cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acetylation of acetyl-CoA synthetase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis leads to specific inactivation of the adenylation reaction.

Abstract Acetyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) catalyzes the formation of AcCoA from acetate, ATP and Coenzyme A, allowing the organism to grow on acetate as the sole carbon source. ACS was the first enzyme in Mycobacterium tuberculosis shown to be regulated by posttranslational acetylation by the cAMP-dependent protein acetyltransferase. This modification results in the inactivation of the enzyme and can be reversed in the presence of NAD + and a mycobacterial sirtuin-like deacetylase. In this study we characterize the kinetic mechanism of Mt ACS, where the overall reaction can be divided into two half-reactions: the acetyl-adenylate forming reaction and the thiol-ligation reaction. We also provide evidence for the existence of the acetyl-adenylate intermediate via 31 P NMR spectroscopy. Furthermore, we dissect the regulatory role of K617 acetylation and show that acetylation inhibits only the first, adenylation half-reaction while leaving the second half reaction unchanged. Finally, we demonstrate that the chemical mechanism of the enzyme relies on a conformational change which is controlled by the protonation state of aspartate 525. Together with our earlier results, this suggests a degree of regulation of enzyme activity that is appropriate for the role of the enzyme in central carbon metabolism.
Prediction of solid solubility in alloys

A new empirical method for the analysis of solid solubility in alloys is proposed. The method is an extension of previous work by Darken and Gurry and by Chelikowsky. Each chemical element is characterized by three parameters: the atomic volume $V$, the electronegativity ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{*}$, and the electron density at the boundary of bulk atomic cells ${n}_{b}.\ensuremath{\Delta}{\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{*}$ and $\ensuremath{\Delta}{n}_{b}$ ($\ensuremath{\Delta}$ indicates the difference between solvent and solute) are combined into a unique parameter, $\ensuremath{\Delta}{H}_{c}$, the heat of formation of an equiatomic compound. This is done by using the semiempirical theory of Miedema and co-workers. Then, the two parameters $\ensuremath{\Delta}{H}_{c}$ and $\ensuremath{\Delta}V$ are used to construct a two-dimensional map. In this map, the chemical elements insoluble in a given host are neatly separated from the soluble ones. Even more, it seems that contours of increasing degree of solubility can be drawn with a fair degree of success.
Activation of angiotensin-generating systems in the developing rat kidney

The present study was designed to determine the developmental changes in intrarenal angiotensin (Ang) peptides in the rat. Kidney Ang I and II levels were threefold and sixfold higher in newborn than adult kidneys, respectively (Ang I, 678 +/- 180 versus 243 +/- 38 fmol/g, P < .01; Ang II, 667 +/- 75 versus 103 +/- 6 fmol/g, P < .001). Intrarenal Ang II levels correlated positively with the temporal changes in renin gene expression (r = .93, P < .001). However, no correlation was found between renal Ang II content and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) expression during development, which prompted us to evaluate whether renal enzymes, other than renin and ACE, contribute to Ang II formation in the developing kidney. Angiotensin peptide levels were measured in newborn and adult kidney homogenates incubated with human angiotensinogen (a poor rat renin substrate) for 30 minutes at 37 degrees C. Inhibitors of aspartyl proteases and metalloproteases were ineffective in preventing the formation of Ang II in either newborn or adult kidneys. However, addition of the serine protease inhibitors soybean trypsin inhibitor and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride inhibited Ang II generation in the newborn kidneys only. In contrast, Ang I generation was not affected by inhibition of serine proteases in either newborn or adult kidneys. We conclude that Ang I and II synthesis is activated in the developing rat kidney. In addition to renin and ACE, the newborn rat kidney expresses serine protease activity that is capable of generating Ang II directly from angiotensinogen. This putative enzyme is induced in the newborn kidney and may cooperate with renin in the activation of Ang II synthesis during early development.
Ion Implantation Studies of Graphite.

Ion implantation of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) is studied using various characterization techniques, including Raman spectroscopy and Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (SIMS). Particular attention is given to the annealing of the implantation-induced lattice damage using both hot substrate implantation (200 < T1 < 1000°C) and post-implantation annealing. The Raman spectra provide detailed information on the implantation-induced structural disorder by analysis of the disorder-induced and Raman-allowed features in the first- and second-order spectra. SIMS measurements show that the implanted profile is essentially the same for hot substrate and room temperature implantation for the case of HOPG. It is shown that implantation at elevated temperatures prevents amorphization more effectively than implantation at room temperature and subsequent annealing at the same elevated temperature. The annealing results show that fundamentally different defects are created during room temperature and hot substrate implantation.
The Spatial Separation of Parents and Their Adult Children

In this paper, we examine the distribution of distances between adult children and their parents in the U.S. We make use of the 1987 National Survey of Families and Households to first describe the...
Extending the definition of optical depth to coherent pulse propagation

