bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toll-like Receptor 9 Agonists in HPV Vaccine Gardasil9
Authors: Lee Sin Hang
Published: May 2022

Gardasil9 is a recombinant human papillomavirus (HPV) 9-valent vaccine, containing purified major capsid L1 protein of HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 re-assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs) as the active ingredients. Since the antigens are purified recombinant proteins, in theory Gardasil9 needs a potent adjuvant to generate high and sustained levels of antibodies. Historically, amorphous aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate (AAHS), listed as the adjuvant for Gardasil9, was known to require one or more Toll-like receptor agonists, such as the phospholipids in the recombinant hepatitis B vaccine, Recombivax HB®. However, there are no phospholipids in the purified HPV L1 proteins or in Gardasil9. But the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that Gardasil4 does contain recombinant HPV L1-specific DNA fragments, and they may serve as Toll-like receptor 9 agonists in Gardasil9. The author has tested 5 samples of Gardasil9 from 4 manufacturing lots by PCR amplification with a set of degenerate primers followed by heminested PCR or by another 5 sets of non-degenerate nested PCR primers in an attempt to detect all 9 vaccine-relevant HPV type-specific L1 gene DNAs bound to AAHS in the vaccine. Sanger sequencing confirmed the presence of HPV 18, 11, 16 and 6 L1 gene DNA bound to insoluble AAHS nanoparticles, but they were unevenly distributed even within the same vaccine sample. Also, these fragments were at least partially in non-B conformations. Since no L1 gene DNA of HPV 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 was amplified by the commonly used degenerate PCR primers, the results suggest that these may all be in non-B conformations or may have been removed as contaminants by a purification protocol. Further research is warranted to standardize the HPV DNA fragments in Gardasil which are known to be potent Toll-like receptor 9 agonists.
Plan B Public Health Infrastructure and Operations Oversight Reform for America
Authors: Lyons-Weiler James
Published: May 2022

It’s not the public that needs more monitoring and oversight: it is the US regulatory agency of public health network and the pharmaceutical companies that run them. In this paper, I provide a blueprint for a bona fide public health infrastructure based on independence of freedom from corporatism.
“Covid-19 Vaccines” for Children in the UK: A Tale of Establishment Corruption
Authors: Hughes David A.
Published: May 2022

How and why has it come to pass that children as young as 12 in the UK are being injected with a novel form of mRNA technology that is unlicensed, has no long-term safety data, and remains in clinical trials until May 2023? This article traces the path by which the unthinkable became an alarming reality between October 2020 and September 2021 and also follows developments since then. Working chronologically, the actions and claims of the manufacturers, the regulators, politicians, and in particular the establishment media in promoting “COVID-19 vaccination” for children are examined. The actions taken by policy makers are juxtaposed to scientific evidence available showing that there has never been any rational justification for the mass rollout of “COVID-19 vaccines” to children. The rollout has been predicated on shifting narratives, obfuscations, faux justifications, outright lies, regulatory capture of supposed guardians of the public interest, and mass propaganda. Evidence of actual and potential injuries to children has accumulated from before the beginning of the rollout, in spite of repeated attempts to cover it up, and yet, the under-12s are now also in the crosshairs and children are being targeted for “booster shots.” A clear picture emerges of collusion and corruption at the highest levels in forcing through an agenda that runs contrary to public health, democracy, and freedom. It is becoming clear that the rollout to children has nothing to do with “SARS-CoV-2” and everything to do with ongoing efforts to refashion the international monetary system in the image of central bank digital currencies and biometric IDs. In pursuit of that agenda, the transnational ruling class has revealed that it is willing to maim and kill children knowingly, creating enormous potential for a backlash as the public becomes aware of what is being done.
The Effect of Heat Treatments Applied to Continuous Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites on Mechanical Properties
Authors: VATANDAŞ Bahri Barış , GÜMRÜK Recep , UŞUN Altuğ , YILDIZ Nuri
Published: May 2022

This study investigated the effects of different heat treatments on continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) 's. CFRTP composite is produced using fused deposition modeling (FDM), which is one of the additive manufacturing methods. Polylactic acid (PLA) was used as a matrix, and carbon fibers (3K) were utilized as reinforcement material. First, CFRTP filament was produced on a specially designed melt impregnation line. Afterward, test samples were manufactured via a conventional 3D printer. Then, heat treatments (re-melting in salt, microwave oven, oven) were applied to the produced samples, and the effects of these processes on mechanical properties were investigated. Three-point bending tests were used to investigate the mechanical properties of the test samples. As a result of the heat treatments applied to the CFRTP specimens, flexural stresses between 200 and 220 MPa was achieved. The highest bending stress was obtained by re-melting in salt. As a result of the heat treatments, the stress values are similar, but the re-melting in salt application exhibited a more rigid behavior.
Effect of an Emergency Department Closure on Homeless Patients and Adjacent Hospitals
Authors: Gummerson Scott , Smith Megan , Warren Otis
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Homeless and housed patients differ on several emergency department (ED) metrics (emergency medical services [EMS] use, chief complaints, admission rates, etc.). On January 1, 2018, Memorial Hospital (MH), a safety-net hospital in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, closed. We studied the impact of this closure by analyzing homeless patient utilization of the two closest EDs before and after MH closed.

