bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One-Step Sequence- and Ligation-Independent Cloning as a Rapid and Versatile Cloning Method for Functional Genomics Studies
Authors: Jeong Jae-Yeon , Yim Hyung-Soon , Ryu Ji-Young , Lee Hyun Sook , Lee Jung-Hyun , Seen Dong-Seung , Kang Sung Gyun
Published: May 2012

We developed one-step sequence- and ligation-independent cloning (SLIC) as a simple, cost-effective, time-saving, and versatile cloning method. Highly efficient and directional cloning can be achieved by direct bacterial transformation 2.5 min after mixing any linearized vector, an insert(s) prepared by PCR, and T4 DNA polymerase in a tube at room temperature.
Decreased Toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis to Mosquito Larvae after Contact with Leaf Litter
Authors: Tetreau Guillaume , Stalinski Renaud , Kersusan Dylann , Veyrenc Sylvie , David Jean-Philippe , Reynaud Stéphane , Després Laurence
Published: May 2012

Bacillus thuringiensissubsp.israelensisis a bacterium producing crystals containing Cry and Cyt proteins, which are toxic for mosquito larvae. Nothing is known about the interaction between crystal toxins and decaying leaf litter, which is a major component of several mosquito breeding sites and represents an important food source. In the present work, we investigated the behavior ofB. thuringiensissubsp.israelensistoxic crystals sprayed on leaf litter. In the presence of leaf litter, a 60% decrease in the amount of Cyt toxin detectable by immunology (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays [ELISAs]) was observed, while the respective proportions of Cry toxins were not affected. The toxicity of Cry toxins towardAedes aegyptilarvae was not affected by leaf litter, while the synergistic effect of Cyt toxins on allB. thuringiensissubsp.israelensisCry toxins was decreased by about 20% when mixed with leaf litter. The toxicity of two commercialB. thuringiensissubsp.israelensisstrains (VectoBac WG and VectoBac 12AS) and a laboratory-producedB. thuringiensissubsp.israelensisstrain decreased by about 70% when mixed with leaf litter. Taken together, these results suggest that Cyt toxins interact with leaf litter, resulting in a decreased toxicity ofB. thuringiensissubsp.israelensisin litter-rich environments and thereby dramatically reducing the efficiency of mosquitocidal treatments.
A Gain-of-Function Mutation in Gating of Corynebacterium glutamicum NCgl1221 Causes Constitutive Glutamate Secretion
Authors: Nakayama Yoshitaka , Yoshimura Kenjiro , Iida Hidetoshi
Published: May 2012

The A-to-V mutation at position 111 (A111V) in the mechanosensitive channel NCgl1221 (MscCG) causes constitutive glutamate secretion in
Corynebacterium glutamicum
. Patch clamp experiments revealed that NCgl1221 (A111V) had a significantly smaller gating threshold than the wild-type counterpart and displayed strong hysteresis, suggesting that the gain-of-function mutation in the gating of NCgl1221 leads to the oversecretion of glutamate.
Microbial Quality of Tropical Inland Waters and Effects of Rainfall Events
Authors: Santiago-Rodriguez Tasha M. , Tremblay Raymond L. , Toledo-Hernandez Carlos , Gonzalez-Nieves Joel E. , Ryu Hodon , Santo Domingo Jorge W. , Toranzos Gary A.
Published: May 2012

Novel markers of fecal pollution in tropical waters are needed since conventional methods recommended for other geographical regions may not apply. To address this, the prevalence of thermotolerant coliforms, enterococci, coliphages, and enterophages was determined by culture methods across a watershed. Additionally, human-, chicken-, and cattle-specific PCR assays were used to identify potential fecal pollution sources in this watershed. An enterococcus quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay was tested and correlated with culture methods at three sites since water quality guidelines could incorporate this technique as a rapid detection method. Various rainfall events reported before sample collection at three sites were considered in the data analyses. Thermotolerant coliforms, enterococci, coliphages, and enterophages were detected across the watershed. Human-specific
Bacteroides
bacteria, unlike the cattle- and chicken-specific bacteria, were detected mostly at sites with the corresponding fecal impact. Enterococci were detected by qPCR as well, but positive correlations with the culture method were noted at two sites, suggesting that either technique could be used. However, no positive correlations were noted for an inland lake tested, suggesting that qPCR may not be suitable for all water bodies. Concentrations of thermotolerant coliforms and bacteriophages were consistently lower after rainfall events, pointing to a possible dilution effect. Rainfall positively correlated with enterococci detected by culturing and qPCR, but this was not the case for the inland lake. The toolbox of methods and correlations presented here could be potentially applied to assess the microbial quality of various water types.
SPO71
Mediates Prospore Membrane Size and Maturation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Parodi Emily M. , Baker Crystal S. , Tetzlaff Cayla , Villahermosa Sasha , Huang Linda S.
Published: May 2012

