cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Repetitive Pulling Catalyzes Co-translocational Unfolding of Barnase During Import Through a Mitochondrial Pore

We present a computational study of barnase unfolding during import into mitochondria through a model translocon. In contrast to thermal (or chemical) unfolding, the major intermediates of co-translocational unfolding are mainly mediated by non-native interactions accompanying the protein configurations induced by pulling forces. These energy contributions, combined with backbone topological constraints imposed by the model pore, result in milestones along the unfolding pathways which are significantly different not only from those experienced during thermal (or chemical) denaturation, but also from those observed in single-molecule pulling by both ends without pore constraints. Two on-pathway major translocation intermediates trapped in long-lived states by significantly high unfolding barriers are identified. A fraction of these pathways can, however, skip such local kinetic traps and result in extremely fast translocations, leading to a dramatic kinetic partitioning spanning approximately four orders of magnitude. The fraction of fast translocation events is shown to increase upon switching the pull off and on, when compared to pulling at constant force. This suggests a “catalytic” mechanism by which the mitochondrial import machinery regulates this partitioning by repetitively pulling in cycles. A number of mutation sites that alter the kinetic “flow” of the unfolding trajectories are suggested and tested.
Modeling the Open-to-closed Transition of Adenylate Kinase: All-atom Molecular Dynamics Simulations and a Double-Well Network Model

An intrinsic property of protein is the ability to undergo conformational changes upon ligand binding. In this work, we study Adenylate Kinase (AKE), an important enzyme controlling the balance of ATP in prokaryotic cells. X-ray crystallography indicates that AKE has two distinct conformations, open and closed, depending on whether it is bound with substrates (ATP and AMP). Conformation difference in AKE can be determined by the relative position of two separate domains, the lid domain and the NMP binding domain, to the core. In this work, all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and coarse-grained modeling are used to elucidate the effects of ligand binding on AKE conformation. Results based on four 100ns all-atom trajectories indicate that ATP binding induced the closing of lid domain and suggest that the relative population between closed to open structure is increased. The closing of NMP binding domain, however, is found to be more specific and may require a timescale longer than 100ns to close. The mechanical property of a hinge region is found to correlate with lid closing; residues in this region may be mutated to alter the rate of conformational change and hence enzyme catalysis. This prediction agrees well with the results of recent single molecule experiments. Using a double-well network coarse-grained model, multiple pathways of open-to-closed transition can be found. Motions of lid-domain and NMP binding domain are not concerted and may be treated as two distinct events. This picture is different from the result of using elastic network model and agrees better with atomistic simulations. In addition to open-to-closed transition, solvation structures and intrinsic mechanical properties of AKE are also characterized to identify key residues that may control the conformational change of AKE from mechanical perspectives.
RAIDD is a new 'death' adaptor molecule

The effector arm of the cell-death pathway is composed of cysteine proteases belonging to the ICE/CED-3 family. In metazoan cells these exist as inactive polypeptide precursors (zymogens), each composed of a prodomain, which is cleaved to activate the protease, and a large and small catalytic subunit. The coupling of these 'death' proteases to signalling pathways is probably mediated by adaptor molecules that contain protein-protein interaction motifs such as the death domain. Here we describe such an adaptor molecule, RAIDD, which has an unusual bipartite architecture comprising a carboxy-terminal death domain that binds to the homologous domain in RIP, a serine/threonine kinase component of the death pathway. The amino-terminal domain is surprisingly homologous with the sequence of the prodomain of two ICE/CED-3 family members, human ICH-1 (ref. 5) and Caenorhabditis elegans CED-3 (ref. 6). This similar region mediates the binding of RAIDD to ICH-1 and CED-3, serving as a direct link to the death proteases, indicating that the prodomain may, through homophilic interactions, determine the specificity of binding of ICE/CED-3 zymogens to regulatory adaptor molecules. Finally, alternations in the sequence of the N-terminal domain that are equivalent to inactivating mutations in the C. elegans ced-3 gene prevent homophilic binding, highlighting the potentially primordial nature of this interaction.
Mesoscale Motion Fields Associated with a Slowly Moving GATE Convective Band

Abstract The structure of the convective band of 14 September in the dense GATE observing array is determined using wind and thermodynamic data primarily from multiple aircraft penetrations, which are well distributed in the vertical and in time. The well-defined mesoscale features in the line, which are 10–40 km in scale, quasi-two-dimensional, and persist for several hours, determine the distribution of the convective-scale features, which are 5 km or less in size, three-dimensional, not generally detectable for more than one flight leg. At the leading edge, a 30 km zone of strong ascent is computed from two-dimensional continuity. Here, lifting of the ambient air creates a favorable environment—not found elsewhere—for deep cumulonimbus clouds to develop. Their updrafts are weak, 2–4 m s−1 on the average. Behind the updraft zone, below 3–4 km, is a broad descent zone. It corresponds to the stratiform rain area, and has little convection, and some drying at lower levels. On the average, the mass flux by ...
Seasonal Variation in the Spatial Ecology of the Banded Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata fasciata)

