Science.gov (United States)

PMID:18795096

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

... 194 p. auger electron spectroscopy decomposition deposition interfaces oxygen

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Spin-polarized angle-resolved sulfur L_2_,_3VV Auger-electron spectra have been recorded for the c(2x2)S/Fe(001) system. The data show the modulation of the sulfur Auger spin polarization as a function of emission angle, which represents an observation of spin-polarized Auger-electron diffraction (SPAED), a potentially powerful tool for the study of local magnetic structure at surfaces, interfaces, and thin films. Theoretical modeling of the SPAED data indicates a large decrease in the magnetization of the top iron layer, suggesting a magnetic poisoning induced by the sulfur overlayer. These findings are independently supported by the observation of a large decrease of secondary electron spin polarization upon sulfur adsorption.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The avermectins were introduced in 1981 and constitute a potent new class of anthelmintic agents. They are naturally-derived products of microbial action displaying an exceptionally wide range of antiparasitic...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The possibilities and problems of PCA in phase separation are shown on Ni, Pd, and Pt silicides. The PCA depth profiles are less influenced by sputter and matrix effects than usual Auger depth profiles. The position of the silicide-Si interface is well defined by the component distribution crossover in PCA profiles. An interface component between Pd and Pt silicides and Si substrate is determined by PCA. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper deals with the characterization of passive films formed on stainless steel (26% Cr and 0 to 3%Mo). The influence of the applied passivation potential and the effect of molybdenum additions to steel upon the composition profiles of passive films formed in an aqueous NaCl solution (3.5% at pH 2.5) are studied. The technique involved is Auger electron spectroscopy combined with ion sputtering. Some electrochemical techniques have been used in conjunction. A quantitative approach of the Auger spectra during the progressive removal of the passive film is described. The peak-to-peak height of the Auger lines are treated in order to yield the atomic fraction of the various elements present in a given subsurface layer. The analytical study of the film by electron spectroscopy indicates that molybdenum plays a part at the metal-oxide interface where this element acts on the chromium diffusion process. This phenomenon, ...

Science.gov (United States)

The use of Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) combined with in situ sputter etching for revealing the metallurgy of the metal-semiconductor interface is presented. The physical basis, measurement techniques, and data interpretation for Auger analysis of thin-film structures are briefly reviewed. Results of a detailed study of an alloyed multilayered contact (Ni/Au-Ge) on n-type epitaxial GaAs are summarized to illustrate how electrical and metallurgical contact properties can be correlated using AES. In addition, the results of a study of the growth kinetics and chemical phase identification of palladium silicide on single-crystal Si is given, as well as the initial results of a study of aluminum-palladium silicide interaction at elevated temperature. (auth)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In situ Auger sputter depth profiles of saturation implants of 3 keV N/sub 2//sup +/ in silicon at room temperature exhibit a sharp peak in the nitrogen concentration in the outermost layers, followed by a monotonic decrease. No broad plateau was observed. The energy of the Auger line corresponding to the Si(2p) core electron excitation, monitored throughout the profiling, exhibits a chemical shift of up to 7 eV at the surface peak concentration. Inert gas ion post-bombardment of unsaturated implants significantly modifies the profile, and supports the suggestion that the surface peak arises through radiation enhanced diffusion of implanted atoms.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

When searching for anisotropies in the arrival directions of Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays, one must estimate the number of events expected in each direction of the sky in the case of a perfect isotropy. We present in this article a new method, developed for the Auger Observatory, based on a smooth estimate of the zenith angle distribution obtained from the data itself (which is essentially unchanged in the case of the presence of a large scale anisotropy pattern). We also study the sensitivity of several methods to detect large-scale anisotropies in the cosmic ray arrival direction distribution : Rayleigh analysis, dipole fitting and angular power spectrum estimation.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

1. The stereospecificity of the enantiomers of LY253352, a potent and selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, were studied in the human prostate and canine brain using radioligand receptor binding...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The p53 tumour suppressor plays a pivotal role in the prevention of oncogenic transformation. Cancers frequently evade the potent antitumour surveillance mechanisms of p53 through mutation of the TP53...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

There is ample evidence suggesting that superantigens may act as a triggering factor in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated whether superantigen could activate T cells in...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Reactive blue 2 (RB-2) had been characterized as a relatively potent ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (E-NTPDase) inhibitor with some selectivity for NTPDase3. In search for the pharmacophore...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

PurposeA prolonged seizure, status epileptics (SE), is a potent stimulus for increased neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Molecular mechanisms...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in clinical material cannot replicate efficiently in vitro until it has adapted by mutation. Consequently, wild-type HCMV differ fundamentally from the passaged strains...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A pore-forming peptide is implicated in the potent cytolytic activity of pathogenic Entamoeba histolytica. Using NH2-terminal sequence information of this peptide, the corresponding cDNA was isolated....Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Enediynes are potent antitumor antibiotics that are classified as 9- or 10-membered according to the size of the enediyne core structure. However, almost nothing is known about enediyne core biosynthesis,...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Borrelia burgdorferi produces potent cell-activating molecules capable of stimulating polyclonal proliferation and immunoglobulin production by murine B lymphocytes and cytokine production by a variety...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe immunoregulatory enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, which catalyzes the conversion of tryptophan into kynurenine, is expressed in a significant subset of patients...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Silent information regulators are potent NAD⁺-dependent protein deacetylases, which have been shown to regulate gene silencing, muscle differentiation and DNA damage repair. Here,...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Chagas disease, caused by infection with Trypanosoma cruzi, is an important cause of cardiovascular disease. It is increasingly clear that parasite-derived prostaglandins potently modulate...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A potent link to dairy seems to exist for three hormone-responsive glands. Acne, breast cancer and prostate cancer have all been linked epidemiologically to dairy intake. Although mechanisms postulated...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper reported on a new cutting mechanism that cuts fresh wood into small pieces instead of wood chips in order to avoid the problem of fermentation that occurs in storage. The prototype cutting device performs a gradual and oblique cut. It consists of a large auger in which a knife is inserted on the outer edge of the helicoid. Tree trunks up to 20 cm in diameter are fed perpendicularly into the machine and are pushed along the axis where slices are cut off against a fixed sharp-edged counter blade. The cylinder enclosing the auger is the main frame of the machine, and is closed at one end, where a heavy flywheel delivers the energy coming from the tractor's power take-off (PTO). The wood pieces ranging in length from 4 to 19 cm exit through the opposite end. The auger is 700 mm in diameter with a 300 mm pitch spacing. The logs are pushed into the machine by counter-rotating rollers placed in the feed funnel. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Autoionizing and Auger transitions in atomic manganese and samarium have been experimentally investigated by observation of the ejected electrons in the energy region 0 to 40 eV following electron impact excitation with incident beams in the energy range 15-500 eV. Seventy-four spectral features are tabulated for manganese and a number of new assignments have been made based on pseudo-relativistic Hartree-Fock calculations and quantum defect analysis. A similar study of samarium reveals only a number of broad features in the ejected-electron energy range 8-10 eV. Three features have been observed consistently in the ejected-electron spectrum of samarium and assigned by comparison with previous work. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Electrostatic fields of the order of 1 V/Angst, as they occur at field emission tips, are comparable to those experienced by valence electrons in atoms and molecules. Such fields are strong enough to induce a significant redistribution of the valence charge in chemical bonds. In this work we investigate the effects on the electronic properties of a single adatom on a metal surface induced by the presence of an electrostatic field. In particular we present the results of a full ab initio DFT calculation, within the embedding method, of the CCV Auger spectra of Si and Mg atoms in and on a jellium-Ag host. Differently from impurities in bulk, Auger spectral profiles of adsorbates on metal surfaces can show notable modifications due to the applied electric field.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Concentration profiles of passive films formed on electrolytically anodized niobium and niobium-base alloys are obtained by Auger Electron Spectroscopy with simultaneous ion beam etching. The alloys investigated include 5Zr-Nb, 3Zr-10Ti-Nb, 2.5Zr-2W-Nb, and 1Zr-5Mo-5V-Nb. Experiments demonstrate that AES is among the most fascinating techniques for solving various characterization problems related to the structure and composition of the thin films formed by anodization. Data presented supports evidence that combined anodic and cathodic movements take place during film growth. 11 figures.

Science.gov (United States)

Steady-state and transient behavior of the longitudinally pumped semiconductor laser is theoretically investigated by using a rate-equation model with distributed gain and photon density. Conditions necessary for bistable operation are derived. Dependencies of such major switching characteristics as turn-on and turn-off powers, delay, and rise times on laser parameters are examined. Influences of spontaneous radiation, impurities, and Auger recombination are studied. The results offer an explanation for the observed nonlinear behavior of face-pumped lasers.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Various examples of applications of these two techniques are described. A part of them are related to the analysis of adsorbed layers formed during gaz-metal interactions. The others are concerned with the analysis of passive films formed during dry and wet corrosion. Problems related to the calibration of these techniques are discussed.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Uteroglobin (UG) gene encodes a cytokine-like, multifunctional, antiinflammatory protein, with potent phospholipase A2-inhibitory activity. It has been suggested that during implantation this protein...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The Myc oncoprotein is a potent inducer of cell growth, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis. While many direct Myc target genes have been identified, the molecular determinants of Myc’s transcriptional...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

1. The effects on micturition of RP 67,580, a selective NK1 receptor antagonist, and SR 48,968, a highly, potent antagonist at NK2 receptor sites, given intrathecally (i.t.) or intra-arterially (i.a.)...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

The properties of a nonviable, aqueous ether-extracted Brucela abortus preparation, Bru-Pel, are described. In addition to inducing a "virus-type" interferon response and protecting mice against challenge with otherwise lethal doses of Semliki Forest virus, Bru-Pel is demonstrated to have potent antitumor properties in mice. These antitumor effects appear to be mediated by an increase in nonspecific resistance similar to that seen with other experimental antitumor agents. PMID:728911