The mechanisms that control the size and shape of membranes are not well understood, despite the importance of these structures in determining organelle and cell morphology. The prospore membrane, a double lipid bilayer that is synthesized
de novo
during sporulation in
S. cerevisiae
, grows to surround the four meiotic products. This membrane determines the shape of the newly formed spores and serves as the template for spore wall deposition. Ultimately, the inner leaflet of the prospore membrane will become the new plasma membrane of the cell upon germination. Here we show that Spo71, a pleckstrin homology domain protein whose expression is induced during sporulation, is critical for the appropriate growth of the prospore membrane. Without
SPO71
, prospore membranes surround the nuclei but are abnormally small, and spore wall deposition is disrupted. Sporulating
spo71
Δ cells have prospore membranes that properly localize components to their growing leading edges yet cannot properly localize septin structures. We also found that
SPO71
genetically interacts with
SPO1
, a gene with homology to the phospholipase B gene that has been previously implicated in determining the shape of the prospore membrane. Together, these results show that
SPO71
plays a critical role in prospore membrane development.
Functional Analyses of Mycobacterial Lipoprotein Diacylglyceryl Transferase and Comparative Secretome Analysis of a Mycobacterial
lgt
Mutant
Authors: Tschumi Andreas , Grau Thomas , Albrecht Dirk , Rezwan Mandana , Antelmann Haike , Sander Peter
Published: May 2012

Preprolipopoprotein diacylglyceryl transferase (Lgt) is the gating enzyme of lipoprotein biosynthesis, and it attaches a lipid structure to the N-terminal part of preprolipoproteins. Using Lgt from
Escherichia coli
in a BLASTp search, we identified the corresponding Lgt homologue in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
and two homologous (MSMEG_3222 and MSMEG_5408) Lgt in
Mycobacterium smegmatis. M. tuberculosis lgt
was shown to be essential, but an
M. smegmatis
ΔMSMEG_3222 mutant could be generated. Using Triton X-114 phase separation and [
14
C]palmitic acid incorporation, we demonstrate that MSMEG_3222 is the major Lgt in
M. smegmatis
. Recombinant
M. tuberculosis
lipoproteins Mpt83 and LppX are shown to be localized in the cell envelope of parental
M. smegmatis
but were absent from the cell membrane and cell wall in the
M. smegmatis
ΔMSMEG_3222 strain. In a proteomic study, 106 proteins were identified and quantified in the secretome of wild-type
M. smegmatis
, including 20 lipoproteins. All lipoproteins were secreted at higher levels in the ΔMSMEG_3222 mutant. We identify the major Lgt in
M. smegmatis
, show that lipoproteins lacking the lipid anchor are secreted into the culture filtrate, and demonstrate that
M. tuberculosis lgt
is essential and thus a validated drug target.
Identification of a Third Osmoprotectant Transport System, the OsmU System, in Salmonella enterica
Authors: Frossard Stephen M. , Khan Aftab A. , Warrick Eric C. , Gately Jonathan M. , Hanson Andrew D. , Oldham Michael L. , Sanders David Avram , Csonka Laszlo N.
Published: May 2012

The growth ofSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium mutants lacking the ProP and ProU osmoprotectant transport systems is stimulated by glycine betaine in high-osmolarity media, suggesting that this organism has an additional osmoprotectant transport system. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the genome of this organism contains a hitherto-unidentified operon, designatedosmU, consisting of four genes whose products show high similarity to ABC-type transport systems for osmoprotectants in other bacteria. TheosmUoperon was inactivated by a site-directed deletion, which abolished the ability of glycine betaine to alleviate the inhibitory effect of high osmolarity and eliminated the accumulation of [14C]glycine betaine and [14C]choline-O-sulfate in high-osmolarity media in a strain lacking the ProP and ProU systems. Although the OsmU system can take up glycine betaine and choline-O-sulfate, these two osmoprotectants are recognized at low affinity by this transporter, suggesting that there might be more efficient substrates that are yet to be discovered. The transcription ofosmUis induced 23-fold by osmotic stress (0.3 M NaCl). TheosmUoperon is present in the genomes of a number ofEnterobacteriaceae, and orthologs of the OsmU system can be recognized in a wide variety ofBacteriaandArchaea. The structure of the periplasmic binding protein component of this transporter, OsmX, was modeled on the crystallographic structure of the glycine betaine-binding protein ProX ofArchaeoglobus fulgidus; the resultant model indicated that the amino acids that constitute substrate-binding site, including an “aromatic cage” made up of four tyrosines, are conserved between these two proteins.
Extracellular Identification of a Processed Type II ComR/ComS Pheromone of
Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Khan Rabia , Rukke Håkon V. , Ricomini Filho Antonio Pedro , Fimland Gunnar , Arntzen Magnus Ø. , Thiede Bernd , Petersen Fernanda C.
Published: May 2012

The competence-stimulating peptide (CSP) and the
sigX
-inducing peptide (XIP) are known to induce
Streptococcus mutans
competence for genetic transformation. For both pheromones, direct identification of the native peptides has not been accomplished. The fact that extracellular XIP activity was recently observed in a chemically defined medium devoid of peptides, as mentioned in an accompanying paper (

K. Desai, L. Mashburn-Warren, M. J. Federle, and D. A. Morrison, J. Bacteriol.
194
:3774–3780, 2012

), provided ideal conditions for native XIP identification. To search for the XIP identity, culture supernatants were filtered to select for peptides of less than 3 kDa, followed by C
18
extraction. One peptide, not detected in the supernatant of a
comS
deletion mutant, was identified by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) fragmentation as identical to the ComS C-terminal sequence GLDWWSL. ComS processing did not require Eep, a peptidase involved in processing or import of bacterial small hydrophobic peptides, since
eep
deletion had no inhibitory effect on XIP production or on synthetic XIP response. We investigated whether extracellular CSP was also produced. A reporter assay for CSP activity detection, as well as MS analysis of supernatants, revealed that CSP was not present at detectable levels. In addition, a mutant with deletion of the CSP-encoding gene
comC
produced endogenous XIP levels similar to those of a nondeletion mutant. The results indicate that XIP pheromone production is a natural phenomenon that may occur in the absence of natural CSP pheromone activity and that the heptapeptide GLDWWSL is an extracellular processed form of ComS, possibly the active XIP pheromone. This is the first report of direct identification of a ComR/ComS pheromone.
The natural history and predictors of persistent problem behaviours in cystic fibrosis: a multicentre, prospective study
Authors: Sheehan Jane , Massie John , Hay Margaret , Jaffe Adam , Glazner Judith , Armstrong David , Hiscock Harriet
Published: May 2012

