International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nuclear structure information for all nuclei with mass number A = 216 is summarized. Evaluated data and the adopted levels and spin and parity assignments are given. Only the #alpha#-decay mode has been observed for all nuclei in this mass chain. Possible epsilon-capture and/or #beta#-decay are expected to be quite weak for most of them. An upper limit of 0.6 percent was set by 68Va18 for "2"1"6Th epsilon-decay from #alpha#-yields. The compilers estimate any epsilon-capture decay from "2"1"6At to "2"1"6Po to be less than 1.5 x 10"-"6 percent; similarly, #beta#-decay from "2"1"6At to "2"1"6Rn ground state is expected to be less than 0.0004 percent, and allowed #beta#"- to any yet unobserved level in "2"1"6Rn can be estimated to be less than 0.005 percent from expected log ft values. Level scheme information for all nuclei is from #alpha#-decays of their parents with A = 220. #alpha#-parents are shown on the drawings above ...

CERN Document Server

The Baikal Neutrino Telescope has been operating in its NT200 configuration since April, 1998. The telescope has been upgraded in April, 2005, to the 10 Mton scale detector NT200+. It's main physics goal is the detection of signals from high energy neutrino cascades. NT200+ reaches a 3-year sensitivity of 2 \\times 10^{-7}cm^{-2}s^{-1}sr^{-1}GeV for an all-flavor diffuse cosmic E^{-2} neutrino flux for energies 10^2 TeV \\div 10^5 TeV. Desgin and sensitivity of NT200+ are described. NT200+ is forming the basic building block of a future km3-scale (Gigaton-Volume) Baikal Telescope. Research and development work on that next stage detector has started.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The level structure and configurations of "2"1"6At have been studied by observing the alpha decay of "2"2"0Fr, which is in secular equilibrium with "2"2"4Ac. Six of the 16 observed states are tentatively assigned to the configuration #pi#(h_9_/_2)"3#upsilon#(g_9_/_2)"5, and four to the mixed configuration #pi#(h_9_/_2)"3#upsilon#(g_9_/_2)"4(i_1_1_/_2)+#pi#(h_9_/_2)"2(f _7_/_2)#upsilon#(g_9_/_2)"5. These two configurations in "2"1"6At are compared with the corresponding configurations in "2"1"2Bi and "2"1"0Bi. The shape transitions are traced from the quadrupole-octupole deformed "2"2"4Ac through "2"2"0Fr and "2"1"6At, to "2"1"2Bi, described by the spherical shell model, using the alpha decay sequence beginning with "2"2"8Pa. copyright 1996 The American Physical Society.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report covers the second year of the 28 month grant current grant to Clarkson University to study the chemical and physical behavior of the polonium 218 atom immediately following its formation by the alpha decay of radon. Because small changes in size for activity result in large changes in the delivered dose per unit exposure, this behavior must be understood if the exposure to radon progeny and it dose to the cells in the respiratory tract are to be fully assessed. Two areas of radon progeny behavior are being pursued; laboratory studies under controlled conditions to better understand the fundamental physical and chemical process that affect the progeny`s atmospheric behavior and studies in actual indoor environments to develop a better assessment of the exposure of the occupants of that space to the size and concentration of the indoor radioactive aerosol. This report describes the progress toward achieving these objectives.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Radon appears mainly by diffusion processes from the point of origin following #alpha#- decay of "2"2"6Ra in underground soil and building materials used, in the construction of floors, walls, and ceiling. The transport phenomenon of radon through diffusion is a significant contributor to indoor radon entry. In the present study radon diffusion through sand, cement, mixtures of sand + cement (1:1), sand + cement (2:1), sand + cement (3:1), sand + cement (4:1) has been carried out using LR-115 type II solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs). The radon diffusion coefficient and diffusion lengths have been calculated for different materials. The effect of compaction, which changes the porosity and permeability of the materials, on radon diffusion has also been studied. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

To investigate the characteristics of a reactor and a neutron generator, a small scintillation detector with an optical fiber with ThO_2 has been developed to measure fast neutrons. However, experimental facilities where "2"3"2Th can be used are limited by regulations, and S/N ratio is low because the background counts of this detector are increase by alpha decay of "2"3"2Th. The purpose of this study is to develop a new optical fiber detector for measuring fast neutrons that does not use nuclear material such as "2"3"2Th. From the measured and calculated results, the new optical fiber detector which uses ZnS(Ag) as a converter material together with a scintillator have the highest detection efficiency among several developed detectors. It is applied for the measurement of reaction rates generated from fast neutrons; furthermore, the absolute detection efficiency of this detector was obtained experimentally.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This paper presents a supernetwork equilibrium model integrating supply chain networks with a transport network, namely, a supply chain-transport supernetwork equilibrium model. The model takes into account the behaviour of freight carriers and transport network users to endogenously determine the transport costs generated in the supply chain networks. The interaction between transport network and supply chain networks can also be examined. Results of the numerical tests reveal that the improvement of transport network could enhance the efficiency of supply chain networks. The paper makes contributions to modelling of supply chain networks as well as to that of transport networks.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The cDNA encoding the B chain of the plant toxin ricin has been cloned and expressed in monkey kidney COS-M6 cells. The recombinant B chain was detected by labeling the transfected cells with [35S]methionine...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The mechanism of hyaluronan biosynthesis in vertebrates had been proposed to occur at the reducing end of growing chains. This mechanism was questioned because a recombinant synthase appeared to add...Full Text Available

Norwegian Open Research Archives (NORA)

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Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Stabilized silver particles comprise particles comprising silver, a short-chain capping agent adsorbed on the particles, and a long-chain capping agent adsorbed on the particles. The short-chain capping agent is a first anionic polyelectrolyte having a molecular weight (Mw) of at most 10,000, and the long-chain capping agent is a second anionic polyelectrolyte having a molecular weight (Mw) of at least 25,000. The stabilized silver particles have a solid loading of metallic silver of at least 50 wt %.

Science.gov (United States)

PMID:19520149

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

... dose rates inhalation iodine 134 krypton 88 nuclear decay quality factor

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose ? The purpose of this article is to expand the base of supply chain knowledge by applying chaos theory principles to selected supply chain functions. Design/methodology/approach ? Researchers borrow chaos theory from the natural sciences, provide a basic explanation, and then examine how it may be applied to enhance supply chain management techniques. Findings ? Chaos theory principles are used to assist in the examination of forecasting, product design, and inventory management challenges currently facing supply chain practitioners. Research limitations/implications ? Application of chaos theory to various supply chain issues and key functional areas may produce an increase in the level of understanding of supply chain ambiguity and how chaos theory may provide valuable insight in...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore the functionality of multistage programming approach on network supply chain structure. Design/methodology/approach - The general supply chain structure is considered and the supply chain planning model is developed using a two stage programming approach. The same model is extended to cover the applicability and advantages of a multi-stage programming approach. Findings - A multi-period supply chain model for new product launches under uncertain demand for supply chain network structure has been developed. The model allows simultaneous determination of optimum procurement quantity, production quantity across the different plants, transportation routes and the outsourcing cost in case of shortages. The proposed multi-stage model is compared ...

Science.gov (United States)

Identification of the Ranging System Reference Point (SRP) ... Daylight Filter Type : (SPECTRAL FILTER/FABRY-PEROT/etc) Dayl. Filt. ... INT/etc) Edit Criterion 1st Chain : (ITERATIVE n.n SIGMA/MANUAL/NONE/etc) Edit Criterion 2nd Chain ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A DNA sequence encoding the A chain of ricin toxin (RTA) from the castor bean plant, Ricinus communis, was placed under GAL1 promoter control and transformed into Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Induction...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Strong aqueous ammonium hydroxide used to remove N-acyl protecting groups from synthetic oligoribonucleotides causes removal of some alkylsilyl protecting groups from 2'-hydroxyls and leads to chain...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

PurposeTo investigate whether acquired somatic mutations in the iron response element of the ferritin L-chain gene account for the age-related cataract.MethodsThe...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

To examine the association of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection with anal squamous cell carcinoma, the authors applied the highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ hybridization...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A sensitive assay based on the polymerase chain reaction for the detection of Ockelbo virus RNA was developed. Two primer pairs from the gene coding for the E2 glycoprotein were chosen. By use of a...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A photoaffinity derivative of the local anesthetic trimethisoquin, 5-azido-["3H]trimethisoquin (5-A["3H]T) labelled bands of app. mol. wt 50 k and 66 k. To explain the rather paradoxical labelling by 5-A["3H]T of two polypeptide chains instead of one, three possibilities were considered: (i) The site for non-competititve blockers is not carried by the 50 k or 66 k chain; however, these chains lie in the vicinity of the binding site and become preferentially labelled since they present chemical groups with which the nitrene group of 5-A["3H]T reacts. (ii) The 50 k and 66 k chains are different but carry binding sites for non-competitive blockers with similar reactivities. (iii) The 50 k chain labelled by 5-A["3H]T derives from the 66 k chain by proteolysis. These results show that the third alternative is the correct one. Under conditions which limit proteolysis, ...

CERN Document Server

Using some modification of the standard fermion technique we derive factorized formula for spin operator matrix elements (form-factors) between general eigenstates of the Hamiltonian of quantum Ising chain in a transverse field of finite length. The derivation is based on the approach recently used to derive factorized formula for Z_N-spin operator matrix elements between ground eigenstates of the Hamiltonian of the Z_N-symmetric superintegrable chiral Potts quantum chain. The obtained factorized formulas for the matrix elements of Ising chain coincide with the corresponding expressions obtained by the Separation of Variables Method.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Italian district small and medium enterprises (SMEs) developed aggressive strategies to extend their sales networks and supply chains abroad. Literature on districts offered alternative explanations about the impacts of internationalization on local manufacturing systems. The authors consider the evolution of Italian districts in the framework of global value chain approach, focusing on the role of leading firms. Based on a survey of 650 Italian SMEs and financial indicators, the paper describes the rise of a new district firm model, the open network, which becomes a key node of global value chains. The paper also analyses the relationships among internationalization, innovation strategies and performance of SMEs.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Most antibodies to factor VIII have recently been shown to react with discrete regions of the factor VIII light chain (within the C2 domain) and/or the factor VIII heavy chain (within the amino-terminal...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Global supply chain practices and their effects have received considerable attention over the last two decades. In the recent past, the need for integration across supply chains has been identified as a key for effective and efficient operations of supply chains. This is observed with the increasing trend of collaborative partnerships among supply chain partners. This paper presents an integrated approach for manufacturing and distribution networks within the supply chain system of a global car company. The paper shows that the integration of manufacturing and distribution networks creates the environment for effective planning of many components and execution/follow-up of those plans. These components include materials, resources, operations/activities, suppliers and customers. The main f...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose - This paper seeks to provide a social network-based model for improving knowledge management in multi-level supply chains formed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach - This approach uses social network analysis techniques to propose and represent a knowledge network for supply chains. Empirical experience from an exploratory case study in the construction sector is also presented. Findings - This proposal improves the establishment of inter-organizational relationships into networks to exchange knowledge among the companies along the supply chain and to create specific knowledge by promoting confidence and motivation. Originality/value - This proposed model is useful for academics and practitioners in supply chain management to gain a better un...

Science.gov (United States)

The structural organization of the genes encoding Bungarus multicinctus protease inhibitor-like proteins (PILPs), PILP-1, PILP-2 and PILP-3, are reported in this study. Unlike PILP-2 and PILP-3, recombinant PILP-1 exhibited inhibitory activity on trypsin. PILP genes and B chain genes shared identical organization with three exons interrupted by two introns in similar positions. On the contrary, intron 1 of these genes had a similar size, a notable variation with the size of intron 2 was observed. It was found that two regions at the second intron of B1 chain and B2 chain genes were absent in that of PILP genes. Noticeably, intronic insertion in the second intron of B chain genes appeared in the promoter region of PILP-1 gene, but not in that of PILP-2 and PILP-3 genes. Comparative analyses of PILP genes and B chain genes showed that the protein-coding regions of the exons are more ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Host matrices for actinide immobilisation will undergo the formation of large helium quantities due to alpha decay. Helium diffusion rate has to be known in order to predict the long-term behaviour of the material, and particularly, the influence of helium accumulation on mechanical properties. A nuclear reaction analysis method, namely the "3He(d, p)"4He reaction, has been used to analyse the evolution of "3He profiles after ion implantations at 1 and 3 MeV in two materials, monoclinic ZrO_2 (as a test material) and Ca_9Nd(PO_4)_5(SiO_4)F_1_._5(OH)_0_._5 britholite (envisaged for Am and Pu long-term storage). Two data processing methods are used: the classical excitation curve (proton yields versus deuteron energy) and second, the proton energy spectrum for a given deuteron energy. The characteristics of the "3He profiles (depth, width) obtained by both methods are compared to SRIM estimations. Their evolution during subsequent annealings ...

Science.gov (United States)

A short-chain neurotoxin Pseudechis australis a (toxin Pa a) was isolated from the venom of an Australian elapid snake Pseudechis australis (king brown snake) by sequential chromatography on CM-cellulose, Sephadex G-50 and CM-cellulose columns. Toxin Pa a has an LD50 (intravenous) value of 76 micrograms/kg body wt. in mice and consists of 62 amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence of Pa a shows considerable homology with those of short-chain neurotoxins of elapid snakes, especially of true sea snakes. PMID:4091794

KoreaScience (Korea)

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Science.gov (United States)

of the determinant of the parameter covariance matrix for each ... parameter covariance matrix, as obtained from the Markov chains. The basic set ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Detailed level and decay schemes are presented for the nuclei of the A = 101 mass chain. The level properties obtained from decay and reaction experiments are shown in the drawings. Experimental methods, references, and comments are given in the text.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The recent literature in the field of supply chain management emphasizes the role of inter-organizational networks and the integration of vertical reproduction networks (supply chains) in particular as a key factor for value creation. However, the literature includes little empirical evidence. This situation suggests the need to appraise investments in such networks or supply chains carefully. How can a decision maker reliably assess the effect of investing in inter-organizational network arrangements on firm value? This article takes up this issue and suggests a framework consisting of five components to help answer the question. The task of the framework is to support the structuring and revelation of the causal chain between investments in the network on the one hand and the effect of t...