Abstract I extend the notion of optical depth, as conventionally defined for Beer's law attenuation of weak long-duration intensity, to the description of coherent propagation of 2π pulses, by considering the asymptotic two-parameter pulse which evolves over long distances from an initial pulse of arbitrary shape. Whereas in Beer's law propagation pulse intensity falls by 1/e in one optical depth, a coherent 2π pulse is delayed by a fraction of its pulse width in one optical depth.
Filtering returns for unspecified biases in priors when testing asset pricing theory

Procedures are presented that allow the empiricist to estimate and test asset pricing models on limited-liability securities without the assumption that the historical payoff distribution provides a consistent estimate of the market's prior beliefs. The procedures effectively filter return data for unspecified historical biases in the market's priors. They do not involve explicit estimation of the market's priors, and hence, economize on parameters. The procedures derive from a new but simple property of Bayesian learning, namely: if the correct likelihood is used, the inverse posterior at the true parameter value forms a martingale process relative to the learner's information filtration augmented with the true parameter value. Application of this central result to tests of asset pricing models requires a deliberate selection bias. Hence, as a by-product, the article establishes that biased samples contain information with which to falsify an asset pricing model or estimate its parameters. These include samples subject to, e.g. survivorship bias or Peso problems.
Cone Damage in Patients Receiving High-Dose Irofulven Treatment

Objectives: To describe the clinical, perimetric, and electroretinographic (ERG) results of 4 patients with cone dysfunction following irofulven treatment including the histopathologic and immunocytochemical features of one patient’s retinas. Design: Observational case series. Methods: The patients were examined clinically, including perimetric and ERG evaluations. Eyes from patient 1 and healthy postmortem eyes were processed for histopathologic and immunocytochemistry studies with antibodies specific for cones, rods, and reactive Muller cells. Main Outcome Measures: Clinical signs and symptoms, perimetry, ERG, retinal histopathologic and immunocytochemistry study results. Results: All 4 patients had ERG changes consistent with abnormal cone responses and relatively normal rod responses. Compared with control eyes, the retina of patient 1 had approximately half the normal numbers of macular cones and fewer peripheral cones. The number of rods were normal but all rod and cone outer segments were shortened. Conclusion: High-dose irofulven treatment causes conespecific damage with relative sparing of rods. Arch Ophthalmol. 2005;123:29-34
Energy management for commercial servers

Servers: high-end, multiprocessor systems running commercial workloads, have typically included extensive cooling systems and resided in custom-built rooms for high-power delivery. Recently, as transistor density and demand for computing resources have rapidly increased, even these high-end systems face energy-use constraints. Commercial-server energy management now focuses on conserving power in the memory and microprocessor subsystems. Because their workloads are typically structured as multiple application programs, system-wide approaches are more applicable to multiprocessor environments in commercial servers than techniques that primarily apply to single-application environments, such as those based on compiler optimizations.
Modular test generation and concurrent transparency-based test translation using gate-level ATPG

We introduce a hierarchical test generation methodology for modular designs, employing exclusively gate-level ATPG. Based on the notion of modular transparency, the search space of the design is reduced to alleviate the complexity of gate-level test generation. Although ATPG is applied at the full circuit, faults in each module are targeted individually, while the surrounding modules are replaced by their much simpler, transparency-equivalent logic. As analyzed theoretically and as demonstrated through a set of experimental data, the proposed methodology results in significant test generation speed-up, while preserving comparable fault coverage and vector count to full-circuit gate-level ATPG.
Spinal Schwannoma presenting due to torsion and hemorrhage: case report and review of literature.

Abstract Background context The presentation of a tumor due to torsion, with hemorrhage from presumed reperfusion injury as a result of infarction of the lesion, is extremely rare and may be different than typical tumor presentation. Purpose The aim was to describe a patient with a rare case of twisted intradural nerve sheath myxoid Schwannoma. Study design This was a case report and a review of literature. Methods A patient presented with acute onset of severe pain was found to have minimally enhanced intradural extramedullary cystic lesion. The patient underwent bilateral L2 and L3 laminectomy and microsurgically assisted intradural exploration. Results At laminectomy and intradural exploration, it was found to be a Schwannoma, which had rotated above and below, with obvious color change consistent with either infarction or hemorrhage. Because the color change ceased abruptly at the site of the torsion, we presumed that the mechanism of the hemorrhage in and around the Schwannoma found at pathologic evaluation was due to the torsion. The torsion caused vascular insufficiency (likely venous) and produced subsequent reperfusion-related hemorrhage, because of the compression of the vascular supply coming from the proximal and distal ends of the root of origin. The patient did well with complete resolution of his symptoms and 11 years of pain relief. Conclusions This acute infarction of the tumor and the associated nerve caused the acute pain syndrome that is not commonly associated with lumbar Schwannomas. Patients with acute onset of severe radiating pain may have torsion of a benign tumor arising from the nerve in question.
A mutual-information scale-space for image feature detection and feature-based classification of volumetric brain images

