cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A novel basic region/helix-loop-helix protein binds to a G-box motif CACGTG of the bean seed storage protein β-phaseolin gene

Expression of the bean seed storage protein fl-phaseolin is under strict developmental control primarily at the level of transcription. A G-box motif CACGTG has been shown to be a major positive &-acting element of the /3-phuseolit1 gene and to be recognized by a DNA binding protein from bean seed nuclei. To understand the molecular nature of the G-box-binding protein, we screened a cDNA expression library from immature bean seed and identified a positive clone based on binding activity of the proteins expressed in Escherichia coli to an oligodeoxyribonucleotide probe. DNA sequence analysis showed that the cDNA for the phaseolin G-box-binding protein (PGl) encodes a basic regionhelix-loop-h&x (bHLH) domain hear the carboxyl terminus. Sequence comparison with other known plant bHLH proteins such as maize R/B and Antirrhinum DEL suggests that PGl represents a new member of bHLH protein family in plants. Electrophoresis mobility-shift and DNase I footprinting assays demonstrated that PGl protein binds preferentially to the G-box (CACGTG) and not to other two phaseolin E-box motifs (CACCTG and CATATG). Expression of PGl RNA was detzble in all stages of seed development as well as in flower, roxand leaf. Wediscuss the implications of the bHLH protein for transcriptional regulation of the /3-phaseolin gene.
Protection from hypoxic and N-methyl-D-aspartate injury with azelastine, a leukotriene inhibitor

Abstract The 5-lipoxygenase metabolites, leukotrienes, increase in concentration during cerebral ischemia. Azelastine is a new anti-allergic agent which inhibits leukotriene C 4 synthesis and release. We examined the neuroprotective properties of azelastine using the hippocampal slice. Azelastine 15 μM significantly protected CA1 evoked responses from hypoxic injury, with CA1 population spike amplitude recovering to a mean 76 ± 13% in azelastine treated slices, compared to 4 ± 3% recovery in paired unmedicated slices. The EC 50 for this azelastine hypoxic protection was 9.8 μM. Azelastine additionally protected against injury induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), but not non-NMDA glutamate receptor agonists. No hypoxic protection was afforded by diphenhydramine 50 μM, suggesting that azelastine protection did not occur through histamine H 1 receptor blockade. The finding of protection with azelastine against hypoxic and NMDA-induced injury suggests that leukotriene production is a common pathway in these forms of neuronal injury, and that leukotriene inhibition may be a useful neuroprotective strategy.
Secondary ion mass spectrometry: High-mass molecular and cluster ions

Abstract This paper discusses the secondary ion emission of high-mass molecular and cluster ions from the surfaces of various inorganic and organic compounds including polymers and biomolecules. The paper is divided into five sections: instrumentation, high-mass cluster ions, organic SIMS, polymers, and biomolecules. The first section describes the design of a unique double-focusing secondary ion mass spectrometer. The second section describes the emission of high-mass cluster ions (some with mass> m / z 25 000) from several alkali halide salts. The third section describes the various sample preparation and matrix-assisted SIMS procedures used in organic SIMS. The fourth section describes the design of a neutral particle beam gun for the analysis of thick insulating polymer films. The fifth section describes a new method for the sequencing of peptides by SIMS.
Laser-induced above-band-gap transparency in GaAs.

We report the observation of large ($\ensuremath{\sim}40%$) laser-induced above-band-gap transparency in GaAs at room temperature. The induced transparency is present only during the pulse width of the driving midinfrared laser pulses and its spectral shape is consistent with a laser-induced blueshift of the band edge. Our simulations based on the dynamic Franz-Keldysh effect reproduce the salient features of the experimental results, demonstrating, in particular, that the amount of the band edge shift is approximately given by the ponderomotive potential.
Concentration of area in half-planes

For the standard class S of normalized univalent functions f analytic in the unit disk U, we consider a problem on the minimal area of the image f(U) concentrated in any given half-plane. This question is related to a well-known problem posed by A. W. Goodman in 1949 that regards minimizing area covered by analytic univalent functions under certain geometric constraints. An interesting aspect of this problem is the unexpected behavior of the candidates for extremal functions constructed via geometric considerations.
Ureteral replacement using porcine small intestine submucosa in a porcine model