Science.gov (United States)

Electron charge distributions are presented for Nb3Ge, Nb3Al, and two hypothetical A-15 structures. Results indicate that the bonding in these materials is mainly metallic in character with some covalentlike bonding between Nb-chain atoms. We find significant coupling between neighboring chains and also between chain atoms and atoms at the cubic site. Comparison is made with various theoretical models. Investigation of the charge character of states near EF suggests further developments in current theories on the structural transformation of A-15 compounds. The effect of chain dimerization on electronic states and charge distribution of Nb3Ge is also investigated.

Science.gov (United States)

... commercial material manufactured utilizing chlorinated hydrocarbons for the sulfonation of a long chain polystyrene to produce high ... ...

CERN Document Server

We construct the Baxter Q-operator and the representation of the Separated Variables (SoV) for the homogeneous open SL(2,R) spin chain. Applying the diagrammatical approach, we calculate Sklyanin's integration measure in the separated variables and obtain the solution to the spectral problem for the model in terms of the eigenvalues of the Q-operator. We show that the transition kernel to the SoV representation is factorized into the product of certain operators each depending on a single separated variable. As a consequence, it has a universal pyramid-like form that has been already observed for various quantum integrable models such as periodic Toda chain, closed SL(2,R) and SL(2,C) spin chains.

Science.gov (United States)

... Naja oxiana neurotoxin 1, Bungarus multicinctus or-bungarotoxin) and short-chain group (Naja naja atra cobrotoxin, Naja oxiana neurotoxin 11. ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Hereditary hyperferritinemia cataract syndrome (HHCS) is a rare condition caused by mutations in the gene coding for the light chain of ferritin; it does not lead to iron overload, but it is associated...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A simple model is used to explain the decrease in superconducting critical temperature with damage observed for irradiated A-15 compounds. A truncated t-matrix approximation is used to describe the disorder along the one-dimensional transition metal chains. Three dimensionality is introduced by the inclusion of interaction between transition metal atoms on different chains. Numerical fits to experiment are discussed in the conclusion. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We study two correlated electrons in a nearest-neighbour tight-binding chain, with both on-site and nearest-neighbour interaction. Both the cases of parallel and antiparallel spin are considered. In addition to the free electron band for two electrons, there are correlated bands with positive or negative energy, depending on whether the interaction parameters are repulsive or attractive. Electrons form bound states, with amplitudes that decay exponentially with separation. Conditions for such states to be filled at low temperatures are discussed.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A ligase chain reaction assay based on a single-base-pair difference in the V9 region of the 16S rRNA gene (16S rDNA) was developed to distinguish between Listeria monocytogenes and other Listeria species....Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Evaluated nuclear structure and decay data for all nuclei within the A=177 mass chain are presented. Significant new information is included since the previous evaluation of this mass chain. The present work supersedes the earlier one by E. Browne (1993Br06), published in Nuclear Data Sheets 68, 747 (1993).

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

The heavy chain (HC) subunits of the bikunin proteins are covalently attached to a single chondroitin sulfate (CS) chain originating from bikunin and can be transferred to different hyaluronan (HA) molecules by TSG-6/HC2. In the present study, we demonstrate that HCs transferred to HA may function as HC donors in subsequent transfer reactions, and we show that the CS of bikunin may serve as an HC acceptor, analogous to HA. Our data suggest that TSG-6/HC2 link HCs randomly on the CS chain of bikunin, in contrast to the ordered attachment observed during the biosynthesis. Moreover, the results show that the transfer activity is indifferent to the new HC position, and the relocated HCs are thus prone to further TSG-6/HC2-induced transfer reactions. The data suggest that HCs may be transferred directly from HA to HA without the involvement of the bikunin CS chain. The results demonstrate reversibility of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chemical analyses were done on the abnormal hemoglobins of the five (101 x SEC)F_1 offspring of X- irradiated adult SEC mice to determine which hemoglobin genes were expressed in each hemoglobin variant. Three offspring of irradiated SEC males did not express either of the two kinds of #alpha#-chains normally found in all SEC mice. The deficient #alpha#-chain synthesis caused these mice to exhibit an #alpha#-thalassemia similar to human #alpha#-thalassemia. Scanning electron microscopy was used to show that many erythrocytes of mice with #alpha#-thalassemia have bizarre shapes; e.g. many erythrocytes appeared flattened or had thorny projections (acanthocytes). One mutant with a tandem duplication of a segment of chromosome 7 (site of locus determining #beta#-chain structure) produced twice as much SEC as 101 #beta#-chain polypeptides. One mutant that probably arose by non-disjunction of chromosome 7's ...

Science.gov (United States)

Besides the multifunctionality, another equally important aspect of nanoparticles is their engineerability to control the geometrical and chemical properties during fabrication. In this work, we exploited this aspect to define asymmetric surface chemistry of an iron oxide nanosphere by controlling the topology of ligand expression on its surface resulting in a particle with two faces, one displaying only amines and the other only thiols. Specifically, amine-functionalized iron oxide nanospheres were attached on a solid support via a crosslinker containing a disulfide bridge. Liberation of the nanosphere using thiolytic cleavage created thiols on the portion of the particle's surface that interacted with the solid support. Employing a solid-phase strategy and a step-by-step addition of particles, the two unique faces on the same nanosphere served as fittings to assemble them into linear nano-chains. Assembly of chains with various lengths and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Polychlorinated n-alkanes (PCAs) are group of chemicals manufactured by chlorination of liquid n-paraffin or paraffin wax that contain 30 to 70% chlorine by weight. Large amounts of PCAs are widely used as plasticizers for vinyl chloride, lubricants, paints, and flame retardants and number of other industrial applications. Annual global production of PCAs is approximately 300 kilo tones, with a majority having medium-carbon-chain (C14-C19) length. According to the investigation made by Kagaku Kogyo Nippon-Sha, the annual consumption of PCAs in Japan was about 83,000 tons in between 1986-2001. Short-carbon-chain (C10-C13) has been placed on the Priority Substance List under Canadian Environmental Protection Act and on the Environmental Protection Agency Toxic Release Inventory in the USA due to its potential to act as tumor promoters in mammals. Data on environment levels of PCAs is meager, nevertheless, PCAs have been measured at relatively ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The T cell receptor is a fundamental mediator of the adaptive immune responses, since TR ab on T cells recognize foreign structures (peptides derived from processed antigens) bound to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on APC cells. In the present study, we report the cloning of six TRB chains cDNA sequences from gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), a fish of high economical impact in South Mediterranean aquaculture. The V-BETA domains have the canonical features of known teleost and mammalian TR V-BETA domains and have been divided in four different subgroups. A multiple alignment of the six sea bream TRB chains with other known TRB sequences was assembled and showed the conservation of the four cysteine residues involved in disulphide bonds and of some amino acids with an importan...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Side-chain liquid crystalline ionomer (SLCI) containing sulfonic acid groups with a polymethylhydrosiloxane main-chain was used in the blends of polypropylene (PP) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) as a compatibilizer. The crystalline behavior, morphological, and mechanical properties of the blends were investigated in detail by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscope (POM), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Revealed by the shift of Tm in DSC thermogram and the shift of the absorbed peak in FTIR spectra, specific interaction led to stronger interfacial adhesion between these phases, which resulted in much finer dispersion of the minor PBT phase in PP matrix. The SLCI containing sulfonate acid groups ac...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Flame retardant recycled PET blends containing PC and triphenyl phosphite (TPP) have been designed using the following sequential processing strategy: PET and PC are first melt blended with a transesterification catalyst, allowing the compatibilisation of the blend, before adding TPP. The presence of this last component was shown to stop the transesterification reaction between PET and PC, avoiding chain breaking. In addition, TPP acts as a chain extender of PET, allowing the average chain length to be increased. The optimized blends obtained present "V-0" UL94 rating due to a better thermal stability leading to low flammability and to the development of an important, stable and covering char layer, resulting in self-extinguishability and very low Heat Release Rates during combustion.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The self-consistent-pseudopotential method is applied to the A-15 compounds Nb_3Ge and Nb_3Al. The Fermi energy is found to lie in a region of very flat bands having a bonding character along the Nb chains. Comparison with the band structures of the (nonexistent) A-15 materials Nb_3Nb and Nb_3/sup asterisk/ (chains only) suggest that the p states on the Ge and Al atoms are instrumental in determining the position of the Fermi level. There is little evidence for rigid-band behavior in the Nb_3Al/sub x/Ge/sub 1-x/ system. Studies of the effects of chain dimerization in Nb_3Ge suggest that states at R and M are more likely candidates to participate in structural transitions than states at GAMMA or X.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Although recent data established that a specific very-long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase is defective in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), the ALD gene is still unidentified. The ALD locus has...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Human antibodies targeting prostate cancer cell surface epitopes may be useful for imaging and therapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the tumor targeting of an internalizing human...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The homologous sequences observed for many calcium binding proteins such as parvalbumin, troponin C, the myosin light chains, and calmodulin has lead to the hypothesis that these proteins have homologous...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Purified beta-toxin from Clostridium perfringens type C was found to be a single polypeptide chain protein with a molecular weight of approximately 30,000. The toxin was heat labile, with 75% of its...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Exposure of albumin to Cu(II) (10-100 microM) and ascorbate (0.1-2 mM) results in extensive molecular modifications, indicated by decreased fluorescence and chain breaks. The rate of utilization of...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A new strategy is presented for the synthesis of graft copolymers using only the ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). From a ROMP-derived main chain, pendant maleimide functional groups...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

We examine how the structure and function of indirect flight muscle (IFM) and the entire flight system of Drosophila melanogaster are affected by phosphorylation of the myosin regulatory light chain...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The most abundant minor hemoglobin component of human hemolysate is Hb A1c, which has glucose bound to the N-terminus of the beta chain by a ketoamine linkage. Hb A1c is formed slowly and continuously throughout the 120 day lifespan of the red cell. It can be synthesized in vitro by incubating purified hemoglobin with 14C-glucose. Other minor components, Hb A1a1 and Hb A1a2 are adducts of sugar phosphates at the N-terminus of the beta chain. Hb A1b contains an unidentified nonphosphorylated sugar at the beta N-terminus. In addition, a significant portion of the major hemoglobin component (Hb Ao) is also glycosylated by a glucose ketoamine linkage at other sites on the molecule, including the N-terminus of the alpha chain and the epsilon-amino group of several lysine residues on both the alpha and the beta chains. The results indicate that the interaction of glucose and hemoglobin is rather nonspecific ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Bartonella species are being recognized as important bacterial human and canine pathogens, and are associated with multiple arthropod vectors. Bartonella DNA extracted...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice is an autoimmune experimental model for rheumatoid arthritis. Susceptibility to CIA is associated with certain major histocompatibility complex class...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Calorie restriction (CR) induces a metabolic shift towards mitochondrial respiration; however, molecular mechanisms underlying CR remain unclear. Recent studies suggest that CR-induced mitochondrial...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

DNA from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 17 different individuals infected with human T-cell lymphoma/leukemia virus type II (HTLV-II) was successfully amplified by the polymerase chain reaction...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the synthesis of the peptidyl-polymer corresponding to the sequence (57-100) of the #beta# chain of human hemoglobin on Teflon with radiationally grafted polystyrene a comparative study was made of different methods of fragment condensation. It was shown that the most effective methods are azide condensation and condensation with the use of complex F.

Science.gov (United States)

The results of a study of the expression of embryonic hemoglobin genes in mice which show an imbalance of alpha and non-alpha chain synthesis are reported. (ACR)

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundBrevican is a member of the lectican family of aggregating extracellular matrix (ECM) proteoglycans that bear chondroitin sulfate (CS) chains. It is highly expressed in...Full Text Available

CERN Document Server

With information revolution, increased globalization and competition, supply chain has become longer and more complicated than ever before. These developments bring supply chain management to the forefront of the managements attention. Inventories are very important in a supply chain. The total investment in inventories is enormous, and the management of inventory is crucial to avoid shortages or delivery delays for the customers and serious drain on a companys financial resources. The supply chain cost increases because of the influence of lead times for supplying the stocks as well as the raw materials. Practically, the lead times will not be same through out all the periods. Maintaining abundant stocks in order to avoid the impact of high lead time increases the holding cost. Similarly, maintaining fewer stocks because of ballpark lead time may lead to shortage of stocks. This also happens in the ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Polypeptides exiting the ribosome must fold and assemble in the crowded environment of the cell. Chaperones and other protein homeostasis factors interact with newly translated polypeptides to facilitate...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Zipper-interacting protein kinase (ZIPK) is a member of the death-associated protein kinase family associated with apoptosis in nonmuscle cells where it phosphorylates myosin regulatory light chain...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The acetylcholine receptor from the electric tissue of Torpedo californica is a large, integral membrane protein containing four different types of polypeptide chains. The structure of the purified...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Alpha-hemoglobin-stabilizing protein (AHSP) is an erythroid-specific protein that acts as a molecular chaperone for the free α chains of hemoglobin. Evidence strongly suggests...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The use of isokinetic equipment and the leg press exercise have been major components of rehabilitation for the past several years when redeveloping muscular strength. Recently, closed kinetic chain...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundGenotyping analysis using capillary DNA sequencing with fluorescently labeled primer pairs obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is widely used, but is expensive....Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and the cellular responses induced by it are essential for controlling mycobacterial infections. Most patients bearing an IFN-γ receptor ligand-binding chain...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Globalization and technological innovation are creating dynamic networks or chains of interconnected players, often known as value delivery networks or supply chains, in which a firm, whether manufacturing or service, holds the key to creating and delivering value in the form of offerings to the customers. This idea of value creation and exchange is the foundation stone of relationship marketing and it is considered successful when closeness is said to have been established in the relationship which subsequently leads toward the achievement of objectives. In order to study and understand the creation of value through relationship closeness in a value delivery network particularly at the backward end, a literature review is conducted. A framework is further developed with the help of Interp...