This paper proposes a novel information theoretic scale-space for salient feature detection, based on the mutual information (MI) of image measurement and location. The MI scale-space is designed to identify image regions whose measurements are maximally informative regarding spatial location. A framework for computing the MI scale-space is proposed, based on combining information theory with Gaussian scale-space theory, where uncertainty in spatial location is explicitly defined by the heat equation. Experiments investigate the use of MI features for feature-based classification of Alzheimer's subjects in volumetric magnetic resonance imagery from a public data set, where MI features result in higher classification accuracy than features selected according to the established difference-of-Gaussian (DOG) criterion [15].
Effects of Dietary Fiber and Low Glycemic Index Diet on Glucose Control in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective:To review the effects of dietary fiber and a low glycemic index diet on glycemic risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or T2DM and dyslipidemia.Data Sources:Literature search was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, The Natural Standard, and The Natural Medicines through July 2010 using the terms type 2 diabetes mellitus, dietary fiber, psyllium, and glycemic index.Study Selection and Data Extraction:Articles included were randomized controlled studies or meta-analyses examining the effects of dietary interventions (dietary fiber, low glycemic index diet, or psyllium) on glycemic risk factors (glycosylated hemoglobin A1c [A1C] or postprandial plasma glucose [PPG] concentrations) in subjects with T2DM or T2DM and dyslipidemiaData Synthesis:Both psyllium supplementation and low glycemic index diets have been studied as monotherapy in the treatment of T2DM. Seven studies were reviewed (3 randomized crossover studies, 1 randomized parallel study, 3 randomized blinded paral...
Characterization of the reaction product of the oriT nicking reaction catalyzed by Escherichia coli DNA helicase I.

Abstract DNA helicase I, encoded on the Escherichia coli F plasmid, catalyzes a site- and strand-specific nicking reaction within the F plasmid origin of transfer (oriT) to initiate conjugative DNA strand transfer. The product of the nicking reaction contains a single phosphodiester bond interruption as determined by single-nucleotide resolution mapping of both sides of the nick site. This analysis has demonstrated that the nick is located at precisely the same site previously shown to be nicked in vivo (T. L. Thompson, M. B. Centola, and R. C. Deonier, J. Mol. Biol. 207:505-512, 1989). In addition, studies with two oriT point mutants have confirmed the specificity of the in vitro reaction. Characterization of the nicked DNA product has revealed a modified 5' end and a 3' OH available for extension by E. coli DNA polymerase I. Precipitation of nicked DNA with cold KCl in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate suggests the existence of protein covalently attached to the nicked DNA molecule. The covalent nature of this interaction has been directly demonstrated by transfer of radiolabeled phosphate from DNA to protein. On the basis of these results, we propose that helicase I becomes covalently bound to the 5' end of the nicked DNA strand as part of the reaction mechanism for phosphodiester bond cleavage. A model is presented to suggest how helicase I could nick the F plasmid at oriT and subsequently unwind the duplex DNA to provide single-stranded DNA for strand transfer during bacterial conjugation.
Path completion after haptic exploration without vision: Implications for haptic spatial representations

Subjects haptically explored two legs of a triangular path and responded by returning to the origin. Seven conditions were tested, varying in (1) whether the path was imaginally displaced between the initial exploration and the response; (2) the nature of the displacement, if present—rotation or translation; (3) variability in the origin location across trials; and (4) instructions to complete a triangle versus remembering the origin location. Mean distance and angle responses were modeled by the encoding-error model (Fujita, Klatzky, Loomis, & Golledge, 1993), which attributes errors to misencoding of the path legs and angle. The model failed to predict the finding of systematic errors in response distance but not response angle, a dissociation that held when the path was undisplaced or imaginally translated. Rotation before responding produced errors more consistent with the model. The data suggest use of a body-centered representation to complete undisplaced or imaginally translated paths, but adoption of an object-centered representation after imagined rotation, as is more consistent with pathway completion using whole-body locomotion.
Reverse genetics of negative-stranded RNA viruses: A global perspective

The advent of reverse genetics technology has revolutionized the field of RNA viruses. It is now possible to manipulate even negative-stranded RNA viruses at will, and evaluate the effects of these changes on the biology and pathogenesis of these viruses. The fundamental insights gleaned from the reverse genetics-based studies over the last several years have provided a new momentum for the development of designed therapies for the control and prevention of these viral pathogens. The recombinant viruses have been exploited also as vectors for devising targeted therapies for non-viral diseases such as malignancies, and in gene therapy for inherited disorders. This review provides a brief summary of the stumbling blocks and the successes in the development of the technology for the negative-stranded RNA viruses. The many and varied applications of the recombinant vectors are also outlined.
The Fact and Fiction of Consultation