Abstract Objectives To investigate an alternative technique using an onlay patch of porcine small intestine submucosa (SIS) allograft to bridge a ureteral defect. For ureteral strictures that fail endourologic management, few options are available for minimally invasive repair or reconstruction. Although laparoscopic interposition of a tubularized allograft of porcine SIS has great promise, animal studies have yielded mixed results. Methods In 9 anesthetized female pigs, cystoscopy and retrograde pyelography were performed, and a ureteral stent was placed. Transperitoneal laparoscopic access was obtained, and a segment of ureter 2 cm long and encompassing one half the ureteral circumference was excised. An oval-shaped patch of SIS was sutured to the native ureter to cover the defect. In one control survival animal, the ureter was excised and a stent placed, but no SIS onlay was performed. Two pigs were killed immediately. In the survival group (6 pigs), the stents were removed at 1 week (n = 2), 2 weeks (n = 2), or 4 weeks (n = 2) and the corresponding animals were killed at 3 weeks (n = 2), 6 weeks (n = 2), and 9 weeks (n = 2). Intravenous urography was performed to evaluate renal function, and retrograde pyelography was performed after harvest to identify ureteral stricture or obstruction. The ureteral grafts were measured and examined histologically. Results All 6 kidneys from the survival group were grossly normal, appeared promptly on intravenous urography, and were patent on retrograde pyelography. The control animal demonstrated complete ureteral obstruction. By 9 weeks, the SIS graft was replaced with ureteral tissue, including the muscle layers. The epithelium was primarily transitional epithelium, with focal intestinal metaplasia. The submucosa and ureteral musculature appeared histologically normal. Conclusions In the porcine model, a patch graft technique using SIS appears to induce ureteral regrowth. Renal function remained intact, and no evidence of stricture was demonstrated on radiographic imaging. Before clinical application of this technique, evaluation in a stricture model is required.
Binding of methylmercury(II) by HeLa S3 suspension-culture cells: intracellular methylmercury levels and their effect on DNA replication and protein synthesis.

HeLa S3 cells were exposed to varied concentrations of methylmercury over varied periods of time and its binding by the cells was studied using 203Hg-labeled methylmercuric chloride as radioactive marker. Also studied was the effect of cell-bound methylmercury on DNA replication and protein synthesis and on the growth rate of the cells. The results show that methylmercury binding is a rapid process, with much of the organomercurial bound within the the first 60 min of incubation, and that considerable quantities of organic mercury become affixed to the cells. The amounts of bound methylmercury, [CH3Hg(II)]bound, given in mol/cell, range from 2 × 10−16 (at 1 h of incubation and at 1 μM CH3Hg(II) in the medium) to almost 4 × 10−14 (at 24 h of incubation and at 100 μM CH3Hg(II) in the medium). A [CH3Hg(II)]bound value of about 30 × 10−16 mol/cell appears to be the threshold below which cells display a normal growth pattern and below which metabolic events such as DNA replication or protein synthesis are affected only to a minor degree but above which major changes in cell metabolism and cell growth take place. Methylmercury binding by the cells is tight so that only 20% of the bound material is released from the cells over a 3-h incubation period when the cells are placed into fresh, methylmercury-free growth medium. Analysis of the binding data in terms of binding to identical and completely independent sites yields an association constant K of 7.92 × 104 l/mol and for the maximum concentration of cellular binding sites the value 2.40 × 10−14 mol/cell or 1.45 × 1010 sites/cell. Evidence is presented which shows that cellular sulfhydryl groups do not suffice to provide all the sites taken up by methylmercury and that binding, in all likelihood, involves basic nitrogen, too. The levels of cell-bound methylmercury are such that binding to HeLa DNA and HeLa chromatin, for instance, can readily take place. Methylmercury binding data obtained by using the technique of particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) are in good agreement with the data obtained via isotope dilution.
Lattice-matched GaP/SiGe virtual substrates for low-dislocation density GaInP/GaAsP/Si solar cells

Direct integration of GaP/Si must face a small, but non-negligible lattice constant mismatch, which due to thermal expansion differences between GaP and Si, reaches 0.5% at 900 K. This lattice mismatch results in the nucleation of misfit dislocations at the GaP/Si interface, requiring careful strain management and refinement of epitaxial processes. However, Si 0.88 Ge 0.12 virtual substrates grown on Si provide a nearly ideal lattice-matched template for GaP epitaxy. This paper describes the successful heteroepitaxial integration of lattice-matched GaP/Si 0.88 Ge 0.12 /Si, based upon the previously-demonstrated methodology for successful GaP/Si integration, which provides a potential alternative pathway for low defect density III–V/Si multijunction photovoltaics, parallel to that of direct GaP/Si.
Cytogenetic and Growth Characteristics of Human Lymphocytes Derived from Stored Donor Blood Packs

Observations of the persistence of donor lymphocytes following fetal transfusion and concern regarding the relationship of these cells to the post-transfusion health status of the recipient has stimulated a study of the cytogenetic characteristics of human lymphocytes derived from prepared packs of red blood cells. Virtually all (98.4 %) donor packs studied possessed mitotically competent cells which were suitable for chromosome counting and karyotype analysis. The number of viable cells diminished as a function of storage time as did the mitotic index. The incidence of both chromosome-type and chromatid-type aberrations were observed to increase significantly with increasing storage time. A comparative study of glass and plastic blood storage systems showed no statistically significant age-aberration type differences.
BuddyCache: high-performance object storage for collaborative strong-consistency applications in a WAN