Background

In cystic fibrosis (CF), problems with sleep, eating/mealtime behaviours, physiotherapy adherence and parental mental health issues are common, yet their natural history and the extent of service use to address them are unknown.

Objective

Follow up the 2007 cohort to determine: (1) prevalence of child sleep, eating/mealtime behaviours, physiotherapy adherence, and externalising/internalising problem behaviours and primary caregiver mental health status after a 3-year period; (2) natural history of child behaviours; (3) potentially modifiable predictors of persistent problems; and (4) service use for behaviours.

Design

Prospective cohort. Setting: Royal Children's Hospital, Monash Medical Centre and Sydney Children's Hospital (Australia) CF clinics.

Participants

Caregivers, of children aged 3–8 years, who completed the baseline questionnaire.

Main outcome measures

Child sleep, eating/mealtime behaviours, adherence with therapy and externalising and internalising behaviours. Predictors: parenting style (low warmth), caregiver mental health status and sleep quality at baseline.

Results

102 of 116 (88%) families participated. The prevalence of sleep and eating/mealtime problems at follow-up was similar to baseline. The prevalence of caregiver mental health symptoms remained higher than the community data. 71 out of 102 (70%) of the children experienced at least one persistent behaviour problem. Caregiver mental health difficulties predicted persistent child moderate to severe sleep problems (adjusted OR 6.5, 95% CI 1.2 to 36.2, p=0.03) and their persistently poor adherence to the physiotherapy regimen (adjusted OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.3 to 9.2, p=0.01).

Conclusions

Child problem behaviours are common in children with CF, persist and are often predicted by the mental health of the parent. Routine surveillance for and management of child problem behaviours are recommended.
Neonatal hearing screening and intervention in resource-limited settings: an overview
Authors: Olusanya Bolajoko O
Published: May 2012

From a developmental perspective, optimal speech and language outcome is indisputably the primary motivation for neonatal hearing screening of infants with congenital or early-onset hearing loss (PCHL). This paper additionally outlines more broadly the potential value of early hearing detection and intervention in resource-poor countries against the backdrop of limitations of primary prevention of PCHL based on a review of literature from low-income and middle-income countries with per capita incomes of approximately US$6000 or less. It establishes the scientific and developmental foundation for priority consideration for neonatal hearing screening and intervention in any global initiatives for effective early childhood development programmes in resource-limited countries. It also highlights approaches to addressing the various challenges to implementing effective early hearing detection and intervention programmes, and concludes with a discussion on the pivotal role of paediatricians in facilitating timely referral for requisite tests and (re)habilitative services especially for infants with established risk factors.
Sports injuries and illnesses during the second Asian Beach Games
Authors: Al-Shaqsi Sultan , Al-Kashmiri Ammar , Al-Risi Ahmed , Al-Mawali Suleiman
Published: May 2012

Background

Prevention of sport injuries and illnesses is a focus for epidemiological surveillance.

Objectives

To record and analyse all sports injuries and illnesses registered during the second Asian Beach Games.

Design

A descriptive epidemiological study using the International Olympic Committee Surveillance system to register injuries and illnesses during the second Asian Beach Games.

Methods

The second Asian Beach Games hosted 1132 athletes from 43 countries competing in 14 beach sports. All National Olympic Committees' physicians of the participating teams were invited to report all injuries and illnesses. In addition, medical officers at the different Olympic venues and the main Olympic village reported injuries and illnesses treated at the clinics on a daily basis.

Results

A total of 177 injuries were reported equating to an incidence rate of 156.4 per 1000 registered athletes. Tent pegging recorded the highest incidence of injuries with 357 per 1000 registered athletes. The most prevalent injuries were in the foot/toe with 14.1% of all reported injuries. The majority of injuries were incurred during competition (75.4%). In addition, the most common mechanism of injury was contact with another athlete (n=42, 23.7%) and combined sudden and gradual overuse contributed to 30% of the total injury burden. Furthermore, 118 illnesses were reported resulting in an incidence rate of 104.2 illnesses per 1000 registered athletes. The most affected system was the respiratory tract (39.1%) with infection being the most common cause (n=33, 38.0%). The incidence of injury and illness differed significantly among the 14 sports.

Conclusion

The data indicate that the risk of injury from beach games is sport dependant. This means that any preventive measures have to be tailored for each discipline. Furthermore, the study showed that respiratory infections are the commonest illness in beach sports and therefore, event organisers should focus improving public health measures and hygiene awareness.
The use of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) in the management of patients with major haemorrhage in military hospitals over the last 5 years
Authors: Smith J E
Published: May 2012

Introduction

Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) has been used in the management of traumatic haemorrhage for a decade. Anecdotally, its use is decreasing. The aim of this study was to define the use of rFVIIa in UK deployed military hospitals over the last 5 years.