T h e current professional literature suggests that consultation is a service delivery model whose time has come. Although there is little agreement regarding a definition of consultation, its utility in general seems to have accrued widespread support. One compelling rationale for consultation as a service model has evolved from the mandates prescribed by P.L. 94-142. Specifically, P.L. 94-142 requires that (a) children wil l be educated in regular classrooms with the provision of such support systems as are necessary to accommodate individual differences, (b) children are to be considered handicapped only after receiving adequate instruction, and (c) handicapped children wil l be educated, to the maximum extent appropriate, with nonhandicapped peers. Consultation has been offered as a means of realizing these legal mandates. In addition, many proponents of consultation believe that education outside the mainstream has the detrimental effect of social and academic isolation upon mildly handicapped students. These proponents suggest the alternative of consultation as a means of mitigating the stigma suffered by many mildly handicapped students who are in pull-out programs (Lloyd, Crowley, Kohler, & Strain, 1988; Reisberg & Wolf, 1986).
Analysis of powder X-ray diffraction resolution using collimating and focusing polycapillary optics

Focusing X-ray optics can be used to increase the intensity onto small samples, greatly reducing data collection time. Typically, the beam convergence is restricted to avoid loss of resolution, since the focused beams broaden the resulting powder diffraction rings. However, with smooth Gaussian peaks, the resolution defined by the uncertainty in peak location can be much less than the peak width. Polycapillary X-ray optics were used to collimate and focus X-rays onto standard inorganic powder diffraction samples. Comparisons were made of system resolution and diffracted beam intensity with and without focusing and collimating optics using a standard small spot rotating anode system in point source geometry. The area detector and optics also allowed for the use of a low power 60 W source, without increasing either the collection time or the peak center error compared to the rotating anode no optic case. Resolution and intensity were in good agreement with those obtained from a simple geometrical model developed for the optics, which allows for system design and optimization for the desired sample characteristics. Foils and powders were used to model thin film samples while allowing both reflection and transmission measurements to more effectively verify theoretical modeling of beam parameters.
Slit-2/Robo-1 modulates the CXCL12/CXCR4-induced chemotaxis of T cells

Slit, which mediates its function by binding to the Roundabout (Robo) receptor, has been shown to regulate neuronal, dendritic, and leukocyte migration. However, the molecular mechanism by which the Slit/Robo complex inhibits the migration of cells is not well defined. Here, we showed that Slit-2 can inhibit the CXCL12-induced chemotaxis and transendothelial migration of T cells and monocytes. We observed that CXCR4 associates with Robo-1 and that Slit-2 treatment enhances this association with the Robo-1 receptor. Robo-1 is a single-pass transmembrane receptor whose intracellular region contains four conserved motifs designated as CC0, CC1, CC2, and CC3. Structural and functional analyses of Robo receptors revealed that interaction of the CC3 motif with the CXCR4 receptor may regulate the CXCL12-induced chemotaxis of T cells. We further characterized Slit-2-mediated inhibition of the CXCL12/CXCR4 chemotactic pathway and found that Slit-2 can block the CXCL12-induced activation of the Src and Lck kinases but not Lyn kinase. Although Slit-2 did not inhibit the CXCL12-induced activation of MAPKs, it did inhibit the Akt phosphorylation and Rac activation induced by this chemokine. Altogether, our studies indicate a novel mechanism by which the Slit/Robo complex may inhibit the CXCR4/CXCL12-mediated chemotaxis of T cells.
Initial Licking Responses of Mice to Sweeteners: Effects of Tas1r3 Polymorphisms

Recent studies have established that the T1R3 receptor plays a central role in the taste-mediated ingestive response to sweeteners by mice. First, transgenic mice lacking the gene for T1R3, Tas1r3, show dramatically reduced lick responsiveness to most sweeteners. Second, strains with the taster allele of Tas1r3 (T strains) are more sensitive to low sweetener concentrations than strains with the nontaster allele (NT strains) and consume greater quantities of low- to midrange concentrations of sweeteners during 24-h tests. We asked how Tas1r3 polymorphisms influence the initial licking responses of four T strains (FVB/NJ, SWR/J, SM/J, and C57BL/6J) and four NT strains (BALB/cJ, 129P3/J, DBA/2J, and C3H/HeJ) to two sweeteners (sucrose and SC-45647, an artificial sweetener). We used the initial licking response as a measure of the taste-mediated ingestive response because its brief duration minimizes the potential contribution of nontaste factors (e.g., negative and positive postingestive feedback). Further, we used two complimentary short-term intake tests (the brief-access taste test and a novel 1-min preference test) to reduce the possibility that our findings were an epiphenomenon of a specific testing procedure. In both tests, the T strains were more responsive than the NT strains to low concentrations of each sweetener. At higher concentrations, however, there was considerable overlap between the T and NT strains. In fact, the initial licking response of several NT strains was more vigorous than (or equivalent to) that of several T strains. There was also considerable variation among strains with the same Tas1r3 allele. We conclude that Tas1r3 polymorphisms contribute to strain differences in initial lick responsiveness to low but not high concentrations of sweeteners.
Human IgG aggregates induce selective stimulation of IgM rheumatoid factor synthesis by rheumatoid blood mononuclear cells

