cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of Membrane Fusion in Acidic Lipid-Cation Systems

Since the original discovery that Ca+2 converts small vesicles of phosphatidylserine into large sheets of spirally-wrapped membrane (1), the use of acidic lipid-divalent cation systems as models of membrane fusion has become widespread. There is now a wealth of experimental data available on the response of many different acidic lipids to a number of different cations under a wide variety of conditions (2). Many of these experimental investigations have utilized either a terbium-based fluorescence assay for mixing of vesicles contents (3) or a fluorescence energy transfer assay of membrane mixing (4). It is clear from results of both of these assays, as from early electron micrographs (1) that the membranes of many types of small vesicles merge with each other following divalent cation treatment, but the details of the pathway from initial vesicle to end product remain somewhat obscure. There is little doubt that fusion is involved at some stage, although the absence of precise terminology often leads to considerable ambiguity with regard to what kind of entity is fusing. The distinction is of some consequence, since the morphology of the species in which membranes become reconstructed places limits on the mechanical and chemical forces that may operate and hence influence the validity of the analogy that may be drawn to fusion of biological membranes. Thus, sentiment has been expressed for cautious extrapolation from these model systems to cells on the basis that extensive aggregation and leakage of contents, common features of model systems, cannot occur in cells (5–8).
The Expressive Language Characteristics of Autistic Children Compared with Mentally Retarded or Specific Language-Impaired Children

For purposes of this chapter, the three developmental disorders of autism, mental retardation, and specific language impairment will be defined as follows:
Research as storytelling: the use of video for mixed methods research

Mixed methods research commonly uses video as a tool for collecting data and capturing reflections from participants, but it is less common to use video as a means for disseminating results. However, video can be a powerful way to share research findings with a broad audience especially when combining the traditions of ethnography, documentary filmmaking, and storytelling. Our literature review focused on aspects relating to video within mixed methods research that applied to the perspective presented within this paper: the history, affordances and constraints of using video in research, the application of video within mixed methods design, and the traditions of research as storytelling. We constructed a Mind Map of the current literature to reveal convergent and divergent themes and found that current research focuses on four main properties in regards to video: video as a tool for storytelling/research, properties of the camera/video itself, how video impacts the person/researcher, and methods by which the researcher/viewer consumes video. Through this process, we found that little has been written about how video could be used as a vehicle to present findings of a study. From this contextual framework and through examples from our own research, we present current and potential roles of video storytelling in mixed methods research. With digital technologies, video can be used within the context of research not only as data and a tool for analysis, but also to present findings and results in an engaging way. In conclusion, previous research has focused on using video as a tool for data collection and analysis, but there are emerging opportunities for video to play an increased role in mixed methods research as a tool for the presentation of findings. By leveraging storytelling techniques used in documentary film, while staying true to the analytical methods of the research design, researchers can use video to effectively communicate implications of their work to an audience beyond academics and use video storytelling to disseminate findings to the public.
Design of Modular Humanoid Robotic Hand Driven by SMA Actuator

With excellent properties of light weight, low energy consumption and high power weight ratio, shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator has been widely applied in robotic hand nowadays. A novel modular humanoid robotic hand driven by SMA actuator is proposed and fabricated by 3D printer in this paper. An innovation displacement amplification pulley is designed to increase the output displacement of SMA actuator. The novel permanent magnet restoring structure can generate larger output force than that in conventional spring restoring structure in grasping process. In addition, modular design of hand makes it easy to assemble and disassemble, and the motion of hand is underactuated grasping form which simplifies the control system. The grasping tests of different shape and dimension of objects show that the hand has well working performance. The grasping diameter of object is less than 120 mm, and the maximum grasping weight is 500 g.
Shaped nozzles for cryogenic buffer-gas beam sources

Cryogenic buffer-gas beams are important sources of cold molecules. In this work we explore the use of a converging-diverging nozzle with a buffer-gas beam. We find that, under appropriate circumstances, the use of a nozzle can produce a beam with improved collimation, lower transverse temperatures, and higher fluxes per solid angle.
Opposing Roles of the Forkhead Box Factors FoxM1 and FoxA2 in Liver Cancer

The forkhead box transcription factor FoxM1 is essential for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, and its overexpression coincides with poor prognosis. Here, we show that the mechanisms by which FoxM1 drives HCC progression involve overcoming the inhibitory effects of the liver differentiation gene FoxA2. First, the expression patterns of FoxM1 and FoxA2 in human HCC are opposite. We show that FoxM1 represses expression of FoxA2 in G1 phase. Repression of FoxA2 in G1 phase is important, as it is capable of inhibiting expression of the pluripotency genes that are expressed mainly in S-G2 phases. Using a transgenic mouse model for oncogenic Ras-driven HCC, we provide genetic evidence for a repression of FoxA2 by FoxM1. Conversely, FoxA2 inhibits expression of FoxM1 and inhibits FoxM1-induced tumorigenicity. Also, FoxA2 inhibits Ras-induced HCC progression that involves FoxM1. IMPLICATIONS: The observations provide strong genetic evidence for an opposing role of FoxM1 and FoxA2 in HCC progression. Moreover, FoxM1 drives high-grade HCC progression partly by inhibiting the hepatocyte differentiation gene FoxA2.
Association between opioid analgesic therapy and initiation of buprenorphine management: An analysis of prescription drug monitoring program data

