cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tissue proliferation condition in micropropagated ericaceous plants

Tissue proliferation (TP) is an abnormal tumor-like growth produced at or near the crown of the plant, but may also be found on aerial plant parts of some genotypes. Basal tumors may or may not be accompanied by proliferation of compact shoots with short internodes and a whorled leaf arrangement. Genera exhibiting TP include Rhododendron, Kalmia and Pieris of the Ericaceae family. Development of TP symptoms in a plant is highly correlated to a history of micropropagation and also to genetic background of the genotype. Similarities of TP symptoms to crown gall caused by Agrobacteriumtumefaciens led many to initially believe TP to be a form of crown gall, but all evidence suggests that a pathogen is not involved in the TP disorder. Abnormal lignotuber formation is another possible cause for TP for which little supportive evidence could be developed. An epigenetic condition, possibly cytokinin habituation, is the possible cause of TP that is best supported by the majority of research evidence. It is likely that TP is induced in vitro by adventitious shoot formation, resulting from high cytokinin concentrations used to rapidly proliferate shoots. Some nursery production practices may result in increased TP symptoms development post-propagation. TP is well managed now due to greater awareness and adoption of sound micropropagation practices for ericaceous plants by tissue culture labs.
Effect of pretreatment with spironolactone, phenobarbital or β-diethylaminoethyl diphenylpropyl-acetate (SKF 525-A) on tritium levels in blood, heart and liver of rats at various times after administration of [3H]digitoxin

Abstract The influence of spironolactone, phenobarbital and β-diethylaminoethyl diphenylpropylacetate (SKF 525-A) pretreatment on the tritium levels in blood, liver and heart of rats given [ 3 H]digitoxin was investigated at various time periods. Blood tritium levels of spironolactone-pretreated rats were significantly lower than control animals 1 hr (38 per cent of control), 2 hr (26 per cent of control), 4 hr (38 per cent of control) and 8 hr (6 per cent of control) after i.p. injection of [ 3 H]digitoxin. Tritium levels in the blood of phenobarbital-pretreated animals were not different from control animals at any of the time periods. SKF 525-A-pretreated animals had blood levels of tritium less than control animals at 1 hr (64 per cent of control) and greater than control animals at 8 hr (174 per cent of control), but were not different from control animals at either 2 or 4 hr. Radioactivity in the heart of spironolactone-pretreated animals was less than that in control animals at all but the 1-hr time interval, while radioactivity in phenobarbital-pretreated animals was not different from that of control animals at any time period and in SKF 525-A-pretreated animals was different only at the 8-hr period (172 per cent of control). Tritium levels in the liver of rats pretreated with spironolactone were greater than control animals at 1 hr (140 per cent of control) and less at 4 hr (66 per cent of control), but were not different at 2 or 8 hr. Phenobarbital pretreatment altered liver levels of tritium only at 1 hr (141 per cent of control), while SKF 525-A did not affect liver levels of radioactivity at any time period. These results indicate that spironolactone pretreatment markedly increases the metabolism and/or excretion of digitoxin, while phenobarbital pretreatment apparently does not affect these processes. The apparent inhibitory effects of SKF 525-A on digitoxin metabolism are seen only at 8 hr after the administration of digitoxin.
Evidence for Faradaic Processes in Scanning Probe Microscopy on Mica in Humid Air

High-resolution electrochemical deposition of silver nanostructures on insulating atomically flat mica surfaces in humid air was achieved with a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) operating in a scanning electrochemical microscopy mode. The current is faradaic and flows between the tip and a surface contact on the mica substrate through a thin water layer on the mica surface. The thickness and conductivity of the water layer governs the magnitude of the faradaic current. Modified low current STM and conventional tungsten STM tips were used for the silver deposition. The tip was held at a negative bias of -1.2 to -1.4 V (tip vs substrate), with setpoint currents of 1 -1.7 pA. The sizes and shapes of the nanostructures were controlled by the tip scan rates and were restricted to the scan areas under the tip.
Absolute cross sections for proton-induced fission of the uranium isotopes

Absolute cross sections for proton induced fission have been measured for $^{233}\mathrm{U}$, $^{234}\mathrm{U}$, $^{235}\mathrm{U}$, $^{236}\mathrm{U}$, and $^{238}\mathrm{U}$ for proton energies ranging from 5.0 to 30.0 MeV. Angular distributions have been measured for all isotopes and the fission fragment angular anisotropy determined as a function of excitation energy. Excitation data were accumulated at 250 keV intervals with smaller steps in regions of special interest. Fission probabilities calculated from the data and optical model predictions prominently display effects due to the opening of additional fission channels as excitation energy is increased. A method of analysis is formulated and demonstrated which makes use of the extended energy range and selection of an isotopic sequence of target nuclei to unfold the contributions to the measured cross section from first, second, and third chance fission. Using this method, previously undetermined fission thresholds and $\frac{{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}}{{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{f}}$ ratios are estimated for individual nuclei as functions of excitation energy.NUCLEAR REACTIONS, FISSION $^{233}\mathrm{U}(p,xnf)$, $^{234}\mathrm{U}(p,xnf)$, $^{235}\mathrm{U}(p,xnf)$, $^{236}\mathrm{U}(p,xnf)$, and $^{238}\mathrm{U}(p,xnf)$, $E=5.0\ensuremath{-}30.0$ MeV; measured ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{p,xnf}({E}_{p},\ensuremath{\theta})$; deduced ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{fT}}(E)$, $\frac{{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}}{{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{f}}(E,A)$, fission barriers.
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Complicating Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in a Cardiac Transplant Recipient: A Case Report