Methods: A retrospective chart review compared the ED records of The Miriam Hospital (TMH), (1.8 miles from MH) and Rhode Island Hospital (RIH), (4.3 miles from MH). We analyzed visits between January 1, 2017–December 30, 2018. (MH closed on 1/1/2018). Patients were identified as homeless if their address listed was either “homeless” or a shelter/ homeless service provider. All other patients were assumed to be housed. We removed from the analysis visits without an address listed or visits missing other key study variables (1.6% of the total).

Results: A total of 113,925 unique patients visited the RIH and TMH EDs in 2017, as well as 117,167 in 2018. Homeless patients accounted for 1.18% of patients seen in 2017 and 1.32% in 2018. Between 2017 and 2018, this represents an increase of individual homeless patients of 15.46% (1553-1345), while the number of unique housed patients increased by 2.69% (115,614-112,580). The closer hospital, TMH, saw a 43.72% increase in homeless visits, while RIH saw an 8% increase. Homeless patients were discharged significantly more often than housed patients (74% vs 65%) and had significantly longer time to admission (466.0 vs 304.0 minutes) and discharge (397.9 vs 263.7 minutes) compared to housed patients. Homeless patients presented with suicidality (8.61% of visits) and alcohol-related concerns (29.88% of visits) significantly more than housed patients (1.43% and 2.94%, respectively).

Conclusion: When a local ED closes, other EDs are impacted. We found visits made by homeless patients increased more than those made by housed patients and skewed significantly toward the closer hospital. We also found that homeless patients spend significantly more time in the ED and presented with behavioral health complaints more frequently. This impact of hospital closure on patterns of ED utilization by homeless patients has implications for ED management and homeless services both in the ED and the community.
INDICADORES SOCIOAMBIENTAIS E APLICABILIDADE NO ALTO CURSO DA BACIA HIDROGRÁFICA DO RIO MUNDAÚ-PE
Authors: Araújo Marcelo Siqueira de , Araújo Hélio Mário de , Silva Junior Clovis Gomes da
Published: May 2022

O alto curso da bacia do rio Mundaú no Estado de Pernambuco é o objeto de análise das relações socioambientais tendo como base a metodologia do Barômetro da Sustentabilidade aliada à visão sistêmica possibilitou a produção do diagrama de vulnerabilidade moldado na análise de três dimensões: ambiental, econômica e social, mediante aplicação de indicadores de sustentabilidade adotados pelo IBGE. A dimensão ambiental apresentou o nível de vulnerabilidade alto, impulsionado pela baixa fertilidade dos solos, acentuado índice de desmatamento, desarticulação do Comitê de bacia, além da falta de diagnósticos sobre os recursos hídricos. Na dimensão social, o nível mostrou-se moderado, porém inspirando cuidados quanto aos baixos índices de IDHM, altas taxas de analfabetismo e mortalidade infantil. E por fim, a dimensão econômica necessita de ações urgentes, tendo em vista o nível de vulnerabilidade alto nos indicadores: rendimento per capita, número de empregados no setor formal, produção agropecuária e PIB. A análise do diagrama de vulnerabilidade demonstra que o território possui fragilidades em seu planejamento e gestão dos recursos naturais fazendo-se necessárias intervenções a nível municipal e federal de curto, médio e longo prazo visando à manutenção e preservação da bacia.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis
Authors: Dacić Slavica , Ivanović Dragana , Pavlović Ljiljana
Published: May 2022

Introduction. The most common form of leishmaniasis is cutaneous leishmaniasis. It presents with cutaneous lesions of the unprotected parts of the skin which leave scars later on. The causative agents are protozoae from the Leishmania species , and there are more than 20 of them. Clinical presentation and therapy depend on the type of leishmaniasis. The vectors of leishmaniosis are flies from the Phlebotomus species, and the source of infection is people and animals. Case report. A patient used to work in Iraq. Due to skin lesions that persisted for three months and suspicion of cutaneous leishmaniosis, he was sent by an infectious disease specialist from General hospital, Pancevo to the Public Health Institute of Serbia - PHIS. Lesions were localized on the hands, in the form of plaques with central ulcerations. There were similar cases among his colleagues. Microscopic examination of the skin samples, Giemza stained, showed intracellular amastigote Leishmania. The patient spent two months in the Clinic for infectious and tropical diseases. He was treated with fluconazole and liposomal amphotericin B and discharged with crusts on his hands. Clinical presentation, epidemiologic data, and microbiological diagnosis are very important for the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Effect of a cover crop on the aphid incidence is not explained by increased top-down regulation
Authors: Alvarez-Baca Jeniffer K. , Montealegre Xiomara , Le Lann Cécile , Van Baaren Joan , Lavandero Blas
Published: May 2022

Background

Cover crops can be used as a habitat management strategy to enhance the natural enemies and their temporal synchronization with a target pest. We examined the effect of winter oat intercropping within organic plum orchards on the natural enemy abundance and seasonal dynamics on the biological control of plum aphids in spring in Central Chile.

Methods

We compared the incidence and abundance of natural enemies and aphid pests from winter to the end of spring using two treatments: (1) plum trees with an oat cover crop (OCC) and (2) plum trees without a cover crop but with spontaneous vegetation (SV). We hypothesized that cover crops allow the development of winter cereal aphids, promoting the early arrival of natural enemies in spring, resulting in an earlier control of plum aphids.