Background In the US, medication assisted treatment, particularly with office-based buprenorphine, has been an important component of opioid dependence treatment among patients with iatrogenic addiction to opioid analgesics. The predictors of initiating buprenorphine for addiction among opioid analgesic patients have not been well-described. Methods We conducted a time-to-event analysis using data from the North Carolina (NC) Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). Our outcome of interest was time-to-initiation of sublingual buprenorphine. Our study population was a prospective cohort of all state residents receiving a full-agonist opioid analgesic between 2011 and 2015. Predictors of initiation of sublingual buprenorphine examined included: age, gender, cumulative pharmacies and prescribers utilized, cumulative opioid intensity (defined as cumulative opioid exposure divided by duration of opioid exposure), and benzodiazepine dispensing. Findings Of 4.3 million patients receiving opioid analgesics in NC between 2011 and 2015 (accumulated 8.30 million person-years of follow-up), and a total of 28,904 patients initiated buprenorphine formulations intended for addiction treatment (overall rate 3.48 per 1,000 person-years). In adjusted multivariate models, the utilization of 3 or more pharmacies (HR: 2.93; 95% CI: 2.82, 3.05) or 6 or more controlled substance prescribers (HR: 12.09; 95% CI: 10.76, 13.57) was associated with buprenorphine initiation. A dose-response relationship was observed for cumulative opioid intensity (HR in highest decile relative to lowest decile: 5.05; 95% CI: 4.70, 5.42). Benzodiazepine dispensing was negatively associated with buprenorphine initiation (HR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.65). Conclusions Opioid analgesic patients utilizing multiple prescribers or pharmacies are more likely to initiate sublingual buprenorphine. This finding suggests that patients with multiple healthcare interactions are more likely to be treated for high-risk opioid use, or may be more likely to be identified and treated for addiction. Future research should utilize prescription monitoring program data linked to electronic health records to include diagnosis information in analytic models.
Multimerization of the Drosophila zeste protein is required for efficient DNA binding

The Drosophila zeste protein forms multimeric species in vitro through its C-terminal domain. Multimerization is required for efficient binding to DNA containing multiple recognition sequences and increasing the number of binding sites stimulates binding in a cooperative manner. Mutants that can only form dimers still bind to a dimeric site, but with lower affinity. Mutations or progressive deletions from the C-terminal show that when even dimer formation is prevented, DNA-binding activity is lost. Surprisingly, binding activity is regained with larger deletions that leave only the DNA-binding domain. Additional protein sequences apparently inhibit DNA binding unless they permit multimerization. The DNA-binding domain peptides bind strongly even to isolated recognition sequences and they bind as monomers. The ability of various zeste peptides to stimulate white gene expression in vivo shows that multimeric forms are the functional species of the zeste product in vivo. The DNA-binding domain peptide binds well to DNA in vitro, but it cannot stimulate white gene expression in vivo. This failure may reflect the need for an activation domain or it may be caused by indiscriminate binding of this peptide to non-functional isolated sites. Multimerization increases binding specificity, selecting only sites with multiple recognition sequences.
Female Appointed Successors in the United States Senate

The evolving roles of women in Congress have received appreciable attention from legislative scholars. In this research note, we seek to couple research on departures from Congress and women in Con...
$\alpha$ -Satellite: An AI-Driven System and Benchmark Datasets for Dynamic COVID-19 Risk Assessment in the United States

The fast evolving and deadly outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has posed grand challenges to human society. To slow the spread of virus infections and better respond for community mitigation, by advancing capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) and leveraging the large-scale and up-to-date data generated from heterogeneous sources (e.g., disease related data, demographic, mobility and social media data), in this work, we propose and develop an AI-driven system (named $\alpha$ -Satellite ), as an initial offering , to provide dynamic COVID-19 risk assessment in the United States. More specifically, given a point of interest (POI), the system will automatically provide risk indices associated with it in a hierarchical manner (e.g., state, county, POI) to enable people to select appropriate actions for protection while minimizing disruptions to daily life. To comprehensively evaluate our system for dynamic COVID-19 risk assessment, we first conduct a set of empirical studies; and then we validate it based on a real-world dataset consisting of 5,060 annotated POIs, which achieves the area of under curve (AUC) of 0.9202. As of June 18, 2020, $\alpha$ -Satellite has had 56,980 users. Based on the feedback from its large-scale users, we perform further analysis and have three key findings: i) people from more severe regions (i.e., with larger numbers of COVID-19 cases) have stronger interests using our system to assist with actionable information; ii) users are more concerned about their nearby areas in terms of COVID-19 risks; iii) the user feedback about their perceptions towards COVID-19 risks of their query POIs indicate the challenge of public concerns about the safety versus its negative effects on society and the economy. Our system and generated datasets have been made publicly accessible via our website.
Role of aspartic acid residues D87 and D89 in APS kinase domain of human 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate synthase 1 and 2b: A commonality with phosphatases/kinases.