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) from patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) contain precursor B lymphocytes specific for IgM rheumatoid factor (IgM-RF) synthesis. In this study, human IgG aggregates (HaIgG) were used to stimulate monocyte-depleted PBM from 46 patients with RA and 21 normal controls. The cells were incubated with HaIgG and pokeweed mitogen for 72 hours, washed, and then cultured in microwells for an additional 11 days. HaIgG induced an increase in IgM-RF synthesis by RA cells with optimum response at 0.1 microgram/ml (P less than 0.001). Total IgM synthesis remained unchanged. In contrast, HaIgG did not stimulate IgM-RF production by normal cells. Specificity of the IgM-RF response was shown by the concomitantly increased IgM-RF/IgM ratios, while IgM anti-trinitrophenyl antibodies did not increase. Aggregation of the IgG was required for it to be an effective stimulus. The findings suggest that circulating immune complexes in RA patients may provide the stimulus for sustained production of IgM-RF in vivo.
Equilibrium lengths of railgun plasma armatures

Recent data have shown that the length of railgun plasma armatures increases with bore size. The mechanisms for plasma growth and mass loss are treated analytically through a simple thermodynamic model in which mass is added through ablation of bore materials and lost through friction. It is assumed that at the bore wall, a thin boundary layer is formed in the plasma in which the velocity is sufficiently slow that the boundary layer is left behind the bulk of the plasma. Using the scaling relations of J.D. Powell and J. Batteh (1983), a functional relationship between the plasma length l/sub p/ and bore height h of the form l/sub p/=kh/sup alpha /, where alpha approximately=0.68. Using the model developed in the present work, a linear relationship between l/sub p/ and h is derived, but the proportionality factor depends on temperature, plasma conductivity, velocity, and boundary-layer thickness. Predictions of the model are interpreted in the light of available data. The model is shown to predict lengths which are in reasonable agreement with the observed data. >
Inspiratory Muscle Training in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure Awaiting Cardiac Transplantation: Results of a Pilot Clinical Trial

Background and Purpose. Persons with chronic heart failure (HF) have poor ventilatory muscle strength, and this weakness is associated with dyspnea. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on ventilatory muscle strength and dyspnea in patients with chronic HF. Subjects. Fourteen patients (mean age [±SD]=52±8.5 years) with end-stage cardiomyopathy and chronic HF (mean left ventricular ejection fraction=23%±13% and New York Heart Association class=3.6±0.6) participated in the study. Methods. Inspiratory muscle training was performed at 20% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) for 5 to 15 minutes, three times a day, for 8 weeks. Dyspnea was evaluated at rest and during exercise. Results. Both MIP and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) were greater after 2 weeks of IMT (51±21 to 63±23 cm H2O and 85±22 to 96±19 cm H2O, representing 24% and 13% improvement). Dyspnea scores at rest and during exercise decreased after 2 weeks (2.0±0.7 to 1.3±0.5 and 3.6±0.5 to 2.6±0.6, representing 29% and 28% improvement) and plateaued throughout the remainder of IMT. Baseline MEP was related to the percentage of change in MEP after IMT ( r =−.72), and several measures of pulmonary function were related to the degree of improvement in dyspnea after IMT ( r =−.57 to −.82) and in MIP after IMT ( r =.71). Conclusion and Discussion. Improvements in MIP, MEP, and dyspnea were found after 2 weeks of IMT. Greater pulmonary function was associated with greater improvement in dyspnea and ventilatory muscle strength after IMT. These improvements may decrease the dependency and impairment associated with chronic HF.
Serum interleukin-6 as a marker of periprosthetic infection following total hip and knee arthroplasty.

Background: The erythrocyte sedimentation rate, the C-reactive protein serum level, and the white blood-cell count are routinely used to diagnose periprosthetic infection. In the present study, the diagnostic accuracy of the interleukin-6 serum level was compared with the accuracy of these standard tests for the evaluation of a group of patients who had had a total hip or total knee arthroplasty and were undergoing a reoperation for the treatment of an infection or another implant-related problem. Methods: A prospective, case-control study of fifty-eight patients who had had a total hip or knee replacement and were undergoing a reoperation because of an infection (seventeen patients) or another implant-related problem (forty-one patients) was conducted. The serum levels of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and the white blood-cell count were measured. The definitive diagnosis of an infection was determined on the basis of positive histopathological evidence of infection and growth of bacteria on culture of intraoperative specimens. Two-sample Wilcoxon rank-sum (Mann-Whitney) tests were used to determine the presence of a significant difference between patients with and without infection with regard to each laboratory value studied. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of each text were also calculated. Results: The serum interleukin-6 level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein level were significantly higher in patients who had an infection than in those who did not, both when all patients were considered together and when the total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty groups were considered separately. With the numbers available, there was no significant difference with regard to the white blood-cell count between patients with and without infection. With a normal serum interleukin-6 level defined as <10 pg/mL, the serum interleukin-6 test had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of 1.0, 0.95, 0.89, 1.0, and 97%, respectively. Conclusions: An elevated serum interleukin-6 level correlated positively with the presence of periprosthetic infection in patients undergoing a reoperation at the site of a total hip or knee arthroplasty. The serum interleukin-6 level is valuable for the diagnosis of periprosthetic infection in patients who have had a total hip or total knee arthroplasty. Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Abstract 17022: RAGE Suppresses Adaptive Upregulation of MCP-1 in Hind Limb Ischemia in Diabetic Mice

