cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Leveraging a Landmark Trial of Primary Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Introduction From the REPRIEVE Coprincipal Investigators

The Randomized Trial to Prevent Vascular Events in HIV (REPRIEVE) is the largest study of cardiovascular disease in human immunodeficiency virus. Enrolling 7770 participants from 2015 to 2019 with sites across 5 continents, REPRIEVE will assess the effects of a statin as a cardiovascular disease prevention strategy in people with HIV (PWH) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Although the primary purpose of REPRIEVE, and its substudy assessing coronary plaque, is to assess cardiovascular outcomes, the trial is a rich source of data on population characteristics and critical comorbidities in PWH, particularly across Global Burden of Disease (GBD) regions, reflective of the ethnic, racial, and gender diversity in this global epidemic. The purpose of this Supplement is to leverage the rich phenotyping in REPRIEVE, to provide data on detailed patterns of baseline ART and immune function by GBD region, reproductive aging among cisgender women, and data on the participation and clinical characteristics of transgender participants. We also leveraged REPRIEVE to assess critical comorbidities, including renal dysfunction, muscle function and frailty, and myocardial steatosis. REPRIEVE is a remarkable collaboration between funders, trial networks, clinical research sites, clinical and data coordinating centers, and willing participants who devoted their time to make the trial possible.
Clinical utility of anaerobic culture of cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract Anaerobic meningitis is a rare serious clinical condition which mainly affects vulnerable populations and patients with predisposing factors such as head trauma, prior neurosurgical procedures or implantable medical devices such as ventriculoperitoneal shunts or ventricular drains. In this study we retrieved data from aerobic and anaerobic cultures of cerebrospinal (CSF) or ventricular fluid ordered over a 5 year period at our institution. A total of 8868 aerobic and 594 anaerobic cultures were performed from 2013 to 2017. 24/594 (4%) anaerobic cultures from 14 patients were positive for anaerobes. Only 3 of those patients were diagnosed clinically with anaerobic meningitis, each with predisposing factors, while anaerobes (Cutibacterium acnes and Clostridium perfringens) recovered from the remaining 21 patients were regarded as contaminants. 129/8868 (1.45%) aerobic CSF cultures were positive for anaerobes. 120/129 (93%) cultures recovered C. acnes while non-C. acnes anaerobes were recovered in the remaining 9 cultures and were deemed to be contaminants. In the majority of situations, recovery of C. acnes from CSF or ventricular fluid was regarded as contamination. Our cohort included 18 patients with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt or ventricular drain, 17 of whom had C. acnes recovered from either aerobic or anaerobic culture, and 10 were treated with targeted antibiotics and surgical replacement of the shunt or drain. Anaerobic culture of the CSF or ventricular fluid aided in identification of two patients with anaerobic meningitis and an additional two patients with shunt infection. Anaerobe culture of CSF is important in identification of anaerobic meningitis, as growth of anaerobes other than C. acnes is rare from aerobic CSF culture.
GPS Constellation Energetic Particle Measurements

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is one of the most ubiquitously available services in the world used in military operations all the way down to locating a lost cat. However, GPS provides far more than just location and timing services; many of the satellites carry instruments to directly measure the space environment. On October 13th, 2016, the White House issued Executive Order #13744 ‘Coordinating Efforts to Prepare the Nation for Space Weather Events’ which stated that responsible agencies ‘shall make historical data from the GPS constellation and other U.S. Government satellites publically available.’ Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has been designing, building, and operating energetic particle instruments in space for more than 50 years with two types of detectors on the current GPS constellation. As part of the 2016 Executive Order data collected by LANL sensors from 2001 through 2018 has been released and is archived by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. With more than 20 satellites operating LANL instruments during this period the dataset consists of more than 200 satellite-years of data that increases by roughly one satellite-year of data every two weeks and covers an entire solar cycle. The GPS constellation is in a medium-Earth orbit distributed across six orbital planes at a nominal altitude of ~20,200 km. Its circular orbit at an inclination of 55 degrees allows GPS to sample a wide range of magnetic latitude and McIlwain L. The data product consists of electron and proton measurements in energy ranges of 77 keV to $> \mathbf{5\ MeV}$ and 10 MeV to $> \mathbf{75\ MeV}$ respectively. These data are provided at a four minute cadence with information including differential omnidirectional fluxes, along with selected ephemeris data, count rates, as well as geomagnetic parameters computed from established magnetic field models. In comparison to the large number of GPS satellites, the average (even billion dollar) space mission will have one or maybe two satellites (with 5 being the outlier for the THEMIS mission). This exceptional data density allows the study of phenomena on rapid timescales and the simultaneous variations across magnetic local time. In depth study of how the magnetosphere reacts to solar storms and the access solar energetic particles have into the near-Earth environment is also possible. This will help in the verification and validation of transport codes as well as understanding what effect these solar events will have not only on our ground infrastructure, but our space assets as well. We will present an overview of the available data as well as some initial studies to exemplify its utility.
Cervical fixation in the elderly