Methods

A retrospective database review was performed, using the Joint Theatre Trauma Registry, for the period January 2006 to June 2011. Data collected included use of rFVIIa, injury severity score (ISS), survival and injury pattern. The temporal trend of rFVIIa use, taking into account the number of severely injured patients presenting during each time period, was then analysed.

Results

During the period January 2006 to June 2011, 156 injured patients received rFVIIa. 146 of these (94%) had an ISS >15; there were 45 fatalities. The median ISS among the group receiving rFVIIa was 30, and 20 patients had an ISS in the range 60–75. There was a significant reduction in the use of rFVIIa in the second half of 2010 and the first half of 2011, compared with the previous 12-month period.

Conclusion

The use of rFVIIa in UK deployed military hospitals has declined since 2010, which is likely due to a combination of factors, including a change in resuscitation practice in these units, and a change in emphasis of manufacturer's guidance.
Macrolide resistance testing and molecular subtyping ofTreponema pallidumstrains from southern Africa
Authors: Müller Etienne E , Paz-Bailey Gabriela , Lewis David A
Published: May 2012

Objectives

To determine whether the 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) A2058G and A2059G mutations that confer macrolide resistance are present among southern African strains ofTreponema pallidumand to determine their subtype distribution.

Methods

117 genital ulcer specimens, collected between March 2005 and April 2010 in South Africa and Lesotho and previously determined to be positive forT pallidumDNA by molecular testing, were retested using a commercial real-time PCR assay. Those specimens that were still positive forT pallidumDNA were screened for the macrolide resistance-encoding point mutations in the 23S rRNA gene using rapid PCR-based restriction digest assays. Molecular characterisation of two variable treponemal genes,arpandtpr, was used to subtype theT pallidumstrains.

Results

1 of 100T pallidum-positive specimens, collected in Lesotho, contained the A2058G macrolide resistance-encoding 23S rRNA gene mutation, whereas the A2059G mutation was absent. It was possible to fully type 97/100 of allT pallidumDNA-positive samples. A total of ninearprepeat sizes, ninetprpatterns and a combined total of 20 subtypes were identified. Overall, the most common subtypes were 14d (32%), followed by 17d (12%), 14a (10%), 14b (8%), 22b (6%) and 14i (5%). Subtypes 14d and 14a were the predominant subtypes in samples from South Africa (43%) and Lesotho (22%), respectively.

Conclusions

Macrolide resistance amongT pallidumstrains appears to be uncommon in southern Africa. Although a high degree of genetic heterogeneity was observed among the strains tested,T pallidumsubtype 14d appears to be the predominant circulating strain.
DAEMONS: DETECTION AT PULKOVO, GRAN SASSO AND SOUDAN
Authors: DROBYSHEVSKI E. M. , DROBYSHEVSKI M. E. , PONYAEV S. A. , GUSEVA I. S.
Published: May 2012

During a week of the March maximum in 2011, two oppositely installed direction-sensitive TEU-167d Dark Electron Multipliers (DEMs) recorded a flux of daemons from the near-Earth almost circular heliocentric orbits (NEACHOs). The flux measured from above is f≈(8 ± 3)×10-7cm-2s-1, and that from below is twice smaller. The difference may be due both to specific design features of the DEMs themselves, and to dissimilarities in the slope of trajectories along which objects are coming from above or from below. It is shown that the daemon paradigm enables a quantitative interpretation of DAMA and CoGeNT experiments with no additional hypotheses. Both the experiments record a daemon flux of f~10-6cm-2s-1from strongly elongated Earth-crossing heliocentric orbits (SEECHOs), predecessors of NEACHOs. Recommendations are given for processing of DAMA/LIBRA data, which unambiguously suggest that, in approximately half of cases (when there occur double events in the detector, rejected in processing under a single-hit criterion), the signals being recorded are successively excited by a single SEECHO object along a path of ~ 1 m, i.e. this is not a weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP). It is noted that due regard to cascade events and pair interaction of ions will weaken the adverse influence exerted by the blocking effect on the channeling of iodine ions knocked out in NaI(Tl) crystal. This influence will become not so catastrophic as it follows from simplified semi-analytical models of the process: One might expect the energy of up to ~ 10% primary recoil iodine ions will be converted to the scintillation light.
NONEQUILIBRIUM THERMO FIELD DYNAMICS FOR RELATIVISTIC COMPLEX SCALAR AND DIRAC FIELDS
Authors: MIZUTANI YUICHI , INAGAKI TOMOHIRO
Published: May 2012

Relativistic quantum field theories for complex scalar and Dirac fields are investigated in nonequilibrium thermo field dynamics. The thermal vacuum is defined by the Bogoliubov transformed creation and annihilation operators. Two independent Bogoliubov parameters are introduced for a charged field. Its difference naturally induces the chemical potential. Time-dependent thermal Bogoliubov transformation generates the thermal counterterms. We fix the terms by the self-consistency renormalization condition. Evaluating the thermal self-energy under the self-consistency renormalization condition, we derive the quantum Boltzmann equations for the relativistic fields.
OPTIMUM MULTI-LEVEL RAMP-STRESS ALT PLAN WITH MULTIPLE-OBJECTIVES FOR BURR TYPE-XII DISTRIBUTION UNDER TYPE-I CENSORING
Authors: SRIVASTAVA P. W. , MITTAL N.
Published: May 2012

