julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Electric Field Assisted Effects on Molecular Orientation and Surface Morphology of Thin Titanyl(IV)phthalocyanine Films
2009-06-09

Abstract Herein we present electric field assisted effects on the molecular orientation, the polymorphism, and the surface morphology of thin titanyl(IV)phthalocyanine (TiOPc) films. The ability of electric fields to affect the thin film structure of polar molecules is demonstrated using titanyl(IV)phthalocyanine as a model compound exhibiting both a permanent and an induced electric dipole moment. Thin films of TiOPc prepared by organic molecular beam deposition (OMBD) in the absence and in the presence of an electric field during the thin film growth are characterized using polarization dependent Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The distinctive pattern of vibrational modes of the phthalocyanine skeleton indicates different molecular orientations in these thin films: Raman spectra of regions where an electric field is present during thin film growth reveal a preferential molecular orientation with an inclination angle of the molecular plane (pseudoplanar macrocycle) with respect to the substrate plane of nearly 90°. Contrary to that, in regions where the electric field was absent, the molecules adopt predominantly a configuration with a smaller tilt angle (∼ 60°). In addition, an electric field assisted change is apparent in AFM images: A large amount of well‐formed steplike crystallites lying parallel to the substrate is observed when no electric field was present, whereas in the case when an electric field was applied during thin film growth the crystallites exhibit a tilt with respect to the substrate plane.
The Logic of Emotional Experience: Noninferentiality and the Problem of Conflict Without Contradiction
2009-06-10

Almost all contemporary philosophers on the subject agree that emotions play an indispensable role in the justification (as opposed to the mere causation) of other mental states and actions. However, how this role is to be understood is still an open question. At the core of the debate is the phenomenon of conflict without contradiction: why is it that an emotion need not be revised in the light of better judgment and knowledge? Conflict without contradiction has been explained either by difference in content between emotion and judgment, or by a difference in the respective attitude towards content. I argue that conflict without contradiction is due to both differences, where difference in content is prior to difference in attitude.
Ten Perspectives on Emotional Experience: Introduction to the Special Issue
2009-06-10

Author note: We thank Mark Textor for a clarifying note concerning Brentano’s views on phenomenality, and several contributors to this special issue for their comments on diverse issues discussed in our introduction. Corresponding author: Rainer Reisenzein, Institute of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Franz-Mehring-Strase 47, 17487 Greifswald, Germany. Email: rainer.reisenzein@uni-greifswald.de Ten Perspectives on Emotional Experience: Introduction to the Special Issue
The mathematical pendulum from Gauß via Jacobi to Riemann
2009-06-10

Abstract The goal of this article is to introduce double‐periodic elliptic functions on the basis of a “simple” mechanical system, that of the mathematical pendulum. Thereby it is not geometry that is in the foreground, as in Gauß's analysis of the lemniscatian curve, but rather the calculation of the specific attributes of elliptic functions with the aid of a periodic integrable system. Not the spatial degree of freedom, but the time variable is continued into the complex plane. This will make it possible for us to not only identify the known real period of the pendulum oscillation, but also to detect a second imaginary period. Only then does the solution of the equation of motion become a Jacobi‐type elliptic function. Using the Cauchy integral theorem, which Gauß was already familiar with, as well as the simplest Riemannian surface of the function we want to calculate the analytic and topological characteristics of the oscillatory motion of a pendulum. Our intent is to show that elliptic functions could have appeared much earlier than 1796 in the literature. Admittedly, for this the field of complex numbers was necessary, as represented in the Gaußian plane of complex numbers. However, Gauß was unwilling to publish his findings because of his “fear of the cry of the Boeotians”.
Emergence of carbapenem-non-susceptible extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates at the university hospital of Tübingen, Germany
2009-06-11

