cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coping with stress in college: an examination of spirituality, social support, and quality of life

The aim of this study was to evaluate specific adaptive coping strategies, including spirituality, social support, and healthy behaviours, that are associated with better quality of life in a colle...
The family of level sets of a harmonic function

Families of hypersurfaces that are level-set families of harmonic functions free of critical points are characterized by a local differential-geometric condition. Harmonic functions with a specified level-set family are constructed from geometric data. As a by-product, it is shown that the evolution of the gradient of a harmonic function along the gradient flow is determined by the mean curvature of the level sets that the flow intersects.
Effect of bioturbation on contaminated sediment deposited over remediated sediment

A challenge to all sediment remediation technologies is the continued influx of contaminants from uncontrolled sources following remediation. However, contaminants deposited on sediments remediated with chemically active sequestering agents may be affected by the sequestering agents resulting in reduced impacts. We deposited sediment contaminated with As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn over clean sediment capped with the sequestering agent, apatite, and clean uncapped sediment in laboratory mesocosms to simulate the recontamination of remediated sediment by influxes of particle-bound contaminants. Cap effectiveness was assessed in the presence and absence of the bioturbating organism Corbicula fluminea based on metal fluxes to sediment pore water and surface water, the distribution of mobile contaminants in sediment and surface water measured by Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films, and contaminant bioaccumulation by Lumbriculus variegatus. The metal sequestration capacity of apatite caps was unaffected or improved by bioturbation for all elements except As. Effects with uncapped sediment were metal specific including reductions in the bioavailable pool for Ni, Cd, and to a lesser extent, Pb, increases in the bioavailable pool for As and Cu, and little effect for Zn. It is likely that the reductions observed for some metals in uncapped, clean sediment were the result of burial and dilution of contaminated sediment combined with chemical processes such as sequestration by minerals and other compounds. These results indicate that apatite caps can control recontamination by metals regardless of bioturbation but point to the complexity of sediment recontamination and the need for further study of this problem.
Understanding Molecular Layer Deposition Growth Mechanisms in Polyurea via Picosecond Acoustics Analysis

Molecular layer deposition (MLD) is an increasingly important thin film synthesis technique in areas such as sensors, microelectronics, protective coatings, and catalysis. However, new analytical a...
Multimedia Enhancements for RISC Processors

The JPEG and MPEG standards make it easier now to encode and exchange images and video streams across different computing platforms and networks. Video in particular has the potential to become just another data type. Realtime video processing on PCs and workstations is now handled with special video boards and custom circuits. This is similar to the way most of the advanced graphics processing was performed in the 1980s. Special hardware may yield the highest performance but at a considerable cost to the end user.
Managing the elderly patient with hypertension: current strategies, challenges, and considerations.

Introduction: Hypertension is the leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular events and mortality in the world.Areas covered: An extensive literature review of articles and clinical trials o...
Early Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical ActivityLocations and Behaviors in Adults Living in the U.S.:Differences by Ethnicity and Income

Purpose: To examine the early impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity in adults during the first two months of restrictions in the U.S. Method: Adults (N = 268) completed an online survey between April 10-May 25, 2020. Participants reported minutes of vigorous, moderate, and walking physical activity for the past 7 days (early-COVID-19) and for a typical week in February 2020 (pre-COVID-19). Past 12-month step count data were extracted from participants’ personal smartphones. Results: Participants (18-74 years old, 22% Hispanic/Latino, 81% female, 41% overweight/obese) showed reductions in vigorous (Mdiff=-66.9 min/week), moderate (Mdiff=-92.4 min/week), walking (Mdiff-70.8 min/week), and step counts (Mdiff=-2232 steps/day) from the pre- to early-COVID-19 periods. Reductions in walking and steps were larger for low-income and Hispanic/Latino adults. Conclusion: Higher risk population sub-groups may be more affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of its impact on health-related behaviors.
Research Subsidy Spillovers, Two Ways

We study how the outputs of research spill over technological and geographic space in the context of the U.S. Small Business Innovation Research program. We infer input-output links using text anal...
How will a Biden presidency influence reproductive and women's health and development on the African continent?

History says, don't hope On this side of the grave. But then, once in a lifetime The longed-for tidal wave Of justice can rise up, And hope and history rhyme. - Seamus Heaney, as quoted by US Presidential candidate, Joseph R. Biden, 21 August 2020, Democratic National Convention. While the combined histories of the United States and the countries Africa have been radically transformed over the past four centuries; the deepest continental connection has probably happened during the Presidency of Barack H. Obama, son of Kenyan father and an American mother. Obama’s Vice President and now President-Elect Joseph R. Biden and his Vice President, Kamala Harris – herself a daughter of Africa – will arrive in Washington, DC, with positive attitudes towards Africa that we expect to be reflected in a renewed US commitment to the continent. History reminds us that from America’s original sin of enslaving Africans to more enlightened development alliances, the shifts and turns often reflect presidential leadership. For decades, the US has been the largest donor to the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, United Nations health-related organizations; and has provided important leadership through Department of State Programs, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In stark contrast, during the past four years, the Trump Administration dismantled Obama-era foreign policy, including funding for development and aid programs and retraction of the CDC’s global role in disease prevention and control. As President, Trump was uniquely disrespectful to the countries of Africa and his foreign policy motivations were nationalistic and isolationist.
Physiologic and Pathologic Calcifications of Head and Neck Significant to the Dentist

