International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Focussed ion beam (FIB) processing has been applied to the fabrication of novel InP-based cleaved coupled cavity (CCC) quantum cascade lasers (QCL). Gas assisted etching using XeF_2 has been shown to significantly reduce the redeposition of sputtered material onto the mirror surfaces during final milling. For the unprocessed laser a broad spread of lasing peaks are observed between 9.72#mu#m to 9.78#mu#m at a current of 380mA (1kA/cm"-"2). After FIB processing, substantial side mode suppression is observed on applying a current of 20mA (100A/cm"-"2) to the short section and the main lasing peak is observed at 9.77#mu#m.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (NEP, CD10) is a cell-surface enzyme expressed by prostatic epithelial cells that cleaves and inactivates neuropeptides implicated in the growth of androgen-independent prostate...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Heusler films with L2_1 and B2 structure are deposited simultaneously on amorphous carbon films, Si(100) surfaces, and in situ cleaved InAs(110) surfaces by coevaporation of Ni and the alloy MnIn. Morphology, structure, and stoichiometry are investigated with transmission-electron microscopy, electron diffraction, and X-ray spectroscopy. The almost perfect lattice match supports highly oriented growth of Ni_2MnIn on InAs, which is proven by electron diffraction under grazing incidence. The electrical resistivity of thin films on Si show metallic behavior. At temperatures of liquid helium point-contact Andreev reflection spectroscopy is performed on films grown on Si(100) and in situ cleaved InAs(110) surfaces yielding spin polarizations comparable to the ones of Fe, Ni, Co, and permalloy (Ni_8_0Fe_2_0).

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

ObjectiveLiterature data on the effects of CYP17 MspA1 polymorphism on age at menarche (AAM) are inconsistent. To reexamine this controversy, we...Full Text Available

KoreaScience (Korea)

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International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

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

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Amyloid precursor protein (APP), a key protein in pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), is a type I transmembrane protein which can be cleaved by b- and g-secretase to release the amyloidogenic b-amyloid peptides (Ab) and the APP intracellular domain (AICD). While Ab has been widely believed to initiate pathogenic cascades culminating AD, the physiological functions and regulations of AICD remain elusive. In present study, endogenous AICD was demonstrated to be increased by canonical Wnt signal. Instead of due to g-secretase activity, enhanced AICD expression was found due to the increased protein stability by Wnt/b-catenin. b-Catenin was demonstrated to be an associating partner of AICD, capable of promoting AICD mediated transcriptional activity. Investigation by AICD mutants proved ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

TRPM7 is an unusual bifunctional protein consisting of an α-kinase...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Expression of Bacterial luciferase enzyme (lux) in mammalian cells would be a powerful bioreporter protein system for in vivo imaging because eukaryotic luciferases need expensive substrates. However, only a few efforts have been made to express bacterial luciferase enzyme in mammalian cells. As the result of this, we attempted to construct bicistronic vector including two bacterial luciferase genes (LuxA and LuxB) for assessing the potential to be visualized in vitro or in vivo by optical imaging system after transfection to mammalian cells. We designed and synthesized luxA and luxB genes from Photorhabdus Luminescens. To co-express both luxA and luxB genes from a single promoter, we cloned as a bicistronic transcript fused with an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES). This bicistronic transcript was transfected by Superfect to HEK 293T cell line. We also transfected lux A and lux B vector to HEK 293T cells separately. To evaluate gene expression, n-decanal and FMNH2 were supplemented ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies are caused by defects of dystrophin, which forms a part of the membrane cytoskeleton of specialized cells such as muscle. It has been previously shown that the dystrophin-associated protein A1 (59-kDa DAP) is actually a heterogeneous group of phosphorylated proteins consisting of an acidic ({alpha}-A1) and a distinct basic ({beta}-A1) component. Partial peptide sequence of the A1 complex purified from rabbit muscle permitted the design of oligonucleotide probes that were used to isolate a cDNA for one human isoform of A1. This cDNA encodes a basic A1 isoform that is distinct from the recently described syntrophins in Torpedo and mouse and is expressed in many tissues with at least five distinct ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

CD44, a transmembrane receptor for hyaluronic acid, is implicated in various adhesion-dependent cellular processes, including cell migration, tumor cell metastasis and invasion. Recent studies demonstrated that CD44 expressed in cancer cells can be proteolytically cleaved at the ectodomain by membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) to form soluble CD44 and that CD44 cleavage plays a critical role in cancer cell migration. Here, we show that transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b), a multifunctional cytokine involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and pathological processes, induces MT1-MMP expression in MDA-MB-435s cells. TGF-b-induced MT1-MMP expression was blocked by the specific extracellular regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor PD98059 and the specific pho...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