Abstract We used radiotelemetry to study the movements and habitat use in a population of Nerodia fasciata fasciata in the upper coastal plain of South Carolina from 2002 to 2006. Snakes that were surgically implanted with radiotransmitters were tracked during late spring of each year and located most days until the onset of hibernation in mid-November. Data were divided into summer and fall for seasonal analysis. Most home-range estimates and associated measures were significantly smaller during fall. Banded watersnakes used shoreline and littoral zone habitats in excess of their availability and used open water and terrestrial habitats relatively infrequently. Shoreline habitats were used more often during the fall, whereas littoral zone habitats were used more in the summer. Movement frequency was high relative to what has been reported for other Nerodia species. Females used shoreline habitats more than males, whereas males used littoral zone habitats more frequently.
Age and capability: the role of forgetting and personal traits.

We used a person perception paradigm to investigate whether ascriptions of personal traits differ for a young versus old target being interviewed for a volunteer position that will require the performance of memory-related tasks. Perceivers (52 men and 92 women, ages 18 to 75 years) read a script in which a young or old target interviewee was either forgetful or not. Afterward, perceivers rated the target on six desirable traits (e.g., responsible) and five undesirable traits (e.g., stubborn). Compared to nonforgetful targets, forgetful targets received higher ratings on undesirable traits and lower ratings on desirable traits. With regard to age, young and old targets received similar ratings on undesirable traits, but old targets were rated higher on desirable traits. This suggests a general positive bias in favor of old targets.
Real‐time single particle mass spectrometry: A historical review of a quarter century of the chemical analysis of aerosols

Real-time single particle mass spectrometry, or continuous aerosol mass spectrometry, was originally developed in the 1970s for the purpose of identifying the chemical composition of airborne particulate matter in real-time. Although this technique has continued to evolve throughout the following decades, the fundamental characteristic of this method remains the same, involving the continuous introduction of solid particle or liquid droplets directly into the ion source region of a mass spectrometer. Continuous sample introduction allows for the chemical analysis of single airborne particles in real-time. A number of mass analyzers have been employed in real-time single particle mass spectrometry. The original real-time single particle mass spectrometer used a magnetic sector mass analyzer. Quadrupole, double-focusing, and ion trap mass spectrometers have also been utilized. The majority of the current real-time single particle mass spectrometry techniques use time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In the literature, a variety of general names have been applied to real-time single particle mass spectrometry methods. These names include direct-inlet mass spectrometry, on-line laser microprobe mass spectrometry, particle analysis by mass spectrometry, particle beam mass spectrometry, and rapid-single particle mass spectrometry. This review covers real-time single particle mass spectrometry techniques that were developed from 1973 through 1998, specifically for analyzing airborne particulate matter, including environmental aerosols, biological aerosols, and clean-room aerosols. Because the majority of the historical and current real-time single particle mass spectrometers have been employed for atmospheric aerosols, this topic is the primary focus of this review. This review does not include on-line mass spectrometry methods that are employed as a detector for other instrumental methods, such as liquid chromatography. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 19: 248–274, 2000
Extraction of cobalt, iron, indium and zinc from sea water by means of the trifluoroacetylacetone-toluene system

Abstract Iron, indium, cobalt and zinc may be completely and rapidly extracted in a single extraction with an equal volume of toluene-trifluoroacetylacetone (0.1 M) for Fe and In, and toluene-trifluoroacetylacetone (0.1 M)-isobutylamine (0.4 M) for Co and Zn. A 90% extraction or indium is obtained with an aqueous/organic volume ratio of 20, and a 88.5% extraction for iron with a volume ratio of 40. There is a deviation of the iron and indium extraction curves from seawater compared with the theoretical trivalent metal curves; this is attributed to the high concentration of halogen ions in seawater, which makes seawater a superior medium for solvent extraction.
THE PATHWAYS OF PARENTAL SOCIALIZATION

This research examines two pathways of family influence in the socialization process. The attitudinal pathway is based on direct interpersonal value transfer and is the major source of parental influence for partisanship, racial attitudes, and other core beliefs. The socialmilieu pathway represents the effects of social characteristics shared between generations and is the major source of parental influence for political efficacy, political knowledge, and civic tolerance. Based on the workings of these two pathways, we conclude that socialization research is too concerned with simple comparisons of the amount of parent-child agreement. Greater attention to the nature of specific beliefs and the means of influence is necessary to understand and explain the socialization process.
SU‐FF‐T‐231: Feasibility of Use of Anatomical Geometry and Volume for Prostate IMRT Planning