CERN Document Server

We construct representation of the Separated Variables (SoV) for the quantum SL(2,R) Heisenberg closed spin chain and obtain the integral representation for the eigenfunctions of the model. We calculate explicitly the Sklyanin measure defining the scalar product in the SoV representation and demonstrate that the language of Feynman diagrams is extremely useful in establishing various properties of the model. The kernel of the unitary transformation to the SoV representation is described by the same "pyramid diagram" as appeared before in the SoV representation for the SL(2,C) spin magnet. We argue that this kernel is given by the product of the Baxter Q-operators projected onto a special reference state.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Relatively low molecular weights polyelectrolytes (10{sup 4}-10{sup 6}) behave as worm-like chain when electrostatic repulsions are assumed to govern the excluded volume parameter. Under such conditions, predictions of chain expansion and effect of polyelectrolyte concentrations are made assuming that unperturbed dimensions could be obtained at infinite salt content. Experimental studies of an ionic polysaccharide, namely the Na-hyaluronate, were done and the values obtained for the radius of gyration as well as the intrinsic viscosity at different charge densities are in good agreement with the predictions.

Science.gov (United States)

The real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) quantification of several vaginal bacterial groups in healthy women and patients developing asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis (BV) and candidiasis (CA) was performed. Statistical analysis revealed that the BV condition is characterised by a great variability among subjects and that it is associated with a significant increase of Prevotella, Atopobium, Veillonella and Gardnerella vaginalis, and a drop in Lactobacillus. On the contrary, the vaginal microflora of healthy women and patients developing CA was found to be homogeneous and stable over time. PMID:18762999

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We consider a serial supply chain consisting of a raw material supplier, a manufacturer, a distribution centre and a retailer in the presence of time-varying delivery between manufacturer facility and the retailer warehouse. Delivery time functions are developed based on practical data analysis and the cost models for both linear and non-linear delivery time functions are derived. Analytic solution for system with linear delivery times is derived and a search algorithm for system with non-linear delivery times is established. Finally, sensitivity analysis is made to help decision makers achieve a lower total cost in practice.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A single round of Edman degradation was employed to remove the NH_2-terminal valine from isolated #alpha# chains of human hemoglobin. Reconstitution of normal #beta# chains with truncated or substituted #alpha# chains was used to form truncated (des-Val"1-#alpha#1) and substituted ([[1-"1"3C]Gly"1]#alpha#1) tetrameric hemoglobin analogs. Structural homology of the analogs with untreated native hemoglobin was established by using several spectroscopic and physical methods. Functional studies indicate that the reconstituted tetrameric protein containing des-Val"1-#alpha# chains has a higher affinity for oxygen, is less influenced by chloride ions or 2,3-biphosphoglycerate, and shows lower cooperativity than native hemoglobin. These results confirm the key functional role of the #alpha#-chain NH_2 terminus in mediating cooperative oxygen binding across the dimer interface. The ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This study presents and applies a coherent methodological framework to compare biomass cascading chains, i.e. the subsequent use of biomass for materials, recycling and energy recovery, considering land use, CO2 emission reduction and economic performance. Example cascading chains of short rotation poplar wood are compared with each other on the basis of literature data. Results for these chains vary strongly, namely, from CO2 mitigation benefits of 200 euro/Mg CO2 to CO2 mitigation costs of 2200 euro/Mg CO2, and from net CO2 emission reductions per hectare of biomass production of 28 Mg CO2/(ha yr) to net CO2 emissions of 8 Mg CO2/(ha yr). Using a present-value approach to determine CO2 emissions and costs affects the performance of long-term cascading chains significantly, i.e. cost and CO2 emission reduction are decreased. In general, cascading has the potential to improve both CO2 emission reduction ...

CERN Document Server

Let $\\mathscr{P}(E)$ be the space of probability measures on a measurable space $(E,\\mathcal{E})$. In this paper we introduce a class of nonlinear Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods for simulating from a probability measure $\\pi\\in\\mathscr{P}(E)$. Nonlinear Markov kernels (see [Feynman--Kac Formulae: Genealogical and Interacting Particle Systems with Applications (2004) Springer]) $K:\\mathscr{P}(E)\\times E\\rightarrow\\mathscr{P}(E)$ can be constructed to, in some sense, improve over MCMC methods. However, such nonlinear kernels cannot be simulated exactly, so approximations of the nonlinear kernels are constructed using auxiliary or potentially self-interacting chains. Several nonlinear kernels are presented and it is demonstrated that, under some conditions, the associated approximations exhibit a strong law of large numbers; our proof technique is via the Poisson equation and Foster--Lyapunov conditions. We investigate the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Samples of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and nylon 66, of grades suitable for use in medical prostheses, were subjected to irradiation using a /sup 60/Co source. The effects of a 10 Mrad dose on percentage crystallinity, tensile behaviour and dynamic mechanical response were established 3 days after irradiation at intervals over a one year period. Crystallinity in UHMWPE was found to increase progressively during this period with consequent changes in mechanical behaviour. It is proposed that the observed ageing process arises from the breakdown of metastable groups in the polymer, which are formed on irradiation, with consequent release of long inter-lamella tie chains. This removes an inhibition to crystal perfection processes, which can occur at room temperature in polyethylene. Infra-red spectroscopic evidence supports the proposal that the metastable species is peroxy or hydroperoxy and that this decomposes on ageing to a carbonyl group, ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The ruthenium decontamination factor in Purex process falls quickly with recycles of TBP. So it is necessary to change the chemical states of RuNO complexes in order to improve DF_R_u in the uranium purification cycle. The retention of RuNO complexes in TBP-kerosenelaurohydroxamic acid is observed to be quite large in our previous work. Therefore, water-soluble short chain hydroxamic acid is used as complexing agent to decrease the distribution coefficient of Ru. Hydroxamic acid can transform RuNO complexes into in-extractable species by TBP-kerosene in certain conditions. The result of cascade experiment indicates that the ruthenium decontamination can be increased by a factor of 40-50. Acidity has more influence on the effect of pretreatment. The higher acidity is, the worse the effect will be. The pretreatment is first carried out in low acidic solution, then extractive acidity is increased. In this way, the distribution of Ru can be decreased obviously. After ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A correlation investigation was carried out on the series of atomic coordinates (MPV) and temperature factor (T {sub f}), respectively for human hemoglobin and HIV-1 protease protein main chains. The MPV series revealed resemblances to the corresponding T {sub f} series. Each minor or major peak in a series had a corresponding peak in the related series. This brings a qualitative evidence for the connection of the two parameters. The series were further subjected to spectral and detrended fluctuation analysis which all revealed long-range correlation properties. This combined analysis revealed that the data were controlled both by the correlation of stationary fluctuation and trends or non-stationary contribution to correlation. The correlation of all MPV series was found to be much less sensitive to ligand binding than the corresponding T {sub f} series. Thus the long-range correlation properties of the protein main chain structure and ...

Science.gov (United States)

A novel single-chain immunotoxin was constructed by combining a CD33-specific single chain Fv (scFv) antibody fragment with an engineered variant of Pseudomonas exotoxin A (ETA). The variant toxin carries the KDEL peptide at its C-terminus, a cellular peptide mediating improved retrograde transport to the endoplasmic reticulum. The purified recombinant fusion protein induced potent apoptosis of the human myeloid cell lines U937, HL-60 and THP-1. Up to 98% of U937 cells were eliminated after treatment for 72 h with a single dose of 500 ng/ml (c. 7 nmol/l). Killing was antigen-specific and occurred by apoptosis. A control protein, consisting of a CD19-specific scFv antibody fragment fused to the ETA-KDEL toxin, failed to induce death of the CD19-negative cell lines U937, HL-60 and THP-1. The CD33-ETA toxin also mediated apoptosis of fresh patient-derived acute myeloid leukaemia cells from bone marrow and peripheral blood. The pronounced ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The recent advances in RFID offer vast opportunities for research, development and innovation in agriculture. The aim of this paper is to give readers a comprehensive view of current applications and new possibilities, but also explain the limitations and challenges of this technology. RFID has been used for years in animal identification and tracking, being a common practice in many farms. Also it has been used in the food chain for traceability control. The implementation of sensors in tags, make possible to monitor the cold chain of perishable food products and the development of new applications in fields like environmental monitoring, irrigation, specialty crops and farm machinery. However, it is not all advantages. There are also challenges and limitations that should be faced in the...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This research investigated the inhibiting effects that sodium salts of linear monocarboxylic acids displayed towards the corrosion process of AZ31 Mg alloy in ASTM D 1387 saline solution (a synthetic industrial cooling water). The length of the aliphatic chain of the acids ranged between 7 and 15 carbon atoms. The inhibiting action of these salts can be related to the precipitation of an insoluble magnesium salt, which mainly affected the anodic reaction. The aliphatic chain length controlled the anion solubility and the reaction rate of magnesium carboxylate formation. For all the salts, an optimum concentration was experienced: 10{sup -2} M for sodium decanoate (caprate), 10{sup -3} M for sodium dodecanoate (laurate), 10{sup -4} M for sodium tetradecanoate (myristate); when this concentration was exceeded, a diminution (even a disappearance) in the inhibiting action was found. (Abstract Copyright [2009], Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The effect of counter-ion species on the local conformation of fully-charged poly(L-glutamate) in added-salt aqueous solutions were studied by small-angle X-ray scattering(SAXS). In the case of presence of monovalent counter-ion, the scattering behaviour could be explained by taking into consideration the excluded volume effect and intermolecular-interface interaction on the scattering function of wormlike chain. On the other hand, since SAXS profile of the solution in the presence of divalent counter-ion well fitted to the scattering function of dendrimer, it suggested that the conformation of polymer chain in such solution would be more compact conformation than that of presence of monovalent ion.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cuphea, a relatively unknown plant outside the scientific community, might someday provide valuable oils for manufacturing soaps, detergents, surfactants, and lubricants, and may have medical, nutritional and dietetic applications as well. Unique properties of oils found in its seed make cuphea a potentially valuable new crop for the USA. Its seeds contain large quantities of medium-chain fatty acids such as lauric acid, which is used in manufacturing soaps and detergents. Other medium-chain fatty acids in cuphea can be used for clinical treatment of rare human ailments associated with fat absorption. New uses for the fatty acids in the seed may be developed and economic conditions may change, making the crop more or less valuable.

CERN Document Server

We discuss theoretically and numerically the intramolecular form factor $F(q)$ in dense polymer systems. Following Flory's ideality hypothesis, chains in the melt adopt Gaussian configurations and their form factor is supposed to be given by Debye's formula. At striking variance to this, we obtain noticeable (up to 20%) non-monotonic deviations which can be traced back to the incompressibility of dense polymer solutions beyond a local scale. The Kratky plot ($q^2F(q)$ {\\it vs.} wavevector $q$) does not exhibit the plateau expected for Gaussian chains in the intermediate $q$-range. One rather finds a significant decrease according to the correction $\\delta(F^{-1}(q)) = q^3/32\\rho$ that only depends on the concentration $\\rho$ of the solution, but neither on the persistence length or the interaction strength.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Pork identification in four types of food products, which are sausages and the casings, bread and biscuits, using species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of a conserved region in the mitochondrial (mt) 12S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene was developed. Genomic DNA of the food products were successfully extracted except for the casing samples, where no genomic DNA was detected. The extracted genomic DNA was then subjected to PCR amplification targeting the specific regions of the 12S rRNA gene. The genomic DNA from the food products were found to be of good quality and produced clear PCR products on the amplification of 12S rRNA gene of 387 base pairs (bp) from pork species. The species-specific PCR identification yielded excellent results for identification of pork derivatives...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Methodology, characteristics, features and results obtained for greenhouse gases within the recent Swiss LCA study 'Environmental Life-Cycle Inventories of Energy Systems' are presented. The focus of the study is on existing average Full Energy Chains (FENCHs) in the electricity generation mixes in Europe and in Switzerland. The systems, including coal (hard coal and lignite), oil, natural gas, nuclear and hydro, are discussed one by one as well as part of the electricity mixes. Photovoltaic systems are covered separately since they are not included in the electricity mixes. A sensitivity analysis on methane leakage during long-range transport via pipeline is shown. Whilst within the current study emissions are not attributed to specific countries, the main sectors contributing to the total GHGs emissions calculated for the various FENCHs are specified. (author). 10 refs, 10 figs, 9 tabs.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Biodiesel from non-grain feedstock has been considered as one of the proper substitutes for fossil fuels associated with a series of activities emerging in China in order to meet the resource shortage and develop the energy crops. This paper presents an ecological accounting framework based on embodied energy, emergy, and CO2 emission for the whole production chain of biodiesel made from Jatropha curcas L. (JCL) oil. The energy and materials invested in and CO2 emission from the whole process, including cropping, transportation, extraction, and production, are accounted and calculated. Also, EmCO2, the ratio of real CO2 released to the emergy-based sustainability indicator per joule biodiesel, is proposed in this paper to present a new goal function for low-carbon system optimization. Fina...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

According to biological and chemical control strategy for pest control, we investigate the dynamics of a predator-prey food chain with impulsive effect, periodic releasing natural enemies and spraying pesticide at different fixed times, by using impulsive differential equation. Choose pest birth rate r{sub 2} as control parameter, we show that there exists a stable pest-eradication periodic solution when r{sub 2} is less than some critical value r{sub 2}* and the system is permanence when r{sub 2} is larger than the critical value r{sub 2}*. By use of standard techniques of bifurcation theory, we prove that above this threshold there are periodic oscillations in prey, middle-predator and top predator. Furthermore, bifurcation diagrams have shown that there exists complexity for the pulsed system including periodic doubling cascade.