Viral infections are particularly common after cardiac transplantation. Herein we have presented a case of Epstein-Barr infection that presented as a viral syndrome with respiratory symptoms, but was complicated by multiorgan failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Transplant physicians should be aware of this unique complication of an otherwise self-limited infection.
Unit‐cell dimensions of bulk‐ and solution‐crystallized linear polyethylene

The unit-cell dimensions and density, at room temperature, of bulk- and solution-crystallized linear polyethylene have been determined. The macroscopic measured densities for the bulk-crystallized samples ranged from 0.917 to 0.993 g/cc, and the lattice parameters were found to be independent of the sample density. In contrast, for solution-formed crystals, despite the limited range in macroscopic densities that can be attained, there is a systematic variation in the a and b dimensions with the measured density and the crystallite thickness. The implication of these results for the calculation of the degree of crystallinity and the interpretation of certain infrared bands are discussed.
Evaluation of 1/f noise in prospective IR imaging thin films

Vanadium oxide (VOx) and hydrogenated silicon germanium (SixGe1-x) are the two predominant thin film material systems used as the active layer in resistive infrared imaging. Thin films of VOx used in microbolometers have a resistivity typically between 0.1 and 1 Ω-cm with a temperature coefficient of resistance, |TCR| between 1.4%/K to 2.4%/K, while SixGe1-x:H thin films have a resistivity between 200-4,000 Ω-cm with a |TCR| between 2.9%/K to 3.9%/K. Future devices may require higher TCR materials, however, higher TCR is loosely associated with higher resistivity and therefore also with high noise. This work compares 1/f noise of high resistivity VOx and Ge:H thin films having |TCR| < 3.6%/K. The high TCR thin films of VOx were found to be amorphous while, depending on the deposition conditions, the Ge:H thin films were either amorphous or mixed phase of amorphous + nanocrystalline. Evaluation of these VOx and Ge:H thin films indicates a prospects for a superior process-property relation of 1/f noise in Ge:H thin films in comparison with thin films of VOx.
Strained silicon: A dielectric-response calculation.

Strain-induced birefringence is calculated with crystalline silicon for pressure applied along the [001] and [111] directions of the crystal. Results for the dielectric function and its change under hydrostatic strain are also given. The results are calculated for photon energies in the range 0--3.25 eV, i.e., below the direct band gap. We have made a fully-self-consistent Kohn-Sham local-density-approximation calculation, in the pseudopotential, plane-wave scheme, with a self-energy correction in the form of a rigid shift of the conduction bands of magnitude \ensuremath{\Delta}=0.9 eV. Agreement with experiment is very good in the static limit, considering disagreements among the experimental values. Values of the photoelastic tensor for [001] strain are ${\mathit{p}}_{11}$-${\mathit{p}}_{12}$=-0.118 (theory) and -0.111\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.005, -0.127\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.005 (expt.). For [111] strain, we obtain ${\mathit{p}}_{44}$=-0.050 (theory) and -0.051\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.002, -0.051\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.002 [sic] (expt.); for hydrostatic distortions, ${\mathit{p}}_{11}$+2${\mathit{p}}_{12}$=-0.067 (theory) and -0.055\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.006, -0.070\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.008 (expt.). For the static dielectric constant, we obtain 10.9, compared to 11.7 and 11.4 (0 K) (expt.). All experiments quoted are at room temperature, except as noted. Above 2 eV, the calculation predicts less dispersion than seen by the experiments. Thermal effects and electron-hole interactions are estimated to resolve some of the discrepancies with experiment. The experimental data for [001] strains is not consistent with a single-oscillator model, and is therefore suspect.
Observations on mechanism of action of the antifungal peptide, Ro2-7758.

SummaryInhibitory action of the antifungal sulfur-containing peptide, Ro2-7758 (formerly X-5079C), against the growth of Mucor corymbifera was annulled by sulfite and cysteine, but not by sulfate or 96 other substances tested. Experiments with S35O4 showed that the drug had no effect on permeability of yeast cells to sulfate. However, production of S35O3 from S35O4 by a cell-free sulfate reductase system from yeast was first stimulated at low drug concentrations and then inhibited at higher concentrations. It was concluded that this action of the drug on sulfate reductase may be involved in its antibiotic activity.
Radiocarbon evidence for the substrates supporting methane formation within northern Minnesota peatlands