Purpose: To study the feasibility of using simple geometrical information such as volumes of prostate, bladder, and rectum, and volumes of bladder wall and rectal wall to streamline the optimization process in intensity modulation radiotherapy(IMRT) of prostate. Method and Materials: Class solutions (standard dose constraints and standard beam arrangements) for prostate IMRT planning have been developed in many treatment centers. While it is possible to achieve similar solutions and desired dose constraints among most patients, there are some cases in which it is difficult, even after using different beam arrangements. Prostatic size and geometrical shape relative to normal tissue (rectum and bladder) and their overlapped regions attribute to sub‐optimal solutions. In this study, we analyze the volumetric information of prostate, bladder, bladder wall, rectum, and rectal wall to understand if some definitive conclusions can be drawn. We planned ten prostate patients with CT scans using IMRT. Each plan consists of five coplanar beams using 15 MV photon beams and similar dose constraints. Each plan was optimized to according to our protocols. Total dose for each plan is 79.2 Gy for 44 fractions. Results: We calculate dose volume histogram (DVH) for each organ for each optimized plan. We compare the V40, and V60 of rectum, rectal wall, bladder and bladder wall between each patient's plans using the ratio of the volumes of above organs to that of prostate. Conclusions: There is a complex relationship between the ratio of normal tissueorgans and prostate. However, an overall trends exist that could be to used to reduce the treatment planning time based on what is achievable relative to standardized dose constraints. Among the more significant finding is the reduction of V60 for rectum and bladder as function of the volumetric ratios.
Upregulation of Human Selenoprotein H in murine hippocampal neuronal cells promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and functional performance

Overexpression of selenoprotein H (SelH) gene provides neuroprotection in neurons against UVB-induced cell death by blocking the mitochondrial-initiated apoptotic cell death pathway. This study examined the effects of SelH on mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial function. The results demonstrated that overexpression of SelH gene in neuronal HT22 cells significantly increased the levels of mitochondrial biogenesis regulators, nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam). Mitochondrial cytochrome c content was elevated, mass was increased and respiration was enhanced. SelH transfection ameliorated ultra violet B (UVB)-induced suppression of mitochondrial biogenesis markers and depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential. Overexpression of SelH promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and improves mitochondrial functional performance.
The effect of a modified functional appliance on obstructive sleep apnea

This study combined the use of cephalometrics and overnight polysomnographic monitoring to analyze the effects of a modified functional appliance on airway, sleep, and respiratory variables in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Twelve patients without overt anatomic or pathologic evidence of obstruction were selected on the basis of an initial single night of polysomnographic monitoring, which confirmed the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The patients subsequently were fitted with a modified functional appliance designed to securely hold the mandible in an anterior-inferior position. A subsequent overnight polysomnographic study was obtained with each patient wearing the appliance. Lateral cephalometric radiographs with and without the appliance in place were also obtained. The mean vertical and horizontal changes in mandibular position while wearing the appliance were 8.49 mm and 2.28 mm, respectively. The findings indicate that 10 of the 12 patients had decreases in the rate of complete airway obstructions from a mean of 28.86 to 18.69 events per hour, and in the total apnea index from a mean of 53.81 to 35.99 events per hour. A reduction in the rate of obstructive events is attributed to the effect of the appliance on the oropharyngeal structures. Six cephalometric measurements are presented to provide a means of assessing effects of the appliance on the oropharynx and associated structures. The modified functional appliance is a conservative, successful treatment alternative that could benefit patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
Nitrous oxide levels in operating room air with various gas flows

Monitoring of nitrous oxide concentrations in operating rooms disclosed some leaks that had hitherto been unrecognized. Because nitrous oxide concentrations reported before 1967 had been obtained for the most part with high flows of the gas and without information concerning room air exchange, measurements were made of nitrous oxide levels during operations with an infra-red analyzer. after correction of leaks. Measurements were made at six sites in the operating-room suite, with and without scavenging. Flows that varied 0.1 to 2.5 litres of nitrous oxide were used in rooms that had 20 changes per hour of fresh air. Without scavenging, the highest time-weighted average value inhaled by any of the personnel (anaesthetists) was 31 ppm, when flow of 500 ml of nitrous oxide per minute were employed. The lowest reported deleterious concentration (unconfirmed) is 50 ppm. Lower flows produced lower values. With good scavenging, using flows as high as 2.51/min of nitrous oxide, the highest average value (anaesthetist) was 7.2 ppm. A short discussion is given concerning reasons for using low flows, including the cost of wasting agents and pollution of the entire atmosphere.
Atomic Structure and Magnetic Properties of HfCo $_{7}$ Alloy

Co rich Hf-Co alloys demonstrate promising properties as potential permanent magnet systems. However their structure has not been well established by experiment. We performed a search for low-energy structures of the HfCo7 system with recently developed adaptive genetic algorithm. Among the low-energy structures with 16 and 32 atoms per unit cell, we found structural motifs similar to the permanent magnet SmCo5. For the unit cell size larger than 40 atoms, we found a phase separation into pure hcp Co and Hf2Co7 in agreement with the experiment. Calculated magnetization and temperature of magnetic phase transition are similar to those for hcp Co. Overall considered HfCo7 system represents a mix of in- and out-of-plane magnetic anisotropies systems with possible site dependence of magnetic anisotropy.
Nonpharmacologic approaches to therapy for hypertension.