Results

Winter cereal aphids developed well on the OCC, and as a result, a lower plum aphid incidence in spring was observed when compared to the SV. However, the abundance of natural enemies and the parasitism rates cannot explain the positive impacts of the oat cover crop on the aphid populations as there were no differences between treatments. A potential effect of the oat due to chemical and/or physical stimuli (bottom-up effects) could help to explain these results.
Influencia de la “diplomacia militar” en las fuerzas armadas chilenas durante la temprana guerra fría 1942-1952
Authors: Garay Vera Cristian Eduardo , Troncoso Zúñiga Valeska Tamara
Published: May 2022

Los autores caracterizan un periodo de las relaciones civiles-militares en Chile anterior a la crisis de 1973. Es el periodo comprendido entre los años 1942 y 1952 para aplicar un concepto de "diplomacia militar" y describir las relaciones profesionales autónomas entre las fuerzas armadas de Chile y Estados Unidos. Esto nos permite verificar el modelo del profesionalismo de Huntington, pues si bien estos contactos entre las Fuerzas Armadas se relacionan en un nivel profesional, mediante la asistencia militar estadounidense, en el marco de cooperación panamericana, se produce una concordancia entre la perspectiva estratégica chilena y la estadounidense. Todo dentro de una subordinación formal en términos de relaciones civiles-militares. Esto les permite a los mandos militares chilenos comunicar a nivel de la conducción política y del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Chile sus propuestas concordadas con mandos militares de EE.UU.
La organización política ciudadana asistida por TIC, una aproximación sobre la influencia del “efecto red”, la brecha digital y la brecha participativa en el contexto chileno
Authors: Mellado Gatica Alejandro Mauricio
Published: May 2022

El objetivo de este trabajo está centrado en determinar cómo el efecto red, la brecha digital y la brecha participativa afectan el uso de las herramientas TIC en la actividad política ciudadana. Para esta labor, como primer apartado, se presenta una fundamentación teórica que sirve como marco de referencia para dar sustento al uso de las aplicaciones de software en la actividad política. Un segundo apartado definirá los conceptos de “brecha digital”, “brecha participativa” y “efecto red”, factores necesarios para determinar la disposición de los usuarios a utilizar una tecnología de software y/o la disponibilidad de la tecnología al alcance de usuarios políticos. La tercera parte evidenciará de manera cronológica el uso de distintas herramientas TIC en la acción política chilena, describiendo además, una agrupación política de base tecnológica. Un cuarto apartado realiza un análisis que determina cómo el efecto red y la brecha participativa inciden en el uso de las aplicaciones. Concluyendo que existe una brecha digital significativa en el uso e implementación de aplicaciones auto-gestionadas específicas, que tiende a contener las opciones alternativas, que concentra además. los usuarios en sólo unas pocas empresas transnacionales de Internet. No obstante, es posible observar pequeñas organizaciones políticas que están dispuestas al uso de las aplicaciones de software alternativo auto-gestionadas, presentándose en prospectiva una brecha participativa que puede dar ventajas comparativas a un grupo de activistas o partido político por sobre otros.
Voto electrónico en Chile: una evaluación desde una perspectiva técnica, jurídica y política
Authors: Viollier Bonvin Pablo Agustin , Riveros Bastián
Published: May 2022

Durante los últimos años, diversas voces se han hecho parte en el debate sobre la incorporación del voto electrónico en la administración electoral de Chile. Ya sea por motivos de eficiencia, rapidez en la entrega de resultados o bajo la promesa de mejorar la participación ciudadana, sus promotores ven en su implementación la solución a fenómenos como el aumento sostenido del abstencionismo o eventuales fraudes electorales.No obstante, aplicar soluciones tecnológicas a problemas políticos exige introducir una evaluación que ponga el acento en los derechos políticos propios de todo sistema electoral. De esta forma, la presente investigación apuntará a establecer en qué medida el voto electrónico satisface un análisis de costo-beneficio, cuya centralidad serán las garantías democráticas puestas en juego, así como los rasgos esenciales de las tecnologías involucradas en su funcionamiento.Por tratarse de verdaderas infraestructuras críticas, y tomando en consideración experiencias comparadas, no es posible afirmar que el voto electrónico cumpla con elementos indisociables de un acto de votación: auditabilidad, integridad y secreto del voto. Más aún, por las características propias de estas tecnologías, éstas tres variables no podrán ser verificadas en la práctica, por lo que la implementación del voto electrónico no resulta adecuada para nuestro sistema electoral
Influence of Salinity with Different Cl-:SO42- Ratios on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Growth
Authors: Asad Muhammad , Zuhra Naqshe , Murtaza Ghulam , Shahzad Faiza , Akhtar Tayaba , Naghman Neha , Shahbaz Umar
Published: May 2022