One of our research objectives is to develop chemistry of transition metal chalcogenides which are relevant to new inorganic materials, environmental catalysts, metalloenzymes. In this context, this research project has been aimed at rational syntheses of chalcogenide complexes of electron-deficient transition metals, construction of hetero metallic clusters with high nuclearity, and elucidation of chemical properties characteristic of these metal chalcogenide compounds. We were successful in synthesizing a series of sulfide (selenide)/thiolate complexes of group 4,5 and 6 transition metal elements by making use of C-S bond cleaving reactions and anhydrous chalcogenide reagents. We also achieved construction of unprecedented large chalcogenide clusters of mixed metal systems such as [Cu{sub 4}(dppm){sub 4}MS{sub 4}] [PF{sub 6}]{sub 2} (M=Mo, W), [(Cp*WS{sub 3}Ag{sub 2}){sub 2}({mu}-Br){sub 2}]{sub {infinity}}, and [Cp*{sub 2}Mo{sub 2}Fe{sub 2}S{sub 4}]{sub ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Heusler alloy Ni{sub 2}MnIn is a promising material as spin injector because of its predicted half-metallicity at the interface to InAs. We grow thin films of this Heusler alloy by thermal coevaporation of Nickel and the alloy MnIn. The alloy is grown on Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} membranes and amorphous carbon films for transmission-electron microscopy (TEM) as well as on Si and InAs. The degree of the transport spin polarization of the films grown on Si(100), InAs(100) and in-situ cleaved (110) surfaces of InAs is determined by point-contact Andreev reflection spectroscopy (PCAR). The almost perfect lattice match between InAs and Ni{sub 2}MnIn supports highly oriented growth, as we have proven by electron diffraction under grazing incidence. Lateral spin valves with Heusler electrodes are lithographically defined. In view of the temperature-sensitivity of the optical and electron-beam resists, the samples are grown at substrate temperatures of 50 C and annealed up to ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BACKGROUND: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of heritable diseases that manifest as blistering and erosions of the skin and mucous membranes. In the dystrophic forms of EB (DEB), the diagnostic...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Three homeologous genes encoding a sucrose (Suc) transporter (SUT) in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum), TaSUT1A, 1B, and 1D, were...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

To gain insight into ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) function and its potential role in AD pathology, we analyzed the expression of the cholesterol transporter ABCA1...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

To calibrate channels A1 to A4 for particles with Z >= 1, tests were done on the IBIS accelerator at AERE, Harwell, which gave protons up to 3 MeV. ...

Science.gov (United States)

...2010-04-01 false Sodium pentobarbital injection. 522.1704 Section...DRUGS § 522.1704 Sodium pentobarbital injection. (a)(1) Specifications. Sodium pentobarbital injection is sterile and...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A method based on path integral formulation is given for obtaining exact solution of the s states for the Bargmann potentialV(r)=1ka"2#beta#(#beta#-1)e"-"2"r"/"a1-e"-"r"/"a"2-Ae"-"r"/"a1-e"-"r"/"a,where #beta# and k are parameters. The exact energy spectrum and the normalised s-state eigenfunctions are obtained from the poles of the Green function and their residues, respectively. The results are compared with their of Schrodinger formalism, special cases are also discussed.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The Eph tyrosine kinase receptors and their ephrin ligands play a central role in several human cancers and their deregulated expression or function promotes tumorigenesis, inducing aggressive tumor phenotypes. Green tea extracts (GTE) have been recently found to inhibit Eph-kinase phosphorylation. In order to evaluate the potential contribution of edible and medicinal plants on EphA2-ephrinA1 modulation, 133 commercially available plant extracts used as food supplements, essential and fixed oils were screened with an ELISA-based binding assay. Nine plant extracts, rich of polyphenols, reversibly inhibited binding in a dose-dependent manner (IC"5"0 0.83-24@mg/ml). Functional studies on PC3 prostate adenocarcinoma cells revealed that active extracts antagonized ephrinA1-Fc-induced EphA2-pho...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We report first-principles frozen-phonon calculations for the determination of the force-free geometry and the dynamical matrix of the five Raman-active A_1_g modes in YBa_2Cu_3O_7. To establish the shape of the phonon potentials atomic forces are calculated within the linearized-augmented-plane-wave method. Two different schemes emdash the local-density approximation (LDA) and a generalized gradient approximation (GGA)emdash are employed for the treatment of electronic exchange and correlation effects. We find that in the case of LDA the resulting phonon frequencies show a deviation from experimental values of approximately -10%. Invoking GGA the frequency values are significantly improved and also the eigenvectors are in very good agreement with experimental findings. copyright 1997 The American Physical Society.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2-Azido[#alpha#-"3"2P]adenosine diphosphate (2-azido[#alpha#-"3"2P]ADP) has been used to photolabel the ADP/ATP carrier in beef heart mitochondria. In reversible binding assays carried out in the dark, this photoprobe was found to inhibit ADP/ATP transport in beef heart mitochondria and to bind to two types of specific sites of the ADP/ATP carrier characterized by high-affinity binding (K/sub d/ = 20 #mu#M) and low-affinity binding (K/sub d/ = 400 #mu#M). In contrast, it was unable to bind to specific carrier sites in inverted submitochondrial particles. Upon photoirradiation of beef heart mitochondria in the presence of 2-azido[#alpha#-"3"2P]ADP, the ADP/ATP carrier was covalently labeled. After purification, the photolabeled carrier protein was cleaved chemically by acidolysis or cyanogen bromide and enzymatically with the Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease. In the ADP/ATP carrier protein, which is 297 amino acid residues in length, two discrete regions extending ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The present study was designed to assess the radioprotective effects of amifostine on ovarian follicles. Three week-old female mice with or without pretreatment of amifostine were irradiated with 6.42 Gy of #gamma# -ray. Ovaries were collected 0 and 6h after irradiation. DNA fragmentation pattern and expression of genes and activity of proteins related with apoptosis were investigated by means of RT-PCR and Western blot. Proliferation of granulosa cells was reduced and incidence rate of follicular atresia was increased in ovarian follicles in #gamma# -ray irradiated mice compared to those in control or amifostine-treated group. DNA fragmentation was increased in time-dependent manner in granulosa cells of all irradiated groups. However, no difference between amifostine pre-treated group and irradiated groups was found and the expression of p53 as tumor suppressor gene and Bax as one of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family was increased in irradiated mice ovaries. PARP as DNA damage sensor was ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