Objective: To provide an overview of nondrug therapeutic modalities for management of hypertension. Methods: We review four strategies that involve lifestyle changes—weight reduction, moderation of sodium intake, physical activity, and moderation of alcohol consumption—that can potentially have a blood pressurelowering effect. Results: Several clinical trials have shown that a weight loss of 10 to 20% will significantly decrease blood pressure. An average of 1 to 2 mm Hg reduction in blood pressure may occur per kilogram of weight lost. Although sodium restriction has less effect on blood pressure than does weight reduction, a decrease in sodium intake to <100 mmol/day can yield a mean blood pressure reduction of 3 to 5 mm Hg systolic and 2 to 3 mm Hg diastolic. Exercise regimens have demonstrated convincing antihypertensive effects. In recent randomized studies, the average reduction in blood pressure ranged from 5 to 15 mm Hg for systolic measurements and 5 to 10 mm Hg for diastolic readings. Alcohol consumption has been shown to have one of the strongest associations with blood pressure among the potentially modifiable risk factors for hypertension. An average of 1 mm Hg decrease in blood pressure has been noted per one drink/day reduction in consumption. Conclusion: Lifestyle changes that can decrease blood pressure are important because they may not only eliminate the need for drug treatment but also decrease other cardiovascular risk factors. (Endocr Pract. 1997; 3:106-111)
NUCLEAR DIVISION IN GERMINATING AECIOSPORES AND ITS TAXONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE WESTERN GALL RUST FUNGUS, PERIDERMIUM HARKNESSII

We examined nuclear division of germinating aeciospores of the western gall rust fungus, Peridermium harknessii (teleomorph, Endocronartium harknessii). Mature aeciospores were primarily (86%) binucleate. Migration of the two nuclei into the germ tube followed emergence of the germ tube. The percentage of germlings with 3 nuclei increased from 5% at 4 h to 32% at 12 h; thus, nuclear division in the germ tube was asynchronous and mitotic. We conclude that the fungus is an imperfect rust, and not an endocyclic rust, and should be called Peridermium harknessii. Western gall rust is a common disease on numerous species of hard pines. The life cycle, and hence the appropriate nomenclature and taxonomic classification of the fungus, has been disputed. The most common spore type is produced
Why Palliative Care for Children is Preferable to Euthanasia

Recent laws in Europe now allow for pediatric euthanasia. The author reviews some rationale for caution, and addresses why ensuring the availability of pediatric palliative care is an important step before allowing pediatric euthanasia.
Stimulation of cell invasion and migration by alcohol in breast cancer cells.

Increasing epidemiological studies suggest that alcohol consumption confers a high risk for development of breast cancer. In this study, we found that biologically relevant concentrations of alcohol elicited a significant stimulation of cell adhesion, migration, and invasion in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Moreover, the promotion of invasion and migration potential by alcohol was associated with the significant decrease of E-cadherin, alpha, beta, and gamma three major catenin, and BRCA1 expression. In addition, an enhanced expression of BRCA1 significantly blocked alcohol-stimulated cell invasion. Thus, our present study suggests that alcohol as a breast cancer risk factor plays an important role not only in carcinogenesis, but also in promotion of cell invasion and migration.
Response of the thermosphere and ionosphere to an ultra fast Kelvin wave

[1] Ultra Fast Kelvin (UFK) waves are eastward propagating planetary waves with periods between 3 and 5 days, which are capable of penetrating into the thermosphere and ionosphere where they may modulate phenomena occurring in this region. A sensitivity study has been conducted to examine the effect of an Ultra Fast Kelvin wave on the thermosphere and ionosphere using the NCAR Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIME-GCM) under June solstice solar minimum conditions. It is found that realistic ultra fast Kelvin waves with amplitudes in the MLT region of approximately 20–40 m s−1 in zonal wind fields and 10–20 K in temperature fields, can result in approximately 8–12% perturbations in hourly neutral density at 350 km, as well as hourly total electron content (TEC) perturbations of 25–50% in regions corresponding to the equatorial ionization anomalies (EIAs), with the largest relative changes resolved during the nighttime due to the lower electron densities. The electrodynamical calculations in the model were then disabled to identify the relative importance of ionospheric electrodynamics and direct wave propagation in generating the aforementioned changes. The subsequent results show that changes in thermospheric neutral density are relatively insensitive to the presence of the dynamo electric field, while UFK wave modulation of the dynamo accounts for most of the TEC perturbations due to changes of ionospheric vertical plasma drift.
Effect of androgens on hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin.