Diabetic subjects with foot ulceration and critical limb ischemia are at high risk for lower-extremity amputations. Our previous findings revealed that receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) impaired angiogenesis and blood flow recovery in hind limb ischemia in diabetic mice. Here, we tested the hypothesis that RAGE modulates gene expression changes in the inflammatory response to hind limb ischemia in diabetic mice. Wild type (WT) and RAGE -/- mice were rendered diabetic (D) with streptozotocin (stz); non-diabetic (ND) cohorts were treated with buffer alone. After two months of diabetes, at age 16 weeks, mice were subjected to femoral artery (FA) ligation. RNA was prepared from muscle tissues distal to the ligation on day 7 after surgery and subjected to gene expression profiling using “Angiogenesis” focused PCR arrays to identify the genes impacted by diabetes and RAGE in hind limb ischemia. An ≈ 8-fold increase in monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2) was observed in D RAGE -/- mice vs D WT mice post-ligation. These results were further validated by real-time PCR analysis. Our data demonstrated significant increase in MCP-1/CCL2 transcripts in RAGE /- vs. WT mice in non-diabetes post-ligation as well (p + cells were evident in RAGE -/- vs. WT mice muscle tissues in both non-diabetes and diabetes (p
The Curious, Perjurious Requirements of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 12(b)(3)

A 2010 survey of Illinois Civil Procedure discussed recent amendments to the Illinois Supreme Court Rules that apply to civil practice issues.1 The survey began with Notices of Appeal and a substantial part of the survey of Notices of Appeal was devoted to Secura Insurance Co. v. Illinois Farmers Insurance Co.2 The purpose of this Article is to examine in greater depth the requirements of filing notices of appeal under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 12(b)(3) and the corresponding proof of service of Rule 373.Illinois Supreme Court Rule 12(b)(3) has what can only be called “curious, perjurious requirements.” They are curious because, in conjunction with Rule 373, they require an affiant to state under penalty of perjury that he or she has personal knowledge of events that have not yet occurred. They are perjurious because they require the affiants to state under oath or penalty of perjury that they already performed an act when in fact they did not and could not have performed at the time the affidavit was executed. The rule in essence states “unless you swear you performed an act that you did not actually perform your case will not be heard by the court.”
‘Confounding’ Our Future

Read the anniversary editorial by Editor-in-Chief Timothy R. Rebbeck, [p. 567][1] With substantive input from colleagues in the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics at the National Cancer Institute, I outline three emerging scientific challenges that are likely to engage cancer
Simulation and Experimental Assembly of DNA-Graft Copolymer Micelles with Controlled Morphology.

Nanoparticles formed through complexation of plasmid DNA and copolymers are promising gene-delivery vectors, offering a wide range of advantages over alternative delivery strategies. Notably, recent research has shown that the shape of these particles can be tuned, which makes it possible to gain understanding of their shape-dependent transfection properties. Whereas earlier methods achieved shape tuning through the use of block copolymers and variation of solvent polarity, here we demonstrate through a combined experimental and computational approach that the same degree of shape control can be achieved through the use of graft copolymers that are easier to synthesize and provide a wider range of parameters for shape control. Moreover, the approach presented here does not require the use of organic solvents. The simulation work provides insight into the mechanism governing the shape variation as well as an effective model to guide further design of nonviral gene-delivery vectors. Our experimental finding...
Mediation and moderation of an efficacious theory-based abstinence-only intervention for African American adolescents.