Abstract Posterior fixation of the cervical spine is a common procedure performed for many conditions including trauma, degenerative conditions, deformities, infection, neoplasms, and congenital malformations. Unlike thoracolumbar spine fixation, cervical fixation should consider the risk of vertebral artery injury in addition to the stability of the fixation and spinal cord/nerve root injury. Although lateral mass screw fixation is the most common type of cervical fixation, other options including pedicle screws and translaminar screws could be utilized. Each technique comes with its own advantages and risk of complications to the neural structures, vertebral artery, and fixation failure. However, these risks can be elevated in the elderly population with 1) decreased bone density 2) degenerative changes to the spine and 3) tortuosity of vertebral artery.
Intermediate coupling for core-level excited states: Consequences for X-Ray absorption spectroscopy

Abstract The origin of the complex NEXAFS features of X-Ray Absorption, XAS, spectra in transition metal complexes is analyzed and interpreted in terms of the angular momentum coupling of the open shell electrons. Especially for excited configurations where a core-electron is promoted to an open valence shell, the angular momentum coupling is intermediate between the two limits of Russell-Saunders, RS, coupling where spin-orbit splitting of the electron shells is neglected and j–j coupling, where this splitting is taken as dominant. The XAS intensities can be understood in terms of two factors: (1) The dipole selection rules that give the allowed excited RS multiplets and (2) the contributions of these allowed multiplets to the wavefunctions of the intermediate coupled levels. It is shown that the origin of the complex XAS spectra is due to the distribution of the RS allowed multiplets over several different intermediate coupled excited levels. The specific case that is analyzed is the L 2,3 edge XAS of an Fe 3+ cation, because this cation allows a focus on the angular momentum coupling to the exclusion of other effects; e.g., chemical bonding. Arguments are made that the properties identified for this atomic case are relevant for more complex materials. The analysis is based on the properties of fully relativistic, ab initio, many-body wavefunctions for the initial and final states of the XAS process. The wavefunction properties considered include the composition of the wavefunctions in terms of RS multiplets and the occupations of the spin–orbit split open shells; the latter vividly show whether the coupling is j–j or not.
Literal niche construction: Built environments of hunter-gatherers and hunting architecture

Abstract Built structures to aid hunting activities, such as drive lanes and hunting blinds, have been documented on every continent with the exception of Antarctica. This global phenomenon dates to at least 12,000 years ago and is found across time, space, environments, and cultures. While there is increasing study and documentation of such sites, they are prone to destruction and are not always recognized, resulting in a lack of large-scale comparative studies. However, this widespread pattern deserves greater attention as it can reveal unique facets of social and economic life, particularly in the context of hunter-gatherer societies. Such constructions are literal niche construction, created to increase the yield and predictability of wild animal resources. They represent an investment in the landscape, organization of communal labor, a detailed knowledge of animal behavior, all the while creating socioeconomic tensions concerning permanent facilities and who owns them and the resources they generate among otherwise egalitarian populations. This paper presents a global overview of such features, and the anthropological theory and archaeological method to systematically study such sites. This methodology will be applied to a brief case study, analyzing some of the oldest hunting architecture on the planet, those submerged beneath Lake Huron.
Detecting pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis with deep convolutional neural networks

Abstract Coccidioidomycosis is the most common systemic mycosis in dogs in the southwestern United States. With warming climates, affected areas and number of cases are expected to increase in the coming years, escalating also the chances of transmission to humans. As a result, developing methods for automating the detection of the disease is important, as this will help doctors and veterinarians more easily identify and diagnose positive cases. We apply machine learning models to provide accurate and interpretable predictions of Coccidioidomycosis. We assemble a set of radiographic images and use it to train and test state-of-the-art convolutional neural networks to detect Coccidioidomycosis. These methods are relatively inexpensive to train and very fast at inference time. We demonstrate the successful application of this approach to detect the disease with an Area Under the Curve (AUC) above 0.99 using 10-fold cross-validation. We also use the classification model to identify regions of interest and localize the disease in the radiographic images, as illustrated through visual heatmaps. This proof-of-concept study establishes the feasibility of very accurate and rapid automated detection of Valley Fever in radiographic images.
A consolidated AAV system for single-cut CRISPR correction of a common Duchenne muscular dystrophy mutation.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), caused by mutations in the X-linked dystrophin gene, is a lethal neuromuscular disease. Correction of DMD mutations in animal models has been achieved by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing using Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) delivered by adeno-associated virus (AAV). However, due to the limited viral packaging capacity of AAV, two AAV vectors are required to deliver the SpCas9 nuclease and its single guide RNA (sgRNA), impeding its therapeutic application. We devised an efficient single-cut gene-editing method using a compact Staphylococcus aureus Cas9 (SaCas9) to restore the open reading frame of exon 51, the most commonly affected out-of-frame exon in DMD. Editing of exon 51 in cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells revealed a strong preference for exon reframing via a two-nucleotide deletion. We adapted this system to express SaCas9 and sgRNA from a single AAV9 vector. Systemic delivery of this All-In-One AAV9 system restored dystrophin expression and improved muscle contractility in a mouse model of DMD with exon 50 deletion. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of CRISPR/SaCas9 delivered by a consolidated AAV delivery system in the correction of DMD in vivo, representing a promising therapeutic approach to correct the genetic causes of DMD.
Flexoelectric barium strontium titanate (BST) hydrophones