3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS) is synthesized in two steps by PAPS synthase (PAPSS). PAPSS is comprised of ATP sulfurylase (ATPS) and APS kinase (APSK) domain activities. ATPS combines inorganic sulfate with α-phosphoryl of ATP to form adenosine 5′-phosphosulfate (APS) and PPi. In the second step APS is phosphorylated at 3′-OH using another mole of ATP to form PAPS and ADP catalyzed by APSK. The transfer of gamma-phosphoryl from ATP onto 3′-OH requires Mg2+ and purported to involve residues D87GD89N. We report that mutation of either aspartic residue to alanine completely abolishes APSK activity in PAPS formation. PAPSS is an, unique enzyme that binds to four different nucleotides: ATP and APS on both ATPS and APSK domains and ADP and PAPS exclusively on the APSK domain. The thermodynamic binding and the catalytic interplay must be very tightly controlled to form the end-product PAPS in the forward direction. Though APS binds to ATPS and APSK, in ATPS domain, the APS is a product and for APSK it is a substrate. DGDN motif is absent in ATPS and present in APSK. Mutation of D87 and D89 did not hamper ATPS activity however abolished APSK activity severely. Thus, D87GD89N region is required for stabilization of Mg2+-ATP, in the process of splitting the γ-phosphoryl from ATP and transfer of γ-phosphoryl onto 3′-OH of APS to form PAPS a process that cannot be achieved by ATPS domain. In addition, gamma32P-ATP, trapped phosphoryl enzyme intermediate more with PAPSS2 than with PAPSS1. This suggests inherent active site residues could control novel catalytic differences. Molecular docking studies of hPAPSS1with ATP + Mg2+ and APS of wild type and mutants supports the experimental results.
27 African Languages in International Criminal Justice: The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and Beyond

As the media reminds us constantly, Africa is the site of numerous investigations and procedures by international criminal courts and tribunals. With the trials of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) essentially finished, and the International Criminal Court now into its second decade of operation, it is a good moment to take a step back and look at how these institutions deal with the languages of their constituents.  A central question is this: how can international criminal courts and tribunals increase access to their institutions and enhance their legitimacy by recognizing the languages primarily used by the persons most closely connected to their proceedings? This paper is based on ongoing research about the various roles played by African languages in institutions of international criminal justice. Through interviews with judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, and outreach officers from the three courts mentioned above, the paper provides a picture of how African languages are being used and not used in three critical areas: formal criminal investigations and proceedings; outreach to the regions where genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity have been committed; and communication with victims of these crimes.
Photosynthetic Carbon Metabolism

Photosynthetic carbon metabolism encompasses the processes by which plants and other photosynthetic organisms use the energy captured from light in the form of NADPH and ATP to convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into carbohydrates. Carbohydrates produced by photosynthesis form the base for the nutrition of all other life as well as serving as the starting materials for fibres, oils and many other natural compounds used by people. Keywords: photosynthesis; photorespiration; chloroplast
Forward Looking 2- dimensional Laser Radar for ACC-Systems

In the adaptive cruise control system, the scanning laser radar is widely used to detect the preceding car even on the winding road. The conventional scanning laser radar scans only horizontally, utilizing a fan beam which is horizontally narrow and vertically wide. Since the conventional system scans only horizontally, it has the following drawback: To detect the preceding car even on the highway with up/down hill, it is necessary to utilize a vertically wide fan beam. Therefore, while the car is traveling on a flat road, the scanning laser radar may detect the objects above the road, such as traffic signs, guideboards and bridges etc., in stead of the preceding cars.
Production and Heat Stability of Staphylococcal Nuclease

No correlation existed between numbers of organisms and nuclease activity in laboratory-grown cultures of Staphylococcus aureus. Nuclease production was inhibited by anaerobic incubation and stimulated by aeration. Strains of S. aureus varied in the production of nuclease. The optimum pH for enzyme production was 8.3 and employment of a tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane buffer system resulted in increased production of the enzyme as compared with a phosphate buffer. The nuclease was extremely heat-stable and had a D value of 16.6 min at 130 C.
The oocyte-to-embryo transition