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-{gamma} (PPAR{gamma}) regulates metabolic homeostasis and adipocyte differentiation, and it is activated by oxidized and nitrated fatty acids. Here we report the crystal structure of the PPAR{gamma} ligand binding domain bound to nitrated linoleic acid, a potent endogenous ligand of PPAR{gamma}. Structural and functional studies of receptor-ligand interactions reveal the molecular basis of PPAR{gamma} discrimination of various naturally occurring fatty acid derivatives.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

sFlt-1 (soluble Flt-1) potently inhibits angiogenesis by binding extracellularly to VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). In the present paper, we report that hypoxia down-regulates sFlt-1 expression...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

1. Ro 15-8081 (Hoffmann-La Roche, Basle, Switzerland) is a novel mixed 5-HT/noradrenaline uptake inhibitor producing potent antinociceptive effects in animal pain models. 2. In healthy man, two models...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In a suicide committed using aluminium phosphide (AlP) the liberated toxic phosphine gas was detected in post-mortem specimens using a headspace gas chromatographic procedure with a nitrogen-phosphorous detector (HS-GC/NPD). At autopsy a direct sampling into airtight headspace vials for a later analysis is recommended. AlP has to be considered a potent pesticide and its use and availability should be restricted as much as possible.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We report the results of ab initio calculations of cross sections and molecular-frame photoelectron angular distributions for C 1s ionization of CO2, and propose a mechanism for the recently observed asymmetry of those angular distributions with respect to the CO^+and O^+ions produced by subsequent Auger decay. The fixed-nuclei, photoionization amplitudes were constructed using variationally obtained electron-molecular ion scattering wave functions. We have also carried out electronic structure calculations which identify a dissociative state of the CO2^++ dication that is likely populated following Auger decay and which leads to O^+ + CO^+ fragment ions. We show that a proper accounting of vibrational motion in the computation of the photoelectron angular distributions, along with reasonable assumptions about the nuclear dissociation dynamics, gives results in good agreement with recent experimental observations. We also demonstrate that ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Depth resolved positron annihilation studies on Pd/Si thin film system have been carried out to investigate silicide phase formation and vacancy defect production induced by thermal annealing. The evolution of defect sensitive S-parameter clearly indicates the presence of divacancy defects across the interface, due to enhanced Si diffusion beyond 870 K consequent to silicide formation. Corroborative glancing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) have elucidated the aspects related to silicide phase formation and Si surface segregation.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ion-photon and ion-Auger-electron coincidence measurements have been performed to study the impact parameter dependence of Xe M-shell excitation in 1.05 MeV Xe/sup 3 +/-Xe collisions. The experimental results are found to be consistent with the prediction of the molecular orbital model of atomic collisions. The average fluorescence yield for the Xe M shell is found to be strongly dependent on the impact parameter. This is ascribed to the production of highly charged Xe ions in close collisions.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The CYP1A (EROD)-inducing potencies of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 3,3minutes or feet,4,4minutes or feet,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) and benzo(k)fluoranthene (B(k)F) were studied in avian embryo livers. TCDD and PCB126 proved to be much more potent as inducers in the chicken than in the other species examined. This finding is consistent with a considerably higher sensitivity of the chicken compared with a number of other avian species to the embryotoxic effects of these compounds. Furthermore, the relative potencies of the tested Ah receptor agonists as CYP1A inducers differed substantially between species. B(k)F and PCB126 showed similar induction potencies in domestic duck embryos, whereas PCB126 is much more potent than B(k)F in the chicken. Also, the potency of PCB126,relative to that of TCDD, was much lower in quail embryo liver in vitro than in chicken embryo liver. Thus, there are large interspecific differences in ...

Science.gov (United States)

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are useful tools for the delivery of hydrophilic bioactive molecules, such as peptides, proteins, and oligonucleotides, across the cell membrane. To realize the delivery of therapeutic macromolecules by CPPs, the CPPs are required to show resistance to protease and no cytotoxicity. In order to produce potent non-toxic and protease-resistant CPPs with high cellular uptake, we designed an amphipathic helix peptide using ?-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib, U) and named it MAP(Aib). In the MAP(Aib) molecule, five Aib residues are aligned on the hydrophobic face of the helix and five lysine (K) residues are aligned on the hydrophilic face. MAP(Aib) showed potent resistance to trypsin and pronase compared with MAP, an amphipathic helix peptide formed by usual amino acids. Fluorescein-labeled MAP(Aib) efficiently traversed the A549 cell membrane, diffusing into the cytoplasm and slightly into the nucleus without exerting any ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Several compounds were evaluated in nonhuman primates for their potential to induce neoplasms, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The compounds can be classified into three groups: food contaminants, model rodent carcinogens, and nitrosamines. All three compounds in the food contaminants group, namely, aflatoxin B1, sterigmatocystin, and methylazoxymethanol acetate, induced HCC. None of the model rodent carcinogens tested consistently induced HCC in rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys. Three of four nitrosamines evaluated induced HCC in rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys. One nitrosamine, diethylnitrosamine, is a predictable and potent inducer of HCC and is useful for establishment of a nonhuman primate model for numerous oncologic studies.

Science.gov (United States)

A series of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diones and intermediates was tested for anticonvulsant activity in mice. Eleven of the 15 compounds possessed anticonvulsant activity against pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions. One compound afforded more anticonvulsant protection against pentylenetetrazol than did trimethadione (67 and 50%, respectively). A suspension of this compound was found to be as effective as a solution in producing anticonvulsant activity. The results suggest that the nitrile analogs were more potent compared to the carbamyl analog due to higher lipid solubility. PMID:7373552

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Reactively sputtered tantalum nitride (Ta/sub 2/N) has been investigated as a diffusion barrier between Pd/sub 2/Si and aluminum and CoSi/sub 2/ and Al. Ta/sub 2/N is found to be an excellent matallurgical diffusion barrier for the two systems up to 555 /sup 0/C, with no intermixing observed in Rutherford backscattering and Auger electron spectroscopic studies. Schottky barrier devices n-Si/Pd/sub 2/Si/Ta/sub 2/N/Al were excellent and showed no deterioration after annealing at 500 /sup 0/C. However, similar devices with CoSi/sub 2/ contacts and Ta/sub 2/N barrier showed a creation of high contact resistance between the silicide and the as-deposited nitride.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The pitting resistance of Fe-Cr and Fe-Cr-Mo alloys has been correlated with characteristics of the passive films analyzed by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Increased film protectiveness as a result of increased Cr in the alloy can be directly attributed to Cr enrichment of the film and decreased film thickness. Increased Mo in the alloy or passivation at noble potentials promotes passive film resistance to breakdown, but neither does much to change the macrocharacteristics of the film. Rather, it is suggested that the roles of alloying and/or passivation conditions are related to the susceptibility and distribution of weak points of the film. In solutions in which pitting occurs, chloride is generally not incorporated into the film, suggesting that the role of halides is to interact with weak points of the film at the solution/film interface. At 260/sup 0/C, the films are much thicker and likely to be much more defective in structure than those formed at ...