Flexoelectric hydrophones offer the possibility of reasonable sensitivity in lead-free systems. In this work, a dense barium strontium titanate ceramic with a Ba:Sr ratio of 70:30 and an effective flexoelectric coefficient, μ ~12, of 105.6 ± 0.6 μC/m at room temperature was utilized in a prototype three-point bending hydrophone with dimensions of 77 × 10 × 0.67 mm3. Tap testing of this hydrophone with a calibrated acoustic hammer showed a resonant frequency of 250 Hz and a maximum sensitivity of 80 pC/N. Finite element analysis (FEA) was employed to verify the experimental results and to refine the predictive modeling capability. FEA was used to predict the resonant frequency of devices based on geometry, boundary conditions, and material properties. The error in resonant frequency between the FEA model and the experiment was 7.6%. FEA also enables calculations of the strain gradient produced in a material, allowing the numerical analysis of the element's expected flexoelectric output. Using this technique, single and three bending point hydrophone designs were compared. The results showed a 43% increase in charge output in the three bending point design vs the single bending point design despite an average strain decrease of 48% in each electrode pair. This design would lower the voltage output by 48% in a voltage-based design unless the voltages could be added in series. FEA studies also found the greatest flexoelectric output at low frequencies with improved high frequency output using larger electrode areas.
Historical Perspective on the Moral Character of Teachers

This chapter provides some historical, philosophical, and practical (via moral education and teacher education) perspective on the importance of the moral character of teachers. The historical and philosophical case for moral character is most often connected to the claim that the moral character of teachers has an impact on the moral development of students—the teacher as moral exemplar and model—even though seminal empirical studies do not substantiate such claims. The practical case for moral character is most apparent in the attention to dispositions of teacher candidates in teacher education programs. However, teacher education programs often overlook the most compelling reason for assessing and developing dispositions—the claim that teaching must be morally good for it to be quality teaching.
The Heat Shock Response and the Stress of Misfolded Proteins

Publisher Summary The heat shock response (HSR) is an inducible molecular response to a disruption of protein homeostasis that results in the elevated expression of cytoprotective genes that protect the proteome. The four general categories of environmental and physiological regulators of the HSR include: environmental stress, such as heat shock, amino acid analogs, drugs, oxidative stress, toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and pharmacologically active small molecules; cell growth and developmental conditions, including cell cycle, growth factors, development, differentiation, and activation by certain oncogenes; pathology and disease, such as neuroendocrine stress, tissue injury and repair, fever, inflammation, infection, ischemia and reperfusion, and cancer; and diseases of protein conformation including Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and ALS. The HSR, through the elevated synthesis of molecular chaperones and proteases, responds rapidly and precisely to the intensity and duration of specific environmental and physiological stress signals to restore proteostasis and prevent further protein damage. Transient exposure to intermediate elevated temperatures or lower levels of chemical and environmental stress has cytoprotective effects against sustained, normally lethal, exposures to stress. HSFs are highly conserved and are required for normal cell growth and development in addition to their central importance in stress adaptation, survival, and disease. HSF1 as the principal stress activated factor binds to heat shock elements (HSEs) consisting of multiple contiguous inverted repeats of the pentamer sequence nGAAn located in the promoter regions of all heat shock responsive genes in eukaryotes.
Formation of Chromate Conversion Coatings on Aluminum and Its Alloys An In Situ XANES Study

We used in situ X-ray adsorption near-edge structure (XANES) to investigate the formation of chromate conversion coatings on pure Al, commercial Al alloys (AA 1100, AA2024, and AA7075), and a series of binary Al-Cu alloys. The method employed a new electrochemical cell that can determine the ratio of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) to total chromium (Cr(total)) speciation in conversion coatings as a function of exposure time to a chromate solution. The spectra showed that the initial Cr(VI)/Cr(total) ratios are greater than later ones for pure Al and AA1100, but not for AA2024 and AA7075. Measurements with Al-Cu alloys demonstrated that the difference observed in AA2024 and AA7075 may not be due to Cu alloying. The proportion of Cr(VI) in the coatings becomes approximately constant after 180 s of exposure for all the specimens examined even though the coatings continue to grow.
Suture midface suspension

Objective To describe a simple and effective facelift technique useful as an adjunct to other oculoplastic procedures
Sequential-request persuasive strategies: Meta-analysis of foot-in-the-door and door-in-the-face.