Science.gov (United States)

The X-point linear chain model for electronic structure of A-15 compounds is shown to lead to a weakly temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility ?(T) = 3micro2?N(0) tanh (?~ / T) is serious disagreement with experiment. Supported in part by NSF-DMR76-20641; AROD-DAHCO4-75-G-0052; and FRAP-CUNY 11453.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

No abstract prepared.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A CO/sub 2/ laser chain able to supply approx.=30 MW on a single mode TEM/sub 00/ is described. The coupling of a modified Lumonics 101 module with a low-pressure cell constitues the oscillator and two further Lumonics 103 stages two amplifiers. The final pulse achieves the energy of 4.0 J with 90% of this energy in a peak of 100 ns FWHM.

CERN Document Server

Three dimensional rotatory modes of oscillations in a one-dimensional chain of rodlike charged particles or dust grains in a plasma are investigated. The dispersion characteristics of the modes are analyzed. The stability of different equilibrium orientations of the rods, phase transitions between the different equilibria, and a critical dependence on the relative strength of the confining potential are analyzed. The relations of these processes with liquid crystals, nanotubing, and plasma coating are discussed.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The authors have shown previously that the domain recognizing receptors on activated human platelets is located on the human fibrinogen {gamma} chain between residues 400 and 411. To study the correlation between the structure of this segment of the {gamma} chain and its reactivity toward receptors on ADP-activated human platelets, they designed a series of analogues containing replacements at 9 out of 12 positions. A double substitution of the normal His{sup 400}-His{sup 401} sequence by Ala-Ala reduced the inhibitory potency of the dodecapeptide 3-fold. When Lys{sup 406} was replaced by Arg, the inhibitory potency of the dodecapeptide decreased 15 times. On the other hand, substitution of Ala{sup 408} with Arg increased the inhibitory potency of the dodecapeptide 6-fold. A drastic decrease in the reactivity of the dodecapeptide toward platelet receptors was observed when Val{sup 411} was replaced by leucine or cysteine or tyrosine. A 3-fold ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fe-doped MnO2 with a hollow sea urchin-like ball chain shape was first synthesized under a high magnetic field of 10 T. The formation mechanism was investigated and discussed in detail. The synthesized samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, EMPA, and vector network analysis. By doping MnO2 with Fe, the relative complex permittivity of MnO2 and its corresponding loss tangent clearly decreases, but its relative complex permeability and its corresponding loss tangent markedly increases. Moreover, the theoretically calculated values of reflection loss show that with increasing the Fe content, the as-prepared Fe-doped MnO2 exhibits good microwave absorption capability. -- Graphical Abstract: Fe-doped MnO2 with a hollow sea urchin-like ball chain shape was first synthesized in a high magnetic field of 10 T via a simple chemical process. Display Omitted Highlights: ? Fe-doped MnO2 with a hollow sea urchin-like ball chain ...

CERN Document Server

In this paper, we derive the moderate deviation principle for stationary sequences of bounded random variables with values in a Hilbert space. The conditions obtained are expressed in terms of martingale-type conditions. The main tools are martingale approximations and a new Hoeffding inequality for non adpated sequences of Hilbert-valued random variables. Applications to Cramer-Von Mises statistics, functions of linear processes and stable Markov chains are given.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

LRP1 is a type-1 transmembrane receptor that mediates the endocytosis of diverse ligands. LRP1 β-chain proteolysis results in release of sLRP1 that is present in human plasma. In this study,...Full Text Available

Wastenet

...and supply ensuring better food quality for the consumer developing safer and more flexible food production processes and technologies raw materials for food production; production and processing systems; by-products and wastes from fisheries and agro-industry; new food sources; packaging systems; quality monitoring; traceability Food contamination detecting and eliminating infectious and toxic agents throughout the food chain establishing the hazards and origins of food contaminants producing food more safely rapid ...

Science.gov (United States)

Copolymers of a 1,2 epoxy alkane and a cyclic carboxylate compound of the class consisting of dicarboxylic acid anhydrides, preferably maleic anhydride or a hydrocarbyl substituted succinic anhydride and a beta lactone, said copolymers having C/sub 10/ to C/sub 50/, preferably C/sub 20/ to C/sub 40/, linear, pendant hydrocarbon chains are flow improvers in residual and crude oils.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Within the tight binding framework, a study is made of how the disorder affects the electronic properties of A-15 compounds. In particular it is shown that for compounds of two transition metals in the A-15 structure, the vacancy formation affects the density of states only in the low energy region or in the high energy region, in opposition with the isolated chain model of Labbe and Friedel. It is concluded that interchain interactions are important. (U.K.).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Red light stimulates germination in the spores of Onoclea sensibilis L. Phytochrome is confirmed to be the photoreceptor pigment in the germination response by demonstrating red-far-red photoreversibility. External Ca/sup 2 +/ is required for this response with a threshold at a submicromolar concentration. Red light stimulates an increase in the total concentration of intracellular calcium in the spores as determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Subsequent exposure to far-red light inhibits the red light-induced increase in intracellular calcium. The majority of the increase occurs 5 minutes after the onset of irradiation. The calcium-antagonist, La/sup 3 +/ inhibits both germination and the red light-induced increase in intracellular calcium. Using /sup 31/P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the author tested the hypothesis that a sustained increase in intracellular pH contributes to the signal transduction chain. He never detected a red light-induced ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An FEL amplifier to generate a laser power of the order of TW at 4 #mu#m wavelength is investigated for a #gamma#-#gamma# collider. A concept of an amplifier chain consisting of a phase-displacement deceleration FELs is proposed to increase the FEL efficiency and to mitigate the requirement for the beam energy spread. The feasibility of the driving linac for the FEL system is also discussed. ((orig.)).

Science.gov (United States)

Amphiphilic pincer palladium complexes bearing hydrophilic and hydrophobic side chains on the planar NCN palladium pincer backbone were designed and prepared via the ligand introduction route. The complexes self-assembled under aqueous conditions to form vesicles with bilayer membranes containing palladium species. The catalytic activity of the vesicles in the Miyaura-Michael reaction in water was investigated. PMID:21837316

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The ζ chain-associated 70-kDa protein (ZAP-70) of tyrosine kinase plays a critical role in T cell receptor-mediated signal transduction and the immune response. A high level of ZAP-70 expression...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The rates of spontaneous interbilayer and transbilayer exchange of ["3H]dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (["3H]DMPC) were examined in the DMPC and DMPC/dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE) large unilamellar vesicles in the liquid-crystalline-, gel-, and mixed-phase states. DMPC desorption rates from either gel or liquid-crystalline phases containing DMPE are very similar to the corresponding rates from pure DMPC gel or liquid-crystalline phases. The authors proposed that the DMPC/DSPC behavior results from packing defects in gel phases composed of both DMPC and DSPC molecules because of the four-carbon difference in the acyl chain lengths of the two species. The present results strongly support this hypothesis because no such anomalous behavior is observed in DMPC/DMPE, which is similar to DMPC/DSPC in phase behavior but does not have the chain length difference. These results are not consistent with lipid headgroup dehydration as the major ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this study the greenhouse impact of the total Finnish forest sector was considered, which means that the estimated emissions and sink effects from exported forest products were also included. The forest biomass is and seems to be in the next decades the most important factor in the carbon balance of the total forest sector. The development alternatives of forest industries and waste management practices has still a remarkable influence on the greenhouse impact of the Finnish forest sector. The waste management practices in the future has an important influence on the emissions but the exact net greenhouse impact of the landfills is still uncertain. However, the methane emissions from existing landfills can be reduced essentially by gas recovery. Increased incineration and energy recovery of wood waste (and replacing fossil fuel use by it) is also a future alternative for reducing the greenhouse effects in the forest sector. The sequestration of carbon by increasing the storages of ...

Science.gov (United States)

Catalytic reactions of 3-methylpentane and 2,3-dimethylbutane on HY, amorphous silica-alumina, and HZSM-5 have been studied at 500{degree}C. Both kinetic phenomena and product selectivities have been reported. Cracking reactions an HZSM-5 can be attributed to initiation through protonation occurring at Bronsted sites. Bimolecular processes leading to chain reaction via hydride transfer are restricted within the narrow pore pentasil zeolite. On HY and amorphous silica-alumina, initiation of cracking also occurs at Bronsted sited. No direct evidence was found for participation of Lewis acid sites on the catalyst framework itself. Following initiation, reactions on these catalysts are accelerated through a chain process occurring at Lewis sites generated by adsorption of product olefins at Bronsted sites. The resulting change in the dominant cracking mechanism is reflected in the product selectivity, illustrated here by a falling off in formation ...

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Various MLM-type (M, medium-chain fatty acids; L, long-chain fatty acids) structured triacylglycerols were produced in pilot- or small-scale packed-bed reactors by lipase-catalyzed acidolysis. The incorporation and acyl migration of octanoic acid were measured by gas chromatography and Grignard degradation, and ranged from 39.0 to 48.7% and 0.6 to 9.3%, respectively. Quantitation of triacylglycerol molecular species was performed by ammonia negative ion chemical ionization (NICI) mass spectrometry (MS). The proportion of ACN (acyl carbon number) 34 species that contained one C-18 fatty acid and two C-8:0, in samples analyzed, varied from 12.5 to 23.2%. The selected regioisomers MLM and MML within the ACN 34 species group were quantified by NICI tandem MS (MS/MS) and were in the range of 97.1 to 98.4% and 1.6 to 2.9%, respectively. There was no correlation between the level of acyl migration during lipase-catalyzed esterification and the level ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A high sensitivity (titer 60-150,000) radioimmunoassay for arginine vasopressin (AVP) has been developed using synthetic AVP as antigen and standard. The specificity of the antiserum has been characterized in detail by measuring the relative binding affinities of 29 analogs and fragments of AVP. In general, single amino acid substitution or deletion in the AVP molecule caused a reduction in binding to the antiserum; binding was further impaired for analogs which had multiple substitutions. ''Ring'' and ''tail'' fragments of the neurohypophysial hormones did not bind to the antiserum, and the only analog which the antiserum could not differentiate from AVP was deamino-AVP. More specifically, the antiserum exhibited the following properties: position 1, no requirement for a position charge at "1/_2 Cys; positions 2 and 3, requirements for #pi#-#pi# interacting pair of aromatic side chains and for Tyr at position 2; position 4, requirement for Gln (>Thr > Val); ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Study of the ground-state properties of Kr, Sr and Zr isotopes has been performed in the framework of the relativistic mean-field (RMF) theory using the recently proposed relativistic parameter set NL-SH. It is shown that the RMF theory provides an unified and excellent description of the binding energies, isotope shifts and deformation properties of nuclei over a large range of isospin in the Z=40 region. It is observed that the RMF theory with the force NL-SH is able to describe the anomalous kinks in isotope shifts in Kr and Sr nuclei, the problem which has hitherto remained unresolved. This is in contrast with the density-dependent Skyrme-Hartree-Fock approach which does not reproduce the behaviour of the isotope shifts about shell closure. On the Zr chain we predict that the isotope shifts exhibit a trend similar to that of the Kr and Sr nuclei. The RMF theory also predicts shape coexistence in heavy Sr isotopes. Several dramatic shape transitions in the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Large-scale field tracer experiments have been conducted on Ulchin and Wolsung nuclear sites for the purpose of validating FADAS and of analyzing the environmental characteristics around the nuclear site. The most influential factor in atmospheric dispersion is the meteorological condition. During the experiment, meteorological data were measured on the release point and the selected positions among sampling points. Once radioactive materials are released to the atmosphere, members of public may be exposed through the environmental media such as air, soil and foods. Therefore, to protect the public, adequate countermeasures should be taken at due time for those exposure pathways. Both processes of justification and optimization are applied to a countermeasure simultaneously for decision-making. The work scope of biological research for the radiation protection had contained the search of biological microanalytic methods for the assessment of health effect by radiation and toxic agents, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Two sup(99m)Tc complexes of (N-piperidinylethyl) hexamethyl diaminodithiol (NEP-DADT) have shown high brain uptake in rodents and lower primates. One of these sup(99m)Tc complexes has given positive images of the brain in man which are qualitatively related to regional brain blood flow (rCBF). In order to determine the structure of these sup(99m)Tc products, the corresponding /sup 99/Tc(NEP-DADT) complexes were prepared and characterized by HPLC, TLC, fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB MS) and other analytical techniques. These results indicate that the two /sup 99/Tc (NEP-DADT) complexes are syn and anti isomers (i.e. one isomer has the N-piperdinylethyl side chain located syn to the technetium oxo core while the other has this side chain located anti to the technetium oxo core).