CERN Document Server

In order to reduce the activation temperature of the TiZrV alloy, thin films of various compositions were produced by three-cathode magnetron sputtering on stainless-steel substrates. For the characterisation of the activation behaviour the surface chemical composition has been monitored by Auger electron spectroscopy during specific in situ thermal cycles. The volume elemental composition of the film has been measured by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and the morphology (crystal structure and size of the crystallites) has been investigated by X-ray diffraction. The criteria indicating the sample quality and its dependence on film structure and chemical composition are presented and discussed. (13 refs).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The initial growth process and surface structure of thin Pd(silicide) films on clean Si(111)-7x7 surfaces have been studied by low energy ion scattering (ISS) and LEED-Auger techniques. Considerable reaction between Pd and Si at room temperature is observed to extend up to 25 ML thickness of deposited Pd. Heat treatment of the room temperature film produced epitaxial silicide Pd_2Si(0001) films covered with the accumulated elementary Si layers of 1-2 ML thickness. Deposition of 1/3 ML Pd onto a heated substrate gives a Pd-embedded ordered surface of Si(111)-#sq root#3x#sq root#3R30"0, the feature being similar to the cases of Ag, Au/Si(111) systems. (orig.).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The subscale Varestraint test has been used to determine the relative hot cracking susceptibility of the fusion zone in four commercial heats of alloy 800. Although all four heats were susceptible to cracking, one heat exhibited a significant increase in cracking relative to the other three. Optical metallography revealed that nearly all the cracking was localized along fusion zone grain boundaries. Microprobe analysis of the grain boundaries detected high concentrations of titanium, silicon, and niobium resulting from partitioning during solidification. The fusion zone hot cracking mechanism in alloy 800 involves the complex interaction of titanium, silicon, niobium, and carbon along the solidification boundaries. SEM and Auger analyses of the hot crack fracture surfaces revealed the presence of (Ti, Nb)-rich carbides, suggesting that these particles precipitate from the liquid which solidifies last on the fracture surface. 23 references.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the present study, element interdiffusions at the cofired interface of 9/1 Ag/Pd electrode and lead magnesium niobate (PMN)-based ferroelectrics were investigated using Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES). Intense interdiffusions at the interface were observed while Ag and Pd could penetrate into the ceramics for about 1 {mu}m. Ag-doping experiments were carried out to further study the effects of Ag diffusion on electrical properties of the ceramics. The results showed that Ag could be incorporated into solid solution of the ceramics as Ag{sup +}. As a whole, the Curie temperature (Tc) and dielectric constant of the ceramics decreased with Ag addition. However, Ag addition had no obvious effect on the insulation resistivity. The results inferred that Ag{sup +} could substitute for Pb{sup 2+} at A site of ABO{sub 3} lattice, thereby oxygen vacancies were generated.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Passive films formed on Alloy 690 in different pH solutions at high temperatures were studied by potentiodynamic polarization, Auger electron spectroscopy, thermodynamic diagrams and the Mott-Schottky relation. The chemical compositions and electronic structures of the passive films were found to be strongly pH-dependent. In alkaline solutions, a secondary passivation was clearly observed on potentiodynamic polarization curves. The passive films were a mixture of Cr2O3 and FeCr2O4 below the flat band potential of nickel oxide and were NiFe2O4 above this potential. Electronic structure models, describing the electrochemical properties of the passive films, are proposed and discussed.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Passive films were formed on a high purity Fe-23 Cr alloy in acid sulfate solutions in the presence and absence of chloride ion. The resulting film composition was investigated by Auger depth profiling. The passivated samples were exposed to a 1M NaCl solution at a constant potential slightly above the critical pitting potential, and the current-time transient was measured in order to compare the relative stability of the different films. The results obtained suggest that the formation conditions influence the chloride content of the passive film and the breakdown behavior. Passive films formed in the presence of chloride contain and are slightly less stable towards breakdown. No chloride was found in films formed in sulfate and subsequently exposed to chloride well below the pitting potential.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The effect of surface treatment on the characteristics of the passive film on a super duplex stainless steel is addressed. Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) has been used to provide in-depth chemical profile analyses of the passivation film. This study showed that the constitution of the film is largely dependent on the electrolytic conditions under which it is produced or to which it is submitted. The passive films formed by polarisation in an alkaline solution (boric-borate solution) consist of two regions, an inner region rich in chromium and an outer region rich in iron, whilst the films produced in acid solution only present the chromium - rich region. The film thickness is also greatly affected by the polarisation conditions. It can vary from ca. 8 monolayers to about 20 monolayers for cathodically and anodically polarised specimens respectively. The microstructure of weldmetal is also discussed. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The effect of Mo addition as an alloying element to stainless steel alloys is investigated by capacitance (Mott Schottky approach), and photoelectrochemistry measurements. Complementary studies were made using Auger electron spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The Mott-Schottky approach and the photoelectrochemical studies showed that the presence of Mo as an alloying element affects the semiconductive properties of the oxide films. The analytical results have shown that the oxide films formed on stainless steels are composed by an external Fe rich region and an inner Cr rich region. No significant amount of Mo was found in the outer layers of the film. The presence of Mo leads to an increase of the chromium content in the inner layers of the film, although without increasing the film thickness. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chemical characterization of passive films formed on AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel, in a borate/boric acid solution at pH 9.2, under various conditions of potential, temperature, and polarizations time, was made by Auger electron spectroscopy combined with ion sputtering, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The depth chemical composition, thickness, and duplex character of the passive layers were determined after processing AES sputter profiles by their quantitative approach based on the sequential layer sputtering model. Moreover, separated contributions of elements in their oxidized and unoxidized state could be disclosed from part to part of the oxide-alloy interface. The XPS study specified the chemical bondings which take placed inside the film, between Fe and oxygen (and water).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The chemical composition and the semiconducting properties of passive films formed on nickel based alloy (Alloy 600) in acidic sulphate solution, pH 2.0 at room temperature were studied using Auger analysis, voltammetric techniques and the Mott-Schottky approach. The results obtained revealed that the presence of both chromium and mixed nickel-iron oxides in the films leads to the development of a p-n heterojunction, which controls their electronic structure, similarly manner to the case of stainless steels and Alloy 600 in borate buffer solution. This behavior has been interpreted as representing of an oxide system, which has a duplex character, with an inner p-type semiconducting region, mainly formed by chromium oxide and an outer n-type semiconducting region, containing iron oxide. It could also be observed that the nickel oxide present in the films acts as a barrier layer conferring improved protection.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Two ent-rosane- (cuzcol, 1 and 6-dehydroxycuzcol, 2) and a abietatriene- (salvadoriol, 3) type diterpenoids have been isolated from Maytenus cuzcoina and Crossopetalum uragoga, respectively, along with five known diterpene compounds (4-8). Their stereostructures have been elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR techniques, and computational data. The absolute configuration of cuzcol was determined by application of Riguera ester procedure. This is the first instance of isolation of ent-rosane diterpenoids from species of the Celastraceae. The isolated diterpenes were found to be potent anti-tumour-promoter agents, and carnosol (7) also showed a remarkable chemopreventive effect in an in vivo two-stage carcinogenesis model.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Reactive blue 2 (RB-2) had been characterized as a relatively potent ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (E-NTPDase) inhibitor with some selectivity for NTPDase3. In search for the pharmacophore and to analyze structure-activity relationships we synthesized a series of truncated derivatives and analogs of RB-2, including 1-amino-2-sulfo-4-ar(alk)ylaminoanthraquinones, 1-amino-2-methyl-4-arylaminoanthraquinones, 1-amino-4-bromoanthraquinone 2-sulfonic acid esters and sulfonamides, and bis-(1-amino-4-bromoanthraquinone) sulfonamides, and investigated them in preparations of rat NTPDase1, 2, and 3 using a capillary electrophoresis assay. Several 1-amino-2-sulfo-4-ar(alk)ylaminoanthraquinone derivatives inhibited E-NTPDases in a concentration-dependent manner. The 2-sulfonate group ...

Science.gov (United States)

Three analogs of lidocaine (benzyl carbamyl, benzyl nitrile and methyl nitrile) were synthesized and examined for cardiovascular and central activity. The benzyl carbamyl analog was more potent than lidocaine in lowering blood pressure but possessed only slight local anesthetic, antiarrhythmic and CNS-depressant activity. At 40 mg/kg the benzyl nitrile derivative was superior to lidocaine in protecting against chloroform-induced arrhythmias. The methyl nitrile analog was less active than the benzyl nitrile analog in most parameters examined. The benzyl nitrile derivative and lidocaine had similar potencies on blood pressure depression, local anesthetic activity and ability to protect against calcium chloride-induced arrhythmias. Unlike the benzyl carbamyl derivative both lidocaine and the benzyl nitrile compounds appear to depress the cardiovascular system via a common mechanism. PMID:515167

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The scope of this RA is limited to the evaluation of potential human health risks associated with a failure event of a tank containing Basin F liquid. Section 1.0 contains an introduction to the health risk assessment. Section 2.0 describes the site history, location, and land use. Section 3.0 provides a brief description of exposure pathways and potention receptors. Section 4.0 describes the sources of data used and identifies chemicals of concern. Section 5.0 discusses the toxicity of concern. Section 6.0 explains the methods used for calculation of carcinogenic risks and the noncarcinogenic hazard indexes. Section 7.0 describes uncertainties inherent in the current methodology used to determine potential human health risks. Section 8.0 presents a summary of results and conclusions. Section 9.0 includes the references cited.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract: The ability of melatonin as a potent antioxidant was used as a rationale for testing its antiapoptotic ability in normal cells. Recently, melatonin was shown to possess proapoptotic action by increasing reactive oxygen species in certain cancer cells. The modification of radiation-induced apoptosis by melatonin and the expression of apoptosis-associated upstream regulators were studied in normal mice splenocytes and Jurkat T leukemia cells. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to a single whole body X-ray radiation dose of 2 Gy with or without 250 mg/kg melatonin pretreatment. The Jurkat cells were divided into four groups of control, 1 mm melatonin alone, 4 Gy irradiation-only and melatonin pretreatment before irradiation. The highest level of apoptosis in the normal splenic white pulp was...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Glycyrrhizin is a triterpene glycoside, a major active constituent of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root and numerous pharmacological effects like anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-tumour and hepatoprotective activities has been attributed to it. In this study we evaluated the anti-inflammatory activities of glycyrrhizin in mice model of acute inflammation, carrageenan-induced pleurisy. We report here that glycyrrhizin (given at 10mg/kg i.p. 5min prior to carrageenan) exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects in this model. Injection of carrageenan into the pleural cavity of mice elicited an acute inflammatory response characterized by fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity which contained a large number of neutrophils (PMNs) as well as an infiltration of PMNs in lung tissues and subsequ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A nanosuspension of magnetically tagged metronidazole was developed by the solvent displacement method coupled with ultrasonication and was evaluated for its physicochemical properties. The drug release from metronidazole magnetic nanosuspension at pH 1.2 and 7.0 shows maximum correlation coefficient for zero order and Higuchi model, respectively. The anthelmintic activity of the formulated metronidazole magnetic nanosuspension was evaluated on Indian earthworms (Pheretima poi). Metronidazole magnetic nanosuspension at a dose of 10 and 50 mg/ml shortened by 31% and 34%, respectively, the mean time to death of the earthworms when compared against a non-magnetic metronidazole suspension. Thus, the developed metronidazole magnetic nanosuspension showed potent, controlled and targeted drug action and might be a good therapeutic avenue in combating infectious GI disorders.