This paper considers optimal design for ramp-stress accelerated life test (ALT) with multiple stresses and multiple estimating objectives using Burr type-XII life distribution and Type-I censoring. It is impractical to estimate only one objective parameter after conducting such costly ALT tests, therefore, an optimum ramp-stress ALT plan with multiple estimating objectives has been formulated. The need to analyze an ALT data with different life distribution models such as exponential, normal, Weibull, log logistic, etc., is necessitated since the use of correct life distribution model especially in the presence of a limited source of data-as typically occurs with modern devices, having high reliability, helps in preventing the choice of unnecessary and expensive planned replacements. The Burr type-XII distribution has a nonmonotone hazard function, which can accommodate many shapes of hazard function. The commonly used Weibull and exponential distributions are its limiting cases and log logistic distribution is its particular case. The distribution has been found appropriate for modeling failures that occur with less frequency and also when there is high occurrence of early failures. The inverse power law and a cumulative exposure model are assumed. The optimal test plan chooses the stress rates and proportion of units allocated to each stress by minimizing the weighted sum of the asymptotic variances of the maximum likelihood estimator of quantile lifetimes at design constant stress. The method developed has been illustrated using an example, sensitivity analysis carried out and comparative study has also been done to highlight the merits of the proposed model.
ON PSEUDO SEMISIMPLE RINGS
Authors: BÜYÜKAŞIK ENGİN , MOHAMED SAAD H. , MUTLU HATİCE
Published: May 2012

A necessary and sufficient condition is obtained for a right pseudo semisimple ring to be left pseudo semisimple. It is proved that a right pseudo semisimple ring is an internal exchange ring. It is also proved that a right and left pseudo semisimple ring is an SSP ring.
QUANTUM DYNAMICS FOR DE SITTER RADIATION
Authors: KIM SANG PYO
Published: May 2012

We revisit the Hamiltonian formalism for a massive scalar field and study the particle production in a de Sitter space. In the invariant-operator picture the time-dependent annihilation and creation operators are constructed in terms of a complex solution to the classical equation of motion for the field and the Gaussian wave function for each Fourier mode is found which is an exact solution to the Schrödinger equation. The in-out formalism is reformulated by the annihilation and creation operators and the Gaussian wave functions. The de Sitter radiation from the in-out formalism differs from the Gibbons-Hawking radiation in the planar coordinates, and we discuss the discrepancy of the particle production by the two methods.
ARGO-YBJ EXPERIMENT RESULTS AND PROSPECTS IN LHAASO PROJECT
Authors:   ON BEHALF OF ARGO-YBJ + LHAASO COLLABORATION, ZHA MIN
Published: May 2012

The ARGO-YBJ detector, a RPC carpet array at the high altitude of 4300 m has been stably operated since 2007. As a multi-purpose experiment the physics topics of ARGO-YBJ covers the VHE gamma-ray astronomy, cosmic ray physics and solar physics. Results of these experimental studies are reviewed. And as a future extension project, the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) is introduced, some research and development of detectors are described.
Technological Innovation of Thin-Film Transistors: Technology Development, History, and Future
Authors: Yamamoto Yoshitaka
Published: May 2012

The scale of the liquid crystal display industry has expanded rapidly, driven by technological innovations for thin-film transistors (TFTs). The TFT technology, which started from amorphous silicon (a-Si), has produced large TVs, and low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) has become a core technology for small displays, such as mobile phones. Recently, various TFT technological seeds have been realized, indicating that new information appliances that match new lifestyles and information infrastructures will be available in the near future. In this article, I review the history of TFT technology and discuss the future of TFT technological development from the technological innovation viewpoint.
Controllable Crystallization in Phase-Change Memory for Low-Power Multilevel Storage
Authors: Yin You , Hosaka Sumio
Published: May 2012

We report current-driven crystallization in a TiSi3/Ge2Sb2Te5/TiN vertical cell, which can be well controlled and is expected to be applied to multilevel storage with a low threshold voltage of about 1 V. We demonstrate that the number of distinct resistance levels can readily reach 8 and even higher. These levels in this study result from the initial threshold switching and the subsequent current-controlled crystallization induced by Joule heating. The latter allows the creation of many distinct levels, thus enabling the low-cost ultrahigh-density nonvolatile memory.
Removal of Gold Oxide by Low-Temperature Hydrogen Annealing for Microelectromechanical System Device Fabrication
Authors: Sakata Tomomi , Ishii Hiromu , Nagase Masao , Takagahara Kazuhiko , Kuwabara Kei , Ono Kazuyoshi , Sato Norio , Machida Katsuyuki
Published: May 2012

A technique for cleaning a gold surface with a dry process is described for the fabrication of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices. Thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) analysis of a gold surface exposed to reactive oxygen revealed that annealing causes oxygen to desorb from the gold oxide. To examine the effectiveness of dry-process surface cleaning, the surfaces were annealed in a vacuum, with nitrogen as an inert ambient, and hydrogen as a reductive ambient. For the annealing in a vacuum and nitrogen ambient, a temperature of over 260 °C is necessary for the oxide removal. Annealing in hydrogen ambient drastically lowers the cleaning temperature from 260 to 60 °C.
Central and Peripheral Circadian Clocks in Mammals
Authors: Mohawk Jennifer A. , Green Carla B. , Takahashi Joseph S.
Published: May 2012