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Molecular recognition by calix[6]arene-based receptors bearing three primary alkylamino side chain arms (1) is described. Complexation of ZnII ion provides the dinuclear m-hydroxo complex ${{\\bf 2}{{{\\rm OH}\\hfill \\atop {\\rm G}\\hfill}}}$, XRD characterization of which, together with solution studies, provided evidence of its hosting of neutral polar organic guests G. Treatment of this complex with a carboxylic acid or a sulfonamide (XH) results in the formation of mononuclear species ${{\\bf 3}{{{\\rm X}\\hfill \\atop {\\rm G}\\hfill}}}$, one of which (X = Cl) has been characterized by XRD. A dicationic complex ${{\\bf 3}{{{\\rm RNH}{_{2}}\\hfill \\atop {\\rm G}\\hfill}}}$ is obtained upon treatment of ${{\\bf 2}{{{\\rm OH}\\hfill \\atop {\\rm G}\\hfill}}}$ with a mixture of an alkylamine and a strong acid....

Science.gov (United States)

A rapidly hydrated sorbent for moderate-temperature dry flue gas desulfurization was prepared by rapidly hydrating adhesive carrier particles and lime. The circulation ash from a circulating fluidized bed boiler and chain boiler ash, both of which have rough surfaces with large specific surface areas and specific pore volumes, can improve the adhesion, abrasion resistance, and desulfurization characteristics of rapidly hydrated sorbent when used as the adhesive carrier particles. The adhesion ability of sorbent made from circulation ash is 67.4% higher than that of the existing rapidly hydrated sorbent made from fly ash, the abrasion ratio is 76.2% lower, and desulfurization ability is 14.1% higher. For sorbent made from chain boiler ash, the adhesion ability is increased by 74.7%, the desulfurization ability is increased by 30.3%, and abrasion ratio is decreased by 52.4%. The abrasion ratios of the sorbent made from circulation ash having ...

Science.gov (United States)

Amongst the minor actinides issued from the spent nuclear fuel, {sup 241}Am is present in high concentration and contributes significantly to the long-term radiotoxicity of nuclear waste. A major uncertainty was present in the transmutation chain of {sup 241}Am when irradiated by a high intensity thermal neutron flux. This uncertainty was brought about by the poor knowledge of the {sup 242gs}Am neutron capture cross section. A dedicated experiment has been performed at the Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble, which gives a definitive experimental answer to this problem.

Science.gov (United States)

Total mercury content and its distribution in muscles and viscera of male and female blue crab (Callinectes sapidus Rothbum) and deep water pink shrimp (Parapenacus longirostris) collected from the 3 main fishing grounds near the Alexandria coast in the Mediterranean sea was estimated. The results indicate that the mercury content in the muscles of both species differ according to fishing areas, size, sex, and species. More than 75% of total mercury were accumulated in the viscera of both species which indicates that the mercury entered in these organisms via the feed chain. PMID:3696196

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

The synthesis and biophysical characterization of four prodrug ether phospholipid conjugates are described. The lipids are prepared from the anticancer drug chlorambucil and have C16 and C18 ether chains with phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylglycerol headgroups. All four prodrugs have the ability to form unilamellar liposomes (86-125 nm) and are hydrolyzed by phospholipase A2, resulting in chlorambucil release. Liposomal formulations of prodrug lipids displayed cytotoxicity toward HT-29, MT-3, and ES-2 cancer cell lines in the presence of phospholipase A2, with IC50 values in the 8-36 ?M range.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Three novel inosine-based dinuclear platinum complexes have been synthesized via a solid-phase strategy. In these compounds, the metal is linked both to the N-7 of the purine nucleus and to the terminal amine group of a hexylamine side chain installed on N-1. Cis- or trans- diamine as well as ethylenediamine ligands are coordinated to platinum along with a chloride. The synthesised complexes were tested against four different human tumor cell lines. One of these complexes proved to be more cytotoxic than cisplatin against the MCF7 cancer cell line in a short-term exposure assay.

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The accuracy of the carbon 14 dating method is dependent on the fluctuations of carbon 14 in the atmosphere over long periods of time. Fossil corals that are dated by both carbon 14 and uranium-thorium methods allows the setting of calibration curves for the carbon 14 method for the last 50.000 years. The uranium-thorium method is based on the measurement of the ratio of 2 isotopes: thorium 230 and uranium 234 that are both present in the decay chain of uranium 238. (A.C.)

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The doping of deuterated polyparaphenylene (C/sub 6/D/sub 4/)sub(n) with AsF/sub 5/ has been investigated by real time neutron diffractometry at 100, 400 and 820 mbar AsF/sub 5/ pressure. The reaction appears to be diffusion controlled. Evidence for one doped phase with partial crystalline order was obtained. Structural considerations suggest two polymer chains plus one dopant ''string'' as the repetitive unit.

CERN Document Server

We study suspensions of semi-flexible colloidal rods and biopolymers using an Onsager-type second-virial functional for a segmented-chain model. For suspensions of thin and thick fd virus particles we calculate phase diagrams in quantitative agreement with experimental observations, and we find their effective state-point dependent shape to be much shorter and thicker than the actual shape. We also calculate the stretching of worm-like micelles in a host fd virus solution, again finding agreement with experiments. For both systems, our results show that the fd virus stiffness can play a key role in system behavior.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Evaluated spectroscopic data for all nuclei with mass number A = 177 and corresponding level schemes from radioactive decay and reaction studies are presented. Most of the new information since the previous evaluation of this mass chain consists of the decay of the recently discovered isotope "1"7"7Tm, and the level structure of "1"7"7Ir, "1"7"7Os, and "1"7"7Pt. The present evaluation supersedes the earlier one by Y. A. Ellis and B. Harmatz (75E107) published in Nuclear Data Sheets 16, 135 (1975).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mass distribution in 28.5 MeV alpha particle induced fission of "2"3"2Th has been determined using gamma spectrometric technique. The chain yields of 24 different fission products covering both symmetric and asymmetric mass divisions were determined. The mass distribution was found to be asymmetric with peak positions at mass numbers 96 and 136 respectively while the peak to valley ratio was 3.86. The results are compared with the available literature on 14 MeV neutron induced fission of "2"3"5U. (orig.).

CERN Document Server

An accelerator has limited dynamic range: a chain of accelerators is required to reach high energy. A combination of septa and kicker magnets is frequently used to inject and extract beam from each stage. The kicker magnets typically produce rectangular field pulses with fast rise- and/or fall-times, however the field strength is relatively low. To compensate for their relatively low field strength, the kicker magnets are generally combined with electromagnetic septa. The septa provide relatively strong field strength but are either DC or slow pulsed. This paper discusses injection and extraction systems with particular emphasis on the hardware required for the septa.

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Fractal dimensional analysis was employed to obtain a quantitative measure of the morphology of polymer networks formed by UV irradiation induced polymerization of photo-reactive mesogenic monomers dissolved in a liquid crystal host medium. The fractal dimensions obtained, may be interpreted by polymer network growth following a percolation-like model for monomer concentrations well below the solubility limit. On passing the solubility limit, the polymerization process changes from a (radical chain) solution polymerization to a dispersion polymerization, with fractal dimensions decreasing and suggesting a cluster-cluster aggregation process for monomer concentrations above the solubility limit, similar to the aggregation of colloidal particles.

CERN Document Server

We consider the adiabatic demagnetization in the rotating reference frame (ADRF) of a system of dipolar coupled nuclear spins $s=1/2$ in the external magnetic field. The demagnetization starts with the offset of the external magnetic field (in frequency units) from the Larmor frequency being several times greater than the local dipolar field. For different subsystem sizes, we have found from numerical simulations the temperatures at which subsystems of a one-dimensional nine-spin chain and a plane nine-spin cluster become entangled. These temperatures are of the order of microkelvins and are almost independent of the subsystem size. There is a weak dependence of the temperature on the space dimension of the system.

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The electronic structure of the clusters (V/sub 3/Si/sub 4/)/sup 12 -/, (Nb/sub 3/Sn/sub 4/)/sup 12 -/(Mo/sub 3/Ge/sub 4/)/sup 15 -/ in crystalline V/sub 3/Si, Nb/sub 3/Sn, Mo/sub 3/Ge compounds is calculated by the Extended Hueckel method. The influence of different types of radiation induced defects on the density of states at the Fermi level (the anti-site defects, the displacement of atoms in linear chains, the vacancy-interstitial type defects) is considered.

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The world steel industry and market and the current status and prospects for the Japanese steel industry are discussed with particular reference to China, Europe, and the US. Trends in coking coal supply from Australia, Canada, and Mongolia and changes in demand for hard and semi-soft coking coals are considered. Canadian coal plays a significant role in the hard coking coal and PCI coal markets. This is expected to continue. Emerging concerns include the strong Canadian dollar and increases in fuel and materials costs. Canadian suppliers are asked to improve efficiencies, be competitive in the overall coal chain, and diversify their PCI coal reserves. 14 figs.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We review recent progress on experimental studies of collective charge excitations in hole-doped spin ladder system Sr_1_4_-_xCa_xCu_2_4O_4_1, focusing on anomalous features of phase excitation. We also discuss possible candidates for related charge ordered state, together with a controversial issue of the hole density transferred from spin chain layers to spin ladder layers. (author)

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Processing certain raw materials containing natural radioactive isotopes (e.g. U-238, Th-232 or K- 40) into products such as glas, abrasives, grinding materials or electrodes used for gasshielded tungsten-arc welding also leads to certain concentrations of industrial waste containing natural radioactive materials. Such industrial waste does not necessarily contain natural radioactive substances in concentrations exceeding the highest possible levels but nevertheless in significantly measurable quantities. This, however, frequently leads to confusion bordering on irritation by entities processing such substances as well as the general public, since they tend to believe natural radioactive substances in unobjectable concentration to cause similar or identical - health - consequences as man made radioactive substances in detrimental concentration. Radioactive materials may be incorporated intentionally or unintentionally into the product as main or additional ingredients. The recent ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Human Hb, the monomeric Hb of Glycera dibranchiata and horse Mb were modified by replacement of the protoheme with 2,4-dibromodeuteroheme. Following neutron capture by "7"9Br and "8"1Br, the locations of radioactive Br were determined. Although human Hb had approximately four times the mass and volume of the other proteins, about 9% of the activated Br was inserted into each of the three globins. These results suggest that the insertion is short-range (within 15 angstrom) and that this method could be used to label target sites in various proteins and other biological structures. Carp Hb's containing proto-, meso-, deutero- and dibromoheme were prepared. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for oxygen and CO binding were determined at Ph 6 (+IHP) (T-state, low-affinity protein) and Ph 9 (R-state, high-affinity protein). Parameters for the binding of oxygen and CO were related to the properties of the four hemes to estimate the inductive and steric factors in the ligation process. The ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Acanthamoeba castellanii myosins IA and IB demonstrate the catalytic properties of a myosin and can support analogues of contractile and motile activity in vitro, but their single, low molecular weight heavy chains, roughly globular shapes, and inabilities to self-assemble into filaments make them structurally atypical myosins. The authors present the complete amino acid sequence of the 128-kDa myosin IB heavy chain, which they deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the gene and which reveals that the polypeptide is a fusion of myosin-like and non-myosin-like sequences. Specifically, the amino-terminal #approx# 76 kDa of amino acid sequence is highly similar to the globular head sequences of conventional myosins. By contrast, the remaining #approx# 51 kDa of sequence shows no similarity to any portion of conventional myosin sequences, contains regions that are rich in glycine, proline, and alanine residues, and lacks the distinctive sequence ...

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This paper explores for the first time the post-radiation-induced-graft polymerization on solid substrate using reversible addition-fragmentation transfer (RAFT) mechanism. Radiation-induced graft polymerization onto polymers is a potentially interesting technique to create easily new materials from highly resistant polymers, e.g. surface graft polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) onto poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF) improves its surface properties without losing its excellent mechanical properties. As a consequence of the radical nature of the polymerization processes it is difficult to control molecular weight of grafted chains, and therefore design and standardize the properties of the final product. RAFT polymerization is a suitable method to obtain monodisperse polymers. The ability of the RAFT agents to control the polymer chain length could be an interesting approach to improve the grafted polymers obtained by ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A novel sodium lead pentaborate, NaPbB5O9, has been successfully synthesized by standard solid-state reaction. The single-crystal X-ray structural analysis showed that NaPbB5O9 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a=6.5324(10) A, b=13.0234(2) A, c=8.5838(10) A, ?=104.971(10)o, and Z=4. The crystal structure is composed of double ring [B5O9]3- units, [PbO7] and [NaO7] polyhedra. [B5O9]3- groups connect with each other forming two-dimensional infinite ?[B5O9]3- layers, while [PbO7] and [NaO7] polyhedra are located between the layers. [PbO7] polyhedra linked together via corner-sharing O atom forming novel infinite ?[PbO6] chains along the c axis. The thermal behavior, IR spectrum and the optical diffuse reflectance spectrum of NaPbB5O9 were reported. -- Graphical abstract: A new phase, NaPbB5O9, has been discovered in the ternary M2O-PbO-B2O3 (M=alkali-metal) system. The crystal structure consists of a novel infinite ?[PbO6] ...