The spread of Gram-negative bacteria with plasmid-borne extended-spectrum β -lactamases (ESBLs) has become a worldwide problem. This study analysed a total of 366 ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae strains isolated from non-selected patient specimens at the university hospital of Tübingen in the period January 2003 to December 2007. Although the overall ESBL rate was comparatively low (1.6 %), the percentages of ESBL-producing Enterobacter spp. and Escherichia coli increased from 0.8 and 0.5 %, respectively, in 2003 to 4.6 and 3.8 % in 2007. In particular, the emergence was observed of one carbapenem-resistant ESBL-producing E. coli isolate and five carbapenem-non-susceptible ESBL-positive Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, in two of which carbapenem resistance development was documented in vivo under a meropenem-containing antibiotic regime. The possible underlying mechanism for this carbapenem resistance in three of the K. pneumoniae isolates was loss of the Klebsiella porin channel protein OmpK36 as shown by PCR analysis. The remaining two K. pneumoniae isolates exhibited increased expression of a tripartite AcrAB–TolC efflux pump as demonstrated by SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry analysis of bacterial outer-membrane extracts, which, in addition to other unknown mechanisms, may contribute towards increasing the carbapenem MIC values further. Carbapenem-non-susceptible ESBL isolates may pose a new problem in the future due to possible outbreak situations and limited antibiotic treatment options. Therefore, a systematic exploration of intestinal colonization with ESBL isolates should be reconsidered, at least for haemato-oncological departments from where four of the five carbapenem-non-susceptible ESBL isolates originated.
Total Synthesis of Proximicin A−C and Synthesis of New Furan-Based DNA Binding Agents
2009-06-11

The total synthesis of the natural occurring polyamides proximicin A-C (3-5) has been accomplished. A short and efficient synthesis of a thus far unknown 4-amino-2-furan carboxylic acid was developed. Furthermore, this unique heterocyclic gamma-amino-acid was used for the synthesis of a new class of AT-selective DNA-binding agents derived from the natural products combining structural features of the proximicins with those from the known DNA-binding natural products netropsin (1) and distamycin (2).
[Lethal intravenous infusion of a wound antiseptic containing polyhexanide].
2009-06-11

Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) is considered to be highly histocompatible and is one of the most frequently used wound antiseptics. Only one case of intoxication has been reported so far. The present case of a lethal intoxication is the first fatal incident described where causality is substantiated by a temporal coincidence between application and ascertainable organ damage. The laboratory-chemical and histological investigations verified the toxicity of this substance after intravenous application with the main findings being severe hepatic and pancreatic damage.
Reinforcing natural killers
2009-06-11

In this issue of Blood , Lundqvist and colleagues report enhanced antitumor effects of NK cells when adoptively infused into mice subsequent to treatment with bor-tezomib and depletion of regulatory T cells. Natural killer (NK) cells were initially identified as lymphocytes capable of lysing tumor
A common toxin fold mediates microbial attack and plant defense
2009-06-12

Many plant pathogens secrete toxins that enhance microbial virulence by killing host cells. Usually, these toxins are produced by particular microbial taxa, such as bacteria or fungi. In contrast, many bacterial, fungal and oomycete species produce necrosis and ethylene-inducing peptide 1 (Nep1)-like proteins (NLPs) that trigger leaf necrosis and immunity-associated responses in various plants. We have determined the crystal structure of an NLP from the phytopathogenic oomycete Pythium aphanidermatum to 1.35Å resolution. The protein fold exhibits structural similarities to cytolytic toxins produced by marine organisms (actinoporins). Computational modeling of the 3-dimensional structure of NLPs from another oomycete, Phytophthora parasitica, and from the phytopathogenic bacterium, Pectobacterium carotovorum, revealed a high extent of fold conservation. Expression of the 2 oomycete NLPs in an nlp -deficient P. carotovorum strain restored bacterial virulence, suggesting that NLPs of prokaryotic and eukaryotic origins are orthologous proteins. NLP mutant protein analyses revealed that identical structural properties were required to cause plasma membrane permeabilization and cytolysis in plant cells, as well as to restore bacterial virulence. In sum, NLPs are conserved virulence factors whose taxonomic distribution is exceptional for microbial phytotoxins, and that contribute to host infection by plasma membrane destruction and cytolysis. We further show that NLP-mediated phytotoxicity and plant defense gene expression share identical fold requirements, suggesting that toxin-mediated interference with host integrity triggers plant immunity-associated responses. Phytotoxin-induced cellular damage-associated activation of plant defenses is reminiscent of microbial toxin-induced inflammasome activation in vertebrates and may thus constitute another conserved element in animal and plant innate immunity.
Prospective validation of first‐trimester combined screening for trisomy 21
2009-06-12