The oocyte-to-embryo transition refers to the process whereby a fully grown, relatively quiescent oocyte undergoes maturation, fertilization, and is converted into a developmentally active, mitotically dividing embryo, arguably one of the most dramatic transitions in biology. This transition occurs very rapidly in Caenorhabditis elegans, with fertilization of a new oocyte occurring every 23 min and the first mitotic division occurring 45 min later. Molecular events regulating this transition must be very precisely timed. This chapter reviews our current understanding of the coordinated temporal regulation of different events during this transition. We divide the oocyte-to-embryo transition into a number of component processes, which are coordinated primarily through the MBK-2 kinase, whose activation is intimately tied to completion of meiosis, and the OMA-1/OMA-2 proteins, whose expression and functions span multiple processes during this transition. The oocyte-to-embryo transition occurs in the absence of de novo transcription, and all the factors required for the process, whether mRNA or protein, are already present within the oocyte. Therefore, all regulation of this transition is posttranscriptional. The combination of asymmetric partitioning of maternal factors, protein modification-mediated functional switching, protein degradation, and highly regulated translational repression ensure a smooth oocyte-to-embryo transition. We will highlight protein degradation and translational repression, two posttranscriptional processes which play particularly critical roles in this transition.
Platelet α2-Adrenergic Receptor Binding and Plasma Catecholamines: Before and During Imipramine Treatment in Patients With Panic Anxiety

• Specific binding of tritiated clonidine, an α2-adrenergic receptor agonist, and tritiated yohimbine, an α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist, to platelet membranes was measured in persons with panic attacks or major depression and in normal subjects. Plasma catecholamine levels were measured in patients with panic attacks and in normal subjects. The number of binding sites in patients with panic attacks, as measured with tritiated clonidine, was lower than in depressed persons and was the same as in normal subjects. The number in patients with panic attacks, as measured with tritiated yohimbine, was lower than in either depressives or normal subjects. Catecholamine levels were somewhat higher in patients with panic attacks than in normal subjects. Treatment with imipramine hydrochloride decreased the number of sites, as measured with either ligand, in both patient groups and increased catecholamine levels in patients with panic attacks.
Optical Analogue to Electromagnetically Induced Transparency in Photonic Crystals, Simulation and Experiments

We design an optical analogue to electromagnetically-induced transparency in photonic crystal slabs. A simulated transmission spectrum exhibits a narrow transparency resonance, while experiments demonstrate cavity-waveguide coupling in a two-cavity structure.
Treatment of acute ischemic stroke

Abstract Acute ischemic stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of adult disability. The direct and indirect costs of stroke care exceed $51 billion annually. In 1996, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the first treatment for acute ischemic stroke, intravenous tissue plasminogen activator. Later that year, the National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke (a branch of the National Institutes of Health) convened a consensus conference on the Rapid Identification and Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke, setting goals for stroke care in the United States. Since then, it has become imperative that emergency physicians understand the pathophysiology of stroke, the basis and rationale for treatment, and the therapeutic approaches. This article reviews the state of the art of acute stroke treatment, its foundation, as well as its future. [Lewandowski C, Barsan W. Treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Ann Emerg Med. February 2001;37:202-216.]
Nuclear data sheets for A = 139

Abstract The 1966 version of the Nuclear Data Sheets has been revised according to experimental data received prior to January 1974, including approximately 150 papers. Data are presented for 11 nuclei (I, Xe, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, and Eu). No decay schemes are available for the ground-state decay of I, Pm, Sm, or Eu, and no excited states or gamma transitions have been definitely assigned to I, Xe, Pm, or Eu. The Xe and Cs decay schemes have been extensively studied; however, no J π assignments are available for the 50 excited states of Cs because of the lack of gamma multipolarity assignments and no J π assignment for the Xe ground state. The Ba level scheme includes about 100 levels with about 43 J π assignments because of the extensive Cs decay, (n, γ ), and (d,p) data. The La level scheme includes about 80 levels with about 27 J π assignments. More detailed J π assignments cannot be made primarily because of the lack of gamma multipolarity data or definitive l-values in reaction data. About 28 levels have been assigned to Ce with only 17 J π assignments, again primarily because of the lack of gamma multipolarities. Pr has been assigned 30 levels with 24 J π values. Rather extensive gamma multipolarities (35) are assigned in Pr. Only 6 levels have been placed in Nd, with J π assignments for only the ground state (29.7 m) and isomer (5.5 h), the other four levels being due to (α,xn γ ) data. Four levels are suggested in Sm from the 9.5-s isomer internal gamma decay to the ground state (2.6 m), although no J π values are known since no gamma multipolarities are known and no decay scheme is available for the ground state.
Visions of Rural Aging: Use of Photographic Method in Gerontological Research

The use of photography is described as a method embedded within an ethnographic investigation of rural home care for older adults. Photography fostered data generation, elicited participants' stories, and illustrated patterns of rural aging. Analysis of photographic data pooled with interview and observational data facilitated an in-depth understanding of rural aging and home health care.
Natural organic matter and colloidal stability: Models and measurements