By using the quark-parton-flucton and Weinberg-Salam models, effects of interactions of weak neutral quark and neutrino currents were considered in deep - inelastic neutrino (anti)-nucleus scattering #nu# (anti-#nu#) A #-># #nu# (anti-#nu#) #gamma#X. The energy spectrum and degree of photon circular polarization were obtained in present paper. In particular for the nucleon (A = 1). The theoretical results were in a good agreement with data mentioned. (author). 6 refs., 4 figs.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

PurposeOptic nerve aplasia (ONA, OMIM 165550) is a very rare unilateral or bilateral condition that leads to blindness in the affected eye, and is usually associated with other ocular...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Outbred Wistar rats were immunised with a single intraperitoneal injection of a mixture of 30 mg of A1(OH)3 and 100microng of gonococcal zeolite antigen (ZA). Ten days after immunisation, ZA prepared...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Several closely related Mn(II)-oxidizing alpha-Proteobacteria were isolated from very different marine environments: strain SI85-9A1 from the oxic/anoxic interface of a stratified...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A computed tomography (CT) cut-off for differentiating neoplastic lesions (polyps/carcinoma) from normal colon in contrast-enhanced CT colonography (CTC) relating to the contrast phase and lesion size is determined. CT values of 64 colonic lesions (27 polyps <10 mm, 13 polyps {>=}10 mm, 24 carcinomas) were determined by region-of-interest (ROI) measurements in 38 patients who underwent contrast-enhanced CTC. In addition, the height (H) of the colonic lesions was measured in CT. CT values were also measured in the aorta (A), superior mesenteric vein (V) and colonic wall. The contrast phase was defined by xA + (1 - x)V using x as a weighting factor for describing the different contrast phases ranging from the pure arterial phase (x=1) over the intermediate phases (x=0.9-0.1) to the pure venous phase (x=0). The CT values of the lesions were correlated with their height (H), the different phases (xA + ...

Science.gov (United States)

Ternary copper(II) complexes [Cu(L1)B](ClO4) (1, 2) and [Cu(L2)B](ClO4) (3, 4), where HL1 and HL2 are tridentate NSO- and ONO-donor Schiff bases and B is a heterocyclic base, viz. dipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline (dpq, 1 and 3) or dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz, 2 and 4), were prepared and their DNA binding and photoinduced DNA cleavage activity studied. Complex 1, structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, shows an axially elongated square-pyramidal (4 + 1) coordination geometry in which the monoanionic L1 binds at the equatorial plane. The NN-donor dpq ligand exhibits an axial-equatorial binding mode. The complexes display good binding propensity to calf thymus DNA, giving a relative order 2 (NSO-dppz) > 4 (ONO-dppz) > 1 (NSO-dpq) > 3 (ONO-dpq). They cleave supercoiled pUC19 DNA to its nicked circular form when treated with 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) by formation of hydroxyl radicals as the cleavage active species ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We examined whether or not BMD or bone markers were useful for assessing the risk of vertebral fractures in 248 Japanese men with type 2 diabetes. We analyzed the relationships between bone markers (osteocalcin [OC], bone-specific alkaline phosphatase [BAP], urinary N-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type-I collagen) or BMD and HbA1c, urinary C-peptide, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), parathyroid hormone, 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D, and the presence of prevalent vertebral fractures. Multiple regression analysis adjusted for age, body height, weight, duration of diabetes, and serum creatinine showed that serum OC and OC/BAP ratio were correlated negatively with HbA1c (P?P?P?

Science.gov (United States)

OBJECTIVE To identify patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) who will need antenatal insulin treatment (AIT) by using a risk-prediction tool based on maternal clinical and biochemical characteristics at diagnosis. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Data from 3,009 women attending the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital GDM Clinic, Australia, between 1995 and 2010 were studied. A risk engine was developed from significant factors identified for AIT using a logistic regression model. RESULTS A total of 51% of GDM patients required AIT. Ethnicity, gestation at diagnosis, HbA(1c), fasting and 60-min glucose oral glucose tolerance test, BMI, and diabetes family history were significant independent determinants of AIT. Notably, only 9% of the attributable risk for AIT can be explained by the clinical factors studied. A modeled risk-scoring system was therefore a poor predictor of AIT. CONCLUSIONS Baseline maternal characteristics including ...