Science.gov (United States)

In this article, we report anticancer activity of 14 anthracenedione derivatives separated from the secondary metabolites of the mangrove endophytic fungi Halorosellinia sp. (No. 1403) and Guignardia sp. (No. 4382). Some of them inhibited potently the growth of KB and KBv200 cells, among which compound 6 displayed strong cytotoxicity with IC(50) values of 3.17 and 3.21 microM to KB and KBv200 cells, respectively. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the mechanism involved in the apoptosis induced by compound 6 is probably related to mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, the structure-activity relationships of these compounds are discussed. PMID:20479985

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Angle resolved valence shell photoelectron spectra of chloromethane and iodomethane have been recorded using synchrotron radiation in the photon energy range 14-120eV. These have allowed photoelectron angular distributions and branching ratios to be determined not only for the main bands associated with the single-hole states but also for the satellite structure due to many-electron effects. The continuum multiple scattering approach has been used to calculate photoelectron asymmetry parameters and branching ratios for the valence orbitals of CH_3Cl and CH_3I, and also for the I 4d subshell. A comparison between the experimental data and the theoretical predictions has enabled the influence of Cooper minima, shape resonances and intershell coupling to be assessed. The asymmetry parameters and branching ratio for the spin-orbit split components of the CH_3I"+X-bar "2E state have been measured and exhibit a spectral behaviour almost identical to that of the corresponding data for the Xe ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Embryos of chicken (Gallus domesticus), domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos), and common eider duck (Somateria mollissima) were exposed in ovo to PCBs and to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Two coplanar PCBs, 3,3{prime},4,4{prime}-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB {number_sign}77) and 3,3{prime},4,4{prime},5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB {number_sign}126), were considerably more lethal and potent as inducers of 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) in chicken embryos (Gallus domesticus) than in embryos of the other two species. In chicken embryos, these compounds caused edema and eye and beak deformities. An artificial mixture of 18 PAHs which all have been detected in environmental samples, was slightly more toxic to embryos of the domestic duck and the common eider duck than to chicken embryos. The most potent compound in the mixture was benzo(k)fluoranthene. When chicken embryo livers were exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in vitro, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The rapid growth in the use of in vitro methods for nanoparticle toxicity assessment has proceeded with limited consideration of the unique kinetics of these materials in solution. Particles in general and nanoparticles specifically, diffuse, settle and agglomerate in cell culture media as a function of several systemic and particle factors: media density and viscosity, particle size, shape and density. Cellular dose then is also a function of these factors as they determine the rate of transport of nanoparticles to cells in culture. Here we develop and apply the principles of particokinetics and dosimetry in vitro and outline an approach for simulation of nanoparticle particokinetics in cell culture systems. We illustrate that where equal mass concentrations (?g/ml) imply equal doses for dissimilar materials, the corresponding particle number or surface area concentration doses differ by orders of magnitude. When rates of diffusional and gravitational particle delivery are accounted ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The influence of small amounts of alloying elements (0.36% Cu and 0.47% Cr) on the semiconducting properties of passive films formed on weathering steels was investigated either in tetraborate/boric acid buffer solution (pH 9.2) or artificial atmospheric environment (SO{sub 2}-containing environment). The electrochemical behaviour was assessed by potentiodynamic polarisation, capacitance measurements and photoelectrochemistry. The chemical characterisation of the films was carried by Auger electron spectroscopy. The polarization results obtained in the buffer solution show that the addition of chromium decreases the passive current density. The capacitance results show that the films behave as an n-type semiconductor with shallow and deep donor levels situated in the forbidden gap. The presence of copper seems to affect the density of the shallow and of the deep donor levels in the forbidden gap, and as chromium, it also decreases the doping density in the case of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The present work describes the surface improvement and biocompatibility of TiAl{sub 24}Nb{sub 10} intermetallic alloy using rf plasma nitriding. The nitriding process was carried out at different plasma power from 400 W to 650 W where the other plasma conditions were fixed. Grazing incidence X-ray diffractometry (GIXRD), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), tribometer and a nanohardness tester were employed to characterize the nitrided layer. Further potentiodynamic polarization method was used to describe the corrosion behavior of the un-nitrided and nitrided alloy. It has been found that the Vickers hardness (HV) and corrosion resistance values of the nitrided layers increase with increasing plasma power while the wear rates of the nitrided layers reduce by two orders of magnitude as compared to those of the un-nitrided layer. This improvement in surface properties of the intermetallic alloy is due to formation of a thin modified layer which is composed of titanium ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nitrogen ion implantation improves the wear resistance of Ti-6Al-4V alloys by forming a hard TiN superficial passivation layer. However, the thickness of the layer formed by traditional ion implantation is typically 100-200 nm and may not be adequate for many industrial applications. We propose to use radio-frequency (RF) plasma nitriding and nitrogen plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) to increase the layer thickness. By using a newly designed inductively coupled RF plasma source and applying a series of negative high voltage pulses to the Ti-6Al-4V samples. RF plasma nitriding and nitrogen PIII can be achieved. Our process yields a substantially thicker modified layer exhibiting more superior wear resistance characteristics, as demonstrated by data from micro-hardness testing, pin-on-disc wear testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). The performance of our newly developed inductively coupled RF plasma source ...

Science.gov (United States)

The 10.3-h /sup 165/Er, decaying by electron capture to stable /sup 165/Ho, offers an excellent promise for use in diagnostic nuclear medicine, especially in conjuction with multiwire proportional-counter cameras. Using an ultra-high-resolution Si(Li) photon spectrometer, L and K x-ray photon yields in /sup 165/Er decay have been measured. The ratio P/sub L//P/sub K/ of electron-capture probabilities in L and K shells is determined to be 0.196 +- 0.030, in good agreement with theory. Estimates of Auger electron yields and yields of very-low-energy electrons from Coster--Kronig transitions are presented. Levels of /sup 169/Er and /sup 171/Er radioactive impurities in the reactor-produced /sup 165/Er sample are experimentally determined. Whole-body dose estimates for /sup 165/Er are given. These compare favorably with /sup 99/Tc dose.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tensile specimens 60 ..mu..m thick of Ni-8 at. % Si have been bombarded at 475/sup 0/C to doses of 0.1 to 0.3 dpa with either 7 MeV proton or 28 MeV alpha particle beams. Deliberate embrittlement by high temperature (700/sup 0/C) preimplantation of helium was required to produce intergranular fracture. Depth profile sputtering and analysis in a Scanning Auger Microprobe was then used to study radiation-induced segregation of silicon both at the external surfaces and at internal interfaces. The external surfaces exhibited a strongly silicon-enriched zone for the first 10 to 20 nm followed by a broad (approx.200 nm), shallow silicon-depleted region. Segregation of silicon to grain boundaries varied from interface to interface and possibly from region to region on a given interface. In general, however, depth profiles of silicon content with distance from internal boundaries showed no noticeable depletion zone and a more gradual fall-off compared to the profiles from ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cyclic voltammograms of SUS 304 stainless steel in various neutral solutions such as Na_2SO_4 at high temperature were measured, as a successive study to previous report in which effects of temperature and pH on polarization behavior of stainless steel were studied. In this measurement Ag/AgCl reference electrode and platinum counter electrode were used in a static autoclave lined with inconel. Passive films formed in various conditions were analysed by electron diffraction and Auger spectroscopy. Results obtained were compared with anodic behavior of iron, chromium and nickel and with thermodynamical stabilities of their compounds. The main results are summarized as follows. (1) Stainless steel shows such electrochemical behavior as active dissolution, passivation and transpassivation in a deaerated neutral solution at 250"0C after fully reductive treatment of the specimen. In air-saturated solution, the peak of active dissolution is not observed. In the passive ...

Science.gov (United States)