Objective This secondary data analysis sought to determine what mediated reductions in self-reported sexual initiation over the 24-month postintervention period in early adolescents who received "Promoting Health among Teens," a theory-based, abstinence-only intervention (Jemmott, Jemmott, & Fong, 2010). Method African American Grade 6 and 7 students at inner-city public middle schools were randomized to 1 of 5 interventions grounded in social-cognitive theory and the theory of reasoned action: 8-hr abstinence-only targeting reduced sexual intercourse; 8-hr safer-sex-only targeting increased condom use; 8-hr and 12-hr comprehensive interventions targeting sexual intercourse and condom use; 8-hr control intervention targeting physical activity and diet. Primary outcome was self-report of vaginal intercourse by 24 months postintervention. Potential mediators, assessed immediately postintervention, were theory-of-reasoned-action variables, including behavioral beliefs about positive consequences of abstinence and negative consequences of sex, intention to have sex, normative beliefs about sex, and HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) knowledge. We tested single and serial mediation models using the product-of-coefficients approach. Results Of 509 students reporting never having vaginal intercourse at baseline (324 girls and 185 boys; mean age = 11.8 years, SD = 0.8), 500 or 98.2% were included in serial mediation analyses. Consistent with the theory of reasoned action, the abstinence-only intervention increased positive behavioral beliefs about abstinence, which reduced intention to have sex, which in turn reduced sexual initiation. Negative behavioral beliefs about sex, normative beliefs about sex, and HIV/STI knowledge were not mediators. Conclusions Abstinence-only interventions should stress the gains to be realized from abstinence rather than the deleterious consequences of sexual involvement.
Improved medium voltage AC-DC rectifier based on 10kV SiC MOSFET for Solid State Transformer (SST) application

An improved bidirectional medium voltage AC-DC converter based on 10kV silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs for SST (Solid State Transformer) application is presented in this paper. Avalanche breakdown of the reverse blocking silicon diode and bridge arm shoot-through problems in traditional high voltage bridge-type AC-DC converters are solved. Shoot-through currents are limited to low di/dt events that are readily controlled, allowing zero dead-time operation. The reverse recovery dissipation of the SiC MOSFET is eliminated because no freewheeling current will flow through the body diode. This increases the efficiency as well as the reliability of the SiC MOSFET. Detailed power stage operating principles and energy transfer mechanism are described. A unique customized 10kV SiC MOSFET/JBS diode power module is developed and tested, which further reduces parasitic parameters and simplifies converter wire connection. This topology is therefore a very good choice for median voltage applications.
Quelle riposte face aux crises sanitaires

Heat wave, extreme cold, air pollution, epidemics, nuclear plant accidents, production incidents in the pharmaceutical or agro-food sectors, bioterrorism, social movements: over the last thirty years, health emergencies have multiplied. What is the strategy to adopt?
Earthquake of August 19, 1966, Varto Area, eastern Turkey

The earthquake of August 19, 1966, centered near Varto in eastern Turkey. It occurred at 12:22:09.6 G. M. T. and had a Richter magnitude of about 7. Intensities reached IX. Reportedly, 2,529 people were killed, 1,500 injured, and 19,013 buildings were demolished or heavily damaged. Surface fractures in three parallel fracture zones trending N65-70°W display both right-lateral strike slip and extension normal to the fractures. The trend and sense of displacement relate the fracturing to the North Anatolia fault system. Examples of geologic factors influencing damage include: (1) degree of saturation of the alluvium, (2) proximity to landslides, and (3) relation to surface faulting.
Will Theory of Everything Save Earth

The story is a mix of futurology, science fiction, new technical ideas, science, science ideas of author, and philosophy. The style is similar as in the paper of Makela. On an example of crisis of overpopulated human species in future, it is described how to develop a theory of everything, how to give more sense to amateur science, and how reactions of professional science regarding amateur science are too much inexact. Some ideas in the story are predictions of the author or are supported by him, and some are only for the course of story or for setting of special situations for thought experiments. Names in story are taken from science, but they are not or almost not connected with their thoughts and descriptions in story. An exception is James Randi.
Fabrication of Micromechanical Structures of Titania and Titanium with Electrophoretic Deposition

This paper describes the fabrication of thick films of titanium and oxides of titanium (i.e., titania) for micromachined structures. In many applications, such as high strength-to-weight ratio and biocompatibility, it is desirable to deposit films of these materials many tens of microns in thickness. However, typical deposition approaches to these materials, such as sputtering and evaporation, are limited in the ultimate thickness that can be achieved, while unfavorable electrochemical properties make them difficult to electrodeposit. This paper describes the fabrication of micromechanical structures of these materials using electrophoretic deposition. Blanket deposition as well as deposition into patterned molds has been achieved with final film thicknesses ranging from 10–200 microns.
LHC fires up in a bid to shake up the Standard Model

Following a two-year hiatus, CERN is set to restart the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and its main experiments ALICE, ATLAS, CMS and LHCb.
O-041 The Aneurysm Size and Windkessel Effect: A Contrast Transit Times Study on Digital Subtraction Angiography