Abstract Objective To examine the performance of the new algorithm in screening for trisomy 21 by a combination of maternal age, fetal nuchal translucency (NT) and maternal serum free β‐human chorionic gonadotropin (β‐hCG) and pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A). Methods This was a prospective screening study for trisomy 21 in singleton pregnancies at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks of gestation using an algorithm combining maternal age, fetal NT thickness based on the mixture model for the assessment of NT, and maternal serum free β‐hCG and PAPP‐A based on a multiple regression model for the assessment of serum biochemistry. The NT measurements were performed by 60 operators who had obtained The Fetal Medicine Foundation certificate of competence in the 11–13‐week scan. Results The study population consisted of 19 614 pregnancies with a normal karyotype or delivery of a phenotypically normal baby (euploid group) and 122 cases of trisomy 21. In the euploid fetuses the NT was above the previously defined 50 th , 95 th and 99 th centiles in 10 033 (51.2%), 618 (3.2%) and 123 (0.6%) cases and the respective values for trisomy 21 were 117 (95.9%), 94 (77.0%) and 57 (46.7%). The median fetal NT was within 0.1 mm of the expected in 47 (78.3%) of the 60 sonographers and within 0.2 mm in all. In the euploid fetuses the median free β‐hCG was 1.0 (range, 0.1–29.4) multiples of the median (MoM) and the median PAPP‐A was 1.0 (range, 0.2–3.3) MoM. The median MoM values were 1.0 or close to 1.0 MoM for each subgroup of pregnancy characteristics, including gestations of 11, 12 and 13 weeks, maternal weight of &lt; 60 kg, 60–80 kg and &gt; 80 kg, different ethnic origins, cigarette smokers and non‐smokers, natural conception and @ in vitro fertilization. For a false‐positive rate of 3%, the detection rate of trisomy 21 in screening by maternal age and fetal NT was 81% (95% CI, 73–89%), by maternal age and maternal serum biochemistry it was 63% (95% CI, 56–72%) and by combined screening based on maternal age, fetal NT and maternal serum biochemistry it was 90% (95% CI, 84–96%). Conclusion This study has validated the new risk algorithm and demonstrated that in combined screening for trisomy 21 based on maternal age, fetal NT and free β‐hCG and PAPP‐A the detection rate is about 90% for a 3% false‐positive rate. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.
Molecular Characterization and Functional Analysis of MgNLP, the Sole NPP1 Domain–Containing Protein, from the Fungal Wheat Leaf Pathogen Mycosphaerella graminicola
2009-06-12