Efficient, low-temperature conversion of infrared light into visible light (red, orange, green) is reported at single heterojunctions and undoped quantum wells of GaAs and ordered Al{sub {ital x}}Ga{sub 1{minus}{ital x}}InP{sub 2}; an increase in photon energy of 700 meV is obtained. The signal originates from the high-band-gap layers and disappears only if the excitation energy is tuned below the GaAs band gap. The intensity of the up-converted photoluminescence (PL) is found to decrease significantly slower with increasing temperature than that of the regular PL and it remains observable up to 200 K. Interface-induced cold Auger processes along with the presence of trapped states for both electrons and holes in these ordered alloys account for this nonlinear mechanism. A colinear double-beam experiment confirms this. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the present paper, the chemical composition of passive films formed on both phases of two types of duplex stainless steels (UNS S31803 and UNS S32304) is determined at the micro-scale using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Samples were either mechanically polished (down to diamond pastes) or electrochemically etched in acidic solutions. The micro-electrochemical behavior of samples was then determined in sodium chloride media by means of the electrochemical micro-cell technique (capillary diameters of 30 ?m). The results obtained were analyzed considering the passive film chemical composition. Quantitative relationships between electrochemical parameters and the distribution of chromium and iron in the oxide layer were found. Due to differences in mechanical properties between ferrite and austenite, a heterogeneous stress distribution is generated in both phases. A method based on thermal-mechanical simulation was used to quantify surface stress gradients and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chromium electroplated AISI 316L stainless steel was nitrided using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) for application in the bipolar plate of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). A continuous and thin chromium nitride layer was formed at the surface of the samples after ICP nitriding for 2 h at 400 C. The interfacial contact resistance (ICR) and corrosion resistance in simulated PEMFC operating conditions were higher than the required values, while they varied with the applied dc bias voltage during the nitriding process. The ICR value decreased with an increase in bias voltage. Potentiodynamic polarization measurements showed that all of the nitrided samples had excellent corrosion resistance with a current density of {proportional_to}10{sup -7} A cm{sup -2} at the cathode. It was also found that the oxygen content at the surface was not increased after the corrosion test. X-ray diffractometry (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Alloy 800 is an austenitic Fe-Ni-Cr steel containing relatively minor but important amounts of carbon, aluminium and titanium. Special grades of alloy 800 known as 800H, 800HT and 800LC differ in the concentrations of these elements. In addition to these industrial specifications, further melts were prepared containing phosphorous or sulphur. Using a radioactive tracer method the bulk and grain-boundary diffusion of "5"9Fe was investigated in these alloys in the temperature range 800 to 1000 C. For evaluation of the diffusion profiles the approximation of Suzuoka was used, which considers the depletion of the tracer on the surface. By autoradiography it was confirmed that such depletion occurs. In alloy 800H the activation energy of grain-boundary diffusion of "5"9Fe was found to be (209#+-#17) kJ/mol; dissolved elements, especially phosphorous, increase the activation energy. The same materials - aged at 800 C for 100 h - were used for creep experiments at 800 C under constant load. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Using a radioactive tracer method the bulk and grain boundary diffusion of "5"9Fe was determined in industrial alloy 800 and melts of alloy 800 with additional P and S in the temperature range 800 to 1000 C. The use of the approximation of Suzuoka was confirmed by autoradiographs. In alloy 800 H the activation energy of grain boundary diffusion of "5"9Fe is (209 #+-# 17)kJ/mol. Dissolved elements especially P increase the activation energy of the grain boundary diffusion of Fe by their segregation to the grain boundaries. In addition the influence of the grain boundary diffusion on the growth of creep cavities was investigated in the same materials, and the chemical composition of the creep cavities and grain boundaries were analysed by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). For alloy 800 + 0.088 wt-%P an enrichment of about 14 at-%P was observed at the grain boundaries. The addition of P clearly enhances the creep strength of alloy 800; this can probably be explained ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Focused Ion Beams are an important approach for nanostructure fabrication in the semiconductor industry and material sciences. Applications in sputtering and ion induced deposition of materials are investigated. The IMSA FIB system equipped with the high resolution Orsay Physics CANION M31plus ion column with current densities up to 10 A/cm"2 including a gas injection system is applied. In this work the ion beam induced chemical vapour deposition of tungsten, wherefore tungsten hexacarbonyl as precursor gas is used for a first investigation. Conductive tungsten-nanowires with smallest cross-section upon a substrate of Si and SiO_2 are produced. The ion beam parameters of this focused ion beam system are optimized for the metal deposition. A short insight in the theory of layer nucleation and growth induced by the ion beam during the metal deposition is given. The layer quality is determined by Auger electron analysis which shows the components in atomic percent ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The effect of electron and ion beam irradiation on the Sisub(LVV) Auger spectra of SiO_2, Si_3N_4 and Si-oxynitride films was measured by the relative intensity of the 92 eV signal, characteristic for the formation of 'free' silicon during irradiation. While in Si-oxynitride the beam effects were almost negligible, some damage was found in Si_3N_4, but SiO_2 appeared to be extremely sensitive for electron and ion beam irradiation. By low energy electron loss spectroscopy of ion bombarded SiO_2 and Si_3N_4 films new electron states due to broken Si-O and Si-N bonds could be determined within the band gap of the insulators. The measured energy losses were interpreted by means of electron energy level schemes of the amorphous films. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Specimen strips of pure alpha titanium and beta titanium alloy were exposed to a range of up to 46 deuterium plasma discharges in the Princeton Large Torus Tokamak (PLT) under simulated first wall conditions, and the amount of trapped deuterium in these specimens was measured, using carbon as a calibration standard for trapping. The Deuterium Nuclear Microprobe was used to study the total trapped deuterium and the deuterium depth distribution in the exposed materials before and after annealing at 373 and 423"0K. The Scanning Auger Microprobe was used to identify the effects of surface impurities on the deuterium distribution. Results indicate that about 20 to 40% of the incident deuterium was trapped by the surface and about 90% of the trapped deuterium remained in a 20A carbonaceous film deposited during plasma exposure. Annealing resulted in a gradual loss from the film. These results indicate the importance of impurity film formation which may play a dominating ...

Science.gov (United States)

In the course of observing by means of Auger spectroscopy graphite gasification reactions catalyzed by metals, it has been found that in the presence of hydrogen, nickel appears to diffuse from the surface into the bulk of the graphite. When potassium is deposited on graphite, it is volatilized above 400/sup 0/C. Surprisingly the production of methane and carbon dioxide from the reaction of graphite and steam was catalyzed by potassium at as low a temperature as 250/sup 0/C. It has been shown that literature on the alkylation of benzene with synthesis gas is erroneous and that the products reported are due to Lewis acid catalyzed cracking of benzene. A novel cobalt mediated, reversible cleavage of a vinyl-hydrogen bond has been discovered. All products from the thermal decomposition of tetralin have been identified. The stereochemistry of cis-1, 2 dihydrotetralin was determined. In the utilization of the water gas shift reaction as a reducing agent for model coal ...

CERN Document Server

We present an alternative, Bayesian method for large-scale reconstruction from observed peculiar velocity data. The method stresses a rigorous treatment of the random errors and it allows extrapolation into poorly sampled regions in real space or in k-space. A likelihood analysis is used to determine the fluctuation power spectrum, followed by a Wiener Filter (WF) analysis to obtain the minimum-variance mean fields of velocity and mass density. Constrained Realizations (CR) are then used to sample the statistical scatter about the WF mean field. The WF/CR method is applied as a demonstration to the Mark III data with 1200 km/s, 900 km/s, and 500 km/s resolutions. The main reconstructed structures are consistent with those extracted by the POTENT method. A comparison with the structures in the distribution of IRAS 1.2Jy galaxies yields a general agreement. The reconstructed velocity field is decomposed into its divergent and tidal components relative to a cube of ...

Scientific Electronic Library Online (English)

Abstract in english Cytokines are molecules that were initially discovered in the immune system as mediators of communication between various types of immune cells. However, it soon became evident that cytokines exert profound effects on key functions of the central nervous system, such as food intake, fever, neuroendocrine regulation, long-term potentiation, and behavior. In the 80's and 90's our group and others discovered that the genes encoding various cytokines and their receptors are e (more) xpressed in vascular, glial, and neuronal structures of the adult brain. Most cytokines act through cell surface receptors that have one transmembrane domain and which transduce a signal through the JAK/STAT pathway. Of particular physiological and pathophysiological relevance is the fact that cytokines are potent regulators of hypothalamic neuropeptidergic systems that maintain neuroendocrine homeostasis and which regulate the body's response to stress. The mechanisms ...

Science.gov (United States)

New tetradentate N(2)O(2) donor Schiff bases and their mononuclear Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Pd(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized extensively by IR, (1)H-, (13)C-NMR, mass, ESR, conductivity measurements, elemental and thermal analysis. Specifically the magnetic and electronic spectral measurements demonstrate the octahedral structures of cobalt(II), nickel(II) complexes and square planar geometries of copper(II), palladium(II) complexes. All the ligands and complexes were screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity against two gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus) and two gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia). In this study, Pd(II) complexes exhibited potent antibacterial activity against B. subtilis, S. aureus whereas other metal complexes also exerted good activity towards all tested strains even than standard drugs streptomycin and ampicillin. PMID:21297294

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the EtOH extract of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra roots), using a GAL-4-PPAR-g chimera assay method, resulted in the isolation of 39 phenolics, including 10 new compounds (1-10). The structures of the new compounds were determined by analysis of their spectroscopic data. Among the isolated compounds, 5prime-formylglabridin (5), (2R,3R)-3,4prime,7-trihydroxy-3prime-prenylflavane (7), echinatin, (3R)-2prime,3prime,7-trihydroxy-4prime-methoxyisoflavan, kanzonol X, kanzonol W, shinpterocarpin, licoflavanone A, glabrol, shinflavanone, gancaonin L, and glabrone all exhibited significant PPAR-g ligand-binding activity. The activity of these compounds at a sample concentration of 10mg/mL was three times more potent than that of 0.5mM troglitazone.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Examination of a chloroform extract of Dracaena loureiri Gagnep (Agavaceae), a Thia medicinal plant possessing antibacterial activity, has led to the isolation of fifteen flavenoids. The biogenic relationships among these flavenoids isolated were briefly discussed. Definition of the skeleton and the unambiguous assignment of all of the protons of the isolates was achieved through extensive 2D-homonuclear chemical shift correlation, nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) difference spectroscopy and 2D-NOE experiments. The {sup 1}H and {sup 13}C NMR spectra of staurosporine, a potent biologically active agent from Streptomyces staurosporeus, were unambiguously assigned by using 2D homonuclear chemical shift correlation, NOE, {sup 1}H-detected heteronuclear multiple-quantum coherence via direct coupling and via multiple-bond coupling for resonance assignments of protonated and nonprotonated carbons, respectively. S. Staurosporeus was found to utilize endogenous and exogenous ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The effects of the dopants, Mg"2"+, Sr"2"+, Sc"3"+, Yb"3"+, Gd"3"+, La"3"+, Ti"4"+, Zr"4"+, Ce"4"+, and Nb"5"+, on the grain boundary mobility of dense Y_2O_3 have been investigated from 1,500 to 1,650 C. Parabolic grain growth has been observed in all cases over a grain size from 0.31 to 12.5 microm. Together with atmospheric effects, the results suggest that interstitial transport is the rate-limiting step for diffusive processes in Y_2O_3, which is also the case in CeO_2. The effect of solute drag cannot be ascertained but the anomalous effect of undersized dopants (Ti and Nb) on diffusion enhancement, previously reported in CeO_2, is again confirmed. Indications of very large binding energies between aliovalent dopants and oxygen defects are also observed. Overall, the most effective grain growth inhibitor is Zr"4"+, while the most potent grain growth promoter is Sr"2"+, both at 1.0% concentration.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