This article aims to help the practitioner identify structures found in routine three-dimensional imaging studies of the head and neck region and understand their significance and possible need for intervention. The prevalence of advanced imaging in dental practice, especially cone beam computed tomography, highlights the need to recognize and identify various high-density structures that are, in fact, soft tissue calcifications or alterations of normal bony anatomy. The wide range of these findings includes both benign and malignant pathologic entities as well as age-related calcifications and remodeling of normal anatomic structures and dystrophic calcifications.
Verification of Theory for Oblique Standing Waves

Changes in section or alinement of open channels flowing at supercritical velocities produce depth changes that may be abrupt or gradual depending on the type of wave produced. A series of experime...
Vibration of Crankshaft-Propeller Systems. New Method of Calculation

The calculation of torsional oscillations in crankshaft-propeller systems is carried out by a new method which reduces considerably the numerical work in the case of in-line engines. The theory is briefly outlined and the reader is referred to another publication of the author for further details. Three applications follow. In the first, all six natural frequencies and the corresponding modes are calculated for a V-12 engine. In the second example the method is adapted to the direct determination of the fundamental frequency. The third example deals with a 12-cylinder flat opposed engine coupled to a blower and through gears to a propeller; all eight natural frequencies are determined. The natural frequencies are determined by plotting a simple curve generally close to a straight line and the corresponding modes of oscillation in the crank are expressed in terms of a sine function. The amount of numerical work involved in the procedure is independent of the number of cylinders of the engine.
Gastrin gene expression and regulation in rat islet cell lines.

Gastrin gene expression was observed in two permanent rat insulinoma (RIN) cell lines derived from a rat insulinoma. Gastrin expression was selective; highest expression was seen in a cell line which did not express other islet cell hormones. Gastrin mRNA transcription initiated from the same promoter as antral gastrin mRNA. DNA transfection studies with a gastrin chloramphenicol acetyltransferase chimeric gene showed higher expression in gastrin-expressing RIN cells than non-gastrin-expressing islet cells. This implies that gastrin-expressing RIN cells selectively express a trans-acting transcriptional activator which binds to cis-acting regulatory sequences within the 5′-flanking DNA sequence and first exon of the gastrin gene. The gastrin peptide precursor synthesized in these RIN cell lines is subject to the same repertoire of posttranslational modifications within the cell's secretory apparatus (endoproteolytic cleavage, tyrosine sulfation, and C-terminal amidation) as seen in antral G cells. Gastrin mRNA levels in these RIN cells were selectively increased by increasing the extracellular calcium concentration. Membrane depolarization also stimulated gastrin mRNA levels, probably through activation of voltage-sensitive calcium channels. Thus, these gastrin-expressing RIN cell lines provide permanent cell lines useful in analyzing the cellular regulation of gastrin gene expression.
Fractional Segmentation of White Matter

Abnormalities in the white matter of the brain are common to subjects with multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease. They also develop in normal, asymptomatic, subjects and appear more frequently with age. Clinically, it is interesting to be able to differentiate between different disease states and to find markers which allow early diagnosis. Conventional spin echo (CSE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is sensitive to these white matter changes and has frequently been applied to their study.
Patterns of detection in patients with cutaneous melanoma.

BACKGROUND Despite the importance of early detection in preventing mortality from melanoma, little is known regarding how patients with the disease come to diagnosis. METHODS The authors prospectively evaluated 471 newly diagnosed melanoma patients between 1995 and 1998. Patients completed a questionnaire that included 1) identification of the person who detected the lesion, 2) the anatomic location of the lesion, and 3) family history of melanoma. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relation between detection patterns and lesion thickness, adjusting for age, gender, anatomic site of the primary lesion, and family history of melanoma. RESULTS The majority of patients detected their own melanoma (n = 270; 57%). Females were more likely to self-detect than males (69% vs. 47%; P < 0.0001). Physicians detected the melanoma in 16% of patients (n = 74), followed by “spouse” in 11% of patients (n = 51). Within this group, detection by wives was 7.5 times more common than detection by husbands (P < 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that physicians were 3.6 times more likely to detect thin lesions (≤0.75 mm) compared with nonphysician detectors (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.1, 6.5; P = 0.0001). In addition, patients who reported a family history of melanoma had a 2.7-fold increased likelihood of presenting with a thin lesion (95% CI, 1.6, 4.7; P = 0.0003). CONCLUSIONS Physician detection and a report of a family history of melanoma are associated with the presentation of patients with early melanoma, suggesting that awareness of the disease among physicians and the public is critical for preventing mortality from melanoma. Increasing melanoma awareness in males may be a particularly effective means of secondary prevention. Cancer 2000;89:342–7. © 2000 American Cancer Society.
Regulation of neural KCNQ channels: signalling pathways, structural motifs and functional implications.