Meta-analysis of the foot-in-the-door (FITD) and door-in-the-face (DITF) literatures showed both effects to be small (r = .17, .15 respectively), even under optimal conditions. Both require aprosocial topic in order to work. The amount of time between the first and second requests plays a different role in the operation of each of the two strategies. DITF was effective only when the delay between requests was brief. Effectiveness of FITD was unrelated to delay, but did depend on whether or not an incentive was provided with the first request. The positive relationship between effort and FITD predicted by self-perception theory was not found. Self-perception theory and reciprocal concessions theory, the theoretical perspectives usually applied to FITD and DITF respectively are examined in light of the findings and it is concluded that both are flawed seriously. Directions for future research are suggested.
Characterization of calcium-binding sites in development-specific protein S of Myxococcus xanthus using site-specific mutagenesis.

Abstract Protein S, the most abundant protein synthesized during development of the Gram-negative bacterium Myxococcus xanthus, assembles on the surface of the spores. It can be dissociated from the spores using divalent metal chelators and will reassemble on the spores in the presence of calcium. The amino acid sequence of protein S contains regions which have homology to the calcium-binding sites of calmodulin. Protein S was found to bind 2 mol of calcium/mol of protein with Kd values of 27 and 76 microM. Using oligonucleotide-directed site-specific mutagenesis, the gene coding for protein S was changed in each of two regions of homology to calmodulin (Ser40----Arg,Ser129----Arg), and a double mutant was also constructed. Each mutant gene was then transduced into the genome of a M. xanthus strain from which the wild-type genes had been deleted. All three mutants produced protein S normally during development. One of the mutants (Ser129----Arg) had normal amounts of protein S on its spores, whereas the other (Ser40----Arg) bound much less and the double mutant had virtually none. Analysis of the calcium binding affinities of the purified proteins showed that [Arg40]protein S and [Arg40, Arg129]protein S did not bind detectable quantities of calcium, whereas [Arg129]protein S bound less calcium than the wild-type protein and with a reduced affinity.
The Oscillatory Electrodissolution of Copper in Acidic Chloride Solution II . 0.3 and 0.5M Chloride

The potentiostatic dissolution of copper in acidic solutions (1N H 2 SO 4 ) containing 0.3 or 0.5M NaCl is studied. For E ≤ 400 m V (vs. saturated calomel electrode) a thick film of CuCl grows on the electrode, the underlying copper surface is smooth, and the current undergoes several types of chaotic oscillations. For E ≥ 400 m V, a ring of CuCl develops at the perimeter of the electrode and slowly grows inward; the current oscillations in this region are also described
Nature’s nature and the place of non-native species

Every corner of the globe except Antarctica has its high-profile invasive species from elsewhere — animals like the small Indian mongoose in the West Indies, the Burmese python in Florida, and the Argentine ant in Europe and North America; plants like Brazilian pepper in North America and Japanese knotweed in Europe; microbes like Dutch elm disease and West Nile virus in North America. In 1958 English ecologist Charles Elton first pointed out that these local and regional invasions are one of the great forces changing the biology of the earth today, along with climate change and land use modification, in The Ecology of Invasions by Animals and Plants, and in the 1980s a project of the international Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment helped spawn a burgeoning discipline of invasion biology.
Preparation of high quality hexaferrite thick films by an improved LPE deposition technique

In this paper, we report on the deposition of thick and high quality films of barium hexaferrite on (111) gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) and m-plane ([1100] or [1010]) sapphire (Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/) substrates.
Fruit calcium, quality and disorders of apples (Malus domestica) and pears (Pyrus communis) influenced by fertilizers.

Apple and pear trees fertilized with soil-applied calcium nitrate were associated with higher concentrations of fruit Ca, lower fruit N:Ca or N + P + K + Mg:Ca ratios, more red fruit-color of ‘Delicious’ apples, better finish, and a lower incidence of fruit disorders (alfalfa greening, bitter pit and cork spot) than with the other fertilizers. High rates of nitrogen fertilizers resulted in greater tree vigor, higher yield of ‘Golden Delicious’ apples and ‘Anjou’ pears, but a higher incidence of fruit disorders, and higher fruit N:Ca ratios than the low rate of N fertilizers.
Fine-tuning an auditory synapse for speed and fidelity: developmental changes in presynaptic waveform, EPSC kinetics, and synaptic plasticity.