Science.gov (United States)

Evaluation of ageable beta alloys Ti-17V-2Fe-2Co-3Al, Ti-17V-7.5Co-3A1 and Ti-8Mo-8V-5Co-3Al continued with room and elevated temperature smooth and notched tensile tests, creep stability, oxidation and stress-corrosion tests. Ti-17V-7.5Co-3Al aged more r...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Noninvasive and simplified methods for estimating regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) and regional partition coefficient ({lambda}) using the inhalation of stable xenon (Xe{sup s}) and computed tomographic (CT) scanning are described. Thirty percent Xe{sup s} in 70% oxygen was inhaled for 240 seconds and exhaled for 160 seconds during serial CT scanning without denitrogenation in 26 patients with cerebrovascular diseases and four volunteer controls. During the investigation, the end-tidal Xe{sup s} concentration was continuously monitored with a thermoconductivity analyzer to determine the build-up range (A value) and build-up rate constant (K value) of the artery by the curve fitting method. Calculated A and K values were corrected by the following formulae reported previously: for patients aged 0-20 years, A{sub e} = 0.75A{sub a} + 2.15, K{sub e} = 0.67K{sub a} + 0.69; 21-40 years, A{sub e} = 0.56A{sub a} + 3.24, K{sub e} = 0.38K{sub a} + ...

Science.gov (United States)

This article describes the design and implementation of an online diabetes self-management intervention for a sample of inner-city African Americans with diabetes. Study participants were randomly assigned to the treatment (26) and control (21) conditions. The results indicate that treatment group participants were more likely to achieve positive outcomes in terms of lowered hemoglobin A1c and body mass index measurements than were control group members. These findings support the development of telehealth interventions to promote effective chronic disease management in medically underserved communities.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A series of measurements of O_3 yield in nuclear induced O_2 and O_2-SF_6 discharges created by bombardment with energetic particles from the "1"0B(n,#alpha#)"7Li reaction are reported. Continuous irradiation at dose ratios of 10"1"5-10"1"7 eV.cm"-"3.s"-"1 and pulsed irradiation (approx.10 ms FWHM) at a peak dose rate of approx.10"2"0 eV.cm"-"3.s"-"1 were conducted. At the lower dose rates, SF_6 addition generally increased the ozone yield, which at the high dose rates, SF_6 addition decreased the observed ozone concentration. A numerical model was developed and applied to experimental conditions. The steady-state ozone concentration was found to be limited by the reaction O_3"- + O_3 #-># 2O_2 + O_2"-. A simplified analytical model of steady-state conditions was used to predict model sensitivity to various parameters. In addition to dose rate effects, pressure and temperature effect on ozone production were discussed. The present study was extended to noble gas (He, Ne, and Ar)-O_2 ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Starting from commercial 4-chloro-3-nitroaniline, through a 5 step synthesis, 3-azido-4-chlorophenylisothiocyanate was prepared and reacted with ["3H]-methylamine. The latter was obtained by three methods: (i) ["3H]-LiA1T_4 reduction of benzylcarbamate gave rise to ["3H]-methylamine (S.A.: > 70 Ci/mmol). (ii) Catalytic reduction of HCN with "3H_2 lead to ["3H]-CH_3NH_2 (S.A.: 0.7 Ci/mmol). (III) Schmidt rearrangement of ["3H]-sodium acetate gave ["3H]-CH_3NH_2 (S.A.: 29 Ci/mmol). (author).

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Cancer cells recruit monocytes, macrophages and other inflammatory cells by producing abundant chemoattractants and growth factors, such as macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF/CSF-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2), to promote tumor growth and dissemination. An understanding of the mechanisms that target cancer cells and regulate tumor microenvironment is essential in designing anticancer therapies. Here, we showed that serum amyloid-A (SAA) and cathelicidin (LL-37) stimulated M-CSF and MCP-1 expression with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration; conversely, lipoxin-A4 (LXA4) and annexin-A1 (ANXA1) inhibited LPS-induced M-CSF and MCP-1 production by human (HepG2) and mouse (H22) hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HCCs). The effects of LXA4, ANXA1, SAA ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The cross section of hard semiexclusive A(e,e"'N)(A-1) reactions for fixed missing energy and momentum is calculated within the eikonal approximation. Relativistic dynamics and kinematics of high energy processes are unambiguously accounted for by using the analysis of appropriate Feynman diagrams. A significant dependence of the final state interactions on the missing energy is found, which is important for interpretation of forthcoming color transparency experiments. A new, more stringent kinematic restriction on the region where the contribution of short-range nucleon correlations is enhanced in semiexclusive knock-out processes is derived. It is also demonstrated that the use of light-cone variables leads to a considerable simplification of the description of high energy knock-out reactions. copyright 1997 The American Physical Society.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Chitosan (a?-(1-4)-amino-2-deoxy-b?-D-glucan) is a deacetylated form of chitin, a polysaccharide from crustacean shells. Its unique characteristics, such as positive charge, biodegradability, biocompatibility, nontoxicity, and rigid structure, make this macromolecule ideal for an oral vaccine delivery system. We prepared reverse-phase evaporation vesicles (REVs) sandwiched by chitosan (Chi) and polyvinylic alcohol (PVA). However, in this method, there are still some problems to be circumvented related to protein stabilization. During the inverted micelle phase of protein nanoencapsulation, hydrophobic interfaces are expanded, leading to interfacial adsorption, followed by protein unfolding and aggregation. Here, spectroscopic and immunological techniques were used to ascertain the effects ...