Bogs and fens from northern Minnesota produce large quantities of CH4, which may be either emitted to the atmosphere or stored in below-ground reservoirs. The identity of the organic materials that support CH4 production has been uncertain, but we present evidence that a significant fraction of surface emission and below-ground CH4 is derived from recently fixed organic compounds. First, the CH4 emitted from both bogs and fens has a '4C signature equivalent to contemporary values for atmospheric CO2. Second, in flooded fens rates of CH4 emission are linearly related to rates of CO2 exchange and to the δ13C of emitted CH4. Third, peat-porewaters as deep as several meters below the surface contain mixtures of CH4 derived from both modern and older organic substrates. The source of the modern organic substrates is most likely dissolved organic compounds produced from the decay of recently produced litter, roots and root exudation products and transported into deeper layers of the peat. These data indicate that CH4 emissions are closely linked to the living vegetation and hydrology of northern peatlands and less dependent on the lability and decomposition of peat within the deeper layers of the catotelm.
Optimal timing of surgical intervention following adult laryngeal trauma.

Objective: Laryngeal trauma is an infrequent diagnosis with a scarcity of published data. We aim to further define the factors associated with positive surgical outcomes of adult laryngeal trauma. Study Design: Multi-institution database analysis. Methods: Of the 1.9 million trauma cases from the National Trauma Database (NTDB), 564 adult trauma events were selected with ICD-9 codes specific to laryngeal trauma. Results: Laryngeal trauma was seen predominately in white (61.5%), middle-aged (40.6 years), male (83.7%) patients experiencing blunt (70.7%) laryngeal injury with multiorgan system (92.2%) trauma. There was an overall 17.9% mortality rate. Within the 564 cases, 133 direct laryngoscopies, 185 tracheostomies, 53 laryngeal suturing, and 60 laryngeal fracture repairs were performed. In univariate negative binomial regression models, trauma severity (P ≤ .01), placement of tracheostomy (P lt; .01), and delayed tracheostomy placement (P = .04, .03, .048) were associated with increased ventilator dependence, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and overall hospital admission duration. Multivariate regression models demonstrated significant associations between tracheostomy performed within 24 hours and shortened ICU stay (P = .03, β = −.28, SE = 1.7) and overall hospital stay (P = .009, β = −.23, SE = 3.1). Conclusions: The NTDB allows study of the largest laryngeal trauma cohort in modern literature. Although complexities arise in the treatment of laryngeal traumas, when indicated, surgical airway should be placed within 24 hours of presentation to improve the overall hospital course.
FE Modeling and Analysis of Patterning Micron Surface Structures by Laser Shock Peening

Laser shock peening (LSP) is a potential fabrication process to pattern micron surface structures. The purpose of this paper is to model 3D shock pressure and dynamic mechanical behavior at high strain rates during laser patterning process. The 3D shock pressure was modeled using a user defined subroutine. The mechanical behavior at high strain rates is predicted by the Bammann, Chiesa, and Johnson (BCJ) model. A 3D FEA model of microscale LSP was created using the developed loading and material subroutines. For comparison, a direct input of measured material properties was also used. The results show that decreasing pulse time shifts the maximum transient stress from the surface to the subsurface. The rapid loading causes increased magnitudes of compressive stress throughout the depth. The BCJ model predicts higher stresses than the direct input method.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Fluxons in dual thin films

The field and current distribution for a fluxon penetrating two thin parallel films is obtained. This result is used to calculate the coupling force for an isolated fluxon extending through the two films. The calculation is valid for arbitrary separation between the films when ${d}_{1}\ensuremath{\ll}{\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{1}$, ${d}_{2}\ensuremath{\ll}{\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{2}$, and the fluxon core radii are much less than $\ensuremath{\lambda}$. Here ${d}_{1}$ and ${d}_{2}$ are the film thicknesses and ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{1}$ and ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{2}$ are the penetration depths. The conditions of validity of a previous calculation for zero separation between the films are established and the comparison with recent experimental work is discussed.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of human area MT/V5 disrupts perception and storage of the motion aftereffect.

Abstract Following adaptation to a moving stimulus, the introduction of a stationary pattern creates the illusion of motion. This phenomenon, known as the motion aftereffect (MAE), can be delayed by placing a blank storage interval between the adapting and test stimuli. Human motion selective area MT/V5 has been proposed as the likely neural origin of MAEs. To examine the role of MT/V5 in perceiving and storing MAEs, we applied repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to this area during a 10 s storage interval and while subjects perceived illusory motion. Our results show that rTMS disrupts perception of the MAE when it is delivered in the early parts of the storage period and when it is applied during the perceptual MAE itself. Stimulation of control regions corresponding to V1 or Cz did not affect the MAE. In addition, magnetic stimulation of dorsolateral prefrontal and posterior parietal cortices did not disrupt MAE perception. These data provide experimental support for the notion that MT/V5 subserves perception and storage of the motion aftereffect.
Alkyladenine DNA glycosylase (Aag) in somatic hypermutation and class switch recombination.