Laboratory and field observations by several investigators indicate that natural organic matter (NOM) affects and probably controls the colloidal stability of particles in aquatic systems. The enhanced stability of particles in aquatic systems containing NOM is a consistent observation without a clear cause. In this work, the potential importance of the macromolecular nature of NOM was investigated using model systems. A mathematical model for the adsorption of linear, flexible polyelectrolytes was used to examine the effects of molecular weight, pH, and ionic strength on the conformations of these surrogates for NOM at interfaces in natural waters. Laboratory experiments involving submicron hematite particles, two anionic polyelectrolytes, and an aquatic NOM were used to examine the effects of solution composition on colloidal stability. Together, the results of the mathematical simulations and the laboratory experiments indicate that electrostatic effects dominate particle—particle interactions, but that the macromolecular nature of NOM can have direct influence under certain conditions. At low ionic strength, anionic polyelectrolytes affect the coagulation of positively charged particles by altering net surface charge in a way similar to specifically adsorbing, multivalent, monomeric anions. At high ionic strength (I⩾ 0.1), the conformational characteristics of adsorbed polyelectrolytes at the solid/water interface directly affect coagulation by expanding the effective distance of electrostatic repulsion between approaching particles, as well as by altering net surface charge. Non-electrostatic steric repulsion plays little or no role in the stabilization of hematite particles by the organic macromolecules used in this work. Calcium acts to destabilize hematite particles in the presence of the organic macromolecules, perhaps through a combination of specific chemical and charge effects.
Assembled camshafts for automotive engines

Assembled camshafts offer an attractive manufacturing alternative over conventional methods to meet the demand for high performance camshafts at reduced costs. The manufacture of camshafts has traditionally involved the casting, forging, or machining of a rough blank which was further machined to the finished cam geometry. A new method will be discussed in which individual near-net shaped components are precision assembled onto a tube to pregrind tolerances. Completion of this camshaft only requires a finish grinding operation. The individual components are manufactured by casting, precision warm or cold forging, high speed turning, or powder metal consolidation. The process allows for material selection flexibility to optimize materials for all components with respect to performance and cost. In addition to the inherent advantages of the assembled camshaft, the process typically results in cost advantages over conventionally processed camshafts.
Cryptanalysis of the Harn and Wang modification of the Xinmei digital signature scheme

Xinmei has devised a digital signature scheme based on error correcting codes. Harn and Wang have observed that the combination of valid signatures produced by the Xinmei digital signature scheme yields valid signatures for other messages. Harn and Wang have proposed a modified version of the Xinmei scheme that prevents such selective forgeries. The authors of the Letter have previously shown that the Xinmei scheme can be totally broken by a chosen-ciphertext attact with complexity O(n3), where n is the length of the code used in the scheme. In the Letter it is shown that the Harn and Wang modified scheme can be broken by a known-plaintext attack with complexity O(K3).
Transformation of disaccharides during borate ion-exchange chromatography. Isomerization of lactose into lactulose

Abstract Three reducing disaccharides, lactose, maltose, and cellobiose, were found to undergo chemical changes when subjected to ion-exchange chromatography on columns of Dowex 1 (borate) at room temperature. The new product formed during the chromatography of lactose was found to be lactulose. This isomerization of lactose was found to be temperature-dependent, since a single peak of lactose was eluted from columns operated at 4°.
EFFECT OF ADRENALECTOMY ON BLOOD PRESSURE IN SALT-FED, HYPERTENSION-PRONE RATS : FAILURE OF HYPERTENSION TO DEVELOP IN ABSENCE OF EVIDENCE OF ADRENAL CORTICAL TISSUE

In adrenalectomized, genetically hypertension-prone rats, a high degree of correlation was found between evidence of functioning adrenal tissue and the development of salt hypertension. There is considerable evidence that some rats have the capacity to regenerate functioning adrenal cortical tissue from accessory glands and microscopic rests, sometimes in remote locations. Therefore, the criteria for continued absence of adrenal function after surgical adrenalectomy are critical. In this study we used three tests to validate the presence, or absence, of adrenal function: (a) a biochemical test, the quantitative, serial measurement of plasma glucocorticoids in individual rats; (b) a physiological test, the ability to survive a virtually sodium-free diet; and (c) the anatomical search for histological evidence of adrenal cortical tissue. Among those animals that developed hypertension after adrenalectomy, the correlation between plasma steroid concentration and blood pressure was statistically significant. We suspect that this correlation exists only during the period when cortical tissue is regenerating; it does not exist among intact animals with and without hypertension induced by salt. It was concluded that some adrenocortical function is necessary for salt hypertension to develop. The evidence was insufficient to settle the question whether the action of corticosteroids is causative, or whether they play a supporting, although necessary, role for an extraadrenal hypertensinogenic factor to become manifest.
Changes in zeta potential caused by a dc electric current for thin double layers