Neural M-type (KCNQ/Kv7) K+ channels control somatic excitability, bursting and neurotransmitter release throughout the nervous system. Their activity is regulated by multiple signalling pathways. In superior cervical ganglion sympathetic neurons, muscarinic M1, angiotensin II AT1, bradykinin B2 and purinergic P2Y agonists suppress M current (IM). Probes of PLC activity show agonists of all four receptors to induce robust PIP2 hydrolysis. We have grouped these receptors into two related modes of action. One mode involves depletion of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) in the membrane, whose interaction with the channels is thought necessary for their function. The other involves IP3-mediated intracellular Ca2+ signals that stimulate PIP2 synthesis, preventing its depletion, and suppress IM via calmodulin. Carbon-fibre amperometry can evaluate the effect of M channel activity on release of neurotransmitter. Consistent with the dominant role of M current in control of neuronal discharge, M channel openers, or blockers, reduced or augmented the evoked release of noradrenaline neurotransmitter from superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons, respectively. We seek to localize the subdomains on the channels critical to their regulation by PIP2. Based on single-channel recordings from chimeras between high-PIP2 affinity KCNQ3 and low-PIP2 affinity KCNQ4 channels, we focus on a 57-residue domain within the carboxy-terminus that is a possible PIP2 binding site. Homology modelling of this domain using the published structure of IRK1 channels as a template predicts a structure very similar to an analogous region in IRK1 channels, and shows a cluster of basic residues in the KCNQ2 domain to correspond to those implicated in PIP2 regulation of Kir channels. We discuss some important issues dealing with these topics.
Plank Road Fever in Antebellum America: New York State Origins

The new roads would end rural isolation, speed commerce, improve wives and daughters, increase church attendance, bring wealth to investors. So said the promotors. The autors examine the New York origins of plank roads and analyze their giddy rise and traumatic decline. Daniel Klein is an assistant professor of economics at the University of California, Irvine. John Majewski is a lecturer in the history department of the University of California, Los Angeles.
The advantages and limitations of the psychophysical staircases procedure in the study of intersensory bias: Commentary on Bertelson

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the advantages and limitations of the psychophysical staircases procedure in the study of intersensory bias. Research on intersensory bias as an immediate response to conflicts between sensory modalities (e.g., vision and audition) holds no interest for perceptual psychologists unless it actually tells them something about perception. The major contributions of chapter are (1) his persuasive argument that, under some circumstances, the results of such studies may say more about the “social psychology of subject-experimenter interactions” than about human perception, and (2) his application of a procedure (psychophysical staircases) for determining if, when, and to what extent this is actually the case. Bertelson suggests two measures that may be resistant or even immune to the post-perception (cognitive) judgment interpretation of inter sensory bias results. The first of these is the post exposure after effect. For example, after exposure to a visual-auditory spatial conflict, subjects could be tested on their localization of the auditory stimulus alone.
Characterization of the gene cassette required for biosynthesis of the (alpha1-->6)-linked N-acetyl-D-mannosamine-1-phosphate capsule of serogroup A Neisseria meningitidis.