A major threat for sustainable agriculture is the continuous increase in salt-affected area. Salt stress causes the land degradation, ecological imbalance, Environmental pollution and reduce the crop production. It changes different physical and chemical processes taking place in plant body such as seed germination and uptake of different nutrients and water. Wheat is the main cereal crop and primary diet for one third population of the humans. It can tolerate the salinity effect to some extent but at higher level of salinity, its production reduces significantly. Salt-affected soils have relatively more number of salts which are easily solubilize in water and exchangeable sodium as compared to the normal soil. These salts are ionized and produce different types of cations (Mg2+, Ca2+ and Na+) and anions (Cl-, CO32-, SO42-, and HCO3-). Sulphate salinity is also toxic for plant growth as chloride salinity. The objective of this research is to assess the effect of salinity with various Cl-:SO42- ratios on wheat growth. A pot trial was conducted on wheat by creating salinity with different levels of chloride and sulphate (4:1, 3:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4). Experimental design was complete randomized design (CRD). Different physiochemical parameters of soil before and after harvesting of the crop and also growth parameters were determined. Data was analysed using statistical software. On the basis of these results, it was determined that both types of salinity reduced the wheat growth significantly, but chloride type salinity has more injurious effect than sulphate salinity. It was concluded that chloride ion has more toxic effect than sulphate ion for wheat growth and development.
Two resident ER‐proteins, CaBP1 and CaBP2, with thioredoxin domains, are substrates for thioredoxin reductase: comparison with protein disulfide isomerase
Authors: Lundström-Ljung Johanna , Birnbach Ulrike , Rupp Katrin , Söling Hans-Dieter , Holmgren Arne
Published: July 2002

Protein disulfide‐isomerase (PDI) is the best known representative of a growing family of enzymes with thioredoxin domains. Two such proteins with thioredoxin (Trx) domains, CaBP1 and CaBP2 (ERp72), have previously been isolated from rat liver microsomes. Here we report that they, like PDI are substrates for thioredoxin reductase and will catalyze NADPH‐dependent insulin disulfide reduction. The activity of CaBP1 and CaBP2 in this assay was higher than that of PDI but lower than that of E. coli Trx. Furthermore, as isolated the thioredoxin domains of CaBP1 and CaBP2 were in disulfide form as judged by stoichiometric oxidation of 2 and 3 mol of NADPH in CaBP1 and CaBP2, respectively. The redox potential of the active site disulfide/dithiol was estimated from the equilibrium with a mutant E. coli Trx, P34H Trx, with a known redox potential (−235 mV). This showed that CaBP1 and CaBP2, like PDI, have a much higher redox potential than wild type thioredoxin (−270 mV) in agreement with a role in formation of protein disulfide bonds. In conclusion, in vitro CaBP1 and CaBP2 share catalytic properties in thiol disulfide‐interchange reactions with PDI. Thus, the well known activity of PDI is not unique in the endoplasmic reticulum and CaBP1 and CaBP2 may be regarded as functional equivalents.
Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel gene encoding limonoid UDP‐glucosyltransferase in Citrus1
Authors: Kita Masayuki , Hirata Yutaka , Moriguchi Takaya , Endo-Inagaki Tomoko , Matsumoto Ryoji , Hasegawa Shin , Suhayda Charles G. , Omura Mitsuo
Published: July 2002

We isolated a cDNA clone encoding limonoid UDP‐glucosyltransferase (limonoid GTase) from the albedo of Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.) and investigated the contribution to limonoid glucoside accumulation in fruit. The isolated cDNA clone (CitLGT) was 1732 bp in length encoding 511 deduced amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 57.5 kDa. The products of in vitro translation from an expression vector had the limonoid GTase activity. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA indicated that CitLGT was present as a single copy gene in the Citrus genome. The amount of transcript corresponding to CitLGT mRNA changed the same way as the fluctuation of limonin glucoside content during fruit development of navel orange (Citrus sinensis Osb.). This indicates that the transcription of CitLGT regulates the conversion of limonoid aglycones to glucosides in citrus fruit.
Surface plasmon resonance studies prove the interaction of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+ release channel/ryanodine receptor with calsequestrin
Authors: Herzog Anke , Szegedi Csaba , Jona Istvan , Herberg Friedrich W , Varsanyi Magdolna
Published: July 2002

A high affinity molecular interaction is demonstrated between calsequestrin and the sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+ release channel/ryanodine receptor (RyR) by surface plasmon resonance. K
D values of 92 nM and 102 nM for the phosphorylated and dephosphorylated calsequestrin have been determined, respectively. Phosphorylation of calsequestrin seems not to influence this high affinity interaction, i.e. calsequestrin might always be bound to RyR. However, the phosphorylation state of calsequestrin determines the amount of Ca2+ released from the lumen. Dephosphorylation of approximately 1% of the phosphorylated calsequestrin could be enough to activate the RyR channel half‐maximally, as we have shown previously [Szegedi et al., Biochem. J. 337 (1999) 19].
α‐Actinin‐2 couples to cardiac Kv1.5 channels, regulating current density and channel localization in HEK cells
Authors: Maruoka Neil D , Steele David F , Au Billie P.-Y , Dan Pauline , Zhang Xue , Moore Ed D.W , Fedida David
Published: July 2002

Voltage‐gated K+ (Kv) channels are particularly important in the physiology of excitable cells in the heart and the brain. PSD‐95 is known to cluster Shaker channels and NMDA receptors and the latter is known to couple through α‐actinin‐2 to the post‐synaptic cytoskeleton [Wyszynski et al. (1997) Nature 385, 439–442], but the mechanisms by which Kv channels are linked to the actin cytoskeleton and clustered at specific sites in the heart are unknown. Here we provide evidence that Kv1.5 channels, widely expressed in the cardiovascular system, bind with α‐actinin‐2. Human Kv1.5 interacts via its N‐terminus/core region and can be immunoprecipitated with α‐actinin‐2 both after in vitro translation and from HEK cells expressing both proteins. The ion channels and α‐actinin‐2 co‐localize at the membrane in HEK cells, where disruption of the actin cytoskeleton and antisense constructs to α‐actinin‐2 modulate the ion and gating current density.
Enhancement of Kasugamycin Production by pH Shock in Batch Cultures of Streptomyceskasugaensis
Authors: Kim Chang Joon , Chang Yong Keun , Chun Gie‐Taek
Published: July 2002