Testosterone and estradiol have been shown to affect the hypothalamic content of several pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides in castrated male and female rats, respectively. It was unclear, h
PACO: A predictive analysis system for manufacturing test

Testing of products throughout the manufacturing process results in a vast amount of data which is often analyzed in a post process model. Analysis of this data is typically limited to standard Six Sigma or statistical process control methodologies. This form of analysis is susceptible to overlooking correlations between differing test configurations as well as other non-intuitive relationships within the data itself. Often, this analysis is performed too late in the testing process to affect the most beneficial change. Post processing of test data requires that complete testing be performed even though failures may occur during the testing process. This paper presents a predictive analysis system which analyzes test data in a near real-time environment. The presented Predictive Analysis Collaboration Object (PACO) receives real-time data from the testing system and performs data analysis against a constantly evolving rule set to offer rapid feedback to the appropriate personnel. Thus, the user has the ability to stop testing or prevent the unit from entering another test setup phase should faults be detected. Illustrated within this paper is the basic architecture of PACO along with the analysis algorithms which are currently utilized in the analysis. Additionally, a case study of PACO in use on a product under test at Rockwell Collins Inc. is given.
Chemical function-based pharmacophore development for novel, selective kappa opioid receptor agonists

In an effort to reduce or eliminate the centrally associated side effects produced by opioid analgesics there has been an interest in the preparation of peripherally acting opioid receptor agonists. These compounds would have very limited or no access to the central nervous system. As a first step towards developing peripheral kappa opioid receptor (KOP) agonists, we have developed a quantitatively predictive chemical function-based pharmacophore model of selective kappa opioid receptor agonists by using the HypoGen algorithm implemented in the Catalyst software. The input for HypoGen was a training set of 26 KOP agonists exhibiting K(i) values ranging between 0.015nM and 2300nM. The best output hypothesis consists of four features: one hydrophobic (HYD), one ring aromatic (RA), one hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA), and one positive ionizable (PI) function. The predictive power of the model could be demonstrated by internal and external validation of the generated hypothesis. The resulting Catalyst pharmacophore can be used concurrently for rapid virtual screening of chemical databases to identify novel, selective KOP agonists that may be easily restricted to target tissues by synthetic modification. It is anticipated that such an approach will lead to the generation of novel selective KOP agonists that are clinically useful for the treatment of pain through peripheral mechanisms.
Information Sources for Food Studies Research

AbstractFood studies is highly interdisciplinary across both science and social science fields. It can include anything pertaining to food and eating, from how food is grown, to when and how it is eaten, to who eats it and with whom, and the nutritional quality. Relevant publications for both current and historical work are scattered across academic fields and throughout the literature. Research in food habits published in the agricultural literature is often as useful as studies of food habits in anthropology or sociology studies. This article presents some useful and effective strategies for conducting a comprehensive search of food studies literature.
Demonstration of corticotropin-releasing factor binding sites on human and rat erythrocyte membranes and their modulation by chronic ethanol treatment in rats.

Abstract In a previous study we reported the presence of specific corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) binding sites in peripheral tissues of the rat (Endocrinology, 116 , 2152, 1985). Using 125 I-labeled rat or human CRF, specific CRF binding sites were identified on rat and human erythrocytes, but not on lymphocytes or platelets. Furthermore, identical CRF binding was observed in the presence of intact erythrocytes or lysed erythrocyte membranes. Maximal binding of 125 I-CRF occurred within 25 min at 4°C and was saturable. Scatchard analysis of CRF binding to erythrocyte membranes revealed the existence of a single class of binding site. Chronic exposure of rats to ethanol vapor, known to lower specific CRF binding to pituitary tissue by 35%, also decreased 125 I-rat CRF binding to erythrocyte membranes by approximately 45%, which was due to a decrease in the number of CRF binding sites. The parallel decrease of CRF binding to rat-erythrocyte and pituitary membranes following chronic ethanol treatment suggests that CRF binding to erythrocyte and pituitary membranes is modulated in a similar direction, which further suggests that the determination of CRF binding to erythrocytes may provide an important clinical tool to indirectly assess CRF-receptor levels in the pituitary gland and thereby enhance our understanding of ethanol-induced disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in patients.
Monolayer-Mediated Deposition of Tantalum(V) Oxide Thin Film Structures from Solution Precursors