An asymptotic solution was obtained to describe one-dimensional, steady-state transport of a symmetric binary electrolyte normal to two large parallel electrodes, in the limit in which the Debye length is infinitesimal compared to the distance separating the two electrodes. Despite the nonzero ion flux, Boltzmann's equation continues to describe the relationship between either ion concentration and the electrostatic potential inside the diffuse part of the double layer, while local electroneutrality applies outside, even for current densities approaching the limiting value. In the absence of ion adsorption or dissociation reactions at the electrodes, the magnitude of any charge or zeta potential arising on the electrodes at zero current is determined by the equilibrium constant for the redox reactions which would exchange ionic charge carriers for electric charge carriers at the electrode surface. Nonzero current causes the ionic strength of the bulk to vary with position. This perturbs the Debye length of the diffuse cloud on either electrode: it is the local ionic strength just outside the cloud which determines the Debye length for that cloud. Nonzero current also changes the zeta potential. The dimensionless rate of change dζ/dJ was as large as 30.
Functional dissection of a conserved motif within the pilus retraction protein PilT.

PilT is a hexameric ATPase required for type IV pilus retraction in gram-negative bacteria. Retraction of type IV pili mediates intimate attachment to and signaling in host cells, surface motility, biofilm formation, natural transformation, and phage sensitivity. We investigated the in vivo and in vitro roles of each amino acid of the distinct, highly conserved C-terminal AIRNLIRE motif in PilT. Substitution of amino acids A288, I289, L292, and I293 as well as a double substitution of R290 and R294 abolished Pseudomonas aeruginosa PilT function in vivo, as measured by a loss of surface motility and phage sensitivity. When introduced into purified Aquifex aeolicus PilT, substitutions in the AIRNLIRE motif did not disrupt ATPase activity or oligomerization. In contrast, a K136Q substitution in the broadly conserved nucleotide binding motif prevented PilT function in vivo as well as in vitro. We propose that the AIRNLIRE motif forms an amphipathic α helix which transmits signals between a surface-exposed protein interaction site and the ATPase core of PilT, and we recognize a potential functional homology in other type II secretion ATPases.
Water-Soluble Poly(ethylenimine)-Based Nitric Oxide Donors: Preparation, Characterization and Potential Application in Hemodialysis

A novel approach to potentially resolve serious thrombosis issues associated with kidney dialysis (hemodialysis) therapies is described. New water-soluble polymeric nitric oxide (NO) donors, based on the diazeniumdiolated branched poly(ethylenimine)s and their derivatives, are prepared and characterized. These macromolecular NO donors (with up to 4.15 μmol/mg of total NO release) are utilized as additives to the dialysate solution of model dialysis filters. The presence of these species can create a localized increase in NO levels at the high surface area dialysis fiber/blood interface within the hemodialyzers. Nitric oxide is a naturally occurring and potent anti-platelet agent and is expected to greatly decrease the risk of thrombosis in the dialysis units.
A new multi-sensor registration technique for three-dimensional scene modeling with application to unmanned vehicle mobility enhancement

The focus of this paper is on the reconstruction of 3D representations of real world scenes and objects using multiple sensors with, as one of its main applications, the enhancement of the autonomy and mobility of unmanned vehicles. The sensors considered are primarily range acquisition devices (such as laser scanners and stereo systems) that allow the recovery of 3D geometry. One of the most important technical challenges that we are addressing is the registration task in both its multi-modal and single modality aspects. Our work is based on a unified approach that formulates the correspondence problem as an optimization task. In this context we developed a criterion that can be used for 3D free-form shape registration. The new criterion is derived from simple Boolean matching principles by approximation and relaxation. Technically, one of the main advantages of the proposed approach is convexity in the neighborhood of the alignment parameters and continuous differentiability, allowing for the use of standard gradient-based optimization techniques. The proposed algorithm allows also for a significant automation of the scene modeling task by reducing the intervention of human operators in the tedious image registration task. Furthermore, we show that the criterion can be computed in linear time complexity which permits the fast implementation critical in many applications of autonomous mobile platforms.
Development of Many−Body Polarizable Force Fields for Li-Battery Components: 1. Ether, Alkane, and Carbonate-Based Solvents