Abstract Somatic hypermutation (SHM) and class switch recombination (CSR) of immunoglobulin ( Ig ) genes require the cytosine deaminase AID, which deaminates cytosine to uracil in Ig gene DNA. Paradoxically, proteins involved normally in error-free base excision repair and mismatch repair, seem to be co-opted to facilitate SHM and CSR, by recruiting error-prone translesion polymerases to DNA sequences containing deoxy-uracils created by AID. Major evidence supports at least one mechanism whereby the uracil glycosylase Ung removes AID-generated uracils creating abasic sites which may be used either as uninformative templates for DNA synthesis, or processed to nicks and gaps that prime error-prone DNA synthesis. We investigated the possibility that deamination at adenines also initiates SHM. Adenosine deamination would generate hypoxanthine (Hx), a substrate for the alkyladenine DNA glycosylase (Aag). Aag would generate abasic sites which then are subject to error-prone repair as above for AID-deaminated cytosine processed by Ung. If the action of an adenosine deaminase followed by Aag were responsible for significant numbers of mutations at A, we would find a preponderance of A:T > G:C transition mutations during SHM in an Aag deleted background. However, this was not observed and we found that the frequencies of SHM and CSR were not significantly altered in Aag −/− mice. Paradoxically, we found that Aag is expressed in B lymphocytes undergoing SHM and CSR and that its activity is upregulated in activated B cells . Moreover, we did find a statistically significant, albeit low increase of T:A > C:G transition mutations in Aag −/− animals, suggesting that Aag may be involved in creating the SHM A > T bias seen in wild type mice.
Red blood cell sodium, potassium, and ATP levels during hemorrhagic shock.

Abstract The effects of hemorrhagic shock and whole blood transfusions on red blood cell (RBC) Na+, K+, and ATP levels have been studied using two shock models. Group A animals were bled to a pressure of 40 mm Hg, following which no further blood was removed or returned. The blood pressure of these rats increased to approximately 70 mm Hg within 30 min and remained at that level for 2 hr. Group B animals were bled to a pressure of 40 mm Hg and maintained at that level for 2 hr. No significant changes in RBC Na+ or K+ levels were found in Group A animals subjected to shock. However, small but significant changes in RBC cations were observed in Group B animals subjected to hemorrhagic shock. In Group B, ATP levels decreased from 1.51 to 1.27 mmole/liter RBC. In another study (Group C), rats were subjected to shock as in Group B but were transfused with rat's whole blood which had been stored in cold ACD buffer for 6 days instead of their own shed blood. RBC Na+ of Group C increased from 3.5 ± 0.1 to 8.4 ± 0.7, and K+ decreased from 100.3 ± 2.3 to 85.0 ± 2.1. The RBC Na+ of stored blood itself increased by 288 and 355% at 3 and 6 days cold storage, respectively. These results indicate that (1) severe hemorrhagic shock produces small changes in RBC Na+ and K+ levels; and (2) large changes in RBC cation levels which have been reported previously in man may be due to the additional effect of transfusion of stored blood.
Earthquake faulting as a structural process

Abstract Structural geology is concerned with the history of movement in the Earth's crust and the processes by which displacements occur. In the upper one third to one half of deforming continental crust, displacement is accommodated largely by seismic slip increments on existing faults. It follows that earthquakes and related processes are an integral part of structural geology. Traditionally, structural geologists have been preoccupied with the complexity of the finite deformation within fault zones and with the stress states prevailing at the initiation of faults in intact crust. Future structural work should be directed more towards understanding the dynamic character of fault reactivation during incremental slip, and related effects. Questions of interest include rheological and geometrical controls on the initiation, perturbation and termination of ruptures; directivity effects associated with rupture propagation; the recognition of structures resulting from repeated stress cycling within seismogenic crust; and identification of structural features diagnostic of shear stress levels during faulting. Structures arising from the inter-relationships between slip episodes and induced fluid flow are of special importance, because these dynamic fault processes appear influential in the development of much fault-hosted mineralization. Mesothermal gold-quartz lodes hosted in high-angle reverse shear zones of mixed brittle-ductile character form illustrative examples of structures that, arguably, can only be interpreted by seismo-structural analysis embodying the concepts listed above.
Spam1 (PH-20) mutations and sperm dysfunction in mice with the Rb(6.16) or Rb(6.15) translocation

In mice bearing the Rb(6.16) or Rb(6.15) Robertsonian translocation (Rb), sperm dysfunction associated with the Rbs has been shown to lead to transmission ratio distortions (TRDs) in heterozygotes. The severity of the TRDs is directly related to the severity in the alteration of expression of the gene for the Sperm Adhesion Molecule 1 (Spam1), which maps to proximal mouse Chromosome 6 (Chr 6) near the translocation junction and encodes a sperm antigen with hyaluronidase activity. Here we demonstrate that there is a significantly reduced fertility in the Rb homozygotes (P < 0.001), based on litter size; and that with the Sperm Select Penetration assay Rb-bearing sperm have significantly decreased (P < 0.02–0.001) rates of penetration of hyaluronic acid. Catalytic kinetics studies indicate that reduced Spam1 (PH-20) hyaluronidase activity in the Rb(6.15) mice results from a qualitative defect, while for Rb(6.16) with the greater TRD both a qualitative and a quantitative deficiency (confirmed by Western analysis) of Spam1 exist. Six point mutations were shown to be clustered in the Spam1 hyaluronic acid-binding domain in Rb(6.15). For Rb(6.16) which has a gross genomic alteration at the Spam1 locus, 11 point mutations are scattered in the 5′ and 3′ UTRs and the coding region, where one leads to the replacement of a conserved residue. Entrapment of spontaneous Spam1 mutations, owing to recombination suppression near the Rb junctions, is proposed as the major underlying defect of the sperm dysfunction.
Accommodative reconstruction in prose recall.