Wastenet

...Content 3a LCA Methodology - Characterisation(PDF) 3a1 BRE Response - Characterisation 3b LCA Methodology - Normalisation (PDF) 3b1 BRE Response - Normalisation 3c LCA Methodology - Weighting (PDF) 3c1 Feedback - Weighting 3c2 Weightings Exercise (PDF) 4 Specification (PDF) 4a - Functional Units Spreadsheet (Excel) 4b Specification List (Excel) 5 Energy Model (PDF) 6 Whole Life perfomance 6b Response Note To Briefing Note 6 - Whole Life Performance (PDF) 7 End-of-Life and Waste models (PDF) 7a Waste routes and rates feedback (PDF) 7b Waste Disposal Routes for Industry Consultation 7c Site Wastage Rates for Industry Consultation 8 Existing LCA ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Transparency is essential for normal corneal function. Recent studies suggest that corneal cells express high levels of so-called corneal crystallins, such as aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and transketolase (TKT) that contribute to maintaining cellular transparency. Stromal injury leads to the appearance of repair phenotype keratocytes, the corneal fibroblast and myofibroblast. Previous studies on keratocytes from species such as bovine and rabbit indicate that the transformation from the normal to repair phenotype is accompanied by a loss of corneal crystallin expression, which may be associated with loss of cellular transparency. Here we investigated if a similar loss occurs with human keratocyte repair phenotypes. Human corneal epithelial cells were collected by scraping and keratocytes...

Science.gov (United States)

Using the phasmid vector pSL5, the genomic DNA fragment of T. aquaticus YT1 which contained the thermostable DNA polymerase (Taq-polymerase) gene was cloned. The BglII fragment of this genome locus was subcloned in the BamHI site of the pUC19 plasmid. To optimize the Taq-polymerase gene expression in E. coli cells, the gene was cloned in the correct reading frame regarding the initiation ATG codon of the pPR-TGATG-1 expression vector. The gene expression in this vector was controlled by the phage lambda PR promoter and the temperature-sensitive phage lambda repressor. We used PCR to amplify the short 5'-end fragment of the Taq-polymerase gene coding for the part into which an artificial SacI site was introduced. This site has been used for cloning the PCR product into the pPR-TGATG-1 vector, and the missing gene part was cloned into the KpnI site of the PCR product from the natural cloned gene. The cells of the E. coli PVG-A1 strain, which was ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The production of heavy crude oils increased in the last years in the world. Crude oils with high density, viscosity, acidity and sulfur, nitrogen, metals and asphaltenes contents, by the others hand, low stability and low product quality. The challenger of many refiners is find solutions to refine the heavy crude oils, and produce fuels with certify quality, such as Jet Fuel. The principal aviation technique on the world work with gas turbines engines feted for jet fuel (JET A1). The quality specifications of this fuel are establish by International Norms: ASTM-1655, DEF STAN 91-91-3 (DERD 2494) and joint Fuelling System Check List. The world technologies to obtain jet fuel from mixtures of heavy crude oil with middle crude oils are: Atmospheric distillation, with a posterior hydrogenation and finally the additivation. Studies carried out have demonstrates that the Cubans heavy crude oils is characterized for having API less than 10, raised ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This fourteenth quarterly technical progress report of the MHD Integrated Topping Cycle Project presents the accomplishments during the period November 1, 1990 to January 31, 1991. Testing of the High Pressure Cooling Subsystem electrical isolator was completed. The PEEK material successfully passed the high temperature, high pressure duration tests (50 hours). The Combustion Subsystem drawings were CADAM released. The procurement process is in progress. An equipment specification and RFP were prepared for the new Low Pressure Cooling System (LPCS) and released for quotation. Work has been conducted on confirmation tests leading to final gas-side designs and studies to assist in channel fabrication.The final cathode gas-side design and the proposed gas-side designs of the anode and sidewall are presented. Anode confirmation tests and related analyses of anode wear mechanisms used in the selection of the proposed anode design are presented. Sidewall confirmation tests, which were used ...

CERN Document Server

An accident of misidentification has brought to light the interesting system HD 191588, a new RS CVn-type spectroscopic binary. A radial-velocity study of the primary star, the only seen component, carried out at the Observatoire de Haute-Provence with the Coravel instrument and subsequently at the Cambridge Observatories with a similar one, reveals two orbital motions: a short-period orbit (60 days) and a long-period one (about 4.5 years), so this star is a triple system. The following orbital elements are obtained: (1) for the long-period orbit P = 1667+/-17 days, T = 50901 +/-67 MJD, Gamma = +2.09 +/-0.07 km/s, K = 2.51 +/-0.13 km/s, e = 0.18 +/-0.04, omega = 228deg +/- 14 deg, a1 sin i = 56.7 +/- 3.0 Gm, f(m) = 0.0026 +/-0.0004 M_sun, and (2) for the short-period orbit P = 60.0269 +/-0.0016 days, T = 50482.6 +/-3.3 MJD, gamma is var., K = 24.03 +/- 0.09 km/s, e = 0.012 +/-0.004, omega = 233 deg +/-19deg, ...