CERN Document Server

The observation that Type Ia supernovae are fainter than expected given their red shifts has led to the conclusion that the expansion of the universe is accelerating. The widely accepted hypothesis is that this acceleration is caused by a cosmological constant or, more generally, some dark energy field that pervades the universe. This hypothesis presents a challenge to physics so severe that one is motivated to explore alternative explanations. In this paper, we explore whether the data from Type Ia supernovae can be explained with an idea that is almost as old as that of the cosmological constant, namely, that the strength of gravity varies on a cosmic timescale. This topic is an ideal one for investigation by an undergraduate physics major because the entire chain of reasoning from models to data analysis is well within the mathematical and conceptual sophistication of a motivated undergraduate.

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In Indian traditional medicine, various plants have been used widely as a remedy for treating snakebites. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Tamarindus indica seed extract on the pharmacological as well as the enzymatic effects induced by V. russelli venom. Tamarind seed extract inhibited the PLA2, protease, hyaluronidase, L-amino acid oxidase and 5prime-nucleotidase enzyme activities of venom in a dose-dependent manner. These are the major hydrolytic enzymes responsible for the early effects of envenomation, such as local tissue damage, inflammation and hypotension. Furthermore, the extract neutralized the degradation of the Bb chain of human fibrinogen and indirect hemolysis caused by venom. It was also observed that the extract exerted a moderate effect on the clotting ...

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In this work it is made a study of the structure and electric properties of chlorate polyethylene (PE-CI) with double and simple bonds obtained by continuous plasma with resistive coupling to 13.5 MHz. The synthesis conditions are power between 10 and 14 W and pressure of (6-7) x 10{sup -2} Torr. The synthesized PE-Cl in that way is soluble in acetone what indicates that probably is formed of short chains and not it shows the generalized inter crossing that is presented in some syntheses by plasma and that it can degrade the electric properties of these polymers. The IR and XPS analysis show the vibration of the C-C, C=C and C-CI bonds. The morphology of the polymer after being dissolved shows a compact and flat configuration. The electric conductivity has an approximately lineal behavior in an interval of 35 to 90% of relative humidity. (Author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Layer-by-layer formation for #pi#-conjugated azomethine multilayers bonded on substrates was investigated. The multilayers were synthesized using ethanol (EtOH) and dichloromethane (DCM) as reaction solvents. The multilayer characteristics were analyzed using UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, ellipsometric thickness, and atomic force microscopy. The absorption spectra and ellipsometric thicknesses of multilayers formed using EtOH and DCM were compared. The results indicate that EtOH is more suitable than DCM for such layer-by-layer formation. In addition, bandgaps estimated from the absorption edge of multilayers were investigated. The results indicate that the bandgap decreases as the number of benzene rings contained in the molecular chain of the multilayer increases. Also, a multilayer with four benzene rings bonded on a substrate had a bandgap close to that of a polymer with a similar chemical structure.

CERN Document Server

Hidden Markov models (HMMs) are probabilistic functions of finite Markov chains, or, put in other words, state space models with finite state space. In this paper we examine subspace estimation methods for HMMs whose output lies a finite set as well. In particular we study the geometric structure arising from the non-minimality of the linear state space representation of HMMs, and consistency of a subspace algorithm arising from a certain factorisation of the singular value decomposition of the estimated linear prediction matrix. For this algorithm we show that the estimates of the transition and emission probability matrices are consistent up to a similarity transformation, and that the m-step linear predictor computed from the estimated system matrices is consistent, i.e. converges to the true optimal linear m-step predictor.

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Magnetic fluids (MFs), prepared by chemical co-precipitation followed by double layer steric and electrostatic (combined) stabilization of magnetite nanoparticles dispersed in water, are presented. Several combinations of surfactants with different chain lengths (lauric acid (LA), myristic acid (MA), oleic acid (OA) and dodecyl-benzene-sulphonic acid (DBS)) were used, such as LA+LA, MA+MA, LA+DBS, MA+DBS, OA+DBS, OA+OA and DBS+DBS. Static light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, small angle neutron scattering, magnetic and magneto-rheological measurements revealed that MFs with MA+MA or LA+LA biocompatible double layer covered magnetite nanoparticles are the most stable colloidal systems among the investigated samples, and thus suitable for biomedical applications.

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An amphiphilic azobenzene diblock copolymer {2-[4-(4-methoxy phenyl azo)phenoxy]hexyl acrylate co-acrylic acid} was synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization in a hydrothermal reactor. The products were characterized by 1H-NMR, DSC, GPC and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Different self-assembly behaviors of this amphiphilic diblock copolymer in different organic solvent with different water content were investigated. In THF/H2O solution, the diblock copolymer self-assembled into spheres and the spheres would then change to vesicles with smaller size by increasing the volume of H2O. However, in DMSO/H2O solution, the sizes and morphologies of the self-assembled spheres would not change significantly with an enhanced amount of H2O. Photochromic behaviors of the am...

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AbstractBackground: A defective innate immune response may contribute to the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Employing a global gene expression analysis, this study was aimed at identifying specifically regulated genes within the epithelial compartment in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: The epithelial fraction of human ileal mucosa samples from surgical specimens was obtained by laser microdissection. Gene expression was examined by global expression profiling (n = 18, Affymetrix), quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (n = 35), immunoblot analysis (n = 9), and immunohistochemistry (n = 25). Results: Global expression profiling revealed a pronounced downregulation of the retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) with...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In this paper, a time-domain equivalent circuit method is applied to solve dispersion of coupled-cavity travelling-wave tube (CCTWT). First, the time-domain circuit equations of CCTWT coupled-cavity chain are deduced from the equivalent circuit model. Then, the equations are solved numerically by fourth-order Runge-Kutta method and a program CTTDCP is developed using MATLAB. Last, a L-band CCTWT is calculated using CTTDCP and the cavity pass-band of this tube is computed to be 1.08-1.48 GHz, which is consistent with the experimental results and the simulation results of electromagnetic code and demonstrates the validity of the time-domain equivalent circuit method. In addition, a new design method which uses the equivalent circuit method and electromagnetic simulation together to optimize the cold cavity characteristics of CCTWT is proposed. (authors)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The recent acceleration of effort to elucidate and explore the coordination chemistry of technetium has been prompted mainly by the need for a new generation of radiotracers in nuclear medicine, preferentially for tomograhic studies. Current approaches and their limitations in designing "9"9"mTc complexes capable of penetrating cell membranes of the target organs, and remaining there sufficiently long, are reviewed. With the predominance of Tc(V) oxo compounds, especially for brain imaging agents, new N4 and N2S2 coordinate complexes have been developed by shifting from bidentate to tetradentate ligands with a variable side chain or other adjustable reactivity. The search for myocardial imaging agents has focused on a variety of mixed ligand complexes of Tc(III) and most promising [Tc(CNR)_6]"+ complexes of Tc(I). 64 refs. (author).

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Brazil occupies a prominence place in the development and use of sources renovate of energy, due to its great territorial extension, climate and several alternatives. One of these it is the bio diesel,o production which can substitute the oil diesel, decreasing the impacts to the environment. In the productive chain of chicken meat a residue, chicken oil, is generated with potential for biodiesel production. In this work they were certain characteristics physical chemistries, that can influence in the reactions of transesterification of the chicken oil. It was lifted up the potential of production of chicken oil in the cooperatives of the area west of the state of Parana and yield in biodiesel. The bio diesel production by cooperatives could be of 19.525.209,0 kg/year of bio diesel and the yield of 95%. (author)

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Pd-induced surface structures on Si(1 1 3) have been studied by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In the initial process of the Pd adsorption below 0.10 ML, Pd silicide (Pd{sub 2}Si) clusters are observed to form randomly on the surface. By increasing the Pd coverage to 0.10 ML, the clusters cover the entire surface, and an amorphous layer is formed. After annealing the Si(1 1 3)-Pd surface at 600 deg. C, various types of islands and chain protrusions appears. The agglomeration, coalescence and crystallization of these islands are observed by using high temperature (HT-) STM. It is also found by XPS that the islands correspond to Pd{sub 2}Si structure. On the basis of these results, evolution of Pd-induced structures at high temperatures is in detail discussed.

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Using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo optimization algorithm and a computer simulation, I find the passenger ordering which minimizes the time required to board the passengers onto an airplane. The model that I employ assumes that the time that a passenger requires to load his or her luggage is the dominant contribution to the time needed to completely fill the aircraft. The optimal boarding strategy may reduce the time required to board and airplane by over a factor of four and possibly more depending upon the dimensions of the aircraft. I explore some features of the optimal boarding method and discuss practical modifications to the optimal. Finally, I mention some of the benefits that could come from implementing an improved passenger boarding scheme.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Racemic and enantiomerically pure b-amino-a-trifluoromethyl alcohols were obtained via sequential nucleophilic trifluoromethylation of selected a-imino ketones, derived from arylglyoxals, and subsequent removal of the MeO or Ph(Me)CH substituent, respectively, located at the N-atom. The obtained products, containing a primary amino group, were used for the synthesis of imidazole N-oxides bearing a trifluoromethyl group as a part of the N(1)-alkyl chain. Imidazole N-oxides with an electron-withdrawing ester group at C(4) underwent spontaneous isomerization under the reaction conditions, and the corresponding imidazol-2-ones derivatives were isolated as final products.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The buoyancy driven convective flow fields are steady circulatory flows which were made between surfaces maintained at two fixed temperatures. They are ubiquitous in nature and play an important role in many engineering applications. Especially, in last decades, natural convection in a close loop or cavity becomes the main issue in the molecular biology for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Application of a natural convection can reduce the costs and efforts remarkably. This paper focuses on the sensitivity study of turbulence analysis using CFD for a natural convection in a closed rectangular cavity. Using commercial CFD code, FLUENT, various turbulent models were applied to the turbulent flow. Results from each CFD model will be compared each other in the viewpoints of flow characteristics. This work will suggest the best turbulent model of CFD for analyzing turbulent flows of the natural convection in an enclosure system.

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Summary CAG trinucleotide repeat length in the nuclear polymerase gamma gene (POLg) has been shown to be associated with men with reduced fertility. The present study investigated the frequency of CAG repeat length genotypes and three exonuclease motifs of the POLg in relation to the frequency of mitochondrial nucleotide substitutions. DNA from semen samples of 93 normozoospermic men and 192 non-normozoospermic men was isolated and the specific regions of the genes were amplified by polymerase chain reactions (PCR) and sequenced to identify mutations. The genotypic frequencies of pooled POLg CAG repeat lengths, =10/!=10 heterozygotes and !=10/!=10 homozygotes, were significantly different between normozoospermic and non-normozoospermic men (p p POLg genotype. Of the 17 men with non-synonym...

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Complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) is the largest enzyme of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Compared to its bacterial counterpart which encompasses 14-17 subunits, mitochondrial complex I has almost tripled its subunit composition during evolution of eukaryotes, by recruitment of so-called accessory subunits, part of them being specific to distinct evolutionary lineages. The increasing availability of numerous broadly sampled eukaryotic genomes now enables the reconstruction of the evolutionary history of this large protein complex. Here, a combination of profile-based sequence comparisons and basic structural properties analyses at the protein level enabled to pinpoint homology relationships between complex I subunits from fungi, mammals or green plants, previously identified...

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The versatile electrospinning technique was used to successfully align and disperse multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in nylon 6,6 matrix to obtain composite fibers. The morphology of the composite fibers and the dispersion of the CNTs within the fibers were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. TEM analysis revealed that the CNTs were well-dispersed, separated and aligned along the fiber axis. The thermal and mechanical properties of the composite fibers were characterized as a function of weight fraction of the CNTs. Incorporation of the CNTs in the fibers resulted in an increase in glass-transition temperature (Tg) by 7degreeC, indicating that the addition of CNTs has restricted the mobility of the polymer chains a...

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We report localization of the human cone transducin (GNAT2) gene using fluorescence in situ hybridization on chromosome 1 in band p13. The recent assignment of a gene for Stargardt disease to the same chromosomal region by linkage analysis prompted us to investigate the possible role of GNAT2 in the pathogenesis of this disease. We investigated 66 unrelated patients for mutations in the coding region of the GNAT2 gene using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis (SSCP) and direct sequencing. No disease-specific mutations were found, indicating that GNAT2 is probably not involved in the pathogenesis of most cases of Stargardt disease. 19 refs., 1 fig., 1 tab.

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The advent of carbon nanotubes, which are graphite layers convoluted in cylinders several nanometers in diameter and several micrometers in length, as well as the experiments on implanting metal atoms in such tubes open the way to producing nanoconductors and other materials with unique properties. For theorists, the basic challenge is interpreting and predicting the structure and properties of these systems. The linearized augmented-plane-wave method (LAPW) is one of the most accurate methods in the theory of the electronic structure of solids. A generalization of this method for quasi-two-dimensional systems, surface electronic states, and layered crystals is known. The LAPW theory for quasi-unidimensional systems, which exhibit translational symmetry in one direction, has been absent thus far. In this paper, the authors suggest a version of such a theory and use this method to calculate the electronic structure of carbyne (a linear chain of carbon atoms) and ...

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KMeyeDB () is a database of human gene mutations that cause eye diseases. We have substantially enriched the amount of data in the database, which now contains information about the mutations of 167 human genes causing eye-related diseases including retinitis pigmentosa, cone-rod dystrophy, night blindness, Oguchi disease, Stargardt disease, macular degeneration, Leber congenital amaurosis, corneal dystrophy, cataract, glaucoma, retinoblastoma, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, and Usher syndrome. KMeyeDB is operated using the database software MutationView, which deals with various characters of mutations, gene structure, protein functional domains, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers, as well as clinical data for each case. Users can access the database using an ordinary Internet browser wi...