Biosynthesis of kasugamycin could be greatly enhanced by applying a nonnutritional stress of pH shock, that is, sequential pH changes from a neutral pH to an acidic condition and then back to the neutral condition. During the acidic period, cell growth decreased to nil. After recovery of the neutral condition, the cell growth resumed after a time lag concurrently with the biosynthesis of kasugamycin at a greatly enhanced rate compared with the control case without a pH shock. In a series of experiments performed to identify the optimal length of pH shock, four different lengths (6, 12, 24, and 48 h) of pH shock were applied. The best result was obtained when pH shock was applied for 24 h, with kasugamycin productivity approximately 7‐fold higher than that of the control.
Development of a Bioartificial Nerve Graft. II. Nerve Regeneration in Vitro
Authors: Rutkowski Gregory E. , Heath Carole A.
Published: July 2002

A promising alternative for the repair of peripheral nerve injuries is the bioartificial nerve graft, or BNG, comprised of a tubular conduit preseeded with Schwann cells, which are an effective substrate for enhancing nerve regeneration. The physical properties of the conduit, porosity and wall thickness, as well as the Schwann cell seeding density, were tested for their effect on axon growth using rat dorsal root ganglia. These parameters can influence the amount of nutrients and growth factors made available to the neural tissue. Results show that a greater wall thickness and lower porosities have a detrimental effect on the growth of the axons. Over a four week period, axons extended 3.2 mm for the optimum case (Δ R = 0.82 mm, ϵ = 0.75) compared to 1.8 and 1.6 mm for a lower porosity (0.55) and a greater wall thickness (1.4 mm), respectively. A maximum in the growth rate occurs at a porosity of 75% for Schwann cell seeded conduits but not for unseeded ones. When compared to mass transfer predictions, the results suggest that, at higher porosities, more growth factors diffuse out of the conduit, while at low porosities there is competition for nutrients. Increasing the Schwann cell seeding density enhances growth but also leads to an increase in the number of axons along the length of the conduit. This is indicative of branching of the axons, which requires additional resources to maintain and can lead to painful neuroma formation. Wall thickness and porosity were found not to have any significant effect on the axon number sprouting from the dorsal root ganglia and the mean diameter ( p > 0.05). Considerations need to be made, not just on the polymer used, but also on its porosity, wall thickness, and Schwann cell seeding density. These parameters can be adjusted to create a bioartificial nerve graft that provides the optimal environment for nerve growth.
Primary Separation of the Entomopathogenic Products of Bacillus thuringiensis
Authors: Villafaña‐Rojas Juan , Gutiérrez Eduardo , de la Torre Mayra
Published: July 2002

An efficient recovery of the active spore−crystal complex of Bacillus thuringiensis was achieved by using either a disk‐stack centrifuge or a rotary vacuum filter. In both operations the spore recovery efficiency was higher than 99%. Nevertheless, the concentration of dry solids produced by each method strongly differed, being 31.5% for filtration and 7.5% for centrifugation, while the organic solids concentration increased 9.2 and 2.5 times, respectively. Adjustment of the broth to pH 4 improved the solid−liquid separation efficiency.
Historical relationships of the Mexican cloud forests: a preliminary vicariance model applying Parsimony Analysis of Endemicity to vascular plant taxa
Authors: Luna Vega Isolda , Alcántara Ayala Othón , Espinosa Organista David , Morrone Juan J.
Published: July 2002

Mexican cloud forests, situated between 600 and 3000 m of elevation, exhibit a remarkable high biotic diversity. They follow a fragmented pattern, similar to that of an archipelago, that makes them suitable to vicariance modelling. A Parsimony Analysis of Endemicity (PAE) was applied to the presence/absence of 1267 species of vascular plants (gymnosperms, angiosperms, and pteridophytes) from twenty‐four patches of Mexican cloud forests, in order to postulate a preliminary hypothesis of relationships. The single cladogram obtained grouped the twenty‐four cloud forests into five clades. These results indicate that the Sierra Madre Oriental, Sierra Madre del Sur, and Serranías Meridionales floristic provinces do not represent natural units. A preliminary vicariance model is presented to explain the sequence of fragmentation of the Mexican cloud forests.
Phage randomization in a charybdotoxin scaffold leads to CD4‐mimetic recognition motifs that bind HIV‐1 envelope through non‐aromatic sequences
Authors: Li C. , Dowd C.S. , Zhang W. , Chaiken I.M.
Published: July 2002