Collaborative applications provide a shared work environment for groups of networked clients collaborating on a common task. They require strong consistency for shared persistent data and efficient access to fine-grained objects. These properties are difficult to provide in wide area networks because of high network latency.BuddyCache is a new transactional caching approach that improves the latency of access to shared persistent objects for collaborative strong-consistency applications in high-latency network environments. The challenge is to improve performance while providing the correctness and availability properties of a transactional caching protocol in the presence of node failures and slow peers.We have implemented a BuddyCache prototype and evaluated its performance. Analytical results, confirmed by measurements of the BuddyCache prototype using the multi-user 007 benchmark indicate that for typical Internet latencies, e.g. ranging from 40 to 80 milliseconds round trip time to the storage server, peers using BuddyCache can reduce by up to 50% the latency of access to shared objects compared to accessing the remote servers directly.
High-Speed Cineradiographic System For Biomechanics Impact Research

A high-speed 16-mm cineradiographic system previously developed at the University of Michigan, Highway Safety Research Institute, for use in biosciences research has been upgraded in capability by 1) increasing the x-ray field to 35-cm (14-in) by 43-cm (17-in), 2) incorporating a 35-mm high-speed motion picture to increase resolution, and 3) acauisition of a second x-ray head for three-dimensional x-ray stereophotogrammetric studies. This system now consists of a 35-mm Photosonics 4B camera, capable of 2500 frames per second, which views a 50-mm (2-in) diameter output phosphor of a highgain, 4-stage, magnetically focused image intensifier tube, gated on and off synchronously with the motion picture camera. A lens optically couples the input photocathode of the image tube to x-ray fluorescent (rare earth) anteelnimages produced by a smoothed d-c x-ray generator of a conventional type. The system is capable of a wide range of magnification ratios.
Does Growth Management Matter? The Effect of Growth Management on Economic Performance:

Growth management attempts to improve the ordering of development to improve outcomes. To taxpayers, growth management promises more efficient delivery of public facilities and services. To developers, growth management promises more certainty. To citizen activists, growth management promises resolution of development problems in advance, instead of on an ad hoc basis. These promises are heroic. Nonetheless, even if only partly successful, communities engaged in growth management should out-perform other communities in overall economic output. This paper evaluates the economic performance of 182 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) with 1990 populations between 100,000 and 500,000 over the period 1972 to 1992 with respect to presence or absence of growth management efforts such as urban growth boundaries, urban service limits, and state or regional oversight of local planning. We find a positive association between the presence of growth management and economic performance; communities engaged in growth ...
Re‐narrating the nation: Soyinka’s The Interpreters

The Interpreters, Soyinka’s first novel, was greeted by critics as a critique of the postcolonial state, as one of the so‐called novels of post‐independent disillusionment. This article does not deny this aspect of Soyinka’s social vision. The impulse behind the novel may well be the desire to expose the internal contradictions of the Nigerian nation: political independence without prosperity; the inability of the ruling class to displace the political and cultural hegemony of the colonizers; the failure of the state to forge an alternative economic or social path for the nation – all of which undermine the nation’s claim to relevance. However, the article goes beyond Soyinka’s critique of the Nigerian state to argue that, to situate Soyinka within the spectrum of postcolonial writers and thinkers, The Interpreters should be construed as a narrative rupture with the national model by presenting the nation as an ongoing interpretive project of participants in a social and political order. The nation thus e...
Gallium scans in myasthenia gravis.

A study was conducted to determine whether /sup 67/Ga scans could be used for the detection of thymomas and to investigate the activity of the thymus gland in patients with myasthenia gravis. Scans of the anterior mediastinum proved to be a reliable way to detect thymomas. The scans were positive in eight patients including three with myasthenia gravis and histologically proved thymomas, three others with severe myasthenia gravis and thymic tumors, and two with histologically proved thymomas not associated with myasthenia. Activity on /sup 67/Ga scans was not directly related to the increased activity of the thymus gland that is presumed to be associated with myasthenia gravis. (HLW)
A 17th-Century Account of Mohawk

SUMMARYJacques Bruyas (c.l630-c.l701) left a set of notes on Mohawk in the late 1600s which were published in 1862. His account and work done on the language in the 20th century are compared. Where he fails to record all the sound-contrasts that are functional in the language and is unable to cope with allophones, modern workers may still disagree on how best to represent them. His lack of models for the description of a polysynthetic language, with a modest phonemic inventory, but complex morphophonemics, obscures morphemic boundaries. Bruyas had the reputation among contemporaries of being equally fluent in French and Mohawk, yet his notes fail to mention factors that are obviously frequent, complex and demanded for accurate communication. While the vocabulary in his account is perhaps better handled than in modern works, the selection is more guided by human interest than grammatical relevance.RESUMELe missionnaire jesuite Jacques Bruyas (c.l630-c.l701) a legue un ensemble de notes sur la langue mohawk; elles furent publiees en 1862. Dans le present article, son traitement de cette langue iroquoise est compare avec des analyses modernes. Il est interessant a noter que, dans des cas ou Bruyas ne mentionne pas tous les contrastes sonores pertinents dans la langue, il arrive que des analystes modernes ne tombent pas toujours d'accord sur les conventions de transcription. On note egalement que l'absence d'un modele d'analyse pour une langue polysynthetique a un inventaire phone-mique restreint mais un systeme morphophonemique complexe, rend opaques les bornes morphemiques. Bruyas avait la reputation parmi ses contemporains d'avoir ete capable de parler avec aisance le mohawk aussi bien que sa langue maternelle, mais il est interessant a noter que son manuscrit ne fait pas mention des traits qui sont frequents, complexes et important pour une communication adequate. Par contre, le traitement du lexique est parfois meilleur par rapport a des travaux du XXe siecle; cependant, Bruyas suit l'interet humain plutot que la pertinence grammatical dans sa selection du vocabulaire de la langue mohawk.
Oscillations of Higher Order Neutral Differential Equations with Variable Coefficients