The (α1→6)-linked N-acetyl-d-mannosamine-1-phosphate meningococcal capsule of serogroup A Neisseria meningitidis is biochemically distinct from the sialic acid-containing capsules produced by other disease-associated meningococcal serogroups (e.g., B, C, Y, and W-135). We defined the genetic cassette responsible for expression of the serogroup A capsule. The cassette comprised a 4,701-bp nucleotide sequence located between the outer membrane capsule transporter gene, ctrA, and galE, encoding the UDP-glucose-4-epimerase. Four open reading frames (ORFs) not found in the genomes of the other meningococcal serogroups were identified. The first serogroup A ORF was separated from ctrA by a 218-bp intergenic region. Reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR and primer extension studies of serogroup A mRNA showed that all four ORFs were cotranscribed in the opposite orientation to ctrA and that transcription of the ORFs was initiated from the intergenic region by a ς-70-type promoter that overlapped the ctrA promoter. The first ORF exhibited 58% amino acid identity with the UDP-N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) 2-epimerase of Escherichia coli, which is responsible for the conversion of UDP-GlcNAc into UDP-N-acetyl-d-mannosamine. Polar or nonpolar mutagenesis of each of the ORFs resulted in an abrogation of serogroup A capsule production as determined by colony immunoblots and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Replacement of the serogroup A biosynthetic gene cassette with a serogroup B cassette by transformation resulted in capsule switching from a serogroup A capsule to a serogroup B capsule. These data indicate that assembly of the serogroup A capsule likely begins with monomeric UDP-GlcNAc and requires proteins encoded by three other genes found in the serogroup A N. meningitidis-specific operon located between ctrA and galE.
Biosynthesis of lipoic acid and posttranslational modification with lipoic acid in Escherichia coli.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a brief review of lipoic acid synthesis focusing on the enzymes that attach lipoic acid to the target proteins. α-lipoic acid is a cofactor covalently attached to the E2 subunits of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (KGDH) (oxoglutarate dehydrogenase), and branched-chain keto acid dehydrogenase (3-methyl-2-oxobutanoate dehydrogenase) complexes and to the glycine cleavage enzyme of Escherichia coli (E. coli)and other organisms. Attachment to such proteins is essential for the physiological function of lipoate. Lipoate is essentially an eight-carbon fatty acid modified by sulfur insertion at C-6 and C-8 to give a thiolane ring. In extracts from lplA null mutants, ligase activity is detected only when lipoyl–acyl carrier protein (lipoyl–ACP) is the lipoyl source whereas in extracts from lipB null mutants ligase activity can be detected only by use of lipoic acid plus ATP-Mg2+. However, when lplA is overexpressed from an inducible plasmid in lipB null strains, activity can be detected using lipoyl-ACP, indicating that lplA can also utilize lipoyl–ACP albeit at a reduced rate.
Women with Physical Disabilities Who Want to Leave Their Partners

Abstract Four domains of barriers for women with physical disabilities who are considering leaving a partner are outlined. These obstacles include (a) physical needs; (b) financial needs; (c) custody concerns; and (d) relationship issues. Disability policies can have direct bearing on the lives of women with disabilities, and hence on their freedom to choose to remain with or to leave a partner.
FOSTERING AFFECTIVE ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT IN PUBLIC SECTOR AGENCIES: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MULTIFACETED LEADERSHIP ROLES

This study examines whether the various leadership roles undertaken by public sector managers have an important association with subordinates' levels of affective commitment to the organization. Our empirical findings suggest that not all leadership practices matter. It appears that only relations-oriented and change-oriented leadership, and to a far lesser extent integrity-oriented leadership, have a substantive association with affective organizational commitment. Task-oriented leadership and, to a large degree, integrity-oriented leadership, are found not to matter much for employees with lower levels of affective commitment, but they look to strengthen fondness of the organization among those with already high levels of affective commitment. Results also suggest that the diversity-oriented leadership role has no association with affective commitment to the organization.
Technologies for building networked collaborative environments

In this paper, we begin by reporting our work in lip synchronization. We then expand on this technology to introduce our recent effort in developing a networked collaborative environment that integrates image analysis, face animation, and directional sound in order to provide a truly immersive environment, with the goal of replacing existing video conferencing platforms. A related technology, streaming of 3D objects, is also introduced.
Correlation between monovalent cation-induced decreases in chlorophyll a fluorescence and chloroplast structural changes

Abstract Low concentrations (~ 3 m m ) of salts of monovalent cations such as Na+, K+, and tetraethylammonium were found to decrease the turbidity of chloroplast suspensions. The turbidity changes (Δ540) had the same kinetics, salt concentration dependence, and pH dependence as the monovalent cation-induced decreases in chlorophyll a fluorescence (9), suggesting that structural changes are the cause of the associated increases in spillover. Electron microscopy revealed that the grana are stacked when spillover is inhibited (in the absence of salts or the presence of divalent cations) and that monovalent cations cause the grana to unstack, thereby promoting spillover.
Inhibition of food-stimulated gastrin release by a topical anesthetic, oxethazaine

Studies in dogs have shown that the topical anesthetic, oxethazaine, inhibits food-stimulated Heidenhain pouch secretion of HCl after its perfusion into the antral area and following its oral administration. It is concluded that this effect is due to inhibition of antral, and possibly, small bowel gastrin release by oxethazaine.
Identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in synovial fluid using the polymerase chain reaction.

Objective. To analyze synovial fluid (SF) for the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods. We used a modified, nested PCR to detect the presence of N gonorrhoeae DNA in 41 samples of SF obtained from 10 patients with clinical gonococcal arthritis whose SF samples were sterile by culture and from 27 controls, including 11 patients with Reiter's syndrome. Results obtained using this method were compared with those obtained using the GEN-PROBE system, an RNA–DNA hybridization technique. Results. With nested PCR, N gonorrhoeae DNA was detected in 11 of 14 SF samples obtained from patients with culture-negative clinical gonococcal arthritis but in none of the 11 SF samples from Reiter's syndrome patients. The specificity of this technique was 96.4%, with a sensitivity of 78.6%. The rate of false-positive results was 3.6%. The GEN-PROBE technique was unable to detect N gonorrhoeae ribosomal RNA in any of the samples. Conclusion. These findings demonstrate the potential utility of the PCR in confirming the clinical diagnosis of gonococcal arthritis as well as providing insight into the pathogenesis of this disorder in patients whose SF are sterile by standard culture techniques. PCR may also prove helpful in differentiating N gonorrhoeae arthritis from acute Reiter's syndrome.
Reconciling Water‐Use Efficiencies of Cotton in Field and Laboratory