When total mesorectal excision (TME) is accurately performed, dysfunction, theoretically, does not occur. However, there are differences among individuals in the running patterns and the volumes of nerve fibers, and if obesity or a narrow pelvis is present, nerve identification is difficult. Currently, the rate of urinary dysfunction after rectal surgery ranges from 33% to 70%. Many factors other than nerve preservation play a role in minor incontinence. Male sexual function shows impotence rates ranging from 20% to 46%, while 20%-60% of potent patients are unable to ejaculate. In women, information on sexual function is not easily obtained, and there are more unknown aspects than in men. As urinary, sexual, and defecation dysfunction due to adjuvant radiotherapy have been reported to occur at a high frequency, the creation of a protocol that enables analysis of long-term functional outcome will be essential for future clinical trials. In the treatment of rectal ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Oxygenated sterol compounds (OSC), when incubated for 1 hr with human erythrocytes in lipoprotein-depleted medium at concentrations of 0.625-5 x 10/sup -5/M, are inserted into the cell membrane and remain there despite subsequent washing of the cells. The insertion results in expansion of the surface area of the red cell ghost membrane, an increase in critical hemolytic volume, and as a consequence, in dimished osmotic fragility of the erythrocytes. This effect is seen with echinocyte-forming as well as with non-echinocyte-forming OSC. Erythrocytes treated with OSC do not differ from control cells with respect to their mean cell volume (MCV) in isotonic solution, water content, ion fluxes, and filterability through polycarbonate filters. The shift of the osmotic fragility curve toward lower NaCl concentrations is proportional to the amount of OSC inserted into the red cell membrane. 7BETA-Hydroxycholesterol, 22-ketocholesterol, and 20 ..cap alpha..-hydroxycholesterol are the most ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Methylxanthines and their derivatives are antagonists at cell surface adenosine receptors. They report here a systematic study of xanthine structure-activity relationships which compares potency at two adenosine receptor subtypes, R/sub a/ and R/sub i/. Adenylate cyclase stimulation (R/sub a/ in platelet membranes) and inhibition (R/sub i/ in adipocyte membranes) were used as models of receptor activation. K/sub i/ values were obtained by Schild analysis. The orders of potency of the xanthines to attenuate the effects of adenosine analogues were similar to those previously reported. Earlier work utilizing radioligand binding (R/sub i/ and (/sup 3/H) cAMP formation (R/sub a/) claimed that IIX and PACPX are at least 10 and 400 fold, respectively, more potent at R/sub i/ than at R/sub a/. However, in their assays which utilize modulation of receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase, the xanthines show little specificity for either adenosine receptor subtype.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine (PBD) chemicals are antitumor antibiotics inhibiting nucleic acid synthesis. An indole carboxylate-PBD hybrid with six-carbon spacer structure (IN6CPBD) has been previously demonstrated to induce melanoma cell apoptosis and reduce metastasis in mouse lungs. This study aimed at investigating the efficacy of the other hybrid compound with four-carbon spacer (IN4CPBD) and elucidating its anti-metastatic mechanism. Human melanoma A375 cells with IN4CPBD treatment underwent cytotoxicity and apoptosis-associated assays. Transwell migration assay, Western blotting, and ELISA were used for mechanistic study. IN4CPBD exhibited potent melanoma cytotoxicity through interrupting G1/S cell cycle progression, increasing DNA fragmentation and hypodipoidic DNA contents, a...

Science.gov (United States)

Basic research of the structure and electronic properties of a-Si:H is reported with particular emphasis on the role of defects. The main findings are as follows: (1) low defect density material can be deposited at a high rate using SiH/sub 4/ diluted in He or Ne. Using Ar or Kr results in a high defect density and columnar material; (2) an electrical bias during deposition modifies the band gap, hydrogen concentration and structure; (3) the clustering of hydrogen in the regions between the columns is confirmed; (4) hydrogen diffusion is observed by NMR; (5) the oxidation of an a-Si:H surface results in approx. 3 x 10/sup 11/ cm/sup -2/ dangling bonds at the interface; (6) auger recombination of photoexcited carriers is a significant non-radiative mechanism at low temperatures; (7) non-radiative recombination by diffusion and capture at dangling bonds is observed at temperatures above 50 to 100/sup 0/K; (8) the defect density in doped and compensated a-Si:H is ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Epitaxial cobalt disilicide (CoSi_2) layers are grown on n-Si_0_._8_3Ge_0_._1_7/n-Si(001) using a sacrificial Si capping layer at the growth temperature T_s=650 deg. C by reactive chemical vapor deposition using cyclopentadienyl dicarbonyl cobalt (Co(#eta#"5-C_5H_5)(CO)_2). Structural and electrical properties of epi-CoSi_2/Si_0_._8_3Ge_0_._1_7/Si(001) were measured by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy and sheet resistance measurement as a function of annealing temperature. The combined results showed that the epitaxial CoSi_2 phase by the reaction of Co with the Si capping layer was formed in the as-grown layers. Rapid thermal anneals for the investigation of thermal stability of the as-grown layers showed good thermal stability of the epitaxial CoSi_2 layers with the low sheet resistance value as low as congruent with 4.4 #OMEGA#/cm up to the annealing temperature as high as 850 deg. C without the formation of other ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Both the sign and magnitude of residual stress can vary with the thickness of sputter deposited films. The origins of this behavior are not well understood. In this work, the authors consider the correlation between the residual stress behavior and the depth dependence of impurities in thin (2.5 nm--150 nm) sputtered Mo and Ta films. They also consider the effects of phase transformations and microstructural changes on the stress behavior. Films were deposited onto Si substrates with native oxide. The residual stress observed in the Mo films varied from highly compressive at 2.5 nm film thickness to {approximately}0 at 10 nm thickness. Ta films also exhibited a high compressive stress, which relaxed from highly compressive to tensile between 10 nm and 50 nm film thickness. Impurities in the films may originate from the sputtering targets, the background gases, and the substrate surfaces. Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) results showed the presence of O and C ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

As an unconventional surface alloying process, ion implantation has been utilized to improve the active-passive behavior and the pitting resistance of martensitic M50 engineering alloy. In a field simulation study, Cr-implantation only at 150 kev to a fluence of 2 x 10"1"7 ions/cm"2 prevented pitting. The best pitting resistance of the steel was obtained with multiple implantations of Cr and Mo. The intermixing effect of high fluence P-implantation into 304 stainless produced an amorphous surface alloy. The removal of the grain boundaries and the uniformity of the resulting structure had a great influence on corrosion properties. REED analysis indicated that the anodic passive films formed on P-implanted 304 stainless steel at 250 mV (SCE) in 0.5M H_2SO_4 was amorphous. Phosphorus and boron were implanted into 316 stainless steel to study the passivity of 316 stainless. Electrochemical experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of phosphorus and boron on general and localized ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Irradiation-assisted stress corrosion cracking (IASCC) of several types of BWR field components fabricated from solution-annealed austenitic stainless steels (SSs), including a core internal weld, were investigated by means of slow-strain-rate test (SSRT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and field-emission-gun advanced analytical electron microscopy (FEG-AAEM). Based on the results of the tests and analyses, separate effects of neutron fluence, tensile properties, alloying elements and major impurities identified in the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specifications, minor impurities, water chemistry, and fabrication-related variables were determined. The results indicate strongly that minor impurities not specified by the ASTM-specifications play important roles, probably through a complex synergism with grain-boundary Cr depletion. These impurities, typically associated with steelmaking and component ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. (Energy Systems) manages a closed hazardous waste disposal unit, Chestnut Ridge Security Pits (CRSP), in the form of two trenches and several auger-holes, located on top of the eastern portion of Chestnut Ridge at the Department of Energy (DOE) Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant in Tennessee. The groundwater monitoring system for the unit presently consists of a network of upgradient and downgradient monitor wells. To investigate the discharge of groundwater to springs and streams. An initial dye-tracer study was conducted during the driest part of 1990. The dye was detected at some of the monitoring sites, but verification was necessary due to the proximity of some sites to extraneous dye sources. A second dye-tracer was conducted during the wet weather season. The actual test commenced during the first week of February 1992 with a 4-week baseline monitoring period to determine the inherent variability of the emission spectra within the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Due to a leakage from a 12-inch pressurized diesel steel pipe four years ago, an area of approximately 30,000 square meters was contaminated. A pilot study applying the technology of in-situ enhanced bioremediation was conducted. In the study, a field test kit and on-site monitoring equipment were applied for site characterization and treatment verification. Physically, the enhanced bioremediation study consisted of an air extraction and air supply system, and a nutrition supply network. Certain consistent sampling methodology was employed. Progress was verified by daily monitoring and monthly verification. The objective of this study was to evaluate the capabilities of indigenous microorganisms to biodegrade the petroleum hydrocarbons with provision of oxygen and nutrients. Nine extraction wells and eight air sparging wells were installed. The air sparging wells injected the air into geoformation and the extraction wells provided the underground air circulation. The soil samples were ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