The hypothesis that the past is reconstructed to conform with current cognitive states was investigated. Predicted reconciling errors in recall of discourse appeared when subjects were likely to integrate the information in the discourse with prior knowledge and when subsequently presented information was inconsistent with expectations formed earlier. Such errors increased with delay prior to recall. Confidence data indicated the predicted errors were not gap-filling guesses. Recall errors were almost totally absent when cognitive states at recall were consistent with earlier states and when conventional memory instructions were employed. The results were interpreted as support for an “accommodative reconstruction” hypothesis.
Aflatoxins contamination in spices and processed spice products commercialized in Korea

Abstract A survey for total aflatoxins (aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2) was conducted on 88 spices and processed spice products commercialized in Korea. The presence of aflatoxins was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detector using immunoaffinity column clean-up. Total aflatoxins (AFs) are detected in 12 samples (13.6% of incidence) including seven red pepper powder, two red pepper pastes (Kochujang), two curry and one ginger product. The contamination levels are 0.08–4.45 μg/kg as aflatoxin B1 and 0.08–4.66 μg/kg as AFs. The liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) analysis on contaminated samples was conducted for the confirmation of detected aflatoxins. The 12 samples which showed aflatoxins by HPLC/FLD were confirmed as aflatoxins by LC–MS/MS.
The reaction mechanism of ribonuclease II and its interaction with nucleic acid secondary structures.

Abstract Ribonuclease II is a processive 3′- to 5′-exoribonuclease in Escherichia coli with two binding sites: a catalytic site associated with the first few 3′-nucleotides and an anchor site binding nucleotides ∼15 to 25 from the 3′-end. When RNase II degrades single-stranded helical poly(C), the enzyme–substrate complex dissociates at discrete intervals of 12 nucleotides. RNase II stalled at the last rC of single-stranded 3′-(rC)n(dC)m oligonucleotides. The more residues released, the faster the stalled complex dissociated and the less it inhibited RNase II activity, i.e. the enzyme–substrate association weakened progressively. Using phosphodiesterase I (PDE I) as a probe, a method was developed to identify cytidine residues in 32P-oligonucleotides interacting with a protein. PAGE bands corresponding to nucleotides 1–6 from the 3′-end were consistent with interaction at the catalytic site, and following a gap, bands ∼15 to 25 from the 3′-end, with anchor site association. Both 3′ and 5′ binding were necessary to maintain the complex. Of most significance, the original anchor site nucleotides remained fixed at the anchor site while the 3′-end was pulled, or threaded, through the catalytic site, i.e. the substrate did not ‘slide’ through the enzyme. DNA oligonucleotides with double-stranded stem-loops were good competitive inhibitors of RNase II. A 3′-single-stranded arm was essential, while optimal binding required both 5′- and 3′-arms. PDE I probing indicated that the nucleotides at the anchor site were specified by the spatial distance from the catalytic site, and on only one of the duplex strands. When degradation of a structured RNA paused or stopped, the RNase II-product commenced cycles of dissociation–reassociation. Duplex strand binding by RNase II made complex DNA or RNA structures accessible to degradation by other nucleases and further verified the PDE I footprinting method.
Early detection of chronic pulmonary disease.

Abstract There is little question that the early detection of chronic pulmonary disease is essential for reducing morbidity and mortality. In many instances, pulmonary disease is caused by, or intensified by, environmental hazards; once established to the level of clinical expression, it is often not reversible by current therapies. Thus, early detection and removal of affected individuals from the hazards (or vice versa) constitute the only effective means for control of many pulmonary diseases. “Chronic pulmonary disease” is not a single entity but encompasses a variety of processes which may differ considerably in their clinical and physiologic manifestations. Accordingly, the methods that are applied for early detection range from simple questions to sophisticated, complex, physiologic tests. It would seem, therefore, that the success of programs for early detection require a full understanding of the characteristics of available tests, clear definition of specific goals, and a skillful estimation as to the type of pulmonary disease that is under suspicion.
Integrating service learning into the curriculum: Lessons from the field

The authors, representing two of the ‘‘signature’’ community service learning (CSL) programs in the 2010 Flexner Centenary volume of Academic Medicine, provide details of their programs – Frontera de Salud, a community-based program at the University of Texas Medical Branch, and the East Harlem Health Outreach Partnership, a clinic-based program at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine – specific to the task of integrating CSL into the medical school curriculum. They explain the nature and purpose of CSL, note gaps in the present curriculum which CSL aims to fill and highlight elements of CSL that are highly pertinent to Association of American Medical Colleges, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and Liaison Committee on Medical Education guidelines for undergraduate and graduate medical education. They also discuss barriers to the integration of CSL into the medical school curriculum and detail ways to overcome the logistic and fiscal challenges involved in making this highly effective and rewarding educational experience available to students of medicine.
An embryonic DNA-binding protein specific for the promoter of the retrovirus long terminal repeat