We obtain sufficient conditions for the oscillation of all solutions of the higher order neutral differential equation dn/dm[y(t) + P(t) y(t - μ)] + Q(t) y(t −σ) = 0, t ≧ t0 where n ≧ 1, P ϵ C[t0, ∞), R], Q ϵ C[t0, ∞), R] and τ, μ ϵ R+. Our results extend and improve several known results in the literature.
Human Temporal Cortical Single Neuron Activity during Language: A Review

Findings from recordings of human temporal cortical single neuron activity during several measures of language, including object naming and word reading are reviewed and related to changes in activity in the same neurons during recent verbal memory and verbal associative learning measures, in studies conducted during awake neurosurgery for the treatment of epilepsy. The proportion of neurons changing activity with language tasks was similar in either hemisphere. Dominant hemisphere activity was characterized by relative inhibition, some of which occurred during overt speech, possibly to block perception of one’s own voice. However, the majority seems to represent a dynamic network becoming active with verbal memory encoding and especially verbal learning, but inhibited during performance of overlearned language tasks. Individual neurons are involved in different networks for different aspects of language, including naming or reading and naming in different languages. The majority of the changes in activity were tonic sustained shifts in firing. Patterned phasic activity for specific language items was very infrequently recorded. Human single neuron recordings provide a unique perspective on the biologic substrate for language, for these findings are in contrast to many of the findings from other techniques for investigating this.
Dynamic Solvation in Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids

The dynamic solvation of the fluorescent probe, coumarin 153, is measured in five room-temperature ionic liquids using different experimental techniques and methods of data analysis. With time-resolved stimulated-emission and time-correlated single-photon counting techniques, it is found that the solvation is comprised of an initial rapid component of ∼55 ps. In all the solvents, half or more of the solvation is completed within 100 ps. The remainder of the solvation occurs on a much longer time scale. The emission spectra of coumarin 153 are nearly superimposable at all temperatures in a given solvent unless they are obtained using the supercooled liquid, suggesting that the solvents have an essentially glassy nature. The physical origin of the two components is discussed in terms of the polarizability of the organic cation for the faster one and the relative diffusional motion of the cations and the anions for the slower one. A comparison of the solvation response functions obtained from single-waveleng...
Corrigendum to “Number systems with simplicity hierarchies: A generalization of Conway's theory of surreal numbers”

An ordered class (A, <) is said to have cofinal (resp. coinitial) character a if a; is the least ordinal < On such that there is a cofinal (resp. coinitial) subclass of (A, <) that is isomorphic to a (resp. *a = the inverse of a). While having no impact on the proofs of the paper's other results, statement (iii) of Theorem 4 of [1, p. 1237] contains a minor error: it fails to mention that "(A, <) has cofinal character On and coinitial character On." Except for obvious additions, the published proof remains the same and the corrected statement of the theorem reads: Theorem 4. For a lexicographically ordered binary tree (A,<,<s) the following are equivalent: (i) (A,<s) is full; (ii) (A, <, <s) is complete; (iii) (A, <) has cofinal character On and coinitial character On, and the intersection of every nested sequence Ia(0 < a < ? G On) of nonempty convex subclasses of (A,<,<s) is nonempty (and, hence, by Theorem 1, contains a simplest member.) Without the addendum, (iii) would merely imply that (A, <) is a convex subclass of a lexicographically ordered full binary tree.
Reliability of Professional Judgments in Forensic Child Sexual Abuse Evaluations: Unsettled or Unsettling Science?