Stomatal behavior of cotton (L.) differs between controlled environments and the field. Two important differences are the much greater stomatal conductance maintained in the field in the absence of water stress, and the reduced response of stomata to water stress in the field. This review paper describes and supports the hypothesis that the differences in stomatal behavior result from effects of temperature upon abscisic acid (ABA) metabolism. The reasoning is based on the following points: (i) controlled-environment experiments are frequently run at unrealistically low temperatures near the optimum for plant growth (≈ 30 °C); (ii) higher temperatures in controlled environments change stomatal behaviors to resemble those seen in the field, and they promote the metabolic loss of ABA from leaf tissue; (iii) in the field, ABA concentrations leaves are very low at high temperatures, and stomatal responsiveness to CO (an indicator of a role for ABA in mediating stomatal movements is poor; (iv) stomata at high temperatures in the field retain the ability to respond to exogenous ABA; (v) in the field late in the season, when temperatures resemble those of controlled environments, ABA concentrations of leaves and stomatal properties shift to resemble those seen in controlled environments; and finally, (vi) these shifts are unrelated to photosynthetic properties of the mesophyll. Evidence indicates that stomatal behavior in the field may be related to heat tolerance of the crop, with the very high conductances at high temperatures permitting substantial evaporative cooling of the foliage. Both plant physiology and agronomy need controlled environments, because these permit studies of stomatal responses to environmental factors in the absence of confounding variables. Such experiments must use realistic temperatures that simulate the field environment, however, to obtain results relevant to field performance.
Amino acid substitutions far from the active site of bacteriophage T4 lysozyme reduce catalytic activity and suggest that the C-terminal Lobe of the enzyme participates in substrate binding

As part of a systematic study of the effect of single amino acid substitutions on the structure, function and stability of the lysozyme from bacteriophage T4, we have characterized a mutant lysozyme for which the catalytic activity is reduced to 4% that of the wild-type enzyme, yet the location of the amino acid substitution is on the far side of the molecule, 25 A from the active site. Genetic and chemical analysis show that the mutant lysozyme differs from wild-type only in the replacement of Glu128 by a lysine residue. Crystallographic analysis confirms the location of the amino acid substitution, and also shows that the replacement of Glu128, which is on the surface of the protein, causes very little change in the three-dimensional structure of the lysozyme molecule. Thermodynamic analysis shows that the stability of the mutant lysozyme is comparable with that of native lysozyme. These results suggest that Glu128 participates directly in substrate binding and/or catalysis, and argue against the possibility that the low activity of the mutant enzyme is due to an indirect effect such as destabilization of the lysozyme molecule, or modification of its three-dimensional structure. Glu128 is located in the part of the carboxy-terminal domain of phage lysozyme that has no counterpart in the structure of hen egg-white lysozyme. We suggest that the role of this C-terminal domain is to bind the peptide cross-link that connects neighboring saccharide strands within the cell walls of Escherichia coli . This postulate is consistent with the known differences in specificity between phage lysozyme and hen egg-white lysozyme, and is also compatible with the activity of native and mutant phage lysozymes toward different bacterial cell walls.
Effect of guanine–cytosine base pair orientation and cluster size on ionization energy and charge distribution: A theoretical study

Abstract Density functional calculations with B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ level of theory suggest that the vertical ionization energy (VIE) is minimum for 0° orientation angle of guanine-cytosine (GC) n ( n = 2–6) base pairs, and maximum at around 30°, which is close to the natural base orientation angle (36°) in DNA. As the (GC) n cluster size is increased, the VIE value is decreased substantially from n = 1 to n = 3 (7.23–5.76 eV) followed by a less dramatic decrease for larger n values. In each cationic (GC) n cluster, the charge distribution among the G bases shows a pattern that depends upon odd or even number of base pairs in the cluster. At a very low temperature, when the orientation angle is frozen to its equilibrium value (around 36°), the CT rate is expected to drop significantly (large VIE value) in comparison with the rates at higher temperatures when small orientation angles are accessible with lower VIE values.
Mucociliary Clearance in Experimental Chronic Sinusitis

Abnormal mucociliary clearance in the paranasal sinuses is a significant factor in the pathogenesis of sinusitis. This study examined effects of chronic sinusitis on ciliary beat frequency (CBF), m...
Exposure of the cervical internal carotid artery: surgical steps to the cranial base and morphometric study.