The circadian system of mammals is composed of a hierarchy of oscillators that function at the cellular, tissue, and systems levels. A common molecular mechanism underlies the cell-autonomous circadian oscillator throughout the body, yet this clock system is adapted to different functional contexts. In the central suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, a coupled population of neuronal circadian oscillators acts as a master pacemaker for the organism to drive rhythms in activity and rest, feeding, body temperature, and hormones. Coupling within the SCN network confers robustness to the SCN pacemaker, which in turn provides stability to the overall temporal architecture of the organism. Throughout the majority of the cells in the body, cell-autonomous circadian clocks are intimately enmeshed within metabolic pathways. Thus, an emerging view for the adaptive significance of circadian clocks is their fundamental role in orchestrating metabolism.
The Pathophysiology of Fragile X (and What It Teaches Us about Synapses)
Authors: Bhakar Asha L. , Dölen Gül , Bear Mark F.
Published: May 2012

Fragile X is the most common known inherited cause of intellectual disability and autism, and it typically results from transcriptional silencing of FMR1 and loss of the encoded protein, FMRP (fragile X mental retardation protein). FMRP is an mRNA-binding protein that functions at many synapses to inhibit local translation stimulated by metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) 1 and 5. Recent studies on the biology of FMRP and the signaling pathways downstream of mGluR1/5 have yielded deeper insight into how synaptic protein synthesis and plasticity are regulated by experience. This new knowledge has also suggested ways that altered signaling and synaptic function can be corrected in fragile X, and human clinical trials based on this information are under way.
Multiple Functions of Endocannabinoid Signaling in the Brain
Authors: Katona István , Freund Tamás F.
Published: May 2012

Despite being regarded as a hippie science for decades, cannabinoid research has finally found its well-deserved position in mainstream neuroscience. A series of groundbreaking discoveries revealed that endocannabinoid molecules are as widespread and important as conventional neurotransmitters such as glutamate or GABA, yet they act in profoundly unconventional ways. We aim to illustrate how uncovering the molecular, anatomical, and physiological characteristics of endocannabinoid signaling has revealed new mechanistic insights into several fundamental phenomena in synaptic physiology. First, we summarize unexpected advances in the molecular complexity of biogenesis and inactivation of the two endocannabinoids, anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol. Then, we show how these new metabolic routes are integrated into well-known intracellular signaling pathways. These endocannabinoid-producing signalosomes operate in phasic and tonic modes, thereby differentially governing homeostatic, short-term, and long-term synaptic plasticity throughout the brain. Finally, we discuss how cell type– and synapse-specific refinement of endocannabinoid signaling may explain the characteristic behavioral effects of cannabinoids.
Mechanisms of Gamma Oscillations
Authors: Buzsáki György , Wang Xiao-Jing
Published: May 2012

Gamma rhythms are commonly observed in many brain regions during both waking and sleep states, yet their functions and mechanisms remain a matter of debate. Here we review the cellular and synaptic mechanisms underlying gamma oscillations and outline empirical questions and controversial conceptual issues. Our main points are as follows: First, gamma-band rhythmogenesis is inextricably tied to perisomatic inhibition. Second, gamma oscillations are short-lived and typically emerge from the coordinated interaction of excitation and inhibition, which can be detected as local field potentials. Third, gamma rhythm typically concurs with irregular firing of single neurons, and the network frequency of gamma oscillations varies extensively depending on the underlying mechanism. To document gamma oscillations, efforts should be made to distinguish them from mere increases of gamma-band power and/or increased spiking activity. Fourth, the magnitude of gamma oscillation is modulated by slower rhythms. Such cross-frequency coupling may serve to couple active patches of cortical circuits. Because of their ubiquitous nature and strong correlation with the “operational modes” of local circuits, gamma oscillations continue to provide important clues about neuronal population dynamics in health and disease.
Circuits for Skilled Reaching and Grasping
Authors: Alstermark Bror , Isa Tadashi
Published: May 2012

From an evolutionary perspective, it is clear that basic motor functions such as locomotion and posture are largely controlled by neural circuitries residing in the spinal cord and brain-stem. The control of voluntary movements such as skillful reaching and grasping is generally considered to be governed by neural circuitries in the motor cortex that connect directly to motoneurons via the corticomotoneuronal (CM) pathway. The CM pathway may act together with several brain-stem systems that also act directly with motoneurons. This simple view was challenged by work in the cat, which lacks the direct CM system, showing that the motor commands for reaching and grasping could be mediated via spinal interneurons with input from the motor-cortex and brain-stem systems. It was further demonstrated that the spinal interneurons mediating the descending commands for reaching and grasping constitute separate and distinct populations from those involved in locomotion and posture. The aim of this review is to describe populations of spinal interneurons that are involved in the control of skilled reaching and grasping in the cat, monkey, and human.
The Role of Organizers in Patterning the Nervous System
Authors: Kiecker Clemens , Lumsden Andrew
Published: May 2012

The foundation for the anatomical and functional complexity of the vertebrate central nervous system is laid during embryogenesis. After Spemann's organizer and its derivatives have endowed the neural plate with a coarse pattern along its anteroposterior and mediolateral axes, this basis is progressively refined by the activity of secondary organizers within the neuroepithelium that function by releasing diffusible signaling factors. Dorsoventral patterning is mediated by two organizer regions that extend along the dorsal and ventral midlines of the entire neuraxis, whereas anteroposterior patterning is controlled by several discrete organizers. Here we review how these secondary organizers are established and how they exert their signaling functions. Organizer signals come from a surprisingly limited set of signaling factor families, indicating that the competence of target cells to respond to those signals plays an important part in neural patterning.
Effects of the absence of procollagen C-endopeptidase enhancer-2 on myocardial collagen accumulation in chronic pressure overload
Authors: Baicu Catalin F. , Zhang Yuhua , Van Laer An O. , Renaud Ludivine , Zile Michael R. , Bradshaw Amy D.
Published: May 2012