Abstract: Binding of HIV‐1 gp120 to T‐cell receptor CD4 initiates conformational changes in the viral envelope that trigger viral entry into host cells. Phage epitope randomization of a β‐turn loop of a charybdotoxin‐based miniprotein scaffold was used to identify peptides that can bind gp120 and block the gp120–CD4 interaction. We describe here the display of the charybdotoxin scaffold on the filamentous phage fUSE5, its use to construct a β‐turn library, and miniprotein sequences identified through library panning with immobilized Env gp120. Competition enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) identified high‐frequency phage selectants for which specific gp120 binding was competed by sCD4. Several of these selectants contain hydrophobic residues in place of the Phe that occurs in the gp120‐binding β‐turns of both CD4 and previously identified scorpion toxin CD4 mimetics. One of these selectants, denoted TXM[24GQTL27], contains GQTL in place of the CD4 β‐turn sequence 40QGSF43. TXM[24GQTL27] peptide was prepared using solid‐phase chemical synthesis, its binding to gp120 demonstrated by optical biosensor kinetics analysis and its affinity for the CD4 binding site of gp120 confirmed by competition ELISA. The results demonstrate that aromatic‐less loop‐containing CD4 recognition mimetics can be formed with detectable envelope protein binding within a β‐turn of the charybdotoxin miniprotein scaffold. The results of this work establish a methodology for phage display of a charybdotoxin miniprotein scaffold and point to the potential value of phage‐based epitope randomization of this miniprotein for identifying novel CD4 mimetics. The latter are potentially useful in deconvoluting structural determinants of CD4‐HIV envelope recognition and possibly in designing antagonists of viral entry.
Compliance with recommendations from a screening programme for diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Lee S J , Livingston P M , Harper C A , McCarty C A , Taylor H R , Keeffe J E
Published: July 2002

Methods: General practitioner compliance with recommendations for patient follow‐up after participation in a screening programme for diabetic retinopathy was assessed. Six months after screening with non‐mydriatic retinal photography in four areas of Victoria, the general practitioner of each participant was surveyed if the participant reported no examination for diabetic retinopathy in the past 2 years and if the results of the screening indicated the need for further assessment.

Results: Overall, 208 of 253 (82%) completed questionnaires were analysed. A total of 123 (59%) patients were referred by their doctors for further assessment and 97 (79%) of those referred were reported to have complied with the referral. Of the 85 (41%) patients who were not referred for further assessment, 31 (36%) were reported by their doctors to be already under regular review by an ophthalmologist.

Conclusions: Compliance with general practitioner referrals suggests that this screening programme was effective and a useful means by which to remind general practitioners of the importance of regular eye examinations for people with diabetes.
Differential Degradation of the Photosynthetic Apparatus During Leaf Senescence in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
Authors: Miersch I. , Heise J. , Zelmer I. , Humbeck K.
Published: July 2002

Abstract: Senescence processes were investigated in attached seedling leaves of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Steffi) grown under standardized conditions in growth chambers. Even a few days after reaching full length, total chlorophyll and protein content of first foliage leaves start to decrease, indicating degradation of photosynthetic units. About five weeks later, the final stage of leaf senescence is reached, with almost no chlorophyll and only about 30 % of the protein remaining. In spite of the early decrease in total protein and chlorophyll content, efficiency of remaining photosystem II units stays high for about 3 weeks. Then it rapidly decreases, reaching values close to zero two weeks later. The second leaves show similar changes in photosynthetic parameters as the primary leaves, but the kinetics are delayed by about 1 week. Immunological analyses reveal specific changes in the composition of the photosynthetic units during leaf senescence. The level of photosystem I reaction centre protein sharply decreases at 35 d after sowing. Levels of photosystem II reaction centre protein D1 and of cytochrome f also decrease at this developmental stage, but not as markedly as the photosytem I reaction centre. Lower levels of these proteins can still be detected in later stages of senescence. A preferential loss of photosystem I reaction centre at this developmental stage could also be shown by spectroscopic measurements of concentrations of reaction centre pigments P700 (photosystem I) and Qa (photosystem II, existing in a 1: 1 stochiometry to P680). In contrast to reaction centre proteins and cytochrome f, inner light‐harvesting complex LHCI of photosystem I is more stable, still showing high levels even in later stages of senescence. Analyses of transcript levels of the corresponding genes show that changes in protein levels are, in part, due to differential down regulation of gene expression during senescence. Whereas the proportions of psaA/B and petA transcripts start to decrease in primary leaves about 3 weeks after sowing, proportions of psbA and Lhcb4 transcripts stay high, even in late stages of senescence.
H− production in a small multicusp ion source with addition of barium
Authors: Walther S. R. , Leung K. N. , Kunkel W. B.
Published: July 2002

The effect on H− production by adding barium to a hydrogen discharge, in a small magnetically filtered multicusp ion source, has been investigated. It is found that the addition of barium can increase the H− output by a factor of 30. A strong dependence of H− output on the temperature of the ion source wall has also been observed.
Carrier decay in GaAs quantum wells
Authors: Pickin William , David J. P. R.
Published: July 2002

Carrier decays following pulsed excitation in GaAs-AlGaAs quantum wells have in the past been attributed to an excitonic recombination path. We show here that such an interpretation is inconsistent with the experimental evidence, and that the decays are controlled by recombination through electronic states at the GaAs-AlGaAs interfaces. We discuss the expected magnitude of the decay times and the influence of carrier trapping on the decay process.
X-ray spectromicroscopy with a zone plate generated microprobe
Authors: Ade Harald , Kirz Janos , Hulbert Steven L. , Johnson Erik D. , Anderson Erik , Kern Dieter
Published: July 2002

The scanning photoelectron microscope at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) has recently recorded micrographs with a resolution below half a micron. To demonstrate elemental and chemical sensitivity at the submicron level, an artificial structure consisting of Al and SiO2 lines on a boron-doped silicon substrate was examined. Al 2p and Si 2p primary photoelectrons as well as O KVV Auger electrons were used for image formation. Contrast reversal between the the Si and SiO2 areas was observed in images formed from Si 2p and oxide-shifted Si 2p photoelectrons. The soft x-ray undulator at the NSLS provides coherent illumination of a zone plate to produce the microprobe. The sample is mechanically scanned through the beam allowing the formation of images from photoelectrons detected by a single-pass cylindrical mirror analyzer, or a more complete spectroscopic examination of a selected area of the sample.
Alignment of liquid crystal on a polarizing metal film
Authors: Armitage David
Published: July 2002