Integration of oxide thin films with semiconductor substrates is a critical technology for a variety of microelectronic memory and circuit applications. Patterned oxide thin film devices are typically formed by uniform deposition followed by postdeposition ion-beam or chemical etching in a controlled environment. This paper reports details of an ambient atmosphere technique which allows selective deposition of dielectric oxide thin layers without postdeposition etching. In this method, substrate surfaces are selectively functionalized with hydrophobic self-assembled monolayers of octadecyltrichlorosilane by microcontact printing ({micro}-CP). Sol-gel deposition of ceramic oxides on these functionalized substrates, followed by mild, nonabrasive polishing, yields high-quality, patterned oxide thin layers only on the unfunctionalized regions. A variety of micrometer-scale dielectric oxide devices have been fabricated by this process, with lateral resolutions as fine as 4 {micro}m. In this paper, the authors describe the solution chemistry, evolution of microstructure, and electrical properties of Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} thin films, as well as the stress-related mechanism which enables selective de-adhesion and resultant patterning. Selectively deposited, 80--120 nm thick Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} thin film capacitors were crystallized on platinized silicon at 700--800 C, and had dielectric constants of 18--25 depending upon the processing conditions, with 1 V leakage current densities as lowmore » as 2 {times} 10{sup {minus}8} A/cm{sup 2}. The ability to selectively deposit Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} and other electrical ceramics (such as LiNbO{sub 3} and PbTiO{sub 3}) on a variety of technologically important substrate materials suggests broad potential for integrated circuit and hybrid microelectronics applications.« less
Cabrol composite graft for aortic root replacement: echocardiographic imaging.

A 55-yr-old woman with history of Marfan syndrome presented with an enlarging aortic arch aneurysm. Fifteen years ago, she had undergone repair of an aortic root aneurysm. A preoperative transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) revealed normal biventricular function, 3+ tricuspid regurgitation, a small nonobstructive mechanical aortic prosthesis, and an aortic root graft. The distal ascending aorta and aortic arch were dilated, measuring 5 cm in diameter. Left heart catheterization showed normal coronary arteries originating from the aortic root graft, with the left adjacent to the right. The patient was scheduled for aortic arch reconstruction and tricuspid valve repair.
A Pilot Study Comparing Severely and Persistently Mentally III Opiate-Addicted Patients in Dual-Diagnosis Treatment With Patients in Methadone Maintenance

The authors describe a severely and persistently mentally ill (SPMI) opiate-addicted (OA) patient sample (n = 43) in a dual-diagnosis outpatient treatment program by demographic, clinical, and treatment characteristics and compare these with other dually diagnosed SPMI patients in the same treatment center (n = 297). Also, those SPMI/OA patients with physiological dependence (n = 20) were compared with a matched sample of OA patients in traditional methadone maintenance (n = 20). The authors then present a clinical evaluation of treatment course and outcome for the SPMI/OA patients (n = 43) and discuss implications from these pilot data.
An adaptive approach to object-oriented real-time computing

Real time computing is becoming an enabling technology for many important distributed applications such as flexible manufacturing, multimedia, robotics and process control. Traditionally, real time systems have been realized as isolated embedded systems. Unfortunately, this approach no longer suffices for future complex systems in the application scenarios mentioned above. In this situation, the use of an object oriented design paradigm greatly reduces the complexity of the system while improving reusability and manageability. Furthermore, the surrounding IT infrastructure is more and more accessible through object oriented interfaces (e.g. CORBA). In addition, object oriented modeling allows reflection of the dynamic characteristics of the applications mentioned above by instantiating objects dynamically. In order to meet the real time requirements in such an environment, static scheduling is not sufficient since many non predictable resource conflicts influence execution times. Therefore, the most distinguishing requirement of these complex heterogeneous systems is the need of the computing system to dynamically adapt to dynamically changing conditions. Little work has been done on integrating object oriented system design with resource allocation algorithms that are flexible enough to cope with this new requirement. The paper presents an approach for an adaptive object oriented system with integrated monitoring, dynamic execution time prediction and scheduling. It explains how this approach is applied to CORBA and C++.
Success in These Schools? Visual Counternarratives of Young Men of Color and Urban High Schools They Attend

The overwhelming majority of published scholarship on urban high schools in the United States focuses on problems of inadequacy, instability, underperformance, and violence. Similarly, across all schooling contexts, most of what has been written about young men of color continually reinforces deficit narratives about their educational possibility. Taken together, images of Black and Latino male students in inner-city schools often manufacture dark, hopeless visualizations of imperiled youth and educational environments. Using photographic data from a study of 325 college-bound juniors and seniors attending 40 public New York City high schools, this article counterbalances one-sided mischaracterizations of young men of color and the urban schools that educate them. Specifically, visual sociology and critical race methodologies are used to construct antideficit counternarratives about boys of color and urban education.
Transition of EAP material from novelty to practical applications: are we there yet?