Cardiac interstitial fibrillar collagen accumulation, such as that associated with chronic pressure overload (PO), has been shown to impair left ventricular diastolic function. Therefore, insight into cellular mechanisms that mediate excessive collagen deposition in the myocardium is pivotal to this important area of research. Collagen is secreted as a soluble procollagen molecule with NH2- and COOH (C)-terminal propeptides. Cleavage of these propeptides is required for collagen incorporation to insoluble collagen fibrils. The C-procollagen proteinase, bone morphogenic protein 1, cleaves the C-propeptide of procollagen. Procollagen C-endopeptidase enhancer (PCOLCE) 2, an enhancer of bone morphogenic protein-1 activity in vitro, is expressed at high levels in the myocardium. However, whether the absence of PCOLCE2 affects collagen content at baseline or after PO induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) has never been examined. Accordingly, in vivo procollagen processing and deposition were examined in wild-type (WT) and PCOLCE2-null mice. No significant differences in collagen content or myocardial stiffness were detected in non-TAC (control) PCOLCE2-null versus WT mice. After TAC-induced PO, PCOLCE2-null hearts demonstrated a lesser collagen content (PCOLCE2-null TAC collagen volume fraction, 0.41% ± 0.07 vs. WT TAC, 1.2% ± 0.3) and lower muscle stiffness compared with WT PO hearts [PCOLCE2-null myocardial stiffness (β), 0.041 ± 0.002 vs. WT myocardial stiffness, 0.065 ± 0.001]. In addition, in vitro, PCOLCE2-null cardiac fibroblasts exhibited reductions in efficiency of C-propeptide cleavage, as demonstrated by increases in procollagen α1(I) and decreased levels of processed collagen α1(I) versus WT cardiac fibroblasts. Hence, PCOLCE2 is required for efficient procollagen processing and deposition of fibrillar collagen in the PO myocardium. These results support a critical role for procollagen processing in the regulation of collagen deposition in the heart.
Interfacial stress affects rat alveolar type II cell signaling and gene expression
Authors: Hobi Nina , Ravasio Andrea , Haller Thomas
Published: May 2012

Previous work from our group (Ravasio A, Hobi N, Bertocchi C, Jesacher A, Dietl P, Haller T. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 300: C1456–C1465, 2011.) showed that contact of alveolar epithelial type II cells with an air-liquid interface (IAL) leads to a paradoxical situation. It is a potential threat that can cause cell injury, but also a Ca2+-dependent stimulus for surfactant secretion. Both events can be explained by the impact of interfacial tensile forces on cellular structures. Here, the strength of this mechanical stimulus became also apparent in microarray studies by a rapid and significant change on the transcriptional level. Cells challenged with an IAL in two different ways showed activation/inactivation of cellular pathways involved in stress response and defense, and a detailed Pubmatrix search identified genes associated with several lung diseases and injuries. Altogether, they suggest a close relationship of interfacial stress sensation with current models in alveolar micromechanics. Further similarities between IAL and cell stretch were found with respect to the underlying signaling events. The source of Ca2+ was extracellular, and the transmembrane Ca2+ entry pathway suggests the involvement of a mechanosensitive channel. We conclude that alveolar type II cells, due to their location and morphology, are specific sensors of the IAL, but largely protected from interfacial stress by surfactant release.
Olprinone and colforsin daropate alleviate septic lung inflammation and apoptosis through CREB-independent activation of the Akt pathway
Authors: Oishi Hirofumi , Takano Ken-ichi , Tomita Kengo , Takebe Mariko , Yokoo Hiroki , Yamazaki Mitsuaki , Hattori Yuichi
Published: May 2012

Olprinone, a specific phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, and corforsin daropate, a direct adenylate cyclase activator, are now being used in critical conditions. We investigated whether their therapeutic use provides protection against septic acute lung injury (ALI) and mortality. Polymicrobial sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in BALB/c mice. Olprinone or colforsin daropate was continuously given through an osmotic pump that was implanted into the peritoneal cavity immediately following CLP. These treatments prevented the ALI development in CLP mice, as indicated by the findings that severe hypoxemia, increased pulmonary vascular permeability, and histological lung damage were strikingly remedied. Furthermore, continued administration of olprinone or colforsin daropate suppressed apoptosis induction in septic lungs and improved the survival of CLP mice. Olprinone and corforsin daropate enhanced Akt phosphorylation in septic lungs. Wortmannin, which inhibits the Akt upstream regulator phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, abrogated the protective effects of olprinone and corforsin daropate on sepsis-associated lung inflammation and apoptosis. In vivo transfection of cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) decoy oligodeoxynucleotide failed to negate the abilities of these agents to increase Akt phosphorylation and to inhibit IκBα degradation in septic lungs. These results demonstrate for the first time that CREB-independent Akt-mediated signaling is a critical mechanism contributing to the therapeutic effects of olprinone and corforsin daropate on septic ALI. Moreover, our data also suggest that these cyclic AMP-related agents, by blocking both nuclear factor-κB activation and apoptosis induction, may represent an effective therapeutic approach to the treatment of the septic syndrome.
An Aggressive Sphenoid Wing Meningioma Causing Foster Kennedy Syndrome
Authors: Walia Harpreet S. , Grumbine F. Lawson , Sawhney Gagan K. , Risner David S. , Palejwala Neal V. , Emanuel Matthew E. , Walia Sandeep S.
Published: May 2012