In the absence of photographic or DNA evidence, a credible eyewitness, or perpetrator confession, forensic evaluators in cases of alleged child sexual abuse must rely on psychosocial or “soft” evidence, often requiring substantial professional judgment for case determination. This article offers a three-part rebuttal to Herman's (2009) argument that forensic decisions based on psychosocial evidence are fundamentally unreliable and that this conclusion represents settled science. The article also discusses the potentially adverse consequences of Herman's proposed reforms to forensic practice on child protection and prosecution efforts.
Sinton crater, Mars: Evidence for impact into a plateau icefield and melting to produce valley networks at the Hesperian-Amazonian boundary

Abstract The majority of martian valley networks are found on Noachian-aged terrain and are attributed to be the result of a ‘warm and wet’ climate that prevailed early in Mars' history. Younger valleys have been identified, though these are largely interpreted to be the result of localized conditions associated with the melting of ice from endogenic heat sources. Sinton crater, a 60 km diameter impact basin in the Deuteronilus Mensae region of the dichotomy boundary, is characterized by small anastomosing valley networks that are located radial to the crater rim. Large scale deposits, interpreted to be the remains of debris covered glaciers, have been identified in the area surrounding Sinton, and our observations have revealed the occurrence of an ice rich fill deposit within the crater itself. We have conducted a detailed investigated into the Sinton valley networks with all the available remote data sets and have dated their formation to the Amazonian/Hesperian boundary. The spatial and temporal association between Sinton crater and the valley networks suggest that the impact was responsible for their formation. We find that the energy provided by an asteroid impact into surficial deposits of snow/ice is sufficient to generate the required volumes of melt water needed for the valley formation. We therefore interpret these valleys to represent a distinct class of martian valley networks. This example demonstrates the potential for impacts to cause the onset of fluvial erosion on Mars. Our results also suggest that periods of glacial activity occurred throughout the Amazonian and into the Hesperian in association with variations in spin orbital parameters.
Dual Fatty Acylation of p59Fyn Is Required for Association with the T Cell Receptor ζ Chain through Phosphotyrosine–Src Homology Domain-2 Interactions

The first 10 residues within the Src homology domain (SH)-4 domain of the Src family kinase Fyn are required for binding to the immune receptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) of T cell receptor (TCR) subunits. Recently, mutation of glycine 2, cysteine 3, and lysines 7 and 9 was shown to block binding of Fyn to TCR zeta chain ITAMs, prompting the designation of these residues as an ITAM recognition motif (Gauen, L.K.T., M.E. Linder, and A.S. Shaw. 1996. J. Cell Biol. 133:1007-1015). Here we show that these residues do not mediate direct interactions with TCR ITAMs, but rather are required for efficient myristoylation and palmitoylation of Fyn. Specifically, coexpression of a K7,9A-Fyn mutant with N-myristoyltransferase restored myristoylation, membrane binding, and association with the cytoplasmic tail of TCR zeta fused to CD8. Conversely, treatment of cells with 2-hydroxymyristate, a myristoylation inhibitor, blocked association of wild-type Fyn with zeta. The Fyn NH2 terminus was necessary but not sufficient for interaction with zeta and both Fyn kinase and SH2 domains were required, directing phosphorylation of zeta ITAM tyrosines and binding to zeta ITAM phosphotyrosines. Fyn/zeta interaction was sensitive to octylglucoside and filipin, agents that disrupt membrane rafts. Moreover, a plasma membrane bound, farnesylated Fyn construct, G2A,C3S-FynKRas, was not enriched in the detergent insoluble fraction and did not associate with zeta. We conclude that the Fyn SH4 domain provides the signals for fatty acylation and specific plasma membrane localization, stabilizing the interactions between the Fyn SH2 domain and phosphotyrosines in TCR zeta chain ITAMs.
Why are some Interfaces in Materials Stronger than others

Grain boundaries (GBs) are often the preferred sites for void nucleation in ductile metals. However, it has been observed that all boundaries do not contribute equally to this process. We present a mechanistic rationale for the role of GBs in damage nucleation in copper, along with a quantitative map for predicting preferred void nucleation at GBs based on molecular dynamics simulations in copper. Simulations show a direct correlation between the void nucleation stress and the ability of a grain boundary to plastically deform by emitting dislocations, during shock compression. Plastic response of a GB, affects the development of stress concentrations believed to be responsible for void nucleation by acting as a dissipation mechanism for the applied stress.
A circuit model for terahertz metafilms and effective medium implications

A lumped-element circuit model is shown to accurately describe the behavior of terahertz metafilms, or planar metamaterials. The model provides insight into the proper application of effective medium approximations in determining metafilm constitutive parameters.
The Complexity of Weight Loss Counseling

Counseling is a complex and dynamic interaction between provider and patient. Many questions surface with regard to the management of overweight and obese patients. The article, “What Do Physicians Recommend to their Overweight and Obese Patients?” in this issue of The Journal of the American
Challenges of Interferon-γ Release Assay Conversions in Serial Testing of Health-care Workers in a TB Control Program