Introduction Treatment of large and giant intracranial aneurysms are often associated with larger complications rates, related to hemodynamic changes of intracranial flow distal to the intracranial aneurysms. In this paper we evaluated the baseline contrast transit times on angiography for patients with proximal anterior circulation aneurysms. Methods Medical charts and digital subtraction angiographic (DSA) films for patients with intracranial aneurysms were reviewed. Only proximal, unruptured anterior circulations aneurysms were included. DSA images were analyzed over M1 segment, using custom made software for the time-density. Analysis included TT 10% – 100% (time needed for the contrast to change from 10%–100% image intensity), TT 100%–10% (time needed for the contrast to change from 100%–10% image intensity), and TT 25% – 25% (time needed for the contrast to change from 25%–25% image intensity. This was compared to the contralateral M1 transit times. Results A total of 50 patients were included in this study. Aneurysm size ranged from 2–40 mm, mean 12 mm. Analysis over the M1 segment showed a significant increase in the TT 25%–25% (7.6 to 8.46 seconds, P = 0.006) compared to the contralateral side. There was significant correlation (Spearman’s correlation) between the TT 10%–100% , the TT 25%–25% and the aneurysm size (rho = 0.291, 0.362 and P = 0.041, 0.01 respectively) (Figure 1), indicating a slower contrast time in larger aneurysms. Similarly, there was significant correlation between the absolute difference between the ipsilateral and contralateral TTs and aneurysm size (TT 10%–100% : P = 0.005, rho = 0.393; TT 25%–25% : P Conclusion Our analysis shows that statistically significant difference in the intracranial contrast TT as a function of proximal aneurysm size. The mechanism for this might be related to the Windkessel effect where the aneurysm as a blood reservoir in systole and partially release the contrast in diastole. Changes to this baseline phenomenon might contribute to complications post flow diverters implementation. Disclosures A. Hussein: None. A. Linninger: None. F. Charbel, II: None. C. Hsu: None. F. Charbel: 2; C; Transonic. 4; C; VasSol Inc. V. Aletich: 2; C; Codman. A. Alaraj: 2; C; Codman.
Digital disease detection: A systematic review of event-based internet biosurveillance systems.

Abstract Background Internet access and usage has changed how people seek and report health information. Meanwhile,infectious diseases continue to threaten humanity. The analysis of Big Data, or vast digital data, presents an opportunity to improve disease surveillance and epidemic intelligence. Epidemic intelligence contains two components: indicator based and event-based. A relatively new surveillance type has emerged called event-based Internet biosurveillance systems. These systems use information on events impacting health from Internet sources, such as social media or news aggregates. These systems circumvent the limitations of traditional reporting systems by being inexpensive, transparent, and flexible. Yet, innovations and the functionality of these systems can change rapidly. Aim To update the current state of knowledge on event-based Internet biosurveillance systems by identifying all systems, including current functionality, with hopes to aid decision makers with whether to incorporate new methods into comprehensive programmes of surveillance. Methods A systematic review was performed through PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases, while also including grey literature and other publication types. Results 50 event-based Internet systems were identified, including an extraction of 15 attributes for each system, described in 99 articles. Each system uses different innovative technology and data sources to gather data, process, and disseminate data to detect infectious disease outbreaks. Conclusions The review emphasises the importance of using both formal and informal sources for timely and accurate infectious disease outbreak surveillance, cataloguing all event-based Internet biosurveillance systems. By doing so, future researchers will be able to use this review as a library for referencing systems, with hopes of learning, building, and expanding Internet-based surveillance systems. Event-based Internet biosurveillance should act as an extension of traditional systems, to be utilised as an additional, supplemental data source to have a more comprehensive estimate of disease burden.
Possible Oxcarbazepine Inductive Effects on Aripiprazole Metabolism: A Case Report:

Oxcarbazepine is a cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 inducer, which is structurally similar to carbamazepine. Although lacking Food and Drug Administration approval, oxcarbazepine is sometimes prescribed to treat aggressive behavior in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These youths may also be taking second-generation antipsychotics, some of which are substrates of the CYP3A4 metabolic pathway. The combination of these medications may result in decreased serum antipsychotic concentrations, potentially reducing effectiveness. A limited number of reports are available which discuss reduced atypical antipsychotic concentrations secondary to oxcarbazepine CYP3A4 induction. We report a young boy taking oxcarbazepine (1200 mg/d) who presented with an unexpectedly low serum aripiprazole concentration. Utilizing therapeutic drug monitoring, pharmacogenetic testing, and a tool to evaluate drug-drug interactions, we estimate that oxcarbazepine possibly reduced his serum aripiprazole concentration by 68%. Our repor...
World Religion Database: Impressive—But Improvable

January 2010 T World Religion Database (WRD) is part of a most impressive data-collection project, requiring an extraordinary number of hours to create. The WRD can and will be improved over time, but we can only thank the editors now for their extremely valuable service, including their work of overseeing hundreds of people behind the scenes gathering the data. Although based on the World Christian Encyclopedia (WCE, 1982; 2d ed., 2001), WRD goes beyond it in several important ways. First, for those interested in statistical research, WRD data are downloadable as Excel® files. Second, for many countries in the data set, WRD lists censuses and surveys that give alternate estimates of religious distribution. This is extremely helpful, since it allows scholars to compare WRD estimates with those of others and to evaluate the quality of data used to estimate religious distribution in particular countries. Third, WRD provides data on more countries, regions, and time periods than does any other source. Fourth, WRD provides incredibly detailed data. Previous versions had data at the national level, but WRD presents it World Religion Database: Impressive—but Improvable