Abstract Retrovirus expression is restricted in embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells but not in many differentiated cell lines. We used a very sensitive gel retardation assay to detect sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins in crude nuclear extracts obtained from EC and differentiated cells. Four binding sites were mapped in the noncoding sequences of the amphotropic murine leukemia virus. Strong binding to the CCAAT consensus sequence located in the promoter was specifically observed with EC nuclear extract. The binding protein is called EPBF (embryonal promoter-binding factor), and it is a candidate for the repressor of retrovirus transcription.
Ordinal measures for visual correspondence

We present ordinal measures for establishing image correspondence. Linear correspondence measures like correlation and the sum of squared differences are known to be fragile. Ordinal measures, which are based on relative ordering of intensity values in windows, have demonstrable robustness to depth discontinuities, occlusion and noise. The relative ordering of intensity values in each window is represented by a rank permutation which is obtained by sorting the corresponding intensity data. By using a novel distance metric between the rank permutations, we arrive at ordinal correlation coefficients. These coefficients are independent of absolute intensity scale, i.e. they are normalized measures. Further, since rank permutations are invariant to monotone transformations of the intensity values, the coefficients are unaffected by nonlinear effects like gamma variation between images. We have developed a simple algorithm for their efficient implementation. Experiments suggest the superiority of ordinal measures over existing techniques under non-ideal conditions. Though we present ordinal measures in the context of stereo, they serve as a general tool for image matching that is applicable to other vision problems such as motion estimation and image registration.
A Superhumanization Bias in Whites’ Perceptions of Blacks

The present research provides the first systematic empirical investigation into superhumanization, the attribution of supernatural, extrasensory, and magical mental and physical qualities to humans. Five studies test and support the hypothesis that White Americans superhumanize Black people relative to White people. Studies 1–2b demonstrate this phenomenon at an implicit level, showing that Whites preferentially associate Blacks versus Whites with superhuman versus human words on an implicit association test and on a categorization task. Studies 3–4 demonstrate this phenomenon at an explicit level, showing that Whites preferentially attribute superhuman capacities to Blacks versus Whites, and Study 4 specifically shows that superhumanization of Blacks predicts denial of pain to Black versus White targets. Together, these studies demonstrate a novel and potentially detrimental process through which Whites perceive Blacks.
A truncation mutant of Csf3r cooperates with PML-RARα to induce acute myeloid leukemia in mice

Severe congenital neutropenia is associated with a marked propensity to develop myelodysplasia or acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Truncation mutations of CSF3R , encoding the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor (G-CSFR), are associated with development of myelodysplasia/AML in severe congenital neutropenia. However, a causal relationship between CSF3R mutations and leukemic transformation has not been established. Herein, we show that truncated G-CSFR cooperates with the PML-RARα oncogene to induce AML in mice. Expression of truncated G-CSFR significantly shortens the latency of AML in a G-CSF−dependent fashion and it is associated with a distinct AML presentation characterized by higher blast counts and more severe myelosuppression. Basal and G-CSF−induced signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 5, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation were highly variable but similar in leukemic blasts expressing wild-type and truncated G-CSFR. These data provide new evidence suggesting a causative role for CSF3R mutations in human AML.
Apiconuclear Organization of Microtubules Does Not Specify Protein Delivery from the Trans-Golgi Network to Different Membrane Domains in Polarized Epithelial Cells

In nonpolarized epithelial cells, microtubules originate from a broad perinuclear region coincident with the distribution of the Golgi complex and extend outward to the cell periphery (perinuclear ...
Prenatal ultrasonography and the diagnosis of fetal cleft lip.

Objective. To determine the efficacy of obstetric ultrasonography in the detection of fetal cleft lip. Methods. The study population included all women who had a fetal anatomic survey with adequate visualization of the face and who gave birth at Brigham and Women's Hospital between January 1, 1990, and January 31, 2000. All neonates born with cleft lip were identified from the Brigham and Women's Active Malformation Surveillance Program. Confirmation of the anatomic defect was obtained from the pediatric record or from the pathologic report if the pregnancy was terminated or ended in miscarriage. Cases of isolated cleft palate were excluded. An ultrasonography database was used to identify all cases of cleft lip diagnosed before delivery. Maternal information regarding the pregnancy was abstracted from the medical record. Statistical significance was determined using the x 2 statistic for categorical variables and the t test for continuous variables. Results. A total of 56 confirmed cases of cleft lip were identified in the study population. Overall, 73% of the cases (41 of 56) were identified antenatally. Additional fetal anomalies were present in 54% of the cases (30 of 56). A comparison between those cases that were detected and those in which the diagnosis was missed showed that there was a significantly lower detection rate if the ultrasonography was performed before 20 weeks (12 [57%] of 21 versus 29 [83%] of 35; P = .035). There was no difference between the 2 groups in terms of maternal age or weight. Maternal parity, prior maternal abdominal surgery, the presence of a multiple gestation, or coexisting fetal anomalies did not significantly affect the detection rate. There was no difference in detection rate in the first half of the study period (1990-1995; 23 [72%] of 32) compared with the second half (1996-2000; 18 [76%] of 24; P = .79). Conclusions. In this cohort of women, the rate of detection of fetal cleft lip was significantly lower when the anatomic survey was performed before 20 weeks' gestation This difference could not be accounted for by such variables as prior maternal abdominal surgery, coexisting fetal anomalies, or improvements in ultrasonographic detection with time. We recommend that the anatomic survey for fetuses at high risk for this condition be performed after 20 weeks' gestation. .
Immobilization of Nonviral Vectors During the Freezing Step of Lyophilization