Science.gov (United States)

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common problem in the female population. Women with diabetes mellitus are possibly at a higher risk. The usual medical therapy for UTI is antibiotic treatment. The aim of this study is to explore strategies employed by diabetic women for prevention and self-treatment of UTI. Forty-two women with diabetes mellitus who had experienced at least one episode of UTI in the last six months were included. Data collection included background information, questions about prevention and self-treatment strategies and a clinical examination to measure maximal urine flow, residual urine, a blood test evaluating diabetic control (HbA1c) and a urine test strip for determination of glucose, leucocytes, nitrite, blood, protein and pH. Thirty-five participants (83.3%) reported changes in daily routines like 'always keeping warm', 'increased fluid intake', 'good personal hygiene' as prevention strategies. Different herb and plant ...

CERN Document Server

We examine star clusters in the irregular, starburst galaxy NGC 1569 from HST images. In addition to the two known super star clusters, we identify 45 other clusters that are compact but resolved. Integrated UVI colors of the clusters span a large range, and suggest that ages range from 3 Myrs to 1 Gyr. However, most of the clusters were formed at the tail end of the recent starburst. Numerous clusters in addition to the know super star clusters are similar in luminosity to a small globular cluster. We examined the radial surface brightness of four of the clusters. Their half-light radii and core radii are in the range observed in present-day globular clusters. Therefore, conditions that produced the recent starburst have also been those necessary for producing compact, bright star clusters. We examine resolved stars in the outer parts of the two super star clusters. Cluster A is dominated by bright blue stars with a small population of red supergiants. Sub-components ...

Science.gov (United States)

The purpose of this project was to design, build, and characterize the performance of a volume breast ultrasound (VBUS) scanner that images the pendant breast. VBUS scanner design includes a: 1) clinical ultrasound scanner and transducer; 2) scanning table with a hole for the pendant breast; 3) rotational gantry; 4) probe mounting assembly; 5) compressionless breast stabilization device; 6) acquisition, control, reconstruction, and display software. Performance assessment characterized a variety of parameters including: spatial resolution, uniformity, and distortion using high and low contrast test objects in both horizontal and vertical scanning modes. The VBUS scanner modules have been constructed and initial performance evaluated. Approximately 300 scans are acquired over 360 degrees in 18 seconds. Reconstruction requires 25 ms per slice. Test object images depicted hyper- and hypo-echoic masses and demonstrated good resolution, soft tissue ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Metals for potential use in the dissociator and the synthesizer reactors of a distributed solar receiver thermochemical transport loop utilizing SO/sub 3//SO/sub 2//O/sub 2/ molecular chemistry includes stainless steels and iron-base, nickel-base and cobalt-base superalloys. We tested these alloys in SO/sub 2//O/sub 2/ mixtures and SO/sub 3/ gas at 500/sup 0/C and 900/sup 0/C, respectively, for times of up to four weeks. Weight gain measurements were used to determine the oxidation/sulfidation kinetics and electron microprobe analysis was used to measure penetration of oxygen and sulfur into the metal and to identify the formation of internal oxides and sulfides. Results of these tests showed that the most promising candidates are those containing sufficient quantities of both aluminum and chromium alloying additions to be alumina and chromia formers, such as Kanthal A-1, Nimonic 105 and Cabot 214.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We have recently developed a high resolution quasielastic neutron scattering spectrometer LAM-80ET by applying mica crystals as analyzers and achieved a resolution of #DELTA##epsilon# = 1.3 #mu#eV using the 002 reflection. Single chain dynamics of polyethylene has been investigated below and above the melting temperature T_m (=135degC) to show the feasibility of the mica 002 reflection as the analyzer. It was found that elastic scattering intensity from polyethylene decreases very steeply around the T_m. Quasielastic broadening in the spectrum at Q = 0.082 A"-"1 is observed only above 210degC, which is 75degC higher than the T_m. From the analysis of the spectra by a curve-fitting method, the width of the quasielastic component was evaluated to be 1.8 #mu#eV at 250degC and the activation energy of the width to be 34 kJ/mol. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A new method is being developed to quickly screen for the human exposure potential to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorines (OCs). The development involves two key elements: identifying suitable signals that represent intracellular changes that are specific to PAH and OC exposure, and constructing a device to guide the biological cell growth so that signals from individual cells are consistent and reproducible. We are completing the identification of suitable signals by using synchrotron radiation-based (SR) Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectromicroscopy in the mid-infrared region (4000-400 cm-1). Distinct changes have been observed in the IR spectra after treatment of human cells in culture medium with PAHs and OCs. The potential use of this method for detecting exposure to PAHs and OCs has been tested and compared to a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay that quantifies increased expression of the ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Aims To determine the long-term health economic benefits associated with lispro vs. regular human insulin (RHI) in UK Type 1 diabetic (T1DM) patients using the previously published and validated CORE Diabetes Model. Methods A literature review designed to capture clinical benefits associated with lispro and T1DM cohort characteristics specific to UK was undertaken. Clinical benefits were derived from a Cochrane meta-analysis. The estimated difference (weighted mean) in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was -0.1% (95% confidence interval -0.2 to 0.0%) for lispro vs. RHI. Severe hypoglycaemia rates for lispro and RHI were 21.8 and 46.1 events per 100 patient years, respectively. Costs and disutilities were accounted for severe hypoglycaemia rates. All costs were accounted in 2007 UK from...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The quality of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of proteins depends critically on the biomolecular force field that is used. Such force fields are defined by force-field parameter sets, which are generally determined and improved through calibration of properties of small molecules against experimental or theoretical data. By application to large molecules such as proteins, a new force-field parameter set can be validated. We report two 3.5 ns molecular dynamics simulations of hen egg white lysozyme in water applying the widely used GROMOS force-field parameter set 43A1 and a new set 45A3. The two MD ensembles are evaluated against NMR spectroscopic data NOE atom-atom distance bounds, {sup 3}J{sub NH{alpha}} and {sup 3}J{sub {alpha}}{sub {beta}} coupling constants, and {sup 1}5N relaxation data. It is shown that the two sets reproduce structural properties about equally well. The 45A3 ensemble fulfills the atom-atom distance bounds derived ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The objectives of this research were to investigate the possibility of controlling the #alpha#'/#beta#' phase ratio and morphology in Sialon ceramics. These objectives have been sought by the control of the starting composition, and by post sintering heat treatment. The main emphasis has been on the production of a series of #alpha#' and (#alpha#'+#beta#') Sialon ceramics with a minimum amount of the glass phase by the pressureless sintering technique and using ytterbium (Yb) as an #alpha#' stabilising element. The Yb additions were made via the oxide or the alumino- silicate presynthesised glass; the latter was found to improve the density. The XRD analysis of the as sintered materials revealed #alpha#' to be the dominant phase with minor contributions from #beta#' sialon and/ or 12H A1N polytype. Additions of SiO_2 or #beta#-Si_3N_4 were made to various materials to assess potential mechanisms for obtaining control over the microstructural ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A multielement apparatus for the removal of aerosols formed in the vitrification of simulated high-activity accident wastes from the decommissioned nuclear power plant A-1 has been designed, manufactured and tested. The apparatus consists of two cooling and condensing steps connected in series, and of five filtration steps also connected in series. The five filtration steps allowed to achieve a decontamination factor of 1x10"5 in the case of removal of a NaCl("2"4Na) testing model aerosol. The decontamination factor for removal of the cesium aerosol by the whole apparatus was 3.3x10"6. In the first filtration step the aerosols are removed by the cartridge with a filtration fabric made of polyethylene fibers, in the second step by the cartridge with a granulated natural material, in the third step by the cartridge with glass-fiber filtration paper, in the fourth and fifth steps by the cartridge with high-efficiency filtration paper made of glass ...