Foster Kennedy syndrome is a rare neurological condition with ophthalmic significance that can manifest as acute visual loss. It is classically characterised by unilateral optic nerve atrophy and contralateral papilledema resulting from an intracranial neoplasm. Physicians should consider Foster Kennedy syndrome in patients who present with visual loss and who have a history of intracranial neoplasm. In addition to ophthalmologic examination, neuroimaging is essential for the diagnosis of Foster Kennedy syndrome.
Familial Aggregation of Urinary Tract and Bone Tumors: Searching for a Syndrome
Authors: Frings Andreas , Geigl Jochen B. , Liegl-Atzwanger Bernadette , Leithner Andreas
Published: May 2012

Positive family anamnesis is an important risk factor for cancer, and therefore further investigations need to be done if familial aggregation of cancer is observed. Due to a rare combination of urinary tract and bone tumors occurring in the family presented herein we hypothesized a hereditary predisposition and thus, Li-Fraumeni syndrome was considered to be the most likely differential diagnosis. To confirm Li-Fraumeni syndrome, we set out to investigate this case by analyzing the tumor suppressor genep53. However, taking into account all the diagnostic results obtained, Li-Fraumeni syndrome could not be confirmed, but there is still uncertainty regarding a definitive diagnosis.
Low-Latitude Atmosphere-Ionosphere Effects Initiated by Strong Earthquakes Preparation Process
Authors: Pulinets Sergey
Published: May 2012

Ionospheric and atmospheric anomalies registered around the time of strong earthquakes in low-latitude regions are reported now regularly. Majority of these reports have the character of case studies without clear physical mechanism proposed. Here we try to present the general conception of low-latitude effects using the results of the recent author’s publications, including also rethinking the earlier results interpreted basing on recently established background physical mechanisms of anomalies generation. It should be underlined that only processes initiated by earthquake preparation are considered. Segregation of low-latitude regions for special consideration is connected with the important role of ionospheric equatorial anomaly in the seismoionospheric coupling and specific character of low-latitude earthquake initiated effects. Three main specific features can be marked in low-latitude ionospheric anomalies manifestation: the presence of magnetic conjugacy in majority of cases, local longitudinal asymmetry of effects observed in ionosphere in relation to the vertical projection of epicenter onto ionosphere, and equatorial anomaly reaction even on earthquakes outside equatorial anomaly (i.e., 30–40 LAT). The equality of effects morphology regardless they observed over land or over sea implies only one possible explanation that these anomalies are initiated by gaseous emanations from the Earth crust, and radon plays the major role.
Exploring the Next Frontier for Tobacco Control: Nondaily Smoking among New York City Adults
Authors: Sacks Rachel , Coady Micaela H. , Mbamalu Ijeoma G. , Johns Michael , Kansagra Susan M.
Published: May 2012

Objective. Among current smokers, the proportion of Nondaily smokers is increasing. A better understanding of the characteristics and smoking behaviors of Nondaily smokers is needed.Methods. We analyzed data from the New York City (NYC) Community Health Survey to explore Nondaily smoking among NYC adults. Univariate analyses assessed changes in Nondaily smoking over time (2002–2010) and identified unique characteristics of Nondaily smokers; multivariable logistic regression analysis identified correlates of Nondaily smoking in 2010.Results. The proportion of smokers who engage in Nondaily smoking significantly increased between 2002 and 2010, from 31% to 36% (P=0.05). A larger proportion of Nondaily smokers in 2010 were low income and made tax-avoidant cigarette purchases compared to 2002. Smoking behaviors significantly associated with Nondaily smoking in 2010 included smoking more than one hour after waking (AOR=8.8, 95% CI (5.38–14.27)); buying “loosies” (AOR=3.5, 95% CI (1.72–7.08)); attempting to quit (AOR=2.3, 95% CI (1.36–3.96)).Conclusion. Nondaily smokers have changed over time and have characteristics distinct from daily smokers. Tobacco control efforts should be targeted towards “ready to quit” Nondaily smokers.
A Validated LC Method for Separation and Determination of Tetralone-4-O-β-D-Glucopyranoside and 4-Hydroxy-α-Tetralone in Ammannia multiflora
Authors: Upadhyay Harish C. , Verma Ram K. , Srivastava Santosh K.
Published: May 2012

A rapid, sensitive, and reproducible RP-HPLC method was developed for the determination of two constituents in Ammannia multiflora, namely, tetralone-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1) and 4-hydroxy-α-tetralone (2). The samples were separated on a Spherisorb ODS2 column (250×4.6 mm, i.d., 10 μm) and binary elution of water and methanol (2 : 3) with flow rate of 0.8 mL/min at λ 254 nm. The LOD and LOQ were found 0.05 and 0.18 μg/mL for compound 1 and 0.06 and 0.18 μg/mL for compound 2, respectively. All calibration curves showed good linearity (r2>0.999) within test ranges for both the analytes. The RSD values for intra-and inter-day precisions were less than 1.1%. The successful application of the developed method on five different samples revealed an average 0.0206% and 0.7636% (w/w) of compounds 1 and 2, respectively in A. multiflora indicating that the developed LC assay method may be readily utilized as a quality control method for the plant.