Analysis of the fully sequenced genome of the wheat leaf-specific fungal pathogen Mycosphaerella graminicola identified only a single gene encoding a member of the necrosis- and ethylene-inducing peptide 1 (Nep1)-like protein family (NLP). NLP proteins have frequently been shown to trigger cell death and the activation of defense signaling reactions in dicotyledonous plants. However, complete loss-of-function reverse genetics analyses for their importance in the virulence of eukaryotic plant pathogens are generally lacking. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction on MgNLP demonstrated the gene to be specifically expressed in planta. Peak expression was observed during the immediate presymptomatic phase of colonization of a susceptible host genotype. This was followed by a dramatic decrease during disease lesion formation which, in this system, exhibits characteristics of host programmed cell death (PCD). No comparable peak in transcript levels was seen during an incompatible interaction with a host genotype exhibiting gene-for-gene–based disease resistance. Heterologously expressed MgNLP protein induced necrotic cell death and the activation of defense-related genes when infiltrated into Arabidopsis leaves but not in leaves of a susceptible wheat genotype. MgNLP infiltration also failed to stimulate wheat mitogen-activated protein kinase activities. Finally, targeted deletion of M. graminicola MgNLP caused no detectable reduction in plant pathogenicity or virulence, suggesting that this protein is not a major virulence determinant during fungal infection of its host plant. To our knowledge, this represents the first complete loss-of-function analysis of NLP in a eukaryotic plant pathogen and we discuss our findings in the context of possible functions for NLP in pathogens which only infect monocotyledonous plants.
Simultaneous multiwavelength observations of the second exceptionalγ-ray flare of PKS 2155–304 in July 2006
2009-06-15

Simultaneous HESS/CHANDRA/optical observations were performed on the BL Lac object PKS 2155-304 in the night of July 29-30 2006, when the source underwent its second major gamma-ray outburst in Summer 2006. This event took place about 44 hours after the July 28 outburst, known for its ultrafast variability. An unprecedented 6 to 8 hours of uninterrupted coverage was achieved, with spectra and light curves measured down to 7 and 2-minute timescales, respectively. The gamma-ray flux reached a maximum of 11x the Crab flux (&gt;400 GeV), with rise/decay timescales of ~1 hour, plus a few smaller-amplitude flares superimposed on the decaying phase. The emission in the X-ray and VHE bands is strongly correlated, both in flux and spectrum, with no evidence of lags. The VHE spectrum shows a curvature that is variable with time and stronger at higher fluxes. The huge VHE variations (22x) are only accompanied by small-amplitude X-ray and optical variations (factor 2 and 15% respectively). The source has shown for the first time in an HBL a large Compton dominance (L_C/L_S ~10) -- rapidly evolving -- and a cubic relation between VHE and X-ray flux variations, during a decaying phase. These results challenge the common scenarios for the TeV-blazar emission.
The dynamical role of the circumplanetary disc in planetary migration
2009-06-15

Numerical simulations of planets embedded in protoplanetary gaseous discs are a precious tool for studying the planetary migration ; however, some approximations have to be made. Most often, the selfgravity of the gas is neglected. In that case, it is not clear in the literature how the material inside the Roche lobe of the planet should be taken into account. Here, we want to address this issue by studying the influence of various methods so far used by different authors on the migration rate. We performed high-resolution numerical simulations of giant planets embedded in discs. We compared the migration rates with and without gas selfgravity, testing various ways of taking the circum-planetary disc (CPD) into account. Different methods lead to significantly different migration rates. Adding the mass of the CPD to the perturbing mass of the planet accelerates the migration. Excluding a part of the Hill sphere is a very touchy parameter that may lead to an artificial suppression of the type III, runaway migration. In fact, the CPD is smaller than the Hill sphere. We recommend excluding no more than a 0.6 Hill radius and using a smooth filter. Alternatively, the CPD can be given the acceleration felt by the planet from the rest of the protoplanetary disc. The gas inside the Roche lobe of the planet should be very carefully taken into account in numerical simulations without any selfgravity of the gas. The entire Hill sphere should not be excluded. The method used should be explicitly given. However, no method is equivalent to computing the full selfgravity of the gas.
Mecardonia tenella (Plantaginaceae) Attracts Oil‐, Perfume‐, and Pollen‐Gathering Bees in Southern Brazil
2009-06-15