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We report synthesis, characterization and ion transport in polyether-based ionic melt electrolytes consisting of Li salts of low-basicity anions covalently attached to polyether oligomers. Purity of the materials was investigated by HPLC analysis and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The highest ionic conductivity of 7.1 x 10{sup -6} S/cm at 30 deg. C was obtained for the sample consisting of a lithium salt of an arylfluorosulfonimide anion attached to a polyether oligomer with an ethyleneoxide (EO) to lithium ratio of 12. The conductivity order of various ionic melts having different polyether chain lengths suggests that at higher EO:Li ratios the conductivity of the electrolytes at room temperature is determined in part by the amount of crystallization of the polyether portion of the ionic melt.

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The response regulator protein is a core element of two-component signaling pathway. In this study, we investigated functions of BRRG-1 of Botrytis cinerea, a gene that encodes a putative response regulator protein, which is homologous to Rrg-1 in Neurospora crassa. The BRRG-1 gene deletion mutant ?Brrg1-62 was unable to produce conidia. The mutant showed increased sensitivity to osmotic stress mediated by NaCl and KCl, and to oxidative stress generated by H2O2. Additionally, the mutant was more sensitive to the fungicides iprodione, fludioxonil, and triadimefon than the parental strain. Western-blot analysis showed that the Bos-2 protein, the putative downstream component of Brrg-1, was not phosphorylated in the ?Brrg1-62. Real-time polymerase chain reaction assays showed that expression ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

General expressions for the interlattice displacements of the A-15 structure compounds are obtained in terms of the strain components making use of the deformation theory. The nature of the interlattice displacements of all the 8 atoms in the unit cell is discussed. It is found that the interlattice displacements occur in such a way that the pair of atoms along any linear chain move in opposite directions with equal magnitudes. Expression for the strain energy of these compounds is developed using deformation theory and this is compared with the strain energy expression from continuum theory to obtain the elastic constants. The theoretical values of the elastic constants fairly agree with the experimental values for V_3Si, V_3Ge and Nb_3Sn. (author).

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The present study was designed with an aim to analyze the effect of acute aluminium phosphide (ALP) exposure (10mg/kg b.wt, intragastrically) on the kinetic characteristics of cytochrome oxidase and energy metabolism in male Wistar rat liver mitochondria. Liver mitochondrial preparations from ALP-treated rats exhibited significant decrease (66%) in the activity of cytochrome oxidase suggesting that there was a decrease in the catalytic efficiency of the active oxidase molecules on ALP treatment. The decreased activity of cytochrome oxidase with altered NADH and succinic dehydrogenase activities might have contributed towards a significant decline in state 3 and state 4 respiration as observed. These alterations in the electron transport chain complexes in turn adversely affected the ATP sy...

CERN Document Server

Many secure communication libraries used by distributed systems, such as SSL, TLS, and Kerberos, fail to make a clear distinction between the authentication, session, and communication layers. In this paper we introduce CEDAR, the secure communication library used by the Condor High Throughput Computing software, and present the advantages to a distributed computing system resulting from CEDAR's separation of these layers. Regardless of the authentication method used, CEDAR establishes a secure session key, which has the flexibility to be used for multiple capabilities. We demonstrate how a layered approach to security sessions can avoid round-trips and latency inherent in network authentication. The creation of a distinct session management layer allows for optimizations to improve scalability by way of delegating sessions to other components in the system. This session delegation creates a chain of trust that reduces the overhead of establishing secure ...

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Neutron cross sections for Pu-239 and Am-241, -242m, -243 have been analyzed with the aid of theoretical models. A deformed optical potential that fits total, elastic and inelastic differential cross section data and neutron strength functions for Pu-239 and Am-241 have been used. In case of Pu-239 the consistency of absolute fission data and (n, 2n) cross section is investigated. Because of the strong discrepancies in Am fission cross section data a consistent set of calculated cross section values for the chain of Am nuclei is proposed. The present state of knowledge concerning first chance fission cross section allows to analyze fission cross section data of Am-241, -242m, -243, up to 20 MeV. The results thus obtained are compared with ENDF/B-V and JENDL-3 libraries. (orig.).

CERN Document Server

The LHCb experiment has chosen to use the SAM framework (Service Availability Monitoring Environment from EGEE-II) [1] make extensive tests of the LHCb environment at all the accessible grid resources. The availability and the proper definition of the local Computing and Storage Elements, user interfaces as well as the WLCG software environment are checked. The SAM framework is also used to pre-install the LHCb applications in the shared software area provided by each site. The deployment of the LHCb applications is based on a python tool developed inside the experiment. It is used for software management including incremental installation of interdependent packages and clean package removal. After the application software is installed a validation test of the whole MC chain is run. According to the results of the experiment specific SAM tests, the sites are (re)integrated into the LHCb production system managed by DIRAC [2]. The possibility of automated dynamic ...

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Thirty fattened one humped desert camels were used to examine the effect of season on contractile and metabolic properties of Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle. Ten camels were slaughtered according to seasons of the year (winter, summer and autumn). Season significantly influenced muscle chemical composition, ultimate pH (pHu) and color. Activities of metabolic enzymes were higher during autumn season compared to summer and winter for phosphofructokinase (+64% compared to both seasons) and for isocitrate dehydrogenase (+35% and +145% in autumn vs. summer and winter, respectively). Quantification of muscle myosin heavy chain isoforms by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis showed only presence of type I and type IIa MyHC in camel muscle and indicated high proportion in winter for type I and in autumn f...

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Emeraldine base (EB) polymer?ZnO nanoparticles composite films has been synthesized by solution casting technique on ITO-coated glass substrate and characterized by XRD, FTIR and TEM for their structure and morphology. Dielectric behaviour of these composite films has been investigated in the very low frequency region to medium frequency region (1?kHz?1?MHz). The dielectric constant of the composite with 30% nanoparticles is almost one-tenth of the pure EB. The dielectric value becomes constant in the frequency region greater than 400?kHz. The change in dielectric behaviour of the composite is explained on the basis of multilayered interface formed between the ZnO nanoparticles and emeraldine chains. Nanoparticles have high energy surface which is responsible for the decrease of free volum...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

For investigating carryover of some organophosphorus pesticide residues in the cereal food chain from grain to consumer, a study was set up on wheat bran, flour and cookies, with and without bran. Special emphasis was given to malathion and chlorpyrifos-methyl residues in cookies for better protection of consumers. Pesticide-free wheat was placed in a small-scale model of a commercial storage vessel and treated with these pesticides. The residue levels of insecticides were determined in wheat, as well as in bran, flour and cookies produced from stored wheat at various time intervals during storage. A multiresidue analysis was performed using GC-NPD and GC-MS. Malathion and chlorpyrifos-methyl residue levels were higher than the maximum residue limits (MRLs) in wheat after 240days of storag...

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Pro-inflammatory cytokines may directly influence the viability and metabolic function of colonic epithelial cells (CEC) as an early event in the development of inflammatory bowel disease. We report here that TNF-alpha+IFN-gamma induced a synergistic, concentration-dependent decline in butyrate oxidation, an essential energy supply, in HT-29 and DLD-1 cells. TNF-alpha+IFN-gamma induced a parallel profound decline in cell viability in HT-29 cells, but not in DLD-1 cells, where impairment of butyrate oxidation seemed to precede later occurrence of cell damage. TNF-alpha+INF-gamma induced CEC damage was independent on NO formation and involved the IFN-gamma signalling pathway as well as induction of apoptosis. If cytokines have similar effects in vivo, these may lead to energy deficiency and thus contribute to CEC damage and disturbance of the epithelial integrity.

Science.gov (United States)

This article reports research findings related to converging formats, media, practices, and ideas in the process of academics' interaction with electronic texts during a research project. The findings are part of the results of a study that explored interactions of scholars in literary and historical studies with electronic texts as primary materials. Electronic texts were perceived by the study participants as fluid entities because the electronic environment promotes seamless interactions with a variety of media and formats. Working with electronic texts combines some traditional information and research practices into new patterns of information behavior. The practice called "netchaining" combines aspects of networking with information-seeking practices to establish and shape online information chains, which link sources and people. Different forms of exploration of participants' research questions were enabled by interactions with electronic texts.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Internal amplification controls (IACs) were constructed for incorporation into real-time nucleic acid amplification assays for bovine polyomavirus, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis E virus, human adenovirus, human norovirus genogroup I, human norovirus genogroup II, murine norovirus and porcine adenovirus. The addition of optimised amounts of IAC into the assays did not affect the limits of detection for each specific target virus. A poorly performed extraction of viral nucleic acids was simulated, and the effectiveness of IACs in identifying failed assays was demonstrated. The IACs constructed in this study can be reliably used in their specific assays to provide a robust control that can be routinely applied in the analysis of foods for viruses.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We determined the chromosomal localization and structure of the gene encoding human type II inosine 5{prime}-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH, EC 1.1.1.205), an enzyme associated with cellular proliferation, malignant transformation, and differentiation. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers specific for type II IMPDH, we screened a panel of human-Chinese hamster cell somatic hybrids and a separate deletion panel of chromosome 3 hybrids and localized the gene to 3p21.1{yields}p24.2. Two overlapping yeast artificial chromosome clones containing the full gene for type II IMPDH were isolated and a physical map of 117 kb of human genomic DNA in this region of chromosome 3 was constructed. The gene for type II IMPDH was localized and oriented on this map and found to span no more than 12.5 kb.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Composite materials of synthetics (based on monomers, oligomers and thermoplastics) and of natural polymers (wood and other fibrous cellulosics) prepared by radiation processing, offer valuable structural materials with enhanced coupling forces between the components. The applied polymer chemistry of such composites shows several common features with that of radiation grafting, e.g. the polymerization rate of oligomer-monomer mixtures in wood remains in most cases proportional to the square-root of the initiating dose-rate, just as in the simultaneous grafting, demonstrating that the chain termination kinetics remain regularly bimolecular in the corresponding dose-rate ranges. In the processing experiences of such composites, low dose requirement, easy process-control, and good technical feasibility have been found for composites of wood with oligomer-monomer mixtures, for coconut fibres with unsaturated polyesters and for pretreated wood fibre with polypropylene. ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose - The article discusses how care programmes and integrated care pathways can be linked, finding ways to improve healthcare process professional and logistical quality from a supply chain and a network point-of-view. Design/methodology/approach - The authors argue that owing to cost containment goals and increasing healthcare demand, healthcare services systems are challenged to improve service quality, whilst at the same time finding ways to improve delivery processes. It explores if the combination of two instruments, care programmes and integrated care pathways, can meet both goals. This combination is illustrated by an example from the Institute of Mental Health Care Eindhoven en de Kempen. Findings - Analysis suggests that care programmes can be combined with integrated care pa...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The objective of this study is to describe the complete transport chain of CO2 between capture and storage including a ship transport. This last one is composed by the following steps:Shore terminal including the liquefaction, temporary storage and CO2 loading. Ship with a capacity of 30,000m^3. On or off shore terminal including an unloading system, temporary storage and export towards the final storage. Between all the possible thermodynamic states, the liquid one is most relevant two options are compared in the study (-50^oC, 7bar) and (-30^oC, 15bar). The ship has an autonomy of 6 days, is able to cover 1000km with a cargo of 2.5Mt/year. Several scenarios are studied varying the geographical position of the CO2 source, the number of harbours and the way the CO2 is finally stored. Depen...

CERN Document Server

The emergence of nanoscience has increased the importance of experiments able to probe the very local structure of materials, especially for disordered and heterogeneous systems. This is technologically important; for example, the nanoscale structure of glassy polymers has a direct correlation with their macroscopic physical properties. We have discovered how a local, high frequency dynamic process can be used to monitor and even predict macroscopic behavior in glassy polymers. Polyvinylethylenes vitrified by different chemical and thermodynamic pathways exhibit different densities in the glassy state. We find that the rate and amplitude of a high frequency relaxation mode (the Johari-Goldstein process involving local motion of segments of the chain backbone) can either correlate or anti-correlate with the density. This implies that neither the unoccupied (free) volume nor the configurational entropy governs the local dynamics in any general sense. Rather it is the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The raw materials used in manufacturing of phosphate fertilizer products were derived from rocks. Rocks contain a remarkable of natural radioactivity. Uranium and phosphorous were originally initiated at the same time of the initiated rocks. The purpose of this research is to investigate solubility of uranium phosphate species at the phosphate fertilizer samples, samples including; raw phosphate material, single super phosphates (SSP) granules and powdered, triple super phosphates (TSP) and phosphogypsum samples were obtained from Abu-Zabal factory in Egypt. Solubility of uranium phosphate species was estimated. It was found that, less than half of the uranium phosphate species are soluble in water. The soluble uranium may be enter into the food chains by plant. Therefore, restriction should be done in order to limit contamination of land and the public.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Last year, 1991, was a difficult one for Finland's oil and chemicals company, Neste Corporation. The sharp fall in the international price of chemicals products had a significant impact on the corporation's overall result. Neste was, however, able to improve its competitive position, move ahead with numerous investments, and develop new businesses. This was particularly evident in two areas that have received significant emphasis within Neste in recent years: oil exploration and the Baltic region where a network of modern service stations in Neste livery and stretching from Vyborg on the Finnish-Russian border, through St. Petersburg, Tallinn, and the Baltic countries to Warsaw, is currently taking shape. The majority of the western-style stations in this network will be located along the route of the M12 highway, which has been dubbed the Via Baltica.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A series of dinuclear platinum(II) complexes, [(dien)Pt(NH{sub 2}(CH{sub 2}){sub n}NH{sub 2})Pt(dien)]Cl{sub 4} (dien = diethylenetriamine, n = 8, 9, 10, and 12) and their corresponding [2]rotaxanes with {alpha}-cyclodextrin ({alpha}-CD), [(dien)Pt{l_brace}NH{sub 2}(CH{sub 2}){sub n}NH{sub 2}{center_dot}{alpha}-CD{r_brace}Pt(dien)]Cl{sub 4}, have been synthesized and characterized by {sup 1}H, {sup 13}C, and {sup 195}Pt NMR spectroscopy and electrospray mass spectrometry. The rotaxanes were prepared by reacting the {l_brace}NH{sub 2}(CH{sub 2}){sub n}NH{sub 2}{center_dot}{alpha}-CD{r_brace} pseudorotaxanes with [Pt(dien)]Cl, to stopper the included linear {alpha},{omega}-diaminoalkane chains with the inert Pt(II) end groups. The kinetics of the self-assembly and dissociation of the {beta}-CD rotaxane, [(dien)Pt{l_brace}NH{sub 2}(CH{sub 2}){sub 10}NH{sub 2}{center_dot}{beta}-CD{r_brace}Pt(dien)]{sup 4+}, were investigated by using {sup 1}H NMR and are indicative of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Trihydroxynaphthalene reductase catalyzes two intermediate steps in the fungal melanin biosynthetic pathway. The enzyme, a typical short-chain dehydrogenase, is the biochemical target of three commercial fungicides. The fungicides bind preferentially to the NADPH form of the enzyme. Three X-ray structures of the Magnaporthe grisea enzyme complexed with NADPH and two commercial and one experimental fungicide were determined at 1.7 {angstrom} (pyroquilon), 2.0 {angstrom} (2,3-dihydro-4-nitro-1H-inden-1-one, 1), and 2.1 {angstrom} (phthalide) resolutions. The chemically distinct inhibitors occupy similar space within the enzyme's active site. The three inhibitors share hydrogen bonds with the side chain hydroxyls of Ser-164 and Tyr-178 via a carbonyl oxygen (pyroquilon and 1) or via a carbonyl oxygen and a ring oxygen (phthalide). Active site residues occupy similar positions among the three structures. A buried water molecule that is ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