Some liquid-crystal device applications favor a thin-film polarizer adjacent to the liquid. Wire grid type polarizing metal films fabricated by oblique evaporation can provide liquid-crystal alignment layers. The alignment of a nematic liquid crystal on a polarizing metal film is reported.
Quantum transport in ultrathin CoSi2 epitaxial films
Authors: DiTusa J. F. , Parpia J. M. , Phillips Julia M.
Published: July 2002

Magnetotransport measurements have been performed in thin cobalt disilicide films epitaxially grown on Si(111) wafers. Films of thickness between 4.0 and 20.0 nm were studied in order to ascertain the important electron scattering rates. A temperature independent contribution to the phase breaking scattering rate was determined and attributed to spin–spin scattering of the conduction electrons which increases as the film thickness is decreased. The origin of this scattering and its importance to the low-temperature electron transport are discussed.
Shear horizontal surface acoustic waves on large amplitude gratings
Authors: Baghai-Wadji A. R. , Maradudin A. A.
Published: July 2002

We calculate the dispersion curves of surface acoustic waves of shear horizontal polarization propagating perpendicular to the grooves of a lamellar grating ruled on the surface of a cubic elastic medium. The calculation is based on a formulation of the problem that employs a coordinate-dependent elastic modulus tensor and mass density, and is valid for an arbitrary ratio of the height of the ridges to the period of the grating. It is found that as this ratio increases the dispersion curve acquires additional, high-frequency branches in addition to the one already known from earlier studies of this problem. An explanation for this result is proposed.
Proposal and verification of a new visible light emitter based on wide band gap II-VI semiconductors
Authors: Phillips M. C. , Wang M. W. , Swenberg J. F. , McCaldin J. O. , McGill T. C.
Published: July 2002

We propose a new device structure for obtaining visible light emission from wide band gap semiconductors. This heterojunction structure avoids ohmic contacting problems by using only the doping types which tend to occur naturally in II-VI semiconductors, while using a novel injection scheme to obtain efficient minority carrier injection into the wider band gap semiconductor. To verify this proposal we have fabricated green light emitting structures using n-CdSe and p-ZnTe regions separated by a graded MgxCd1−xSe injection region. Room temperature electroluminescence spectra from these devices demonstrate the effectiveness of the injection scheme, while the current-voltage characteristics show the merits of avoiding difficult ohmic contacts. We further show how the structure can be extended to blue wavelengths and beyond by opening up the band gap of the ZnTe recombination region with a MgyZn1−yTe alloy.
Surface acoustic wave soliton propagating on the metallic grating waveguide
Authors: Cho Yasuo , Miyagawa Nozomu
Published: July 2002

The surface acoustic wave (SAW) soliton of the Korteweg–de Vries (KdV)-type propagating on the metallic grating waveguide has been observed experimentally. The periodic train of two solitons developed from the continuous sine wave of SAW. A large-amplitude soliton caught up with a small-amplitude soliton and these two solitons recombined into the initial sine wave at the recurrence point. The observed wave forms agreed with the calculated ones very well which were obtained by solving the KdV equation and satisfied the first conservation law of the KdV equation.
Model dielectric functions for native oxides on compound semiconductors
Authors: Zollner Stefan
Published: July 2002

Analytical models with eight parameters have been found which describe the dielectric functions of native or electrochemically grown oxide layers on the compound semiconductors GaP, GaAs, GaSb, InP, InAs, and InSb in the 1.6 to 5.6 eV photon energy range. These model functions agree with the experimental optical constants to within the accuracy of the measurements. They will be useful for the design and analysis of semiconductor laser structures, solar cells, and other electro-optical devices.
Frequency effects in capacitively coupled radio-frequency glow discharges: A comparison between experiments and a two-dimensional fluid model
Authors: Meijer P. M. , Passchier J. D. P. , Goedheer W. J. , Bezemer J. , van Sark W. G. J. H. M.
Published: July 2002

The results of a two-dimensional fluid model for argon rf discharges in a closed cylindrical vacuum chamber are compared with experimental data from an amorphous silicon deposition reactor. Good agreement is obtained for the relation between the dc autobias voltage and the dissipated power in the frequency range 50–100 MHz at pressures between 12 and 90 Pa. A scaling law is presented for the relation between the power, the dc bias voltage, the rf excitation frequency, and the background pressure. The model yields a linear relation between the applied rf voltage and the dc bias voltage. This relation depends only on the geometry of the discharge chamber and shows an offset.
Single layer YBa2Cu3O7 radio frequency SQUID magnetometers with direct-coupled pickup coils and flip-chip flux transformers
Authors: Zhang Y. , Krüger U. , Kutzner R. , Wördenweber R. , Schubert J. , Zander W. , Sodtke E. , Braginski A. I. , Strupp M.
Published: July 2002