ABSTRACT Floral characteristics often indicate the pollinators' functional group visiting the plant and the pollination syndromes associated with them. This idea has been challenged in the past decades due to increasing evidence that most plants, including those exhibiting floral syndromes, are visited by large arrays of species that differ in their effectiveness as pollinators. Our study focuses on Mecardonia tenella (Plantaginaceae) from the Araucaria forest of southern Brazil, which exhibits characteristics of the oil flower pollination syndrome. However, it is visited by three types of functional groups of bees: male orchid bees, oil‐collecting bees, and pollen‐seeking bees. The relative contribution of each functional group to the plant's reproductive success was estimated based on their pollen load, visitation frequency, and morphology. We assessed resources, phenology, and breeding system of M. tenella . Our results indicate that flowers lack nectar, but volatiles, lipids, and pollen are resources that can be gathered by visitors. This combination of floral traits and visitors' assemblage makes M. tenella a challenge to the concept of pollination syndromes. Our findings indicate that the current interactions may not reflect the circumstances under which some floral traits of this plant were selected.
Education and youth in contexts of socioeconomic inequality. Trends and perspectives for Latin America.
2009-06-15

Education has a key role in the development of societies. From strengthening of social cohesion, the organization of biographical and professional projects, and the sustainability of democratic integration, education contributes to the expansion of opportunities for participation. The structural changes produced in Latin America by the reforms of the 1990s, economic and cultural globalization, and the problems inherent in vulnerability and socioeconomic exclusion, created a new framework of restrictions and possibilities for the new generations. This article gives a critical insight into the socioeconomic scene of the educational offer. Subsequently, it inquires into the pertinence of its training proposals, the aim of which is to encourage the participation of the young and to recognize their specific demands.
U-Pb ages of ferberite, chalcedony, agate, 'U-mica' and pitchblende: constraints on the mineralization history of the Schwarzwald ore district
2009-06-16

This study deals with the use of new and unusual geochronometers applied to a variety of mineralizations in the Schwarzwald region of southwest Germany. In detail, we present new U-Pb age data of ferberite (from Clara Mine), chalcedony (from Silberbrunnle Mine), agate (Geisberg), carneol (“Markgrafler Land”), and confirm earlier geochronologic work on multistage U-mineralizations (Wittichen and Menzenschwand). Using these various geochronometers, we show both their usefulness, precision and robustness by comparing our age data to earlier work, and we can augment existing data with our new dataset to draw a picture of the timing of late- to post-Variscan hydrothermal mineralization in the region. The combined dataset reveals that vein-type mineralizations in the Schwarzwald have formed episodically over the last 300 Ma with distinct peaks of mineralization around 300 Ma (late-Variscan), several periods between 200 and 100 Ma (possibly related to the opening of the North Atlantic Ocean in the Jurassic and early Cretaceous), and around 40–20 Ma (related to the opening of the Rhinegraben). This pulsed formation of hydrothermal deposits is not unique for the Schwarzwald, as it has also been documented for the more richly mineralized Erzgebirge and other parts of post-Variscan Europe. The wide age range found within some districts or vein systems does not represent an analytical artefact, but reflects multiple reactivations of the same structures associated with changes in the stress distribution at continental margins. Comparison with the Erzgebirge shows, however, that the intensity of mineralization in a given time period shows regional differences, which reflect differences in regional tectonics.
Naturally Presented Peptides on Major Histocompatibility Complex I and II Molecules Eluted from Central Nervous System of Multiple Sclerosis Patients
2009-06-16

Tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify naturally processed peptides bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I and MHC II molecules in central nervous system (CNS) of eight patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). MHC molecules were purified from autopsy CNS material by immunoaffinity chromatography with monoclonal antibody directed against HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DR. Subsequently peptides were separated by reversed-phase HPLC and analyzed by mass spectrometry. Database searches revealed 118 amino acid sequences from self-proteins eluted from MHC I molecules and 191 from MHC II molecules, corresponding to 174 identified source proteins. These sequences define previously known and potentially novel autoantigens in MS possibly involved in disease induction and antigen spreading. Taken together, we have initiated the characterization of the CNS-expressed MHC ligandome in CNS diseases and were able to demonstrate the presentation of naturally processed myelin basic protein peptides in the brain of MS patients.