To understand the effect of Mo-Nb additions on the electrochemical behavior of #beta#-titanium alloys in ambient temperature chloride solutions, characterization of the electrochemistry and passivity of a Ti-15Mo-3Al alloy (#beta#-21S) was undertaken. Both solution heat-treated (SHT) and peak-aged (PA) alloys exhibited passive anodic behavior in aerated and deaerated 0.6M NaCl, aerated and deaerated 0.6M NaCl adjusted to pH 1 with HCl, as well as aerated 5M HCl. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) performed after exposure to neutral 0.6M NaCl indicated that both PA and SHT #beta#-21S formed a predominantly TiO_2 film. Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and cathodic kinetics suggest that the Mo and Nb alloying additions are incorporated into the oxide in amounts less than that found in the alloys. The predominance of the passivating TiO_2 may explain the similarity of the electrochemical behavior observed. However, in deaerated 5M HCl, all materials displayed ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Colorectal carcinoma is a highly prevalent and common cause of cancer in Taiwan. There is still no available cure for this malignant disease. To address this issue, we applied the multimodality of molecular imaging to explore the efficacy of diagnostic and therapeutic nanoradiopharmaceuticals in an animal model of human colorectal adenocarcinoma [colorectal cancer (CRC)] that stably expresses luciferase (luc) as a reporter. In this study, an in vivo therapeutic efficacy evaluation of dual-nanoliposome (100 nm in diameter) encaged vinorelbine (VNB) and "1"1"1In-oxine on HT-29/luc mouse xenografts was carried out. HT-29/luc tumor cells were transplanted subcutaneously into male SCID mice. Multimodality of molecular imaging approaches including bioluminescence imaging (BLI), gamma scintigraphy, whole-body autoradiography (WBAR) and in vivo tumor growth tracing, histopathology and biochemistry/hematology analyses were applied on xenografted SCID mice to study the treatments with 6% ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Composite particles represented as TiV{sub 2.1}Ni{sub 0.3}-Raney Ni(R) were prepared by ball-milling a TiV{sub 2.1}Ni{sub 0.3} alloy with Raney Ni in the presence of 0.01 M sodium hypophosphite (NaH{sub 2}PO{sub 2}) aqueous solution as a reducing agent. The composite particles had different morphology from original TiV{sub 2.1}Ni{sub 0.3} alloy particles and TiV{sub 2.1}Ni{sub 0.3}-Raney Ni composite particles prepared by the ball-milling in the absence of the NaH{sub 2}PO{sub 2} aqueous solution. In charge-discharge cycle tests, the TiV{sub 2.1}Ni{sub 0.3}-Raney Ni(R) composite electrode showed the maximum discharge capacity of 620 mAh g{sup -1}, while its cycle durability was similar to the TiV{sub 2.1}Ni{sub 0.3} alloy electrode, which was explained from depth profiles of constituent elements by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). In thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA), two steps of dehydriding for hydrided TiV{sub 2.1}Ni{sub 0.3}-Raney ...

Science.gov (United States)

Aluminum, due to its low density and low cost, is a key material for future lightweight applications. However, like other structural materials, aluminum is subject to various forms of corrosion damage that annually costs the United States approximately 5% of its GNP [1]. The main goal is to investigate the effects of various solution anions on aluminum surfaces, and specifically probe pit initiation and inhibition. Using surface analysis techniques including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, results have been correlated with those obtained from electrochemical methods and a radiolabeling technique developed in the Wieckowski laboratory. Analysis of data has indicated that important variables include type of anion, solution pH, and applied electrode potential. While aggressive anions such as chloride are usually studied to elucidate corrosion processes to work ultimately toward inhibition, its corrosive ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the present study, the immunomodulatory effect of {beta}-endorphin ({beta}-E) and shorter pro-opiomelancortin (POMC) fragments was evaluated by assessing their influence on respiratory burst in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). The effect of the peptides on phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated production of reactive oxygen metabolites was measured in a lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) assay. Both POMC peptides with opiate-like activity and their non-opioid derivatives were tested. With the exception of {alpha}-E, PMA-stimulated respiratory burst was suppressed by all POMC fragments tested. A U-shaped dose-response relation was observed. Doses lower than 10{sup {minus}17}M and higher than 10{sup {minus}8}M were without effect. {beta}-E and dT{beta}E both suppressed PMA-induced oxidative burst in human PMN at physiological concentrations. {gamma}-E and dT{gamma}E proved to be less potent inhibitors, reaching maximal effect at higher ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An assay system for the stem cell that colonizes the thymus and differentiates into T cells was developed, and by using this assay system the existence of two subpopulations of stem cells for T cell lineage was clarified. Part-body-shielded and 900-R-irradiated C57BL/6 (H-2b, Thy-1.2) recipient mice, which do not require the transfer of pluripotent stem cells for their survival, were transferred with cells from B10 X Thy-1.1 (H-2b, Thy-1.1) donor mice. The reconstitution of the recipient's thymus lymphocytes was accomplished by stem cells in the donor cells and those spared in the shielded portion of the recipient that competitively colonize the thymus. Thus, the stem cell activity of donor cells can be evaluated by determining the proportion of donor-type (Thy-1.1+) cells in the recipient's thymus. Bone marrow cells were the most potent source of stem cells. By contrast, when the stem cell activity was compared between spleen and bone marrow ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

[3H]Quinuclidinyl benzilate binding to rat brain muscarinic receptors decreased after repeated exposure to soman, a potent organophosphorus cholinesterase inhibitor. The topographical distribution of this decrement was analyzed by quantitative receptor autoradiography. After 4 weeks of soman, three times a week, quinuclidinyl benzilate binding decreased to 67 to 80% of control in frontal and parietal cortex, caudate-putamen, lateral septum, hippocampal body, dentate gyrus, superior colliculus, nucleus of the fifth nerve, and central grey. Minor or no decreases were observed in thalamic or hypothalamic nuclei, reticular formation, pontine nuclei, inferior colliculus, nucleus of the seventh nerve, and cerebellum. Scatchard analyses of saturation curves using frontal cortex sections from soman-treated rats revealed a decrease in maximal quinuclidinyl benzilate binding from that in control rats and a return toward control levels by 24 days without any significant ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The functional interaction between the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor {gamma} (PPAR{gamma}) and its coactivator PGC-1{alpha} is crucial for the normal physiology of PPAR{gamma} and its pharmacological response to antidiabetic treatment with rosiglitazone. Here we report the crystal structure of the PPAR{gamma} ligand-binding domain bound to rosiglitazone and to a large PGC-1{alpha} fragment that contains two LXXLL-related motifs. The structure reveals critical contacts mediated through the first LXXLL motif of PGC-1{alpha} and the PPAR{gamma} coactivator binding site. Through a combination of biochemical and structural studies, we demonstrate that the first LXXLL motif is the most potent among all nuclear receptor coactivator motifs tested, and only this motif of the two LXXLL-related motifs in PGC-1{alpha} is capable of binding to PPAR{gamma}. Our studies reveal that the strong interaction of PGC-1{alpha} and PPAR{gamma} is mediated through both ...

Science.gov (United States)

The kainoid amino acids are biologically important compounds because they show remarkable neuroexcitatory and excitotoxic activities. For exhibiting potent activity, the stereochemical relationship of the substituents on the pyrrolidine ring is crucial. We found simple methods for determining the relative stereochemistry of these compounds on the basis of the (1)H NMR chemical shifts of H-2 and H-4 in D(2)O solution. The signals of H-2 appear at fields higher than 4.2 ppm when the compounds have 2,3-trans stereochemistry whereas, in the 2,3-cis compounds, they appear lower than 4.2 ppm, irrespective of the C-4 substituent. This criterion holds when the solution is in the range of pD 3-8. Moreover, when an epimeric pair at C-2 is available and the spectra are recorded at the same or nearly equal pD, the H-2 chemical shift of the 2,3-trans isomer is higher than that of the corresponding 2,3-cis isomer. Similarly, the relative stereochemistry between C-3 and C-4 can ...

Science.gov (United States)

Radishes (Raphanus sativus L.) are members of the cruciferous vegetable family that contain many classes of biologically active phytochemicals. This study determined the phytochemical composition of the sprouts and mature taproots of 8 radish varieties. Radish sprouts contained significantly greater concentrations of glucosinolates (3.8-fold) and isothiocyanates (8.2-fold) than the mature radish taproot and also contained significantly greater concentrations of phenolics (on average 6.9-fold). The anthocyanin concentrations of the mature radish taproot were significantly greater than in the sprouts of red, pink, and purple varieties. The primary anthocyanidins present in the red and pink radish varieties were pelargonidin and delphinidin, while the primary anthocyanidin in the purple radish variety was cyanidin. Radish sprouts were between 9- and 59-fold more potent than the corresponding mature taproot at activating the antioxidant response element (ARE) in a ...

Science.gov (United States)

Synthetic atrial natriuretic peptide (carperitide) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP; nesiritide) are used to treat congestive heart failure. However, despite beneficial cardiac unloading properties, reductions in renal perfusion pressures limit their clinical effectiveness. Recently, CD-NP, a chimeric peptide composed of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) fused to the C-terminal tail of Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide (DNP), was shown to be more glomerular filtration rate-enhancing than BNP in dogs. However, the molecular basis for the increased responsiveness was not determined. Here, we show that the DNP tail has a striking effect on CNP, converting it from a non-agonist to a partial agonist of natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR)-A while maintaining the ability to activate NPR-B. This effect is specific for human receptors because CD-NP was only a slightly better activator of rat NPR-A due to the promiscuous nature of CNP in this species. Interesting, the DNP tail alone had no effect ...

Science.gov (United States)

Spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP), a form of Hebbian plasticity, is inherently stabilizing. Whether and how GABAergic inhibition influences STDP is not well understood. Using a model neuron driven by converging inputs modifiable by STDP, we determined that a sufficient level of inhibition was critical to ensure that temporal coherence (correlation among presynaptic spike times) of synaptic inputs, rather than initial strength or number of inputs within a pathway, controlled postsynaptic spike timing. Inhibition exerted this effect by preferentially reducing synaptic efficacy, the ability of inputs to evoke postsynaptic action potentials, of the less coherent inputs. In visual cortical slices, inhibition potently reduced synaptic efficacy at ages during but not before the critical period of ocular dominance (OD) plasticity. Whole-cell recordings revealed that the amplitude of unitary IPSCs from parvalbumin positive (Pv+) interneurons to pyramidal neurons ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cigarette smoking is the major environmental risk factor for bladder cancer in humans. Aromatic amines, potent DNA-reactive bladder carcinogens present in cigarette smoke, contribute significantly. However, increased cell proliferation, caused by direct mitogenesis or in response to cytotoxicity, may also play a role since urothelial hyperplasia has been observed in human cigarette smokers. We examined the urothelial effects of cigarette smoke (whole body inhalation exposure (Teague) system) in female C57BL/6 mice at various times in two studies, including reversibility evaluations. In both studies, no urothelial hyperplasia was observed by light microscopy in any group. However, in study 1, the Ki-67 labeling index (LI) of the urothelium was significantly increased in the smoke exposed group compared to controls through 3 months, but was not present at 6, 9 or 12 months even with continued exposures. In the groups that discontinued smoke exposure, it returned to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The effects of the dopants, Mg{sup 2+}, Ca{sup 2+}, Sr{sup 2+}, Sc{sup 3+}, Yb{sup 3+}, Y{sup 3+}, Gd{sup 3+}, La{sup 3+}, Ti{sup 4+}, Zr{sup 4+}, and Nb{sup 5+}, on the grain boundary mobility of dense CeO{sub 2} have been investigated from 1,270 to 1,420 C. Parabolic grain growth has been observed in all instances. Together with atmospheric effects, the results support the mechanism of cation interstitial transport being the rate-limiting step. A strong solute drag effect has been demonstrated for diffusion-enhancing dopants such as Mg{sup 2+} and Ca{sup 2+}, which, at high concentrations, can nevertheless suppress grain boundary mobility. Severely undersized dopants (Mg, Sc, Ti, and Nb) have a tendency to markedly enhance grain boundary mobility, probably due to the large distortion of the surrounding lattice that apparently facilitates defect migration. Overall, the most effective grain growth inhibitor at 1.0% doping is Y{sup 3+}, while the most potent grain ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The authors have investigated insulin receptor phosphorylation in differentiated cultured BC3H-1 myocytes. As for other insulin-responsive cell systems in partially purified wheat germ agglutinin receptor preparations, insulin stimulates the phosphorylation of its own receptor (95K ..beta..-subunits) in a dose dependent manner (0-400 nM), as identified by immunoprecipitation with antiinsulin receptor antibodies and SDS-PAGE. In the same preparations they show that 12-0-tetradecanyl phorbol acetate (TPA), which in many respect ..beta..-subunits in the same dose dependent manner (0-5 ..mu..M). In addition, antiinsulin receptor antibodies (B-10) also induced phosphorylation of mimics insulin action, also induced phosphorylation of the insulin receptor and HPLC tryptic maps of the /sup 32/P-labeled ..beta..-subunit were identical to those for insulin-induced receptor phosphorylation. However, while insulin and TPA are potent stimulators of glucose transport in these ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The accurate measurement of a stress level is one of the most important issues in a stress diagnosis and its measurement could be of great value in clinical medicine. Stress has a potent effect on the spirit and physical condition of an individual. There are various methods available for its measurement. Some of the commonly used techniques for the diagnosis of a stress level include analysis of the body fluids, questionnaire assessments, psychophysiological evaluations and by determining heart rate variability (HRV) of subjects. However, the existing diagnostic methods have several defects like, a low sensitivity, inaccuracy and long of operation time. In this report, we present a diagnostic technology to detect a stress level which is the origin of various diseases. This method can be of great help in providing an early diagnosis through a biosensor and might play a vital role in preventing diseases like hypochondria and hypertension. Majority of the human ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1-Furan-2-yl-3-pyridin-2-yl-propenone (FPP-3) is an anti-inflammatory agent with a propenone moiety and chemically synthesized recently. In this study, we examined the chemopreventive effect of FPP-3 on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced genotoxicity in MCF-7 cells. FPP-3 reduced the formation of the DMBA-DNA adduct. DMBA-induced CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 gene expression and enzyme activity were inhibited by FPP-3. It inhibited DMBA-induced aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) transactivation and DMBA-inducible nuclear localization of the AhR. Induction of detoxifying phase II genes by chemopreventive agents represents a coordinated protective response against oxidative stress and neoplastic effects of carcinogens. Transcription factor NF-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) regulates antioxidant response element (ARE) of phase II detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione S-transferase (GST) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (QR). FPP-3 increased the expression and enzymatic ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Involvement of the dopaminergic system has been suggested in patients suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) since the symptoms can be successfully treated with methylphenidate, a potent blocker of the dopamine transporter (DAT). This study reports the findings on the status of the DAT in adults with ADHD before and after commencement of treatment with methylphenidate, as measured using [{sup 99m}Tc]TRODAT-1. Seventeen patients (seven males, ten females, aged 21-64 years, mean 38 years) were examined before and after the initiation of methylphenidate treatment (3 x 5 mg/day). All subjects were injected with 800 MBq [{sup 99m}Tc]TRODAT-1 and imaged 3 h p.i. Single-photon emission tomography (SPET) scans were acquired using a triple-headed gamma camera. For semi-quantitative evaluation of the DAT, transverse slices corrected for attenuation were used to calculate specific binding in the striatum, with the cerebellum used as background ...

Science.gov (United States)

Oxidative stress is demonstrated to be involved in the pathophysiological mechanism of erectile dysfunction (ED). Quercetin, a potent bioflavonoid, has been reported to have the antioxidant role. In the present study, we examined the effect of quercetin on ED and oxidative stress in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats with a single intravenous injection of STZ. The diabetic rats were then randomized to diabetic group and quercetin therapy groups which were treated with quercetin at different doses of 5, 20 and 50mg/kg per day respectively. At the end of the 8th week, erectile function was assessed by measuring the rise in intracavernous pressure (ICP) following cavernous nerve electrostimulation. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, thiobarbituric acid-reacting substance (TBARS) and nitrite and nitrate (NOx) levels were measured in cavernosum tissue. Endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression was determined using ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Thin films of new metastable materials from the system Ti-B-C-N were deposited on metallic substrates by d.c. magnetron sputtering in different Ar+N{sub 2} atmospheres. The multiphase compound targets used were based on various compositions on the TiC-TiB{sub 2} and TiB{sub 2}-C tie lines of the Ti-B-C phase diagram. The structure and chemical composition of the films were characterized by electron microprobe analysis, depth profiling Auger electron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The hardness, critical load of failure and the tribological behavior of the coatings were investigated. Superhard single-phase crystalline metastable Ti-B-C-N layers with hardness values exceeding 5000 HV{sub 0.05} and extremely low sliding wear against 100Cr6 and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} counterparts could be produced by reactive sputtering of various TiC-TiB{sub 2} targets in Ar+N{sub 2} atmospheres with low nitrogen flows. In the case of carbon-rich ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Some hypo-stoichiometric Zr-based Laves phase alloys were prepared and studied from a viewpoint of discharge capacity for electrochemical application. After careful alloy design of ZrMn{sub 2}-based hydrogen storage alloys through changing their stoichiometry while substituting or adding some alloying elements, the Zr(Mn{sub 0.2}V{sub 0.2}Ni{sub 0.6}){sub 1.8} alloy reveals relatively good properties with regard to hydrogen storage capacity, hydrogen equilibrium pressure and electrochemical discharge capacity. In order to improve the discharge capacity and rate-capability, Zr is partially replaced by Ti. The discharge capacity of Zr{sub 1-x}Ti{sub x}(Mn{sub 0.2}V{sub 0.2}Ni{sub 0.6}){sub 1.8} (x=0.0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.6) alloy electrodes at 30 C reaches a maximum value and decreases as the Ti fraction increases. In view of electrochemical and thermodynamic characteristics, the occurrence of a maximal phenomenon of the electrochemical discharge capacity of the alloy is attributed to a ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Immunoassays are versatile analytical techniques that had a leading role in various clinical applications, during the last four decades. The studies carried out by Rosalyn Yalow, Solomon Berson and Roger Ekins in the 1960s gave a breakthrough in the development of this novel analytical method. Sensitivity up to femtomolar concentrations, high specificity and universal application to different classes of molecular species made immunoassay a very useful tool in analytical investigation. The expertise acquired by immunochemists in producing antibodies against any antigen and the ability of radiochemists in labeling the antigens with "1"2"5I without affecting the active site are the two main factors responsible for the above development. There are concerns about the safety and health of humans due to the high-level contamination of environment by pesticides, industrial compounds and metals, anabolic steroids in milk and meat products, and presence of mycotoxins in food and feed ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Description of problem or function: Format: EXREM III; Nuclides: radioactive decay data on 252 Nuclides: 1H-3, 4Be-7, 6C-11, 6C-14, 7N-13, 8O-15, 9F-18, 11Na-22, 11Na-24, 12Mg-28, 13Al-28, 15P-32, 15P-33, 16S-35, 17Cl-36, 17Cl-38, 18A-37, 18A-39, 19K-40, 19K-42, 19K-43, 20Ca-45, 20Ca-47, 20Ca-49, 21Sc-46, 21Sc-47, 21Sc-49, 24Cr-51, 25Mn-52M, 25Mn-52, 25Mn-54, 26Fe-52, 26Fe-55, 26Fe-59, 27Co-56, 27Co-57, 27Co-58, 27Co-60, 28Ni-56, 28Ni-63, 29Cu-64, 30Zn-65, 30Zn-69M, 30Zn-69, 31Ga-67, 31Ga-68, 32Ge-77, 33As-76, 33As-77, 34Se-75, 35Br-80M, 35Br-80, 35Br-82, 35Br-83, 35Br-84, 36Kr-79, 36Kr-83M, 36Kr-85M, 36Kr-85, 36Kr-87, 36Kr-88, 37Rb-84, 37Rb-86, 37Rb-87, 37Rb-88, 37Rb-89, 37Rb-90M, 37Rb-90, 38Sr-85, 38Sr-87M, 38Sr-89, 38Sr-90, 38Sr-91, 38Sr-92, 38Sr-93, 39Y-87, 39Y-88, 39Y-90, 39Y-91M, 39Y-91, 39Y-92, 39Y-93, 40Zr-93, 41Nb-93M, 40Zr-95, 40Zr-97, 41Nb-95M, 41Nb-95, 41Nb-97M, 41Nb-97, 42Mo-99, 43Tc-99M, 43Tc-99, 44Ru-103, 44Ru-105, 44Ru-106, 45Rh-103M, 45Rh-105M, 45Rh-105, 45Rh-106, ...