Objective Several studies have reported on approaches to increase exposure of the distal cervical internal carotid artery (ICA), but these studies have neither systematically addressed the anatomic aspects nor quantified the additional exposure of each maneuver. We describe surgical steps to expose the ICA region, quantify the additional exposure of each operative step, and discuss ways to minimize surgical morbidity. Methods The ICA was exposed in 10 formalin-fixed cadaveric heads using the following four steps: 1) anterior sternocleidomastoid approach, 2) retroparotid dissection and division of the digastric muscle, 3) section of the styloid apparatus, and 4) mandibulotomy. After completion of each step, the most distal level of ICA exposure was marked with a hemoclip and segment lengths were measured between each clip. Results Sectioning of the digastric muscle and sectioning of the styloid apparatus provided the most significant exposure of the ICA (14.15 and 15.08 mm, respectively) with minimal risks. Mandibulotomy added 10.20 mm in length and 20.65 degrees in width, but is a maneuver that must be weighed against the heightened risk of morbidity. Conclusion Surgical exposure of the distal cervical ICA is associated with relatively high morbidity that increases with higher levels of exposure. Staged maneuvers have been shown to increase ICA exposure, especially in our systematic approach. The number of steps required varies depending on the level of lesion. Complete understanding of the surgical anatomy is essential to minimize surgical morbidity and to develop surgical expertise.
Random forest: a classification and regression tool for compound classification and QSAR modeling.

A new classification and regression tool, Random Forest, is introduced and investigated for predicting a compound's quantitative or categorical biological activity based on a quantitative description of the compound's molecular structure. Random Forest is an ensemble of unpruned classification or regression trees created by using bootstrap samples of the training data and random feature selection in tree induction. Prediction is made by aggregating (majority vote or averaging) the predictions of the ensemble. We built predictive models for six cheminformatics data sets. Our analysis demonstrates that Random Forest is a powerful tool capable of delivering performance that is among the most accurate methods to date. We also present three additional features of Random Forest: built-in performance assessment, a measure of relative importance of descriptors, and a measure of compound similarity that is weighted by the relative importance of descriptors. It is the combination of relatively high prediction accu...
AIRBORNE GRADIOMETRY ERROR ANALYSIS

Gravity gradiometry is one of the older methods of determining the Earth’s local gravitational field, but lies in the shadow of more conventional static and moving-base gravimeter-based systems. While the static torsion balance appears to have been relegated to the museum, support for the airborne and space-borne differential accelerometer (gradiometer) continues so as to overcome limitations in spatial resolution and accuracy inherent in ordinary moving-base gravimetry. One airborne system exists, building on 30 year old technology concepts, and new technologies (e.g., cold-atom interferometry) promise significant improvements. Concomitant advances are required to measure accurately the angular velocity and angular acceleration of the platform, which inseparably combine (in an absolute sense) with the Earth’s gravitational gradients. A numerical analysis of instrument errors, with simulated aircraft dynamics, shows that navigation-grade gyros are just sufficient to account for these effects in gradiometers with 1E/ $$\sqrt{{\rm Hz}}$$ sensitivity. More accurate instruments, with 0.1 E/ $$\sqrt{{\rm Hz}}$$ sensitivity, require commensurate sensitivity in the gyros, of the order of 0.01°/h/ $$\sqrt{{\rm Hz}}$$ = 1.5\times10−4 ° \ $$\sqrt{{Hz}}$$ for typical survey aircraft dynamics. On the other hand, typical orientation errors in the platform, which are problematic for vector gravimetry, are much less of a concern in gradiometry. They couple to the gradient signals and affect only the very low frequencies of the total gradient error.
Influence of an overstorey tree (Prosopis glandulosa) on associated shrubs in a savanna parkland: implications for patch dynamics.

The arborescent legume, honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), appears to play a central role in patch dynamics of southern Texas savannas by modifying soils and microclimate and by facilitating the ingress, establishment and/or growth of shrubs in its understorey. As an indirect test for the occurrence and persistence of facilitation in mature shrub clusters (patches), we examined the gas exchange, water relations and production of associated shrubs growing in patches where a Prosopis overstorey was present and in patches where Prosopis had succumbed to natural mortality. Surface (0–10 cm) soils associated with shrub patches were enriched in total [N] and [C] compared to soils of neighboring herbaceous zones. However, there were no detectable differences in soil [N] or [C] in patches with and without Prosopis. Foliar [N] and biomass of various shrub species were also statistically comparable for patches with and without Prosopis. These results are in accordance with other studies that indicate the nutrient legacy associated with Prosopis occupation of a patch may persist for decades after its demise. In comparison to plants growing in the absence of Prosopis, leaf water potentials (predawn and midday), and net photosynthesis and water vapor conductance (morning and midday) of outer-canopy sunlit leaves over an annual growth cycle were comparable for two common evergreen shrubs, Zanthoxylum fagara and Berberis trifoliolata, growing in patches with a live Prosopis. These findings indicate that the presence of Prosopis was not enhancing the growth or activity of mature understorey shrubs; facilitation may, therefore, be important only during early stages of cluster development. In addition, we found no indication that the loss of Prosopis has initiated a downward phase in a cyclic succession of patch initiation, growth and death. Rather, the understorey shrubs appear to be able to maintain growth and productivity in the absence of a Prosopis overstorey, and may, therefore, represent persistent components of woody patches on these savanna landscapes.
An experimental logic based on the fundamental deduction principle