The development of nonviral vectors as commercial therapeutics will require formulations that are sufficiently stable to allow shipping and storage for prolonged periods. Given the well-known instability of these systems as aqueous suspensions, it would be desirable to develop lyophilized formulations that are resistant to shipping stress and can be stored for extended periods at ambient temperatures. Previous studies have shown that aggregation and structural changes resulting in reduced transfection rates can occur during the freezing step of lyophilization. While it has been clearly demonstrated that freezing-induced damage is promoted by vector crowding that results from the reduced volume of unfrozen solution, the precise mechanism of damage has yet to be fully elucidated, i.e., damage may occur due to ice formation and/or during incubation in the frozen state. In this study, we investigate the time- and temperature-dependence of damage during freezing and demonstrate that aggregation can occur while frozen vector suspensions are incubated at a constant temperature. Aggregation is not seen during incubation at temperatures below T(g)', and can also be avoided above the glass transition temperature under some conditions. Our data are consistent with a model describing the mobility of vectors in the unfrozen sucrose solution being sufficiently restricted such that inter-particle interactions are prevented in the frozen state. Furthermore, the protection achieved during freezing at temperatures above T(g)' is applicable to a complete lyophilization cycle (i.e., freezing and drying), and provides stabilization at higher primary drying temperatures.
Cognitive Performance Correlates with Resting State Connectivity and is Effected by APOE Status

and WM of frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes. Results: AD patients had significantly reduced whole brain (1028 6 62 vs 1154 6 52 ml; p < 0.0001) and hippocampal (4.00 6 0.68 vs 5.58 6 0.49 ml, p < 0.0001) volumes, and significantly increased ADC in all ROI regions (all p < 0.05). Using a multiple regression models, both whole brain volume and parietal WM ADC were independently associated with disease-control status (p 1⁄4 0.004, p 1⁄4 0.03 respectively). When associations of diseasecontrol status with hippocampal volume and hippocampal ADC were assessed in multiple regression models, only hippocampal volume was significantly associated with case-control status (p 1⁄4 0.004) and not hippocampal ADC (p 1⁄4 0.40). Voxel-based analysis confirmed diffuse atrophy most pronounced in the medial temporal lobes, and significantly more extensive areas of increased ADC beyond regions of atrophy, most pronounced in the parietal and temporal lobes. (Figure 1. left 3 images: areas of GM atrophy (yellow-red) and WM atrophy (blue); right 3 images: areas of significant increase in ADC (yellow-red)). Conclusions: Beyond the hippocampus, DWI provides additional discriminatory value overand-above volumetric MRI in differentiating AD patients from controls. Volumetric MRI and DWI reflect complementary aspects of the macroand microstructural changes that accompany AD pathology.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia associated with oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula in a low birth weight infant

The cooccurrence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia and oesophageal atresia with distal tracheo-oesophageal fistula is very rare and carries high mortality. Very few anecdotal case reports and one case series have been reported in the literature. We report a case of a late preterm, low birth weight infant with this rare association who was successfully managed by staged surgical approach and had good outcome.
Proteome-Wide Search Reveals Unexpected RNA-Binding Proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The vast landscape of RNA-protein interactions at the heart of post-transcriptional regulation remains largely unexplored. Indeed it is likely that, even in yeast, a substantial fraction of the regulatory RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) remain to be discovered. Systematic experimental methods can play a key role in discovering these RBPs - most of the known yeast RBPs lack RNA-binding domains that might enable this activity to be predicted. We describe here a proteome-wide approach to identify RNA-protein interactions based on in vitro binding of RNA samples to yeast protein microarrays that represent over 80% of the yeast proteome. We used this procedure to screen for novel RBPs and RNA-protein interactions. A complementary mass spectrometry technique also identified proteins that associate with yeast mRNAs. Both the protein microarray and mass spectrometry methods successfully identify previously annotated RBPs, suggesting that other proteins identified in these assays might be novel RBPs. Of 35 putative novel RBPs identified by either or both of these methods, 12, including 75% of the eight most highly-ranked candidates, reproducibly associated with specific cellular RNAs. Surprisingly, most of the 12 newly discovered RBPs were enzymes. Functional characteristics of the RNA targets of some of the novel RBPs suggest coordinated post-transcriptional regulation of subunits of protein complexes and a possible link between mRNA trafficking and vesicle transport. Our results suggest that many more RBPs still remain to be identified and provide a set of candidates for further investigation.
Constraining large-scale mantle heterogeneity using mantle and inner-core sensitive normal modes