X-ray crystal structures of L-3,4-dihydroxy-2-butanone-4-phosphate synthase from Magnaporthe grisea are reported for the E-SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}, E-{sub 4}{sup 2-}-Mg{sup 2+}, E-SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}-Mn{sup 2+}, E-SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}-Mn{sup 2+}-glycerol, and E-SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}-Zn{sup 2+} complexes with resolutions that extend to 1.55, 0.98, 1.60, 1.16, and 1.00 {angstrom}, respectively. Active-site residues of the homodimer are fully defined. The structures were used to model the substrate ribulose 5-phosphate in the active site with the phosphate group anchored at the sulfate site and the placement of the ribulose group guided by the glycerol site. The model includes two Mg{sup 2+} cations that bind to the oxygen substituents of the C2, C3, C4, and phosphate groups of the substrate, the side chains of Glu37 and His153, and water molecules. The position of the metal cofactors and the substrate's phosphate group are further stabilized by an extensive hydrogen-bond ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This guide describes the simulator`s governing equations, constitutive functions and numerical solution algorithms of the STOMP (Subsurface Transport Over Multiple Phases) simulator, a scientific tool for analyzing multiple phase subsurface flow and transport. The STOMP simulator`s fundamental purpose is to produce numerical predictions of thermal and hydrologic flow and transport phenomena in variably saturated subsurface environments, which are contaminated with volatile or nonvolatile organic compounds. Auxiliary applications include numerical predictions of solute transport processes including radioactive chain decay processes. In writing these guides for the STOMP simulator, the authors have assumed that the reader comprehends concepts and theories associated with multiple-phase hydrology, heat transfer, thermodynamics, radioactive chain decay, and nonhysteretic relative permeability, saturation-capillary pressure constitutive functions. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mucociliary transport so critical in nasal, paranasal sinus, and middle ear physiology is impaired in chronic sinsusitis and otitis media by factors such as increased mucus viscoelasticity, decreased ciliary area, and primary or secondary ciliary immotility. We reviewed the pathophysiology of primary ciliary dyskinesia, otitis media with effusion, chronic sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis in terms of mucociliary transport. Subjects with primary ciliary dyskinesia may experience recurrent middle ear infection, chronic airway infection, predominantly lower-lobe bronchiectasis, male sterility, or situs inversus. Primary ciliary dyskinesia is sometimes difficult to diagnose in cases without situs inversus. Nasal nitric oxide concentration in such patients decreases, although why is unclear. Mutations may involve dynein arm intermediate chain 1 (DNAI1) or dynein arm heavy chain 5 (DNAH5). Mucociliary clearance decreases more in those with otitis ...

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Rabbit antisera raised to human and chicken MHC molecules were used to immunoprecipitate cross-reactive molecules from biosynthetically and cell surface-labeled spleen and/or blood cells of representative vertebrate species. Five major points emerged: 1) There were many nonspecific cross-reactions using these techniques, so various criteria were developed to distinguish these from true MHC-like molecules. 2) Only very small subpopulations of immunogen-specific antibodies cross-reacted with MHC-like molecules in other nonmammalian species. These subpopulations were different for each species and even within a species, sometimes being so limited as to behave like alloantisera. This led to a very scattered pattern of true cross-reactions that sometimes failed to reflect the properties of the bulk antibody population. 3) Antisera containing antibodies to class II beta- and class I alpha-chains cross-reacted better and more widely than those to B-G, class II alpha and, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A major regulatory element required for expression of the human [alpha]-globin genes is located 40 kb upstream of the embryonic [zeta]-globin gene. To understand how this and other locus control region (LCR) elements contribute to high-level expression in erythroid cells, we have performed high-resolution, in vivo dimethyl sulfate footprinting. In addition, we have modified the dimethyl sulfate-based ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction in vivo footprinting procedure to permit the assessment of interactions at guanine and adenine residues, rather than guanines alone. In vivo footprinting of the human [alpha]-LCR element carried on chromosome 16 in a mouse erythroleukemia cell environment revealed protein occupancy at GATA-1, AP-1/NF-E2, and CACC/GGTGG motifs, specific differences compared with in vitro protein binding, and distinct changes in one region upon dimethyl sulfoxide-induced cellular maturation. No protein contacts were detected in nonexpressing ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The suitability of the sunflower for biodiesel production was discussed in terms of the reference values on carbon dioxide equivalents (CO{sub 2eq}) emissions for every phase of the biofuels chain as indicated in the European Union (EU) Directive on renewable energies. A life cycle analysis performed on the agricultural phase of the sunflower showed that CO{sub 2eq} emissions from the cultivation phase exceeded the EU reference value. This paper highlighted the relevance of allocation methods to spread out energy consumption and CO{sub 2eq} emissions among sunflower biodiesel and oilcake. Allocation was made according to the principles of mass content, energy content and the economic value of co-products. The CO{sub 2eq} reductions obtained with the 3 methods were approximately 60, 50 and 25 per cent, respectively when compared to a case without allocation. Since these methods did not distinguish the different functionality of co-products in relation to their real ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The active site of chicken gizzard myosin was labeled by direct photoaffinity labeling with ["3H]UDP. ["3H] UDP was stably trapped at the active site by addition of vanadate (Vi) and Co"2"+. The extraordinary stability of the myosin.Co2+.[3H]UDP.Vi complex (t1/2 greater than 5 days at 0 degrees C) allowed it to be purified free of extraneous ["3H]UDP before irradiation began. Upon UV irradiation, greater than 60% of the trapped ["3H]UDP was photoincorporated into the active site. Only the 200-kDa heavy chain was labeled, confirming earlier results using ["3H]UTP. Extensive tryptic digestion of photolabeled myosin subfragment 1 followed by high performance liquid chromatography separations and removal of nucleotide phosphates by treatment with alkaline phosphatase allowed two labeled peptides to be isolated. Sequencing of the labeled peptides and radioactive counting showed that Glu185 was the residue labeled. Since UDP is a zero-length cross-linker, Glu185 is ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

British Nuclear Fuels plc owns and operates the near-surface Drigg disposal facility for low level radioactive waste. The long-term performance of the site is modelled by a suite of computer codes called MONDRIAN. One of the modules of MONDRIAN deals with the transport of radionuclides through the environment, and this paper reports on the current status of this module (BIOS). We derive the basic set of working equations from first principles and show clearly how the approximate nature of the final equations is arrived at. This is done by an averaging process leading to compartments, in and out of which radionuclides, solids and water can flow. The equations allow radioactive decay chains and an arbitrary number of compartments. There is also the facility to deal with changes in the rate coefficients, thereby simulating different environmental states. It is also possible to include the creation of new compartments arising as a consequence of climatic variations. In ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) assembled in hydrophobic domain by fatty acid with long alkyl hydrocarbon chain such as myristic acid (Myr), stearic acid (Ste) and cholic acid (Cho) modified onto nanocrystalline TiO{sub 2} electrode is prepared and the photovoltaic properties of the nanocrystalline TiO{sub 2} film by Chl-a are studied. Incident photon to current efficiency (IPCE) value at 660 nm in photocurrent action spectrum of Chl-a/Ste-TiO{sub 2}, Chl-a/Myr-TiO{sub 2} and Chl-a/Cho-TiO{sub 2} electrodes are 5.0%, 4.1% and 4.1%, respectively. Thus, the IPCE is maximum using Chl-a/Ste-TiO{sub 2} electrode. From the results of photocurrent responses with light intensity of 100 mW cm{sup -2} irradiation or monochromatic light with 660 nm, generated photocurrent increases using Chl-a/Ste-TiO{sub 2} electrode compared with the other Chl-a assembled TiO{sub 2} electrodes. These results show that the hydrophobic domain formed by stearic acid with long alkyl hydrocarbon ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

US Department of Energy (DOE) Order 5820.2A (DOE, 1988) requires performance assessments on all new and existing low-level radioactive waste (LLW) disposal sites. An integral part of performance assessment is estimating the fluxes of radioactive gases such as radon-220 and radon-222. Data needs pointed out by mathematical models drive site characterization. They provide a logical means of performing the required flux estimations. Thorium-230 waste, consisting largely of thorium hydroxide and thorium oxides, has been approved for disposal in shallow trenches and pits at the LLW Radioactive Waste Management Site in Area 5 of the Nevada Test Site. A sophisticated gas transport model, CASCADR8 (Lindstrom et al., 1992b), was used to simulate the transport and fate of radon-222 from its source of origin, nine feet below a closure cap of native soil, through the dry alluvial earth, to its point of release into the atmosphere. CASCADR8 is an M-chain gas-phase radionuclide ...

Science.gov (United States)

We cloned and characterized horse preproendothelin-2 (PPET-2) cDNA from intestinal tissue. The cDNA encoded 178 amino acids of the PPET-2 polypeptide, in which a 21-amino-acid mature endothelin-2 peptide and a 16-amino acid endothelin-2-like peptide were found. For the open reading frame the correspondence of horse PPET-2 cDNA with those of the ferret, human, dog, mouse and rat was 85.1%, 84.9%, 82.1%, 77.8% and 77.2%, respectively. Analysis of the organ distribution of PPET-2 mRNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that the kidney, stomach and small intestine are major sites of expression of the PPET-2 gene. Surprisingly, the mRNA is not detected in the large intestine, where high expression is demonstrated in the mouse and rat. This difference may result from the underlying functional differences of the large intestine between a herbivore (horse) and an omnivore (mouse and rat). PMID:15838341

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Oxide superconducting thin films were irradiated with X-rays and ultra-violet (UV) light, and induced radiation effects on electrical and chemical properties were examined by transport measurement, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), diamagnetization measurement and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). After irradiation for ErBa_2Cu_3O_x films with X-rays emitted from a Rh tube for 100 hours, superconductivity was remarkably damaged, destroying the zero-resistance state. The UV-light irradiation for Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_x films was performed in He gas of about 500 Pa with a low pressure mercury lamp. The superconductivity was gradually degraded with the UV irradiation time up to 70 minutes. In both cases, adequate oxygen-annealing treatments restored superconductivity. The X-ray photoemission spectra showed that the mean Cu valence of the films was decreased approximately from +2 to +1 by the irradiation. From these results we can find that irradiation with the X-ray and the UV-light ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The project involved several studies of vesicles and micelles and their constituent surfactants. The primary objective of the project was an elucidation of factors involved in the stabilization and destabilization of vesicles and micelles. Work was performed on seven individual studies. Several different types of novel cleavable surfactants were synthesized, including systems with two chains and two head groups, and their aqueous micelles and vesicles were characterized by methods including dynamic laser light scattering (to give aggregate sizes) and differential scanning calorimetry (to give vesicle bilayer phase transition temperatures). A cleavable surfactant is stable under certain conditions but liable under other conditions with respect to cleavage to give nonsurfactant products and/or other surfactants with different properties. The destruction of several cleavable surfactant-derived aggregates was demonstrated, indicating that they have potential as ...

Science.gov (United States)

Directed evolution of proteins depends on the production of molecular diversity by random mutagenesis. While a number of methods have been developed for introducing this diversity, the best ways to sample it are not always clear. Here we used simple statistics to analyse completeness and diversity in randomized libraries generated by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, error-prone polymerase chain reaction (epPCR) and in vitro recombination of highly homologous sequences. For oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, we derive equations to estimate how complete a given library is expected to be and also to predict the size of library required to give a fixed probability of being 100% complete. We describe the statistical bases for computer programs which estimate the number of distinct variants represented in epPCR and shuffled libraries, dubbed PEDEL and DRIVeR, respectively. These programs allow the user to calculate (rather than guess) the diversity represented in ...