Science.gov (United States)

Antiquitin (ATQ) deficiency is the main cause of pyridoxine dependent epilepsy characterized by early onset epileptic encephalopathy responsive to large dosages of pyridoxine. Despite seizure control most patients have intellectual disability. Folinic acid responsive seizures (FARS) are genetically identical to ATQ deficiency. ATQ functions as an aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH7A1) in the lysine degradation pathway. Its deficiency results in accumulation of ?-aminoadipic semialdehyde (AASA), piperideine-6-carboxylate (P6C) and pipecolic acid, which serve as diagnostic markers in urine, plasma, and CSF. To interrupt seizures a dose of 100mg of pyridoxine-HCl is given intravenously, or orally/enterally with 30mg/kg/day. First administration may result in respiratory arrest in responders, and thus treatment should be performed with support of respiratory management. To make sure that late and masked response is not missed, treatment with oral/enteral ...

Science.gov (United States)

The steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1, also known as NR5A1) is a transcription factor belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily. Whereas most of the members of this family have been extensively characterized, the therapeutic potential and pharmacology of SF-1 still remains elusive. Described here is the identification and characterization of selective inhibitory chemical probes of SF-1 by a rational ultra-high-throughput screening (uHTS) strategy. A set of 64,908 compounds from the National Institute of Health's Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository was screened in a transactivation cell-based assay employing a chimeric SF-1 construct. Two analogous isoquinolinones, ethyl 2-[2-[2-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-7-ylamino)-2-oxoethyl]-1-oxoisoquinolin-5-yl]oxypropanoate (SID7969543) and ethyl 2-[2-[2-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethylamino)-2-oxoethyl]-1-oxoisoquinolin-5-yl]oxypropanoate and (SID7970631), were identified as potent submicromolar ...

Science.gov (United States)

An x-ray diffraction approach has been developed for determination of the kinetics of growth of Pd/sub 2/Si layers. Epitaxial Pd/sub 2/Si films were grown on Si(111) substrates over a temperature range of 160-222/sup 0/C by a solid-state reaction between the substrates and the Pd overlayers. The parabolic rate equation was verified and rate constants showed Arrhenius behavior with an activation energy E/sub a/ = 1.06 eV and prefactor k/sub 0/ = 7 x 10/sup -4/ cm/sup 2//s. The low value of E/sub a/ suggests a short-circuit diffusion mechanism. It is reasonable to expect that impurities and microstructure may play important roles in the growth process. Impurity levels in the specimens were evaluated by analytic techniques suited to thin-film study: Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, secondary ion mass spectrometry, and Auger electron spectrometry. No impurities were present at concentrations approaching 1 at. %. Some O, C, and F were ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Half-Heusler phases XYZ (Pearson symbol cF12) are chemically versatile and rich in physical properties. The half-Heusler phase in the Fe-Zn-Sb ternary system was reported in the year 2000. In this work, two new ternary phases are identified in the vicinity of the equiatomic composition FeZnSb in the same system: Fe1-xZnSb (tetragonal, space group P4/nmm, Pearson symbol tP6-?, Z=2: a=4.1113(6) A, c=6.0127(12) A for x=0.08 (1), and a=4.1274(6) A, c=6.0068(12) A for x=0.12 (2)); and Fe7.87Zn6.72Sb8 (Fe0.98Zn0.84Sb) (3) (cubic, space group Fm-3m, Pearson symbol cF96-?, Z=4, a=11.690(13) A). 1 and 2 crystallize in the PbFCl-type structure, and 3 adopts a unique 2x2x2 supercell of a normal half-Heusler structure. The structures of both the tetragonal and cubic phases can be described as assemblies of half-Heusler structure related subunits. Electrical resistivity measurement on the pure sample of 2 shows it has metallic-like behavior, and its thermal ...