Our aim has been to further improve the magnetic field resolution, BN, of single-layer rf SQUID magnetometers operating in liquid nitrogen. Following the approaches recently introduced in dc SQUIDs, we tested designs with direct-coupled pickup coils having an area Ap=0.6 to 0.8 cm2, and a single-layer thin-film flip-chip flux transformer with Ap=16 cm2. In conditions of still suboptimal coupling between SQUID and the 150 MHz tank circuit, we attained BN≂90 fT/Hz1/2 above 3–4 Hz at Ap=0.8 cm2, and BN≂24 fT/Hz1/2 above 0.5 Hz when Ap=16 cm2. For rf SQUID with lumped-element tank circuit, we project the lower BN limit to be ≤50 fT/Hz1/2 at Ap≤1 cm2. This might be attainable through further coupling optimization, and increase of tank frequency to the highest possible value of ≥500 MHz.
Fabrication of praseodymium-doped arsenic sulfide chalcogenide fiber for 1.3-μm fiber amplifiers
Authors: Ohishi Yasutake , Mori Astushi , Kanamori Terutoshi , Fujiura Kazuo , Sudo Shoichi
Published: July 2002

Pr3+-doped As-S chalcogenide fiber is fabricated using a double-crucible method. The thermal and spectroscopic properties of Pr3+-doped As-S glasses are clarified. Pr3+-doped As-S fiber is shown to be a promising candidate that will lead to efficient Pr3+-doped fiber amplifiers.
Low-profile high-efficiency microchannel-plate detector system for scanning electron microscopy applications
Authors: Postek Michael T. , Keery William J. , Frederick Nolan V.
Published: July 2002

A new design high-efficiency microchannel-plate detector and amplification system is described for use in the scanning electron microscope. This complete detector system consists of four basic units: (1) the microchannel-plate detector; (2) the video amplifier; (3) the high-voltage power supply; and (4) the control unit. The microchannel-plate detector system is efficient at both high and low accelerating voltages, and is capable of both secondary electron and backscattered electron detection modes. The size of the actual detector is approximately 3.5 mm in thickness and 25.4 mm in diameter. Thus, use of this detector system permits using almost all the sample chamber to accommodate large specimens with only the loss of the 3.5 mm of working distance. Another feature is that this system also employs a unique video amplifier where there are no active elements at high voltage. The microchannel-plate detector system enables the investigation of secondary electron induced contrast mechanisms and backscattered electron detection at extremely low accelerating voltages even those below 1.0 keV.
A ‘‘Quad-Disc’’ static pressure probe for measurement in adverse atmospheres: With a comparative review of static pressure probe designs
Authors: Nishiyama Randall T. , Bedard Alfred J.
Published: July 2002

There are many areas of need for accurate measurements of atmospheric static pressure. These include observations of surface meteorology, airport altimeter settings, pressure distributions around buildings, moving measurement platforms, as well as basic measurements of fluctuating pressures in turbulence. Most of these observations require long-term observations in adverse environments (e.g., rain, dust, or snow). Currently, many pressure measurements are made, of necessity, within buildings, thus involving potential errors of several millibars in mean pressure during moderate winds, accompanied by large fluctuating pressures induced by the structure. In response to these needs we designed a ‘‘Quad-Disc’’ pressure probe for continuous, outdoor monitoring purposes which is inherently weather protected. This Quad-Disc probe has the desirable features of omnidirectional response and small error in pitch. A review of past static pressure probes contrasts design approaches and capabilities.
Cesium catalysis effect of H− ion production in volume production type of H− ion source
Authors: Okuyama T. , Mori Y.
Published: July 2002

The cesium catalysis effect of H− ion production in a volume production type of H− ion source has been investigated by the authors. These investigations suggest that the beam current enhancement is caused by a surface H− ion production process at the cesium covered plasma electrode. In order to examine this process in detail, measurement of the H− ion production probability by scattering thermal hydrogen atoms from a cesium covered molybdenum surface has been made. The measured H− ion production probability agrees reasonably well with the quantum mechanical calculation.
The Thomson scattering systems of the ASDEX upgrade tokamak
Authors: Murmann H. , Götsch S. , Röhr H. , Salzmann H. , Steuer K. H.
Published: July 2002

The Thomson scattering system of the ASDEX upgrade (AUG) tokamak is described. One of the main objectives of AUG is to investigate plasma wall interaction in reactor relevant discharges with a magnetic divertor. The very successful Nd:YAG scattering system developed for its predecessor ASDEX, has been upgraded to give higher spatial and temporal resolution, reliability, and flexibility to different discharge conditions. The system consists of two independently operating devices, each using a cluster of six lasers: One measures the electron temperature and density along three possible vertical chords alternatively through the magnetic axis, or the inner or outer boundary layer; a second chord in the equatorial plane will always cover the magnetic center even in the case of considerable Shafranov shifts. An additional compact spectrometer has been designed for measurements with high radial resolution in the equatorial plane across the separatrix. A third system, using the laser beams for the vertical arrangement once again, has been designed for profile measurements in the energy deposition zone 2 cm above the outer divertor plate. Each laser is run at a repetition rate of 20 Hz and 1 J per pulse. A variety of synchronization modes are available, e.g., 20 Hz/6 J, 120 Hz/1 J etc., or repetitive bursts at 20 Hz. In this case the minimum delay between two pulses is presently limited to ≊30 μs by the existing data acquisition. This mode will be used for investigating fast phenomena such as sawteeth or disruptive instabilities. During the time intervals between the laser pulses the bremsstrahlung radiation (line integral) will be measured by the Thomson scattering detection system to calculate Zeff.