Background Clinical data with use of serial interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) testing in US health-care workers (HCWs) are limited. Methods A single-center, retrospective chart review was done from 2007 to 2010 of HCWs who underwent preemployment QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube testing. Demographic data, bacille Calmette-Guerin history, prior tuberculin skin test result if done, and baseline and serial IGRA values were obtained. The number of IGRA converters and reverters and their subsequent management by infectious disease physicians were reviewed. Quantitative IGRA-negative values were not available. Results A total of 7,374 IGRAs were performed on newly hired HCWs. Of these tests, 486 (6.6%) were positive at baseline, 305 (4.1%) were indeterminate, and 6,583 (89.3%) were negative. From 2007 to 2010, 52 of 1,857 HCWs (2.8%) with serial IGRA tests were identified as converters, with a serial IGRA median value of 0.63 IU/mL. Seventy-one percent of HCWs with IGRA conversion had values ≤ 1 IU/mL. None of the converters had active TB or were part of an outbreak investigation. Conclusions Clinical significance of most QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube conversions in serial testing remains a challenging task for clinicians. The use of a single cutoff point criterion for IGRA may lead to overdiagnosis of new TB infections. Clinical assessment and evaluation may help to prevent unnecessary therapy in these cases. The criteria for defining conversions and reversions by establishing new cutoffs needs to be evaluated further, especially in HCWs.
GABA regulates synaptic integration of newly generated neurons in the adult brain

Adult neurogenesis, the birth and integration of new neurons from adult neural stem cells, is a striking form of structural plasticity and highlights the regenerative capacity of the adult mammalian brain. Accumulating evidence suggests that neuronal activity regulates adult neurogenesis and that new neurons contribute to specific brain functions. The mechanism that regulates the integration of newly generated neurons into the pre-existing functional circuitry in the adult brain is unknown. Here we show that newborn granule cells in the dentate gyrus of the adult hippocampus are tonically activated by ambient GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) before being sequentially innervated by GABA- and glutamate-mediated synaptic inputs. GABA, the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult brain, initially exerts an excitatory action on newborn neurons owing to their high cytoplasmic chloride ion content. Conversion of GABA-induced depolarization (excitation) into hyperpolarization (inhibition) in newborn neurons leads to marked defects in their synapse formation and dendritic development in vivo. Our study identifies an essential role for GABA in the synaptic integration of newly generated neurons in the adult brain, and suggests an unexpected mechanism for activity-dependent regulation of adult neurogenesis, in which newborn neurons may sense neuronal network activity through tonic and phasic GABA activation.
Workload Status of School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists in Texas

In 1993, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) recommended caseloads of 40 for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) practicing in the public schools, a recommendation that was not ...
Time spent on a web page is sufficient to infer a user's interest

An important research problem in Internet search engines is how to predict a frequent user's interest in certain type of web sites. Such personalized approach is believed to improve the ranking of the hyperlinks returned by a search engine. In this paper, we report experiments that indicate that the most important criterion to gauge the user's interest is the time he or she has spent in a given web site in the past.
Microbiota: Host Interactions in Mucosal Homeostasis and Systemic Autoimmunity

The vertebrate intestinal tract is colonized by hundreds of species of bacteria that must be compartmentalized and tolerated to prevent invasive growth and harmful inflammatory responses. Signaling initiated by commensal bacteria shapes antigen-specific mucosal and systemic adaptive immunity. A distinct type of effector CD4(+) T cells, Th17 cells, have a key role in coordinating the inflammatory immune responses that afford protection to pathogens at the mucosal interface. Balancing this powerful inflammatory response, regulatory T cells limit collateral damage and provide antigen-specific tolerance to both food and microbial antigens. Here, we discuss the implications for how the microbiota as a whole contributes to compartmentalization from the host and how individual constituents of the microbiota influence the functions and repertoire of effector T cells and organ-specific autoimmune disease.
Tirone David procedure for bicuspid aortic valve disease: impact of root geometry and valve type on mid-term outcomes

OBJECTIVES: A 180/180° configuration has been reported to increase repair durability after valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSARR) for bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease. We studied the impact of commissural angular configuration (CAC) and of BAV type on valve performance after V-SARR. METHODS: A total of 85 BAV patients (68 males, age 44 ± 11 years) underwent Tirone David-V V-SARR between 1997 and 2013. BAV type was documented intraoperatively, and CAC determined from pre- and postoperative computed tomography scans as the angle subtended by the non-fused cusp. Transthoracic echocardiogram was performed at 6 ± 3 days and at 2.9 ± 2.1 years. Functional end-points included freedom from aortic regurgitation (AR) 1+, AR 2+ and freedom from AR progression (0 to 1+, or 1+ to 2+). Tested variables included preoperative CAC (>160 vs 30° vs Δ< 30°) and Sievers’ BAV type (SO or S1). RESULTS: CAC in SO-BAV (n= 26) changed minimally from 164 ± 12 to 171 ± 11° (mean Δ = 7.2 ± 16°, P= 0.044), whereas in S1-BAV (n= 59) CAC changed substantially from 132 ± 19 to 156 ± 18° (mean Δ = 27 ± 21°, P< 0.001). Larger postoperative CAC angles were not linked to better mid-term valve performance, but Sievers’ BAV type had a major effect on valve performance: mild AR in S1/i BAV progressed more often (76 vs 32% at 4 years, P= 0.017) and 1+ AR was more frequent (70 vs 36% at 4 years, P= 0.008) compared with SO-BAV. CONCLUSIONS: BAV type, including number of raphes, sinuses and commissures (SO superior to S1) but not commissure geometry within the neoroot alone, appears to be linked to functional outcomes after V-SARR for BAV.
Evaluation of Bayesian models for focused clustering in health data