Abstract Attempts to resolve density heterogeneity within the mantle using normal-mode data revealed an unexpected feature near the core-mantle boundary: regions of strong sheer velocity reduction, known as superplumes, are characterized by heavier than average material [Science 285 (1999) 1231]. Thus far, free-oscillation studies of mantle structure have relied upon modes which sample only the mantle (e.g., [ J. Geophys. Res. 96 (1991) 551; Science 285 (1999) 1231; J. Geophys. Res. 104 (1999a) 993; Geophys. J. Int. 143 (2000b) 478; Geophys. J. Int. 150 (2002) 162 ]). In order to better constrain mantle heterogeneity, we add inner-core sensitive modes to our data set, and invert for mantle structure and inner-core anisotropy simultaneously. The additional modes do not alter the pattern of the density anomalies relative to model SPRD6 [Geophys. J. Int. 145 (2001) 77]. However, they help constrain the amplitude of lateral variations in density. In a previous study, obtaining a density model with reasonable amplitudes required supplemental gravity data, which are not included in the current study. Nonetheless, the new density model is generally weaker, especially at the bottom of the mantle. The root-mean square (RMS) amplitude of the model exhibits two maxima around 600 and 2300 km depth. Experiments indicate that these are robust components of the model and neither artifacts of the choice of radial basis functions nor the damping scheme. Comparisons of the density model with shear- and compressional-velocity models show negative or nearly zero correlation in the transition zone and near the base of the mantle, where the root-mean square density amplitude is high. Finally, the anomalous features near the core-mantle boundary are confirmed: strong anti-correlation between shear and bulk-sound velocities, and increased density at the locations of superplumes.
Local Angiotensin II and Transforming Growth Factor-β1 in Renal Fibrosis of Rats

Abstract—Studies have demonstrated that local angiotensin II (Ang II) generation is enhanced in repairing kidney and that ACE inhibition or AT1 receptor blockade attenuates renal fibrosis. The loca...
Active and Passive Immunizations with the Streptococcal Esterase Sse Protect Mice against Subcutaneous Infection with Group A Streptococci

The human pathogen group A Streptococcus (GAS) produces many secreted proteins that play important roles in GAS pathogenesis, including hydrolases that degrade proteins and nucleic acids. This study targets another kind of hydrolase, carboxylic esterase, with the objectives of identifying GAS esterase and determining whether it is a protective antigen. The putative esterase gene SPy1718 was cloned, and the recombinant protein (Sse) was prepared. Sse was detected in GAS culture supernatant, and patients with streptococcal pharyngitis seroconverted to Sse, indicating that Sse was produced in vivo and in vitro. Sse hydrolyzes p-nitrophenyl butyrate, and the residue 178Ser is critical for this esterase activity. There are two Sse variant complexes according to the available genome databases, consistent with the previous finding of two antigenic Sse variants. Complex I includes serotypes M1, M2, M3, M5, M6, M12, and M18, whereas M4, M28, and M49 belong to complex II. Sse variants share >98% identity in amino acid sequence within each complex but have about 37% variation between the two groups. Active immunization with M1 Sse significantly protects mice against lethal subcutaneous infection with virulent M1 and M3 strains and inhibits GAS invasion of mouse skin tissue. Passive immunization with anti-Sse antiserum also significantly protects mice against subcutaneous GAS infection, indicating that the protection is mediated by Sse-specific antibodies. The results suggest that Sse plays an important role in tissue invasion and is an antigen protective in subcutaneous infection against GAS strains of more than one serotype.
Study of upstream electromigration bimodality and its improvement in Cu low-k interconnects

The bimodality of upstream electromigration (EM) failures in the dual damascene structure of 45nm Cu interconnection process with low-k material is investigated, and the improvement is demonstrated. Two major early failure modes with voids forming in via or at the chamfer of via-trench transition area are revealed and attributed to liner process weakness at the respective locations, which can be reduced and eliminated with optimized via and chamfer aspect ratios (ARs) defined by the dual damascene profile. Dielectric thickness, trench etch depth, via critical dimension (CD), chamfer of via-trench transition profile etc. can serve as the tuning factors for the upstream EM bimodality improvement. However, a balance between EM, time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) and resistance-capacitance (RC) performance need to be achieved.
Coronal contrasts in Anong

This study examines acoustic characteristics of a three-way distinction among a set of voiceless coronal fricatives and two sets of voiceless coronal affricates in Anong, an endangered Tibeto-Burman language. The study shows a lack of parallelism between the fricative and affricate series. The fricatives are well differentiated by spectral shapes and formant transitions of the following vowels, but not by the center of gravity. The affricates are well differentiated by the center of gravity, but not by spectral shapes nor by formant transitions of the following vowels. The study shows that /s/ is acoustically a retroflex, while /ts h ts/ are not.