Abstract Experimental logic can be viewed as a branch of logic dealing with the actual construction of useful deductive systems and their application to various scientific disciplines. In this paper we describe an experimental deductive system called the SYMbolic EVALuator (i.e. SYMEVAL) which is based on a rather simple, yet startling principle about deduction, namely that deduction is fundamentally a process of replacing expressions by logically equivalent expressions. This principle applies both to logical and domain-dependent axioms and rules. Unlike more well-known logical inference systems which do not satisfy this principle, herein is described a system of logical axioms and rules called the SYMMETRIC LOGIC which is based on this principle. Evidence for this principle is given by proving theorems and performing deduction in the areas of set theory, logic programming, natural language analysis, program verification, automatic complexity analysis, and inductive reasoning.
Spatio-temporal distribution of corn leaf Aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) and lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Iowa cornfields

Abstract Prey–predator interactions are spatially and temporally dynamic and influenced by environmental factors. Field studies were conducted to investigate the dynamics of spatio-temporal interactions among corn leaf aphids, lady beetles, and environmental factors in cornfields by mapping and comparing their distributions. Lady beetle species in this study included Harmonia axyridis Pallas, Coleomegilla maculata (DeGeer), and Coccinella septempunctata L. A global positioning system, geostatistics, and a geographic information system (GIS) were used to locate sample points, characterize distribution patterns, and map the distributions of corn leaf aphids, lady beetles, and environmental factors. Geostatistical analysis showed that both corn leaf aphid and lady beetle populations were aggregated during the peak population period and randomly distributed early and late in the season. Map-correlation analysis, however, showed that the distribution of lady beetles did not always coincide with that of corn leaf aphids. The results also showed that none of the environmental factors we sampled were significantly correlated with corn leaf aphid and lady beetle distributions. This study documents the dynamic relationships in time and space between lady beetles and corn leaf aphids.
Residential transience and depression: does the relationship exist for men and women?

Residential transience may contribute to adverse mental health. However, to date, this relationship has not been well-investigated among urban, impoverished populations. In a sample of drug users and their social network members (n = 1,024), we assessed the relationship between transience (frequently moving in the past 6 months) and depressive symptoms, measured by the CES-D, among men and women. Even after adjusting for homelessness, high levels of depressive symptoms were 2.29 [95%CI = 1.29–4.07] times more likely among transient men compared to nontransient men and 3.30 [95% CI = 1.10–9.90] times more common among transient women compared to nontransient women. Stable housing and mental health services need to be available, easily accessible, and designed so that they remain amenable to utilization under transient circumstances.
The Inertia of the Anterior Leaflet of the Heart’s Mitral Valve

Virtual mass effects generate forces that act on any object accelerating in a fluid medium. While there have been computational models of bileaflet mechanical valves that include virtual mass effects [1], current computational models of fluid structure interaction of native mitral valves do not consider virtual mass effects, resulting in an incomplete measure of the forces acting on the valve. As far as the authors aware no closed-form relationship for the virtual mass coefficient, Cm, of the native mitral valve has been determined. Integrating the effects of virtual mass into computational models of the mitral valve would result in a more complete model, and could yield more accurate and relevant results from computational models of the mitral valve.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Tumor uptakes and organ distributions of gallium-67 oxalate, ligand bonded to proteins in rodents☆

Gallium-67 fibrinogen, prepared without stannous tin has been shown by Biogel agarose chromatography, cellulose acetate strip electrophoresis, and coagulability studies done on pure 67Ga-fibrinogen, and on this radiopharmaceutical isolated from rat blood, 12 h and 3 h after injection, to be stable for 3 h. This is the time when most of the tumor uptake of 67Ga occurs as shown by Sephton (1964) and Larson (1978c). In the R3259, large cell sarcoma, in Fisher rats, 67Ga fibrinogen, prepared without tin, has been shown to have significantly higher tumor/blood ratios than 67Ga citrate at 24 h after injection. This is due partly to the higher uptake in the tumor, and partly to the fact that the blood level of 67Ga-fibrinogen drops from 80% of the dose at 12 h after injection to 8% of the dose at 24 h after injection. When prepared with stannous tin, 67Ga-fibrinogen shows significantly higher tumor/organ ratios in the SAI, spindle cell sarcomas in A/J mice only when the amounts of gallium-67 and fibrinogen are restricted. This effect is thought to be similar to the scandium effect of HAYES (1980) as both produce higher excretions from the animals, increased uptake in bone, and both involve loose binding of gallium-67 to protein.
Strains and tilts on crustal blocks