Fast, precise, and sustained synaptic transmission at high frequency is thought to be crucial for the task of sound localization in the auditory brainstem. However, recordings from the calyx of Held synapse have revealed severe frequency-dependent synaptic depression, which tends to degrade the exact timing of postsynaptic spikes. Here we investigate the functional changes occurring throughout the critical period of synapse refinement from immature calyx terminal [postnatal day 5 (P5)] to after the onset of hearing (P12–P14). Surprisingly, for recordings near physiological temperature (35°C), we find that P14 synapses are already able to follow extremely high input rates of up to 800 Hz. This ability stems in part from a remarkable shortening of presynaptic action potentials, which may lead to a lowering of release probability and decrease in synaptic delays during development. In addition, AMPA receptor-mediated EPSCs as well as quantal synaptic currents acquired progressively faster kinetics, although their mean amplitudes did not change significantly. NMDA receptor-mediated EPSCs, however, diminished with age, as indicated by a 50% reduction in mean amplitude and faster decay kinetics. Finally, the degree of synaptic depression was greatly attenuated with age, presumably because of a 2.5-fold or larger increase in the releasable pool of vesicles, which together with a decreasing release probability produces a fairly constant EPSC amplitude. This finely tuned orchestra of developmental changes thus simultaneously promotes speed while preventing premature vesicle pool depletion during prolonged bouts of firing. A few critical days in postnatal development can thus have a large impact on synaptic function.
Association, Service, Market: Higher Education in American Political Development

US higher education has enjoyed growing attention from social scientists and historians. We integrate recent scholarship by framing a political and historical sociology of the sector. We show how higher education has been central to projects of nation building and social provision throughout the course of American political development. US higher education has three institutional configurations: an associational one, defined by voluntary intermural organizations; a national service one, defined by massive government patronage; and a market one, defined by competition for students, patrons, and prestige. Continuity and change over time may be understood with the theoretical tools of historical sociology: path dependence, coalescence, and robust action. Our review substantiates assertions of deep turbulence in US higher education at present and calls for a closer integration of scholarship on state building and social stratification to inform the future. [Erratum]
Peritoneal Catheter Exit-Site and Tunne Infections

Peritoneal catheter exit-site and tunnel infections may lead to peritonitis and catheter loss. Exit-site infections are diagnosed when there is pericatheter erythema and/or purulent drainage. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of both exit-site and tunnel infections. S. aureus nasal carriage is an important risk factor for S. aureus catheter infections. Few other risk factors for catheter infections have been identified. Treatment of catheter infections consists of antibiotic therapy, often prolonged, as well as intensification of exit-site care. Refractory cases may resolve with revision of the tunnel and exit site with removal of the superficial cuff, but some patients undergoing this procedure will develop peritonitis. Once peritonitis develops from a tunnel infection, the catheter should be replaced. Research on prevention of catheter infections has focused on three areas: antibiotic prophylaxis, exit-site care, and new catheter designs. Several antibiotic protocols, including intranasal mupirocin, cyclical oral rifampin, and exit site mupirocin, are effective in decreasing S. aureus catheter infections and should be used more widely. New catheter designs may, in the future, prove to further diminish catheter infection and loss, but there are insufficient data at this time to show superiority of one catheter over another.
Suicidal ideation and the five-factor model of personality

Abstract Trait predictors of suicidal ideation were examined within the taxonomic framework provided by the five-factor model of personality in a sample of young adults ( N =185). Participants completed the revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) and the Adult Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (ASIQ), an inclusive measure of suicide-related thinking. ASIQ scores were positively associated with neuroticism and negatively associated with conscientiousness. Factor-level multiple regression analyses revealed significant gender differences; namely, suicidal ideation was positively predicted by neuroticism in females and negatively predicted by conscientiousness in males. More detailed analyses revealed distinctive patterns of association between facets and ASIQ scores within factor domains. Suicidal ideation was positively predicted by the neuroticism facets, angry hostility and depression , and negatively predicted by the conscientiousness facet, self-discipline . These findings are discussed in relation to previous research investigating personality and suicide-related constructs.
Multitude, tolerance and language-transcendence

Rudolf Carnap’s 1930s philosophy of logic, including his adherence to the principle of tolerance, is discussed. What theses did Carnap commit himself to, exactly? I argue that while Carnap did commit himself to a certain multitude thesis—there are different logics of different languages, and the choice between these languages is merely a matter of expediency—there is no evidence that he rejected a language-transcendent notion of fact, contrary to what Warren Goldfarb and Thomas Ricketts have prominently argued. (In fact, it is obscure just what Goldfarb and Ricketts claim about Carnap.) Toward the end I critically discuss Michael Friedman’s suggestion that Carnap believed in a relative a priori.
Inducing endogenous antimicrobial peptides to battle infections