This paper examines the ability of Bayesian hierarchical models to recover evidence of disease risk excess around a fixed location. This location can be a putative source of health hazard, such as an incinerator, mobile phone mast or dump site. While Bayesian models are convenient to use for modeling, it is useful to consider how well these models perform in the true risk scenarios. In what follows, we evaluate the ability of these models to recover the true risk under simulation. It is surprising that the resulting posterior parameters estimates are heavily biased. Using the credible intervals for distance decline parameter to assess ‘coverage or power’ of detecting distance effect, the ‘power’ decreases with increasing correlation in the background population effect. The inclusion of correlated heterogeneity in models does affect the ability of the models to detect the stronger distance decline scenarios. The uncorrelated heterogeneity seems little affect this ability however. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RNA sequence analysis defines Dicer's role in mouse embryonic stem cells

Short RNA expression was analyzed from Dicer-positive and Dicer-knockout mouse embryonic [corrected] stem (ES) cells, using high-throughput pyrosequencing. A correlation of miRNA quantification with sequencing frequency estimates that there are 110,000 miRNAs per ES cell, the majority of which can be accounted for by six distinct miRNA loci. Four of these miRNA loci or their human homologues have demonstrated roles in cell cycle regulation or oncogenesis, suggesting that a major function of the miRNA pathway in ES cells may be to shape their distinct cell cycle. Forty-six previously uncharacterized miRNAs were identified, most of which are expressed at low levels and are less conserved than the set of known miRNAs. Low-abundance short RNAs matching all classes of repetitive elements were present in cells lacking Dicer, although the production of some SINE- and simple repeat-associated short RNAs appeared to be Dicer-dependent. These and other Dicer-dependent sequences resembled miRNAs. At a depth of sequencing that approaches the total number of 5' phosphorylated short RNAs per cell, miRNAs appeared to be Dicer's only substrate. The results presented suggest a model in which repeat-associated miRNAs serve as host defenses against repetitive elements, a function canonically ascribed to other classes of short RNA.
Free space optical wireless network

This talk explore an over the air optical wireless network and to create a network architecture for reliable high data rate free space optical networks that can interoperate with traditional wired and fiber networks. These networks will have significant impact for applications between ships, airborne vehicles, satellites and land-based cloud computing and data centres as an integrated high speed information system. Throughputs of well over Tbps can be supported by the network, which is compatible with next generations of Ethernet at 100 Gbps. The big challenge is to engineer the free space optical wireless network in the presence of atmospheric turbulence and weather, so it will behave properly when interfaced to other wire-line networks and for the protocols of the various network layers to interoperate end-to-end in a heterogeneous network setting.
"What would you do if you were me?" Effects of counselor self-disclosure versus non-disclosure in a hypothetical genetic counseling session.

Two prior studies suggest genetic counselors self-disclose primarily because patients ask them to do so (Peters et al., 2004; Thomas et al., 2006). However, scant research has investigated effects of counselor disclosure on genetic counseling processes and outcomes. In this study, 151 students (98 undergraduates, 53 graduates) completed one of three surveys describing a hypothetical genetic counseling session in which a patient at risk for FAP was considering whether to pursue testing or surveillance procedures. Dialogue was identical in all surveys, except for a final response to the question: “What would you do if you were me?” The counselor either revealed what she would do (Personal Disclosure), what other patients have done (Professional Disclosure), or deflected the question (No Disclosure). Imagining themselves as the patient, participants wrote a response to the counselor and indicated their perceptions of her. Participants rated the non-disclosing counselor significantly lower in social attractiveness than either disclosing counselor, and less satisfying than the professional disclosing counselor. Analysis of written responses yielded four themes: Made Decision, Sought Information, Expressed Thoughts/Feelings, and No Decision. Practice implications and research recommendations are provided.
LHRH Antagonists in Normal Men

During the last few years contraceptive research has focused on LHRH agonistic analogues because of their ability to inhibit gonadal function through a complex mechanism of pituitary desensitization [1–4]. However, in spite of our initial optimism, LHRH agonists do not completely and reliably suppress spermatogenesis [5–9]. Attention has therefore shifted to the investigation of potent antagonistic analogues of the hormone. Antagonistic analogues would be of considerable theoretic advantage in that not even transient stimulation of pituitary gonadotropin secretion would occur when such agents are used. Animal studies with LHRH antagonists have already shown that these analogues are more effective in inhibiting gonadal function and spermatogenesis than are agonists [10–16]. Until now such antagonists have been of relatively low potency. However, new LHRH antagonists have recently been synthesized that are potent enough to be evaluated in humans [12–14].
Extracting the fundamental frequency of a nonlinear chirp signal with modulated harmonic structure using ML, target tracking, and the Viterbi algorithm