Geodetic work done over the past century is examined to investigate block motion in areas of intense tectonic deformation, with special attention to geodetic releveling data obtained for Japan. Problems in interpreting strainmeter and tiltmeter to study the behavior of crustal blocks and block boundaries are discussed. Block dimensions of 5 to 50 km seem to occur frequently in regions of intense tectonic activity. Block boundaries are often considerably weaker than contiguous crustal blocks, resulting in a concentration of strains at boundaries and decrease of strains within blocks. Block to block variations in tilt phase and magnitude are observed. There is some evidence that block boundaries may exhibit strain-dependent elastic properties or respond viscoelastically, possibly accounting for the slow transmission of tectonic deformation reported in Japan. If nonlinear behavior is characteristic of regions fragmented by crustal blocks, it will generally not be possible to apply a site correction factor based on the observed distortion of tidal or seismic strains in interpreting secular strains.
Partial lacerations of median and ulnar nerves

Twelve patients with sharp distal partial median and ulnar nerve lacerations were treated within 2 weeks of injury by end-to-end repair of the lacerated fascicular groups. After an average follow-up of 21 months, the results, based on the British Medical Research Council Rating Scale, were good: S = 3.81 and M = 4.0 (normal: S = 4.0 and M = 5.0). The function of the originally intact fascicular groups did not deteriorate. We suggest that nerve repair of partially lacerated fascicular groups is a reliable treatment method that results in good return of sensory and motor function and does not harm adjacent intact fascicular groups.
Source statistics and the Kerr effect in fiber-optic gyroscopes

We show theoretically that polarized thermal light as generated by a superluminescent diode has the properties required to compensate for Kerr-effect drift in fiber gyroscopes. Light from some multimode lasers has related properties that can substantially reduce Kerr-effect errors. An experimental gyroscope using a multimode laser diode demonstrates no Kerr-effect error and provides significantly improved long-term stability.
On the abundance of calcium in the solar corona

Measured values for the total intensity of the continuum and the ratio of integrated intensities I(λ 5694)/I/(λ5446) are used to estimate the fraction of electrons along the line of sight contributing to the excitation of Caxv. This estimate of electron density along with an estimate of the dimension of the emitting region are used to find a value of the abundance of Ca in the solar corona. The estimated abundance is logN Ca/N H = -4.35.
Few-body problem in celestial mechanics

Abstract The approaches taken by solar system dynamicists to various outstanding problems has changed considerably in recent years. Some problems for which few-body approaches have been tried in the past are now thought to involve collective phenomena. Observed features in Saturn's rings associated with resonances are examples. On the other hand, the problem of the origin of the Kirkwood gaps in the asteroid belt, for which a number of a many-body approaches (involving collisions or gas friction) have been tried, probably has a few-body solution and may involve chaos.
Alcohol and anxiety: Postdrink-performance feedback alters affective and self-evaluative responses to a subsequent social stressor

Several models of alcohol use and abuse implicate self-evaluation as a variable that mediates alcohol's anxiolytic effects. Self-evaluation when drinking, in turn, is affected by people's causal attributions for their behavior and alcohol expectancies. Accordingly, postdrink performance feedback was manipulated by having 20 subjects engage in a set of tasks before and after a moderate dose of alcohol. Half of the subjects received feedback that alcohol impaired their task performance whereas the other half received feedback that alcohol did not impair their performance. All subjects then participated in a stressful social interaction. As expected, subjects in the high behavioral impairment condition made more external performance attributions during the social stressor and reported less negative self-evaluation and subjective anxiety than subjects in the low behavioral impairment condition. Alcohol expectancies appeared to account partially for the data. The results indicate that information concerning alcohol-induced behavioral impairment moderates alcohol's effects on self-evaluation and subjective anxiety.
Effect of herbicides on phase transitions of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine vesicles

Abstract The gel to liquid-crystalline phase transition of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) vesicles was monitored with a light-scattering technique in the presence and absence of herbicides. The phase transition temperature for pure DPPC was determined as 41.6°C. 2-Methoxy-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid (dicamba), 2-methoxy-3,6-dichlorophenylacetic acid (methoxy fenac). 2,4.5-T, (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) acetic acid (2,4,5-T), (2,4-dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid (2,4-D), 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) propionic acid (silvex), and 4(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) butyric acid (2,4-DB) caused a depression in the phase transition temperature (−Δ T ), whose values increased in the following order: 0.6, 3.0, 3.8, 4.6, 7.6 and 9.6°C, respectively. A linear relation was observed between the −Δ T values and log K (partition coefficient) values for the tested herbicides. This suggested that the perturbation induced in the membrane bilayers by the herbicides was related to the lipid solubilities of the herbicides.