If asked how we currently treat a bacterial infection such as Shigella dysentery, most informed individuals would offer that we administer antibiotics. Our informed individual would add that we must also restore the losses of water and salts leaving the body as diarrhea, most likely with an appropriately designed “oral rehydration” solution. But to halt the infection itself, surely we must either treat shigellosis with antibiotics or let the infection run its course. By “run its course,” we mean simply that if we can hold off giving antibiotics long enough, the adaptive immune system will eventually assemble the macrophages, lymphocytes, and antibodies capable of fighting off this organism. Unfortunately, many children die waiting for the “sluggish” adaptive immune system to do its thing. Furthermore, overuse of antibiotics has resulted in the emergence of drug-resistant strains of Shigella in countries besieged with dysentery (1). In this issue of PNAS, Raqib et al . (2) offer a radical and revolutionary alternative to our conventional way of thinking about the treatment of acute infectious diseases. They suggest that a disease such as shigellosis can be treated by stimulating the epithelial lining of the colon and rectum to produce an endogenous antimicrobial peptide (AMP) that kills Shigella . The “therapeutic”-inducing substance is sodium butyrate, the salt of a short-chain fatty acid normally produced in the colon, itself hardly antibacterial, and a substance that appears to be effective when administered by mouth. To understand the logic behind the approach taken by Raqib et al . (2), we must review what is known about the role of endogenous AMPs in the defense of the intestine. AMPs are produced by all multicellular organisms, in both circulating defensive … *E-mail: maz5{at}georgetown.edu
Electronic and Medium Effects on the Rate of Arene C−H Bond Activation by Cationic Ir(III) Complexes

A detailed mechanistic study of arene C [bond] H activation in CH(2)Cl(2) solution by Cp(L)IrMe(X) [L = PMe(3), P(OMe)(3); X = OTf, (CH(2)Cl(2))BAr(f); (BAr(f) = B[3,5-C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2)](4))(-)] is presented. It was determined that triflate dissociation in Cp(L)IrMe(OTf), to generate tight and/or solvent-separated ion pairs containing a cationic iridium complex, precedes C [bond] H activation. Consistent with the ion-pair hypothesis, the rate of arene activation by Cp(L)IrMe(OTf) is unaffected by added external triflate salts, but the rate is strongly dependent upon the medium. Thus the reactivity of Cp(PMe(3))IrMe(OTf) can be increased by almost 3 orders of magnitude by addition of (n-Hex)(4)NBAr(f), presumably because the added BAr(f) anion exchanges with the OTf anion in the initially formed ion pair, transiently forming a cation/borate ion pair in solution (special salt effect). In contrast, addition of (n-Hex)(4)NBAr(f) to [CpPMe(3)Ir(Me)CH(2)Cl(2)][BAr(f)] does not affect the rate of benzene activation; here there is no initial covalent/ionic pre-equilibrium that can be perturbed with added (n-Hex)(4)NBAr(f). An analysis of the reaction between Cp(PMe(3))IrMe(OTf) and various substituted arenes demonstrated that electron-donating substituents on the arene increase the rate of the C [bond] H activation reaction. The rate of C(6)H(6) activation by [Cp(PMe(3))Ir(Me)CH(2)Cl(2)][BAr(f)] is substantially faster than [Cp(P(OMe)(3))Ir(Me)CH(2)Cl(2)][BAr(f)]. Density functional theory computations suggest that this is due to a less favorable pre-equilibrium for dissociation of the dichloromethane ligand in the trimethyl phosphite complex, rather than to a large electronic effect on the C [bond] H oxidative addition transition state. Because of these combined effects, the overall rate of arene activation is increased by electron-donating substituents on both the substrate and the iridium complex.
Human visual performance of a dual band I2/IR sniper scope

The human visual perception performance results of a dual band near (intensified) and long wave (thermal imager) sniper scope are modeled. This system combines an uncooled focal plane array based thermal imager with an intensifier tube to provide a dual band image. The resulting fused image can obtain any percentage combination of thermal or intensified imagery. A multi-spectral common aperture is utilized to provide parallax free registered images in each spectrum necessary for the sniper scope application. A custom designed eyepiece with a micro display overlays the thermal channel image onto the intensified image. The intensified image is viewed directly on the fiber optic output of the intensifier allowing up to 64lp/mm intensified resolution, equivalent to 2300 resolvable lines maintained in the intensified channel when moonlight is available. A system of this type combines the very high line resolution available from intensifiers with very high spot detection for targets of military interest. The results of an analysis of human visual performance using NVThermIP and IINVD are presented for this dual band common aperture sniper scope.
Experience with an alternative technique for the management of anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery

Abstract Background Several operative approaches are utilized for the management of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery, each with some limitation. The long-term results of a technique that facilitates direct and tension-free implantation of the anomalous artery to the aorta in all patients are described. Methods From January 1, 1992 through August 30, 2000, 10 consecutive patients with anomalous left coronary artery underwent operation using this technique. It consists of isolating an anterior and posterior transverse segment of pulmonary artery in continuity with the origin of the anomalous coronary artery. The two segments are folded with the orifice of the coronary as its fulcrum, and the edges sutured together to form an extension tube of pulmonary artery tissue. This lengthens the coronary artery and allows direct aortic implantation (posterior to the pulmonary artery) without tension. The pulmonary artery is reconstructed with autologous pericardium, Results Patient age ranged from 3 weeks to 3 years old (median 8 weeks), with 80% of patients less than 11 weeks old. Median weight was 4.6 kg (3.7 to 23 kg). The left ventricle was dilated with an end-diastolic diameter z-value of +1 to +3, and the shortening fraction was markedly reduced to 16% ± 6% (7% to 28%), with 8 of 10 patients having a shortening fraction less than 20%. Mitral regurgitation was severe in 5 patients, moderate in 2 patients, and all patients were in congestive heart failure. After repair there were no hospital deaths. Inotropic support was needed in all patients, but none required mechanical assistance. At a follow-up of 4.3 ± 2.5 years (0.5 to 8.5 years), 9 patients are asymptomatic and 1 patient has intermittent chest pain. All patients (10/10) have echocardiographic documented patency of the reimplanted coronary artery, as well as marked improvement in the left ventricular shortening fraction (37% ± 5%; p > 0.05 versus preoperative) and decrease in the end-diastolic diameter z-value (−1 to +1; p > 0.05 versus preoperative). Mitral regurgitation was absent in 4 patients, mild in 4 patients, and moderate in 2 patients. severe in 1 patient. Four patients have evidence of mild supravalvar pulmonary stenosis (15 to 32 mm Hg), 1992 Conclusions This technique allows a tension-free direct aortic connection in all cases, has a low rate of coronary artery occlusion, and avoids significant pulmonary artery distortion or stenosis, making it an excellent alternative for the surgical management of anomalous origin of the coronary artery.
Abdominal vagatomy does not modify endotoxic shock in rats

Abstract Bilateral subdiaphragmatic vagotomy does not improve the clinical course not the survival of Sprague-Dawley rats injected intravenously with E. coli lipopolysaccharide. These results show that whatever peripheral signals are elicited by endotoxin to generate the centrally mediated hypotensive response, they are not conveyed to the central nervous system by abdominal vagal afferent fibers.
B0 and B1-insensitive uniform T1-weighting for quantitative, first-pass myocardial perfusion magnetic resonance imaging†

Myocardial perfusion can be estimated, in principle, from first-pass MR images by converting the T 1 -weighted signal-time curves to contrast agent concentration-time curves. Typically, T 1 weighting is achieved by saturating the magnetization with a nonselective radiofrequency (RF) pulse prior to the imaging sequence. The accuracy of the perfusion estimate derived from the single-point T 1 -weighted signal depends on the initial residual longitudinal magnetization (RLM) produced by the saturation pulse. In this study we demonstrate that single-shot, echo-planar imaging can be used to show initial RLM resulting from incomplete saturation due to static magnetic field and RF field inhomogeneities in the heart at 1.5 T. Three saturation pulses, single, composite simple, and composite B 1 -insensitive rotation (BIR-4) were evaluated in phantom and cardiac experiments. The RLM image was calculated by normalizing the saturated image by a proton-density-weighted image. Mean RLM produced by the three saturation pulses was significantly different in noncontrast cardiac imaging (RLM s i n g l e = 0.108 ′ 0.078; RLM c o m p o s i t e = 0.051 ′ 0.052; RLM B I R - 4 = 0.011 ′ 0.009; P < 0.001; n = 20). Using a BIR-4 pulse to perform saturation of magnetization seems promising for improving the effectiveness and uniformity of T 1 weighting for first-pass perfusion imaging.
From death receptor to reactive oxygen species and c‐Jun N‐terminal protein kinase: the receptor‐interacting protein 1 odyssey

Death receptors (DRs) are more than simple killers: they control cell growth, proliferation, and survival, thereby playing a pivotal role in immune and inflammatory responses. Some of these phenomena might be explained by aberrant reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and metabolism, which can lead to oxidative stress. A key signaling molecule of DR-initiated intracellular pathways, receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1), orchestrates a complex control of multiple responses and may link DR-associated signaling complexes to ROS production by mitochondria. Yet, RIP1 is also an important regulator of endogenous anti-oxidants and ROS scavenging enzymes, because it is required for nuclear factor kappaB activation that results in expression of anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidant proteins. Alteration of RIP1 function may result in ROS accumulation and abnormal c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase activation, affecting inflammatory responses, innate immunity, stress responses, and cell survival. These molecular mechanisms may be involved in neoplastic, autoimmune, neurodegenerative, inflammatory, and metabolic diseases.
On the calculation of surface tension in lungs from pressure-volume data

Abstract A model is proposed to resolve the discrepancy between the surface tension-area (γ-A) hysteresis loops calculated from pressure-volume ( P-V ) data for lungs and those obtained by using the surface balance. The features of the model are: (1) There are two interfaces associated with the aqueous lining layer of the lung: air-lining layer and tissue-lining layer; (2) there is an interaction between tissue and the lining layer and its effects on the (γ-A) curves can be resolved by obtaining ( P-V ) curves for lungs filled with paraffin oil. Using results reported by others, we have recalculated the (γ-A) hysteresis loops. Agreement with loops generated on the surface balance is good.
Stroke: understanding and easing the burden of poststroke depression.