We address the problem of extracting a time-varying fundamental frequency from a signal which has multiple, possibly aliased, harmonics, observed in potentially very high noise. The approach consists of an ML detector employing compressed likelihoods, followed by one of two processing stages which filter out unreasonable detections: either a target tracking approach or a Viterbi algorithm. Results show very good ability to extract the fundamental, even in very noisy data.
Cyber-Physical System Architectures for Dynamic, Real-Time “Need-to-Know” Authorization

Discussed is an Intelligent Information Agent (I 2 A) architecture for real-time, adaptive, need-to-know, authorization of access to confidential/classified information. The “Need-to-know” paradigm for information content access and access to application and service execution is desperately needed for the ubiquitous non-traditional physical computing systems (e.g. refrigerators, wearable computers, engine sub-systems etc.), beginning to connect into the cyber mesh. The multi-agent system is based on the ELYSE cognitive neural, intelligent agent framework and provides “need-to-know” context-based authorization of requests for access to confidential/classified information. “Need-to-know” authorization is that which grants access to confidential/classified information only if that information is necessary for the requestor’s task, based on their roles and credentials. In this system, authorization is treated as a text classification problem utilizing fuzzy-neural, self-organizing semantic maps which learn a learn decision criteria based on label information and are capable of generalizing this learned behavior to other information with a zero, or near-zero, false alarm rate. Since “need-to-know” authorizations must be determined for multiple tasks, multiple users, and multiple collections of information, with quick turn-around from request to delivery, the authorization agents must be adaptive and capable of learning new profiles rapidly and with little impact on the overall system performance. We define five different classification methods and provide an architectural framework for the agent system.
Dentin pretreatment and caries inhibition by a fluoride-releasing resin.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect that phosphoric acid etchant, used to remove the smear layer, may have on dentin demineralization inhibition. Fifteen molars had Class V preparations placed on the mesial and distal surfaces, the gingival seat being placed 1 mm below the cementoenamel junction. Randomly, one preparation of each tooth had etchant placed carefully on only enamel for 30 seconds. Etchant was placed on the gingival seat dentin of the remaining preparations, as well as the enamel for 30 seconds. A HEMA dentin primer containing maleic acid was placed and allowed to dry on the unetched dentin, then a Bis-GMA resin with tetrabutyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate was placed. Only the fluoridated resin was placed over the dentin that had been etched. All teeth were then restored with resin composite and subjected to an artificial caries challenge (pH 4.4) for 7 days. Sections 100 microns were obtained, photographed under polarized light microscopy and demineralized areas were digitized. Results demonstrated the mean area (mm2 +/- S.D.) demineralization 0.5 mm from the gingival margin to be: etched dentin (0.77 +/- 0.36); non-etched dentin (1.52 +/- 0.98). A t-test indicated that there was significantly less demineralization when the fluoridated resin came in direct contact with dentin that had the smear layer removed (P < 0.05).
Iatrogenic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Unprecedented long-term administration of drugs has increased the incidence of iatrogenic disease. Peptic ulcer may result from adrenocorticoid and phenylbutazone therapy. Aspirin may produce gastroduodenal irritation. Rauwolfia alkaloids stimulate gastric acid secretion. Acute staphylococcal enterocolitis, overgrowth of Candida albicans, and anorectal inflammation are occasionally associated with use of antibiotics.
Introduction and multiplication of bovine Babesia in human cells.

Bovine erythrocytes parasitised with Babesia major were fused with human UeLa cells by means of Sendai virus. B major parasites entered the Hel.a cell cytoplasm and in some cases underwent multiplication over a period of three days.
A Dream Deferred

When the National Assembly took charge of the French government and the Bastille crumbled at the hands of disaffected former soldiers and Parisians, signaling the beginning of the Revolution, many officers responded with outright elation. In their eyes, this Revolution heralded not a new beginning or sudden change, but the fulfillment of all the army reforms debated over the past several decades. Since the Seven Year’s War, officers, reformers, and even civilian writers envisioned how elements of a citizen army could be embodied in the French army. Modeled on ancient Greeks and Romans, and boosted by idealized accounts of American citizen soldiers, the French idea of a citizen army involved several elements, including patriotism, an officer corps with fewer abuses, and better conditions for soldiers. Despite efforts of multiple ministers of war and the Council of War to remove the abuses and create a lasting military constitution, conflict over privilege and divisions within the second estate blocked satisfying and lasting change. Disputes over reforms and heated conflicts between officers, as well as long-standing dissatisfaction on the part of the soldiers, ruptured the army, which, combined with violence in the provinces and in Paris, appeared to initiate the citizen army that reforming officers had hoped for. In the provinces, citizens formed ad hoc militias to protect their lives and property, soldiers refused to fire on citizens, and officers refused to give the order.
Spinal Epidural Lubricant Grease

This is a traumatic injury of the neck and chest due to high pressure ejection from a hydraulic machine of a bulldozer. The fluid trickled into the spinal canal causing compression.