Science.gov (United States)

Autoreactive cytotoxic CD8 T-cells (CTLs) play a key pathogenic role in the destruction of insulin-producing beta-cells resulting in type 1 diabetes. However, knowledge regarding their targets is limited, restricting the ability to monitor the course of the disease and immune interventions. In a multi-step discovery process to identify novel CTL epitopes in human preproinsulin (PPI), PPI was digested with purified human proteasomes, and resulting COOH-fragments aligned with algorithm-predicted HLA-binding peptides to yield nine potential HLA-A1, -A2, -A3 or -B7-restricted candidates. An UV-exchange method allowed the generation of a repertoire of multimers including low-affinity HLA-binding peptides. These were labeled with quantum dot-fluorochromes and encoded in a combinatorial fashion, allowing parallel and sensitive detection of specific, low-avidity T-cells. Significantly increased frequencies of T-cells against four novel PPI epitopes ...

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 ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Toxic studies were conducted with rats, mice, and guinea pigs to determine acute effects from single exposures to M60A1-tank-generated DF2 and DF1 (diesel fuel) smoke and/or exhaust clouds under static airflow conditions. Emissions were disseminated with the Vehicle Engine Exhaust Smoke System (VEESS) and exposure periods ranged from 15 to 300 minutes. At attempted airborne concentrations of 10.0 to 12.0 mg/i (10,000 cu.m to 12,000 cu.m) of the DF2 and DF1 smoke/exhaust mixtures and 0.2 mg/1 (200 mg/cu.m) of the exhausts, toxic signs (excluding death) and lung compliance changes were observed after 15-minute exposures. Death and pathological abnormalities of the lung were seen after 16-minute exposures to DF2 smoke and/or exhaust. Exposures to DF1 smoke/exhaust showed lung pathology and death by 120 minutes while death and turbinate lesions were observed in animals exposed to DF1 exhaust for 60 minutes. Experimental evidence suggests that a ...

Science.gov (United States)

Snake envenomation employs three well integrated strategies: prey immobilization via hypotension, prey immobilization via paralysis, and prey digestion. Purines (adenosine, guanosine and inosine) evidently play a central role in the envenomation strategies of most advanced snakes. Purines constitute the perfect multifunctional toxins, participating simultaneously in all three envenomation strategies. Because they are endogenous regulatory compounds in all vertebrates, it is impossible for any prey organism to develop resistance to them. Purine generation from endogenous precursors in the prey explains the presence of many hitherto unexplained enzyme activities in snake venoms: 5'-nucleotidase, endonucleases (including ribonuclease), phosphodiesterase, ATPase, ADPase, phosphomonoesterase, and NADase. Phospholipases A(2), cytotoxins, myotoxins, and heparinase also participate in purine liberation, in addition to their better known functions. Adenosine contributes to prey immobilization ...

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The aim of this review is to evaluate the role of inflammatory spine disease in patients with chronic back pain. The contribution of imaging modalities for the diagnostic evaluation of back pain is discussed. A systematic literature search based on the classification of seronegative spondyloarthropathies and rheumatoid arthritis was performed. The results of this search and the experiences in a large collective of rheumatological patients are analyzed. The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (1-2%) is comparable to that of spondyloarthropathies (1.9%). The etiology of these entities is not fully elucidated. Magnetic resonance imaging is increasingly used for early detection and surveillance of therapy with TNF-{alpha} antagonists. Bone marrow edema, which is only detectable with MRI, represents an early sign of inflammation. Therapy with TNF-{alpha} antagonists is based on clinical and laboratory criteria, and signs of inflammation in MRI. MRI is useful for assessment of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

One of the aims in the safety assessment of SFR-1 is to estimate the release to the environment. In order to make these calculations there is a need to describe the inventory in greater detail. The new computerised database of waste in SFR-1 gives a good possibility to achieve this. The aim for project SAFE is to make both conservative and realistic radionuclide transport calculations. To achieve this goal there must be two inventories. The conservative inventory is the inventory used in the design of the repository, which in most parts is identical with the limits in the licence for SFR-1. There is a great interest to have good estimates of the volumes of the different waste types. A thorough prognosis should be made in 1999, but until then the latest one from 1995 could be used in the calculations. The total (actual) inventory of nuclides is calculated from the measurements of the easy-to-measure nuclides since, in principle, all hard-to-measure nuclides are calculated by correlation ...