Threshold Effects in Multi-channel Coupling and Spectroscopic Factors in Exotic Nuclei

In the threshold region, the cross section and the associated overlap integral obey the Wigner threshold law that results in the Wigner-cusp phenomenon. Due to flux conservation, a cusp anomaly in one channel manifests itself in other open channels, even if their respective thresholds appear at a different energy. The shape of a threshold cusp depends on the orbital angular momentum of a scattered particle; hence, studies of Wigner anomalies in weakly bound nuclei with several low-lying thresholds can provide valuable spectroscopic information. In this work, we investigate the threshold behavior of spectroscopic factors in neutron-rich drip-line nuclei using the Gamow Shell Model, which takes into account many-body correlations and the continuum effects. The presence of threshold anomalies is demonstrated and the implications for spectroscopic factors are discussed.Comment: Accepted in Physical Review C Figure correcte

Nuclear rupture at sites of high curvature compromises retention of DNA repair factors.

The nucleus is physically linked to the cytoskeleton, adhesions, and extracellular matrix-all of which sustain forces, but their relationships to DNA damage are obscure. We show that nuclear rupture with cytoplasmic mislocalization of multiple DNA repair factors correlates with high nuclear curvature imposed by an external probe or by cell attachment to either aligned collagen fibers or stiff matrix. Mislocalization is greatly enhanced by lamin A depletion, requires hours for nuclear reentry, and correlates with an increase in pan-nucleoplasmic foci of the DNA damage marker γH2AX. Excess DNA damage is rescued in ruptured nuclei by cooverexpression of multiple DNA repair factors as well as by soft matrix or inhibition of actomyosin tension. Increased contractility has the opposite effect, and stiff tumors with low lamin A indeed exhibit increased nuclear curvature, more frequent nuclear rupture, and excess DNA damage. Additional stresses likely play a role, but the data suggest high curvature promotes nuclear rupture, which compromises retention of DNA repair factors and favors sustained damage

Differential expression of the brassinosteroid receptor-encoding BRI1 gene in Arabidopsis

Abstract Brassinosteroid (BR)-regulated growth and development in Arabidopsis depends on BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1), the BR receptor that is responsible for initiating the events of BR signalling. We analysed the temporal and spatial regulation of BRI1 expression using stable transgenic lines that carried BRI1 promoter:reporter fusions. In both seedlings and mature plants the tissues undergoing elongation or differentiation showed elevated BRI1 gene activity, and it could be demonstrated that in the hypocotyl this was accompanied by accumulation of the BRI1 transcript and its receptor protein product. In seedlings the BRI1 promoter was also found to be under diurnal regulation, determined primarily by light repression and a superimposed circadian control. To determine the functional importance of transcriptional regulation we complemented the severely BR insensitive bri1-101 mutant with a BRI1-luciferase fusion construct that was driven by promoters with contrasting specificities. Whereas the BRI1 promoter-driven transgene fully restored the wild phenotype, expression from the photosynthesisassociated CAB3 and the vasculature-specific SUC2 and ATHB8 promoters resulted in plants with varying morphogenic defects. Our results reveal complex differential regulation of BRI1 expression, and suggest that by influencing the distribution and abundance of the receptor this regulation can enhance or attenuate BR signalling

Immunosuppressant-associated neurotoxicity responding to olanzapine.

Immunosuppressants, particularly tacrolimus, can induce neurotoxicity in solid organ transplantation cases. A lower clinical threshold to switch from tacrolimus to another immunosuppressant agent has been a common approach to reverse this neurotoxicity. H

Competency-based medical education and scholarship: Creating an active academic culture during residency.

The competency-based medical education movement has been adopted in several medical education systems across the world. This has the potential to result in a more active involvement of residents in the educational process, inasmuch as scholarship is regar

Immunosuppressant-Associated Neurotoxicity Responding to Olanzapine

Immunosuppressants, particularly tacrolimus, can induce neurotoxicity in solid organ transplantation cases. A lower clinical threshold to switch from tacrolimus to another immunosuppressant agent has been a common approach to reverse this neurotoxicity. However, immunosuppressant switch may place the graft at risk, and, in some cases, continuation of the same treatment protocol may be necessary. We report a case of immunosuppressant-associated neurotoxicity with prominent neuropsychiatric manifestation and describe psychiatric intervention with olanzapine that led to clinical improvement while continuing tacrolimus maintenance

The role of virtual states in the appearance of two-neutron halo

The existence of loosely bound, spatially extended states in a two-particle plus core system is studied. The description is given in the Schrödinger picture by treating the interactions in the scattering length approximation. The treatment supports the statement that the most favourable case for the appearance of the two-neutron halo is the existence of large negative neutron-core scattering length (a virtual state) besides the n-n virtual state

Competency-based medical education and scholarship: Creating an active academic culture during residency.

The competency-based medical education movement has been adopted in several medical education systems across the world. This has the potential to result in a more active involvement of residents in the educational process, inasmuch as scholarship is regar