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We have recently reported Monte Carlo simulations for a system of two infinite like-charged plates in a dipolar fluid solvent (Pegado et al 2008 J. Chem. Phys. at press). The pressure as a function of plate separation qualitatively reproduces the ion-ion correlation attraction picture seen in primitive model studies, where the solvent only enters the picture implicitly through its dielectric const

The G-protein coupled receptor associated protein β-arrestin-1 is crucial for the regulation of numerous biological processes involved in cancer progression, such as intracellular signaling and cell motility. The encoding gene ARRB1 is harbored in the same chromosomal region as the CCND1 gene (11q13). Amplification of CCND1, frequently encountered in breast cancer, often involves coamplification o

The opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes a wide range of diseases. To cross host innate immune barriers, P. aeruginosa has developed efficient strategies to escape host complement attack. In this study, we identify the 57-kDa dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (Lpd) as a surface-exposed protein of P. aeruginosa that binds the four human plasma proteins, Factor H, Factor H-like pr

Organometallic complexes containing terminal metal nitrides and phosphides are important synthetic reagents. Laser-ablated group 6 metal atoms react with NF3, PF3, and PCl3 to form the simple lowest energy N MF3, and P MX3 products following insertion and halogen transfer, with the exception of P CrF3, which is a higher energy species and is not observed. The E MX3 pnictide metal trihalide molecul

Molecular weight (MW) is one of the most important characteristics of macromolecules. Sometimes, MW cannot be measured correctly by conventional methods like gel permeation chromatography (GPC) due to, for example, aggregation. We propose using single-molecule spectroscopy to measure the average MW simply by counting individual fluorescent molecules embedded in a thin matrix film at known mass con

A circular polarization selective structure (CPSS) reflects one handedness of circular polarization and transmits the other. We present a new multilayer structure with significantly improved bandwidth compared to classical solutions, which are typically based on resonant structures. The proposed structure consists of layers of printed metal meander lines interspaced by low-permittivity rigid foams

We present the Associative Self-Organizing Map (A-SOM) and propose that it could be used to predict an agent's intentions by internally simulating the behaviour likely to follow initial movements. The A-SOM is a neural network that develops a representation of its input space without supervision, while simultaneously learning to associate its activity with an arbitrary number of additional (possib

An absolute measure of the fat content in various organs is an important part of diagnostics in obesity and diabetes. Fat quantification using MR-imaging is a non-invasive technique which provides both quantitative and spatial information on fat accumulation. However, for absolute quantification, it is necessary to address the various sources of contrast in MR-imaging. This paper summarizes basic

Laser-ablated group 6 metal atoms react with NF3 and PF3 to form the simple lowest energy N MF3 and P=MX3 products, and this investigation has been extended to AsF3. Mo and W atoms react with AsF3 upon excitation by laser ablation or UV irradiation to form stable trigonal As MF3 terminal arsenides. These molecules are identified by comparison of the closely related infrared spectra of the analogou

The European Directives on personal protective devices have increased the interest in protective and functional properties of work clothing and intensified standardisation work as well as stimulated research in areas with limited knowledge. There is a long tradition of research and information exchange in the Nordic countries on the subject. The NOrdisk KOrdineringsgruppe om BEskyttelseskläder som

What we can conclude from this study is that the state and the market are not perfect substitutes in allocating resources and sustaining economic development separately. The case of the Thai cassava industry seems to suggest that the Thai state is not benevolent, but predatory in nature. The central point is that the Thai state cannot be simply seen as weak and predatory without understanding the

In this article, we study the n - pi* electronic transition in aqueous microsolvated formaldehyde using the coupled cluster (CC) and coupled cluster/molecular mechanics (CC/MM) methods. The CC models used are the coupled cluster singles and doubles (CCSD) and the coupled cluster second-order approximate singles and doubles (CC2) methods. The CC/MM model includes electrostatic and mutual polarizati

C4b-binding protein (C4BP) is an important plasma inhibitor of the classical pathway of complement activation. Several bacterial pathogens bind C4BP, which may contribute to their virulence. In the present report we demonstrate that isolated type IV pili from Neisseria gonorrhoeae bind human C4BP in a dose-dependent and saturable manner. C4BP consists of seven identical alpha-chains and one beta-c

NKT cells m the mouse recognize antigen in the context of the MHC class I-like molecule CD1d and play an important role in peripheral tolerance and protection against autoimmune and other diseases NKT cells are usually activated by CD1d-presented lipid antigens However, peptide recognition m the context of CD 1 has also been documented, although no self-peptide ligands have been reported to date H

Poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) dendrimers have previously been shown, as cationic condensing agents of DNA, to have high potential for nonviral gene delivery. This study addresses two key issues for gene delivery: the interaction of the biomembrane with (i) the condensing agent (the cationic PAMAM dendrimer) and (ii) the corresponding dendrimer/DNA aggregate. Using in situ null ellipsometry and neutron

Apoptosis, followed by rapid phagocytic clearance, is the primary mechanism by which organisms dispose of unwanted cells. The intracellular and extracellular composition of an apoptotic cell changes to decrease immunogenicity and enhance its uptake. By changing their extracellular composition, apoptotic cells acquire the capacity to bind complement initiation molecules such as C1q and MBL. Binding