Poststroke depression (PSD) shows an association with long-term disability and quality of life in stroke survivors, two new reports confirm. Effective treatments for PSD exist and should be standards of care. More research is required to investigate a causal relationship between PSD and functional outcomes after stroke.
Hinduism as a legal tradition

The role of law in Hinduism and the value of law as a category of Hindu studies have been underestimated. After making an initial case for the connection of dharma and law in the treatises on religious and legal duty known as Dharmaśāstra, this essay examines the role of dharma as law in other Hindu texts in order to show the possible horizons of understanding yielded by an incorporation of law into Hindu studies. Dharmaśāstra, it is argued, should be viewed as a form of legal rhetoric and its formulations of dharma understood as paradigmatic for the Hindu tradition as a whole. Finally, through a comparison with Islam and Islamic studies, the mutual modulations of law and Hinduism are examined in order to see the consequences of juxtaposing these two categories.
What progress looks like in NEC research.

We are finally seeing the emergence of clinical insight into one of the most recalcitrant and entrenched fields of neonatal research: necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is beginning to unravel into its composite etiologies. In this edition of The Journal, we include two new articles examining the association between NEC and packed red blood cell transfusions. The number of publications on this topic has blossomed, both in our journal and others, resulting in an accelerated investigation of this relationship compared with past literature on NEC-related topics. Much of this has to do with the ubiquity of neonatal databases and the evolution of group think through electronic media. However, equally essential to this advance is a fundamental conceptual change in how we think about NEC. In decades past, NEC was an umbrella diagnosis under which all forms must somehow fit. Today, there is an emerging consensus that NEC is an end-stage condition that infants can acquire through different routes.1
Retinal inhibits TPA activated, calcium-dependent, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase ("C" kinase).

Abstract RAW264 macrophage-like cells contain a kinase which is dependent on Ca ++ and phosphatidylserine for activity (C kinase) and is stimulable by the tumor promoter 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate. Retinal inhibits the activity of the tumor promoter-activated kinase in a concentration-dependent manner. The apparent Ki for inhibition is 1 × 10 −5 M. Retinal is not a general inhibitor of phosphotrans-ferase reactions as it did not inhibit the activity of purified cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. It is possible, therefore, that the action of retinoids to antagonize tumor promoter effects on cell function may be mediated at the level of regulation of C-kinase.
1-Cohomology of Chevalley groups

Abstract We relate the 1-cohomology of a finite Chevalley group to induced modules and finite geometry. As a corollary, we get the 1-cohomology of most adjoint modules.
Providing regulation services and managing data center peak power budgets

Data centers are good candidates for providing regulation services in the power markets due to their large power consumption and flexibility. In this paper, we develop a framework that explores the feasibility of data center participation in these markets. We use a battery-based design that can not only help with providing ancillary services, but can also limit peak power costs without any workload performance degradation. The results of our study using data for a 21MW data center show up to $480,000/year savings can be obtained, corresponding to 1280 more servers providing services.
Levels of analysis in motor control.

Abstract The analysis of skilled performance must proceed at many levels. As illustrated in the two experiments presented here, what we observe in human skilled behavior is the rich intermingling of these various levels of control as a function of the task demands, the state of learning of the subject and the constraints imposed on the task and the subject by the environment. While we should be interested in the neurophysiological correlates of such behavior we still have a long way to go even to understand what to expect in terms of the behavior itself. The job of the researcher is different depending on the level of analysis at which he is interested, but a general theory of skill acquisition will only result from consideration of the ramifications of a multi-level process-oriented description of skilled performance.
Infant seizures not so infantile: First-time seizures in children under six months of age presenting to the ED

Data regarding first-time seizures in children 6 months of age in whom febrile seizures and idiopathic seizure disorders are most common, a large percentage of children <or=6 months of age presenting with first-time seizures have significant underlying pathology. This pathology often includes immediately life-threatening conditions in these children who may look deceptively well on initial evaluation.
Projections of Global Mercury Emissions in 2050

Global Hg emissions are presented for the year 2050 under a variety of assumptions about socioeconomic and technology development. We find it likely that Hg emissions will increase in the future. The range of 2050 global Hg emissions is projected to be 2390−4860 Mg, compared to 2006 levels of 2480 Mg, reflecting a change of −4% to +96%. The main driving force for increased emissions is the expansion of coal-fired electricity generation in the developing world, particularly Asia. Our ability to arrest the growth in Hg emissions is limited by the relatively low Hg removal efficiency of the current generation of emission control technologies for coal-fired power plants (flue-gas desulfurization). Large-scale deployment of advanced Hg sorbent technologies, such as Activated Carbon Injection, offers the promise of lowering the 2050 emissions range to 1670−3480 Mg, but these technologies are not yet in commercial use. The share of elemental Hg in total emissions will decline from today’s levels of ∼65% to ∼50−5...