For many years, EAPs received relatively little attention due to their limited actuation capability and the small number of available materials. In the last ten years, new EAP materials have emerged that exhibit large displacement response to electrical stimulation and they are enabling great potentials for the field. EAP are very attractive for their operational similarity to biological muscles, particularly their resilience, damage tolerant, and ability to induce large actuation strains. The application of these materials as actuators to drive various manipulation, mobility and robotic devices involves multidiscipline including materials, chemistry, electro-mechanics, computers, electronics, etc. Even though the force actuation of existing EAP materials and their robustness require further improvement, there has already been a series of reported successes. The successful devices that were reported include miniature manipulation devices including catheter steering element, miniature manipulator, dust-wiper, miniature robotic arm, grippers and others. Some of the currently considered applications may be difficult to accomplish and it is important to scope the requirements to the level that current materials can address. Using EAP to replace existing actuators may be a difficult challenge and therefore it is highly desirable to identify a niche application where it would not need to compete with existing capabilities. This paper will review the current efforts and the expectations for the future.
Breastfeeding in infancy and adult cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Abstract Background Public health recommendations advocate breastfeeding in infancy as a means to reduce obesity in later life. Several prior studies relating breastfeeding to cardiovascular risk factors have been limited by lack of adjustment for maternal and participant confounding factors. Methods We ascertained breastfeeding history via questionnaire from mothers enrolled in the Framingham Offspring Study. In their young to middle-aged adult children enrolled in the Framingham Third Generation, we examined the relations between maternal breastfeeding history (yes, no) and cardiovascular risk factors, including body mass index (BMI), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels. We applied generalized estimating equations to account for sibling correlations and adjusted for maternal and participant lifestyle, education, and cardiovascular risk factors. Results In Third Generation participants (n = 962, mean age=41 years, 54% were women), 26% of their mothers reported breastfeeding. Compared with non-breastfed individuals, breastfed adult participants had lower multivariable-adjusted BMI (26.1 kg/m 2 vs 26.9 kg/m 2 , P = .04) and higher HDL cholesterol levels (HDL 56.6 mg/dL vs 53.7 mg/dL, P = .01). On additional adjustment for BMI, the association between breastfeeding and HDL cholesterol was attenuated ( P = .09). Breastfeeding was not associated with total cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, systolic blood pressure, or diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion Breastfeeding in infancy is inversely associated with adult BMI and positively associated with HDL cholesterol. Associations between breastfeeding and BMI may mediate the association between breastfeeding and HDL cholesterol.
The impact of 3-D based group interactions in an on-line problem-based learning environment

The purpose of this article is to present the results of a study conducted to investigate how the attributes of 3-D technology influence the group interactions toward problem solutions and how it impacts the instructional practice in on-line PBL. Results suggested that the attributes of 3-D technology, if used properly, would promote students' social presence and their metacognitive awareness.
Attitude and articulation control for the Cassini spacecraft: a fault tolerance overview

This paper describes how fault tolerance has been addressed in the design of the Attitude and Articulation Control Subsystem for the Saturn-bound Cassini spacecraft. Cassini's fault tolerance objectives have strongly influenced the subsystem's level of autonomy, and have motivated some significant improvements over the autonomous capabilities of previous interplanetary spacecraft. Autonomous fault tolerant behaviors have been embedded at several points in the object-oriented flight control software, including a dedicated set of failure detection, isolation, and recovery algorithms.
Identification and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in adults and children with epilepsy: a prospective pilot study.

Abstract Objective To determine the effect of treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on seizure frequency in adults and children with epilepsy in a prospective study. Several case series documented an improvement in seizure control with treatment of coexisting OSA, but published series did not sample a clinic population, were not prospective in design, and did not account for concurrent changes in antiepileptic drug (AED) doses or levels. Patients and methods Adult patients and the parents of pediatric patients seen in the University of Michigan Epilepsy and Pediatric Neurology Clinics were given validated questionnaires. Thirteen adults (aged 20–56) and 5 children (aged 14–17) were selected for polysomnography (PSG) based on frequency of seizures and risk for OSA. Seizure frequency was compared during 8-week baseline and treatment phases and AED levels were done to document stability in medication levels. Results Six of 13 adults and 3 of 5 children met PSG criteria for OSA. Three adults and 1 child were treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), were tolerant of the device, and had no change in AED doses; all four had at least a 45% reduction in seizure frequency during CPAP treatment. One adult was treated with an oral appliance with a reduction in nocturnal seizures only, and 2 adults and 2 children were intolerant of CPAP. Conclusions Treatment of OSA in patients with epilepsy may improve seizure control and a large randomized placebo-controlled trial appear warranted.
Study of Random Logic Programs

The aim of this research is to generate random logic programs and study their properties such as the occurrence of an easy-hard-easy pattern and the probability of existence of stable models for these programs. The primary focus is on generating random logic programs that can be classified to be hard for ASP solvers based on the time taken and the number of choice points generated by them in finding a stable model. Our study and generation of random logic programs have been motivated by two key reasons: hard random logic programs can be used as benchmarks for evaluating the algorithms used in existing ASP solvers, and experimental analysis as well as theoretical studies of the properties of these random logic programs can provide us with insights for improving the design of the heuristics/algorithms in these solvers.
Female Fecundity Is Dependent on Substrate, Rather Than Male Abundance, in the Wind-Pollinated, Dioecious Understory Palm Chamaedorea radicalis

