born Asians were more likely to rate their health negatively relative to their U.S.-born counterparts and to U.S.-born whites. In addition, our findings provide evidence that failure to consider comorbid status may attenuate the nativity effect on certain chronic diseases.
Cost-effectiveness of strategies used in the evaluation of pregnancies complicated by elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels

Objective: To perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of various protocols used in the diagnostic evaluation of pregnancies complicated by elevated levels of maternal serum alphafetoprotein (MSAFP). Methods: The variables incorporated in this model were the prevalence of relevant fetal anomalies; the sensitivity and specificity of MSAFP at 2.0 or 2.5 multiples of the median (MoM); and the sensitivity, specificity, cost, and safety of targeted ultrasound and amniocentesis. We expressed the cost-effectiveness of each strategy as the total cost of the diagnostic evaluation divided by the number of anomalous fetuses identified, yielding the cost per identified anomalous fetus. Results: In a hypothetical cohort of 100,000 singleton pregnancies, a strategy of targeted ultrasound for MSAFP of at least 2.0 MoM detected 90 of 110 structurally abnormal fetuses, without iatrogenic fetal loss, at a cost of $5700 per anomalous fetus. A strategy of amniocentesis with karyotype determination for MSAFP of at least 2.5 MoM detected 15 additional abnormal fetuses (87 structural abnormalities, ten autosomal aneuploidies, and eight sex chromosomal aneuploidies), with nine iatrogenic fetal losses, at an incremental cost of $46,100 per anomalous fetus. Conclusion: The increased cost and iatrogenic fetal loss rate may not justify the increased diagnostic yield of amniocentesis as compared with ultrasound in the evaluation of pregnancies complicated by elevated MSAFP.
The Case Presentation: Teaching medical students writing and communication skills

This paper describes a program in which the focus is on improving medical students' writing and communication skills as part of a paediatric clerkship. Based on the quality of students' performance and their evaluation of the exercise, this has been a successful innovation.
Pineal melatonin content in photoperiodically responsive and non-responsive phenotypes of deer mice.

Abstract 1. 1. The pineal melatonin content of photoperiod responsive and photoperiod non-responsive male deer mice was assessed. 2. 2. Pineal melatonin content did not differ between short-day mice with regressed testes or those that maintained their reproductive systems. 3. 3. These data suggest that differential phasing of melatonin release or post-pineal mechanisms are responsible for the differential responsiveness to day length among deer mice.
Genetic ablation of iNOS modulates pro-inflammatory cytokine levels after trauma and confers a survival advantage following infectious challenge

Introduction: Significant immune changes occur after trauma. Prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) and nitric oxide (NO ) are key inflammatory mediators involved in trauma-related immune dysfunction. The relative importance of the early response genes nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) after trauma is controversial. This study investigated macrophage cytokine production after trauma and followed survival from subsequent sepsis in COX-2 and iNOS knockout (−/−) and wild-type mice. Methods: Female C57/Bl6 COX-2 and iNOS KO and WT mice were randomized to control or trauma (femur fracture plus 40% blood volume hemorrhage) groups. Expt. 1. Seven days after injury, splenic macrophages were isolated, stimulated with LPS (10ng/mL) for 24 hours and pro- (IL-6 and TNFa) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and IL-12) cytokine levels measured by cytometric bead array. Expt. 2. At 7 days after trauma the mice were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture and followed for survival. Results: Macrophages produced significantly decreased TNFa levels in iNOS (−/−) mice compared with WT mice after trauma. iNOS (−/−) mice has a significant survival advantage compared with WT mice following sepsis (10/13 vs 4/12 p < 0.005). IL-10 levels were significantly elevated in COX-2 (−/−) but IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12 levels were unchanged compared with WT mice. Survival was similar between the COX-2 (−/−) and WT mice following septic challenge. Conclusions: These data suggest that inhibition of iNOS is more important than COX-2 in protecting the host from sepsis after trauma. Significantly decreased TNFa production in iNOS (−/−) mice correlated with improved outcome suggesting that NO regulates TNFa production in trauma.
Managed care for viruses.

The finding of a common receptor for coxsackievirus and adenovirus should help improve strategies for drug design and gene therapy.
Predicting intentions to adopt safe home food handling practices. Applying the theory of planned behavior

While most home cooks know about safe home food handling procedures, compliance is generally low and has not been much improved by campaigns. Foodborne disease is a common cause of illness, hospitalization and even death, and many of these illnesses are caused by unsafe home food practices. Using the theory of planned behavior as a model, survey data were analyzed. Perceived behavioral control was the strongest predictor of behavioral intentions for both hand washing and food thermometer use. Subjective norm was the next strongest predictor for thermometer use, while attitude towards the behavior was the next strongest predictor for hand washing. This is consistent with earlier focus group results for thermometer use and suggests some possible strategies for designing future home food safety messages.
SYNTHESIS OF ACYCLIC ISOPRENOIDS BY THE $gamma$-IRRADIATION OF ISOPRENE.

THE presence of saturated “isoprenoid” hydrocarbons pristane and phytane is often cited as evidence for the biogenic origin of organic compounds present in ancient sediments1–5. Although there is much evidence in support of this view, the possibility of an abiogenic synthesis should not be overlooked6.
Lubrication flows between spherical particles colliding in a compressible non-continuum gas

The low-Reynolds-number collision and rebound of two rigid spheres moving in an ideal isothermal gas is studied in the lubrication limit. The spheres are non-Brownian in nature with radii much larger than the mean-free path of the molecules. The nature of the flow in the gap between the particles depends on the relative magnitudes of the minimum gap thickness, h′o, the mean-free path of the bulk gas molecules, λo, and the gap thickness at which compressibility effects become important, hc. Both the compressible nature of the gas and the non-continuum nature of the flow in the gap are included and their effects are studied separately and in combination. The relative importance of these two effects is characterized by a dimensionless number, αo≡ (hc/λo). Incorporation of these effects in the governing equations leads to a partial differential equation for the pressure in the gap as a function of time and radial position. The dynamics of the collision depend on αo, the particle Stokes number, Sto, and the initial particle separation, h′o. While a continuum incompressible lubrication force applied at all separations would prevent particle contact, the inclusion of either non-continuum or compressible effects allows the particles to contact. The critical Stokes number for particles to make contact, St1, is determined and is found to have the form St1= 2 [ln(h′o/l) +C(αo)], where C(αo) is an O(1) quantity and l is a characteristic length scale defined by l≡ hc(1+αo)/ αo. The total energy dissipated during the approach and rebound of two particles when Sto[Gt ]St1 is also determined in the event of perfectly elastic or inelastic solid-body collisions.
Gold Electrode Modification with Thiolated Hapten for the Design of Amperometric and Piezoelectric Immunosensors

Self-assembly of a hapten monolayer is used for the development of amperometric and piezoelectric immunosensors. A disulfide compound carrying a terminal pyrene group was newly synthesized for the modification of a gold surface. The self-assembled organic monolayer was formed spontaneously through the use of a disulfide head group. The resulting monolayer and its long-term stability on a gold surface were measured by cyclic voltammetry. The application of the hapten monolayer to amperometric and piezoelectric immunosensing of monoclonal antibodies and benazo[a]pyrene (BaP) was also investigated.