Classical many-body polarizable force fields were developed for n-alkanes, perflouroalkanes, polyethers, ketones, and linear and cyclic carbonates on the basis of quantum chemistry dimer energies of model compounds and empirical thermodynamic liquid-state properties. The dependence of the electron correlation contribution to the dimer binding energy on basis-set size and level of theory was investigated as a function of molecular separation for a number of alkane, ether, and ketone dimers. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the force fields accurately predicted structural, dynamic, and transport properties of liquids and unentangled polymer melts. On average, gas-phase dimer binding energies predicted with the force field were between those from MP2/aug-cc-pvDz and MP2/aug-cc-pvTz quantum chemistry calculations.
Hydroxychloroquine treatment in a community-based cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective In recent years hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has emerged as a key therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We determined the rates of HCQ use in a diverse, community-based cohort of patients with SLE and identified predictors of current HCQ use. Methods Patients were participants in the University of California San Francisco Lupus Outcomes Study, an ongoing longitudinal study of patients with confirmed SLE. We examined the prevalence of HCQ use per person-year and compared baseline characteristics of users and nonusers, including demographic, socioeconomic, clinical, and health system use variables. Multiple logistic regression with generalized estimating equations was used to evaluate predictors of HCQ use. Results A total of 881 patients contributed 3,095 person-years of data over 4 interview cycles. The prevalence of HCQ use was 55 per 100 person-years and was constant throughout the observation period. In multivariate models, the odds of HCQ use were nearly doubled among patients receiving their SLE care from a rheumatologist compared with those identifying generalists or nephrologists as their primary sources of SLE care. In addition, patients with shorter disease duration were more likely to use HCQ, even after adjusting for age and other covariates. Conclusion In this community-based cohort of patients, HCQ use was suboptimal. Physician specialty and disease duration were the strongest predictors of HCQ use. Patients who are not using HCQ, those with longer disease duration, and those who see nonrheumatologists for their SLE care should be targeted for quality improvement.
Local Industrial Structures, Economic Power, and Community Welfare

ity and to what ends reappeared in postwar America. Most conservatives were alarmed by the growth of economic and political power of farmers, organized workers, and centralized federal agencies. Most liberals, on the other hand, were equally alarmed by the persistent presence of vast concentrations of private economic power, despite fifty years of vigorous anti-trust agitation. Both political camps were apprehensive over the American economy's stability. The continuous inflationary spiral and its generation of acrimonious strife between labor and management inflamed the ideological clash further.
The Bleaching Syndrome African Americans' Response to Cultural Domination Vis-à-Vis Skin Color

The current emphasis on diversity in academia has brought about rapid and widely accepted curriculum changes (Garcia & Swenson, 1992; Norton, 1983). It is a reflection of the various activisms that have previously been ineffective. Now, after decades of struggle, those activisms have finally sparked a revolution. African Americans, previously segregated, commence to interaction on a more intimate level with members of the dominant culture. For the most part, the impact of this revolution has attracted little attention. It has no immediate implications for exact science or technology. Furthermore, if that impact escapes the attention of African Americans, their future will very likely be at risk. The objective of this article is to bring to the attention of African Americans some of the dynamics associated with the current revolution. It will introduce the bleaching syndrome (Hall, 1990a) as a response by African Americans in their attempts to assimilate into a society characterized by cultural domination in spite of the psychic conflict it has caused. It will also make available to scholars a theoretical concept for logically comprehending the impact of assimilation upon the psyche of dominated groups. And finally, it will define and illustrate some of the consequences of the bleaching syndrome for African Americans who internalize light skin and other dominant culture criteria as the ideal point of reference for full assimilation into American society. According to the domination model (Kitano, 1985) of assimilation, African Americans are regarded as "minorities." Their most
Intrastate Competition for Debt Resources

Limited economic resources create constraints that force trade-offs among desired objectives. Likewise, state-balanced budget requirements force policy makers to make budgetary trade-offs among competing state programs. Constrained state resources have also encouraged states to issue bonds to finance infrastructure and capital assets rather than using pay-as-you-go financing for such investments. However, the expanded use of debt financing often faces another constraint known as debt capacity. As a result, states may be required to make trade-offs among the competing demands for debt financing similar to the trade-offs they must make for operating program expenditures. The authors' empirical findings indicate that tradeoffs occur between highway project—related debt and other state debt in those states with formal restrictions on total general obligation and revenue-backed debt (umbrella debt limits). In states without umbrella debt limits, there is no evidence of a trade-off between the highway debt and ...
12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate stimulates human T-lymphocyte adherence to the fibronectin RGD domain and the laminin IKVAV domain

In order for T cells to exit the circulatory system, these cells must attach to extracellular matrix proteins. We have used 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) to study the ability of human T cells to adhere to fibronectin or laminin or to specific domains on these extracellular matrix proteins. Both primary human T-lymphocytes and a T-cell line (H-9) adhered and spread well on solid-phase fibronectin and laminin in the presence of TPA, with maximum activity at 3 hr of treatment. Furthermore, attachment of both cell populations to fibronectin was inhibited using a soluble RGD-containing synthetic peptide or by pretreating the fibronectin with antibodies that block the RGD domain. A synthetic peptide from the CSI alternatively spliced region of fibronectin did not inhibit attachment to fibronectin. The H-9 cells also attached to the laminin A chain IKVAV-containing synthetic peptide, but not to the laminin-derived YIGSR- or RGD-containing sequences. Immunoprecipitation of 32P-labeled H-9 cells with antibodies to the beta 1 integrin subunit demonstrated phosphorylation of an alpha integrin subunit after treatment with TPA. These data demonstrate that TPA activates T-cell adherence to laminin and to fibronectin via specific sites on each protein and that this adhesion may be associated with integrin phosphorylation.
Calibration of Thematic Mapper band 6 in the thermal infrared