We examined the impact of substrate, population density, and sexual composition on female reproductive success in harvested populations of the tropical understory palm Chamaedorea radicalis. Leaf harvest for the international floral greenery trade does not kill palms, but has been shown to reduce flowering frequency and has been projected to reduce population growth. Because C. radicalis is dioecious and wind-pollinated, a reduction in flowering density from leaf harvest or other anthropogenic factors may lower pollen movement between flowering conspecifics and lower fruit production. Such reduced fecundity in harvested populations can contribute to an Allee effect, where the per capita rate of population growth declines at low density. We tested for these effects by samplingC. radicalis along transects in ten populations, spanning a range of densities, during May (flowering peak) and August (fruiting peak) 2002. We applied path analysis using structural equation modeling (SEM) to test a set of hypothesized relationships between substrate, female size, several population parameters, and female fecundity. SEM models revealed that female fecundity was not dependent on any measure of population density or sexual composition, providing no evidence for an Allee effect. The strongest model (R 2 = 92.9%) related C. radicalis reproductive output only to substrate, female size, flower number, and proportional fruit set. This model revealed that palms on rock outcrops were larger, produced more flowers, and had higher proportional fruit set than palms on the forest floor. This finding suggests that protection of females on outcrops should enhance population growth and viability.
Fatty acids of glycerophosphatides in developing chick embryonic brain and liver

Fatty acid compositions of glycerophosphatides of developing chick embryonic brain and liver were compared. In brain, ethanolamine and serine glycerophosphatides con- tained 30-4001, polyunsaturated fatty acids, lecithin almost none (except for arachidonic). In the liver, these acids were equally distributed in the phospholipid fractions. The prin- cipal polyunsaturated fatty acids of the ethanolamine and serine glycerophosphatides in brain, liver, and yolk were 22 : 6, 20 : 4, and 18 : 2, respectively. During embryonic development of brain from the 8th day of incubation to hatching, the fatty acid composition of individual glycerophosphatide fractions remained constant. Because of the relative increase of ethanolamine glycerophosphatides and de- crease of lecithin, total glycerophosphatides showed a decrease in 16:O and an increase in 18:O. Substantial amounts of palmitaldehyde and stearaldehyde were present on the 8th day of incubation in the brain ethanolamine glycerophosphatide fraction. During the 3rd week of incubation, the liver showed a two- fold increase in the relative amount of 18 : 2 in all glycerophos- phatide fractions. A decrease of 16:0 in the lecithin fraction and consequently in total glycerophosphatides was also ob- served during this period. No significant changes in glycerophosphatide fatty acids were observed in the yolk throughout incubation.
Analysis of electromagnetic fields in loaded TEM cells by finite element method

The distribution of the electromagnetic field in a transverse-electromagnetic-field (TEM) cell, loaded with various equipment-under-test (EUT), is calculated using the finite-element method (FEM). The calculations are performed for a two-dimensional (2-D) configuration for inhomogeneous dielectric-conductor EUTs of various cross-sectional dimensions. The set of curves obtained provides a means of estimating the uncertainty of the TEM cell measurements and can be used as a quick reference guideline for predicting the maximum dimensions of the EUT for a given field distortion. >
Polymer-mediated cyclodehydration of alditols and ketohexoses.

Abstract The polymer PEDOT + ( 1 or 2 ) mediates a cyclodehydration reaction with alditols 3 , 5 , 7 , 9 , in hydrocarbon solvents, to give cyclic ethers 4 , 6 , 8 , or 10 , respectively, in high yield with a trivial isolation protocol. Polymers 1 or 2 also mediate the cyclodehydration of ketohexoses such as d -fructose, but not aldohexoses, to the important industrial intermediate 5-hydroxymethylfurfural ( 17 ), under milder conditions when compared to reactions mediated by mineral acids. A cascade reaction with ketohexoses is observed in toluene via cyclodehydration followed by Friedel–Crafts alkylation of the initially formed benzylic alcohol to give 16 .
Automatic multitone alternate test-generaton for rf circuits using behavioral models

In the past, it has been diflcult to perform test generation for complex RF subsystems due to the cost of repeated system level simulation necessary for running a test generation algorithm. In this paper, a new test generation method for RF sub-systems driven by behavioral models is presented. The test generator produces an optimized multi-tone test stimulus (alternate test) from which the subsystem test specifcations can be simultaneously computed. The test generation algorithm attempts to maximize the accuracy with which all the system test spec$cations can be determined from knowledge of the different ways in which perturbations of the behavioral model parameters affect the test specifications. Pass/fil test decisions are made using the specification values computed from the observed test response (single test). Simulation results using the proposed test approach show accurate tracking of multiple system speci$ca fions, such as gain and IIP3 for the receive channel of an RF transceiver, with an error within fl dB.