A vicarious calibration of band 6 of the Thematic Mapper sensor carried on Landsat-5 was conducted at White Sands Missile Range (NM) in August 1992. The method utilized was based on direct measurements of surface temperature and local meteorological factors and an indirect measurement of surface emittance. Atmospheric path transmission and radiances were characterized using LOWTRAN7, and surface reflectance was derived from surface emittance. The difference between the preflight calibration and this calibration was less than 5%.
Orthogonal polynomials and their derivatives, I

Abstract Complete characterization is given for all orthogonal polynomials whose derivatives are linear combinations of at most two polynomials of the same system.
Living up to Our Words

As I look back over more than 40 years in the academy I see universities evolving toward profit-oriented corporate models and concurrent management and accounting techniques including the allocation of teaching duties to highly qualified but low-paid PhDs with no hope of tenure-track jobs. This effectively removes tenure as protection for academic freedom and exposes new PhDs to years of unrewarding, badly-paid work with little hope of the writing and research necessary for academic careers. Thus, it seems to me they are ill advised to continue in these systems. Applied anthropology has been incredibly successful in using anthropological knowledge outside the academy. I therefore urge graduate students to abandon graduate studies and move directly into applied work. I would urge those employed in adjunct positions to continue to organize for common interests via the union movement in conjunction with friendly anthropological organizations such as AAA. From the time I served as a member, I also see a recor...
Sharing of thoughts or recognizing otherness? Reply to Logue and miller

(1996). Sharing of thoughts or recognizing otherness? Reply to Logue and miller. Critical Studies in Mass Communication: Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 373-380.
A minimum 5-year follow-up of an oxidized zirconium femoral prosthesis used for total knee arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Bearing surface wear remains a potential concern amongst younger patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Because of the potential for lower prosthetic wear rates, oxidized zirconium is a potentially attractive bearing surface for TKA in young, active patients. This material is also well suited for patients with suspected nickel sensitivities as it has no measurable nickel content, in contrast to standard femoral bearings made of cobalt-chromium alloys. Although in vitro testing on knee wear simulators has demonstrated favorable wear characteristics of oxidized zirconium compared to traditional cobalt-chrome bearings, in vivo clinical outcome data with this novel bearing surface are sparse. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 109 consecutive TKAs in 82 patients at a minimum of five years postoperatively to determine prosthetic survivorship and to assess whether any adverse clinical consequences could be attributed to this bearing. Knees were evaluated with Knee Society scores, UCLA activity scores, clinical examinations, and radiographs. The mean age for this cohort was 58.7 years. Results Survivorship free of bearing related complications was 100% at a minimum of five years post-surgery. There were no revisions for loosening, osteolysis, implant failure, or deep infection. There were no knees with radiographic failure, visible wear, loosening, or osteolysis. Conclusion Oxidized zirconium remains an attractive option for patients with nickel sensitivities and in those patients at risk for prosthetic wear due to young age or high activity levels.
SOCIAL SKILL DEFICITS OF LEARNING‐DISABLED STUDENTS: ISSUES OF DEFINITION, CLASSIFICATION, AND ASSESSMENT

A number of recent investigators have demonstrated that LD students are often poorly accepted by peers and that they exhibit deficits in social skills. This article briefly reviews this research on LD students' social behavior and focuses on the definition, assessment, and classification of social skill deficits. It concludes with a listing of practice and public policy needs concerning services for LD students.
Purification of the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase from membranes of Acholeplasma laidlawii

Abstract The ethanol-extracted respiratory chain-linked NADH dehydrogenase of Acholeplasma laidlawii has been purified 25–35-fold. This purification involved delipidation of the ethanol-extracted minute non-sedimentable membrane fragments by detergent treatment and gel filtration on Bio-Gel P-200. Sodium deoxycholate-sucrose density gradient centrifugation was followed by dialysis of the active NADH dehydrogenase fractions which caused flocculation of 60% of the membrane proteins while the NADH dehydrogenase remained suspended. Poylacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified NADH dehydrogenase gave one major and two minor bands after staining with Coomassie Blue. The purified enzyme gave straight line kinetics in Lineweaver-Burk plots and a K m = 0.510 mM and V = 0.236 μmol/min. Fatty acid supplementation of A. laidlawii membranes had negligible effect on the membrane-bound or ethanol-extracted dehydrogenase, but substantiated the values of the K m and V . Purification, however, altered the constants by 2–4-fold, suggesting that alteration of the microenvironment or fragmentation of the dehydrogenase was significant. The purified dehydrogenase was very susceptible to a rapid inhibition with heavy metal ions. Mg 2+ and Ca 2+ inhibited the enzyme but this inhibition was much slower (90 min) and less complete. Consideration of published purification procedures of NADH dehydrogenase strongly suggested that the purified A. laidlawii respiratory chain-linked NADH dehydrogenase was over 90% pure and certainly one of the most purified respiratory chainlinked bacterial NADH dehydrogenases.